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Tina Robertson

Step-by-Step: Building a Colorful Pond Diorama with Free Printables

May 5, 2025 | Leave a Comment
This post may contain affiliate links. For more information, please see my full disclosure policy.

Your kids will love this free printable pond diorama. And look at my page Above & Below: Pond Unit Study, Hands-on Ideas, & Lapbook for more fun ideas to learn about ponds.

In a digital world of learning, hands-on learning becomes more important.

Besides this free printable pond diorama can be as simple or as creative as your child wants to be.

Step-by-Step: Building a Colorful Pond Diorama with Free Printables

And dioramas even printable ones encourages kids to be creative and they allow kids to bring ideas to life in 3D.

There is no limitations on learning or what they want to put in their diorama. Unstructured play is essential for brain development.

Also, they have numerous benefits for younger children. For example, cutting, gluing, painting, and coloring.

BOOKS ABOUT PONDS FOR KIDS

First, look at these living books about pond.

Learn about ponds and the flora and fauna in them and that make their home close to ponds.

11 Fun Pond Life Resources for Kids

Add one or two of these resources to you learning day or to a pond unit study.

Over and Under the Pond: (Environment and Ecology Books for Kids)

In Over and Under the Pond, readers will discover the plants and animals that make up the rich, interconnected ecosystem of a mountain pond. Over the pond, the water is a mirror, reflecting the sky. But under the water is a hidden world of creatures—minnows darting, beavers diving, and tadpoles growing.  
These secrets and many others are waiting to be discovered over and under the pond in this sweet children’s book from Kate Messner and Christopher Silas Neal, the latest in their beloved series that offers kids a peek into hidden ecosystems.

Natural and Earth Science Educational Flash Card

This set of 48 cards features a colorful illustration on one side and informational facts on the other side.

CARD SIZE: 4.5 x 6 inches. Each card is double-sided and durable.

Rivers, Ponds, and Lakes (Collins Nature Explorers)

Have you ever wondered:

  • How to find life in a puddle?
  • What lives in your local river?
  • How to make a micro zoo?
  • How pond snails breathe?

Now you can become an expert nature explorer and learn fantastic facts to impress your friends and family!

You'll love that these hands-on books contain straightforward and safe step-by-step projects, allowing you to help your children discover the natural world. They are ideal supplements to school science projects and the perfect activities for weekends and vacations.

Pond Life: Revised and Updated (A Golden Guide from St. Martin's Press)

This guide describes and illustrates, in full color, the plants and animals that live in or near ponds, lakes, streams, and wetlands. It includes surface-dwelling creatures as well as those of open water, the bottom, and the shore and tells how various animals and plants live together in a community.Plus suggestions for:Where and when to lookObserving and collecting specimensMaking exciting discoveries

Photo Credit: ourjourneywestward.com

Peaceful Ponds

Using Peaceful Ponds, you’ll have so much fun learning about pond plants and animals, as well as earth science topics as they relate to ponds. 

Lakes and Ponds!: With 25 Science Projects for Kids

Imagine the smooth, glasslike surface of a pond, the water mirroring a bright moon or a crystal blue sky. The water appears perfectly calm and still. What’s going on underneath the surface?

Lakes and Ponds! With 25 Science Projects for Kids invites kids ages 7 though 10 to investigate the bodies of water that might look calm from the shore but which are teeming with life and activity! Through fun facts and engaging content, readers explore the plants and animals living in lakes and ponds, from fish darting about to dragonfly nymphs gestating in the shallows to algae and aquatic plants converting sunlight into energy through photosynthesis. Discover fun facts about the duckweed, water lilies, and cattails growing in and around the waters of lakes and ponds. It’s a busy place!

Keystone Species that Live in Ponds, Streams, & Wetlands (Kid's Guide to Keystone Species in Nature)

The same thing is true in nature. Certain species of animals and plants are so important to their ecosystems, that if they disappear, the whole system may collapse. They are called keystone species.

Frogs and Toads and Tadpoles, Too (Rookie Read-About Science: Animals)

What's the difference between a frog and a toad? The natural world comes alive for young readers (Ages 6-7) with Rookie Read-About "RM" Science! With striking, full-color photos and just the right amount of text, this series immediately involves young readers as they discover intriguing facts about the fascinating world around them.This book discusses the likenesses and differences between frogs and toads.

Amphibian

Frogs, toads, newts, salamanders, and the rare caecilians come in a stunning array of colors, shapes, sizes, and habitats. They live both in water and on land and move in a variety of ways from swimming to hopping and even flying. With a series of specially commissioned photographs, DK Eyewitness Books: Amphibian takes a close look at the fascinating natural history of these creatures from the bright green, red-eyed tree frogs to dull, burrowing, wormlike caecilians; from startling black and yellow fire salamanders to tiny transparent glass frogs.

