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Tina Robertson

How to Create Swiss Family Treehouse Blueprints With Kids

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This post may contain affiliate links. For more information, please see my full disclosure policy.

I have a fun idea for creating your own version of the Swiss Family treehouse blueprints just like father did in the book for their home in the air- Falconhurst. Also, you’ll love more ideas on my post Swiss Family Robinson Unit Study.

Introduce your child to using graph paper to create straight lines and understanding how to create a smaller scale to represent actual measurements.

This activity is a great way to teach your kids STEAM skills as they learn about blueprints, architecture, architects, engineering, and some match concepts like scale.

How to Create Swiss Family Treehouse Blueprints With Kids

A blueprint is a guide for making something,

It is a design or pattern that can be followed to make a drawing turn into something real like an office building, a home, or maybe even a treehouse in your backyard.

Just like the amazing treehouse that the Robinsons built for themselves on the island.

A blueprint shows how a building is going to be designed.

It will outline what materials will be used, as well as where features like doors, windows, sinks, and appliances will go.

In Swiss Family Robinson father designed the treehouse they lived in for a great portion of the story using geometry.

He built off the ground in the trees to add a measure of safety and protection for his family.

He planned out what the family would need in advance for long-term accommodation.

And designed it in and around the tree in such a way that the family was able to live quite comfortably here for years.

More The Swiss Family Robinson Activities

How to Create Swiss Family Treehouse Blueprints With Kids

Also, look at some of these books and resources to learn more about the life and times of The Swiss Family Robinson.

8 Books & Resources for Learning About The Swiss Family Robinson

Add some of these books to your unit study of The Swiss Family Robinson and their adventures on a deserted island.

Next, look at some blueprint vocabulary to add to your unit study.

Blueprint Vocabulary to Know

  • Architect-A licensed person who creates and designs drawings for construction projects.
  • Engineer- A person who designs, builds, or maintains engines, machines, or public works using scientific principles in design and construction.
  • Blueprint- A Set of engineered drawings to support the architecture.
  • Dimensions-Measurements of length, height, and width shown on a drawing.
  • Floor Plan- An aerial view of the layout of the rooms.
  • Elevation Drawing- A two-dimensional representation of one side of a building or space showing height and width.
  • Scheme- A type of diagram that shows the steps in a process.
  • Layout-The arrangement and position of various elements within a structure, such as walls, rooms, corridors, doors, windows, and other architectural features.
How to Create Swiss Family Treehouse Blueprints With Kids

Also, add some blueprint and architecture resources.

Blueprint and Architecture Resources For Young Engineers

How to Create Swiss Family Treehouse Blueprints

Before you begin the activity, have your child think about the size and needs of your family as if your family was stranded on the island.

 How much space would you need? How large is the tree you found? Imagine the treehouse before you even pick up a pencil.

You will need:

  • Graph paper
  • Markers
  • Fineline pen
  • Construction paper
  • Scissors
How to Create Swiss Family Treehouse Blueprints With Kids

First, you need to determine the scale of your drawing, for example we decide that each inch on our graph paper would represent feet.

Add this to the bottom of your “blueprint”.

How to Create Swiss Family Treehouse Blueprints With Kids

Draw out your tree shape with pencil to demonstrate the greenery.

How to Create Swiss Family Treehouse Blueprints With Kids

Now measure out the size and shape of the tree house within the tree to show the floor plan, remember to use your scale to size it.

Draw it out along the line with marker. This is the aerial view or floor plan for your design.

How to Create Swiss Family Treehouse Blueprints With Kids

Next color in some of the trees like greenery and a few branches as well as adding detail like the ladder.

How to Create Swiss Family Treehouse Blueprints With Kids

Cut small furniture out of construction paper like beds, tables, and chairs to place inside your blueprint.

 Let your child move and arrange it to fit everything they need inside.

How to Create Swiss Family Treehouse Blueprints With Kids

Now on the second graph paper have your child draw the same treehouse with a front view, following the same scale to create an elevation drawing.

How to Create Swiss Family Treehouse Blueprints With Kids

Color it in and add details to finish it off.

How to Create Swiss Family Treehouse Blueprints With Kids

What is the Swiss Family Robinson About | Simple Jeopardy Style Game

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This post may contain affiliate links. For more information, please see my full disclosure policy.

One way to learn about what is the Swiss Family Robinson about is through a fun and simple Jeopardy Style Game. Also, you’ll love more ideas on my post Swiss Family Robinson Unit Study.

