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Tina Robertson

4 Week Free Alaska Unit Study & Best Hands-on Ideas

September 28, 2024 | Leave a Comment
This post may contain affiliate links. For more information, please see my full disclosure policy.

I have a free 4-week hands-on Alaska unit study. Also, grab more ideas on my Best Homeschool Unit Studies page. Too, look at my Arctic Region and Arctic and Inuit Unit Study Free Lapbook & Hands-On Ideas.

Alaska is the largest state in the United States and is a land of breathtaking natural beauty and rich cultural heritage.

Furthermore, from the towering mountains and sparkling glaciers to the vast forests and abundant wildlife, Alaska offers a wide range of opportunities for exploration and learning.

4 Week Free Alaska Unit Study & Best Hands-on Ideas

We will explore the state’s diverse ecosystems, learn about its indigenous peoples, and discover its unique place in American history.

Too, I prepared this 4-week unit study with multiple ages in mind.

Further, this study will foster a deep appreciation for Alaska’s unique culture, history, and environment.

We’ll include geography, science, history, art and a bit of math.

BOOKS ABOUT ALASKA FOR KIDS

First, look at these books about Alaska.

When I can find them, I include living books.

Then I add reference books.

13 Alaska Books for Kids Who Love to Be Read to and Love to Read

Add some of these books about the beautiful state of Alaska to your learning day or to your unit study about Alaska.

One Man's Wilderness, 50th Anniversary Edition: An Alaskan Odyssey

To live in a pristine land unchanged by man...to roam a wilderness through which few other humans have passed...to choose an idyllic site, cut trees, and build a log cabin...to be a self-sufficient craftsman, making what is needed from materials available...to be not at odds with the world, but content with one’s own thoughts and company...

Thousands have had such dreams, but Dick Proenneke lived them. He found a place, built a cabin, and stayed to become part of the country. One Man’s Wilderness is a simple account of the day-to-day explorations and activities he carried out alone, and the constant chain of nature’s events that kept him company. From Dick’s journals, and with firsthand knowledge of his subject and the setting, Sam Keith has woven a tribute to a man who carved his masterpiece out of the beyond.

The Year of Miss Agnes (Aladdin Historical Fiction)

Ten-year-old Frederika (Fred for short) doesn't have much faith that the new teacher in town will last very long. After all, they never do. Most teachers who come to their one-room schoolhouse in remote, Alaska leave at the first smell of fish, claiming that life there is just too hard.But Miss Agnes is different -- she doesn't get frustrated with her students, and she throws away old textbooks and reads Robin Hood instead! For the first time, Fred and her classmates begin to enjoy their lessons and learn to read and write -- but will Miss Agnes be like all the rest and leave as quickly as she came?

Gentle Ben

The Alaskan wilderness is a lonely place for Mark Andersen, especially after the death of his older brother, Jamie. But in time Mark finds someone else to love--Ben, an Alaskan brown bear so huge that no one else dares come near him. Gentle Ben has been a favorite of readers of all ages for 25 years, and is a timeless story of a rare friendship.

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?

Touching Spirit Bear (Spirit Bear, 1)

After severely injuring Peter Driscal in an empty parking lot, mischief-maker Cole Matthews is in major trouble. But instead of jail time, Cole is given another option: attend Circle Justice, an alternative program that sends juvenile offenders to a remote Alaskan Island to focus on changing their ways. Desperate to avoid prison, Cole fakes humility and agrees to go.

While there, Cole is mauled by a mysterious white bear and left for dead. Thoughts of his abusive parents, helpless Peter, and his own anger cause him to examine his actions and seek redemption—from the spirit bear that attacked him, from his victims, and, most importantly, from himself.

Home Is the North (Walter Morey Adventure Library)

Set in the U.S. Pacific Northwest and Alaska.

The Snow Child: A Novel

Alaska, 1920: a brutal place to homestead, and especially tough for recent arrivals Jack and Mabel. Childless, they are drifting apart -- he breaking under the weight of the work of the farm; she crumbling from loneliness and despair. In a moment of levity during the season's first snowfall, they build a child out of snow. The next morning the snow child is gone -- but they glimpse a young, blonde-haired girl running through the trees.This little girl, who calls herself Faina, seems to be a child of the woods. She hunts with a red fox at her side, skims lightly across the snow, and somehow survives alone in the Alaskan wilderness. As Jack and Mabel struggle to understand this child who could have stepped from the pages of a fairy tale, they come to love her as their own daughter. But in this beautiful, violent place things are rarely as they appear, and what they eventually learn about Faina will transform all of them.

The Moon of the Gray Wolves: The Thirteen Moons Series

It is November, and for the gray wolves of the Toklat Pass in Alaska, the hunt is on. It is time to harvest the sickly, weak, or old caribou as the herd migrates through the pass. It is also a time to test the survival skills of the young wolf pups.

In Thirteen Moons - a spellbinding wildlife series - Newbery Award-winning author Jean Craighead George has captured 13 North American animals in their natural environments and chronicled their fight for survival. From the lush Florida Everglades to the fertile Canadian east, this series explores the intricate relationships among animals, plants, and the ever-changing environment in which they live. A favorite of adults and children alike, George's entertaining and educational tales of nature alive and in action - Julie, Shark Beneath the Reef, and Julie of the Wolves - have thrilled listeners for a generation. Barbara Caruso's inspired narration captures the vitality and harsh reality of life on the hunt.

Mama, Do You Love Me?

Mama, do you love me? Yes I do Dear One. How much? In this universal story, a child tests the limits of independence and comfortingly learns that a parent's love is unconditional and everlasting. The story is made all the more captivating by its unusual Arctic setting. The lyrical text introduces young readers to a distinctively different culture, while at the same time showing that the special love that exists between parent and child transcends all boundaries of time and place. The story is beautifully complemented by graphically stunning illustrations that are filled with such exciting animals as whales, wolves, puffins, and sled dogs, and a carefully researched glossary provides additional information on Arctic life. This tender and reassuring book is one that both parents and children will turn to again and again.

Under Alaska's Midnight Sun

In the far northern parts of the world, near and above the Arctic Circle, summer days are very long. In Barrow, Alaska, for example, the sun rises in May and sets 83 days later, in early August. During this time, the sun shines all through the night. People call it the midnight sun. When the midnight sun is shining, people and animals stay active even at night. This sweet poetic narrative, illustrated by award-winner Jeremiah Trammell, showcases the many pleasures of this unique time as a little girl dances, fishes, plays games, watches moose and fox, and communes with family and nature.

Big Jim and the White-legged Moose

Based on an actual real-life encounter with a bull mouse, author-illustrator Jim Arnosky provides music for read-aloud rhymes and entertaining illustrations of his adventure in the woods.