Pond Life: A Folding Pocket Guide to Familiar Plants & Animals Living in or Near Ponds, Lakes & Wetlands (Wildlife and Nature Identification)

So many people get their start in nature study by exploring ponds. These small bodies of calm, standing water are fascinating living laboratories of plant and animal life at all scales, from microscopic algae to iconic birds like Great Blue Herons or ecosystem engineers like Beavers. To better understand how a pond ecosystems functions, it helps to get familiar with its living parts, namely its flora and fauna. The portable reference Pond Life is an excellent tool to bring on your next pond study, as it includes beautiful illustrations of 140 common and familiar birds, mammals, reptiles, amphibians, fishes, insects, and other invertebrates as well as trees, shrubs, and wildflowers. Laminated for durability, this lightweight, waterproof, 12-panel folding pocket guide is the perfect tool for educators, learners, naturalists, botanists, and wildlife enthusiasts to use the next time they go searching for minnows, tadpoles, or dragonfly nymphs at their local pond.

Pond Wildlife (Adventures in Nature)

Get ready to take a leap into the water in this exciting exploration of pond habitats. This volume examines different kinds of pond habitats, and the creatures that are found both in the water and on its edge, from bass to grass snakes to herons. Readers will learn about life cycles, ecosystems, and conservation, which are important curricula-based science topics. This volume pairs compelling text with vivid color photographs to bring readers on a nature walk they won’t soon forget. Diagrams, activities, and quizzes provide greater opportunities for exploration. This book is perfect for nature-enthused readers to get their feet wet identifying creatures and understanding the wonder of pond wildlife!

Then, look at these other activities about pond to add to your diorama day.

MORE ACTIVITIES ABOUT PONDS

  • 8 Engaging Pond Books for Preschoolers Who Love Pond Animals
  • Why Is a Toad An Amphibian And Pondlife Facts & Make a Fun Toad House
  • Above & Below: Pond Unit Study, Hands-on Ideas, & Lapbook
  • Make Way For Ducklings Fun Duck Pond Playdough Invitation to Play
  • Pond Life for Kindergarten Activity Build a Fun Beaver Dam

Additionally, look at these ideas for dioramas.

MORE DIORAMA IDEAS

  • Rocky Mountains Oregon Trail Fun Large Diorama Craft for Kids
  • How To Make A Shoebox Toucan Habitat Diorama With Waterfall
  • How to Make An Everglades Diorama: Explore the Wild Wetlands
  • How to Make an Easy Antarctica Diorama With Your Kids
  • 6 Facts About Mountain Lions and How to Make a Fun Mountain Lion Diorama
  • 5 Tide Pool Facts and Create An Edible Tide Pool Diorama Ideas
  • How to Make an Easy Wetlands Paper Plate Habitat Diorama
  • How to Make A Pyramid Diorama For States Of Matter
  • Fun Arctic Habitat Diorama and Fascinating Facts About Walruses

Finally, look at how to assemble the diorama.

HOW TO ASSEMBLE THE POND DIORAMA

You will need:

  • Free Pond Diorama (add your email to the link at the end of this post and get the freebie instantly. no waiting)
  • Glue
  • Scissors
  • Crayons, markers, or colored pencils

Print out all of the diorama pages onto thick sturdy cardstock.

Step-by-Step: Building a Colorful Pond Diorama with Free Printables

Encourage your child to color in the animals and trees, or leave them as they are.

I included a photo in the download to show you were to place the pieces.

HOW TO GET THE FREE PRINTABLE POND DIORAMA

Now, how to grab the freebie. It’s a subscriber freebie.

That means when you sign up to follow me, you get my emails in your inbox and you get this freebie.

1) CLICK HERE ON THIS LINK TO SIGN UP ON MY EMAIL LIST & TO GET THIS FREEBIE

2) Grab the freebie instantly.

3) Last, look for all my emails in your inbox. Glad to have you following me!

Leave a CommentFiled Under: Hands-On Activities Tagged With: diorama, hands-on, hands-on activities, handson, handsonhomeschooling, homeschool, ponds

Explore the Outdoors: Top Summer Ideas and Free Scavenger Hunt

May 4, 2025 | Leave a Comment
This post may contain affiliate links. For more information, please see my full disclosure policy.

I have some summer ideas to be sure your kids can stay inspired or recharge. Also, look at my post Free Summer Unit Study For Kids.

Too, if you want to continue summer learning, I will share ideas for summer learning.

Besides, summer is about relaxing or stepping back from your routine.

Explore the Outdoors: Top Summer Ideas and Free Scavenger Hunt

Whether you go far or stay local, nature has endless ways to inspire you.

For example, there are outdoor concerts, farmers market, open-air movies (one of my boys’ favorites when done poolside) and even food truck festivals to savor.

Don’t forget stargazing, sitting around a fire pit or heading to the beach for more summer fun.

SUMMER READS FOR KIDS

Next, look at grabbing some of these fun books to read while you’re soaking up the sun.

13 Books About Summer to Read to Kids and For Kids to Read

Grab some of these fun books about summer to add to a summer unit study or to learn about the change in the season.

Summer: An Alphabet Acrostic

In a companion volume to Autumn: an Alphabet Acrostic and Spring: an Alphabet Acrostic, sandy beaches, juicy watermelons, and porch swings are just a few of the warm-weather delights featured in acrostic poems about summer.