I have gathered some great questions for different categories to use for your game, enough for a full round as well as the big final question.

What is the Swiss Family Robinson About | Simple Jeopardy Style Game

And I have simple directions for putting your reusable board together.

Truly nothing fancy, just a quick trip to the dollar store for 2 items if you don’t already have them on hand and less than 30 minutes to put it all together.

This method of creating a Jeopardy game makes it a great reusable activity that can be used for any topic.

You can create a fun and unique way to reinforce what you have learned.

Too, you can even recreate the game for each chapter of the book using your own questions, make it as large or as small a game as you need.

More The Swiss Family Robinson Activities

What is the Swiss Family Robinson About | Simple Jeopardy Style Game

Also, look at some of these books and resources.

8 Books & Resources for Learning About The Swiss Family Robinson

Add some of these books to your unit study of The Swiss Family Robinson and their adventures on a deserted island.

Next, look at some questions jeopardy style.

Jeopardy Questions

People

  1. This child was the youngest of the Robinson clan. Who is Franz?
  2. The girl who was discovered on the islands is named this.Who is Emily Montrose ?
  3. This couple revealed their engagement near the end of the book. Who are Jenny and Fritz?
  4. The last words the family heard from the crew before they hit the rocks. What is Abandon ship!
  5. These people decide to stay on the island with the family instead of returning with the ship. Who are Mr. Wolston and some of his family.

Animals

  1. The marine arthropod attacked Jack. What is a lobster?
  2. Name 3 different animals that the Robinsons brought to the island from the boat. What is cow, donkey, goats,sheep, ram, pig, or dogs?
  3. The two names of the dogs they rescued. Who are Turk and Juno?
  4. The method that the family used to trick the monkeys into helping. What is throwing rocks at them so they would throw coconuts in return.
  5. The type of animal the family attempted to train to help with hunting. What is a bald eagle?

About The Book/Author

  1. This author wrote the Swiss Family Robinson. Who is Johan David Wyss?
  2. The country that the author was born in. What is Switzerland?
  3. The year that Swiss Family was originally published. What is 1812?
  4. This person served as narrator of the book. Who is ‘father’?
  5. Besides author, Wyss held this position. What is a pastor?

Island Life Skills

  1. The objects that were used to build a raft to get off the boat to land? What are barrels and rope?
  2. This name is what the family dubbed their initial beach home. What is Tentholm?
  3. Oyster shells were used for this purpose. What is making spoons and bowls?
  4. The type of tree the family makes their tree home in. What is a Mangrove Fig Tree?
  5. The subject father used to figure out how to build their treehouse? What is geometry?

Hodge Podge Facts

  1. Fritz initially thought that the ostriches were this. What are men on horseback?
  2. The original destination of the shipwrecked boat. Where is Port Jackson, Australia?
  3. The reason the ship did not completely sink. What is because it was stuck between two rocks.
  4. The number of years the Robinsons were on the island before they were discovered. What is 10 years?
  5. The two sons that decided to leave the island. Who were Fritz and Franz?

Final Jeopardy

On the last visit to the ship father does this at the end. What is blowing it up with gunpowder?

What is the Swiss Family Robinson About | Simple Jeopardy Style Game

Or keep it simple with a free printable Word Search.

Simple Jeopardy Style Game

You will need:

  • Foam Board
  • 55  colored post-it notes
  • Sharpie marker
  • Letter stickers
  • List of questions
  • Buzzer (s) Optional but really fun and adds to the game, especially with multiple kids.
  • Notebook and pen to keep score.
What is the Swiss Family Robinson About | Simple Jeopardy Style Game

First, start by making a Jeopardy heading across the top of your board with letter stickers, print off the computer, or draw it on by hand.

What is the Swiss Family Robinson About | Simple Jeopardy Style Game

Next write your category headings on 5 sticky notes with a black marker.

  • Animals,
  • Island Life Skills,
  • People,
  • About The Author, and
  • Hodge Podge.
What is the Swiss Family Robinson About | Simple Jeopardy Style Game

Now, add 5 rows of posts beneath each heading and write your questions for each category down the row,

What is the Swiss Family Robinson About | Simple Jeopardy Style Game

You can write your questions down before placing them instead if you like. Write the answer (in the form of a question) on the back of it.

What is the Swiss Family Robinson About | Simple Jeopardy Style Game

Use the black marker and write 100,200, 300,400,500 on each set of colors.

