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Easy Chocolate Edible Pudding Slime Recipe for Little Ones

September 1, 2025 | Leave a Comment
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Get ready for this easy pudding slime recipe that is made with just 3 ingredients in just a minute or two.

Slime has become a favorite hands-on activity for kids everywhere. It’s stretchy, squishy, and endlessly fun to poke, knead, and stretch.

But if you’re making slime for little ones—especially preschoolers or toddlers—you might be concerned about safety

Easy Chocolate Edible Pudding Slime Recipe for Little Ones

That’s where edible slime recipes come in! They’re made from food ingredients, so while they’re not meant to be a snack, you don’t have to worry if your child accidentally takes a bite.

Edible slimes are perfect for sensory play, messy play days, or even a themed homeschool activity.

One of the easiest and most delicious options is chocolate pudding slime. And that is what we are going to tackle today.

The texture of this slime ends up somewhere between slime and playdough and is perfect for little hands.

RESOURCES FOR A CHOCOLATE UNIT STUDY

Next, look at some of these activities to include multiple ages in your fun activity.

8 Books for Creating a Chocolate Unit Study

Add some of these books to learn about how chocolate is made.

THE EXTRAORDINARY HISTORY OF CHOCOLATE

This book is intended for children who love chocolate and stories.

Discover the exciting story of one of the most popular foods in the world: ''CHOCOLATE'' .This book will take you in the footsteps of the Aztecs who considered it a sacred drink. Later, the Conquistadors will bring it to Spain where it will become THE trendy ''EXOTIC DRINK''. Reserved for kings and nobility, and at first consumed only in the sumptuous palaces, but much later becoming a popular food for all.

How Monkeys Make Chocolate: Unlocking the Mysteries of the Rainforest

In How Monkeys Make Chocolate renowned ecologist Adrian Forsyth introduces the people, plants, and animals of the world’s rain forests through exciting first-hand stories and stunning color photographs. He visits aboriginal shamans and imitates the behavior of animals to tap into the inner workings of various rain forests, revealing a world of riches with unsuspected connections to everyday life. His adventures expose the amazing origins of familiar products, including chocolate, cola, aspirin, and rubber, and offer tantalizing glimpses of the discoveries yet to be made. With visual force and vivid anecdotes, Forsyth instills a deep wonder for the web of life and the importance of conserving these fragile ecosystems.

Who Was Milton Hershey?

Discover the man behind the chocolate bar! Milton Hershey’s life was filled with invention and innovation. As a young man, he was not afraid to dream big and work hard. Eventually, he learned the secret to mass-producing milk chocolate and the recipe that gave it a longer, more stable shelf life. He founded a school for those who didn’t have access to a good education and an entire town for his employees. Both his chocolate empire and his great personal legacy live on today.

Food Anatomy: The Curious Parts & Pieces of Our Edible World

Food Anatomy includes a wonderfully illustrated section on how chocolate is made from harvest to tempering.

The Chocolate Touch

In this zany twist on the legend of King Midas and his golden touch, a boy acquires a magical gift that turns everything his lips touch into chocolate! Kids will eat this up for summer reading or anytime!

Can you ever have too much of your favorite food? John Midas is about to find out….

The Chocolate Touch has remained a favorite for millions of kids, teachers, and parents for several generations. It's an enjoyable story that pulls in even reluctant readers.

Chocolate Riches From the Rainforest

A delicious story about the history of chocolate with wonderful illustrations.

Charlie and the Chocolate Factory

Willy Wonka's famous chocolate factory is opening at last! But only five lucky children will be allowed inside. And the winners are: Augustus Gloop, an enormously fat boy whose hobby is eating; Veruca Salt, a spoiled-rotten brat whose parents are wrapped around her little finger; Violet Beauregarde, a dim-witted gum-chewer with the fastest jaws around; Mike Teavee, a toy pistol-toting gangster-in-training who is obsessed with television; and Charlie Bucket, Our Hero, a boy who is honest and kind, brave and true, and good and ready for the wildest time of his life!

No Monkeys, No Chocolate

Everyone loves chocolate, right? But how many people actually know where chocolate comes from? How it’s made? Or that monkeys do their part to help this delicious sweet exist?This delectable dessert comes from cocoa beans, which grow on cocoa trees in tropical rain forests. But those trees couldn’t survive without the help of a menagerie of rain forest critters: a pollen-sucking midge, an aphid-munching anole lizard, brain-eating coffin fly maggots—they all pitch in to help the cocoa tree survive. A secondary layer of text delves deeper into statements such as "Cocoa flowers can’t bloom without cocoa leaves . . . and maggots," explaining the interdependence of the plants and animals in the tropical rain forests. Two wise-cracking bookworms appear on every page, adding humor and further commentary, making this book accessible to readers of different ages and reading levels.Back matter includes information about cocoa farming and rain forest preservation, as well as an author’s note.