The Hidden Life of Trees: What They Feel, How They Communicate―Discoveries from A Secret World

Are trees social beings? In The Hidden Life of Trees forester and author Peter Wohlleben convincingly makes the case that, yes, the forest is a social network. He draws on groundbreaking scientific discoveries to describe how trees are like human families: tree parents live together with their children, communicate with them, support them as they grow, share nutrients with those who are sick or struggling, and even warn each other of impending dangers. Wohlleben also shares his deep love of woods and forests, explaining the amazing processes of life, death, and regeneration that he has observed in his woodland.

A Frog in the Bog

There’s a small green frog on a half-sunk log in the middle of the bog. He eats one tick, two fleas, three flies, four slugs, and five snails. And the frog gets a whole lot bigger. Then a hungry gator shows up, ready to eat the big fat frog. The frog opens his mouth wide to scream and out comes everything he’s eaten! And the frog gets a whole lot smaller.

The Summer Nick Taught His Cats to Read

It's not easy to teach a cat to read, but one boy tries to anyway in this sweet and silly picture book debut that captures the challenges and rewards of learning to read.Nick loves to read books--and he loves to play with his cats, Verne and Stevenson. So naturally Nick decides it's a great idea to teach his cats to read.

And Then Comes Summer

When the days stretch out like a slow yawn, and the cheerful faces of Johnny-jump-ups jump up . . . then it’s time to get ready for summer! From flip-flops and hide-and-seek to fireworks and ice-cream trucks, from lemonade stands and late bedtimes to swimming in the lake and toasting marshmallows, there’s something for everyone in this bright and buoyant celebration of the sunny season.

The Lorax (Classic Seuss)

Dr. Seuss’s beloved story teaches kids to treat the planet with kindness and stand up and speak up for others. Experience the beauty of the Truffula Trees and the danger of taking our earth for granted in a story that is timely, playful, and hopeful. The book’s final pages teach us that just one small seed, or one small child, can make a difference. 

Summer Story: Introduce children to the seasons in the gorgeously illustrated classics of Brambly Hedge!

It was such a hot summer. The sky was deep blue and the sun never faltered. All along Brambly Hedge, the mice did their best to keep cool. Poppy Eyebright sought refuge in the mossy shadows of the mill wheel; Dusty Dogwood took to walking by the banks of the cooling stream. Dusty and Poppy spent more and more time together, so no one was at all surprised when they announced their engagement. They decided on a very unusual setting for the wedding ceremony, but even they didn't realise just how unusual it was prove to be!Also look out for Spring Story, Autumn Story and Winter Story!

The Raft

Nicky is convinced that his summer with his grandmother in the Wisconsin woods is going to be the worst summer ever. She cooks food that he doesn’t like, there’s an art studio where her living room should be, and he’s expected to do chores—including fishing, the most boring chore ever.

But one afternoon, while Nicky is trying to catch their dinner, a raft drifts down the river towards him. The raft has a calming magic about it, affecting both Nicky and the wildlife of the river and woods. Through the raft and the adventures it brings him on, Nicky finds new common ground with his grandmother, a fellow river rat, who encourages him to explore his newfound talent for art.

Summertime in the Big Woods (Little House Picture Book)

The winter is finally over, and now it is summertime. Laura and Mary are busy all day helping Ma in the garden and playing outside.

We Were Tired of Living in a House: 55th Anniversary Edition

"We were tired of living in a house.

So we packed a bag with

sweaters and socks and scarves

and mittens and woolen caps.

And we moved to a tree...."

So begins this whimsical tale of four small children, a dog and a cat who decided they were tired of living in a house. They try a tree, a pond, a cave and the seashore, but in each place something unusual happens to make them move on to the next place-and finally home.

Blueberries for Sal

Sal and her mother a picking blueberries to can for the winter. But when Sal wanders to the other side of Blueberry Hill, she discovers a mama bear preparing for her own long winter.  Meanwhile Sal's mother is being followed by a small bear with a big appetite for berries! Will each mother go home with the right little one?With its expressive line drawings and charming story, Blueberries for Sal has won readers' hearts since its first publication in 1948."The adventures of a little girl and a baby bear while hunting for blueberries with their mothers one bright summer day. All the color and flavor of the sea and pine-covered Maine countryside.

Over and Under the Canyon

Over and Under the Canyon takes young readers on a thrilling tour of a desert canyon ecosystem. Over the canyon, the sun scalds the air, baking desert mud to stone. But under the shade of the cliffs hides another world, where bighorn sheep bound from rock to rock on the hillside, roadrunners make their nests in sturdy cacti, and banded geckos tuck themselves into the shelter of the sand. Discover the wonders concealed in the curves of the canyon, the magic of a desert wildflower bloom, and all the unexpected creatures that bring the desert to life.DISCOVER AMAZING ANIMALS: Kids are endlessly curious about the natural world and the wildly varied animals living in it—and the desert is FULL of amazing and surprising animals!

