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Tina Robertson

8 Peter Rabbit Garden Ideas | How To Make A Preschool Garden Box

March 18, 2024 | Leave a Comment
This post may contain affiliate links. For more information, please see my full disclosure policy.

Grab one or more of these 8 Peter Rabbit garden ideas to add some fun hands-on learning to your unit but don’t forget to hop on down to my DIY for how to make a preschool garden box. Also, look at The Tale of Peter Rabbit Printables for a Fun Spring Unit Study.

I don’t need to tell you how wonderful it is to get your children outside in the fresh air.

Digging in the dirt, and getting healthy microbes to help build immunity, absorbing sunshine, and enjoying nature is fun this time of year.

8 Peter Rabbit Garden Ideas | How To Make A Preschool Garden Box

Nature walks, pond studies, and of course, starting a garden are wonderful spring activities.

But sometimes you just have to get stuff done inside or the weather is not participating in your plans.

Peter Rabbit to the rescue indoors!

You have a wonderful variety of choices from the list below from sensory bins to science and art projects.

And then I have a wonderful activity that will keep everyone from toddlers to preschoolers busy for a while with their dramatic play in a felt preschool garden box.

The Tale of Peter Rabbit Book

First, add some of these living books to your library.

The Tale of Peter Rabbit and Other Books by Beatrix Potter

Your kids will love the whole series of books by Beatrix Potter to add to a unit study or fun learning for the day.

The Tale of Peter Rabbit

The Tale of Peter Rabbit is the original classic by Beatrix Potter. The Tale of Peter Rabbit was first published by Frederick Warne in 1902 and endures as Beatrix Potter's most popular and well-loved tale. It tells the story of a very mischievous rabbit and the trouble he encounters in Mr McGregor's vegetable garden! Re-originated in 2002 to mark the centenary of publication bringing it closer to the original edition, six illustrations were restored, four that were removed in 1903 to make room for endpapers and two that have never been used before, Beatrix having initially prepared more illustrations than could be accommodated in the original format. Beatrix Potter is regarded as one of the world's best-loved children's authors of all time. From her first book, The Tale of Peter Rabbit, published by Frederick Warne in 1902, she went on to create a series of stories based around animal characters including Mrs. Tiggy-winkle, Benjamin Bunny, Jemima Puddle-duck, Mr. Jeremy Fisher and Tom Kitten. Her humorous, lively tales and beautiful illustrations have become a natural part of childhood. With revenue from the sales of her books, Beatrix Potter bought a farm - Hill Top - in the English Lake District, where she later became a farmer and prize-winning sheep breeder. 

The Tailor of Gloucester (Beatrix Potter Read & Play)

"In the time of swords and periwigs and full-skirted coats with flowered lappets—when gentlemen wore ruffles, and gold-laced waistcoats of paduasoy and taffeta—there lived a tailor in Gloucester..."Potter described 'The Tailor of Gloucester' as her own favorite among her books. It was based on the true story of a tailor who left the unsewn pieces of a coat in his shop and found that the garment had been mysteriously finished for him in the night. It turned out that the real tailor's assistants were his apprentices, but in Beatrix Potter's version of the story the secret helpers are skillful little brown mice.(1866–1943) loved the countryside and spent much of her childhood drawing and studying animals. The landscape that Peter Rabbit first introduced to us in 1902 is still today one of most popular and well-loved worlds. What started as an endearing story about a bunny rabbit would soon become the first ember for the illustrious series that is , & a story which has endured retelling after retelling at bedtimes all over the world.

The Tale of Mrs. Tiggy-Winkle (Peter Rabbit)

The Tale of Mrs Tiggy-winkle is an original classic by Beatrix Potter. The Tale of Mrs Tiggy-winkle was first published in 1905, and is as charming today as it was then. It tells the tale of a hidden home high in the hills. It is discovered one day by a little girl called Lucie, who is in search of her missing pocket handkerchiefs. She knocks on the tiny door, and meets Mrs Tiggy-winkle who does all the washing and ironing for the neighbouring animals. Lucie spends a lovely day helping her, and it's only right at the end of the day that she realises Mrs Tiggy-winkle is a hedgehog! Beatrix Potter is regarded as one of the world's best-loved children's authors of all time. From her first book, The Tale of Peter Rabbit, published by Frederick Warne in 1902, she went on to create a series of stories based around animal characters including Mrs. Tiggy-winkle, Benjamin Bunny, Jemima Puddle-duck, Mr. Jeremy Fisher and Tom Kitten. Her humorous, lively tales and beautiful illustrations have become a natural part of childhood. With revenue from the sales of her books, Beatrix Potter bought a farm - Hill Top - in the English Lake District, where she later became a farmer and prize-winning sheep breeder.

The Tale of Mr. Jeremy Fisher (Peter Rabbit)

The Tale of Mr. Jeremy Fisher endures as one of Beatrix Potter's most popular and well-loved tales. It tells of an optimistic and slightly accident-prone frog, who sets off on a fishing expedition across the pond, only to find himself bitten on the toe by a water-beetle, fighting with a stickleback, and eventually nearly eaten by a trout! The Tale of Jeremy Fisher is number seven in Beatrix Potter's series of 23 little books, the titles of which are as follows: 1 The Tale of Peter Rabbit 2 The Tale of Squirrel Nutkin 3 The Tailor of Gloucester 4 The Tale of Benjamin Bunny 5 The Tale of Two Bad Mice 6 The Tale of Mrs. Tiggy-Winkle 7 The Tale of Mr. Jeremy Fisher 8 The Tale of Tom Kitten 9 The Tale of Jemima Puddle-Duck 10 The Tale of the Flopsy Bunnies 11 The Tale of Mrs. Tittlemouse 12 The Tale of Timmy Tiptoes 13 The Tale of Johnny Town-Mouse 14 The Tale of Mr. Tod 15 The Tale of Pigling Bland 16 The Tale of Samuel Whiskers 17 The Tale of The Pie and the Patty-Pan 18 The Tale of Ginger and Pickles 19 The Tale of Little Pig Robinson 20 The Story of a Fierce Bad Rabbit 21 The Story of Miss Moppet 22 Appley Dapply's Nursery Rhymes 23 Cecily Parsley's Nursery Rhymes

