Did you know?
Eating a frozen Popsicle is still part of growing up in America just as
it was in the past. Frank
Epperson, from California, invented and patented the “Epsicle” which later
became the “Popsicle.” In 1905,
when Epperson was just 11 years old, he mixed some soda water powder to
drink. He accidentally left it
overnight on the back porch with the stirring stick inside. That night the temperature dropped to a
record low causing this mixture to freeze. Voila! The first “Epsicle!” Today, the Popsicle is manufactured by the Good
Humor-Breyers Ice Cream Company.
Popsicles come in a variety of fun shapes and flavors, now even offering
natural juices and no-sugar-added Pops.
Not only have Popsicles been treats for our children, the famous wooden
sticks are great resources for arts, crafts, games, and learning.
CRAFT STICKS AND CRAYONS (crayons & Popsicle sticks)—
Place Popsicle sticks, crayons and white paper on the
table. Invite the children to make
designs on the paper by tracing around the sticks with their colorful
crayons. Teach your kids the art
of overlapping.
POPSICLE FRAMES (Popsicle Sticks)—
Glue Popsicle sticks into shapes, such as squares and
triangles. You can even create a
star by laying one triangle on top of another. Glue the sticks together. Trim a photograph to fit the inside of your frame and glue
this to the back of the frame. As
a variation, you could glue a plain piece of heavy paper in place to be
colored, painted, or decorated inside the frame. This is an easy project to hang; just attach a loop of yarn
or ribbon to the top.
PICK-UP STICKS (Popsicle Sticks)—
Use Popsicle sticks to play a game of pick-up sticks. This is played just like pick-up sticks
except that when your turn is finished you have to add your sticks to that of
the person before you. Let’s say
Mom was able to pick up five sticks before she moved any of the others. Then Bobby picked up three without
moving the rest of the sticks.
Bobby would note that since Mom picked up five and he picked up three,
then there are eight sticks picked up so far. Therefore, five plus three equals eight. If he gets it right, he gets Mom’s
sticks. If he gets it wrong, Mom
gets her sticks. This makes the game an incentive to learn math facts.
Kids love to eat Popsicles - so save all those sticks for further fun!
You can also purchase a bag of sticks on AMAZON.
There are pre-colored sticks too! HERE
Photo courtesy of Tania Cowling, all rights reserved
