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Welcome

How To Make A Fun Animal Soap Carving & A Quick Study on A Swan

November 4, 2023 | Leave a Comment
This post may contain affiliate links. For more information, please see my full disclosure policy.

I’m excited to make this fun animal soap carving and a quick study on a swan. Also, look at this Free Bird Unit Study and Lapbook And Fun Edible Bird Nests.

Carving with soft soap bars is a great way to practice fine motor skills, safe knife skills, and is fantastic for relaxation.

How To Make A Fun Animal Soap Carving & A Quick Study on A Swan

I chose to make this carving of a swan because they are such beautiful and graceful creatures and worked beautifully with the white soap.

Swans are birds found in wetlands, ponds, rivers, and lakes around the United States,

I am not going to just leave it there though, you will have tons of facts, resources, and more to help you with your own swan study before I am through.

First, look at these quick facts about swans.

8 Swan Facts

There is much to learn about swans whether they are a topic on their own or part of a larger study on lakes or ponds.

  1. There are both black and white species of swans. Black swans are found in southeast and southwest Australia as well as Tasmania, but white swans can be found throughout Canada, Northern United States, and Alaska.
  2. Male swans are called cobs, females are pens, and young are called cygnets.
  3. Swans choose a partner and stay together for their whole life. If their mate dies they will mourn for a while just like people and may or may not find a new mate.
  4. Swans can eat as much as eight pounds of food per day, they have big appetites and need to consume 20% to 25% of their bodyweight each day.
  5. While most mammals only have 7 neck vertebrae, swans have 24 or 25.
  6. Trumpeter swans are the largest waterfowl native to North America and they are also the heaviest flying birds in North America. Their wingspans can reach up to 10 feet wide and can weigh up to 30 pounds.
  7. Swans have a long lifespan, In the wild swans can live for over 20 years.
  8. Amazingly swans can sleep on land on one leg or while floating in the water.
How To Make A Fun Animal Soap Carving & A Quick Study on A Swan

Then, look at some bird resources or ideas for animal soap carvings.

More Bird Resources for a Fun Animal Soap Carving

  • How to Make a Chalk Pastel Bird Nest Easy Drawing
  • Galapagos Islands Animals Fun and Simple Watercolor Flamingo Tutorial
  • Peregrine Falcon Lapbook And Fun Unit Study Ideas
  • Free Homeschool Chicken Unit Study and Anatomy of an Egg Felt Activity & Worksheet
  • Make Way For Ducklings Fun Duck Pond Playdough Invitation to Play
  • How to Make an Easy Bird Craft Fun Paper Plate Peacock
  • Free Bird Journal – Hands-on Nature (Coloring & Identification Pages)
  • North American Robin Bird Lapbook and Fun Homeschool Unit Study Ideas
  • Bird Craft For Kindergarten Make an Adorable Fun American Robin Foot Print
  • Beautiful Bald Eagle Fun Facts And Torn Paper Bird Craft
  • Bird Unit Study and Lapbook And Fun Edible Bird Nests
  • Wildlife in the Amazon Rainforest – Create Fun Macaw and Toucan Crafts
  • How to Make a Fun Paper Mache American Robin Bird Craft
  • How to Make a Kid’s Fun and Easy Bird Nest Activity
  • How to Make an Easy Jumbo Stick Bird Feeder with Kids

Your kids will love my Bird Unit Study and Lapbook And Fun Edible Bird Nests.

How To Make A Fun Animal Soap Carving & A Quick Study on A Swan
  • Dynamic Delightful Bird Lapbook for Multiple Ages

    Dynamic Delightful Bird Lapbook for Multiple Ages

    $4.00
    Add to cart

Also, here are more activities to learn about swan.

Swan Unit Study Activities

  • 7 Fun Facts About Swan | How to Create a Handprint Swan

Next, look at these resources for a study of a swan.

Resources for a Quick Study of Swans

7 Swan Quick Unit Study Resources

Read The Trumpet of The Swan as your read aloud during your study, it is a wonderful classic by E.B. White..

The Trumpet of the Swan

Like the rest of his family, Louis is a trumpeter swan. But unlike his four brothers and sisters, Louis can't trumpet joyfully. In fact, he can't even make a sound. And since he can't trumpet his love, the beautiful swan Serena pays absolutely no attention to him.

Louis tries everything he can think of to win Serena's affection—he even goes to school to learn to read and write. But nothing seems to work. Then his father steals him a real brass trumpet. Is a musical instrument the key to winning Louis his love?

Photo Credit: www.youtube.com

Needle Felting: The Swan

Challenge yourself to make this needlefelted swan next, a beautiful handiwork craft.

Photo Credit: www.thecrafttrain.com

Paper roll swan craft

These swans are particularly simple to create, the first time we made them was back when the girls were princess-obsessed preschoolers.

Photo Credit: backyardsummercamp.com

Origami Swan Step-by-Step Craft Tutorial

Create a paper wonder by following this Origami Swan Step-by-Step Craft Tutorial.

Photo Credit: www.youtube.com

Tchaikovsky: Swan Lake - The Kirov Ballet

Take in some of the beautiful music and dance of Tchaikovsky’s  SwanLake

White Swan Figurine Animals Figures Project Diorama Model

4PCS farm animals figures. Kid can use these plastic animals farm toys to build their own farm up. Farm sets for kids can bring happy.

Farm Animal figurines farm toys set made of environment friendly materials.Good quality and durable to deal with lots of play.

Swan Lake

A prince's love for a swan queen overcomes an evil sorcerer's spell in this fairy tale adaptation of the classic ballet

Finally, look how to make this fun animal soap carving.

How To Make A Fun Animal Soap Carving

A soft soap like Ivory carves nicely with simple tools like plastic knives and toothpicks.

It is a great size for small hands and makes a good new medium for an art project.