This Place Is Cold (Imagine Living Here)

Focuses on the land, animals, plants, and climate of Alaska, presenting it as an example of a place where it is so cold your hair can freeze and break off.

Togo

Based on the true story of the heroic dogs who saved countless lives in Alaska in 1925, this classic tale is a thrilling adventure and a history lesson all in one.Togo wasn't meant to be a sled dog. He was too feisty and independent to make a good team member, let alone a leader. But Togo is determined, and when his trainer, Leonhard Seppala, gives him a chance, he soon becomes one of the fastest sled dogs in history! His skills are put to the ultimate test, though, when Seppala and his team are called on to make the now-famous run across the frozen Arctic to deliver the serum that will save Alaska from a life-threatening outbreak of diphtheria.

Then, here are some amazing facts you can use to introduce Alaska.

8 AMAZING FACTS ABOUT ALASKA

  1. Dog mushing is the official state sport of Alaska and has roots in the state reaching all the way back to sled dog use which dates back to 1000 AD.
  2. Alaska is the largest state in the US, it is double the size of Texas at almost 600,000 square miles.
  3. The state flag was designed by a 13-year-old boy as part of a contest held in 1926 and was voted on unanimously by the panel of judges. His design of eight stars to represent the Big Dipper, placed on a blue background to represent the sky, and the forget-me-not flower (Alaska state flower).
  4.  More than half of the glaciers in the world are located in Alaska. These glaciers cover 10 times more Alaskan land than people do.
  5. The name Alaska comes from the Aleut, an Indigenous people of Alaska, and means “the great land”.
  6. Alaska is the only US state that has coastlines on the Arctic Ocean, Pacific Ocean, and Bering Sea.
  7. There are over 130 volcanoes, including 90 that have been active in the last 10,000 years located in Alaska.
  8. Alaska has over 12,000 rivers, streams, and creeks, including seven of the 20 largest rivers located in the US with the Yukon River being the largest.

Keep in mind that not all school subjects may fit naturally into a unit study. Don’t force a fit with a subject.

However, it is a chance to tie concepts in and fit as many ideas as you can in a fun way.

MATH & LANGUAGE ARTS ALASKA UNIT STUDY WEEK 1

Many math themes can tie in naturally which will force math concepts.

For instance, look at this list of ideas

  • Track daily temperature in Alaska. Learn how to convert from Fahrenheit and Celsius
  • Build a mini igloo and learn about geometry and shapes. Teach how to calculate perimeter, area and volume. Engineering for Kids | Building Igloos with Marshmallows
  • Hands-On Math: Fun and Easy Snowflake Geometry
  • Prepare a chart to compare snowfall in different cities using tally marks.
  • Look for patterns found in the animals.
  • Research animals and guess the population
  • If you’re working on measurement then measure the distances between cities. Use a ruler and string.
  • Talk about the time zones in Alaska and understand what are time zones. Use a chart to show times in the different time zones in cities
  • Create a bar graph to show animals found in the ocean, tundra and forests
  • Plan a sled dog race and calculate speeds and times of travel based on various speeds
  • Research fish populations and graph the ones you learned about

4 Week Free Alaska Unit Study & Best Hands-on Ideas
  • Read Julie of the Wolves for a literature-based study. Look at my post Julie of the Wolves Free Hands-on Arctic Unit Study.
  • Download this fun Alaska Word search.
  • Do poetry inspired by nature
  • Use rocks for storytelling. See my post Cute and Simple Snowman Story Stones Winter Art Activities.
  • This E is for Eagle Preschool Unit covers so much more than just language arts. There are plenty of ideas for math, science, and other subjects as well.
  • Here is a simple read and worksheet about Alaska statehood.
     

In addition, If you are looking for a read aloud that the entire family will love Sweet Home Alaska is the sweetest story.

For example, it is Little House on the Prairie meets American Girl and is about a family who makes their way from their home in Wisconsin to Alaska as part of Franklin Roosevelt’s New Deal.

Besides, that deal gave a couple hundred destitute Midwestern farm families a chance to start over in Alaska, which was then just a U.S. territory.

SCIENCE ALASKA UNIT STUDY WEEK 2

Next, look at some of these ideas to learn about science.

  • Research an animal like bald eagle, grizzly bear or moose and prepare a fact sheet. This is an idea for language arts too.
  • Learn about animal physiology. Do this fun activity How Animals Survive Harsh Winters Fun Blubber Activity.
  • Read about the various plants in Alaska like the fireweed wildflower, Alaska cedar, the moss and lichens which grow in the tundra, the Saskatoon berry fruit and willow to name a few.
  • Learn about how pollution affects the marine animals in the ocean. Look at my post Beware of Ocean Pollution: Fun Science Activity for Kids.
  • Learn about glaciers and icebergs. Make a model glacier. Look at my post Unlocking The Mystery Of Iceberg Science.
  • Create a simple model to explain the Northern Lights. Make an Aurora Borealis in a jar.
  • Look at my winter unit study to learn about types of frost. Investigate how permafrost affects plant growth.
  • This hands-on activity fits science, language arts, history and geography. How to Make a Popsicle Stick Stem Dogsled | Balto Unit Study
  • A fun game like Professor Noggins Wildlife of North America Trivia can teach your child so much more about the animals of a certain region than worksheet after worksheet.
4 Week Free Alaska Unit Study & Best Hands-on Ideas

Too, compare sled dogs to house dogs and learn about the differences.

Of course, the study of Alaska makes for a great geography unit study and include history.

HISTORY & GEOGRAPHY ALASKA UNIT STUDY WEEK 3

The geography is unique with towering mountains, glaciers and coastlines.

Too, Alaska is located in the far northwest of North America. And it’s bordered by Canada to the east and the Arctic and Pacific Oceans to the north and south.

  • In Northern Alaska there is a tundra. It is a unique ecosystem. Learn about the low growing plants there and the caribou and arctic fox who make the tundra their home. How to Make an Easy 3D Tundra Biome Poster Project
  • The Yukon River is one of the largest rivers in the United States. Learn how the river is important to wildlife and life in Alaska.
  • Then gold was discovered in Alaska in the 1890s. The Klondike Gold Rush attracted thousands hoping to strike it rich.
  • Investigate Denali. It is the highest peak in North America.
  • Then the southern part of Alaska includes lush forests including the boreal forest. It is filled with spruce, evergreen and fir trees.
  • Native groups like Inupiat, Yupik, Tlingit, and Athabascan have lived in Alaska for many years.
  • Russian explorers arrived in Alaska for the fur trade in the 1700s.
  • Arctic Region Salt Dough Map and Free Map Flag Printables
4 Week Free Alaska Unit Study & Best Hands-on Ideas

Also, for a phenomenal reference book that you can use for more than one theme grab the beautiful and fact filled The 50 States: Explore the U.S.A.

