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Ten Best Tech Gifts for Teen Boys

September 23, 2025 | 4 Comments
This post may contain affiliate links. For more information, please see my full disclosure policy.

Today I rounded up ten best tech gifts for teen boys.

I love to buy gifts for my boys. But when it comes to techie things, I sometimes have them meet me halfway money wise.

I’ve learned when they put a few bucks in of their own money, tech things get taken care of better. But then other times I prefer to jump out there and gift them with something really special.

Ten Best Tech Gifts for Teen Boys

So here is the list of things my boys love, some they have and others are still on their wish list.

ONE/ ASTRO Gaming A50 Wireless Dolby Gaming Headset

TWO/ Gaming Earbuds Wired

My boys have these earbuds and like this brand. They seem to hold up better than others.

MORE GIFT LIST IDEAS

First, look at these other gift lists for more unique ideas.

  • 11 Unique Turtle Gift Ideas for Reptile Enthusiasts
  • 13 Amazing and Fun Gifts for Kids Who Love History
  • Navigating the Perfect Present: 22 Gifts for Geography Lovers
  • Unleash Your Inner Scientist: 12 Amazing Gifts for the Science Lovers
  • Gifts For Kids Who Are Wild About History
  • Ten Best Tech Gifts for Teen Boys

Unique Teen Boy Gifts

This is the microphone that Mr. Awesome uses for gaming. For the money, it’s a great value and he has really liked it.

THREE/ Blue Microphones Snowball

FOUR/ Predator Mini Helicopter Drone

FIVE/ Portable Wireless Bluetooth Speaker

These bluetooth speakers we took with us to South America and really like the quality and the small size.

SEVEN/ Swiss Gear Swissgear Laptop Notebook Outdoor Backpack

This is one of the laptop backpacks the boys used when we traveling because it can fit a larger laptop.

EIGHT/ 7 Button LED Gaming Mouse

NINE/ Wireless Color Photo Printer

This photo printer is something I wish they wanted more so it would give me a chance to use it too.

This is the tablet that Mr. Senior has and has used for a few years. He really likes the simplicity of it.

TEN/ Samsung Galaxy Tablet

Let’s just face it, tech gifts can be expensive especially when you have several teens. And tech items sometimes can’t keep up with fast moving technology, but a lot of these gifts last several years.

Ten Best Tech Gifts for Teen Boys @ Tina's Dynamic Homeschool Plus

I hope they give you some ideas for your list.

Don’t forget to follow BOTH of my Pinterest accounts for more AWESOME pins.

Visit Tina Robertson’s profile on Pinterest.


Visit Tinas Dynamic Homeschool ‘s profile on Pinterest.

4 CommentsFiled Under: Gift Guides, Gift Ideas for Homeschoolers, Graduate a Homeschooler, Homeschool Boys Tagged With: boys, gift, homeschoolgiftideas, teens

French Art for Kids: Unleash Creativity with a Free Pointillism Lesson

September 22, 2025 | Leave a Comment
This post may contain affiliate links. For more information, please see my full disclosure policy.

French art for kids and art history may sound like a big topic for kids, but when you introduce it with hands-on activities, it suddenly becomes fun, colorful, and inspiring. And look at my page Free Art Unit & Curriculum Grades 1 – 8  for more ideas and my post Free 4 Weeks Claude Monet Unit Study & Best Hands-on Ideas.

Too, learn about the French empire with my post French Revolution 1789 – 1799 Unit Study & Lapbook for more ideas.

French Art for Kids: Unleash Creativity with a Free Pointillism Lesson

French art, in particular, offers a wide range of styles and movements that children can explore. One of the most exciting and kid-friendly techniques is pointillism.

This style of painting, developed in France in the late 1800s, allows children to experiment with color, patience, and creativity while learning about famous artists who changed the way people thought about art.

In this post, we’ll dive into what pointillism is, introduce a few French artists behind the movement, and give you a step-by-step free pointillism art lesson you can try with your kids today.

BOOKS FOR KIDS ABOUT FRENCH ARTISTS

First, look at some of these books about French artists to add to your

7 French Artist Books

France is one of the most famous countries in the world for art. Many great artists lived and worked there, and Paris is often called the "art capital of the world." Learn about French artist or artist who made France their home.

Image for Claude Monet (Revised Edition) (Getting to Know the World's Greatest Artists)

Claude Monet (Revised Edition) (Getting to Know the World's Greatest Artists)

Meet Artist Claude Monet!

Getting to Know the World's Greatest Artists series combines a delightful mix of full-color historical reproductions, photos, and hilarious cartoon-style illustrations that bring to life the works of renowned artists, combining poignant anecdotes with important factual information for readers (Ages 8-9).This book provides an entertaining and humorous introduction to the famous artist, Claude Monet. Full-color reproductions of the actual paintings are enhanced by Venezia's clever illustrations and story line.

Image for Picasso (Getting to Know the World's Greatest Artists)

Picasso (Getting to Know the World's Greatest Artists)

Briefly examines the life and work of the renowned twentieth-century artist, describing and giving examples from his various periods or styles

Image for Georges Seurat (Getting to Know the World's Greatest Artists)

Georges Seurat (Getting to Know the World's Greatest Artists)

Meet Artist Georges Seurat!

Getting to Know the World's Greatest Artists series combines a delightful mix of full-color historical reproductions, photos, and hilarious cartoon-style illustrations that bring to life the works of renowned artists, combining poignant anecdotes with important factual information for readers (Ages 8-9).This book presents the life and career of the nineteenth-century French Neo-Impressionist artist Georges Seurat, best known for inventing the painting technique known as Pointillism.