Over and Under the Waves

Award-winning duo Kate Messner and Christopher Silas Neal return in this latest addition to the Over and Under picture book series, this time exploring the rich, interconnected ecosystem of the ocean!Over the waves, the sea lions bark and seagulls wheel and call. The bay is smooth and bright in the sun. But under the waves, there's a whole hidden forest, full of whales and wolf eels, sardines and sea bass, leopard sharks and luminous jellies, as well as the waving kelp that shelters them all. Discover the magical depths of the kelp forest, and all the fascinating creatures living just a paddle's length away—over and under the waves.SO MANY FASCINATING FACTS: Kids are endlessly curious about the natural world and the wildly varied animals and plants living in it—and the ocean is FULL of amazing and surprising life!ENVIRONMENTAL AWARENESS MADE WONDERFUL: Preservation of our wilderness—and of our oceans in particular—is essential, and this book makes such a great, upbeat jumping-off point for discussions of the importance and wonder of our world's natural habitats and ecosystems.

Now, look at some summer ideas for learning.

Where possible, I included ideas for multiple ages.

SUMMER IDEAS FOR LEARNING

  • Free Summer Handwriting Worksheets & Setting Up A Writing Station
  • 10 Kindergarten Sensory Bin Ideas | How To Make A Summer Sensory Bin
  • 8 Best Summer Unit Studies For Kindergarten | Free Ant Study
  • Free Summer Unit Study For Kids and Fun Starfish Craft
  • A to Z List: 100 Fun Summer Homeschool Unit Study Ideas
  • 25 Summer Homeschool Ideas To Keep The Learning Spark Alive
  • 20 Fun Summer Learning Activities And Make A Rock Sundial
  • Fun Making Ocean Layers Soap | Summer Activities for Middle Schoolers
  • How to Use Summertime to Put a Foot in Homeschooling
  • 5 Homeschool Things to Toss By the End of Summer
  • 7 Advantages to Starting Your Homeschool Year in the Summer

In addition, here are some fun summer ideas to cure the doldrums.

Explore the Outdoors: Top Summer Ideas and Free Scavenger Hunt
  • How to Make an Ocean-Inspired Sea Shell Necklace | 8 Summer Beach Crafts
  • Summer Wood Crafts: How to Make a Teen Bikini Box
  • How to Make Fluffy Lemonade Summer Slime With Kids
  • How to Make Fun Watermelon Seed Slime For Summer Learning
  • Fun Pineapple Candle For Fun Summer Activities for Middle Schoolers
  • Super Easy and Fun Aquarium Jar Craft For Summer Activities for Middle Schoolers
  • 11 Fun Summer Activities for Middle Schoolers
  • 30+ Summer Activities for Middle School Kids

Finally, look what is included in the summer scavenger hunt for multiple ages.

HOW TO DOWNLOAD THE FREE SUMMER SCAVENGER HUNT

First, look at the themes of the summer scavenger hunts that are included in this download.

  • water fun
  • nighttime summer
  • summer treats
  • summer sounds
  • camping
  • backyard & garden
  • beach ocean
  • summer adventure

Now, how to grab the freebie. It’s a subscriber freebie.

That means when you sign up to follow me, you get my emails in your inbox and you get this freebie.

1) CLICK HERE ON THIS LINK TO SIGN UP ON MY EMAIL LIST & TO GET THIS FREEBIE

2) Grab the freebie instantly.

3) Last, look for all my emails in your inbox. Glad to have you following me!

Leave a CommentFiled Under: Hands-On Activities Tagged With: hands-on, hands-on activities, handson, handsonhomeschooling, homeschool, summer, summer activities, summer crafts, summerideas

Math Lapbook Ideas And Free Time And Money Lapbook

May 3, 2025 | Leave a Comment
This post may contain affiliate links. For more information, please see my full disclosure policy.

I have some math lapbook ideas and a free time and money lapbook. Also, look at my page Homeschool Lapbooks – Powerful Tools For Mastery Learning for more lapbook ideas.

A math lapbook can help children retain math concepts. Besides, too many educators are quick to give up hands-on math like lapbooks when abstract ideas are not cemented.

And contrary to popular beliefs, lapbooks are not just for young kids. Because lapbooks can include games, graphs, and minibooks packed full of facts, it’s a fun way to learn and practice concepts.

Math Lapbook Ideas And Free Time And Money Lapbook

Too, once a lapbook is prepared which can take time, a lapbook is an independent way for a child to review facts in a natural way. It can be used over again and even used the next year if facts are forgotten.

What you put in the lapbook depends on the level of the child not necessarily age.

Some children are ready for more advanced math concepts and others are still review grade level concepts.

LIVING MATH BOOKS FOR KIDS

Next, when you pair math books with lapbooks math is not boring.

You’ll love these math living books.

8+ Living Math Books About Counting, Addition and Subtraction

A living book or story brings math to life. Books like these have a way of explaining math concepts in a story form so young children understand them. Add one or two to your library.

