I am working on the next Action Pack Magazine for kids. It’s nearly ready to launch and will be lots of fun. It is the Mad Scientist issue and is filled with some fabulous science experiments, can’t wait to show you! If you are an Action Pack fan — make sure to check in on our facebook page for updates and news or check in to our website where you can purchase back issues and find out more. And if you can’t wait to try out our Mad Scientist issue, don’t forget that the Zap + Zest issue has a whole bunch of science too!

Last week (or was it the week before), I mentioned in the newsletter that you could read your Action Pack magazine on your iPad or Tablet as a great alternative to printing them. A reader wrote in confused about how to get the PDF onto her iPad. You don’t need to do any file conversions or anything like that — the iPad or tablet is able to read PDF documents as they are using your iBooks or book reader app. What you need to do: Open iTunes on your computer, drag or save the Action Pack into your books/iBooks folder. Plug your Ipad into your computer and then drag the folder onto your iPad. [Thanks Mary Beth]. I will be adding this to our FAQ section on the website.

We are very excited about the upcoming Mad Scientist issue of Action Pack. Full of potions, concoctions, crystals and experiments — we had fun making it and hope you and the kids have fun doing all the experiments too — here is a preview.

Have you been doing some science experiments? We want to know – please post them to our facebook page.

Here are recent science experiments we have found around the web:

• Jo made sugar crystals with her kids
• Outside mom discusses the pros and cons of the science fair
• Make bouncy polymer balls
• Make plastic from milk
• Find out about the science of avocados
• Make astronaut icecream
• Make some bubbles
• Explore mixtures

Want more: Subscribe to our newsletter here.

Action Pack Magazine now has a Facebook page - by popular request I have set up a facebook page for the Action Pack mag – so please head on over there and ‘like’ it and also do post your kid related craft/science/cooking projects up there plus any ideas or inspirations you would like to share.

COOK

Spaghetti and meatball soup :: eggtastic breakfast sandwhich :: Kale fried rice :: Chocolate chip oatmeal cookies :: Valentine ginger crinkles [pictured above]

CRAFT

Boo boo rice bags :: Origami hearts :: Woven bottle basket :: Dried orange pendants :: Heart bracelet :: Owl love you :: Stuck on you valentine

SCIENCE

Wake up the yeast :: Photographing snow crystals :: Science books for kids :: Science is real song and video :: Make slime :: Make a straw rocket :: Make a toy parachute 

• Join our facebook page and share your projects and ideas
• Flickr page and share your photos

Want more: Subscribe to our newsletter here.

Sorry for the silence for the past few weeks, I have been edging my way slowly into 2012 and with the kids on their summer vacation (we are in Australia), it has been a great opportunity to just chill with them. It has been a pretty mild summer so our plans for the beach and the pool have been a bit thwarted, but we have been doing plenty of other stuff like going for bike rides, heading to the museum and few adventure playgrounds for family bbqs, but for the most part we have enjoyed spending time at home together cooking, crafting and reading books.

Some kids craft:

Scrappy card :: Wooden coasters (pictured above) :: make a jellyfish in a bottle :: cork balloon friends  :: Spoon puppet theatre :: Make some modern art :: [Thanks Crafty Crow -- check them out for some great kids craft ideas]

Some family cooking ideas:

Greek meatballs :: These vegetable balls look pretty good too :: Sweet potato wedges (yum) :: Pizza soup (who knew!) :: and for dessert a baked apple pancake

Some excellent books:

• Catch the Wind, Harness the Sun: 22 Super-Charged Projects for Kids by Michael J. Caduto, published by Storey Publishing, LLC (April 30, 2011). Full of great science based earth and eco projects for kids.
• The Toymaker’s Workshop: Paper Toys You Can Make Yourself by Marilyn Scott-Waters and published by Sterling Children’s Books (October 4, 2011). Comes with instructions and pages to tear out and fold to make a whole bunch of foldable paper toys – clever!

[Thanks to publishers and distributors for sending me books to review, I don't get paid to post reviews but I am an amazon affiliate] (Australians can purchase craft books online through can do books or booktopia or else browse booko for the best prices.)

And because it it closing in to Valentines day — here are some kid friendly valentines crafts.

