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How to Make Unleavened Bread Ancient Mesopotamia Bread Recipe

December 21, 2023 | Leave a Comment
This post may contain affiliate links. For more information, please see my full disclosure policy.

I’m showing you how to make a very simple Ancient Mesopotamia bread recipe to get an idea of the most basic fare they would have eaten in ancient times. Also, look at Hands-on Ancient Mesopotamia: Easy STEM Irrigation Activity.

Bread was just one part of the diet enjoyed along the Tigris River in those very early days.

Food in Ancient Mesopotamia was a rich and varied diet.

It consisted of grains and produce that grew along the Fertile Crescent, meat from livestock animals, legumes, herbs and spices.

How to Make Unleavened Bread Ancient Mesopotamia Bread Recipe

Archaeologists originally thought that Mesopotamians ate gruel as their main diet.

However, a French archeologist deciphered an Akkadian cuneiform tablet in the 1980’s that contained a Sumerian-Akkadian dictionary.

Within was a “cookbook” listing the words for over 800 different food items, with 20 different cheeses, 100 kinds of soup and 300 different breads. A very full and exciting meal plan indeed.

The fertile crescent had an abundance of water and rich soil making it the perfect place for early crops to grow. The water was also a big attraction for animals, making it a great place to hunt as well.

Sadly, the modern day Fertile Crescent is not very fertile due to the fact that in the 1950’s irrigation systems were put in place that carried the water away from the Mesopotamian marshes and made them dry up.

Here you can find some great information and an Easy STEM Irrigation Activity to learn more about how they were able to move water to spread over all their crops to make it such a place of plenty.

Food In Ancient Mesopotamia

Grains

The main crops during this time were barley, wheat, and millet.

Grains were ground into cereal grains and used in various recipes or ground as flour for bread.

Breads were made both leavened and unleavened (made without leaven- yeast or baking powder) as part of their diet.

Grains could also be made into a drink for consumption and were the base of a very popular drink for Mesopotamians – beer.

A flatbread is a bread that is made with flour; water, milk, yogurt, or other liquid; and salt, and then it is rolled into flattened dough. This is what we will be making today.

Produce

The rich soil made legumes such as onions, onions, garlic, melons, eggplants, and lettuce.

Also, apples grapes, plums, figs, dates, pomegranates, pistachios, eggplants, apricots cucumbers, and herbs.

Spices grew plentifully and made for a varied diet.

There has been evidence uncovered that food was not just eaten for the energy it provided to their bodies, but recipes were created and documented to make it an enjoyable experience and included a lot of variety.

Meat

Their meat came from livestock raised along the banks like goats, pork, cattle and sheep. They also caught fish and hunted gazelles, ducks, deer, and other wild game.

Meat was braised over large open fires to seal in juices.

It would then be trimmed and cut into small pieces where it simmered in a pot on stove over a long period of time, like a modern-day crock pot does.

Meat was also roasted, grilled, boiled, and cooked over a spit.

Also, you’ll love some of these books to add to your reading day.

I lean toward living books then like to add reference books.

Books About Mesopotamia

6 Books to Read About Ancient Mesopotamia

Mesopotamia is a region situated within the Tigris–Euphrates River system, in the northern part of the Fertile Crescent. Today, Mesopotamia occupies modern Iraq. In the broader sense, the historical region included present-day Iraq and parts of present-day Iran, Kuwait, Syria, and Turkey.

Gilgamesh the King (The Gilgamesh Trilogy)

Gilgamesh, half-god and half-man, in his loneliness and isolation becomes a cruel tyrant over the citizens of Uruk. To impress them forever he orders a great wall to be built, driving his people to exhaustion and despair so that they cry to the Sun God for help.

The Golden Bull: A Mesopotamian Adventure

5,000 years ago in ancient Mesopotamia during a terrible drought, Jomar and Zefa's father must send his children away to the city of Ur because he can no longer feed them. At fourteen, Jomar is old enough to apprentice with Sidah, a master goldsmith for the temple of the moongod, but there is no place for Zefa in Sidah's household. Zefa, a talented but untrained musician, is forced to play her music and sing for alms on the streets of Ur.

Science in Ancient Mesopotamia

Describes the enormous accomplishments of the Sumerians and Babylonians of ancient Mesopotamia in every scientific area, a heritage which affects our own everyday lives

Ancient Mesopotamia: The Sumerians, Babylonians, And Assyrians

Explores Sumerian, Babylonian, and Assyrian cultures, discussing social structure, lifestyles, and the military in these societies.