You will need:

  • Ivory soap bars
  • Toothpicks
  • Wooden Skewers
  • Carving tools-Dollar Tree (optional)
How To Make A Fun Animal Soap Carving & A Quick Study on A Swan

First, open soap a few days ahead of when you are ready to use it and allow it to dry out for 2-5 days, the longer the better.

It makes a little less mess and is easier to work with than if you carve it straight out of the package.

Scratch off the name of the soap with your tools.

Use a toothpick or wooden skewer to lightly outline the shape of the swan on both sides of the soap.

How To Make A Fun Animal Soap Carving & A Quick Study on A Swan

Continue scraping away at the edges of the soap, removing the bulk of the soap that is not part of the design, going all the way from one side of soap to the other.

Going slow and easy will allow you to get more details and less mistakes.

How To Make A Fun Animal Soap Carving & A Quick Study on A Swan

Once you have removed the bulk of the excess material scratch details like feathers deeper into the wings and tail to create some texture by going in different depths and avoid using perfectly straight lines.

How To Make A Fun Animal Soap Carving & A Quick Study on A Swan

Be sure to do all sides of your swan with all the feathering.

How To Make A Fun Animal Soap Carving & A Quick Study on A Swan

Add details like eyes and the beak with a toothpick, do both sides.

Use a smooth rounded tool to rub the edges smooth and flat.

If your child wants to keep their soap, you can seal it with a good lacquer sealer to preserve it.

How To Make A Fun Animal Soap Carving & A Quick Study on A Swan

Leave a CommentFiled Under: Hands-On Activities Tagged With: animals, birdjournal, birds, crafts, elementary science, homeschoolscience, life science, science, spring, spring crafts, swan

How to Make An Embroidered African Map Fun Geography Craft

November 3, 2023 | Leave a Comment
This post may contain affiliate links. For more information, please see my full disclosure policy.

Creating a geography craft is a fantastic way to teach geography in a hands-on way that won’t soon be forgotten. Also, look at my pages Homeschool Geography , Free Africa Unit Study for Kids Who Love Hands-on Learning | Free Continent & Country Reports and Learn About Indigenous Animal Geography Fun Activity for Preschool to Elementary for more ideas and tips.

When you think of geography most likely you think of map skills, states, countries, mountain ranges, etc.

But it is so much more than that.

Geography is the study of Earth and the forces that shape it, both physical and human.

Specifically, it is the study of Earth’s landscapes, its people, places, and the environment.

I am going to show you how to make an embroidered map.

We made Africa but you can apply the same technique to any map you like.

How to Make An Embroidered African Map Fun Geography Craft

You also don’t need to be an embroidery expert.

I am fairly new to it myself. If you know how to sew a basic stitch, you can create this pretty keepsake map.

Not only is sewing your embroidery map a fantastic way for kids to learn geography but they also are learning a beautiful handiwork skill that will translate into hobbies or maybe even a career later in life.

It is great practice in fine motor skills, patience, planning, spatial recognition, and of course art!

6 Facts About The Continent of Africa

First, look at these facts about Africa.

  1. There are 54 different countries in Africa and 9 dependent territories with more than 1.3 billion people living on the continent.
  2. More than half of the African continent is covered by grassland or savannah.
  3. Northern Africa is made up mostly of the vast Sahara Desert and the semi-arid Sahel zone which also includes fertile land in the Nile delta.
  4. Central Africa has rainforests and coastal plains. It is also home to the continent’s highest mountains and lakes.
  5. Southern Africa is mainly on a high plateau.
  6. The southernmost city on the African continent is Cape Town in South Africa. It has about 5 million inhabitants and is one of the most populous cities in the world.
How to Make An Embroidered African Map Fun Geography Craft

Next, look at some of these books to add to your collection about Africa.

Books About Africa

13 Resources for Children Studying About Africa

Add one or two of these books to your study about the art of Africa.

Africa For Kids: People, Places and Cultures - Children Explore The World Books

Africa For Kids: People, Places, Culture gives children not only a peek into the land and its people but the artwork of even simple everyday items like weaving and serving plates.

Africa Coloring Book For Kids!

Here is a coloring book filled with African souvenirs to color that is soothing and a great springboard for discussion.

African Patterns Scrapbook Paper

I found this beautiful book of African Patterned Scrapbook paper that can be used for many craft projects.

Africa, Amazing Africa: Country by Country

Atinuke’s first non-fiction title is a major publishing event: a celebration of all 55 countries on the African continent! Her beautifully-written text captures Africa’s unique mix of the modern and the traditional, as she explores its geography, its peoples, its animals, its history, its resources and its cultural diversity. The book divides Africa into five sections: South, East, West, Central and North, each with its own introduction. This is followed by a page per country, containing a delightful mix of friendly, informative text and colourful illustrations.

Africa Is Not a Country

Enter into the daily life of children in the many countries of modern Africa. Countering stereotypes, Africa Is Not a Country celebrates the extraordinary diversity of this vibrant continent as experienced by children at home, at school, at work, and at play.

The Water Princess

With its wide sky and warm earth, Princess Gie Gie’s kingdom is a beautiful land. But clean drinking water is scarce in her small African village. And try as she might, Gie Gie cannot bring the water closer; she cannot make it run clearer. Every morning, she rises before the sun to make the long journey to the well. Instead of a crown, she wears a heavy pot on her head to collect the water. After the voyage home, after boiling the water to drink and clean with, Gie Gie thinks of the trip that tomorrow will bring. And she dreams. She dreams of a day when her village will have cool, crystal-clear water of its own.

Ashanti to Zulu: African Traditions (Picture Puffin Books)

Artists Leo and Diane Dillon won their second consecutive Caldecott Medal for this stunning ABC of African culture. "Another virtuoso performance. . . . Such an astute blend of aesthetics and information is admirable, the child's eye will be rewarded many times over."

When Stars Are Scattered

Omar and his brother Hassan, two Somali boys, have spent a long time in the Dadaab refugee camp. Separated from their mother, they are looked after by a friendly stranger. Life in the camp isn't always easy. The hunger is constant . . . but there's football to look forward to, and now there's a chance Omar will get to go to school . . .With a heart-wrenching fairytale ending, this incredible true story is brought to life by Victoria's stunning illustrations. This book perfectly depicts life in a refugee camp for 8-12 year olds.