Toilet roll valentine :: Love bug pet rocks :: Valentine heart mobile ::

And for you: 5 ways to organise your kids

This year we promised a Mad scientist issue of Action Pack and we will be delivering a little later than expected – 1 March instead of 1 February. We’ll be putting these bigger magazines out quarterly but will be interspersing them with weekender packs to keep your kids entertained in between. Also we have been listening to your feedback and will be designing each issue with a special printable section so you don’t have to print it all (unless you want to). But don’t forget the Action Packs are great to read on your Android tablet or iPad too, simply download them into your library and access them anytime anywhere.

What to expect in our upcoming Mad Scientist issue: Projects involving potions, crystals and reactions — be ready for some mini mad scientists in your home! We will also have a project for you too! Coming 1 March.

Want more: Subscribe to our newsletter here.

Introducing … drum roll please … Action Pack Magazine for kids: issue 8 CELEBRATION. The last issue of the year and the culmination of a terrific and huge year for this little Action pack Magazine for kids. Wow we have gone from nothing to something pretty special – offering an interesting, creative and educational array of projects aimed at 7-12 year old kids (and older and younger too). {Scroll down for sample pages from this issue – so bright and cheery!}

I am very excited to introduce the last issue of the year – Celebration – celebrating a wonderful year – celebrating your special holiday – and sharing what everyone is celebrating at this special holiday season.

Action Pack Issue 8: Celebration – is Available now only $8 for $80 pages of tutorials, recipes, crafts and more …

This is an e-magazine – you will receive a download link to a high quality printable pdf

This issue is huge – no really I mean it – it’s HUGE. 80 pages & 23 projects – it’s not a magazine – it’s a book and it all came together with the help of some wonderful contributors and my beautiful family – but the reason it is successful is because of you! My special readers, supporters and blog friends – who purchase, support, talk about, blog about, subscribe to the newsletter … thank you all for the support of my new venture this year.

We have some plans for changing things up a bit next year – we will be changing our publishing schedule a little – not publishing so many so frequently – I am a bit exhausted! Instead we will be concentrating on fewer bigger ones, and also some smaller more frequent ones – yes exciting times!

Now back to this Celebration issue…

• Recipes: cookies and holiday treats from around the world (9 recipes)
• Decorations: – ornaments, wreaths, banners and a nativity scene (8 projects)
• Games and gifts: – Wintry scenes to cut out and display, cards and gift tags, dress ups and games to make and play with (6 projects including printables)

Action Pack Issue 8: Celebration – is Available now only $8 for $80 pages of tutorials, recipes, crafts and more …

This is an e-magazine – you will receive a download link to a high quality printable pdf

Am very excited to have some wonderful contributors in this issue: 

Verity Heysen Kizek :: Lorraine Teigland :: Kathreen Ricketson (thats me) :: Joanie Gorman :: Carina Envoldsen-Harris :: Clare Collins :: Francesca Mueller :: Pascale Mestdagh :: Anna Hytonen

Issue 7 of Action Pack, is one that is close to my heart – it’s all about the freedom of childhood – sticks and stones are simple ancient tools that can be made into all sorts of things for games and adventures.

This is a printable downloadable e-magazine – with no advertising and only $5 for 30 pages of making, baking and adventure.

Available now

Kids – go wild, experiment, play, cook, taste, imagine, get outside and create cool things with the projects in this book.

We had so much fun making these projects – our slingshot is based on a traditional Navaho design – easy to get started but takes care and practice to become a good shot! We also loved making our ephemeral art pieces and practicing our whittling skills on our recent camping trip.

Welcome back contributors: Lisa Tilse (Australia) and her daughter show us how to make message stones, and Anne Weil (USA) and her three kiddos make a pretzel log cabin and some delicious cinnamon sticks.

Welcome new contributors: Margie Oomen (Canada), Susan Phillips (USA), Katie Startzman (USA) and Joan Gorman (England). Margie paints stone eggs and creates an inuksuk snowglobe, Joan and her daughter Grace make wooden jewellery, Katie and her boys whittle a fork, and Susan and her kids make a nature version of the classic game tic-tac-toe.

The Action Pack Magazines are aimed at the 7-12 age group – however there are projects suitable for older and younger kids too – Painted rocks and the pretzel cabin would be perfect for little ones, and Wooden jewellery and the Braided Sling are perfect for teens and adults too.

Available now

Enjoy
xx
Kathreen

Issue 6 of Action Pack, is themed around the concept of ZAP+ZEST:
zap refers to electricity and battery experiments, poppers and fizzing reactions too, while zest is focussed on citrus fruits – mainly lemon! Lots of projects to keep you busy no matter what the season. Lots of science, cooking and some art and craft too!