Sir Cumference Series 12 Books Set (Book #1 - Book #12)

This Sir Cumference Series 12 Books Set includes: 1. Sir Cumference and the First Round Table 9781570911521 2. Sir Cumference and the Dragon of Pi 9781570911644 3. Sir Cumference and the Great Knight of Angleland 9781570911699 4. Sir Cumference and the Sword in the Cone 9781570916014 5. Sir Cumference and the Isle of Immeter 9780439025805 6. Sir Cumference and All the King's Tens 9781570917288 7. Sir Cumference
and the Viking's Map 9781570917929 8. Sir Cumference and the Off-the-Charts Dessert 9781570911996 9. Sir Cumference and the Roundabout Battle 9781570917660 10. Sir Cumference and the Fracton Faire 9781570917721 11. Sir Cumference Gets Decima's Point 9781570918452 12. Sir Cumference and the 100 PerCent Goose Chase 9781623543211

12 Ways to Get to 11 (Aladdin Picture Books)

Eve Merriam and Bernie Karlin take young readers on a counting adventure as they demonstrate twelve witty and imaginative ways to get to eleven.

The Hershey's Kisses Addition Book

Illustrations featuring Hershey's Kisses demonstrate the basic rules of addition.

Panda Math: Learning About Subtraction from Hua Mei and Mei Sheng

Learn about subtraction with the San Diego Zoo’s famous baby pandas Hua Mei was the first giant panda cub born in the United States that survived more than a few days. She was born at the San Diego Zoo, and four years later her mother had another baby, Mei Sheng. Hua Mei and her brother, Mei Sheng, spend their days climbing on logs, lounging in trees, and eating bamboo. A lot of things the pandas do can be thought of in terms of subtraction. Young readers follow the famous cubs as they grow from tiny infants to big, bouncing pandas and learn about subtraction along the way.

Sea Sums

With an appealing abundance of plants and animals, the shallows of an ocean coral reef offer a natural background for an under-the-sea arithmetic party. Creatures from stingrays to clams, crabs to sea urchins, and more disappear and reappear to provide young mathematicians with a fascinating array of equations--and a mini ecology lesson about life on a coral reef. Full color.

Ten Sly Piranhas

Ten sly piranhas are swimming in a river, but one at a time they disappear, until there is only one left.  Now that this proud overeater is the only surviving piranha, he is confident that he can eat anybody.  But while he may be the cleverest fish in the river, he is no match for the giant crocodile lurking on the bank.  Children will love learning to count backward in this crafty tale about one very hungry piranha.

88 pounds of tomatoes (Hello math reader)

Two friends plan a party to use all the tomatoes they expect to get from their Wonder Plant.

Anno's Magic Seeds

A wizard gives Jack two magic seeds with the instructions to eat one, which will feed him for one full year, and plant the other, which will produce two more seeds and allow the cycle to continue, but Jack has his own idea, in a fantasy introduction to numbers and counting.

Also, look at these math lapbook ideas.

MATH LAPBOOK IDEAS

  • Telling Time Lapbook 1st grade
  • FREE Math Facts Lapbook
  • Easy (and FREE) Multiplication Lapbook
  • Shapes Lapbook for Early Learners
  • Math Mini-Office Lapbook Grades K-2-PRINTED
  • Free Division Lapbook
  • Free Roman Numerals Lapbook

Additionally, look at more homeschool lapbook ideas.

MORE LAPBOOK IDEAS

  • 15 Amazing Lapbook Materials to Use Besides Glue and Paper
  • 75 AWESOME Things to Add to a Lapbook
  • Exploring Space and Astronomy
  • Honey Bees Lapbook for Kids
  • Free Wildflowers Lapbook
  • Amber – Freezing Gold Lapbook
  • Coral Reef Lapbook
  • Fall Unit Study (Includes Apples, Sir Isaac Newton, Art, and Appleseed)

WHAT MATH CONCEPTS TO INCLUDE IN A MATH LAPBOOK

In addition, here are some ideas to include in a math lapbook.

  • vocabulary for math section or create a whole lapbook on math terms and vocabulary words
  • measurement and data
  • basic 4 operations of addition, subtraction, multiplication and division
  • days of the week
  • fractions
  • time, elapsed time
  • geometry and shapes
  • numbers and counting

What is included in this free math and time telling lapbook

In the download, I’ve included a picture of a suggestion as to where to place the minibooks. Remember that you can add any minibooks to create your unique lapbook.

So, you do not need to include all if you want to focus on other concepts.

But this lapbook includes a pocket for money, time telling, days of the week, a clock, digital time and pieces for a front cover.

Math Lapbook Ideas And Free Time And Money Lapbook

Finally, look below to grab the free time telling and math lapbook

HOW TO GET THE FREE TIME AND MONEY LAPBOOK

Now, how to grab the freebie. It’s a subscriber freebie.

That means when you sign up to follow me, you get my emails in your inbox and you get this freebie.

1) CLICK HERE ON THIS LINK TO SIGN UP ON MY EMAIL LIST & TO GET THIS FREEBIE

2) Grab the freebie instantly.

3) Last, look for all my emails in your inbox. Glad to have you following me!