4 Week Free Alaska Unit Study & Best Hands-on Ideas

ARTS & CRAFTS ALASKA UNIT STUDY WEEK 4

Finally, study and learn about the beautiful arts, crafts and culture of Alaska.

  • Make a Northern Lights painting
  • Do this craft Beautiful Bald Eagle Fun Facts And Torn Paper Bird Craft.
  • Another craft Easy and Fun Polar Bear Fork Painting.
  • Another fun one kids like Black Bear Unit Study and Fun Edible Bear Poop.
  • Research about the Iditarod
  • Understand what is a totem pole
  • Use soap to sculpture an animal. Trumpeter swans and tundra swans are the two species of swans native to North America, both nesting in Alaska. How To Make A Fun Animal Soap Carving & A Quick Study on A Swan
  • Make fun borax and pipecleaner snowflakes.
  • Cook traditional food like salmon patties and use berries for dessert

These activities will foster your children’s love of Alaska while tying in important concepts.

What other ideas have you done?

Leave a CommentFiled Under: My Unit Studies {Free Printables & Hands-on Ideas} Tagged With: Alaska, hands-on, hands-on activities, handson, handsonhomeschooling, homeschool, unit studies, unit study

10 Easy Resources About The French And Indian War For Kids

September 27, 2024 | Leave a Comment
This post may contain affiliate links. For more information, please see my full disclosure policy.

Try some of these 10 fun ideas for learning about the French and Indian war for kids instead of reaching for a dry textbook. Look at my page French and Indian War 1754 -1763.

We are going to embark on a journey through time to explore the French and Indian War.

It was a conflict that shook the foundations of North America from 1754 to 1763 prior to the Revolutionary War.

10 Easy Resources About The French And Indian War For Kids

We can do that with games, interesting books, facts, lapbooks, dioramas, and attention grabbing videos.

But first let me tell you a little bit more about the who, what, and why of it.

The French and Indian War was very important because it shifted the dynamic of power in North America.

It gave Britain control over a huge territory and removed French influence.

This in turn led to growing tensions between the British and the American colonies, which eventually led to the American Revolution.

The Native American people of the Algonquin, Lenape, Wyandot, Ojibwa, Ottawa, Shawnee, and the Mi’kmaq tribes sided with the French.

The Iroquois Confederacy, especially the Mohawk and Oneida, sided with the British.

 It all started with a small skirmish at Fort Duquesne in 1754.

Little did anyone know that this would escalate into a full-blown war between France and Great Britain.

Let’s take a little peek at the timeline.

TIMELINE OF THE FRENCH AND INDIAN WAR

1754- Tensions begin to simmer in the Ohio Valley. The French and British both claim ownership of the land, and neither side is willing to back down. The first shot is fired at Fort Duquesne, marking the beginning of the French and Indian War.

1755- The Battle of the Monongahela took place, and things didn’t go very well for the British. General Edward Braddock led his troops right into an ambush, and they suffered a brutal defeat.

1758- The tide begins to turn in favor of the British. They captured Fort Frontenac which was an important French stronghold on Lake Ontario.

1759- The pivotal moment of the war: the capture of Quebec City. This victory was a major blow to the French, and it pretty much sealed their fate.

1763- the Treaty of Paris was signed which officially ended the French and Indian War. Under the terms of the treaty, France had to give up a huge chunk of its land in North America to Britain.

10 Easy Resources About The French And Indian War For Kids

As you teach your child about this important history, a way to make sure that everything sticks is by utilizing resources that appeal to their learning styles and are just plain fun for their hands and minds.

MORE FRENCH AND INDIAN WAR CRAFTS FOR KIDS

  • 15 Hands-on History Ideas for Kids Studying the French and Indian War
  • Free Fun Lapbook for Kids About the French And Indian War Years
  • Amazing Iroquois Confederacy: A Look at the First Democracy in North America
  • Free Iroquois Lapbook and Hands-on Unit Study for Kids

Finally, at this roundup of activities about the French and Indian War.

10 Easy Resources About The French And Indian War

One of these 10 amazing and easy resources are sure to be just what you need to give a fun hands-on aspect to your study on the French and Indian War for kids!

French and Indian War 1754 -1763

The French and Indian War was part of wider conflict between the European Powers.

It was called the Seven Years War and began in North American and spread to Europe.

Photo Credit: www.youtube.com

- YouTube

Watch this quick video of the French and Indian War on Youtube together to learn more about the causes, people, and outcome.

The Matchlock Gun

In 1756, New York State was still a British colony, and the French and the Indians were constant threats to Edward and his family. When his father was called away to watch for a raid from the north, only Edward was left to protect Mama and little Trudy. His father had shown him how to use the huge matchlock gun, an old Spanish gun that was twice as long as he was, but would Edward be able to handle it if trouble actually came? This classic, first published in 1941, has an updated, kid-friendly format that includes the original black-and-white illustrations.

The French and Indian War American History for Kids: Prelude to Revolution

The French and Indian War was, like, a major deal in American history, and it’s the backdrop for this totally lit short story made just for young readers. This book takes kids on a wild ride through the tricky stuff of early American government, all wrapped up in a cool narrative that really captures the vibe of that chaotic time.So, imagine this: it’s the mid-1700s, and the British and French armies, plus their Native American homies, are totally going at it over land and resources in North America. Readers are gonna meet some brave characters who deal with the craziness of war, showing off some mad courage, teamwork, and why it’s important to see things from different angles. As kids dive into the action, they’ll learn about major battles, alliances, and how this war shaped America forever, no cap.Every chapter is like, crafted not just to tell a story but also to drop some serious knowledge

Revolutionary War British Army Designe

You could also add in these British Soldier figures to create a diorama and in a pitch could use the only Native American tribe they carry, the Powhatan.

Photo Credit: mybeautifulmess.net

Hoecakes: a Revolutionary War Recipe

Hoe cakes were described as George Washington’s favorite breakfast in which he ate them slathered in “butter and honey.” Over the next century, hoecakes eventually became a dish of regional pride and a staple on the Southern colonial table.

