I met a real mad scientist and not only did he teach me a lot about science but he was hilarious. You can meet a mad scientist, too, at a Mad Science birthday party.
Bionic Beau (that was his name) told me before the party started, that each mad scientist has their own style of performing and he compared himself to a carnival. Once he got started, I couldn’t agree more. Bionic Beau was animated, silly and had our full attention as we learned about… air, the topic of this birthday party.
He started with a card trick and then told us the secret of the trick. He posed the question, “What is the difference between magic and science?” After a few answers like “magicians and scientists wear different coats,” Bionic Beau explained that magicians never tell their secrets but scientists will tell you all their secrets.
If any of the kids didn’t realize it before, they got it now. Science is fun.
Then came a series of experiments that demonstrated something different about air. One experiment involved two cups – one with water and one with acetone. Bionic Beau let the birthday boy pick a friend and the two had a race of stuffing Styrofoam peanuts into a cup. The birthday boy had the cup of water so he won. The boy with the acetone had a cup full of dissolving peanuts because the acetone took the air out of the peanuts. Best of all, the Styrofoam was now a slimy blob and all the kids got to touch it.
The dry ice experiments were the most exciting and Bionic Beau was very clear about how the kids had to act to stay safe. Bionic Beau put the dry ice into warm soapy water and created large bubbles and then put the bubbles on all the kids’ heads. The kids went crazy! Bionic Beau even put some bubbles on a woman ‘s head next to me and the kids loved that. (I was kind of glad I didn’t get bubbles on my head.)
For the finale, he put the dry ice into a large bucket of water and created a cloud. The room got a little chaotic so I was glad that the rules were firmly stated before the cloud was created. (Everyone keep their hands by their side so nobody steps on them. And don’t touch the dry ice!) The kids, of course, loved the chaos.
The kids even got to make a science experiment to take home. They mixed polyvinyl alcohol, sodium borate and green paint to create their very own slime. Science is more than just fun – it can be gross. And for most kids, that’s awesome!
Mad Science parties are available for three age groups. The party I attended was for 4 1/2 – 7 years. There is another package for ages 6-9 years and one for 9 years and up. There are also add-ons to enhance your mad science party like dry ice, a rocket launch (outdoor space needed) and Mad Science goody bags. All parties end with a chemistry experiment to take home. Both Dino Digs and Applebee’s offer Mad Science Birthday Party packages or you can have a Mad Science Party at your house. Parties are available in Westchester and NYC.
Kids can also experience Mad Science through after school programs, camps and workshops. Check out their website to find out more.
Dino Digs: 300 Phillips Park Road, Mamaroneck; 914-381-DINO
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I never know that there is so much KID ACTIVITY in Westchester! Wow, other cities/towns could get some great ideas from this site. Is there a survey that tracks the best places in America for kids?