Leave a CommentFiled Under: Lapbook Tagged With: hands-on, hands-on activities, handson, handsonhomeschooling, homeschool, lapbook, lapbooking, lapbooks, math

How to Make a Strawberry Lemonade Summer Sensory Bin

May 2, 2025 | Leave a Comment
This post may contain affiliate links. For more information, please see my full disclosure policy.

We’re making a summer sensory bin today. Also, look at Free Summer Unit Study For Kids for more summer ideas.

Lemonade is a classic summertime treat on its own.

Adding fresh, juicy strawberries just makes it even more cheerful.

This strawberry lemonade sensory bin captures all the fun and flavor of summer in a water sensory play activity that is hands-on, and perfect for warm-weather fun.

How to Make a Strawberry Lemonade Summer Sensory Bin

It’s loaded with bright colors, fresh fruity scents, and clear, clean water.

With all this to scoop and pour, kids will enjoy engaging their senses while building up multiple developmental skills.

Real lemons and strawberries combine with reusable ice cubes to offer kids a sweet summer adventure.

A few kitchen utensils mean kids can also scoop and pour the ingredients for a fun sensory experience.

This activity is perfect for anywhere that a little splashing water won’t cause any trouble. No matter how you slice it, it’s sure to be a favorite.

SUMMER BOOKS FOR KIDS

Next, look at some fun books about summer to add to the reading day.

13 Books About Summer to Read to Kids and For Kids to Read

Grab some of these fun books about summer to add to a summer unit study or to learn about the change in the season.

Summer: An Alphabet Acrostic

In a companion volume to Autumn: an Alphabet Acrostic and Spring: an Alphabet Acrostic, sandy beaches, juicy watermelons, and porch swings are just a few of the warm-weather delights featured in acrostic poems about summer.

The Hidden Life of Trees: What They Feel, How They Communicate―Discoveries from A Secret World

Are trees social beings? In The Hidden Life of Trees forester and author Peter Wohlleben convincingly makes the case that, yes, the forest is a social network. He draws on groundbreaking scientific discoveries to describe how trees are like human families: tree parents live together with their children, communicate with them, support them as they grow, share nutrients with those who are sick or struggling, and even warn each other of impending dangers. Wohlleben also shares his deep love of woods and forests, explaining the amazing processes of life, death, and regeneration that he has observed in his woodland.

A Frog in the Bog

There’s a small green frog on a half-sunk log in the middle of the bog. He eats one tick, two fleas, three flies, four slugs, and five snails. And the frog gets a whole lot bigger. Then a hungry gator shows up, ready to eat the big fat frog. The frog opens his mouth wide to scream and out comes everything he’s eaten! And the frog gets a whole lot smaller.

The Summer Nick Taught His Cats to Read

It's not easy to teach a cat to read, but one boy tries to anyway in this sweet and silly picture book debut that captures the challenges and rewards of learning to read.Nick loves to read books--and he loves to play with his cats, Verne and Stevenson. So naturally Nick decides it's a great idea to teach his cats to read.

And Then Comes Summer

When the days stretch out like a slow yawn, and the cheerful faces of Johnny-jump-ups jump up . . . then it’s time to get ready for summer! From flip-flops and hide-and-seek to fireworks and ice-cream trucks, from lemonade stands and late bedtimes to swimming in the lake and toasting marshmallows, there’s something for everyone in this bright and buoyant celebration of the sunny season.

The Lorax (Classic Seuss)

Dr. Seuss’s beloved story teaches kids to treat the planet with kindness and stand up and speak up for others. Experience the beauty of the Truffula Trees and the danger of taking our earth for granted in a story that is timely, playful, and hopeful. The book’s final pages teach us that just one small seed, or one small child, can make a difference. 

Summer Story: Introduce children to the seasons in the gorgeously illustrated classics of Brambly Hedge!

It was such a hot summer. The sky was deep blue and the sun never faltered. All along Brambly Hedge, the mice did their best to keep cool. Poppy Eyebright sought refuge in the mossy shadows of the mill wheel; Dusty Dogwood took to walking by the banks of the cooling stream. Dusty and Poppy spent more and more time together, so no one was at all surprised when they announced their engagement. They decided on a very unusual setting for the wedding ceremony, but even they didn't realise just how unusual it was prove to be!Also look out for Spring Story, Autumn Story and Winter Story!

The Raft

Nicky is convinced that his summer with his grandmother in the Wisconsin woods is going to be the worst summer ever. She cooks food that he doesn’t like, there’s an art studio where her living room should be, and he’s expected to do chores—including fishing, the most boring chore ever.

But one afternoon, while Nicky is trying to catch their dinner, a raft drifts down the river towards him. The raft has a calming magic about it, affecting both Nicky and the wildlife of the river and woods. Through the raft and the adventures it brings him on, Nicky finds new common ground with his grandmother, a fellow river rat, who encourages him to explore his newfound talent for art.

Summertime in the Big Woods (Little House Picture Book)

The winter is finally over, and now it is summertime. Laura and Mary are busy all day helping Ma in the garden and playing outside.