Bayonets & Tomahawks: The French and Indian War

  • Bayonets & Tomahawks is a two-player grand strategic game depicting the French & Indian War, which raged from 1755 to 1760 and in which France's North American empire was conquered.
  • Take command of either the French or British to fight all facets of the conflict: army maneuvering, diplomacy with indigenous nations, raids, battles, construction, naval operations, sieges, and more.
  • With scenarios varying from a single year to the whole war, as well as rules for team play, Bayonets & Tomahawks is perfect for new and experienced wargamers alike.
Photo Credit: www.historyunboxed.com

French and Indian War Unboxed (U.S. History)

History Unboxed is a cool subscription box (or a la carte) that contains supplies for three different activities to match the period as well as information cards.  They even have one for the French and Indian War that includes beeswax candle making, a flageolet, and supplies for a Native American Game.

Free Homeschool History Cards - French and Indian War

Use these Free Homeschool History Cards – French and Indian War cards to practice facts and important dates surrounding this period of history.

Photo Credit: theresjustonemommy.com

Simple and Fun Spy Activities Your Child Will Love

Both the British and French heavily used Native American tribes to gather intelligence; their knowledge of the terrain and enemy movement was very helpful to their cause. Employ some of their tricks with Kids Spy Activities: Invisible Ink & Secret Code.

Leave a CommentFiled Under: Hands-On Activities Tagged With: French and Indian War, hands on history, hands-on, hands-on activities, handson, handsonhomeschooling, history, homeschool

Arctic Region Salt Dough Map and Free Map Flag Printables

September 26, 2024 | 2 Comments
This post may contain affiliate links. For more information, please see my full disclosure policy.

We did a fun Arctic Region Salt Dough Map to learn about the Arctic region. Also, look at my pages Arctic Region and Arctic and Inuit Unit Study Free Lapbook & Hands-On Ideas for more fun.

The Arctic Ocean is about 5.5 million square miles of water and sea ice floats on top of the ocean.

Sea ice or the polar ice cap covers most of the ocean and some of the ice is perennial meaning it is frozen year around.

The Arctic is surrounded by land in Greenland, Canada, Russia and parts of these countries as well as part of Alaska is in the Arctic Circle.

So, I thought making a salt dough map would be the perfect way to show the geography of the land and polar ice cap.

Arctic Region Salt Dough Map and Free Map Flag Printables

Salt dough maps are not only appealing to all ages, but they are just plain fun to do.

We had a bit of controversy in our house before we started this because the Arctic region covers land and the polar ice cap.

According to my boys the polar ice cap is like “frozen land” that is moving. So they wanted to be sure it showed up that way on the map.

They decided to give it “texture and form” by using the dough to show that portion.

BOOKS ABOUT THE ARCTIC FOR KIDS

First, look at some of these books about the Arctic.

I prefer living books when I can find them.

12 Arctic Books about People & Animals of the Arctic

Studying about the region of the Arctic is a fascinating topic. Grab some of these books about life in the Arctic and animals of the Arctic.

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. Snowflake-catching instructions are also included for aspiring young snow scientists!

In Arctic Waters

This arctic adaptation of “This is the House that Jack Built” follows polar bears, walruses, seals, narwhals and beluga whales as they chase each other around “the ice that floats in the Arctic waters.” Not only is the rhythmic, cumulative prose good for early readers; it is a pure delight to read aloud. The “For Creative Minds” section helps children learn how these animals live in the cold, icy arctic region.

Arctic Fox: Fascinating Animal Facts for Kids (This Incredible Planet)

Fascinating Animal Facts Arctic Fox Learn all about the amazing and adaptable Arctic fox. This small yet hardy creature survives in the harshest of environments!

This Incredible Planet series provides young readers with interesting information about the Earth’s most fascinating creatures.

Beautiful color photography makes each animal come to life. Learn about the Arctic fox’s habitat, diet, breeding, lifespan, behavior, threats, and so much more!

Over and Under the Snow

A wonderful winter book for kids from the author and illustrator of the beloved Over and Under series, now in paperback! Part of the acclaimed nature book series that includes Over and Under the Pond, Over and Under the Rainforest, and Up in the Garden and Down in the Dirt, this volume takes readers on a cross country ski trip through the winter woods to discover the secret world of animals living under the snow.

Animals in Winter (Let's-Read-and-Find-Out Science)

Read and find out about how animals cope with winter in this colorfully illustrated nonfiction picture book.

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.

Have you ever seen a butterfly in the snow? Probably not. Butterflies can't survive cold weather, so when winter comes, many butterflies fly to warmer places. They migrate. Woodchucks don't like cold weather either, but they don't migrate; they hibernate. Woodchucks sleep in their dens all winter long. How do these and other animals handle the cold and snow of winter?

Read and find out in the proven winner Animals in Winter!

This is a Level 1 Let's-Read-and-Find-Out, which means the book explores introductory concepts perfect for children in the primary grades.

The Inuit Thought of It: Amazing Arctic Innovations (We Thought of It)

Today’s Arctic communities have all the comforts of modern living. Yet the Inuit survived in this harsh landscape for hundreds of years with nothing but the land and their own ingenuity. Join authors Alootook Ipellie and David MacDonald as they explore the amazing innovations of traditional Inuit and how their ideas continue to echo around the world. Some inventions are still familiar to us: the one-person watercraft known as a kayak still retains its Inuit name. Other innovations have been replaced by modern technology: slitted snow goggles protected Inuit eyes long before sunglasses arrived on the scene. Andother ideas were surprisingly inspired: using human-shaped stone stacks (Inunnguat) to trick and trap caribou. Many more Inuit innovations are explored here, including: • Dog sleds • Shelter • Clothing • Kids’ stuff • Food preservation • Medicine. In all, more than 40 Inuit items and ideas are showcased through dramatic photos and captivating language. From how these objects were made, to their impact on contemporary culture, The Inuit Thought of It is a remarkable catalogue of Inuit invention.

Mini Arctic Animals Figurines Set, Polar Animals Toy for Kids Plastic Arctic Reindeer,Walrus,White Whale,Polar Bear,Arctic Fox,Wolf Figures,

Tiny Animals Figures Party: 18 PCS Package include orca, walrus, white owl, reindeer, husky, 2pcs seal, 2pcs beluga whale, 2pcs arctic wolf, 2pcs arctic fox, 2pcs arctic rabbit, 2pcs polar bear figurines and igloo model.

Who are the Eskimos? Arctic People's Traditional Way of Life

Who Are The Eskimos is perfect for early to middle elementary students and makes a great addition to your library.

North: The Amazing Story of Arctic Migration

“A treat for middle-graders of an ecological bent.” — Bulletin of the Center for Children’s Books (starred review) At the top of our world is a huge wild place called the Arctic. In the winter, it is a cold and barren land, where few animals can survive. But when spring comes, it attracts animals from every corner of the earth. This lushly illustrated picture book celebrates the resilient wildlife and barren, beautiful landscapes of the Arctic Circle, tracing the awe-inspiring spring migration of millions of creatures to the Arctic and reminding the reader of the hardships and harmony of life in the wild.Back matter includes additional information about the arctic, a glossary, and an index.