Then, look at a few more chocolate activities.

HANDS-ON ACTIVITIES FOR LEARNING ABOUT CHOCOLATE

Reading Charlie and The Chocolate Factory for read aloud.
Assign older children Who Was Milton Hershey for independent reading. As a matter of fact here is a whole unit on Milton Hershey and more –Fun Chocolate Unit Study and DIY Chocolate Candy Bar Activity.
Have a taste test and compare different types of chocolate like white, milk, dark, semi sweet.
Visit a candy store or chocolate factory if you have one near you to see it being melted, molded, and more.
Colorful Chemistry: Exciting M&M Science Experiment To Try At Home

8 GREAT EDIBLE SLIME RECIPES

Next, look at more edible slime recipes.

You will definitely have a hard time keeping them from eating this tasty and fun Edible Starburst Slime recipe.
Learn How To Make Edible Slime With Marshmallows, I love recipes with simple and safe ingredients.
Make an Easy Nutella Slime Recipe, another great chocolate slime recipe for exploring the senses.
How to Make Edible Slime with Gummy Bears looks like a fun but also delicious idea and can also be used to learn about color mixing.
Loaded with omega 3 and great for slime, who knew, try out this Chia Seed Slime idea.
This DIY Edible Pizza Slime | How To Make Slime The Best 3 Ingredient Slime is the coolest set up, kids will go crazy for it.
Stir up some fun with this Kool-Aid Slime, make it up in a rainbow of colors for all kinds of fun.
Another food topic that you can really dig into is honey, how bees make it, store it, and more. Supplement it with this How to Make Honey Slime.

Finally, look at this easy chocolate pudding slime recipe.

EASY CHOCOLATE PUDDING SLIME RECIPE

This recipe is simple, quick, and smells just like chocolate pudding. It’s taste-safe and safe for little ones who may be tempted to sneak a lick.

Ingredients:

1 box (3.4 oz) instant chocolate pudding mix
2 cups cornstarch
1–2 cups warm water

In a mixing bowl, combine the pudding mix and cornstarch. Stir well until fully blended.

If you want to add a little extra scent you can add in vanilla extract and/or cocoa powder too.

Slowly add 1 cup of warm water, mixing as you pour. Keep stirring until the mixture begins to thicken.

Add more water, a little at a time, until the slime reaches your desired consistency. It should be stretchy but not sticky.

Knead with your hands for a few minutes to smooth it out.

The result is a smooth, stretchy slime with a chocolatey scent. Kids will love squishing it, pulling it, and making “mud pies” with it. Best of all, if they sneak a taste, it’s perfectly safe.

Tips for Success:

If your slime is too sticky, sprinkle in a bit more cornstarch.
If it’s too crumbly, add a splash more water.
Play with it on a plastic mat or tray to make cleanup easier.
Don’t forget to include bowls, measuring cups and spoons, cookie cutters, rolling pins, and more like buttons to decorate your chocolate creations!

How To Make An Adorable Scarecrow & Crafts To Keep Hands Busy

August 31, 2025 | Leave a Comment
This post may contain affiliate links. For more information, please see my full disclosure policy.

I have some fantastic fall crafts to keep hands busy, including a mini cutting board scarecrow. Look at my free unit study and lapbook Fall Unit Study {Pumpkins, Leaves, Corn, & More}.

Scarecrows are a beloved symbol of autumn.

You see them standing proudly in pumpkin patches, perched on porches, or tucked into gardens as cheerful guardians of the harvest.

How To Make An Adorable Scarecrow & Crafts To Keep Hands Busy

While today they’re mostly used for decoration, scarecrows once had a very important purpose- protecting crops from hungry birds and animals.

The name “scarecrow” tells you exactly what these figures were designed to do—scare crows , and other pests away.

Farmers discovered long ago that birds such as crows, sparrows, and blackbirds could cause a lot of damage to crops.

They would swoop down to eat newly planted seeds, nibble on ripening fruit, or pull at tender shoots. To protect their food supply, farmers needed a way to keep these creatures out of their fields.

BOOKS ABOUT FALL FOR KIDS

Then, look at these fun books about fall to add to your home library.

15 Fall Books For Kids Who Love to Read and Be Read To

With a chill in the air and leaves falling, grab one or two of these fun books for your home library.