Image for Cezanne's Parrot

Cezanne's Parrot

An inspiring picture book biography of the artist Paul Cezanne, the painter who laid the groundwork for modern art and whom Pablo Picasso declared "the father of us all."All Cezanne wants is to be a great painter like his friends Monet, Pissarro, and Renoir. But when he shows his works, the professors, the critics, and the collectors all dismiss him: "Too flat!" "Too much paint!" "These are rough and unfinished!" Even his own pet parrot, Bisou, can't be brought to say, "Cezanne is a great painter!" And who can blame them? Cezanne doesn't care about tradition, and he doesn't follow the rules. He's painting in a way no one else has done before, creating something completely new--and he's destined to change the world of art forever. Cezanne's Parrot is a spirited celebration of creativity, determination, and perseverance--and the artist who would become known as the father of modern art.

Image for Henri Matisse (Getting to Know the World's Greatest Artists)

Henri Matisse (Getting to Know the World's Greatest Artists)

Discusses the life and work of French post-impressionist artist Henri Matisse.

Image for Edgar Degas (Getting to Know the World's Greatest Artists)

Edgar Degas (Getting to Know the World's Greatest Artists)

Examines the life and work of the nineteenth-century artist Edgar Degas, who loved to paint scenes of Paris and the people who worked and lived there.

Image for Marie in Fourth Position

Marie in Fourth Position

Marie's dream is to dance beneath the spotlight in the Paris Opera, but she finds herself only a "rat" in the chorus, until Marie's parents send her to pose for master artist Edgar Degas and he leads her to an unforgettable pose that wins the heart of all Paris.

Next, let’s learn about pointillism.

WHAT IS POINTILLISM

Pointillism is a style of painting where the artist uses small, distinct dots of color placed closely together to form an image. Instead of mixing paints on a palette, artists would apply pure colors directly to the canvas. From a distance, the dots blend in the viewer’s eye, creating shapes, shading, and depth.

This technique was first developed by Georges Seurat and Paul Signac in France in the 1880s. They wanted to experiment with how colors interact and how the human eye perceives them.

Their works became part of the Neo-Impressionist movement, a branch of Impressionism that focused on light and color but used more precise methods.

For kids, pointillism is a wonderful introduction to both science and art—it shows how tiny parts (dots) come together to create something beautiful, much like pixels on a computer screen today.

Georges Seurat (1859–1891)

Best known for his masterpiece A Sunday Afternoon on the Island of La Grande Jatte, Seurat used thousands of tiny dots to create a lively park scene filled with people, trees, and water. This enormous painting is considered one of the most iconic works of pointillism.

Paul Signac  (1863–1935)

 Signac was a close friend of Seurat. Signac expanded on the technique and created many colorful seascapes and landscapes. His paintings often capture light shimmering on the water, making them especially vibrant.

OTHER FAMOUS STYLES OF FRENCH ART FOR KIDS

While pointillism is a wonderful entry point, French art has so many movements and artists that inspire kids.

French Art for Kids: Unleash Creativity with a Free Pointillism Lesson

Here are a few more worth exploring and an idea for each…

  • Impressionism- Before pointillism came Impressionism, it was led by artists like Claude Monet, Pierre-Auguste Renoir, and Edgar Degas. Impressionists captured quick “impressions” of everyday life with loose brushstrokes and bright colors. A fun activity is to paint outdoors (plein air style) and try to capture how light changes on water, trees, or flowers.
  • Henri Matisse and Fauvism- Known for his bold colors and paper cut-outs, Matisse’s later works are especially fun for kids to imitate. Provide construction paper and scissors, and let children create “painting with scissors” art inspired by his cut-outs.
  • French Sculpture- Introduce kids to Auguste Rodin, known for The Thinker. For a hands-on project, let kids sculpt small figures from clay or even playdough, experimenting with movement and expression.

French Stained Glass and Cathedrals- France is home to breathtaking stained glass, like the windows of Chartres Cathedral. Kids can design their own “stained glass” art with black paper outlines and tissue paper colors.

MORE FRENCH ART FOR KIDS

  • Free 4 Weeks Claude Monet Unit Study & Best Hands-on Ideas
  • Renoir Art Project for Kids
  • Easy Claude Monet Art Project: How to Paint Water Lilies
  • Salt and Glue Monet
  • Rodin For Kids

Finally, here’s a simple pointillism lesson.

FREE POINTILLISM LESSON FOR KIDS

You can use this lesson for kids of all ages. We’re making our own version of Georges Seurat’s –The Seine at La Grande Jatte Spring.

Materials Needed:

  • White cardstock or watercolor paper
  • Acrylic paint, or tempera paint
  • Cotton swabs, paintbrush tips, paint pens, or the eraser end of a pencil
  • A printed photo of Seurat’s or Signac’s artwork for inspiration
French Art for Kids: Unleash Creativity with a Free Pointillism Lesson

Show kids a few examples of pointillism paintings. Ask questions like:

  • What do you notice about the way the painting was made?
  • Can you see the dots up close? What happens when you step back?

Talk about the pointillism artists listed above.

Give children a scrap piece of paper and let them experiment with creating dots in different colors. Encourage them to try making patterns, shading, or blending two colors side by side.

Add your chosen colors to a palette.

French Art for Kids: Unleash Creativity with a Free Pointillism Lesson

Have kids select something easy to recreate—a tree, a sun, a flower, or even a simple landscape. If they need guidance, lightly sketch the outline for them in pencil before they start filling it in with dots.

Using cotton swabs or paintbrush tips, kids can begin adding dots of color to their picture.

Remind them to place colors close together and use bright, pure tones for the best effect.

French Art for Kids: Unleash Creativity with a Free Pointillism Lesson

We used 2 colors for each item-water, grass, tree, etc.. to create depth and shadows.

Continue filling in areas with many dots until the painting is full.

French Art for Kids: Unleash Creativity with a Free Pointillism Lesson

When the paintings are complete, display them side by side.

