Educational hobbies for middle schoolers

Exploring fun and educational hobbies for middle school students

Introduction

Being in middle school is a unique time in life. It’s the period when students are transitioning from childhood to adulthood, and developing their social and educational skills for the future. Finding enjoyable yet educational hobbies can help them with this transition by providing an opportunity to explore new interests, develop new skills, make friends, and have fun! Let's look at some examples of great hobbies for middle schoolers.

Making art

Art is a great hobby for middle schoolers because it allows them to express themselves creatively while also learning how to use different materials, techniques, and tools. If your child is into drawing or painting, they can learn new techniques such as blending colors or perspective drawing. If they prefer doing crafts, they can try making things out of everyday items like paper mache or jewelry-making out of beads. Not only does art provide creative expression, but it also helps build problem-solving skills that will be useful later on in life.

Playing music

Music is another great hobby that offers both fun and educational benefits. Learning an instrument teaches discipline, concentration, and patience - all essential skills that will help in other areas of life. Playing music with other people teaches teamwork and how to work together towards a common goal. Additionally, there are many different types of instruments to choose from - piano, guitar, drums, etc. - so your child can find one that fits their personality best.

Cooking

Cooking can be both fun and educational! Kids can learn about different cultures by trying recipes from around the world; practice math by measuring ingredients; expand their vocabulary by reading labels; discover science by understanding how heat affects food; learn patience while waiting for dishes to cook; experiment with flavors; explore creativity through presentation; practice good hygiene habits (such as washing hands); and so much more! Cooking is a great way for kids to get involved in meal preparation while learning important life skills along the way.

Conclusion

There are so many options for fun yet educational hobbies that middle schoolers can enjoy! From art to music or cooking - the opportunities are endless! Engaging in these activities provides kids with opportunities to develop valuable social and academic skills while having a blast at the same time! Not only will your child be able to express themselves creatively, but they'll also be able to develop important problem-solving abilities which will help them succeed in other areas of life down the road. So if you're looking for ways to keep your middle schooler busy this summer, why not try one of these fun yet educational hobbies? Your child will thank you!

Growing an herb garden

In this post, we discuss how to grow an herb garden. In particular, we look at lighting needs for specific kinds of popular herbs, and how to harvest, dry, and store your fresh herbs when they're ready for picking.

Herbs, whether fresh or dried, are a wonderful way to quickly add rich flavor to all kinds of dishes. Depending on what herbs you're growing, they can greatly enhance pizzas, pastas, salads, salsas, eggs, meat and seafood, desserts, and more.

Ideal lighting conditions for growing popular herbs

Different types of herbs thrive under different lighting conditions. The following list includes the ideal lighting conditions that should be adhered to when growing many of the more popular types of herbs.

Herbs that prefer to grow in full sun include:

• Basil
• Oregano
• Rosemary
• Sage
• Thyme

Herbs that will thrive in full sun or partial shade include:

• Chamomile
• Chives
• Lemon balm
• Mint
• Parsley

Proper lighting is an important part in the success of any herb garden. By growing your herbs in an environment providing their ideal lighting conditions, you will be helping them to reach their full potential in size, fragrance, appearance, and most importantly, flavor.

How to harvest, dry, and store fresh herbs

Fresh herbs from the garden are an excellent way to add a little spice to your life. Drying some of those herbs allows for that same spice any time of the year - even when they are out of season. Not only is drying your own herbs a cheaper alternative to purchasing them at the grocery store, but it's also very easy to do. The following four steps will explain all you need to know about how to harvest, dry, and store your own fresh garden herbs.

#1 - Harvesting the herbs

The best time to harvest fresh herbs is just before the plant begins to flower. At this time, the flavor will be at its peak. The type of herb will determine where it should be cut. Annual herbs should be harvested from ground level, while perennial herbs should be cut from about one third of the way down the stem.

On the day you decide to harvest your herbs, you should do so during the late morning hours - preferably after the morning dew has dried, but before the leaves have started to wilt in the afternoon sun. Certain herbs like oregano can be harvested multiple times per season to obtain the maximum harvest from the plants. Each variety of herb is different, and some extra research into the specific types of herbs you plan to harvest is recommended.

#2 - Washing the herbs

Wash the herbs quickly using cold running water. Be sure not to over-wash the herbs as this might affect the flavor. As you are washing the herbs, remove anything that appears less than optimum. This includes herbs with wilted, discolored, and diseased leaves. Once the plants are clean and the unusable ones have been removed, lightly pat them dry with a paper towel and set them aside.

#3 - Binding the herbs

Separate the washed herbs into small groups and remove the leaves at the base of the stem. Two or three inches of clear stem works well. Use a twist tie to tightly hold the stems together and then hang them in a warm, dry, dust-free, and well ventilated area away from direct sunlight. It is important for the stems to be tied together tightly as a small bundle, or the stems will shrink and the herbs will fall.

#4 - Drying and storing the herbs

Actual drying times will depend on the moisture content of the individual herbs. Most types of herbs such as bay leaves, oregano, parsley, rosemary, and thyme will dry in around two weeks. Once they have completely dried, remove the stems and store the leaves (either whole or crushed) in an airtight container. Store in a cool place.

Check the container daily during the first few days of storage. Moisture from herbs which haven´t been fully dried can quickly lead to mold in air-tight containers. If you spot any condensation, remove the herbs and continue drying until the remaining moisture is gone.

Fresh herbs from the garden can be a welcomed addition to any meal during the summer months while they are readily available. Now, with a little extra effort, anyone can enjoy the flavors of home-grown herbs throughout the rest of the year, as well.

How to save money on meals

Three Simple Money-Saving Tips for Mealtime

When money is tight, it can be worth examining your current budget to find potential areas of savings. As food is a major expense for most people, mealtime may provide the perfect opportunity to save some money. Here are a few money-saving tips that can help you spend less on your meals.

1. Price match your grocery purchases.

Many grocery stores offer price matching as a way to help their customers save money. If you don't already price match your groceries, then consider doing so from now on. All you'll need in most cases is a current advertisement from another qualifying store showing the same product for a lower price.

2. Go meatless for one or two dinners a week.

Meat is often the most expensive part of any meal. Therefore, if you want to save some money at mealtime, consider going meatless for one or two dinners a week. For a little extra fun, use your new meatless meals as a chance to experiment with new flavors and ingredients.

3. Create a vegetable garden.

Growing vegetables can be a great way to save money at mealtime - especially during the summer months. Even a small windowsill garden can help cut down on grocery expenses if you don't have the time or space for anything larger. If you're feeling especially ambitious, consider renting a plot in a community garden to maximize your savings.