Autumn: An Alphabet Acrostic

A compilation of Native American speeches affirming the desire to live in spiritual and ecological harmony includes the words of Geronimo, Sitting Bull, and Cochise, covering such topics as fishing rights, peace treaties, and the devastation of their land.

Autumn Harvest

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

Autumn Leaves

A concise text and crisp, close-up, color photographs of thirteen different leaves from North American trees teach very young children how to look at and compare the leaves of autumn, and are accompanied by an explanation of why they turn color.

The Apple Pie That Papa Baked

These are the apples, juicy and red,that went in the pie,warm and sweet,that Papa baked...for guess who!

Sophie's Squash

Kids will love this playful story of of a unique fall friendship between a girl . . . and her squash!On a trip to the farmers' market with her parents, Sophie chooses a squash, but instead of letting her mom cook it, she names it Bernice. From then on, Sophie brings Bernice everywhere, despite her parents' gentle warnings that Bernice will begin to rot. As winter nears, Sophie does start to notice changes.... What's a girl to do when the squash she loves is in trouble?

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

Celebrate the 40th anniversary of the miniature world of the mice of Brambly Hedge!

Bad weather is on the way and the autumn stores are still not gathered in!

Quickly, all the mice of Brambly Hedge set to work to finish the harvesting before the rain begins. Primrose, Lord Woodmouse's daughter, meant to help, but somehow she daydreamed her way over the cornfield and into the Chestnut Woods, and before she knew it, she was lost. The sun went down, the wind rose and it began to rain. Primrose was all alone in the dark and she was frightened.

Poor Primrose, would she find her way home again?

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

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

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

This reprint of a 1949 classic adds some recipes, a poem, and a bit of pie-history as well.

Dance Like a Leaf

As her grandmother's health declines, a young girl begins to lovingly take the lead in their cozy shared autumn traditions. Poetic prose paired with evocative illustrations by Mexican illustrator Claudia Navarro make for a beautiful celebration of life and a gentle introduction to the death of a loved one.

The Fox Went Out on a Chilly Night

"[Spier's] finely detailed, action-packed New England autumn vistas are almost startlingly beautiful."—The New York Times Over fifty years after he won a Caldecott Honor for The Fox Went Out on a Chilly Night, legendary illustrator Peter Spier went back to this time-honored favorite in 2014 to paint the half of the book that was originally printed in black and white. In this glowing, restored vision of Spier’s beloved classic, follow the wily fox as he roams a sleepy New England town in search of a meal, with tones and textures so vivid you can almost hear the crackle of crisp fall leaves and the ripples of the river in the moonlight.

Down Buttermilk Lane

An Amish family, traveling by buggy, spends a day doing errands in the village, visiting, and returning home in time for supper

Fall Leaves

Autumn is in the air: days grow shorter and nights are long. Birds leave, flowers, too. Apples and temperatures fall—then snow!Part poem, part silent stage, this luminous picture book puts autumn on display and captures the spirit of change that stays with us long after fall leaves. Unlock the secrets of this busy and beautiful time of year as the natural world makes way for winter.

Hooray for Fall!

Mama has a surprise for her three little squirrels: three bright red sweaters to keep them warm throughout the fall. Imagine the siblings’ surprise when they find that everything in the autumn woods—the leaves, the berries, even the setting sun—is red too, just like their sweaters.This celebration of a perfect fall day will have young and old alike looking for signs of autumn in their own neighborhoods. Kazuo Iwamura’s books celebrating the seasons (Hooray for Spring!, Hooray for Summer!, Hooray for Fall!, and Hooray for Snow!) are perennial favorites—introducing children to the beauty and joy of each season. Iwamura masterfully captures the small wonders of nature in his illustrations and his stories with their gentle humor warm the heart.

Hopefully the Scarecrow

The perfect Fall book for kids! A poignant picture book about a scarecrow who befriends the young girl who reads to him day after day until one day he's left wondering where she is.A scarecrow stood in the garden. Tall, proud, and smiling. Every day a girl brought her favorite books to the garden and she read to him. He heard tales of courage and of hope. And when she said, "The End," the scarecrow always felt a little bit taller and braver. Year after year, she came and she read to him.Until one spring, two different hands picked him up from the garden shed and placed him in the garden. He waited, but she didn't come to read to him.With poignant words from award-winning author Michelle Houts and lush illustrations by Pura Belpré Honor winner Sara Palacios, Hopefully the Scarecrow is a tender distillation of the enduring power of friendship and a heartwarming look at the ways stories connect us.