Lugalbanda: The Boy Who Got Caught Up in a War: An Epic Tale From Ancient Iraq

Lugalbanda woke with a jolt. He opened his eyes and what did he see but the terrible Anzu bird beating its wings in its nest high above. . . . Did he quake? Did he quail? No. Lugalbanda the Brave sat and stared, and into his head came a brilliant idea.

Mesopotamia (A True Book)

Presents the history of ancient Mesopotamia, describing the different groups of people who lived there, and their government, cities, everyday life, religion, and writing.

Next, add these fun recipes.

Ancient Mesopotamia Recipes to Try

Find out more about Ancient Mesopotamia (Hands-on History): and Cook Sebetu Rolls.
Cook Like an Ancient Mesopotamian With the World’s Oldest Recipes – Mersu and Meat Broth.
Try making Jacob’s Lentil Stew like the ancient Israelites would have eaten.
While the recipe isn’t ancient, the cuneiform is, and creating edible archeology with these Gingerbread Cuneiform Tablets provides a fun and tasty activity to pair with learning.

Before you begin your bread recipe check out 2 Minute Time Machine- Bread for a quick interesting glance at ancient roots of bread and beyond.

You might also try a few other foods that would have been enjoyed at the same time as this bread recipe.

A taste test including olives, olive oil, figs, and other tasty bites would really enhance this lesson.

More Ancient Mesopotamia Hands-on Activities

Ancient Mesopotamia Bread Recipe

Unleavened bread was a common food staple in Ancient Mesopotamia, and it was likely a very simple recipe of water and flour.

This bread is very dense and does not have much flavor, you can add additional salts, seasonings, spices, chopped fruits, or nuts such as figs or dates to give it more flavoring.

You will need:

1 ¾ cups all-purpose flour or whole wheat flour
1 cup water
¾ teaspoon of Salt
Honey to taste-optional

First, combine the flour, water, salt, and honey to sweeten if desired until well mixed in a large bowl.

Knead the dough into one or two thin, flat patties.

Cover the bowl with a clean dish towel and allow the dough to sit overnight.

Lightly spray or use a silicone mat on a baking sheet to keep bread from sticking.

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees f.

Flip dough out onto the prepared baking pan and shape the flat patty again as needed.

Bake for 30 minutes, remove from the oven and cool.

Try the bread as is or dip it in olive oil.

How To Make A Pipe Cleaner Monkey | Howler Monkey Fun Facts

December 20, 2023 | Leave a Comment
This post may contain affiliate links. For more information, please see my full disclosure policy.

I have a cute but simple tutorial to show you how to make a pipe cleaner monkey with just a couple of basic craft items. Also, look at my page Rainforest Activities for Kids for more animal crafts and activities.

You will only need a few pipe cleaners, a couple of wooden beads, and some paint to make your own.

Besides, you can make any kind of monkey you like using this tutorial, changing up paint colors and features.

How To Make A Pipe Cleaner Monkey | Howler Monkey Fun Facts

We made a howler monkey to go along with the rest of the themed ideas here.

Howler Monkeys are a tropical species of monkeys that live in both lowland and mountain habitats.

For example, they live in the rainforests of Brazil, Costa Rica, Ecuador, and Columbia, as well as throughout South and Central America.

Their loud howls can be heard up to 3 miles away, so it’s no wonder where they got that name from.

But our little pipe cleaner monkey is quiet and well-behaved.

Howler Monkey Books

Add some of these books and resources to your reading day.

6 Books & Resources for Kids Who love Howler Monkeys

Your kids will love some of these fun resources about howler monkeys.

Howler Monkeys (Monkey Business)

Howler monkeys are named for their distinctive calls, which they let loose at dawn and at dusk. This informative resource doesn’t monkey around in describing what howlers like to eat and where they live. The volume includes an explanation of howler monkey group behavior as well as an examination of efforts being made to preserve their endangered populations.

Howler Monkey Figurine

Our Howler Monkey figurine is designed with remarkable accuracy, showcasing the creature's distinctive features and vibrant coloring.