Arctic White

When you live in the Arctic in winter, everything is a shade of white. A young girl looks around her home in the Arctic and sees only white, white, white...but one day her grandfather takes her on a journey through the tundra.  And at the end of their cold walk across the ice, they find something special that brings color into their world.

Farthest North: The Incredible Three-Year Voyage to the Frozen Latitudes of the North (Modern Library Exploration)

In 1893, Fridjtof Nansen set sail in the Fram, a ship specially designed and built to be frozen into the polar ice cap, withstand its crushing pressures, and travel with the sea’s drift closer to the North Pole than anyone had ever gone before. Experts said such a ship couldn't be built and that the voyage was tantamount to suicide.  This brilliant first-person account, originally published in 1897, marks the beginning of the modern age of exploration. Nansen vividly describes the dangerous voyage and his 15-month-long dash to the North Pole by sledge. Farthest North is an unforgettable tale and a must-read for any armchair explorer.

This Place Is Cold: An Imagine Living Here book

Can you imaging living in a place where it's so cold your breath turns instantly into tiny ice crystals that glitter in the sun? Where temperatures can drop fifty degrees below zero and even lower and the sun only comes out for a few hours per day? In This Place Is Cold readers will learn how people and animals survive in Alaska's ferocious cold, and how because of global warming this region is now in trouble. Vicki Cobb and Barbara Lavallee travelled the world together to research this groundbreaking geography series, that is now updated and redesigned to appeal to today's readers.

This is unique for us because unless we study the Antarctic, it probably will be our only salt dough map that looks like this meaning a portion is white.

So many other parts of the world have defined land, water and land forms masses that are blue for water, green for land and brown for mountains.

Having the white portion on the map representing the polar cap is unique.

Dye is optional if you don’t want to paint but we chose to paint ours this time.

Tiny grabbed some blue glitter thinking that it might work good on the blue or water part of the map.

EASY SALT DOUGH RECIPE

  • 4 cups flour
  • 2 cups salt
  • 2 Tablespoon cream of tartar
  • 1 piece of cardboard.. For example, lid from a used box or pizza box lid (clean as possible)
  • acrylic paint
  • pencil and black sharpie
  • tape to hold your map down
  • Optional blue sprinkles, dye
  • The map we used as a template is here by Atlas on the Arctic.

I don’t have pictured the acrylic paint we decided to use later instead of the dye.

Arctic Region Salt Dough Map and Free Map Flag Printables

I printed the map on 3 pages because we used a pizza size cardboard lid and too, we didn’t want our map too big.

If we were focusing on one country, we probably would have made it a bit bigger.

Since this is the top of the world, we wanted it to keep it with an aerial view.

Tape the map lightly to your box to hold it in place.

Arctic Region Salt Dough Map and Free Map Flag Printables

Trace over the map outline with a pencil to make a faint outline.

You’re just trying to get a pattern to follow.

Arctic Region Salt Dough Map and Free Map Flag Printables

Too, color the entire back side of your map which is a nifty tip and then the faint outline is more noticeable.

Also, if your template is big enough, at times, I have just glued the template straight onto the box.

If it is a simple outline you can just try free hand.  In my earlier days, I used traced paper too. But this way is easy enough and we like it.

Then come back with a black marker to trace over your pencil outline.

Arctic Region Salt Dough Map and Free Map Flag Printables

We went ahead and made our dough because Tiny couldn’t wait a minute longer to get his hands into it. 

I do like to add in the cream of tartar because I think it makes the salt dough smoother, soft and creamier.

Arctic Region Salt Dough Map and Free Map Flag Printables

It also kept and didn’t get dry while we painted.

So we painted the water and it doesn’t take too long for it to dry.

Arctic Region Salt Dough Map and Free Map Flag Printables

Also, on these kinds of maps you can lightly spray paint. As long you spray pay lightly you can still see your outline.

Slowly, they formed the land and the frozen polar ice cap.

Arctic Region Salt Dough Map and Free Map Flag Printables

Then what is it about making this salt dough map that makes every kid bring out all the tools they have from their play-doh making days?

Arctic Region Salt Dough Map and Free Map Flag Printables

We let our map dry for a day or two. I have read where you can put in the oven also to get it hard but you have to watch it. And bake it on low.

We weren’t in a hurry, so we just let it dry for a while after they painted it.

Important: Don’t forget to put holes in the dough where you want to put your map flags or animal tooth picks before it dries completely.

It is hard to place them after it dries completely.

We added one more country after it dried and you can use an ice pick and tap LIGHTLY so it doesn’t crack.

Kind of twist it and tap lightly and we got it in without breaking the land.

The boys wanted to make their own flag for the North Pole so they added that before it dried.

Arctic Region Salt Dough Map and Free Map Flag Printables

I created some flags so that we could locate these countries and areas.

Next, we placed all the flags after we read about the area again.

Ta da, all done and tons of fun.

There is no better way to study geography. Okay, I can think of a few more ways but they all have to be fun.

I have a little something for you too. I have made these flags on the Arctic.

Arctic Region Salt Dough Map and Free Map Flag Printables

Also, I have flags that just have animals on it for the younger sweeties.

You know most young kids equate countries or lands with where an animal lives.

Land of the polar bear and land of the seals equals the Arctic.

As they grow older, they know the countries, etc. So I created a set of map flags.

One page has the countries or regions, one is blank if you want to write them in yourself and one page has flags with the animals, igloo and the Saami, etc

Use the page with flag markers that are blank to write in your own animals or points of interests.

HOW TO GET THE FREE ARCTIC PRINTABLE MAP FLAGS

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

Arctic Region Salt Dough Map and Free Map Flag Printables

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

1) Sign up on my email list.

2) Grab the freebie now.

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

2 CommentsFiled Under: Geography, Geography Based, Hands-On Activities, My Unit Studies {Free Printables & Hands-on Ideas}, Science Based Tagged With: salt dough map

Arctic Winter Animal Craft Ideas: Make Your Own Felt Puppets

September 25, 2024 | Leave a Comment
This post may contain affiliate links. For more information, please see my full disclosure policy.

I have got a pile of fun winter animal craft ideas for you to use with kids of all ages including a tutorial for felt winter animal puppets. Also, look at my pages Arctic Region and Winter Season Unit Study Free Lapbook & Hands-On Ideas,

When you think about winter animals you probably think of Arctic animals like polar bears, puffins, walrus, and even the adorable narwhal.

Arctic Winter Animal Craft Ideas: Make Your Own Felt Puppets

Me too, which is why those are the animals I chose for our puppets today.