Maple & Willow Apart

Funny, relatable sibling dynamics make this story a wonderful way to address navigating big changes. Lori Nichols’s expressive artwork beautifully portrays Maple and Willow’s strong bond, and children will love the creative, kid-powered solution. Maple and Willow have always been inseparable. So what happens when Maple starts big-girl school and Willow stays behind? Well, of course, both girls have marvelous adventures of their own, but the truth is, they miss each other. And when they see that the missing is mutual, they find a unique way to feel connected even when they have to be apart.

Now It's Fall (Lois Lenski Books)

School bells and apples and big ripe pumpkins-all the pleasures of fall come alive in this newly reissued classic by award winner Lois Lenski. First published in 1948, Now It's Fall is a timeless celebration of autumn that will enchant a whole new generation of young readers with its gently recolored illustrations.

Next, look at more facts about scarecrows and the history of it.

The solution was simple but clever: make something that looked like a person and place it in the field. Birds tend to avoid people, so a tall, human-shaped figure dressed in old clothes could often do the trick.

HISTORY OF SCARECROWS

Sometimes, once the birds realized the scarecrow wasn’t alive, they came back, but the tradition stuck. Over time, scarecrows became a lasting symbol of farming life and autumn harvest.

One of the most delightful ways to bring this tradition into your home is by making a scarecrow craft. Instead of a life-sized version for your garden, you can create a smaller decorative scarecrow using a mini cutting board.

This makes an adorable fall decoration for your kitchen, entryway, or classroom, and it’s simple enough for kids to make too.

Whether you’re decorating for the season, hosting a fall festival, or just looking for fun crafts to keep hands busy, projects like these create lasting memories.

Plus, every little scarecrow you make brings a bit of warmth and whimsy into your home—reminding us of the timeless charm of harvest time.

Scarecrows aren’t just an American idea. They’ve been used all over the world for thousands of years.

Ancient Egypt- Farmers along the Nile built wooden figures to stand in grain fields and protect them from flocks of quail.
Greece & Rome- Vineyards placed carved wooden statues of Priapus (a fertility god) in their fields. People believed he scared away both birds and thieves.
Japan- Rice farmers used scarecrows called kakashi, which were sometimes dressed in old raincoats and straw hats, with bells attached to frighten pests.
Medieval Europe- Instead of scarecrows, children were sometimes hired to run and shout in fields all day to keep birds away. Later, stuffed figures became more common.
Early America- Settlers built scarecrows from old clothing stuffed with straw or cornhusks. They often wore wide-brimmed hats and stood on wooden poles.

Even though modern farming uses nets, scare tape, and other tools to protect crops, scarecrows remain an enduring fall image. Fall festivals, parades, and county fairs often host scarecrow contests where families and communities compete to build the most creative one.

CRAFTS TO KEEP HANDS BUSY

Additionally, look at these fun crafts to keep hands busy.

After you create the scarecrow project, here are a few more fall crafts to keep hands busy whether in a homeschool setting, at co-op, at a fall party, or just for a cozy weekend at home.

Easy Fall Crafts To Make And Sell By Kids & Scarecrow Candy Jar
Easy Paper Plate Pumpkins – Paint or color a paper plate orange. Add a construction paper stem and decorate with funny faces.
How To Make An Upcycled Book Pumpkin | Autumn Art Projects For Middle School
Check out this Kids Fun Glue and Watercolor Fall Pumpkin Unit Study .
Leaf Rubbings – Collect fresh autumn leaves, place them under paper, and rub over them with crayons to reveal their veins and patterns.
DIY Button Pumpkin
Pinecone Owls – Glue felt wings and big googly eyes onto pinecones for a cute woodland creature craft.
Easy Fall Crafts for Middle School: DIY String Pumpkin Art

DIY MINI CUTTING BOARD SCARECROW

You will need:

Mini wooden cutting board (the flat kind works best)
Paint Markers
Hot glue gun or craft glue
Small scrap of fabric, burlap, or felt
Raffia, straw, or shredded paper
Buttons or googly eyes
Hot glue
Paint markers

First, prepare the cutting board by wiping it to clean away dirt, oil, and fingerprints, then allow it to dry.

First, let your child play with the layout of the face, but not gluing anything down yet.

You can use a pencil to lightly sketch the nose, cheeks, and mouth (and eyes if you would rather paint them in). Remember to leave a little space up top for the hat and straw peeking out.

Once satisfied, they can use markers to draw cheerful eyes, a stitched-on smile, and a triangle nose. For extra character, glue on googly eyes or buttons instead.

Along the bottom, you can either glue on a scrap of flannel for his shirt or continue getting creative with the paint markers. Set aside to let the paint dry.

Cut a triangle of felt.