The Tale of Jemima Puddle-Duck (Peter Rabbit)

The Tale of Jemima Puddle-Duck is an original classic by Beatrix Potter. Poor Jemima. All she wants to do is lay her eggs in peace, and be allowed to hatch them herself. At last she flies off and finds the perfect place. Little does the silly duck realise that the charming gentleman who has lent her his woodshed is busily planning a delicious meal of . . . roast duck! Jemima was a real duck belonging to Beatrix Potter, who lived at her farm, Hill Top. The story also features Beatrix's own sheepdog, Kep, who thankfully manages to save Jemima from a nasty fate! Beatrix Potter is regarded as one of the world's best-loved children's authors of all time. From her first book, The Tale of Peter Rabbit, published by Frederick Warne in 1902, she went on to create a series of stories based around animal characters including Mrs. Tiggy-winkle, Benjamin Bunny, Jemima Puddle-duck, Mr. Jeremy Fisher and Tom Kitten

Beatrix Potter Peter Rabbit Knit Plush

SOFT & HUGGABLE: This Easter stuffed animal is made from soft, huggable materials and features surface-washable construction for easy cleaning. Each Peter Rabbit stuffed animal is appropriate for ages 1 and up and ships in a protective poly bag.

You just need two items from Dollar Tree and some felt to recreate this adorable little traveling garden to keep small hands occupied and little imaginations growing big.

You can use the garden box and the little felt veggies in lots of ways like finding out about different veggies.

Use Farm Anatomy as a great reference along with it.

8 Peter Rabbit Garden Ideas | How To Make A Preschool Garden Box

Next, look at these Peter Rabbit garden ideas.

8 Peter Rabbit Garden Ideas

  1. Here is another activity I created for the theme with felt to practice some basic math skills, Fun Mr. McGregor’s Vegetable Garden Simple Frugal Math Activity.
  2. Let your little one’s imagination take over with Peter Rabbit Small World Sensory Play, a sweet little mini garden at their fingertips.
  3. Take some of your harvest (even if it’s from the grocery store) and learn How to Make DIY Fruit & Veggie Stamped Tea Towels for a precious garden-themed art project.
  4. Cooking with littles is always a great idea, it teaches them so much, stay on theme with this Rabbit Food Lettuce Wrap- Cooking with Kids.
  5. I created these 7 Science Garden Ideas and Make a Pizza Container Garden with older kids in mind but most activities are very easily adapted to preschoolers as well. Preschoolers love pizza too!
  6. Learn about growing Your own Vegetable Soup Unit Study as you talk about gardens and what grows in them.
  7. Need a little bit more for your garden theme? Check out my Easy Seeds and Gardening Unit Study for Kids with plenty of ideas to create a unique and fun unit.
  8. Playdough and a precious, precocious preschooler go perfectly together for this Peter Rabbit Invitation to Play.
8 Peter Rabbit Garden Ideas | How To Make A Preschool Garden Box

Before you begin your garden box find a container.

They have several small boxes and bins at Dollar Tree, but I wanted something a little larger.

After searching up and down the aisle for a while I found this cat litter box in the pet aisle that worked perfectly and was the most generous in size, but you can use whatever you like.

How To Make A Preschool Garden Box

Supplies Needed:

  • Shallow plastic box
  • Pool noodle(s)
  • Brown Felt
  • Colored felt
  • Hot glue
  • Scissors
  • Stuffing or scraps of felt.
8 Peter Rabbit Garden Ideas | How To Make A Preschool Garden Box

First, use a kitchen knife to cut down the pool noodle to the width of the litter box.

Because the litter box has angled sides you will also need to cut the ends at a slight angle, you want it to fit tightly down into the box.

8 Peter Rabbit Garden Ideas | How To Make A Preschool Garden Box

Repeat until you fill up the box, leaving a little space between each noodle.

8 Peter Rabbit Garden Ideas | How To Make A Preschool Garden Box

Cut brown felt for each piece the exact length and either just big enough to wrap around or not quite touch.

Cover in hot glue making sure to get the edges.

8 Peter Rabbit Garden Ideas | How To Make A Preschool Garden Box

Wrap around the noodle and smooth it down.

Put hot glue on each end of the cut noodle and press quickly into place, hold until the glue cools and hardens.

8 Peter Rabbit Garden Ideas | How To Make A Preschool Garden Box

Repeat until each one is in place and the box is filled.

8 Peter Rabbit Garden Ideas | How To Make A Preschool Garden Box

Now, the fun part, creating the little stuffed felt veggies to put in your garden.

Cut simple shapes out of the felt, you want to choose things that grow out of or under the ground so that you are also teaching your child correctly at the same time.

How To Make A Preschool Garden Box

Some ideas are carrots, parsnips, lettuce, radishes, and potatoes.

Cut two pieces out at the same time for each vegetable.

8 Peter Rabbit Garden Ideas | How To Make A Preschool Garden Box

Remember to also cut out greenery at the same time for your tops of items like the carrots.

Run a bead of glue all the way around one piece of your felt veggies leaving just enough open to add stuffing.

8 Peter Rabbit Garden Ideas | How To Make A Preschool Garden Box

Quickly press the matching opposite side into the hot glue and allow to cool.

Once glue is set and cooled, stuff the inside, using a pencil to get it all the way in.

8 Peter Rabbit Garden Ideas | How To Make A Preschool Garden Box

Add the greenery to the top between the two layers and glue the rest of the way closed.

For lettuce/cabbage cut wavy strips and/or small leafy pieces

8 Peter Rabbit Garden Ideas | How To Make A Preschool Garden Box

Roll the strips, bunching and gluing randomly as you go until your head of lettuce is as big as you’d like it.

Push your vegetables into the spaces between each “row”.

Add a basket for gathering and enjoy their imagination taking over.

8 Peter Rabbit Garden Ideas | How To Make A Preschool Garden Box

Leave a CommentFiled Under: Hands-On Activities Tagged With: felt, garden, gardening, hands-on, hands-on activities, handson, handsonhomeschooling, homeschool preschool, preschool, spring, spring crafts

A to Z List: 100 Fun Summer Homeschool Unit Study Ideas

March 17, 2024 | Leave a Comment
This post may contain affiliate links. For more information, please see my full disclosure policy.