French Art for Kids: Unleash Creativity with a Free Pointillism Lesson

Stand back and notice how the colors seem to blend from a distance. Talk about how it feels to create a picture this way compared to traditional painting.

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

How to Make Smokin’ Hot Egyptian Pillars Out of Cardboard

September 21, 2025 | 1 Comment
This post may contain affiliate links. For more information, please see my full disclosure policy.

I’m showing you how to make smokin hot Egyptian pillars out of cardboard. It’s such a cool and awesome idea for any fun co-op or party theme.  Also, look at my Ancient Civilizations and Ancient Civilizations II pages.

Ideally I wish everybody would have a Cynthia as one of their co-op leaders,  but since that is not possible, I want to share one idea that came of out of her creative little mind for our co-op.

Besides being a great friend, she is so talented at coming up with ideas that keeps the fire for fun stoked in our co-ops.

How to Make Smokin' Hot Egyptian Pillars Out of Cardboard

It was her idea to have two 8 1/2 feet Egyptian columns and they came out so beautiful because of her hard work. We did this for our study of the Great Empires by Home School in the Woods.

It was one of our favorite studies.

The strengths she brings to a co-op is an excellent example of what I talked about in my 5 Days of a Homeschooling Co-op. Prep the learning environment and the kids will have fun and learn at the same time.


How to Make Smokin’ Hot Egyptian Pillars Out of Cardboard. I'm showing you how  to make smokin hot Egyptian pillars out of cardboard. It's such a cool and awesome idea for any fun co-op or party theme.  Also, look at my Ancient Civilizations and Ancient Civilizations II pages. It was her idea to have two 8 1/2 feet Egyptian columns and they came out so beautiful because of her hard work. We did this for our study of the Great Empires by Home School in the Woods.

Here is her supply list:

  • 14 – 5 gal. buckets
  • 2 rolls duct tape
  • 6 sections of clean bendable cardboard large enough to wrap around buckets (each about 4 ft. wide x 3 ft. tall )
  • paintable wallpaper samples cut into strips (optional)
  • chalk pastels
  • paint
  • Elmer’s glue
  • spray can of matte finish for protecting chalk pastels
  • large heavy rocks that will fit in 2-5 gal. buckets
  • 2 pieces of wood cut to serve as caps for tops of pillars
  • 2 hooks for banner
  • tape measure, ladder or chair

BOOKS FOR KIDS ABOUT ANCIENT EMPIRES

First, look at some fun books to add to your study of Ancient Empires.

13 Ancient Civilization Hands-on Resources and Books

Add some of these fun resources to your unit study or study for the day of Ancient Civilizations.

Image for The Greeks Pop-up: Pop-up Book to Make Yourself (Ancient Civilisations Pop-Ups)

The Greeks Pop-up: Pop-up Book to Make Yourself (Ancient Civilisations Pop-Ups)

Tarquin Popups are a special kind of do it yourself activity book. Not only is there the fun of making the scenes and seeing them popup but they are full of interesting information and ideas. This book contains six main scenes to make: Knossos, the Palace of Minos, the Lion Gate at Mycenae, the Battle of Salamis, the Golden Age of Athens, the Theatre, Alexander the Great and King Porus.

Image for The Ancient Egypt Pop-up Book:

The Ancient Egypt Pop-up Book:

A magnificently illustrated, interactive pop-up book chronicles the history of ancient Egypt and its diverse cultural innovations, covering everything to the construction of the Egyptian pyramids and the elaborate mummification process, to the mysterious rites performed at an Egyptian god's temple and the ancient hieroglyphic writings.

Image for Ancient Israelites and Their Neighbors: An Activity Guide (Cultures of the Ancient World)

Ancient Israelites and Their Neighbors: An Activity Guide (Cultures of the Ancient World)

Children can try their hand at re-creating ancient Israelite culture—along with the cultures of their neighbors, the Philistines and Phoenicians—in a way that will provide perspective on current events. The book covers a key period from the Israelites’ settlement in Canaan in 1200 B.C.E. to their return from exile in Babylonia in 538 B.C.E. This part of the Middle East—no larger than modern-day Michigan—was the birthplace of Judaism, Christianity, and Islam. More than 35 projects include stomping grapes into juice, building a model Phoenician trading ship, making a Philistine headdress, and writing on a broken clay pot. Israelites', Phoenicians', and Philistines' writing and languages, the way they built their homes, the food they ate, the clothes they wore, and the work they did, and of course, their many interesting stories.

Image for Treasury of Greek Mythology: Classic Stories of Gods, Goddesses, Heroes & Monsters

Treasury of Greek Mythology: Classic Stories of Gods, Goddesses, Heroes & Monsters

The new National Geographic Treasury of Greek Mythology offers timeless stories of Greek myths in a beautiful new volume. Brought to life with lyrical text by award-winning author Donna Jo Napoli and stunning artwork by award-winning illustrator Christina Balit, the tales of gods and goddesses such as Zeus, Aphrodite, Apollo, and Athena and heroes and monsters such as Helen of Troy, Perseus, and Medusa will fascinate and engage children’s imaginations.

Image for Activity Study: Great Empires
Photo Credit: store.homeschoolinthewoods.com

Activity Study: Great Empires

Included in this study are over 35 projects, games, recipes, links, and the history of fourteen empires! Generally, each empire's materials can be covered in 1-3 days

Image for Tools of the Ancient Romans: A Kid's Guide to the History & Science of Life in Ancient Rome

Tools of the Ancient Romans: A Kid's Guide to the History & Science of Life in Ancient Rome

Tools of the Ancient Greeks: A Kid’s Guide to the History and Science of Life in Ancient Greece explores the scientific discoveries, athletic innovations, engineering marvels, and innovative ideas created more than two thousand years ago. Through biographical sidebars, interesting facts, fascinating anecdotes, and fifteen hands-on activities, readers will learn how Greek innovations and ideas have shaped world history and our own world view.