The Boy Who Harnessed the Wind, Young Reader's Edition

When a terrible drought struck William Kamkwamba's tiny village in Malawi, his family lost all of the season's crops, leaving them with nothing to eat and nothing to sell. William began to explore science books in his village library, looking for a solution. There, he came up with the idea that would change his family's life forever: he could build a windmill. Made out of scrap metal and old bicycle parts, William's windmill brought electricity to his home and helped his family pump the water they needed to farm the land. Retold for a younger audience, this exciting memoir shows how, even in a desperate situation, one boy's brilliant idea can light up the world. Complete with photographs, illustrations, and an epilogue that will bring readers up to date on William's story, this is the perfect edition to read and share with the whole family.

Things Fall Apart

Things Fall Apart is the first of three novels in Chinua Achebe's critically acclaimed African Trilogy. It is a classic narrative about Africa's cataclysmic encounter with Europe as it establishes a colonial presence on the continent. Told through the fictional experiences of Okonkwo, a wealthy and fearless Igbo warrior of Umuofia in the late 1800s, Things Fall Apart explores one man's futile resistance to the devaluing of his Igbo traditions by British political andreligious forces and his despair as his community capitulates to the powerful new order. With more than 20 million copies sold and translated into fifty-seven languages, Things Fall Apart provides one of the most illuminating and permanent monuments to African experience. Achebe does not only capture life in a pre-colonial African village, he conveys the tragedy of the loss of that world while broadening our understanding of our contemporary realities.

Wildlife of East Africa (Princeton Pocket Guides, 3)

Those looking for a concise yet informative, visually breathtaking yet affordable East African safari need look no further than this spectacular field guide. Featuring full-color photos of 475 common species of bird, mammal, snake, lizard, insect, tree, and flower, Wildlife of East Africa takes us on an exquisite one-volume tour through the living splendor of the main national parks and game reserves of Kenya, Tanzania, and Uganda. Many of the species included--from pelicans to plovers, ostriches to elephants, from the daintiest of antelopes to cattlelike giants, from leopards to lions, baboons to gorillas, chameleons to crocodiles, acacias to aloes--also inhabit neighboring countries. The selection was based on the personal experiences of the authors, wildlife experts who have been leading safaris in the region for more than twenty years.

Facing the Lion: Growing Up Maasai on the African Savanna

Heads up: this is a great book but there is a rite of passage and has a part about circumcision.

Joseph Lemasolai Lekuton gives American kids a firsthand look at growing up in Kenya as a member of a tribe of nomads whose livelihood centers on the raising and grazing of cattle. Readers share Lekuton's first encounter with a lion, the epitome of bravery in the warrior tradition. They follow his mischievous antics as a young Maasai cattle herder, coming-of-age initiation, boarding school escapades, soccer success, and journey to America for college. Lekuton's riveting text combines exotic details of nomadic life with the universal experience and emotions of a growing boy.

The Bitter Side of Sweet

Fifteen-year-old Amadou counts the things that matter. For two years what has mattered are the number of cacao pods he and his younger brother, Seydou, can chop down in a day. The higher the number the safer they are. The higher the number the closer they are to paying off their debt and returning home. Maybe. The problem is Amadou doesn’t know how much he and Seydou owe, and the bosses won’t tell him. The boys only wanted to make money to help their impoverished family, instead they were tricked into forced labor on a plantation in the Ivory Coast. With no hope of escape, all they can do is try their best to stay alive—until Khadija comes into their lives. She’s the first girl who’s ever come to camp, and she’s a wild thing. She fights bravely every day, attempting escape again and again, reminding Amadou what it means to be free. But finally, the bosses break her, and what happens next to the brother he has always tried to protect almost breaks Amadou. The three band together as family and try just once more to escape.

Next look at more geography crafts.

More Geography Craft Ideas

  • How to Make a Paper Mache Planet Earth is a simple classic craft idea to familiarize your child with the landforms and bodies of water of the planet.
  • Make a Fun and Easy Salt Dough Daniel Boone Wilderness Road Map
  • Paper Art Landforms are beautiful and interesting, helping to cement the different landforms in their mind.
  • Hands-on Geography Mesopotamia: Fun Salt Dough Map
  • As a big fan of LEGO I of course agree– Is There Anything You Can’t Do With Lego? This demonstrates a simple map of Australia. Crafts don’t have to be consumable items, a reusable resource like LEGO gives you endless use.
  • Hands-on Geography: Longitude/Latitude Mapmaking Activity
  • Lewis and Clark Louisiana Purchase Edible Map
  • Another delicious map idea is How to Make a Rice Krispies Edible Map.
  • Marco Polo Unit Study – Salt Dough Map + Free Printable Map Flags

Finally, look at how to learn a handwork skill and geography too.

Embroidered Map Fun Geography Craft

Depending on skill, age, ability, and how often it is worked on this will probably take about 2-4 hours total.

It is a lot for one day, especially for a child who is new to the craft and should be broken up over several days.

Also, know that the marker fades after several days.

You will need:

  • Embroidery fabric 
  • Embroidery needles
  • Embroidery thread
  • Embroidery loom
  • Water erasable pen 
  • Map outline of Africa

Print a physical map of Africa (or whatever continent or country you like).

How to Make An Embroidered African Map Fun Geography Craft

I highly recommend reducing the size by 25% or 50% before printing.

I printed my full size, and it was too big for my hoop.

If this is the case for you just move the fabric around until you can embroider the whole piece.

Cut a piece of thin embroidery fabric to a few inches larger than the map all the way around.

Tape the printout to a window and then tape the fabric over it.

Use the fabric marker to trace the outline of the map.

How to Make An Embroidered African Map Fun Geography Craft

Then any important characteristics like mountains, rivers, etc.