Crafting these simple puppets together is a great way to teach characteristics of each of these animals.

Ocean Anatomy makes a great resource and contains beautiful illustrations and a bit of info on each of these winter creatures.

Also, look at these books about the Arctic.

BOOKS ABOUT THE ARCTIC REGION AND ANIMALS

12 Arctic Books about People & Animals of the Arctic

Studying about the region of the Arctic is a fascinating topic. Grab some of these books about life in the Arctic and animals of the Arctic.

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. Snowflake-catching instructions are also included for aspiring young snow scientists!

In Arctic Waters

This arctic adaptation of “This is the House that Jack Built” follows polar bears, walruses, seals, narwhals and beluga whales as they chase each other around “the ice that floats in the Arctic waters.” Not only is the rhythmic, cumulative prose good for early readers; it is a pure delight to read aloud. The “For Creative Minds” section helps children learn how these animals live in the cold, icy arctic region.

Arctic Fox: Fascinating Animal Facts for Kids (This Incredible Planet)

Fascinating Animal Facts Arctic Fox Learn all about the amazing and adaptable Arctic fox. This small yet hardy creature survives in the harshest of environments!

This Incredible Planet series provides young readers with interesting information about the Earth’s most fascinating creatures.

Beautiful color photography makes each animal come to life. Learn about the Arctic fox’s habitat, diet, breeding, lifespan, behavior, threats, and so much more!

Over and Under the Snow

A wonderful winter book for kids from the author and illustrator of the beloved Over and Under series, now in paperback! Part of the acclaimed nature book series that includes Over and Under the Pond, Over and Under the Rainforest, and Up in the Garden and Down in the Dirt, this volume takes readers on a cross country ski trip through the winter woods to discover the secret world of animals living under the snow.

Animals in Winter (Let's-Read-and-Find-Out Science)

Read and find out about how animals cope with winter in this colorfully illustrated nonfiction picture book.

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.

Have you ever seen a butterfly in the snow? Probably not. Butterflies can't survive cold weather, so when winter comes, many butterflies fly to warmer places. They migrate. Woodchucks don't like cold weather either, but they don't migrate; they hibernate. Woodchucks sleep in their dens all winter long. How do these and other animals handle the cold and snow of winter?

Read and find out in the proven winner Animals in Winter!

This is a Level 1 Let's-Read-and-Find-Out, which means the book explores introductory concepts perfect for children in the primary grades.

The Inuit Thought of It: Amazing Arctic Innovations (We Thought of It)

Today’s Arctic communities have all the comforts of modern living. Yet the Inuit survived in this harsh landscape for hundreds of years with nothing but the land and their own ingenuity. Join authors Alootook Ipellie and David MacDonald as they explore the amazing innovations of traditional Inuit and how their ideas continue to echo around the world. Some inventions are still familiar to us: the one-person watercraft known as a kayak still retains its Inuit name. Other innovations have been replaced by modern technology: slitted snow goggles protected Inuit eyes long before sunglasses arrived on the scene. Andother ideas were surprisingly inspired: using human-shaped stone stacks (Inunnguat) to trick and trap caribou. Many more Inuit innovations are explored here, including: • Dog sleds • Shelter • Clothing • Kids’ stuff • Food preservation • Medicine. In all, more than 40 Inuit items and ideas are showcased through dramatic photos and captivating language. From how these objects were made, to their impact on contemporary culture, The Inuit Thought of It is a remarkable catalogue of Inuit invention.

Mini Arctic Animals Figurines Set, Polar Animals Toy for Kids Plastic Arctic Reindeer,Walrus,White Whale,Polar Bear,Arctic Fox,Wolf Figures,

Tiny Animals Figures Party: 18 PCS Package include orca, walrus, white owl, reindeer, husky, 2pcs seal, 2pcs beluga whale, 2pcs arctic wolf, 2pcs arctic fox, 2pcs arctic rabbit, 2pcs polar bear figurines and igloo model.

Who are the Eskimos? Arctic People's Traditional Way of Life

Who Are The Eskimos is perfect for early to middle elementary students and makes a great addition to your library.

North: The Amazing Story of Arctic Migration

“A treat for middle-graders of an ecological bent.” — Bulletin of the Center for Children’s Books (starred review) At the top of our world is a huge wild place called the Arctic. In the winter, it is a cold and barren land, where few animals can survive. But when spring comes, it attracts animals from every corner of the earth. This lushly illustrated picture book celebrates the resilient wildlife and barren, beautiful landscapes of the Arctic Circle, tracing the awe-inspiring spring migration of millions of creatures to the Arctic and reminding the reader of the hardships and harmony of life in the wild.Back matter includes additional information about the arctic, a glossary, and an index.

Arctic White

When you live in the Arctic in winter, everything is a shade of white. A young girl looks around her home in the Arctic and sees only white, white, white...but one day her grandfather takes her on a journey through the tundra.  And at the end of their cold walk across the ice, they find something special that brings color into their world.

Farthest North: The Incredible Three-Year Voyage to the Frozen Latitudes of the North (Modern Library Exploration)

In 1893, Fridjtof Nansen set sail in the Fram, a ship specially designed and built to be frozen into the polar ice cap, withstand its crushing pressures, and travel with the sea’s drift closer to the North Pole than anyone had ever gone before. Experts said such a ship couldn't be built and that the voyage was tantamount to suicide.  This brilliant first-person account, originally published in 1897, marks the beginning of the modern age of exploration. Nansen vividly describes the dangerous voyage and his 15-month-long dash to the North Pole by sledge. Farthest North is an unforgettable tale and a must-read for any armchair explorer.

This Place Is Cold: An Imagine Living Here book

Can you imaging living in a place where it's so cold your breath turns instantly into tiny ice crystals that glitter in the sun? Where temperatures can drop fifty degrees below zero and even lower and the sun only comes out for a few hours per day? In This Place Is Cold readers will learn how people and animals survive in Alaska's ferocious cold, and how because of global warming this region is now in trouble. Vicki Cobb and Barbara Lavallee travelled the world together to research this groundbreaking geography series, that is now updated and redesigned to appeal to today's readers.

Next, before you get to crafting here is a short round up of facts on each of our puppet friends.

Share with your child as you create.

FACTS ABOUT ANIMALS IN THE ARCTIC

Polar Bears

  • Polar bears are the largest bears in the world.
  • They live in the Arctic, where they hunt for seals and other animals.
  • Polar bears have thick fur that keeps them warm in the cold weather.
  • They are very good swimmers and can hold their breath for up to two minutes.