These summer unit study ideas will keep kids of all ages having fun learning with topics they will be eager to study. Also, look at my page Best Homeschool Unit Studies.

Summer is a perfect time to get in some relaxed themed learning with unit studies.

You can make them hands-on with outdoor activities or beat the heat with a trip to an air-conditioned library to pick out the books you’ll need.

A to Z List: 100 Fun Summer Homeschool Unit Study Ideas

And if you pair a living book with a summer topic, you can have an easy summer learning activity.

Too, many homeschoolers prefer to start their homeschool year during the summer.

There are many advantages to beginning your homeschool year in the summer.

Advantages to Begin Your Year in Summer

For example, look at these advantages.

  • There is a slower start to the year.
  • You can cover one unit study for a few weeks before any other curriculum.
  • Also there is more time to give 1:1 to each child.
  • The day can be shorter to allow time for swimming and other fun summer activities.
  • In addition, some subjects like science and geography are better done outside during the summer season.

Start with this ultimate list of A to Z Summer Homeschool Unit Study Ideas and let your imaginations run wild!

A

  • Ants
  • Apples. You can grab my Apples Unit Study and Lapbook.

Summer Unit Study Ideas

  • Archaeology. You can grab my free What is History and What is Archaeology minibook here.
  • Art

B

  • Bears. Add my Daniel Boone Explorer Black Bear Unit Study and Fun Edible Bear Poop activity.
  • Beaches. Add my Free Super Seashore Watching Unit Study and Beach Lapbook to your study.
  • Berries. This strawberry unit study and lapbook is a fun start.
  • Barbeque
  • Bees. Fascinating and Fun Honey Bees Unit Study and Lapbook for Kids can be used to study bees.
  • Butterflies. Fun and Easy Hands-on Life Cycle Butterfly Activity for Kids is a hands-on activity to add along with Blue Morpho Butterfly Adaptations In The Tropical Rainforest and Fun Symmetry Craft.
  • Bats. Why Bats Are Not Birds Fun Homeschool Unit Study and Lapbook is a fun study in summer too.
  • Birds. You can grab my free American Robin Unit Study and Lapbook here.

C

  • Cats. Interesting Facts For Kids About Africa | Cute Handprint Cheetah.
  • Cows
  • Creek life
  • Camping (National Parks or outdoor survival). How to Create a Fun Yosemite National Park Camping Curriculum | DIY Firestarter
  • Character
  • Clouds

Summer Themed Unit Study Topics

Next, add some of these fun living books to your summer day.

Summer Reading List for Kids

Add one or two of these books to your kid's summer reading list.

Where the Mountain Meets the Moon

In the valley of Fruitless mountain, a young girl named Minli lives in a ramshackle hut with her parents. In the evenings, her father regales her with old folktales of the Jade Dragon and the Old Man on the Moon, who knows the answers to all of life's questions. Inspired by these stories, Minli sets off on an extraordinary journey to find the Old Man on the Moon to ask him how she can change her family's fortune. She encounters an assorted cast of characters and magical creatures
along the way, including a dragon who accompanies her on her quest for the ultimate answer.

Summer of the Monkeys

The last thing fourteen-year-old Jay Berry Lee expects to find while trekking through the Ozark Mountains of Oklahoma is a tree full of monkeys. But then Jay learns from his grandpa that the monkeys have escaped from a traveling circus, and there’s a big reward for the person who finds and returns them.
His family could really use the money, so Jay sets off, determined to catch them. But by the end of the summer, Jay will have learned a lot more than he bargained for—and not just about monkeys.
From the beloved author of Where the Red Fern Grows comes another memorable adventure novel filled with heart, humor, and excitement.

The Vanderbeekers of 141st Street (The Vanderbeekers, 1)

The first book in the bestselling series that the New York Times Book Review hails as “delightful and heartwarming.”

The Vanderbeekers have always lived in the brownstone on 141st Street. It's practically another member of the family. So when their reclusive, curmudgeonly landlord decides not to renew their lease, the five siblings have eleven days to do whatever it takes to stay in their beloved home and convince the dreaded Beiderman just how wonderful they are.

And all is fair in love and war when it comes to keeping their home.

Little Britches: Father and I Were Ranchers

Ralph was eight years old in 1906 when his family moved from New Hampshire to a Colorado ranch. Through his eyes, the pleasures and perils of ranching in the early twentieth century are experienced... auctions and roundups, family picnics, irrigation wars, tornadoes and wind storms all give authentic color to Little Britches. So do wonderfully told adventures, which equip Ralph for the path his life will take.

The Children of the New Forest

When Jacob Armitage, a local verderer, hears that Parliamentary soldiers looking for King Charles I are planning to burn down the home of the Beverley orphans he saves the children and rears them as his own grandchildren in a small cottage in the woods. But can aristocratic children, used to being served, learn to survive as simple foresters?This story was one of the first historical novels written for younger readers and has endured until today. Its classic themes of chivalry and bravery and the examples the children set are sure to be enjoyed by readers of all ages.This edition features the gorgeous illustrations of Paul Hardy throughout to add extra charm to an already incredible tale.

Trilogy (Boxed Set): Dragonsong; Dragonsinger; Dragondrums

For centuries, the world of Pern has faced a destructive force known as Thread. But now the number of magnificent dragons who have protected this world and the men and women who ride them are dwindling. As destruction falls from the sky, Menolly has only one dream: to sing, play, and weave the music that comes to her so easily—she wishes to become a Harper. But despite her great talents, her father believes that a young girl is unworthy of such a respected position and forbids her to pursue her dreams. So Menolly runs away, taking shelter in a cave by the sea. Miraculously, she happens upon nine fire lizards that could possibly save her world…and change her life forever.

Sweep: The Story of a Girl and Her Monster

It’s been five years since the Sweep disappeared. Orphaned and alone, 11-year-old Nan Sparrow had no other choice but to work for a ruthless chimney sweep named Wilkie Crudd. She spends her days sweeping out chimneys. The job is dangerous and thankless, but with her wits and will, Nan has managed to beat the deadly odds time and time again. When Nan gets stuck in a chimney fire, she fears the end has come. Instead, she wakes to find herself unharmed in an abandoned attic. And she is not alone. Huddled in the corner is a mysterious creature—a golem—made from soot and ash.

