Sticky Gecko

WATCH IT HERE

Episode Description: Mum must get Bluey and Bingo out the door in time for a playdate, but they can’t leave before they finish their game – waiting for a sticky rubber gecko to drop from the ceiling.

ACTIVITIES:

• I’m pretty sure I threw away all our sticky geckos after realising they’re magnets for dirt and fuzz. Seriously, so gross. So if you’ve got ’em, play with ’em. If not, let’s make some.
• Geckos are commonly featured in Aboriginal art, so why not give dot painting a go and make one. Use this print-out plus some cotton buds and paint.
  • Watch Aboriginal artist Bronwyn Ferguson demonstrate dot painting technique.
  • And meet some more indigenous artists in the NT
  • Or visit an Aboriginal art gallery online
• There are over 1,500 species of geckos!  Check out this video on some of the coolest looking ones. You could tie in a bit of geography, researching countries like Madagascar and Indonesia that are home to many of these cool creatures.
• Want to know how geckos actually stick to walls? Find out how gecko feet work! David Attenborough takes a closer look at the sticky reptiles here.
• While we’re getting sticky, why not make a sticky wall? All you need is contact paper and some masking tape, but there’s no shortage of ideas for how to use a sticky wall.
  • Make a collage – with bits of coloured paper, wool, flowers or other natural materials, magazine pictures – anything goes.
  • Make an alphabet wall – perfect for beginning readers
  • Or use it for counting and number recognition
• In all the chaos of “Sticky Gecko” they never really talk about how or why Bluey and Bingo seem to have created an elaborate pulley system, but it’s a cool project you could do with your kids.
  • First, you’ll want to learn what pulleys are of course.
  • There are heaps of pulley projects to try at home, but I like this one because it resembles the ones the Heelers use (and I actually have ribbon spools to make it – though you could also DIY one from cardboard)
• BUT WHY? Look, as this episode shows, life can be hectic – even if we’re no longer rushing out to playdates. Take a little extra time to connect with your child(ren). Maybe make a list of five reasons why you love them. Make it a cutesy project or just a simple list.