This is a printable downloadable emagazine – with no advertising and only $6 for 60pages of science, creativity & cooking.

Available now

There are a couple of projects suitable to the little ones too – try some Lemon stamping, Static electricity experiments (yes the little ones will love these), how about some lemon boats and making a vinegar volcano too!

This issue we welcome back contributors: Lisa Tilsa from Australia who makes some lemon prints, and Pascale Mestdagh from France who makes a zesty citrus bunting. We also welcome new contributor Marcie Cuff from the USA with two projects, a recipe for a yummy citrus body scrub and instructions to make your own candied peel.

As well as those super projects, our own kids showed us how to make a volcano, lemon fizz and elephants toothpaste, and we in turn helped them make a lemon battery and an origami light plus lots more too!

This issue is a Double Trouble issue, with 60 pages full of science, recipes and craft activities as well as lots of fun facts to keep you busy through to the end of October (and longer).

Available now

Enjoy

Issue 5 of Action Pack: A Mini-Mag for kids – August issue {chalk & cheese} is out. So excited about this issue – it’s all about chalk & cheese – those two very different materials that might look similar but are really not similar at all. In this pack you will find projects to keep you busy no matter what the season. From kitchen science experiments to outdoor art and craft projects. This is a printable downloadable emagazine – with no advertising and only $5

Available now

40 pages of crafts, science, cooking and games exploring the theme of Chalk + Cheese.

• Make chalk + cheese
• Kitchen science
• Chalk boards & chalk bags
• Sidewalk games
• Plaster crafts
• Cornflour experiments
• Plus More games, crafts, science & cooking.

I am also really excited this issue to introduce three new contributors: Lisa Tilsa from Sydney, Australia shows us how to make your own chalk board paint and some creative chalk boards; Anne Weil from Boulder, USA shows us how to mix chalk and sand together to make some textured art, Pascale Mestdagh from Paris, France shows us how to make a simple drawstring bag to carry your chalk and sidewalk games kit around with you.

Plus we are offering a freebie from this issue too – along with fun video!

Download the instructions to make this cool cornflour slime – video of the project in action above – how cool is it!

Issue 4 (June + July 2011) of Action Pack: A MEGA-Mag for kids (aged 7+) just keeps getting bigger and better. The Great Outdoors edition is 60 pages of colourful activities, recipes, games and tutorials for outdoor fun.

Action Pack: A mini-mag for kids who want to do stuff is available in an easy downloadable PDF format, priced at only $6, and with no advertising.

In this pack you will find:

- Campfire cooking recipes, Weather science experiments and Outdoor art projects.

- This Action Pack also has a super great section on Boredom busting games for car trips and rainy days. And we know there are plenty of those at holiday time.

- This Action Pack has a lovely big section on crafts: Including detailed instructions on how to make a must-have utility belt and bag , flower press and nature journal to take along on your nature excursions with you, and nature jewels and a woven fly swat that you can make while camping or hiking, from materials you can find along the way.

- This Action Pack also has a whole section on adventure and survival. Including how to make your own fish trap, fishing rod, how to safely light a campfire and detailed illustrations on how to tie seven different knots that just might save your life!

This Issue of the Action Pack comes with a safety warning – some projects require the use of fire and sharp knives – some adult supervision may be required.

Our philosophy:

- We see kids as competent, creative and capable people. We believe that our kids are resourceful and clever and we try to enable them to develop their independence and creative minds within a secure and nurturing environment.
- We see learning opportunities everywhere. Learning should and can be fun. But we also know that parents are busy and cannot realistically be spending all weekend ‘playing’ with their kids. We want kids to get off the couch, away from the computer and learn the value and fun in making and doing stuff.

Find out more about the magazine here.

We really love the end result and hope you do too. Available now in our shop.

Instructions: After you have purchased the Action Pack you will receive an email with the link to where you can download the pdf. Save it onto your computer and then print out. It is a full colour 22 page document – but you print the pages you need as you need them. For optimum quality choose ‘best quality’ when printing, especially for the pages with illustrations. However feel free to print it out in black and white too.

Contact for more information: Action-pack[@]whipup.net

Issue 3 (May) of Whipup.net’s printable Mini-Mag for kids (aged 7+) continues on from issue 1 & 2 by offering more opportunities for learning, fun and experimentation. This ‘Tea & Sew’ themed issue contains instructions & printables for a busy afternoon or two of tea drinking, cooking and sewing: lots of experimenting with flavours, sewing, dyeing and baking. Plus we have included the perfect project to make for Mother’s Day.

