DIRTY-FOOTPRINTS!

BE A “DIRTY-FOOTPRINT” JUNIOR DETECTIVE!

YOU WILL NEED:
• Thick paper towels (we used Bounty)
• Clear Con-Tact paper or laminating sheets
• Scissors

YOUR JUNIOR DETECTIVE ASSIGNMENT:
Try lifting a footprint and pairing it with a particular shoe. Every shoe leaves a different mark, depending on the size, tread, and amount of wear on the sole. Match the prints to the correct shoes, and you'll have one suspect who won't be walking free.

First, you'll need a footprint. Have an accomplice don a pair of shoes - without showing you which ones - and step first into some mud or wet dirt, then onto a hard, smooth easily cleaned surface, such as the kitchen floor. (Be sure to get your parents' permission first. Just tell them it's all in the name of science!) When you're ready to lift the print, first determine if it's still wet. If it is, lay a paper towel over it and press down firmly and carefully, taking care not to shift the towel in the process. If the print is dry, thoroughly dampen the paper towel, squeeze out any excess water, then spread it and lay it over the print. Now, carefully peel up the paper towel, then set it aside to dry, print side up. Cut a piece of Con-Tact paper to size and cover the print with it. Finally, compare the tread marks to the bottoms of any suspect shoes and see if you can find a match.

This activity provided by DisneyFamily.com and FamilyFun.com

http://familyfun.go.com/games/indoor-outdoor-games/feature/junior-detective/junior-detective3.html