Orlando Science Center Birthday
Jacob turned 8 in 2022 when the United States was experiencing a resurgence of Covid. Since we wanted to stay away from a large gathering at our house, we opted for the Orlando Science Center in our masks. Here’s how we made the science theme extra special for him…
Invitation
I made the invitation in Canva and updated one of their links to match his request. Here is the Canva template link that can be customized with your details.
The Decorations
Cricut Design Space link to make the banner
Cricut Design space link to make the cake topper
This was the year I became obsessed with cardstock crafts. For the banner, centerpieces, and cake topper, I began with several layers of black cardstock glued together (school glue works just fine). Then I glued the colored pieces on top and hotg glued a stick to the back for the centerpieces and cake topper. For the banner, I laid out a long piece of ribbon and hot glued the cardstock pieces evenly spaced.
I used washi tape to adhere the paper lanters and other items to the wall and hung the banner below it.
The Science Center
The Orlando Science Center is located on the north side of Orlando just south of Winter Park. They have many ticket options, including family passes (which is what we decied to do). The family passes even allow additional adults to be added, such as grandparents and/or nannies.
The boys enjoyed the dinosaur exhibits and STEM rooms the best.
We’ve eaten in their cafeteria, which is very much like grade school, Ikea, or any of the quick serve restaurants in the theme parks. The food options were all healthy and it was neat to see the hydroponic lettuces as you enter. Like most attractions, the food can be more pricey than other restaurants in the area, so we’d usually pack a picnic lunch to have afterwards or go out to eat for lunch at Panera or Chic-fil-a.
The Shirts
Cricut Design Space link for Lab Superpowers shirt
Cricut Design Space link for Science is Magic shirt
Mad Scientist Punch
Before heading off to the Orlando Science Center for the day, we made their favorite breakfast: eggs and toast.
The Mad Scientist Punch is simple enough to make. You need Hawaiian Punch Green Berry Rush, pineapple juice, ginger ale, and lime sherbet. The ginger ale is what reacts with the rest of the ingredients and was served separately for the kids to pour into their mixture.
I was lucky enough to have a chemistry teacher friend who had an unopened box of the glassware and allowed me to borrow them for the weekend. We put equal amounts of the Hawaiian Punch and pineapple juice in the “cups”. Then, we added a small scoop of sherbert. Finally, we poured a small amount of the ginger ale in a smaller cup and gave it to them to combine.
Jonah is not a fan of carbonated beverages, but they both loved the reaction it made. Jacob loved the taste.
Class Cupcakes
Cricut Design Space link for cupcake toppers
For Jacob’s class cupcakes, we ordered vanilla and chocolate cupcakes from Publix with white buttercream frosting on top. Then, we made the cupcake slime (recipe below) and put some on top of each cupcake. Finally, he brought the cupcake toppers to school and put them in each cupcake before serving them to his classmates.
Cupcake Slime
(Makes enough to cover 12 cupcakes.)
Ingredients
2/3 cup bottled lemon juice
3/4 cup sugar
2 large eggs at room temperature
8-10 drops green food coloring and 2-3 drops of yellow
Instructions
Dissolve sugar into lemon juice over medium heat in a saucepan
Lightly beat the eggs in a small bowl. Then trickle the hot lemon syrup into the eggs, whisking constantly. Beat for about a minute and return the mixture to the saucepan.
Cook over medium heat, stirring constantly, until the curd starts to bubble and thicken. While it is cooking, mix in the food coloring.