Action Pack: A mini-mag for kids who want to do stuff is available in an easy downloadable PDF format, priced at only $5, and with no advertising.

Our philosophy for Action Pack is all about inspiring kids to be creative, to develop and nurture healthy habits, and to feed inquisitive minds, and challenge imaginations. This ‘Action Pack’, is for busy parents and creative energetic kids.

In this pack you will find: a whole heap of projects around the theme ‘Tea & Sew’, with tasting, experimenting with flavours, sewing projects and more.

• The instructions to sew a tea cup and jam tarts.
• A recipe with variations to make your own tea flavoured cookies.
• Make sun tea, herbal ice tea and spiced chai.
• Instructions to tea dye fabric and make a personalised hand sewn tea cosy.
• Lots of information and facts about tea traditions around the world.
• Plus a bonus Mother’s Day project.

Our philosophy:
- We see kids as competent, creative and capable people.
- We believe that our kids are resourceful and clever and we try to enable them to develop their independence and creative minds within a secure and nurturing environment.
- We see learning opportunities everywhere. Learning should and can be fun.
- But we also know that parents are busy and cannot realistically be spending all weekend ‘playing’ with their kids.
- We want kids to get off the couch, away from the computer and learn the value and fun in making and doing stuff.

We really love the end result and hope you do too. Available now in our shop.

Instructions: After you have purchased the Action Pack you will receive an email with the link to where you can download the pdf. This is a 48 hour link – Save it straight away onto your computer and then it print out at your liesure. It is a full colour 25 page document – but you can print the pages as you need them. You can also print out the whole pack and bind it and store it in a folder to be used over and over. For optimum quality choose ‘best quality’ when printing, especially for the pages with illustrations. However feel free to print it out in black and white too.

Contact for more information: Action-pack@whipup.net

If you would like to find out more you can download the press release here.

Issue 2 (April) of Whipup.net’s printable Mini-Mag for kids (aged 7+) is bigger and better than issue 1 – if that is even possible.

Action Pack is available in an easy downloadable PDF format. Priced at only $5, and with no advertising, this month’s issue is jam packed with 25 pages of projects – with a Seeds & Beads theme for the new planting season – inside you will find craft projects, gardening projects, science, cooking, drawing and more, everything a kid needs for a weekend (or two) of activities. Plus – a bonus 4 pages of Easter cooking and experimenting!

Our philosophy for Action Pack is all about inspiring kids to be creative, to develop and nurture healthy habits, and to feed inquisitive minds, and challenge imaginations. This ‘Action Pack’, is for busy parents and creative energetic kids.

In this pack you will find: a whole slew of projects around the theme Seeds & Beads, with lots of delicious cooking, science experiments, simple craft projects and outdoor activities.

• Instructions to make garden lanterns and beaded dragonflies to decorate your garden.
• Instructions to show you how-to draw realistic and cartoon dragonflies – the good insect!. Plus lots of fun facts and interesting information throughout.
• How to grow seeds – make seed bombs, recycled plant containers and bird seed treats to attract birds to your garden + printable seed packets to save and store your seeds.
• Learn all about how to use edible seeds in your cooking, make cakes, crackers and salad sprinkles as well as a refreshing Lavender Lemonade!
• Plus an a bonus Easter supplement with a recipe for Hot Cross Spice Buns and Experiments with naturally dyeing eggs.

Our philosophy:
- We see kids as competent, creative and capable people.
- We believe that our kids are resourceful and clever and we try to enable them to develop their independence and creative minds within a secure and nurturing environment.
- We see learning opportunities everywhere. Learning should and can be fun.
- But we also know that parents are busy and cannot realistically be spending all weekend ‘playing’ with their kids.
- We want kids to get off the couch, away from the computer and learn the value and fun in making and doing stuff.

We really love the end result and hope you do too. Available now in our shop.

Instructions: After you have purchased the Action Pack you will receive an email with the link to where you can download the pdf. This is a 24 hour link – Save it onto your computer and then print out. It is a full colour 30 page document – but you can print the pages as you need them. You can also print out the whole pack and bind it and store it in a folder to be used over and over. For optimum quality choose ‘best quality’ when printing, especially for the pages with illustrations. However feel free to print it out in black and white too.

Contact for more information: Action-pack[@]whipup.net

If you would like to find out more you can download the press release here.