Fold up the bottom and hot glue into place to give it a brim.

Add a strip of felt or ribbon to dress him up a bit.

Hot glue some little pieces of raffia or straw at the top so it looks like straw peeking out from under that hat.

Hot glue it to the top of the cutting board as a rustic hat.

This mini cutting board scarecrow can be personalized in countless ways.

You can make a whole family of them—tall and skinny boards for parents, small round boards for kids—and give each one a different hat or expression.

Backyard Science Fun and Amazing Spider Web Facts For Kids

August 30, 2025 | Leave a Comment
This post may contain affiliate links. For more information, please see my full disclosure policy.

I have some amazing spider web facts for kids. And with a fun backyard search you can turn this into easy science.

Learning about spiders and spider webs is not just for young children.

Even middle school kids can find spider webs fascinating. And in your own backyard you can stir curiosity for all your children by simply getting outside to observe them.

Backyard Science Fun and Amazing Spider Web Facts For Kids

However, delve into understanding spiders better. Did you know they are a natural pest control?

And most spiders have venom but it’s normally just strong enough to paralyze an insect. Just a few can harm humans like the brown recluse and black widow.

Too, some cool spiders like the diving bell spider can live underwater.

Peacock spiders do colorful mating dances. They are really fascinating creatures.

BOOKS ABOUT INSECTS FOR KIDS

Next, look at some fun books about insects.

11 Insect & Bug Books for Kids Who Love to Be Read To and Read

Add one or two of these books to your home library about insects. I love living books but love to add reference books to our day when I find them.

When Insects are Babies

Describes briefly the short infancy of such common insects as the grasshopper, praying mantis, cicada, earwig, and twelve others.

We Like Bugs

This illustrated book for children asks the Have you ever seen a doodlebug? A dragon fly? A leafhopper? Find out all about bugs in this book.

Fabre's Book of Insects

Hailed by Darwin as "The Homer of Insects," famed French entomologist Jean Henri Fabre (1823–1915) devoted hours of rapt attention to insects while they hunted, built nests, and fed their families. Working in Provence, in barren, sun-scorched fields inhabited by countless wasps and bees, he observed their intricate and fascinating world, recounting their activities in simple, beautifully written essays.This volume, based on translations of Fabre's Souvenirs Entomologiques, blends folklore and mythology with factual explanation. Fabre's absorbing account of the scarab beetle's existence, for example, begins with the ancient Egyptians' symbolic view of this busy creature, eventually leading to a careful discussion of its characteristic method of rolling a carefully sculpted ball of food to its den. Elsewhere, he discusses with infectious enthusiasm the physiologic secrets behind the luminosity of fireflies, the musical talents of the locust, the comfortable home of the field cricket, and the cannibalism of the pious-looking praying mantis, among other topics.These charmingly related stories of insect life are a rare combination of scientific study and literary classic that will delight entomologists, naturalists, and nature lovers alike.

Children of Summer: Henri Fabre's Insects

Henri Fabre (1823-1915) was a famous explorer yet he seldom left his own backyard. He spent his whole life discovering the secrets of the insect world. His home and its surroundings served as his laboratory, and his lab assistants were his wife and children. The entire family shared his passion for insects, especially his youngest son, Paul. Follow Paul as he assists his famous father uncover the secrets of his "children of summer"-insects. You'll meet the undertaker beetle that buries dead animals; the acorn elephant beetle, whose snout is so long that it must hold it straight out to keep from tripping over it; caterpillars that spin tents and roadways of silk; red ants that kidnap black ant babies and raise them as slaves; dancing scorpions; dung beetles that get their nourishment from animal droppings; male peacock moths that pay homage to their princess but don't eat a single meal as adults; and many other unusual creatures. On the way, you'll get to know a fascinating scientist widely regarded as the father of modern entomology. Through texts drawn from the beautiful written records that Fabre kept of everything he did and saw, and exquisite illustrations done in close, scientific detail, this enchanting book reaches far beyond the boundaries of its subject to engage even those who didn't know they were interested in bugs.

Creep and Flutter: The Secret World of Insects and Spiders

Acclaimed naturalist and illustrator Jim Arnosky brings out the beauty—and the “wow!” and the “yuck!” factors—of hundreds of insects and spiders. Eight spectacular gatefolds show moths and mosquitoes, butterflies and beetles, spiders and silverfish life-size, up close, and personal!

Insects Do the Strangest Things (Step-Up Books)

Describes insects that have peculiar and strange characteristics, such as the camouflage of the walking stick, and the driver ants that prefer people to picnics.

Insect Life

Be immersed in the fascinating world of insects as you're taken on a journey observing and learning about the world around you.