How to Make An Embroidered African Map Fun Geography Craft

Place your fabric on your embroidery hoop, pull it tight, and tighten down the screw.

How to Make An Embroidered African Map Fun Geography Craft

Cut off a piece of black thread about as long as your arm.

You can use the full thickness of the embroidery thread or carefully pull off 3 or 4 of the strings to use if you would like a thinner line. 

How to Make An Embroidered African Map Fun Geography Craft

Run the thread through the needle, leaving about 3 inches of a tail coming out the eye of the needle. On the other end knot as close to the end as you can and then trim excess.

How to Make An Embroidered African Map Fun Geography Craft

Come through the back side with the needle, pinching the tail of the thread with the needle.  Start at one end of the outline and stitch in and out, starting a new stitch very close to the last one. 

Continue until you have filled in the complete outline.

When you’re finished with the outline, tie a knot in the end of the thread, as close as you can to the fabric.

Use different colors to mark off each of the topographical features like mountains and rivers.

Fill in each area with a different type of stitch if you like to create interest and make it more obvious that the land is different.

How to Make An Embroidered African Map Fun Geography Craft

Flip your fabric over and cut any loose threads to clean up the back. It’s okay if your back is messy from big knots or thread running all the way across, you won’t see it on the final product!

How to Make An Embroidered African Map Fun Geography Craft

You can either wait for the purple fabric marker to fade to invisible or use a wet paintbrush to brush away the marker, it will just fade out.

To display, you can either mount it in a hoop, place it in a frame behind glass, or back it with felt to make it stiff for tabletop use.

How to Make An Embroidered African Map Fun Geography Craft

Leave a CommentFiled Under: Hands-On Activities Tagged With: Africa, crafts, geography, handicraft, hands on history, hands-on, hands-on activities, handson, handsonhomeschooling, homeschool geography, homeschoolgeography, map

Fun Styrofoam Snowman Art Activity & 5 Facts About The Wonders of Winter

November 2, 2023 | Leave a Comment
This post may contain affiliate links. For more information, please see my full disclosure policy.

We’re making a fun styrofoam snowman art activity to celebrate the wonders of winter. Be sure you grab more ideas for winter fun on my page Winter Season Unit Study.

Even if you don’t have much or any snow on the ground where you live you can still enjoy a sweet little indoor snowman that never melts as part of your unit study.

When studying winter, frigid temperatures, snow, snowflakes, and all that comes with it you will want a great hands-on activity or two to go along with it.

This is a great snowman art activity for teens but can be adapted to a simpler technique for any age with some help from you.

Fun Styrofoam Snowman Art Activity & 5 Facts About The Wonders of Winter

I got the main pieces that I used in the activity from Dollar Tree, so it is super inexpensive.

I also bought 2 floral foam packs and Epsom salts for $3.75 with plenty of Epsom salts left over to use for crafts or soaking.

Add a few books like Nature Anatomy to study snowflakes, some winter facts, and another snowman craft or two and you have the makings of a fantastic winter study for the whole family to enjoy.

Fun Styrofoam Snowman Art Activity & 5 Facts About The Wonders of Winter

Don’t forget to include a yummy cup of hot cocoa loaded with marshmallows to make your lesson even more special.

5 Facts About The Wonders of Winter

  1. Snow occasionally falls in unexpected places like Hawaii or the Sahara Desert. In 2011 the Atacama Desert in Chile got almost 32 inches of snow due to a rare cold front from Antarctica.
  2. When rain reaches the freezing point, which is 32 degrees Fahrenheit, it turns into snow.
  3. Chionophobia is the persistent fear of snow, especially the fear of becoming trapped by snow.
  4. The highest snowfall ever recorded in 24 hours in the United States was 6.3 feet of snow and occurred in 1921 in Silver Lake, Colorado.
  5. There are an average of 105 snow-producing storms in the United States in a typical year, they typically last about 2 to 5 days.
Fun Styrofoam Snowman Art Activity & 5 Facts About The Wonders of Winter

Too, you’ll love these books about the winter season.

I always lean toward living books when I can find them then add in non-fiction books for reference.

13 Snow, Snowman, Animals, and Winter Books

Add one or more of these books to your learning day if you're learning about snow, snowflakes, winter or just for fun.

Winter Cottage

Immerse Yourself in This Story of Love and Companionship Amidst Deprivation

It is the fall of 1930, and America has plunged into the Great Depression. On a remote dirt road deep in the snowy woods of northern Wisconsin, misfortune forces the impoverished Sparkes family to take desperate measures.

A wayfaring quartet consisting of thirteen-year-old Araminta (nicknamed Minty), her recently unemployed father-a poetry-quoting widower called Pops-and her younger sister, Eglantine (known as Eggs-a dreamer like Pops), and their dog, Buster, are on their way to Minneapolis to live with the curmudgeonly Aunt Amy. When their car breaks down and they are unable to fix it, the homeless four stumble upon a vacant summer cottage by a lake. In desperate straits, they decide to settle in.

1. The Story of Snow: The Science of Winter's Wonder

How do snow crystals form? What shapes can they take? Are no two snow crystals alike? These questions and more are answered inside this exploration of the science of snow, featuring photos of real snow crystals in all their beautiful diversity. Perfect for reading on winter days, this book by a nature photographer and a snow scientist will inspire wonder and curiosity about the marvels of snow. 

2. Sneezy the Snowman

B-R-R-R-R! AH-CHOO! Sneezy the Snowman is cold, cold, cold. To warm up, he drinks cocoa, sits in a hot tub, stands near a warm fire–and melts! But the children know just what to do to build him up again–and make him feel “just right”.

3. Snowmen at Night

Have you ever built a snowman and discovered the next day that his grin has gotten a little crooked, or his tree-branch arms have moved? And you've wondered . . . what do snowmen do at night? This delightful wintertime tale reveals all!