Where the Red Fern Grows

Billy has long dreamt of owning not one, but two, dogs. So when he’s finally able to save up enough money for two pups to call his own—Old Dan and Little Ann—he’s ecstatic. It doesn’t matter that times are tough; together they’ll roam the hills of the Ozarks.Soon Billy and his hounds become the finest hunting team in the valley. Stories of their great achievements spread throughout the region, and the combination of Old Dan’s brawn, Little Ann’s brains, and Billy’s sheer will seems unbeatable. But tragedy awaits these determined hunters—now friends—and Billy learns that hope can grow out of despair, and that the seeds of the future can come from the scars of the past.

To Kill a Mockingbird

One of the most cherished stories of all time, To Kill a Mockingbird has been translated into more than forty languages, sold more than forty million copies worldwide, served as the basis for an enormously popular motion picture, and was voted one of the best novels of the twentieth century by librarians across the country. A gripping, heart-wrenching, and wholly remarkable tale of coming-of-age in a South poisoned by virulent prejudice, it views a world of great beauty and savage inequities through the eyes of a young girl, as her father—a crusading local lawyer—risks everything to defend a black man unjustly accused of a terrible crime.

Emily of New Moon

Lucy Maude Montgomery's classic tale, the first in her "Emily" series of novels, about an orphan girl on Prince Edward Island. In contrast to Montgomery's other famous series that began with "Anne of Green Gables," Montgomery wrote the character of Emily to be closer to her own personality, and elements of the narrative are autobiographical. The story introduces us to Emily Byrd Starr, who is orphaned after her father dies of tuberculosis. Moving to New Moon Farm to live with her aunts and cousin, Emily meets new friends and engages in adventures as she grows. "Emily of New Moon" was followed by two sequels: "Emily Climbs" and "Emily's Quest".

Strawberry Girl

Strawberries—big, ripe, and juicy. Ten-year-old Birdie Boyer can hardly wait to start picking them. But her family has just moved to the Florida backwoods, and they haven't even begun their planting. "Don't count your biddies 'fore they're hatched, gal young un!" her father tells her.

Making the new farm prosper is not easy. There is heat to suffer through, and droughts, and cold snaps. And, perhaps most worrisome of all for the Boyers, there are rowdy neighbors, just itching to start a feud. The land was theirs, but so were its hardships.

Teachers, grandparents, and homeschooling families continue to reach for Lois Lenski's Strawberry Girl.
As one fan commented, a reason for its continued success is that it's "a touching, realistic tale of the power of neighborly love and kindness."

The Princess and the Goblin

"The Princess and the Goblin" by George MacDonald is a classic fairy tale novel first published in 1872. The story takes place in a medieval kingdom and follows the adventures of Princess Irene, the only daughter of a queen, who lives in a castle on a mountain top. One day, Princess Irene begins to see goblins lurking in the shadows who want to capture her and take her to their underground kingdom. She eventually meets Curdie, a miner's son, who helps her to overcome the dangerous creatures. Throughout their journey, Princess Irene and Curdie face various challenges and magical events that test their courage and friendship. They encounter a wise old woman who gives them important advice, a magical thread that guides them through the darkness of the underground tunnels, and a cunning goblin king who wants to keep Princess Irene captive in his kingdom.

Wingfeather Saga Boxed Set

This collection of Andrew Peterson’s Wingfeather Saga includes all four novels in hardcover: On the Edge of the Dark Sea of Darkness, North! Or Be Eaten, The Monster in the Hollows, and The Warden and the Wolf King.Janner Igiby, his brother, Tink, and their disabled sister, Leeli, are gifted children as all children are, loved well by a noble mother and ex-pirate grandfather. But they will need all their gifts and all that they love to survive the evil pursuit of the venomous Fangs of Dang, who have crossed the dark sea to rule the land with malice. The Igibys hold the secret to the lost legend and jewels of good King Wingfeather of the Shining Isle of Anniera.

D

  • Dogs
  • Dragonflies. 8 Insect Fun Facts About Texas For Kids | Easy Dragonfly Craft

E

  • Elephants
  • Eggs. Free Homeschool Chicken Unit Study and Anatomy of an Egg Felt Activity & Worksheet.
  • Exercises
  • Earthworms

More Summer Learning Activities

  • 20 Fun Summer Learning Activities And Make A Rock Sundial
  • A to Z List: 100 Fun Summer Homeschool Unit Study Ideas
  • 25 Summer Homeschool Ideas To Keep The Learning Spark Alive
  • 30+ Summer Activities for Middle School Kids
  • 11 Fun Summer Activities for Middle Schooler

F

  • Frogs. You can grab my free Loads of Toads and Frogs Unit Study and Lapbook here.
  • Fish
  • Fossils. Fun Facts About Mold Fossils & 4 Types of Fossil Activities For Kids
  • Fireworks
  • Fishing
  • Fireflies
  • Fire (how to build, science behind it).  Look at Lewis and Clark: Hands-on History. Make a Char Cloth.
  • Firefighters/dispatchers

G

  • Garden studies. You can grab my free Feasting and Foraging Unit Study and Lapbook here.
  • Grass
  • Grasshoppers

H

  • Hurricanes
  • Horses. Free Horse Unit Study for Your Horse Loving Kids
  • Hogs
Summer Unit Study Ideas
  • Hiking
  • Hygiene

More Summer Learning Activities

  • Hydration/heat
  • Herb garden

I

  • Insects. You can grab my free Amber Unit Study and Lapbook here.
  • Ice cream

J

  • Jewelry making. How to Make a Civil War Style Upcycled Necklace | 7 Little Women Book Facts
  • Juice, jelly, and jam making. Fun American Civil War Crafts for Kids and Make Raspberry Jam

K

  • Kites
  • Knots

L

  • At the lake
  • Lighthouses. 5 Cool Lighthouse Facts and Make a Chip Can Lighthouse

M

  • Mountains. Look at How Does the Power of Ice Shape Mountains here.
  • Mice
  • Moon
  • Mammals

N

  • Nocturnal creatures
  • Night study (astronomy). Start your study with Exploring Space and Astronomy Free Unit Study for Multiple Ages.