What is the Swiss Family Robinson About | Simple Jeopardy Style Game

And then place them over top of the questions in descending order.

To play:

Just like the TV game, your child picks a category and amount.

Pull off the number layer and read the question.

Correct answers are awarded points, but they are deducted from the total for incorrect answers.

While the buzzers are not necessary, they are fun and make it feel more like a real game.

How to Make Adorable Swiss Family Robinson Book Characters Bookmarks

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This post may contain affiliate links. For more information, please see my full disclosure policy.

Let me show you how to make Swiss Family Robinson book characters bookmarks. Even if you don’t consider yourself an artist, these are easy. Also, you’ll love more ideas on my post Swiss Family Robinson Unit Study.

I am not by any means an artist, especially a portrait artist.

How to Make Adorable Swiss Family Robinson Book Characters Bookmarks

But I thought it would be easy enough to create fun bookmarks.

Draw simple clothing and add in identifiable items from the story.

This hands-on idea is a great way to express yourself a bit.

Imagine what the characters might have worn, or held in their hands, etc while you dive into a character study one each one.

Mother and Father are unnamed in the book but still make an impression on the readers for their strength, faith, and determination to make the best of their lot in life.

The boys each have their own strengths and weaknesses as they grow up on the island.

More The Swiss Family Robinson Activities

Next, look at some of these resources to go with the Swiss Family Robinson unit study and be sure to grab the book too.

8 Books & Resources for Learning About The Swiss Family Robinson

Add some of these books to your unit study of The Swiss Family Robinson and their adventures on a deserted island.

Moreover, look at some of these facts about the characters.

Swiss Family Robinson Book Characters

The characters in the book are unique and contribute to life on the island in their own way.

A character study on a favorite is a great activity while you are reading or after you have completed the book.

Father – Father is not only the head of the family but he is the narrator of the story and the one who leads the family to the safety of the island.

He is well read, kind, and pious, spending much time teaching the boys life lessons as well as botany, animal husbandry, and keeping them civilized even while living in the wilds of the island.

Mother- Mother provides a wealth of knowledge as well as encouragement, life lessons, nurturing, and a feminine touch to their island homes.

She is hardworking and has a vast education of typical feminine skills that are invaluable on the island like cooking, gardening, keeping house, and sewing.

Fritz-Fritz is the oldest son and his father’s right hand man from the very beginning, starting the story at .

How to Make Adorable Swiss Family Robinson Book Characters Bookmarks

About The Characters in Swiss Family Robinson Book

He matures throughout the 10 years on the island into a man the family is proud of years old. Fritz is the one who finds, rescues, and falls in love with Jenny, and ultimately decides to leave the families happy new home on “New Switzerland” to make a life with Jenny in England.

Ernest- Ernest is the second oldest at 12 and loves to read and learn.

He has a knowledge of plants and animals that serves the family well. He has a very scientific analytical mind and loves the island and its possibilities.

Jack- Jack, 10 years old at the start, is flighty and headstrong, not thinking before he runs into situations. 

But he is also the one who most enjoys the activities like fishing and hunting and contributes much to the family like when he came up with the harpoon for catching fish.

By the time the story ends Jack has grown up and matured into a fine young man.

Franz-Franz is the baby of the family and just 6 years old at the start of the story and spends his time playing, exploring, and helping mother with duties around the home.

He is happy, sweet, and even tempered.

By the story’s end Franz is a young man of 16 and decides to leave the island for England with the oldest brother.

How to Make Bookmarks

You can create one or all of the characters from the book to mark your spot as you read and learn about the family.

Supplies:

  • Cardstock
  • markers/colored pencils
  • Single hole punch
  • Paper slicer
  • Twine and yarn
How to Make Adorable Swiss Family Robinson Book Characters Bookmarks

First, cut your cardstock into 2’x6” strips, using a paper slicer is such an easy way to make multiple uniform cuts.

How to Make Adorable Swiss Family Robinson Book Characters Bookmarks

Use a single hole punch to make a hole in the center of one end about ¼” in from the edge.

Draw your character’s clothes lightly in pencil until you are satisfied with how they look.

How to Make Adorable Swiss Family Robinson Book Characters Bookmarks

Use markers, colored pencils, or even watercolors to color in your designs. Obviously the boys will be in pants and button down tops, you can add vests, rope belts, and suspenders to give a bit more detail. 