4. The Biggest Snowman Ever

When the mayor of Mouseville announces the town snowman contest, Clayton and Desmond claim that they will each make the biggest snowman ever. But building a huge snowman alone is hard! They work and work, but their snowmen just aren't big enough. Soon they have an idea. As the day of the contest approaches, Clayton and Desmond join forces to build the biggest snowman ever.

5. Over and Under the Snow

Over the snow, the world is hushed and white. But under the snow lies a secret world of squirrels and snow hares, bears and bullfrogs, and many other animals making their winter home under the snow. This beloved nonfiction picture book exploring the subnivean zone reveals the tunnels and caves formed beneath the snow but over the ground, where many kinds of animals live through the winter, safe and warm, awake and busy, but hidden beneath the snow.

A Hat for Minerva Louise

"Stoeke's second book about that intrepid screwball, Minerva Louise, is a rare find."—The Horn Book, starred review. The other chickens hate snowy mornings. But not Minerva Louise! To her a snowy day—like everything else—is an adventure. But this chilly, chipper hen needs something to keep her warm. What she finds—and how she finds it—will keep young readers cackling.

6. How to Catch a Snowman

Our heroes' entry for the snowman contest has magically come to life―and ran away! Can YOU help catch it? Get ready for snow much fun as you travel through a winter wonderland with running, skating, and bouncing through trap after trap to catch the snowman and claim the winning prize. Will the snowman teach our heroes a lesson they'll never forget?

The Big Snow

When the geese begin to fly south, the leaves flutter down from the trees and the cold winds begin to blow from the north, the animals of the woods and meadows, big and small, prepare for the long, cold winter ahead when the countryside is hidden under a deep blanket of snow. They gather food and look for warm, snug places in the ground, trees, caves or thickets, where they can find protection against the icy winds.It might have been hard for the birds and animals of the hillside to survive when the Big Snow came if their good friends, who lived in the little stone house, had not remembered to put food out for them.Here, in many beautiful pictures, the Haders show how winter comes to the woodland as the busy animals make their preparations.

7. Curious About Snow (Smithsonian)

The Smithsonian does things right and this Curious About Snow book is a
great introduction for curious kiddos with real images and simple explanations.

8. Animals in Winter

This is a clear and appealing book for early elementary age kids, both at home and in the classroom. Introduce kids to basic science ideas as part of discussions about the seasons and animals.

9. Arctic Figurines, Including A Harp Seal, Husky, Caribou, Arctic Rabbit, Killer Whale, Walrus, Arctic Fox, Beluga Whale, Igloo, And Polar Bear

SET OF 10 FUN AND FRIGID FIGURES – It’s hard to stay warm at the North Pole, but you can discover its wonders in your home with these frigid friends. This TOOB includes a Harp Seal, Husky, Caribou, Arctic Rabbit, Killer Whale, Walrus, Arctic Fox, Beluga Whale, Igloo, and Polar Bear.

10. Nature Anatomy: The Curious Parts and Pieces of the Natural World

See the world in a whole new way! Acclaimed illustrator Julia Rothman combines art and science in this exciting and educational guide to the structure, function, and personality of the natural world. Explore the anatomy of a jellyfish, the inside of a volcano, monarch butterfly migration, how sunsets work, and much more. Rothman’s whimsical illustrations are paired with interactive activities that encourage curiosity and inspire you to look more closely at the world all around you.

More Snowman Crafts for Winter

  • Here are Snow and Snowflake Facts for Kids and a Fun Hands-on Exploding Snowman activity.
  • Winter Craft Ideas for Kids Animals in Winter Fun Snow Slime.
  • Crafts for Winter An Easy and Fun Polar Bear Fork Painting.
  • Let me show you How to Make an Adorable Toilet Roll Snowman for Winter Crafts.
  • Two Fun Candy Cane Hands-on Science Winter Experiments.
  • Cardinal Birds in Winter and Birch Trees Easy Watercolor Kids Activity.
  • These Cute and Simple Snowman Story Stones Winter Art Activities For Preschoolers are a great tool for open-ended play but also can encourage your child to develop their imagination and storytelling skills.
  • Julie of the Wolves Free Hands-on Arctic Unit Study.
  • Winter Craft Ideas How to Make Fun Pinecone Flowers.
  • Easy and Fun Pine Cone Snowy Owl Winter Craft for Kindergarten.
  • Fun Selfie Salt Dough Gingerbread Kids Activity for Long Winter Nights.
  • Easy DIY Fun Salt Winter Watercolor Art Project for Kids.

Finally, look at this snowman art activity.

Snowman Art Activity

You can have everyone in the family create a unique snowman to put a whole grouping on display.

You will need:

  • Styrofoam balls
  • Foam disk
  • Felt or fabric scraps
  • Skewer or dowel
  • Sticks
  • Buttons, beads, or beans
  • Epsom salt
  • Glitter-optional
  • Tacky glue, craft or School glue
Fun Styrofoam Snowman Art Activity & 5 Facts About The Wonders of Winter

First, pour Epsom salts and some glitter to give it a little extra shimmer into a large shallow container and set aside.

Cover 3 styrofoam balls and the styrofoam disc in glue.

You can use school glue but I really like the tacky glue that I linked above.

It is nice and thick and holds very well.

To use the glue, squeeze some out into a container and use a paintbrush to coat the entire surface thickly.

Fun Styrofoam Snowman Art Activity & 5 Facts About The Wonders of Winter

Roll the balls in the Epsom salts until completely covered, gently tap off excess, and repeat to make sure all the glue is covered.

Fun Styrofoam Snowman Art Activity & 5 Facts About The Wonders of Winter

Do the same thing with the disc but leave the underside without glue or Epsom.

How to Make A Snowman Art Activity

Set aside and allow it to dry for several hours or overnight.

Fun Styrofoam Snowman Art Activity & 5 Facts About The Wonders of Winter

While waiting for the glue to dry you can cut a long scrap of fabric or felt for a scarf, fringe the edge by making close little cuts in the end.