O

  • Ocean studies. You can grab my free Ocean Unit Study and Lapbook here.
  • Outdoor movie theater
  • Ocean animals
  • Otters

P

  • Pizza. How to Turn a Pizza Into a Fun Edible Human Cell Model.
  • Peninsulas
  • Popcorn. Popcorn Science Mini Unit Study Which Brand Pops the Best
  • Picasso. Grab free Art Study Curriculum and Notebooking pages here.
  • Precipitation
  • Police
  • Pond life. Above & Below: Pond Unit Study, Hands-on Ideas, & Lapbook is a way to include all ages.
  • Picnics
  • Punctuation

Q

  • Qatar
  • Queens in history. Grab my free Famous Pharaohs and Queens lapbook here.

R

  • Rivers
  • Reptiles
  • Rainforest. Grab my free Amazon Rain Forest Unit Study and Lapbooks here.

S

  • Sea shells. Check out my post How to Dissolve a Seashell – Beach Hands-on Fun Activity
  • Shores
  • Sailboats
  • S’mores

And we always love nature walks anytime of the year and love this series of nature books!

Our Journey Westward
  • Stars
  • Sun/sunscreen
  • Spiders

T

  • Turtles vs tortoises. Grab my free From Egg to Sea Turtle Unit Study and Lapbook here.
  • Tortillas
  • Trees

U

  • Underwater creatures
  • Underneath the ground
  • Underwear (history)

Summer Unit Study Ideas

V

  • Vision

W

  • Water sports
  • Water crafts
  • Waves
  • Watermelon. How to Make Fun Watermelon Seed Slime For Summer Learning
  • Whales

X

  • X-rays

Y

  • Yaks

Z

  • Zebras
  • Zoology
  • Zoos
  • Zip lining

You’ll love these other ideas:

  • How to Use Summertime to Put a Foot in Homeschooling
  • Free Ocean Unit Study and Lapbook

I hope this list of 100 ideas will get you thinking about hands-on A to Z summer unit study fun!

This blog hop is organized by iHomeschool Network, a collaboration of outstanding homeschool bloggers who connect with each other and with family-friendly companies in mutual beneficial projects.

Summer is a perfect time to get in some relaxed themed learning with unit studies. Kids of all ages can have fun learning with topics they will be eager to study. Click here to look at this A to Z List: 100 Fun Summer Homeschool Unit Study Ideas!
Summer is a perfect time to get in some relaxed themed learning with unit studies. Kids of all ages can have fun learning with topics they will be eager to study. Click here to look at this A to Z List: 100 Fun Summer Homeschool Unit Study Ideas!

Leave a CommentFiled Under: Be an Exceptional Homeschool Teacher, Choose Curriculum, Hands-On Activities, Homeschool When Nobody Wants To, Middle School Homeschool, Plan For & School Year Around, Teach Unit Studies, Teach/Which Subjects to Teach/Cover EVERYTHING Tagged With: 100, 100 Lists, A to Z Lists, hands-on, hands-on activities, handson, handsonhomeschooling, summerideas, summerschool, unit studies

10 Ancient History Card Games for Kids Who Love Hands-on Learning

March 16, 2024 | Leave a Comment
This post may contain affiliate links. For more information, please see my full disclosure policy.

If your child thrives on hands-on learning here are some ancient history card games that they will love. Also, look at my page Kids History Games for more fun history game ideas.

These 10 games cover different areas of ancient history in a fun way that gets kids excited about learning.

And truth be told they really just think they are enjoying a game night (or afternoon) with the family.

10 Ancient History Card Games for Kids Who Love Hands-on Learning

Some are ready to go games to purchase and a few are free to print and simple to set up options from around the internet.

Card games are great because they are easy to take wherever you go to your co-op, waiting in restaurants, or even on a picnic to the park. 

They are also great for teaching strategy, problem solving, concentration, attention, critical thinking, and encouraging socialization.

Ancient history spans all continents inhabited by humans from 3000 BC – AD 500.

There were 10 major civilizations of ancient history during this period, each making contributions to art, science, government, and culture.

They were spread from the Fertile crescent to the Americas and here is a breakdown of each for you to use as you move through teaching about ancient history.

Ancient History Timeline

Mesopotamia

  •  Sumerian Civilization-4th millennium BCE – 2nd millennium BCE
  •  Akkadian Empire- 24th century BCE – 22nd century BCE
  •  Babylonian Empire-18th century BCE – 6th century BCE
  • Assyrian Empire-25th century BCE – 7th century BCE

Egypt           

  • Early Dynastic Period-31st century BCE – 27th century BCE
  • Old Kingdom-27th century BCE – 22nd century BCE
  • Middle Kingdom- 21st century BCE – 17th century BCE
  • New Kingdom- 16th century BCE – 11th century BCE

Indus Valley Civilization      

  • Mature Indus Valley Civ.-26th century BCE – 19th century BCE

China           

  •  Xia Dynasty-21st century BCE – 17th century BCE
  • Shang Dynasty-17th century BCE – 11th century BCE
  • Zhou Dynasty- 11th BCE – 3rd century BCE
  • Qin Dynasty- 3rd century BCE – 2nd century BCE
  • Han Dynasty- 3rd century BCE – 3rd century CE

Greece        

  • Mycenaean Civilization-17th century BCE – 11th century BCE
  • Archaic Period-8th century BCE – 6th century BCE
  • Classical Period-5th century BCE – 4th century BCE
  • Hellenistic Period-4th century BCE – 1st century BCE

Ancient Rome          

  • Roman Kingdom-8th century BCE – 5th century BCE
  •  Roman Republic-5th century BCE – 1st century BCE
  • Roman Empire-1st century BCE – 5th century CE

Persian Empire        

  • Achaemenid Empire-6th century BCE – 4th century BCE
  • Parthian Empire-3rd century BCE – 3rd century CE
  •  Sasanian Empire-3rd century CE – 7th century CE
10 Ancient History Card Games for Kids Who Love Hands-on Learning

Maya Civilization      

  •  Preclassic Period-2000 BCE – 250 CE
  • Classic Period -250 CE – 900 CE

Aztec Empire

  • 14th century CE –16th century CE

Inca Empire  

  • 15th century CE –16th century CE

Also, to add more fun to your history card games, look at the links below.