This volume teaches about what makes an insect, the parts of a caterpillar, moths, butterflies, beetles, wasps, bees, flies, crickets, grasshoppers and more!

The Big Book of Bugs (The Big Book Series)

From moths and beetles to worms and spiders, the world is crawling with fascinating bugs. The Big Book of Bugs is the first fact-filled book for children to explore the vast array of creepy-crawlies that share our Earth.

In the first pages, children learn that bugs live nearly everywhere on the planet and gain tips on how to become a young bug spotter. As the book continues, the scenic compositions on each page are dedicated to key groups of bugs, including beetles, moths, butterflies, bees, snails, crickets, grasshoppers, worms, and spiders. Some spreads approach the world of bugs thematically, such as bugs that come out at night, baby bugs, and life cycles, how bugs hide and show off, and how some bugs love to live in your home. The conversational, funny text is also full of facts that will astonish children and adults, and accompanied by Yuval Zommer’s colorful illustrations. Illustrated in color throughout.

Caterpillars, Bugs and Butterflies: Take-Along Guide (Take Along Guides)

An introduction to the world of insects, caterpillars, and butterflies including identification information, educational activities, and fun facts.Invites young naturalists to spot wildlife. Safety tips are provided and interesting activities are suggested.

The Beetle (Dimensional Nature Portfolio Series)

Features the beetle in huge, three-dimensional form. The book consists of an enormous center pop-up and two seven-page books, one bound into each cover, which are full of additional pop-ups, anatomical cutaways and photographs taken through electron microscopes.

The Girl Who Drew Butterflies: How Maria Merian's Art Changed Science

In this beautiful nonfiction biography, a Robert F. Sibert Medal winner, the Newbery Honor–winning author Joyce Sidman introduces readers to one of the first female entomologists and a woman who flouted convention in the pursuit of knowledge and her passion for insects.

One of the first naturalists to observe live insects directly, Maria Sibylla Merian was also one of the first to document the metamorphosis of the butterfly.

Richly illustrated throughout with full-color original paintings by Merian herself, The Grew Who Drew Butterflies will enthrall young scientists.

Bugs, of all kinds, were considered to be “born of mud” and to be “beasts of the devil.” Why would anyone, let alone a girl, want to study and observe them? The Girl Who Drew Butterflies answers this question.

Then, look at some questions you can use when investigating them in your backyard.

Have your children write them down in their journal before heading out side so you don’t have to stop the fun.

MORE SPIDER ACTIVITIES

Fun And Easy Spider Craft: Insect Lessons For Elementary Students
Check out this Free Kids Insect Unit Study┃ How to Make Clay Insects
What a neat idea, the LEGO Ideas The Insect Collection lets your child make a model of some common insects with their favorite building blocks.
Bugs Facts For Kids And Free Paper Bug Bracelets

SPIDER QUESTIONS FOR BACKYARD INVESTIGATIONS

Why do spiders build their webs in certain places?
How strong is a spider web?
What kind of bugs get caught in the web?
How long does a web last?
What happens when it rains?
Why do spiders have so many eyes? Does that make them see better?
What do spiders eat?
How long do spiders live?
Are all spider webs the same?

Next, look at some amazing spider web facts for kids.

AMAZING SPIDER WEB FACTS FOR KIDS

Spider webs are made from a net made of silk that spiders spin using a special part of their body called the spinneret.

This silk is crazy strong stronger than steel if you compare it by weight. Spiders follow special patterns depending on what kind of spider they are.

Here’s a step-by-step look at how an orb-weaving spider builds its web.

Spiral: The spider makes a sticky spiral that catches insects.
Bridge line: The spider shoots a thread across a space (like between two tree branches).
Frame: It adds more lines to create a base.
Radial lines: These are like the spokes of a bike wheel.

And webs can stay together even in rain and wind. Different spiders make different kinds of webs, and we can study them to learn more.

Search near bushes, flower beds, under leaves, or along fences where spiders may build their webs.

Use a magnifying glass to look closely at the spider or its web. Notice details like body shape, number of legs, colors, and patterns.

In your notebook, sketch the spider or its web. Try to include as many details as you can.

Wolf Preschool Craft And Simple Ideas For Creative Play

August 29, 2025 | Leave a Comment
This post may contain affiliate links. For more information, please see my full disclosure policy.

I have a cute wolf preschool craft as well as other simple ideas for creative play to engage your little one. Also, look at my page How to Homeschool Preschool for more themed ideas for learning and playing.

Do you think creative play is just that, play? There is so much more to it and the benefits it has for your preschooler.