Puffins

  • Puffins are small seabirds that live in the North Atlantic Ocean.
  • They have brightly colored beaks and feet.
  • Puffins eat fish and other small sea creatures.
  • They make their nests in burrows on cliffs and islands.

Walrus

  • Walruses are large, marine mammals that live in the Arctic.
  • They have long tusks that they use to dig up clams and other food from the ocean floor.
  • Walruses are very social animals and live in large groups.
  • They are also very vocal and communicate with each other using a variety of sounds.

Narwhal

  • Their tusks are used to hunt for food and to defend themselves from predators.
  • Narwhals are medium-sized Arctic whales that are known for their long, spiral tusks.
  • That tusk is actually a tooth that can grow up to 10 feet long.
  • Narwhals live in pods and communicate with each other using a variety of clicks and whistles.
Arctic Winter Animal Craft Ideas: Make Your Own Felt Puppets

Also, look at more winter animal craft ideas.

5 MORE WINTER ANIMAL CRAFT IDEAS

Grab my Free Arctic Ground Squirrel Lapbook & Unit Study Resources.

If you have a paper plate and white tissue paper on hand you can make this Paper Plate Arctic Fox Craft For Kids.

Crafts can be delicious, just look at these Polar Bear Science Activities Preschool | How To Make A Fun Dessert, tasty polar bear pops.

Using one of my favorite inexpensive craft supplies, you can make a variety of Popsicle Stick Arctic Animal Crafts.

How to Make Wooden Peg Easy Arctic Animal Crafts.

Gather up a couple of pinecones and make this Easy and Fun Pinecone Snowy Owl Winter Craft for Kindergarten or any other age.

Arctic Winter Animal Craft Ideas: Make Your Own Felt Puppets

Finally, look at how to make your own felt puppets.

MAKE YOUR OWN FELT PUPPETS WINTER ANIMALS

This puppet tutorial is so simple you don’t even need a template.

To create the body, you’ll just need one piece of 9×12 felt for each animal.

You will need:

  • White felt-2
  • Black felt-2
  • Orange felt
  • Brown felt
  • Cream felt
  • Grey felt
  • Google eyes
  • Black marker/paint pen
  • scissors
  • Hot glue gun/glue
Arctic Winter Animal Craft Ideas: Make Your Own Felt Puppets

The first part, creating the body, will be the same for all four animals.

And then I will give you more specific directions for each one.

Start by folding each piece of felt you are going to use in half.

Then cut out a mitt shape, cutting through both pieces at the same time so they match up perfectly.

You will want to use roughly 3/4 of the piece, leaving some scraps for noses, ears, etc. or just have extra felt pieces on hand.

Arctic Winter Animal Craft Ideas: Make Your Own Felt Puppets

Here is what you will want to cut out for each puppet:

POLAR BEAR PUPPET

Arctic Winter Animal Craft Ideas: Make Your Own Felt Puppets

NARWHAL PUPPET

Arctic Winter Animal Craft Ideas: Make Your Own Felt Puppets

WALRUS PUPPET

Arctic Winter Animal Craft Ideas: Make Your Own Felt Puppets

PUFFIN PUPPET

Arctic Winter Animal Craft Ideas: Make Your Own Felt Puppets

Once you have all the pieces cut, arrange the features until you’re satisfied with how it looks.

 Keep your pieces together in stacks while you work on one at a time.

Arctic Winter Animal Craft Ideas: Make Your Own Felt Puppets

Assemble each body by running a bead of hot glue close to the edge, just across the top of the felt piece.

Arctic Winter Animal Craft Ideas: Make Your Own Felt Puppets

 Quickly press the matching felt piece on top and allow the glue to harden.

Once the glue has set, fold the top piece back and run a few inches of glue down each side.

Press the top piece back into the glue and let it set.

Arctic Winter Animal Craft Ideas: Make Your Own Felt Puppets

 Continue all the way down until you’ve reached the end.

For the polar bear and narwhal, you will want to place the ears and the horn in between the two layers and glue them as you are putting the body together.

Arctic Winter Animal Craft Ideas: Make Your Own Felt Puppets

For the horn of the narwhal and the winged eyes of the puffin use a black marker or paint pen to draw on a bit more detail.

Arctic Winter Animal Craft Ideas: Make Your Own Felt Puppets

Now you can assemble all the features, layering them and attaching them with a bit of hot glue.

Arctic Winter Animal Craft Ideas: Make Your Own Felt Puppets

If you want your younger child to be part of making the puppets you can use a tacky fabric glue instead.

It will just take longer to dry but will be just as effective at holding it together.

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

Easy Pumpkin Salt Painting: A Creative Fall Activity For All Ages

September 23, 2024 | Leave a Comment
This post may contain affiliate links. For more information, please see my full disclosure policy.

If you have never tried this art medium, a pumpkin salt painting is a fun and beautiful way to create a piece for display. Look at my pages How to Turn a Pumpkin Lapbook into a Fun Unit Study and Fall Season Unit Study and Free Lapbook for more ideas!

And learn about the big round squash that signals fall is here.

Dig into pumpkins literally and figuratively by studying them through lapbooks, crafts, activities, recipes and more.

Look no further than down the page to find lots of ideas to do just that.

Easy Pumpkin Salt Painting: A Creative Fall Activity For All Ages

Pumpkins are a vibrant and versatile member of the squash family that hold a special place in North American culture and cuisine.

Originally from this region, they’ve become a symbol of the fall season and are celebrated for their plump, round shape and vibrant orange hue.

However, pumpkins come in a variety of other colors, including white, green, and yellow, each with its own unique charm.

Interestingly, pumpkins aren’t even vegetables as many people believe.

Botanically speaking, they’re classified as fruits because they develop from the ovary of a flowering plant and contain seeds.

Pumpkins have inspired art for centuries.

They have been used in everything from folklore and fairy tales to paintings and sculptures. 

The iconic shape and vibrant colors have made them a popular subject in both traditional and contemporary art.

But today I want to show you how to create your own special little pumpkin art piece using glue, salt, and watercolor paints.

It really is a great activity for all ages and can run the gamut from a simple round pumpkin to a field full of more detailed pumpkins for older kids.

PUMPKIN BOOKS FOR KIDS

Next, look at these books about pumpkins.

Read aloud or have fun reading together before or after this fun pumpkin salt painting.

8 Pumpkin Books

Grab some of these fun books about pumpkins, fall and fall harvest.

Too Many Pumpkins

Rebecca Estelle has hated pumpkins ever since she was a girl when pumpkins were often the only food her family had. When an enormous pumpkin falls off a truck and smashes in her yard, she shovels dirt over the pieces and forgets about them. But those slimy pumpkin smithereens sprout up in autumn, and Rebecca Estelle finds a sea of pumpkins in her garden. A heartwarming classic for more than twenty years, this story shows what happens when one thrifty gardener figures out how to make other people happy with the squash she can't stomach.