Image for Ancient Egypt Activity Book For Kids: Ancient Egypt

Ancient Egypt Activity Book For Kids: Ancient Egypt

Is your child fascinated by Ancient Egypt? if so then this Ancient Egypt themed activity book is just for them. This is a great book for boys and girls who have an interest in Ancient Egypt. This Ancient Egypt themed activity book will keep them entertained and happy for hours.

Image for Great Ancient China Projects You Can Build Yourself (Build It Yourself)

Great Ancient China Projects You Can Build Yourself (Build It Yourself)

Great Ancient China Projects You Can Build Yourself explores the incredible ingenuity and history of ancient China with 25 hands-on projects for readers ages 9 and up. Great Ancient China Projects covers topics from porcelain pottery, paper, gunpowder, and dynasties, to martial arts, medicinal healers, jade carvers, and terracotta warriors.

Image for Tools of the Ancient Greeks: A Kid's Guide to the History & Science of Life in Ancient Greece (Build It Yourself)

Tools of the Ancient Greeks: A Kid's Guide to the History & Science of Life in Ancient Greece (Build It Yourself)

Tools of the Ancient Greeks: A Kid’s Guide to the History and Science of Life in Ancient Greece explores the scientific discoveries, athletic innovations, engineering marvels, and innovative ideas created more than two thousand years ago. Through biographical sidebars, interesting facts, fascinating anecdotes, and fifteen hands-on activities, readers will learn how Greek innovations and ideas have shaped world history and our own world view.

Image for Sumerian Mythology: History for kids: A captivating guide to ancient Sumerian history,Sumerian myths of Sumerian Gods, Goddesses, and Monsters

Sumerian Mythology: History for kids: A captivating guide to ancient Sumerian history,Sumerian myths of Sumerian Gods, Goddesses, and Monsters

What humans call “civilization” didn’t always exist. We didn’t always live in big cities, have roads to get places easier, or grow food on farms. For a long time, humans were hunter-gatherers. Hunter-gatherers wandered from place to place looking for food. They didn’t build homes or stay in one place. The Sumerians, as far as we know, were the first people to start a civilization.

Image for History Pockets: Ancient Civilizations, Grades 1-3

History Pockets: Ancient Civilizations, Grades 1-3

The book includes the following pockets:

  • What Is History?
  • Ancient Mesopotamia
  • Ancient Egypt
  • Ancient Greece
  • Ancient Rome
  • Ancient China
  • Ancient Aztec World

This resource contains teacher support pages, reproducible student pages, and an answer key.

Image for Cleopatra and Ancient Egypt for Kids: Her Life and World, with 21 Activities (69)

Cleopatra and Ancient Egypt for Kids: Her Life and World, with 21 Activities (69)

Cleopatra has been called intelligent and scheming, ambitious and ruthless, sensual and indulgent. This unique biography captures the excitement of her life story, including portions that have been largely neglected, such as her interest in literature and science and her role as a mother, and allows readers to draw their own conclusions. Cleopatra and Ancient Egypt for Kids also includes maps, time lines, online resources, a glossary, and 21 engaging hands-on activities to help readers better appreciate the ancient culture.

Image for DIY Ancient Egypt Box, Learn About Geography and World History, Hands on Learning for Kids

DIY Ancient Egypt Box, Learn About Geography and World History, Hands on Learning for Kids

HANDS ON LEARNING: Supernow educational boxes includes an adventure box with 4 hands-on projects and interactive digital content to bring the projects to life!

INTERACTIVE PLAY: Kids get a monthly adventure box that serves as a portal to an immersive adventure. Participate in an unfolding mission by attending live, interactive classes and solving fun clues.

And here is her explanation of how to make them.

1. Find a picture of Egyptian pillars to use as a guide for colors and patterns.

egypt-column-backdrop-2
racinet-egyptian-columns

2. Decide how tall you want the pillars.

We used 7 buckets stacked on top of one another which made each pillar about 8 1/2 ft tall. You can adjust the height by using more or fewer buckets.

3. Remove the metal handles from all of the buckets.

4. Fill the bottom bucket with heavy rocks. This will give the pillar stability.

5. After the bottom bucket is full of rocks place another bucket with the open end on top of the open end of the bucket with the rocks in it.

Use duct tape to secure the two buckets together tightly right around the outside of the buckets where the open ends are placed together.

Be generous with the duct tape and go all the way around the buckets perhaps even a couple of times for strength and stability.

How to Make Smokin' Hot Egyptian Pillars Out of Cardboard

6. Place a third bucket on top of the first two so that the bottom ends are against one another. Use duct tape to secure them together tightly where the two bottom ends meet.

Don’t forget to go all the way around the buckets with the duct tape once again.

MAKE EGYPTIAN PILLAR CRAFT

7. Continue placing and taping the buckets together in the same manner as the first and second buckets alternating (open end to open end, bottom end to bottom end) as you go up until you have reached the height you desire.

How to Make Smokin' Hot Egyptian Pillars Out of Cardboard

8. Decorate each section of cardboard.

There are many ways this can be done, but we used chalk pastels which we sprayed with matte finish for the bottom two sections and paintable wallpaper sample strips for the top section.

After the wallpaper sample strips dry, glue them to the top cardboard section. Or instead of wallpaper sample strips you can easily continue decorating the top section with pastels or paint.

How to Make Smokin' Hot Egyptian Pillars Out of Cardboard

9. Once everything on the cardboard is dry attach the bottom section to the pillar.

We taped ours together at the back with duct tape as well as double-sided duct tape between the cardboard and bucket to give it extra strength. Be generous with the duct tape so the pillars don’t come apart.