Creative play is essential for preschoolers because it supports their overall development in ways that are both fun and deeply educational.

Wolf Preschool Craft And Simple Ideas For Creative Play

There are many ways to engage in creative play but today I want to focus on popsicle sticks.

They are such an inexpensive option that has endless possibilities for play and creativity.

And whether your little ones are playing dress-up, building with blocks, or inventing a new game, they’re growing intellectually, socially, emotionally, and physically.

7 KEY REASONS WHY CREATIVE PLAY IS SO IMPORTANT

So that is why creative play is so important to learning.

Here are 7 big reasons why.

Boosts Brain Development-When preschoolers engage in imaginative scenarios like pretending to be a chef, a doctor, or a superhero, they’re developing critical thinking, problem-solving, and planning skills. Creative play also strengthens memory and encourages flexible thinking.
Develops Language and Communication Skills-Through storytelling, role-play, and make-believe games, children naturally learn new vocabulary, practice sentence structure, and gain confidence in expressing themselves. Playing with others helps develop listening, turn-taking, and conversational skills.
Encourages Emotional Expression-Children often use creative play to act out feelings they may not fully understand- fear, excitement, or anger. It provides a safe outlet for emotions. Pretend scenarios help them make sense of real-life situations like going to the doctor or dealing with conflict.
Builds Social Skills-During group play, preschoolers practice cooperation, sharing, leadership, empathy, and conflict resolution. They learn how to negotiate roles (“You be the firefighter, and I’ll be the cat in the tree!”) and work as part of a team.
Strengthens Fine Motor and Gross Motor Skills-Creative activities like drawing, building with blocks, or dressing dolls improve fine motor control. Acting out scenes or dancing develops coordination and gross motor skills.
Fosters Confidence and Independence-When children explore and create on their own terms, they develop self-esteem, initiative, and a sense of accomplishment. They begin to trust their ideas and make decisions independently.
Supports Learning-Creative play lays the foundation for early literacy and early math skills such as counting pretend money, following a story, or recognizing shapes and colors. It sparks curiosity and a love of learning that prepares them for formal education.

Next, look at these creative ideas to do with popsicle sticks.

SIMPLE IDEAS FOR CREATIVE PLAY WITH POPSICLE STICKS

How to Create a Kindergarten Math Game With Popsicle Sticks teaches learning through play with a twist on traditional go fish.
This Yarn Popsicle Craft is wonderful for developing fine motor skills and hand strength as well as coordination.
Explore colors and introduce Roy G. Biv with this Popsicle Stick Rainbow Cloud Craft.
Create a Popsicle Stick Puzzle with any theme or topic your child enjoys for a sweet creative play idea.
Put together this Easy Unicorn Craft Using Popsicle Sticks for the child that can’t get enough of this mythical creature.
We used popsicle sticks to make this Exciting Scavenger Hunt: Beach Theme Activities Elementary Kids Will Love.
Buzz Buzz, how precious is this Popsicle Stick Bumble Bee Craft.
Popsicle Stick Baby Chick Craft.
What a creative idea, MIX ‘N’ MATCH ARTICULATED SNAKE CRAFT, lets your child explore, create, and differentiate patterns.
Encourage those big imaginations with Popsicle Stick Superhero Craft Idea For Kids.

Also, look at this activities How to Craft a Stunning Wolf Animal Triorama and How To Make A Tundra Biome Diorama With Free Printables for more about how wolves live.

WOLF PRESCHOOL CRAFT

I used The Big Book of Beasts as a fun reference for images and facts about wolves. Books can always be left out for exploration or read while crafting.

You might also grab a wolf figurine to use in sensory bins, the blocks, on a science shelf, or any kind of creative play as you learn about them at the same time.

Finally, look at how to make this fun wolf craft.

You will need:

3 popsicle sticks
Grey craft felt
White craft felt
Google eyes
Black pompom
Scissors
School glue

First, let your child color the popsicle sticks grey with paint, crayons, or markers.

Make a triangle using the popsicle sticks on a sheet of gray felt.

Trace just inside the triangle lightly with a pencil.

Cut the triangle out ¼” to ½” larger than the pencil tracing depending on the width of your craft sticks.

At the same time, cut out a pair of ears and fangs using the grey and white felt.

Add a thick line of glue(glue sticks will not hold you will want to use a tacky craft glue or school glue in a bottle) all the way around the edge of the felt.

And press the popsicle sticks into place.

Glue the ears at the top on the back side

Finish off by gluing googly eyes and a black pom pom nose into place.

Set aside to let it dry completely, make a whole pack of wolves to enjoy.