  • Ancient Civilization
  • Ancient Civilization II
  • Homeschool Free Lapbook Ideas
  • 7 Fun Ways to Play Go Fish Egyptian Games for Kids
  • 13 Free and Fun BEST Printable History Board Game
  • Easy Hands-on Fun Ancient Greek Games for Kids DIY Knucklebones
  • 15 World History Board Games Guaranteed to Make Learning Fun
  • How To Upcycle A Monopoly Game History to A Medieval Theme & Free Printables
  • 7 Wonders Architects | Strategy Game

Fun Ancient History Card Games

Next, look at these ancient history card games to add fun to your unit study.

10 Ancient History Card Games for Kids

Hands-on history makes learning stick and adding these cards to your history homeschool days will help kids make a connection.

Free Ancient Greece Lapbook

Print and try my Free Ancient Greece Go Fish Game – Ancient Greece Unit Study, it is the perfect accompaniment to learning about ancient Greece facts from the first Olympic games to their impressive architecture.

Professor Noggin's Ancient Civilizations Trivia Card Game

FUN FACTS: Step back in time to explore lost, but not forgotten, Ancient Civilizations. Discover facts about ancient places, philosophers, buildings, arts, clothing, empires and more on this historical journey.

Zeus on the Loose – A Card Game of Mythic Proportions

Zeus on The Loose is a silly fun card game that covers many gods and goddesses of  Greek mythology so if you are studying this topic it is a must have card game for familiarizing them with names while it sneaks in a little math as well.

Age of Civilization Strategy Card Game

DEVELOPS YOUR CRITICAL SKILLS - During the game, players will have use the cards to reveal different challenges to overcome. Each kingdom has different strengths and weaknesses and you
will need your wit and determination to develop a culture for your people, build your empire and conquer for glory!

Wonders of The World Trivia Card Game

FUN FACTS: Fun facts about famous landmarks like the Statue of Liberty or structures like the Eiffel Tower, as well as wonders like the Hanging Gardens of Babylon and the Valley of the Kings each have their own topic card. This card game has awe inspiring landmarks from every time and
culture!

Ancient Egypt Top Trumps Card Game

Top Trumps travels to Ancient Egypt to explore a world of treasures, gods, pharaohs and mystery. Rated on Beauty, Ingenuity, Age, Height and Mystique, the pack contains everything from the breathtaking Sphinx and Great Pyramid to Nefertiti and the 'Boy King' Tutankhamun himself. The packs also features a list of key Egyptian gods, a timeline and a map of Ancient Egypt. For all you budding archaeologists, this is a must!

Photo Credit: deceptivelyeducational.blogspot.com

Greek Mythology Matching Card Game

 Here is another Greek Mythology Matching Card Game highlighting 16 different gods and goddesses of Greek mythology that can be played like a simple go fish or play it as a memory game.

Ancient Knowledge - Strategy Card Game

Heirs to an exceptional knowledge that has survived the ages, it is now up to you to preserve the vestiges of your civilization. Ancient Knowledge is a strategic card game in which you erect monuments and build artifacts to pass on your knowledge. Time will make your constructions ephemeral, so make the right decisions and combine the many cards at your disposal, because all knowledge is doomed to disappear... You are the oldest builders of this world, the last heirs of an illustrious civilization. Use your knowledge to ensure that its greatness endures over time!

Timeline Twist Card Game

While it covers more than just ancient history spanning ancient history to modern, this is a great all around card game to reinforce timelines, the Timeline Twist Card Game.

Aegean Sea - Strategy Card Game, Take Charge of Ancient Peoples

In Aegean Sea, you take charge of one of five ancient peoples (Sparta, Athens, Crete, Ephesus, or Rhodes) in a quest to lead them to great things!

Leave a CommentFiled Under: Hands-On Activities Tagged With: ancient, ancient civilizations, ancient egypt, Ancient Greece, ancientegypt, hands on history, hands-on activities

5 Easy Steps to Putting Together Your Own Homeschool Phonics Program

March 15, 2024 | 5 Comments
This post may contain affiliate links. For more information, please see my full disclosure policy.

I have 5 easy steps to put together your own homeschool phonics program. And look at my page How to Homeschool Preschool and Kindergarten Homeschool Curriculum.

I shocked myself.

Mr. Senior 2013 started to read before kindergarten, but the shocking part was that I wasn’t quite sure what I had done to help him read early.

I did know that it was important for him to start reading as quick as he could, so I went down to the local teacher store and purchased a set of Dr Maggie’s Phonics Readers.

5 Easy Steps to Putting Together Your Own Homeschool Phonics Program

It was one of the best things I had done though I didn’t know it at the time.

Each book highlighted which consonants and vowels the phonics reader was teaching.

How I turned a Book into a Reading Program

In my stupidity, (yes I felt that way but chuckle now) I had accidentally started putting together my own phonics program.

First, look at the fun resources and books to add to your learning day.

13 Phonics Readers and Games for Homeschool Kindergarten

You can never have enough decodable books and hands-on ideas and games.

The Fidget Game Learn to Read in Weeks Master 220 Sight Words

LEARN TO READ IN WEEKS – Created by a Kindergarten teacher devoted to exploring fun ways to teach reading to young kids,

The Fidget Game aims to teach curriculum-appropriate Dolch
words or sight words from Pre-K to Grade 3 kids.

Wooden Reading Blocks Short Vowel Rods Spelling Games

Wooden Spelling Toy: Includes a wood tray, 5 Handheld Sets of Rotating Blocks with 3-letter word movable blocks. Along with 48pcs sight words flash card (24 pcs foldable word 2-in-1 cards, 24 pcs word cards). Appropriate for teaching very basic reading skills.

Bob Books, Set 1: Beginning Readers

Bob Books are back, now with a bright, unique box display and colored illustrations throughout that make learning to read even more fun.