EGYPTIAN PILLARS FOR A FUN HOMESCHOOL HISTORY CO-OP

10. Place the next section of cardboard right above the one on bottom and duct tape it in the same manner as the first.

How to Make Smokin’ Hot Egyptian Pillars Out of Cardboard. I'm showing you how  to make smokin hot Egyptian pillars out of cardboard. It's such a cool and awesome idea for any fun co-op or party theme.  Also, look at my Ancient Civilizations and Ancient Civilizations II pages. It was her idea to have two 8 1/2 feet Egyptian columns and they came out so beautiful because of her hard work. We did this for our study of the Great Empires by Home School in the Woods.

11. Attach the last section of cardboard with duct tape above the second one in the same way as the first two.

How to Make Smokin’ Hot Egyptian Pillars Out of Cardboard. I'm showing you how  to make smokin hot Egyptian pillars out of cardboard. It's such a cool and awesome idea for any fun co-op or party theme.  Also, look at my Ancient Civilizations and Ancient Civilizations II pages. It was her idea to have two 8 1/2 feet Egyptian columns and they came out so beautiful because of her hard work. We did this for our study of the Great Empires by Home School in the Woods.

12. Now you are ready to cap the pillar. For a cap we used a board cut a little bigger than the top of the bucket.

We also nailed another board a little smaller than the opening of the bucket to the bottom side of the board that serves as the cap. This anchored the cap inside the bucket so that it would not fall off.

13. To hang a banner or something else between the pillars install hooks into the middle of the edges of the caps.

How to Make Smokin’ Hot Egyptian Pillars Out of Cardboard. I'm showing you how  to make smokin hot Egyptian pillars out of cardboard. It's such a cool and awesome idea for any fun co-op or party theme.  Also, look at my Ancient Civilizations and Ancient Civilizations II pages. It was her idea to have two 8 1/2 feet Egyptian columns and they came out so beautiful because of her hard work. We did this for our study of the Great Empires by Home School in the Woods.

I love the fact she used discarded wall paper books and buckets.

Simply ask your local paint store if they have any supplies like that they are discarding.

Our study of the Great Empires won’t be easily forgettable because of her hard work. A little cardboard, imagination and diy creates lasting memories.

Thanks Cynthia for such an amazing job. I hope this inspires you with an idea or two to keep activities fun in your co-op or just through the summer.

Are you going to give it a try?

Use this idea with my Ancient Civilizations Unit Study and my other unit study, Ancient Civilizations II.

1 CommentFiled Under: Ancient Civilizations, DIY, Hands-On Activities, Plan, Attend, and Explore Ideas for a Field Trip Tagged With: cardboard, hands on history, hands-on, hands-on activities, handson, handsonhomeschooling

How To Make A Fun Game List Of Organs In The Human Body And Their Functions

September 20, 2025 | Leave a Comment
This post may contain affiliate links. For more information, please see my full disclosure policy.

You can make a list of organs in the human body and their functions or you can turn it into a fun simple game that your kids will not forget. Also, look at these other pages Beautiful Human Body Lapbook and Fun Unit Study and Fun Human Body Crafts for Kids Who Love Hands-on Learning for more ideas and topics for hands-on learning.

When it comes to teaching science at home, hands-on learning consistently proves to be the most effective approach. Kids learn best when they can see, touch, and interact with real-life examples.

We will use Safari Ltd. Human Organs Toob as a resource to do just that. 

How To Make A Fun Game List Of Organs In The Human Body And Their Functions

This small tube of realistic organ replicas includes the heart, lungs, brain, liver, stomach, kidneys, and intestines, making anatomy accessible for all ages.

We have had them for years and have used them in several ways across different grades.

Just like this game is great for several age groups and can be used by making it more challenging or simpler for younger learners.

HUMAN BODY RESOURCES FOR MIDDLE & HIGH SCHOOL

First, look at these resources for more hands-on ideas for middle and high school.

12 Human Body Games for Middle & High School Students

Middle and high school kids need a break from reading and playing games to learn science is the perfect supplement and break.

Image for Cytosis: A Cell Biology Board Game | A Science Accurate Strategy Board Game

Cytosis: A Cell Biology Board Game | A Science Accurate Strategy Board Game

This game takes place inside of a human cell, you must race to build enzymes, hormones, and receptors and play with proteins, carbohydrates, lipids and DNA. It also comes with a fact-filled booklet that explains every concept in the game.

Image for The Awkward Yeti Organ Attack! Card Game

The Awkward Yeti Organ Attack! Card Game

If they enjoy doctor/human body games this one is ideal. It’s a fun and silly game that is great for kids to adults where the main objective is to remove your opponent’s organs before they can remove yours

Image for Pandemic Board Game (Base Game) |

Pandemic Board Game (Base Game) |

A cooperative board game using your characters' strengths and skills to stop diseases and epidemics before they go global. Everyone starts at the Atlanta Center for disease control and then builds research stations all over the world. What I love about this game is that it is a good source for discussion on pandemics, diseases, symptoms, immune systems, and more.

Image for Anatomy Fluxx Card Game - Card Games for Kids and Adult

Anatomy Fluxx Card Game - Card Games for Kids and Adult

There are many versions of Fluxx available but this one is perfect for an anatomy unit study. It is a card game for 2-6 players and was designed by an ER doctor. It contains anatomical trivia, and twists, and makes a great way to learn about the different systems of the body.

Image for Virulence: An Infectious Virus Card Game - Educational Bidding Game for Kids

Virulence: An Infectious Virus Card Game - Educational Bidding Game for Kids

 Fast-paced and solid way to learn about virus structure and viral components like helical, icosahedral, and genomes. In this game, players take on the role of the virus trying to infect a host cell rather than trying to eradicate the virus.