MORE PRESCHOOL CRAFTS

Day 8 Creating a Unit Study Lesson Plan 10 Days of Diving Into Unit Studies by Creating a Unit Study Together

August 28, 2025 | 1 Comment
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It’s day 8 and we’re creating a unit study lesson plan. Also, look at my page Best Homeschool Unit Studies. I’m doing 10 days of diving into unit studies by creating a unit study together.

Now, is the culmination of gathering all the resources of your hard work. Unless you are using a premade unit study, you will want to develop the art of lesson planning.

Day 8 Creating a Unit Study Lesson Plan 10 Days of Diving Into Unit Studies by Creating a Unit Study Together

I have mentioned before in How to Write a Simple But Effective Homeschool Lesson Plan that lesson planning is nothing more than a visual map.

It shows what you want to accomplish for the day, week, or month. You can do this! The educationalese do not have to be so overwhelming.

UNIT STUDY LESSON PLANNING IS A VISUAL MAP

Today, I will create that visual map for you. Look at it below.

I have created lesson plans for week 1 for my Ocean Unit Study coming up based on the information I created from Day 4. Finalize Sub-topics. 10 Days of Diving Into Unit Studies by Creating a Unit Study Together and Day 5. Creating Unit Study Objectives. 10 Days of Diving Into Unit Studies by Creating a Unit Study Together.

Key to successfully planning your unit study is not just organizing your information into a workable plan, but creating engaging lesson plans too.

Teaching is a learned art and lesson planning is no different.

Beginning your unit study is just as important as deciding how to end it. So take time to think about a lure that will hook your children on the topic being introduced.

4 MISTAKES TO NOT MAKE WHEN UNIT STUDY LESSON PLANNING

Notice that in my opening of the unit study I start with an edible tidal zone model.

1. BEGIN THE UNIT STUDY WITH ENGAGING HANDS-ON IDEAS OR ACTIVITY

Though the idea is mine, the model is not. The picture comes from a book that we already have at the house and we are going to make it an edible model.

So take your ideas for hands-on ideas from books that you have. We are excited about making this and hopefully this will hook my kids on the topic of oceans

The teacher in you may think that reading the opening chapter of a book is engaging. Though this may be true for some books, it is not the case with all of them.

I find that beginning my unit study with an activity creates the mood I want as we tackle another topic.

There is just no substitute for an engaging, interactive hands-on activity to begin your unit study.

2. CHOOSING A SUPERIOR UNIT STUDY SPINE GIVES YOU A BOOST IN LESSON PLANNING. CHOOSE CAREFULLY.

Using my main book that I decided on early as my spine and that I talked about in Day 3. Selecting Superior Sub-Topics. 10 Days of Diving Into Unit Studies By Creating A Unit Study Together helps me to piece together my beginning week.

There is no need to try to find vocabulary words that are a natural fit for my unit study because I did my work way early by choosing a superior book for my unit study.

Choosing a spine or main guide carefully gives you a huge boost and makes lesson planning a cinch.

Also, I looked back at the sub-topics that I wanted to stay focused on to decide my objective for the week.

3. BEGIN WITH A GENERAL FRAME OF KNOWLEDGE FOR THE TOPIC BEFORE DIVING INTO SUBTOPICS.

Since this is the beginning week, then I do want to focus on the basics of my topic.

Think of the way a topic would naturally be introduced when lesson planning for the entire unit study. Begin with the basics of a topic.

Focusing on the basics in the beginning instead of jumping right into complicated sub-topics will help your children remember key points from other unit studies that you considered that are linked to this one.

Give your children time to simmer on the subject a bit. Don’t rush the meditation process.

For example, for week 2 I will fold in some facts, as a reminder, that we learned from our study of a Coral Reef.

Having time to adjust to the topic for a week, they can now brainstorm and connect it with information they previously know.

Then, reviewing your lesson plans and using my form above, look at how easy I covered a variety of school subjects for the week.

4. DO NOT FORCE A LESSON PLAN WHICH IS AWKWARD FOR THE SAKE OF COVERING A SUBJECT.

Remember not to force a fit for the sake of covering that subject.

Though we do a unit study exclusively when we are focused on one, I can have the boys supplement with math and grammar if needed.

Relax and design your lesson plans as an extension of your personality and with the unique strengths and weaknesses of your children in mind.

My very favorite way to organize is my Ultimate Unit Study Planner.

TOS

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10 DAYS OF CREATING A UNIT STUDY TOGETHER

All of this looks good on paper right? Now, how do we execute all of this? How does a day look in the life of a unit study family? Next post, I will show you how we balance the day.

Hugs and love ya,