Now that it’s summer, the kids are home all day long, which inevitably leads to moments where a few minutes of thinking time is needed. Most kids have a hard time grasping the concept of a minute, so asking them to sit and think quietly for a set amount of time is hard for them. In our house we have a thinking jar” that helps immensely when I need someone to cool down and calm down.

How long the think” time is really depends on how large your jar is and how much glitter you add, but even a small jar gives them enough time, and enough distraction, to get out of their funk.

Things you’ll need:
Glass jar with tightly fitting lid
Glue
Cooking oil
Glitter

Things to do:
1. Wash and dry your jar well, remove all labels and make sure there are no spots on the inside of the jar.
2. Pour glitter into the bottom of the jar. Start with a few tablespoons and then add more as needed.

3. Fill the jar almost to the top with oil. Screw the lid on and give the jar a good shake. Watch how long it takes for all the glitter to settle and add more if needed.

4. Unscrew the top and wipe the inside of the lid and the edge of the jar clean. Add a bead of glue all the way around the edge of the jar and screw the lid on tightly. Give the glue an hour or so to dry before shaking again.