Seed, Sprout, Pumpkin, Pie (Picture the Seasons)

Seed, Sprout, Pumpkin, Pie follows Apples for Everyone in the Picture the Seasons series. This beautifully photographed picture book about everybody’s favorite fall treat is sure to please kids both young and old. The glossy, festive images and lively text are sure to get your family in the mood to celebrate the season.Pumpkins! Who can resist the sight of big, round, orange pumpkins ripening in a field?

How Big Could Your Pumpkin Grow?

Every year, giant pumpkin contests take place at fairs across the country—the 2012 record-holder weighed over a ton! The latest craze is to carve the most enormous pumpkins into racing boats. But what’s next? Why not think really big? Award-winning artist Wendell Minor does just that as he imagines larger-than-life pumpkins decorating some of America’s favorite places—as immense as the Capitol dome, Mount Rushmore, the Brooklyn Bridge, even the Grand Canyon! This celebration of famous landmarks and landscapes plays with concepts of size and scale and is full of fun facts.

How Many Seeds in a Pumpkin?

How many seeds are in a pumpkin?" Mr. Tiffin asks his class as they gather around the big, medium, and small pumpkins on his desk. Robert, the biggest kid, guesses that the largest one has a million seeds; Elinor, sounding like she knows what she's talking about, guesses the medium one has 500 seeds; and Anna, who likes even numbers better than odd ones, guesses that the little one has 22. Charlie, the smallest boy in the class, doesn't have a guess.

Pumpkins (First Step Nonfiction ― Plant Life Cycles)

Plant Life Cycles

From Seed to Pumpkin: A Fall Book for Kids

This is a clear and appealing environmental science book for early elementary age kids, both at home and in the classroom. Plus it includes a find out more section with activities such as an experiment to show how plants use roots to drink water from the ground and a recipe for roasted pumpkin seeds.

Autumn Harvest

"Mr. Tresselt writes quiet, factual prose about katydids, reapers and threshing, falling leaves, apple-gathering, and the first frost."-

Mr. Hermit Miser and the Neighborly Pumpkin: the green edition

Mr. Hermit Miser doesn’t like his neighbors, and they don’t like him. But when a pumpkin vine sprouts in Mr. Hermit Miser’s yard and makes its way into the neighbors’ yards, but he wants all those pumpkins for pies … well, what is he to do?

With adventures in pumpkin-snatching, failed attempts at baking pies, and pumpkin goo everywhere, this tale about being neighborly in a not-so-perfect way will be an endearing autumn story for all the readers in your circle.

Next, look at some of these fun pumpkin activities.

12 PUMPKIN CRAFTS AND ACTIVITIES FOR FALL

  1. Learn How To Make A Paper Popper Pumpkin Treat Bag to gift to friends and family.
  2. Make these  beautiful DIY Pumpkin Beeswax Candles and add a special touch to your home while your child learns a new skill in candle making.
  3. Fill your home with a wonderful fall fragrance while you use DIY Pumpkin Spice Salt Dough to make little decor pieces to place all around.
  4. How To Do An Easy Science Pumpkin Study By A Rotting Pumpkin Experiment.
  5. Kids who love sensory experiences will enjoy this ooey gooey Pumpkin Guts Slime Recipe while they learn about our favorite squash.
  6. Fall Y’all:Pumpkin Pie in a Bag (Easy Homeschool Co-op Idea)
  7. Recipes are such a wonderful way to teach your child reading, following directions, life skills, and of course science, give this Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Bread a try.
  8. For a different style of pumpkin art I also have a tutorial for a Kids Fun Glue and Watercolor Fall Pumpkin Unit Study, see which method you prefer.
  9. Kids Fun Pumpkin Catapult Stem Challenge for Medieval Unit Study
  10. Easy Fall Crafts for Middle School: DIY String Pumpkin Art
  11. Pumpkin Anatomy | Kids Exploring the Parts of a Pumpkin And Printables
Easy Pumpkin Salt Painting: A Creative Fall Activity For All Ages

Check out my Dynamic and Fun Pumpkin Lapbook for Multiple Ages and learn everything you ever wanted to know about pumpkins from life cycle to fun facts.

  • Dynamic and Fun Pumpkin Lapbook for Multiple Ages

    Dynamic and Fun Pumpkin Lapbook for Multiple Ages

    $4.00
    Add to cart

PUMPKIN SALT PAINTING

This cool art project once dried gives your pumpkin outlines a cool crystalized look that is unique.

Encourage your kids to get creative and use colors other than basic orange to fill in the lines.

Easy Pumpkin Salt Painting: A Creative Fall Activity For All Ages

Because this activity can be quite messy you will want to put a plastic tablecloth or a silicone mat beneath the paper.

You will need:

  • Watercolor paper
  • Table salt
  • School glue
  • Watercolor paint 
  • Water
  • Paintbrush
Easy Pumpkin Salt Painting: A Creative Fall Activity For All Ages

First use a pencil to draw out your pumpkin(pumpkins).

 Keep it simple but add as much detail as you like including vines, leaves, and ground cover.

Easy Pumpkin Salt Painting: A Creative Fall Activity For All Ages

When you are satisfied with your pumpkin drawing, use the tip of a bottle of school glue to ‘draw’ over.

Draw over the top of the pencil lines with a nice thick line of glue.

Easy Pumpkin Salt Painting: A Creative Fall Activity For All Ages

While the glue is still very wet, cover it completely in salt, you want to use plenty to make sure the glue is coated.

Easy Pumpkin Salt Painting: A Creative Fall Activity For All Ages

Pour off all the excess salt (Keep it for another art piece).

Easy Pumpkin Salt Painting: A Creative Fall Activity For All Ages

Load up a small paintbrush with water and saturate your colors.

Dip the paintbrush in watercolor and then lightly tap it along the salt lines. 

Easy Pumpkin Salt Painting: A Creative Fall Activity For All Ages

Watch how it grabs the color and begins to spread it along the lines.

Easy Pumpkin Salt Painting: A Creative Fall Activity For All Ages

You could also use liquid watercolors if you prefer.

Continue adding paint and gently tapping the salt lines until you have colored in your entire salt pumpkins and any other details you have.

Easy Pumpkin Salt Painting: A Creative Fall Activity For All Ages

Set aside and allow to dry completely.

To preserve your piece for longer you can spray it with a clear sealer.

Leave a CommentFiled Under: Hands-On Activities Tagged With: crafts, fall, fall crafts, hands-on, hands-on activities, handsonhomeschooling, homeschool, pumpkin

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