How to Make Adorable Swiss Family Robinson Book Characters Bookmarks

To make your characters more unique you can add small details like the lobster that Jack caught or a curling tail coming off of Fritz’s shoulder for Knips the monkey he adopted.

To make a tassel wrap the string or yarn around your 4 fingers 10 to 20 times and slip off carefully.

How to Make Adorable Swiss Family Robinson Book Characters Bookmarks

Knot another piece of string close to one end and cut the loops at the other end.

How to Make Adorable Swiss Family Robinson Book Characters Bookmarks

Loop a long piece of string through the hole at the top and pull the two ends through the loop and tighten.

How to Make Adorable Swiss Family Robinson Book Characters Bookmarks

Tie the piece looped through the bookmark through the looped ends of the tassel and knot several times.

For my mother I used a soft pink thread to make it a bit more feminine.

How to Make Adorable Swiss Family Robinson Book Characters Bookmarks

Exciting Swiss Family Robinson Activities | From Oyster To Pearl

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This post may contain affiliate links. For more information, please see my full disclosure policy.

If you are looking for exciting Swiss Family Robinson activities, you have landed in the right place. Also, you’ll love more ideas on my post Swiss Family Robinson Unit Study.

There are so many great little rabbit trails you can take while doing a read-aloud of the Swiss Family Robinson.

For example, you can learn about the flora and fauna of the island, the journey to the island, how they survived and thrived, and what they ate.

Oysters were a plentiful delicacy that they found on the island and provided the family protein to help keep them strong and give them energy.

Exciting Swiss Family Robinson Activities | From Oyster To Pearl

They are still enjoyed today, steamed, grilled, fried, and in many recipes.

Naturally, I thought that it would be a great subtopic to chase down.

This might make a fantastic field trip to a restaurant to give them a try or perhaps make a recipe at home.

We are going to cover the journey from how an oyster turns pearl and how these beauties are formed inside the unassuming rough-looking shell.

I have directions for making your cute oyster craft as well as a few resources and other oyster and pearl ideas that give you plenty of fun to work on.

More The Swiss Family Robinson Activities

In addition, look at these resources to go with the Swiss Family Robinson Unit Study.

8 Books & Resources for Learning About The Swiss Family Robinson

Add some of these books to your unit study of The Swiss Family Robinson and their adventures on a deserted island.

Oyster Formation Facts

  • First, oysters are often found in groups, called “reefs” or “beds”. They create these by growing on top of as well as next to each other, creating their own ecosystem.
  • Oyster reefs can occur naturally or be created by oyster farmers.
  • Within just 12 hours of birth, they begin to build their shells. This process is done by pulling calcium out of the water and depositing it as calcium carbonate on the outside of their bodies.
  • Once they reach approximately 3 weeks old they are heavy and attach themselves to the reef or bed made by the other oysters.
  • The inside of an oyster shell is usually white or pearl colored. But the outer shell takes on a variety of different colors. A lot are dark gray, but the Pacific oyster can have purple, brown, and white coloring while Cornish Native Oysters are blue.
  • Not only do they create an ecosystem for themselves but also many other fish and creatures. Because they do not move they eat what passes by and act as a filtration system, creating cleaner water.
  • Inside the oyster is the edible part, or the adductor muscle which is a creamy beige color.
Exciting Swiss Family Robinson Activities | From Oyster To Pearl

Next, look at these facts about pearls.

Pearl Formation Facts

  • Pearls are the result of a grain of sand or other irritant getting under the “skin” or mantle.
  • When the irritant is present the oyster secretes a mucus with a mineral calcium carbonate in it that is called the nacre and it envelopes the irritant.
  • Over time this material hardens and becomes a pearl. This process can take six months. to four years to develop. Larger pearls take longer and are more valuable.
  • Perfectly round pearls are not naturally occurring, pearls in the wild are usually small and irregularly shaped.
  • Pearls can come in a wide variety of colors, most commonly white, cream, pink, and purple but they can also be champagne, chocolate, blue, gold, silver, and lavender.

Moreover, look at these other activities.

Swiss Family Robinson Activities – From Oyster To Pearl

Before we jump into our oyster with a pearl craft today here are a few more hands-on activities I think that you will enjoy.

Exciting Swiss Family Robinson Activities | From Oyster To Pearl

Finally, Ocean Anatomy proved once again to be a fantastic resource for a nature lesson. While they did not go over oyster shells there is a wonderful section on pearls.