Image for Outset Media Professor Noggin's Human Body Trivia Card Game

Outset Media Professor Noggin's Human Body Trivia Card Game

For ages 7+, with 3 levels of play this is another game that I think is still very applicable for younger teens and preteens to play. It incorporates trivia, true or false questions, as well as multiple choice.

Image for Dr. Dreadful Scabs and Guts Board Game

Dr. Dreadful Scabs and Guts Board Game

This one says 6+ but I truly think that 6th and 7th graders will still enjoy it and be able to learn from it. It is a quick play with real anatomy science facts and images.

Image for Biology Review Curriculum Mastery Game, High School, C

Biology Review Curriculum Mastery Game, High School, C

 A biology game perfect for high school review. It comes with 25 sets of 30 illustrated and self-correcting review cards for use, and 12 different game boards. While it covers all of biology beyond the human body I think, though expensive, it gives you a lot of bang for your buck.

Image for Brain Busters Card Game - Human Body - with Over 150 Trivia Questions -

Brain Busters Card Game - Human Body - with Over 150 Trivia Questions -

While this one seems a bit young, a teen that needs a refresher in things like what two muscles do we use in our arm when lifting and down will find this a fun review. It has 150 questions and covers a wide variety of human body topics, great for car rides or waiting in lines.

Image for Capstone Games: Clinic Deluxe - Strategy Board Game,

Capstone Games: Clinic Deluxe - Strategy Board Game,

I think this one would be a treat for the teen who plans to go into any direction in the medical field. It is a strategy game where you work to build your own clinic just the way you like it- caring for patients and maintaining staff while you expand.

Image for Word Game | Fast-Paced Family Board Game | Choose a Category & Race Against The Timer

Word Game | Fast-Paced Family Board Game | Choose a Category & Race Against The Timer

Next, this one is not medical or anatomy themed but I’m adding it because it is a base game that has an open-ended theme. The object is to pull a card that gives you a theme and then take turns calling out words in that theme that begin with each letter of the alphabet. When you call it you tap that letter down and it's out of play, continue until someone can't think of one. You can play this anatomy themed in general, bones, organs, body systems, etc.… We have played this game as a compliment to multiple unit study themes.

Image for Netter's Anatomy Art Card Deck

Netter's Anatomy Art Card Deck

Simply just an anatomy-themed deck of cards but a fantastic way to familiarize your student with the human body using illustrations from Netter’s Atlas of Human Anatomy. You can pick your favorite game like solitaire, garbage, or even 52 card pick up with this.

Before we begin creating our game, here are some great facts about each of the organs contained in the Safari toob to get you started.

FACT LIST OF ORGANS IN THE HUMAN BODY AND THEIR FUNCTIONS

HEART

  • The heart is a strong muscle that pumps blood through the entire body.
  • It beats about 100,000 times every day.
  • The heart has four chambers (two atria and two ventricles) that keep oxygen-rich blood separate from oxygen-poor blood.
  • Blood carries oxygen and nutrients to the body and removes carbon dioxide and waste.

LUNGS

  • The lungs bring oxygen into the body and release carbon dioxide when we breathe out.
  • Each lung is filled with tiny air sacs called alveoli (about 300 million of them) where oxygen is exchanged with blood.
  • The right lung has three lobes; the left lung has two lobes (to make room for the heart).
  • Oxygen from the air helps cells make energy.

STOMACH

  • The stomach helps digest food by mixing it with acid and enzymes.
  • Food enters the stomach after being chewed and swallowed.
  • Strong stomach acid (hydrochloric acid) breaks food down into smaller pieces.
  • The stomach lining has special cells that protect it from the acid.
  • After 2–4 hours, food turns into a thick liquid called chyme.

SMALL INTESTINE

  • The small intestine absorbs nutrients from food.
  • It’s about 20 feet long in adults, but it coils up tightly in the abdomen.
  • Tiny finger-like shapes called villi and microvilli line the walls to grab nutrients.
  • Nutrients (like vitamins, sugars, proteins, and fats) move into the bloodstream here.

LARGE INTESTINE (COLON)

  • The large intestine absorbs water and gets waste ready to leave the body.
  • It’s about 5 feet long but much wider than the small intestine.
  • Friendly bacteria live here and help break down leftovers.
  • It compacts waste into stool before it exits the body.
  • About 60% of stool is made of helpful bacteria.

KIDNEYS

  • The kidneys clean the blood and remove waste by making urine.
  • You have two kidneys, shaped like beans, located in your lower back.
  • Each kidney contains about 1 million tiny filters called nephrons.
  • They also help balance water, salt, and minerals in the body.
  • Every day, your kidneys filter about 50 gallons of blood.

LIVER

  • The liver has many roles—cleaning toxins, helping digestion, and storing nutrients.
  • It’s the largest internal organ in the human body.
  • Produces bile, a greenish liquid that helps digest fats in the small intestine.
  • Stores extra glucose (sugar) as glycogen and releases it when the body needs energy.
  • Breaks down alcohol, drugs, and other harmful substances.
  • The liver can regenerate itself—if part is damaged, it can grow back.
How To Make A Fun Game List Of Organs In The Human Body And Their Functions

 BRAIN

  • The brainstem manages automatic functions like breathing and heartbeat.
  • The brain is the control center of the body.
  • It’s made of billions of nerve cells called neurons that send messages throughout the body.
  • The cerebrum controls thinking, memory, speech, and voluntary movement.
  • The cerebellum controls balance and coordination.

HOW TO MAKE A FUN GAME TO LIST OF ORGANS IN THE HUMAN BODY AND THEIR FUNCTIONS

You will need:

  • Safari Ltd. Human Organs Toob
  • Markers or printed body outlines
  • Cardstock, notecards
  • Tray, optional but it makes it so appealing
How To Make A Fun Game List Of Organs In The Human Body And Their Functions

Directions:

Start by making a large body outline.