Fun Styrofoam Snowman Art Activity & 5 Facts About The Wonders of Winter

I didn’t measure for the hat and your styrofoam balls may be a different size than mine so just eyeball it by wrapping felt around it to make sure it will fit.

Fun Styrofoam Snowman Art Activity & 5 Facts About The Wonders of Winter

Then bunch the top, tie it off with string, and make a little fringe, fold up the bottom edge once or twice, and then hot glue it.

Fun Styrofoam Snowman Art Activity & 5 Facts About The Wonders of Winter

Paint a small piece of stick orange to use as a carrot.

Fun Styrofoam Snowman Art Activity & 5 Facts About The Wonders of Winter

You may at this point want to add a coat or two of either clear spray sealer or some Mod Podge to the covered styrofoam pieces to help everything stick together for long-term storage.

Push small sticks into the sides for arms.

Fun Styrofoam Snowman Art Activity & 5 Facts About The Wonders of Winter

Hot glue buttons down the front.

Fun Styrofoam Snowman Art Activity & 5 Facts About The Wonders of Winter

Push in buttons or beads for eyes and a smile.

Assemble the balls on top of your styrofoam disc using a short skewer or dowel roll pushed down through the base. Then push each layer down on top of that.

Press in the nose and hot glue the hat on top.

Fun Styrofoam Snowman Art Activity & 5 Facts About The Wonders of Winter

Leave a CommentFiled Under: Hands-On Activities Tagged With: crafts, hands-on, hands-on activities, handson, handsonhomeschooling, homeschoolinginwinter, snow, snowman, winter crafts, winter season

How to Make DIY Hummingbird Nectar And Favorite Amazon Rainforest Hummingbirds Facts

November 1, 2023 | Leave a Comment
This post may contain affiliate links. For more information, please see my full disclosure policy.

Learn how to make DIY hummingbird nectar and get amazing Amazon Rainforest hummingbirds facts to make a wonderful study. And I have more ideas on my pages Rain Forest – Amazon, Rain Forest – Animals of the Amazon, and Rainforest Amazon Activities for Kids.

Hummingbird nectar gives the birds energy for migration.

And helps keep them warm in cold weather.

How to Make DIY Hummingbird Nectar And Favorite Amazon Rainforest Hummingbirds Facts

Creating a source of food in a safe space can help attract these amazing birds to your backyard for closer observation.

While you won’t see the over 300+ species of hummingbirds in your backyard with your homemade hummingbird nectar and a feeder, you do have a great chance of spotting the Ruby Throated Hummingbird. It is the most common in North America.

7 Amazon Rainforest Hummingbird Facts

Beautiful and fast, these tiny birds are fascinating for many reasons.

  1. While hummingbirds most often drink plant nectar or sugar water from feeders, they also eat pollen and tiny insects such as beetles, bees, ants, and flies.
  2. The main predators of the hummingbird are hawks, praying mantis, bullfrogs, and giant orb-weaving spiders. Deforestation is also threatening their survival.
  3. The Amazon Rainforest of Colombia is a key habitat for over 150 species of hummingbirds.
  4. About 25 to 30 percent of a hummingbird’s weight is in its pectoral muscles. These broad chest muscles are principally responsible for the birds’ flying.
  5. Hummingbirds do not sip or suck nectar through their long bills as you may think, rather, they lick it with long, fringed, forked tongues.
  6. Hummingbirds have amazing memories and can remember every flower and feeder they’ve visited; they can even remember how long it takes for a certain flower to refill before they can visit again.
  7. A hummingbird’s pulse can surpass 1,200 beats per minute, this is the fastest heart rate of any bird.
How to Make DIY Hummingbird Nectar And Favorite Amazon Rainforest Hummingbirds Facts

Also, look at some of these books about hummingbirds.

Amazon Rainforest Hummingbird Books

As you know unit studies are a fantastic way to dive deep into a subject, whether you are studying the Amazon Rainforest or hummingbirds in particular hands-on activities, fun games, and manipulatives make the learning so much better.

Books and Resources for Learning About Hummingbirds

Add a few of these resources to your unit study.

Tiny Bird: A Hummingbird's Amazing Journey

When the last summer flowers open their petals to the sun, it’s time for a tiny ruby-throated hummingbird to dip its beak into the heart of each bloom, extracting as much nectar as possible before the hard trip ahead.

The Hummingbird Book: The Complete Guide to Attracting, Identifying, and Enjoying Hummingbirds

With this comprehensive, beautifully illustrated guide, you'll find it easy to attract these tiny, jewel-like birds to your own yard. The Stokes Hummingbird Book  provides all the information you need to bring hummingbirds up close, identify them, and understand their fascinating and varied behavior.

Hummingbird Soft Toy

Come and hum along to the tune of joy with this Hummingbird stuffed animal.

About Hummingbirds: A Guide for Children

The beautifully detailed, realistic paintings of noted wildlife illustrator John Sill introduce readers to the many varieties of hummingbirds—from the smallest type (the bee hummingbirds of Cuba) to the largest (the giant hummingbirds of the Andes Mountains in South America). An afterword inspires further learning. This beginner's guide to hummingbirds is perfect for early childhood and elementary units in science and animal life.

Birds & Blooms Ultimate Guide to Hummingbirds

CHAPTERS 1. Hummingbird Basics & Beyond 2. Feeding 101 3. Create a Winning Hummingbird-Friendly Habitat 4. Best Plant Picks 5. Beyond the Backyard 6. Hummingbird Tales 7. Ask the Experts 8. DIY Projects

Mini Hummingbird Finger Puppet

  • Easily animate this engaging Hummingbird plush puppet on your finger, or snuggle in the palm of your hand
  • Ideal for stage and puppet theater, storytelling, teaching, daycare, pre-school, pretend play, role-playing, presentations, games, parties and gifts
  • Little jewel bird (Little jewel books)

    The adventure of finding and caring for a baby hummingbird.

    Add more hands-on activities to your study.