Paper Plate Oyster

You will need:

  • Paper plate
  • Foam craft ball
  • Pink craft foam
  • gray/tan craft paint
  • Pearlescent craft paint
  • Sponge 
  • Hot glue
Exciting Swiss Family Robinson Activities | From Oyster To Pearl

First, turn your paper plate upside down so that the “bowl” is facing down and sponge paint some color and texture on it.

You can skip this part if you like but it provides a great opportunity to talk about how the shell is formed and the variety of colors they might be.

Exciting Swiss Family Robinson Activities | From Oyster To Pearl

Paint a craft foam ball a pretty pearly color and set it aside to dry.

Exciting Swiss Family Robinson Activities | From Oyster To Pearl

Allow the paint to dry completely then fold the plate in half, trim the outside a bit if you like to create a more elongated shape like a real oyster.

Use paint or a marker and add a little bit of color around the edges on the inside of your oyster to create the fringe.

Exciting Swiss Family Robinson Activities | From Oyster To Pearl

Cut a piece of cream craft foam or felt (or construction paper) slightly smaller than the inside of your plate and glue it into place as the adductor muscle.

Exciting Swiss Family Robinson Activities | From Oyster To Pearl

Hot glue the “pearl” to the center.

For older students, you can also have them label the parts of an oyster as well using the model that they just made.

Exciting Swiss Family Robinson Activities | From Oyster To Pearl

The Swiss Family Robinson Fun and Easy Movie Night Ideas

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This post may contain affiliate links. For more information, please see my full disclosure policy.

When you get to the end of The Swiss Family Robinson book itself, or to the end of the unit celebrate by having a movie night. Also, you’ll love more ideas on my post Swiss Family Robinson Unit Study.

You could even stay in your pajamas and spend the entire day immersing yourself in a themed sit-down meal, or just make up a tray of treats inspired by their adventures.

The Swiss Family Robinson Fun and Easy Movie Night Ideas

Watching the movie is a great way to help your children develop opinions to compare and contrast the book with the movie and their minds will be searching for discrepancies.

Besides, everybody will have a better opinion, movie, or book (spoiler alert- it’s always the book).

Not to mention it is a wonderful family bonding experience that everyone will remember for years to come.

More The Swiss Family Robinson Activities

The Swiss Family Robinson Fun and Easy Movie Night Ideas

The Robinsons were lucky to not only be able to salvage many food items from the ship but also to find an island that was rich with everything from coconuts to pistachios to fish and lobster.

They were able to plant seeds saved from the ship and make jerky when they built a smokehouse as well as eating plants and animals on the island.

You don’t have to work as hard, just a trip to the grocery store to create a really cool theme for an adventurous night that they will remember forever.

Next, look at these other resources to round out movie learning.

Resources for Learning About The Robinson Family Survived

Adding a book or resource to your movie night your kids will love experiencing first hand how the family survived and thrived.

8 Books & Resources for Learning About The Swiss Family Robinson

Add some of these books to your unit study of The Swiss Family Robinson and their adventures on a deserted island.

Movie Night Food Ideas

If you want to make it more than just a snack here are some tasty recipe ideas for drinks and heartier treats to make together to bring in a tropical island feel.

The Swiss Family Robinson Movie Snack Tray

You can cook an entire tropical island meal or set up a quick and easy snack tray and let everyone enjoy a mini buffet of themed tasty treats while they watch.

Here are some ideas for what you might include on your tray:

  • Pretzels firewood or tree limbs
  • Whoppers-Coconuts
  • Pineapple
  • Fish sticks
  • Blue punch-ocean water
  • Broccoli-treehouse
  • Pistachios
  • Bananas
  • Beef jerky
  • Goldfish

Grab a board or tray and some small dishes, you can find inexpensive disposable ones at Dollar Tree.

You can add a sheet or two of fun patterned paper to give it a more tropical look ( I found these at Hobby Lobby 4/$1).

The Swiss Family Robinson Fun and Easy Movie Night Ideas

Place your book and/or DVD case in the center to make the theme even more obvious.

The Swiss Family Robinson Fun and Easy Movie Night Ideas

Fill up each bowl with a fun snack item from above using items that they ate or fun foods that represent life on the island like broccoli for trees or banana slices.

Add a little greenery to your board to make it even more lush and tropical.

The Swiss Family Robinson Fun and Easy Movie Night Ideas