Bananagrams: Word Game

FUN FOR EVERYONE – Gather your family and friends and race against each other to build crossword grids. This anagram game that will drive you bananas.

Alphabet Jigsaw Puzzle Building Blocks

A bright graphic design,teaching children to recognize letters and numbers correctly.

Learning Resources Pop For Sight Words

BUILD early literacy, increase vocabulary, and improve fluency.

Snap It Up! Phonics & Reading Card Game

Engage kids in building reading and phonics skills with this fast-paced game!

Maisy Mouse Collection 10 Books Set

A story of visiting the bookshop for the first time from the multi-award-winning Lucy Cousins.

Elephant & Piggie: The Complete Collection

Gerald is careful. Piggie is not.Piggie cannot help smiling. Gerald can.Gerald worries so that Piggie does not have to.Gerald and Piggie are best friends.

First Little Readers Parent Pack: Guided Reading

Jumpstart reading success with this big collection of 25 motivating storybooks correlated with Guided Reading Level D. The books features simple text, decodable words, strong picture cues, and two to four lines of text per page to support readers with just a little experience under their belts. C

Dr Maggie's Phonics Readers, Set 2

Set includes six 15-page readers and a parent guide.

Green Eggs and Ham

I do not likegreen eggs and ham.I do not like them,Sam-I-am.With unforgetable characters and signature rhymes, Dr. Seuss’s beloved favorite has cemented its place as a children’s classic. Kids will love the terrific tongue twisters as the list of places to enjoy green eggs and ham gets longer and longer...and they might even find themselves craving something new!

The Cat in the Hat

“I know some new tricks,” said the Cat in the Hat. “A lot of good tricks. I will show them to you. Your mother will not mind at all if I do.” A rainy day turns into a wild romp when the Cat in the Hat and his troublemaking friends, Thing 1 and Thing 2, unexpectedly appear! A favorite among kids, parents, and teachers, this story uses simple words and basic rhyme to encourage and delight beginning readers.

Sharing what I did, I am hoping to help you purposefully put together a phonics program.

5 Easy Steps to Putting Together Your Own Homeschool Phonics Program

1. Purposefully purchase phonics readers.

Look at the book above, which was the first phonics reader my son read.  I studied the book and realized that it had a sound focus or objective with each reader.

It was not only teaching my son how to read, but it was given me tips as the parent.

Realizing which letters were highlighted in the first reader, I started putting together activities for those specific letters for my son to work on while I pointed out the letters and words to him in the book.

I used those letters to focus on hands-on activities for each week and used songs too.

2. Work with the sounds of the letters that are highlighted in the phonics books.

To build his fine motor skills while teaching him to read, I also made time for him to cut out pictures from an old magazines and paste on a page.

We made crafts for each letter that was focused in our phonics readers.

More Homeschool Phonics Program

  • 10 Best Homeschool Phonics Curriculum For Kindergarten
  • How to Choose a Homeschool Phonics Program Like a Pro (& recommendations)

Though I had been doing activities for a letter a week, I realized I could move a bit faster than introducing one letter per week. 

He got bored with hands-on activities for only one letter each week.

3. You don’t have a classroom, so go your child’s pace when introducing letters sounds.

I finally found a perfect balance for us.

I would have one letter that I would highlight, but I would continue to add in and introduce other letters during the same week.

Later I learned what I was doing was reviewing. 

It was a great strategy or technique that I learned naturally by following the capabilities of my son and adjusting our activities to his needs.

When he could read the first phonic reader, he wanted to do it again and again.

4. Reading the same books repeatedly instills confidence and builds mastery.
  It’s not just repetitive work, it’s nurturing a love of reading.

Of course, when he was able to read the first phonics reader, he had to read to me again and again and to his dad and to his grandma and to paw paw and to his aunt and back to me again.

5. Reading aloud needs to be varied in content. (psst! use audio books and sing alongs too)

Besides Mr. Senior 2013 reading back to me, I read aloud to him often also.

I started off with Dr. Seuss books because he could start making connections to the words and sounds I was teaching him.

Homeschool Phonics A,B,Cs

Choosing books where he could pick out words he knew over and over again was another strategy. 

I didn’t have to be so formal all the time by creating tons of flashcards and even having a word wall.

Simply holding him in my lap and using the book to guide us, he learned to read naturally.

In addition, to books like Dr. Seuss that had repetitive sight words, I also read books several grade levels ahead of him to stimulate his vocabulary and build it.

Frog Street Press for Early Phonics @ Tina's Dynamic Homeschool Plus

Too, big books are not just for public school. 

Realizing that I would have to teach phonics to at least three kids to teach phonics, I bought some fun and useful tools like big books and music.

Homeschool Phonics Program

As we went through each of Dr. Maggie’s phonics books playing with letter and sound recognition from each book, Mr. Senior 2013 was off to a great start.

All About Reading Pre-reading

I chuckle at how unconcerned I was back then with reading delays or if my son would not love to read as he got older.

Reading is a natural process and it doesn’t take a teaching degree, it takes a teaching heart. 

It does not have to be complicated; it has to be consistent.

A few phonics readers along with learning sounds and a great heap of good books to read is the foundation to a wonderful reading program.

That’s it. Trust that reading is a natural process and unless your child has some special need, he or she will learn to read.

What reading program are you using? Is it working? I also love and used All About Reading.

Also, look at:

  • How to Transition a Child From Reading to Literature 
  • How Early Should I Begin Homeschooling My First Child? (and checklist)
5 Easy Steps to Putting Together Your Own Homeschool Phonics Program @ Tina's Dynamic Homeschool Plus

5 CommentsFiled Under: Teach Homeschool Language Arts Tagged With: homeschoolreading, phonics, reading, readingcomprehension

8 Earth Day Facts | How to Make a Recycled Robot

March 14, 2024 | Leave a Comment
This post may contain affiliate links. For more information, please see my full disclosure policy.

I have a list of 8 wild earth day facts as well as a neat tutorial for how to make a recycled robot to celebrate your commitment to protect and preserve the Earth. Also, look at my page Free Earth Science Lapbook & Unit Study Ideas for more activities.

Too, if you are looking for ways to help your child focus on earth day and ways just to be kinder and gentler to our planet in general, look below.