    Hands-on Hummingbird Activities

    • For very young learners you can turn a cute little footprint and handprint into a Hummingbird Craft that makes a sweet keepsake of your study.
    • This tutorial will teach you how to Fold an Origami Hummingbird to make a beautiful paper representation of the subject.
    • Watch this video of the Dot Eared Coquette found in the Amazon Rainforest if you want to see one in its natural habitat.
    • Make a Faux Stained Glass Hummingbird to capture these colorful beauties in mid-flight.
    • Play a fun game as your science for the day like Professor Noggin’s Birds of North America instead of a boring worksheet.
    How to Make DIY Hummingbird Nectar And Favorite Amazon Rainforest Hummingbirds Facts

    Finally, look how to make this DIY nectar for hummingbirds.

    How to Make DIY Hummingbird Nectar

    Making hummingbird nectar to attract and nourish these tiny little birds is incredibly easy.

    While some people like to color their hummingbird nectar red, which is believed to attract hummingbirds, I opted not to because research has shown that hummers who have been fed dyed food have a higher mortality rate and suffer tumors of the liver and bill.

    You will need:

    • 2 cups water
    • ½ cup granulated sugar
    • Hummingbird feeder
    How to Make DIY Hummingbird Nectar And Favorite Amazon Rainforest Hummingbirds Facts

    First, bring the water to a boil.

    Stir in granulated sugar and whisk until it is completely melted.

    How to Make DIY Hummingbird Nectar And Favorite Amazon Rainforest Hummingbirds Facts

    Remove from heat and allow to cool completely.

    Once cool, transfer to a mason jar with a tight-fitting lid and place in the refrigerator until ready to use.

    How to Make DIY Hummingbird Nectar And Favorite Amazon Rainforest Hummingbirds Facts

    Transfer from the jar to the hummingbird feeder, you can find these in a variety of sizes. I linked this cute one above in the supply list.

    How to Make DIY Hummingbird Nectar And Favorite Amazon Rainforest Hummingbirds Facts

    Place a hummingbird feeder 10 to 15 feet from a tree, shrub, or other appropriate hiding place.

    Empty and refill the feeder every 3-4 days and clean it out well to prevent mold growth.

    Your hummingbird nectar will last in the refrigerator for up to 2 weeks.

    How to Make DIY Hummingbird Nectar And Favorite Amazon Rainforest Hummingbirds Facts

    Leave a CommentFiled Under: Hands-On Activities Tagged With: birds, elementary science, hands-on, hands-on activities, handsonhomeschooling, homeschoolscience, hummingbird, life cycle, life science, science

    10 Middle School Winter Crafts and Make a Sweet Smelling Hot Cocoa Candle

    October 31, 2023 | Leave a Comment
    This post may contain affiliate links. For more information, please see my full disclosure policy.

    It seems like preschool crafts are in abundance but finding middle school winter crafts is a little more difficult. So, I have gathered 10 winter crafts for you. Be sure you grab more ideas for winter fun on my page Winter Season Unit Study.

    Also, I’m showing you how to make a sweet-smelling hot cocoa candle that your middle schooler will love to make and keep or give away.

    10 Middle School Winter Crafts and Make a Sweet Smelling Hot Cocoa Candle

    Winter is a great time to dive into all things cozy-snow, snowflakes, winter hats, snowmen, winter creatures, and of course cocoa.

    First, look at some of these fun facts about winter to share with your middle school student.

    Winter Facts for Kids

    • December 21st or 22nd marks the winter solstice for the northern half of Earth (the Northern Hemisphere).
    • There are 5 types of snow-Dry snow, moist snow, wet snow, very wet snow, and slush or snow.
    • Snow forms when the atmospheric temperature is at or below freezing (0°C or 32°F) and moisture must be present.
    • A snowflake is made of frozen water, so it has two hydrogen atoms and one oxygen atom (H2O) in its make up.
    • A blizzard is classified as a severe snowstorm that has high winds of at least 35 mph and the visibility is reduced to less than a quarter mile for more than 2 hours.
    10 Middle School Winter Crafts and Make a Sweet Smelling Hot Cocoa Candle

    Next, here are some great books for your child to read when the weather changes.

    7 Middle School Winter Books to Snuggle Up With

    If your middle schooler loves to curl up with a good book, a soft blanket, and their sweet-smelling hot cocoa candle here are a few that are set in winter to enjoy.

    7 Books for Middle School Students to Read in the Winter

    These books also make for a great read aloud, even older kids would enjoy piling up on the couch in the morning for a good story together.

    Julie of the Wolves (HarperClassics)

    Julie of the Wolves is a staple in the canon of children’s literature and the first in the Julie trilogy. The survival theme makes it a good pick for readers of wilderness adventures such as My Side of the Mountain, Hatchet, or Island of the Blue Dolphins.

    This edition, perfect for classroom or home use, includes John Schoenherr’s original scratchboard illustrations throughout, as well as bonus materials such as an introduction written by Jean Craighead George’s children, the author’s Newbery acceptance speech, selections from her field notebooks, a discussion guide, and a further reading guide.

    To her small village, she is known as Miyax; to her friend in San Francisco, she is Julie. When her life in the village becomes dangerous, Miyax runs away, only to find herself lost in the Alaskan wilderness.

    The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe

    Four adventurous siblings—Peter, Susan, Edmund, and Lucy Pevensie—step through a wardrobe door and into the land of Narnia, a land frozen in eternal winter and enslaved by the power of the White Witch. But when almost all hope is lost, the return of the Great Lion, Aslan, signals a great change . . . and a great sacrifice.

    The Call of the Wild (Reader's Library Classics)

    The domesticated life of a powerful St. Bernard-Shepherd mix named Buck is quickly turned on end when he is stolen away from his master and put to work as a sled dog in Alaska. His once life of luxury turns into a life of survival and adaptation as he learns the ways of the wilderness.