You can either…

  • Draw your own simple torso-and-head outline on a poster board or large sheet of cardstock with pencil.
How To Make A Fun Game List Of Organs In The Human Body And Their Functions

Then trace with a black marker to make it stand out.

How To Make A Fun Game List Of Organs In The Human Body And Their Functions
  • Use felt for a reusable version—cut out a felt silhouette and add Velcro to the organs so kids can stick them on.

This body board will act as the central game board where organs are placed.

Have each child take a turn drawing an organ from the pile.

They must place the organ in the correct spot of the body outline.

How To Make A Fun Game List Of Organs In The Human Body And Their Functions

If they get it right, they earn a point.

  • Beginner– Match the organ by shape and spot only.
  • Intermediate– Name the organ while placing it.

To deepen learning, create question cards that pair with each organ. Write one question per index card. Look up facts on them and then form them into a question, just check out the list above.

How To Make A Fun Game List Of Organs In The Human Body And Their Functions

Flip your cardstock over to the other side that is blank and spread out your toob organs.

How To Make A Fun Game List Of Organs In The Human Body And Their Functions

Have your child match the cards to the correct organ.

How To Make A Fun Game List Of Organs In The Human Body And Their Functions

Before a player can place the organ, they must answer a trivia question correctly.

This encourages recall and reinforces facts

Leave a CommentFiled Under: Hands-On Activities Tagged With: hands-on activities, handson, handsonhomeschooling, homeschool, human body, human body crafts, science

Free Ireland Lapbook For Kids Who Love Hands-On Learning

September 19, 2025 | Leave a Comment
This post may contain affiliate links. For more information, please see my full disclosure policy.

I have a free Ireland lapbook for your hands-on learners. Also, look at my page Homeschool Lapbooks – Powerful Tools For Mastery Learning for more lapbook ideas.

Too, look at my pages Vikings Lapbook Unit Study and The Best Free Viking Lapbook and Hands-on Ideas to learn about the Vikings who invaded Ireland.

Besides Ireland is about so much more than Irish folklore about leprechauns. Lapbooks help children learn about the geography of Ireland, understand colonialism and learn the Irish language.

Free Ireland Lapbook For Kids Who Love Hands-On Learning

Too, when your child learns that Ireland is called the Emerald Isle because of its lush green landscape it cements a picture of the geography.

Too, learning how the capital city of Dublin was established by the Vikings gives ancient history a nod.

Also, one more cool fact is that Ireland has no snakes. Ireland is chock full of fun facts for your child to dive into and learn.

KIDS BOOKS ABOUT IRELAND

First, look at these books about Ireland to add to your home library.

10 Ireland Books

Add some of these books to your unit study or learning about Ireland day.

Image for The Story of the Great Irish Famine

The Story of the Great Irish Famine

What lies beneath?The Great Irish Famine is a story that has been told for several generations and is the single most pivotal experience in modern Irish history.Now, acclaimed Irish illustrator David Rooney, through the evocative medium of scraperboard, scratches away at the detail of our shared history line by line, uncovering the collective memory that lies beneath us all.

Image for Ireland: Our Island Story

Ireland: Our Island Story

Master storyteller Vincent McDonnell relates the exciting story of Ireland from the earliest times, as Stone Age settlers arrived 10,000 years ago through to the present day. From the building of the mysterious and magnificent tombs (such as Newgrange)

Image for A History of Ireland in 100 Episodes: Ancient, Medieval and Modern Ireland

A History of Ireland in 100 Episodes: Ancient, Medieval and Modern Ireland

A sweeping, accessible history of Ireland adapted from Dr Jonathan Bardon’s BBC series. This authoritative and comprehensive history of Ireland, written by Dr Jonathan Bardon and completed by his former editor Fergal Tobin, covers the entire history of the island from the Ice Age to the Peace Process in 100 short episodes. In this thoughtful analysis of Irish society, Bardon integrates the significant cultural and literary history of Ireland with its political and social histories. Based on the hugely popular BBC series A Short History of Ireland, each episode stands alone, providing a snippet of Irish history in five minutes’ reading. In turn, reading each episode in sequence from beginning to end provides a magisterial history of Europe’s most western land.

Image for Red Hugh: Prince of Donegal (Living History Library)

Red Hugh: Prince of Donegal (Living History Library)

"A tale that is not told dies." So say the old Irish storytellers. How much better when the story, like this one about the fighting prince of Donegal, is true! It is 1587 and Queen Elizabeth plans to bring Ireland under her iron rule. Only one thing is stopping her: Warrior queen Ineen Duive and her young son, Hugh Roe O'Donnell. Carefree and proud, young Hugh grows up quickly after he is betrayed to the English and taken to Birmingham Tower as a hostage. Can he escape? If so, can he escape in time to aid the Irish struggle against the English? Facts as exciting as fiction abound in this authentic portrayal of a glorious moment in Irish history.

Image for Under the Hawthorn Tree (Children of the Famine)

Under the Hawthorn Tree (Children of the Famine)

One of the greatest historical fiction adventures in children's literature.

Marita Conlon-McKenna's Children of the Famine series brings to life as never before the Great Famine of 1840s Ireland and the immigrations that followed. Winner of many awards and accolades, these are all-time classics in historical fiction for children. Join siblings Eily, Michael, and Peggy on their incredible journey as they overcome tragedy, famine, and poverty to make their way in a dangerous new world.