I have facts for you to share with them, great books, and a few hands-on activities that make it fun and highlight ways to recycle trash into unique treasures.

8 Earth Day Facts | How to Make a Recycled Robot

Trash can be turned into treasure with just a little imagination.

And you can save money on buying art supplies by pulling items before they make it to the bin and cleaning them up a bit.

Designate a tote just for these fantastic art and science treasures.

I even have a fantastic read aloud suggestion that goes great with earth day.

Grab the Wild Robot Books if you don’t already have them.

If they are sitting on your shelf now is the perfect time to read them.

We are creating a robot craft, because they fit in so well with the earth day theme.

And because I adore these books so much, I had to share them with you. We have read the first two and they are fantastic.

Earth Day Books for Kids

Besides the fact that these books are so very enjoyable they have a wonderful moral woven throughout the story.

Books to Celebrate Earth Day

Add these books to your reading day if you're learning about Earth Day.

The Wild Robot (Volume 1) (The Wild Robot, 1)

Can a robot survive in the wilderness? When robot Roz opens her eyes for the first time, she discovers that she is all alone on a remote, wild island. She has no idea how she got there or what her purpose is--but she knows she needs to survive. After battling a violent storm and escaping a vicious bear attack, she realizes that her only hope for survival is to adapt to her surroundings and learn from the island's unwelcoming animal inhabitants.

The Wild Robot Escapes (Volume 2) (The Wild Robot, 2)

Shipwrecked on a remote, wild island, Robot Roz learned from the unwelcoming animal inhabitants and adapted to her surroundings--but can she survive the challenges of the civilized world and find her way home to Brightbill and the island? From bestselling and award-winning author and illustrator Peter Brown comes a heartwarming and action-packed sequel to his New York Times bestselling The Wild Robot,about what happens when nature and technology collide.

The Wild Robot Protects (Volume 3) (The Wild Robot, 3)

Life for Roz and the animals on their island is perfect. But when mysterious, dangerous waters surround the island, the animals are forced inland to fight over dwindling resources.

Roz calms and organizes the animals, but the poison tide takes a terrible toll on the island. So the wild robot sets out across the ocean, determined to stop the poison tide. During her journey, Roz encounters amazing geological formations and incredible creatures, and she sees the devastation caused by the toxic waters. Can the wild robot save the ocean and her island and everything she loves?

We cannot survive without the earth and the earth cannot survive if we do not take care of it.

Roz the robot relies on earth to help her survive in the wilderness and learns to care for nature at the same time.

8 Wild Earth Day Facts

  1. The first Earth Day was officially celebrated in the US in 1970 and it was conceived by Wisconsin Senator Gaylord Nelson in 1969.
  2. 20 years after the first official earth day it went global with over 140 countries recognizing it.
  3. The 1969 Santa Barbara oil spill was the event that inspired the first Earth Day.
  4. Earth Day is celebrated the same day every year – April 22nd.
  5. There is an official Earth Day theme song.
  6. The EPA (Environmental Protection Agency) was formed as the government’s response to Earth Day.
  7. There is a new theme for Earth Day every year focusing on the goal of reducing global plastic production by 60%.
  8. The United Nations dubbed it International Mother Earth Day.
8 Earth Day Facts | How to Make a Recycled Robot

Also, look at more earth day activities.

More Ways to Celebrate Earth Day With Recycling

  • I just love this beautiful Recycled Water Bottle Art and think you could rescue many bottles and give them as gifts.
  • How To Upcycle A Monopoly Game History to A Medieval Theme & Free Printables
  • Upcycle magazines with this  DIY Jewelry: Make Bracelets with Kids , turning the colorful pages into pretty beads.
  • This high end looking craft is a great way to keep old out of date Cd’s from ending up in the recycle  bin DVD Mosaic High Gloss Resin Tray.
  • How to Make a Civil War Style Upcycled Necklace | 7 Little Women Book Facts
  • Get a whole other life from your egg cartons and have a simple science lesson with an Egg Carton Sea Turtle Life Cycle Activity.
  • Fun Upcycled T Shirt Library Tote Back to School Kids Craft
  • Isn’t this Recycled Plastic Bottle Planters Craft a perfect and darling spring craft?
8 Earth Day Facts | How to Make a Recycled Robot

Finally, look at how to make a recycled robot. It’s so cute.

How to Make a Recycled Robot

You can rescue many items from the trash that can be used in a variety of STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, and Math) activities.

Below are some ideas, grab a box and start saving them up for your robot project which covers several of these.

Before your child begins building their robots, ask questions like what is your robot’s main function? Does he need anything special to do that? 

Questions like these will get their creative process and critical thinking skills working together.

Your robot is totally up to your child’s imagination, but I will give you a brief overview of how this one was put together.

Trash items to rescue:

  • Laundry detergent bottles
  • Cleaned and sanitized cans
  • Toilet paper and paper towel rolls
  • Clean used aluminum foil
  • Cereal boxes
  • Soda bottles
  • Corks
  • Nuts and bolts from the garage
  • Pieces of coated wire
  • Bottle Caps/Plastic Lids

I also added these items to the pile:

  • Pipe cleaners
  • Google eyes
  • Buttons
  • tape
8 Earth Day Facts | How to Make a Recycled Robot

First, we started out by choosing a sturdy large container for the body and covered it in our rescued aluminum foil to give our robot a shiny high-tech look.

8 Earth Day Facts | How to Make a Recycled Robot

To give our robot jointed moveable arms and legs we taped on pipe cleaners where we wanted them.

8 Earth Day Facts | How to Make a Recycled Robot

Next we slipped toilet paper rolls over the pipe cleaners and taped them into place.

8 Earth Day Facts | How to Make a Recycled Robot

Repeat the same steps for the legs.

Wrap aluminum foil around a smaller container for the head.

8 Earth Day Facts | How to Make a Recycled Robot

Add details like eyes, mouth and operational buttons with double sided tape or glue.

8 Earth Day Facts | How to Make a Recycled Robot

Leave a CommentFiled Under: Hands-On Activities Tagged With: earth day, hands-on, hands-on activities, handsonhomeschooling, robot

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