We Were Tired of Living in a House: 55th Anniversary Edition

"We were tired of living in a house.

So we packed a bag with

sweaters and socks and scarves

and mittens and woolen caps.

And we moved to a tree...."

So begins this whimsical tale of four small children, a dog and a cat who decided they were tired of living in a house. They try a tree, a pond, a cave and the seashore, but in each place something unusual happens to make them move on to the next place-and finally home.

Blueberries for Sal

Sal and her mother a picking blueberries to can for the winter. But when Sal wanders to the other side of Blueberry Hill, she discovers a mama bear preparing for her own long winter.  Meanwhile Sal's mother is being followed by a small bear with a big appetite for berries! Will each mother go home with the right little one?With its expressive line drawings and charming story, Blueberries for Sal has won readers' hearts since its first publication in 1948."The adventures of a little girl and a baby bear while hunting for blueberries with their mothers one bright summer day. All the color and flavor of the sea and pine-covered Maine countryside.

Over and Under the Canyon

Over and Under the Canyon takes young readers on a thrilling tour of a desert canyon ecosystem. Over the canyon, the sun scalds the air, baking desert mud to stone. But under the shade of the cliffs hides another world, where bighorn sheep bound from rock to rock on the hillside, roadrunners make their nests in sturdy cacti, and banded geckos tuck themselves into the shelter of the sand. Discover the wonders concealed in the curves of the canyon, the magic of a desert wildflower bloom, and all the unexpected creatures that bring the desert to life.DISCOVER AMAZING ANIMALS: Kids are endlessly curious about the natural world and the wildly varied animals living in it—and the desert is FULL of amazing and surprising animals!

Over and Under the Waves

Award-winning duo Kate Messner and Christopher Silas Neal return in this latest addition to the Over and Under picture book series, this time exploring the rich, interconnected ecosystem of the ocean!Over the waves, the sea lions bark and seagulls wheel and call. The bay is smooth and bright in the sun. But under the waves, there's a whole hidden forest, full of whales and wolf eels, sardines and sea bass, leopard sharks and luminous jellies, as well as the waving kelp that shelters them all. Discover the magical depths of the kelp forest, and all the fascinating creatures living just a paddle's length away—over and under the waves.SO MANY FASCINATING FACTS: Kids are endlessly curious about the natural world and the wildly varied animals and plants living in it—and the ocean is FULL of amazing and surprising life!ENVIRONMENTAL AWARENESS MADE WONDERFUL: Preservation of our wilderness—and of our oceans in particular—is essential, and this book makes such a great, upbeat jumping-off point for discussions of the importance and wonder of our world's natural habitats and ecosystems.

Too, look at more sensory bin ideas.

MORE SENSORY BIN IDEAS

  • Discover The Magic Of Nocturnal Creatures | Nocturnal Animal Sensory Bin
  • How to Make a Watermelon Sensory Bin for Play and Learning
  • Fun Corn Life Cycle Preschool Sensory Bin and Printable Lifecycle Foldout
  • How To Create An Engaging Cranberry Sensory Bin
  • 10 Kindergarten Sensory Bin Ideas | How To Make A Summer Sensory Bin
  • Sensory Play Made Easy: Crafting a Community Helpers Sensory Bin
How to Make a Strawberry Lemonade Summer Sensory Bin

Finally, look at how to make this fun strawberry lemonade summer sensory bin.

HOW TO MAKE A SUMMER SENSORY BIN

Setting up a strawberry lemonade sensory bin is quick and simple. Here’s what you’ll need:

  • A few real lemons, sliced into rounds or wedges
  • A handful of real strawberries, sliced or whole (sliced strawberries fill more space and add more scent)
  • Fake ice cubes (requires adult supervision)
  • Mini strainer
  • Ladle or kitchen spoon
  • Plastic cup(s) for scooping and pretend serving
  • Large bin or shallow container
  • Water (enough to partially fill the bin for scooping and pouring)

Tip: Only fill the bin about 1/4 to 1/3 full with water. You want enough for floating, scooping, and splashing, without making too big of a mess.

Add the lemons, strawberries, and fake ice cubes to your bin.

Pour in enough water to let everything float and move around easily.

Place the mini strainer, ladle, and plastic cup(s) in the bin or nearby.

Invite your child to jump in and start exploring!

The real fruit contributes scents to the water, making the experience even more realistic and inviting. Plus, floating lemons and strawberries are so much fun to scoop and catch.

Leave a CommentFiled Under: Hands-On Activities Tagged With: hands-on, hands-on activities, handson, handsonhomeschooling, summer, summer activities, summer crafts, summerideas

Coloring And Learn: Free Famous Artist Coloring Pages

May 1, 2025 | Leave a Comment
This post may contain affiliate links. For more information, please see my full disclosure policy.

Today, I’m sharing free famous artist coloring pages for coloring and learn art. Also, look at my page Free Art Units for more ideas.

You can use these pages in many ways, but first I’m sharing some reasons why coloring can be considered art.