Image for Run with the Wind

Run with the Wind

‘Don’t forget’, said the old fox, ‘if danger threatens, run with the wind …’In the Land of Sinna, Black Tip, Vickey, Old Sage Brush, Fang, Hop-along and the rest of the foxes living around Beech Paw are in trouble. They are being hunted, trapped and harried and have no choice but to set out in search of the secret of survival.As they journey through countryside and city, facing many dangers along the way, they find new friendships and rediscover what it means to be ‘as cunning as a fox’. ‘Entertainment and suspense at it’s very best, it is the Watership Down of the fox world.' The Irish Times‘A wildlife winner for all ages.' The Sunday IndependentBack in print, one of the most popular Irish wildlife stories of all time

Image for Black Potatoes: The Story of the Great Irish Famine, 1845-1850

Black Potatoes: The Story of the Great Irish Famine, 1845-1850

In 1845, a disaster struck Ireland. Overnight, a mysterious blight attacked the potato crops, turning the potatoes black and destroying the only real food of nearly six million people. Over the next five years, the blight attacked again and again. These years are known today as the Great Irish Famine, a time when one million people died from starvation and disease and two million more fled their homeland. Black Potatoes is the compelling story of men, women, and children who defied landlords and searched empty fields for scraps of harvested vegetables and edible weeds to eat, who walked several miles each day to hard-labor jobs for meager wages and to reach soup kitchens, and who committed crimes just to be sent to jail, where they were assured of a meal. It’s the story of children and adults who suffered from starvation, disease, and the loss of family and friends, as well as those who died. Illustrated with black and white engravings, it’s also the story of the heroes among the Irish people and how they held on to hope.

Image for Fingal's Quest

Fingal's Quest

In the mid 500s AD, Irish monks came to Gaul to help restore Christianity in the aftermath of barbarian invasions which had laid waste the Church. Fingal's master at the Abbey in Ireland, Brother Columban had been chosen to go and Fingal secretly follows him. He endures years of hardship as he travels all over Gaul searching for his beloved Columbanus. And yet as he travels and tells others of the wondrous Columbanus and his teaching of God, many are converted and come to serve God with Columbanus. Finally, Fingal realizes how he himself
must serve God, and recognizes how God has used his hardship and questing to bring many into His sheepfold. One of Polland's finest stories, weaving adventure and poignancy into a tale of a quest for God's will.

Image for Anson's Way

Anson's Way

It is the mid-eighteenth century, and young British subject Anson Granville Staplyton has traveled to Ireland, where his regiment has been sent to keep the king's peace. Anson has waited all his life for the day he would follow his father to serve His Majesty in the Staffordshire Fencibles. But the young drummer's notions of glory are shaken when he witnesses the violent injustices thrust upon the Irish people. Anson is torn even further when he meets an Irish hedge master who secretly teaches children the lilting language and history of their won country-lessons that it is Anson's duty to silence. Torn between family honor and his ever-changing sense of justice, Anson struggles to choose his own way in beautiful yet turbulent Ireland.

Image for The Guns of Easter

The Guns of Easter

It is 1916 and Europe is at war. From the poverty of the Dublin slums twelve-year-old Jimmy Conway sees it all as glorious, and loves the British Army for which his father is fighting.But when war comes to his own streets Jimmy's loyalties are divided. The rebels occupy the General Post Office and other parts of the city, and Jimmy's uncle is among them. Dublin's streets are destroyed, business comes to a halt.In an attempt to find food for his family, Jimmy crosses the city, avoiding the shooting, weaving through the army patrols, hoping to make it home before curfew. But his quest is not easy and danger threatens at every corner.

Next, look at these hands-on activities to learn about Ireland.

HANDS-ON ACTIVITIES TO LEARN ABOUT IRELAND

  • Celtic symbols are an important part of Irish heritage. Look at my post How to Make Celtic Cakes -Recipe for Hands-on History.
  • Celtic Knot Pipe Cleaner Craft
  • Ireland has more sheep than people in some rural counties. Make this Adorable Clothespin Sheep Craft.
  • Harp Craft
  • Easy Rabbit Tissue Paper Craft for Kids
  • Meteorology For Kids Made Fun: Amazing Potato Straw Experiment | Free Printable
  • Ireland map art activity
  • A hedgehog is an animal in Ireland. It curls up in a ball when scared. Look at my post Fun and Easy Leaf Hedgehog Craft for Autumn Days
  • Illuminated Initial: Irish Art Project For Kids

Additionally, look at more homeschool lapbooks.

MORE LAPBOOKS

  • World War II Lapbook
  • History of the Texas Cowboy, Cattle Drives, and Chisholm Trail
  • Free American History Lapbook – The Old West Through the Life of Wyatt Earp
  • Free Texas Homeschool Lapbook and Fun Homeschool Unit Study Ideas
  • The FBI Lapbook
  • The Trail of Tears 1820 – 1845 Lapbook
  • South America Lapbook
  • Free Native American Plains Indians Fun Lapbook for Kids (& resources)
  • French Revolution 1789 – 1799 Lapbook
  • Lewis and Clark Fun Homeschool Lapbook
  • War Between the States Lapbook
  • French and Indian War 1754 -1763
  • Iroquois Lapbook
  • Plains Indians. Unit Study & Lapbook
  • Marco Polo Unit Study and Lapbook
  • More Ideas Free Marco Polo Unit Study, Lapbook, and Hands-on Ideas
  • Renaissance 
Free Ireland Lapbook For Kids Who Love Hands-On Learning

Next, look at what is included in this fun lapbook.

WHAT TOPICS OR MINBOOKS ARE IN THE IRELAND LAPBOOK

  • Fun facts about Ireland and pocket
  • Did you know . .
  • Animals that live in Ireland
  • Symbols of Ireland
  • Famous Landmarks
  • Say it in Irish

HOW TO GET THE FREE IRELAND LAPBOOK

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

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

2) Grab the freebie instantly.

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

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