    Sweet Home Alaska

        It's 1934, and times are tough for Trip's family after the mill in their small Wisconsin town closes, leaving her father unemployed. Determined to provide for his family, he moves them all to Alaska to become pioneers as part of President Roosevelt's Palmer Colony project. Trip and her family are settling in, except her mom, who balks at the lack of civilization. But Trip feels like she's following in Laura Ingalls Wilder's footsteps, and she hatches a plan to raise enough money for a piano to convince her musical mother that Alaska is a wonderful and cultured home. Her sights set on the cash prize at the upcoming Palmer Colony Fair, but can Trip grow the largest pumpkin possible--using all the love, energy, and Farmer Boy expertise she can muster?

    The Winter King

    Ever since Cora's father disappeared through the ice, whispers about her family's "curse" have grown increasingly louder. Desperate to help her mother and siblings survive another bleak season in the Winter King's frozen grasp, Cora begins to bend (and even break) the rules she has kept since she was a little girl. But when she discovers a secret that's much bigger than herself, she realizes too late that she has put herself--and those she loves--in even greater peril.

    Winterhouse (Winterhouse, 1)

    Orphan Elizabeth Somers’s malevolent aunt and uncle ship her off to the ominous Winterhouse Hotel, owned by the peculiar Norbridge Falls. Upon arrival, Elizabeth quickly discovers that Winterhouse has many charms―most notably its massive library. It’s not long before she locates a magical book of puzzles that will unlock a mystery involving Norbridge and his sinister family. But the deeper she delves into the hotel’s secrets, the more Elizabeth starts to realize that she is somehow connected to Winterhouse. As fate would have it, Elizabeth is the only person who can break the hotel’s curse and solve the mystery. But will it be at the cost of losing the people she has come to care for, and even Winterhouse itself?

    Northwind

    When a deadly plague reaches the small fish camp where he lives, an orphan named Leif is forced to take to the water in a cedar canoe. He flees northward, following a wild, fjord-riven shore, navigating from one danger to the next, unsure of his destination. Yet the deeper into his journey he paddles, the closer he comes to his truest self as he connects to “the heartbeat of the ocean . . . the pulse of the sea.” With hints of Nordic mythology and an irresistible narrative pull, Northwind is Gary Paulsen at his captivating, adventuresome best.

    Also, choose one of these chilly and beautiful crafts to keep your tween or teens hands busy, and keep on the winter theme.

    10 Middle School Winter Crafts

    1. Free Easy Arctic and Inuit Science Lapbook & Unit Study
    2. Winter Craft Ideas How to Make Fun Pinecone Flowers
    3. How cute is this No Sew Sock Snowman? He is a great way to welcome in winter.
    4. Cardinal Birds in Winter and Birch Trees Easy Watercolor Kids Activity.
    5. Make a real cup of hot cocoa with these DIY Hot Cocoa Bombs.
    6. Julie of the Wolves Free Hands-on Arctic Unit Study
    7. Hot Glue Snowflake Charms
    8. Two Fun Candy Cane Hands-on Science Winter Experiments.
    9. DIY Snowy Mason Jar Luminaries are great for lining the walkway or to brighten up the kitchen table.
    10. Easy DIY Fun Salt Winter Watercolor Art Project for Kids
    10 Middle School Winter Crafts and Make a Sweet Smelling Hot Cocoa Candle

    Make a Sweet-Smelling Hot Cocoa Candle

    The directions below will make one-12-ounce candles but can be easily doubled to make more.

    Additionally, you could also add a little vanilla, marshmallow, or peppermint fragrance oil to give it a more complex hot cocoa scent.

    You will need:

    • 12 oz. Coffee mug (Dollar Tree)
    • 2 cups of  Beeswax pellets
    • 1 brown crayon
    • 2 teaspoons coconut oil
    • 1 Tablespoon of chocolate fragrance oil
    • Candle wick
    • Sprinkles
    • Paint or permanent marker
    10 Middle School Winter Crafts and Make a Sweet Smelling Hot Cocoa Candle

    You can leave the mug plain or use a paint marker or permanent marker to decorate the outside of the mug.

    Create snowflakes or any other winter design you like, let dry completely.

    10 Middle School Winter Crafts and Make a Sweet Smelling Hot Cocoa Candle

    Secure the wick to the bottom of the mug with a bit of hot glue or double-sided sticker dots, leave the wick 2” taller than the top of the cup.

    10 Middle School Winter Crafts and Make a Sweet Smelling Hot Cocoa Candle

    Use the centering device (as pictured) or a clothespin to hold the wick centered in place.

    10 Middle School Winter Crafts and Make a Sweet Smelling Hot Cocoa Candle

    Place beeswax pellets and broken peeled crayon into a microwave safe container, a glass measuring cup with a pour spout is perfect for filing cups.

    10 Middle School Winter Crafts and Make a Sweet Smelling Hot Cocoa Candle

    Heat for one minute, stir, and then heat in 30 second increments until completely melted.

    Stir in fragrance oil well.

    10 Middle School Winter Crafts and Make a Sweet Smelling Hot Cocoa Candle

    Carefully pour melted wax in a cup ¼” from the top.

    10 Middle School Winter Crafts and Make a Sweet Smelling Hot Cocoa Candle

    Allow the candle to harden completely.

    Soften a Tablespoon more of beeswax pellets, not quite melted, whip with a craft stick.

    10 Middle School Winter Crafts and Make a Sweet Smelling Hot Cocoa Candle

    Scoop the whipped wax on top and around the wick.

    10 Middle School Winter Crafts and Make a Sweet Smelling Hot Cocoa Candle

    Top with sprinkles and lightly tap into the wax, let the wax harden.

    Trim the wick to ¼” over the “whipped cream”.

    10 Middle School Winter Crafts and Make a Sweet Smelling Hot Cocoa Candle

    Leave a CommentFiled Under: Hands-On Activities Tagged With: crafts, hands-on, hands-on activities, handson, handsonhomeschooling, homeschoolinginwinter, middle school, middleschool, winter crafts, winter season

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