When children are coloring they are doing more than coloring in the lines. They can see the artist and coordinate the background color to match the famous artist’s style.

Coloring And Learn: Free Famous Artist Coloring Pages

Too, we’ve not always lived near art museums. So, coloring pictures of either famous art or artists children get exposed to art early.

It’s a subtle way to teach kids about creativity too,

And when children choose colors they become an active participant of art.

Besides helping with fine motor skills, children are paying attention to detail. And the pages can be used to pair with any unit study.

For example, you can ask where the artist is from, what time period did he or she live in, and what influenced their style.

ART SUPPLIES FOR COLORING AND LEARN FAMOUS ARTISTS

Next, look at some supplies to add to your arts and crafts drawer or to use with these coloring pages.

9 Fun Art Supplies for Learning

Whether you prefer to study art for a long period of time or short, I have some of our favorite supplies listed here. Too, everyone stores art differently. We love 3 ring binders and page protectors as well as large envelopes. I know you can use some of these ideas.

Sculpey Premo 24 Color sampler of Polymer Oven-Bake Clay,

I loved this brand. And it has a variety of colors for each child.

Amazon Basics Premium Colored Pencils, Soft Core, 24 Count (Pack of 1)

  • Explore your creativity with a wide variety of colors
  • Contains artist-quality soft lead for rich pigment and smooth application
  • Includes a tin storage case with a built-in tray to keep pencils organized and protected
  • Cardinal 3 Ring Binders

    Great for holding art projects.

    Watercolor Paper Pad 9"x12"

    Watercolor Paper Pad - Dyvicl spiral watercolor paper pad is loved by new and experienced artists, rough finish, heavyweight paper will satisfy any artistic needs! for drawing, sketching, or painting. You can play with techniques & effects to your heart's content. Watercolor pad work excellently with wet and dry mixed media including watercolor, gouache, acrylic, colored pencil, charcoal, and pastel.

    Paint This Book!: Watercolor for the Artistically Undiscovered

    Put the brush in your hand. Stick it in the water, then smush it around in one of the colors. Now take a deep breath and plop it down on the page . . .You’re an artist. Yes, really! Young or old, there is an artist in each of us. If yours is hiding (perhaps behind a shred of self-consciousness?), just remember: Art is personal expression. You have your talent. Nobody else has anything like it!

    Caliart Acrylic Paint Set With 12 Brushes

    Acrylic Paint Set With 12 Brushes: Premium paints glide on smoothly, dry quickly and stay as beautiful as the day they were painted. Whether you’re new to acrylic painting or a seasoned
    artist, the paint kit will set fire to your imagination.

    Artstorys Watercolor Paint Set, Vivid Colors Washable

    Premium Watercolor Paint: Comes with 48 vibrant water colors cake, 1 premium refillable water brush, wooden paint brushes and 1 mixing palette converted by the transparent lid. Perfect for artists, amateurs, students, teens, kids, children and painters of all levels. Wonderful gift idea for your friends and families who have fun in painting!

    8 Pack Plastic Envelopes Poly Envelope Folder Clear Plastic Reusable Folders

    [Colorful Transparent Envelopes] 8 assorted colors: transparent blue, green, yellow, purple, pink, orange, white and red. It’s easy to organize and distinguish your paper with a different color.

    1 Pcs Craft Knife Hobby Knife

    Valuable Package Content:1pcs hobby knife,10pcs hobby knife blades,1pc steel ruler(6inch/15cm long)

    Next, look at more art activities.

    MORE ART ACTIVITIES FOR KIDS

    • Claude Monet Facts For Kids And Free Water Lily Masterpiece
    • Ancient Rome Art Projects | How to Make Edible Roman Roads
    • How to Make a Triorama Teaching the Primary Colors with Dollar Tree Supplies
    • Make 2025 Colorful: Free Kids Artwork 12 Month 2025 Calendar
    • Frida Kahlo Art Made Simple: Free Easy Art Printable
    • Colorful Picasso Craft Ideas To Make: Free Printable for Little Hands
    • How To Make Sunflower Craft Like Van Gogh For Young Crafters

    Coloring And Learn: Free Famous Artist Coloring Pages

    Also, look at the famous artist color pages I’ve included in this download.

    • Henri Matisse
    • Henri Rousseau
    • Paul Klee
    • Romero Britto
    • Mary Blair
    • Andy Warhol
    • Georgia O’Keefe
    • Laurel Burch

    HOW TO GET THE FREE COLOR TO LEARN FAMOUS ARTIST PAGES

    Now, how to grab the freebie.  It’s a subscriber freebie.

    That means when you sign up to follow me, you get my emails in your inbox and you get this freebie.

    1) CLICK HERE ON THIS LINK TO SIGN UP ON MY EMAIL LIST & TO GET THIS FREEBIE

    2) Grab the freebie instantly.

    3) Last, look for all my emails in your inbox. Glad to have you following me!

    Leave a CommentFiled Under: Hands-On Activities Tagged With: art, art crafts, artist, hands-on, hands-on activities, handson, handsonhomeschooling, homeschool

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