Photo Credit: www.youtube.com

World's Loudest Animals: Howler Monkeys |

Don't tell these howler monkeys to pipe down — they're considered to be among the loudest animals on Earth. They won't quiet down unless they're sleeping, which they do about 15 hours a day.

Howlers and Other New World Monkeys

Questions and answers explore the world of New World monkeys, with an emphasis on howler monkeys.

Meet the Howlers!

Playful, poetic text and vibrant art introduce young readers to howler monkeys. Extra facts within the text give readers the low-down on these loud, sloppy, and rude rain forest dwellers.

Photo Credit: learncreatelove.com

Howler Monkey Printable Craft

How about this Howler Monkey Craft?

Next, add some of these facts.

Zoology of The Howler Monkey

Next, have your child write out the classifications of the howler monkey, look below.

Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Mammalia
Order: Primates
Family: Atelidae
Genus: Alouatta
Scientific Name: Alouatta

Howler monkeys are made up of 15 different species.

Colombian red howler
Black howler
Yucatán black howler
Mantled howler monkey
Brown howler
Red-handed howler
Maranhão red-handed howler
Bolivian red howler
Guyana red howler
Ursine howler
Coiba Island howler
Amazon black howler
Spix’s red-handed howler
Purus red howler
Juruá red howler

Also, here are some facts about howler monkeys.

6 Facts About Howler Monkeys

Howler Monkeys are both the largest and the most abundant monkeys in the world with the Guatemalan Howler Monkey being the biggest of all the New World monkeys.
They get their name from the howling sound that they make and are known as one of the loudest land mammals due to the special bone, the hyoid, in their throat that helps them make louder calls. Only the males make these sounds, never females. You can listen to those loud sounders here in the World’s Loudest Animals: Howler Monkeys.
Their long, strong prehensile tales can be up to five times the length of their body, anywhere from 20”- to 30” long.
9 out of 15 species of the Howler Monkey make their home in the Amazon.
Howler monkeys usually live in troupes of up to 15 males and females with a dominant member of each sex.
An unusual thing about them is that both male and female juveniles will leave the group they were born in and join up with a new group, so most spend the adult portion of their life in a group they are not related to.

This little Howler Monkey Figurine is a great addition to blocks, and sensory bins, and can be used to create a tropical diorama as well.

How To Make A Pipe Cleaner Monkey

What You Will Need:

4 brown pipe cleaners
2 wood beads
2 smaller wooden beads
2 googly eyes
Brown craft paint
Small paint brushes or fine-tip paint pens
Hot glue gun/sticks.

First slip beads over a skewer and paint them brown or whatever color you like). You will probably need a second coat before letting it dry completely.

Lay one pipe cleaner vertically and twist another one across it horizontally about 2” from the top to give your monkey arms.

Slide one painted bead from the bottom.

Twist another pipe cleaner horizontally across just below the bead to hold it in place and make back legs.

Now, double over the tail, arms, and legs, twisting together, and bend the ends into hands and feet.

Cut off all but 1” of the neck, bend it over, then twist.

Cut 4 1” lengths from the 4th pipe cleaner and bend into a v, then twist around the feet and hands.

Slip the head onto the neck you cut and hold it in place with a dab of hot glue inside.

Once dry, take a tiny brush or paint marker and add features like eyes, a nose and a howling mouth.

Use a tiny bit of hot glue to add google eyes as well.

Finally, your monkey is ready to shape and bend, he can even hang from pretty much anything you want to hang him from with his little prehensile pipe cleaner tail.

Have fun creating a whole troupe of monkeys to hang all around, thankfully these monkeys stay quiet!

The Colorful Blue Jays Winter Food | Make Fun Seed Slime

December 19, 2023 | Leave a Comment
This post may contain affiliate links. For more information, please see my full disclosure policy.

We’re making a fun stretchy batch of seed slime as we learn all about the colorful blue jay and his winter food. Also, look at my Free Bird Unit Study and Lapbook And Fun Edible Bird Nests.

But we won’t just make seed slime, we are going to provide our preschool- elementary learners with an entire themed but still open-ended tray to explore.

This slime is wonderfully stretchy, not too sticky and is a great base for adding seeds and more.

If you live in most of eastern and central North America to the Northwest, chances are you see these colorful birds plentifully in your backyard.

The Colorful Blue Jays Winter Food | Make Fun Seed Slime

They are a very loud bunch, making a loud jeering sound but you will also hear clear whistled notes and gurgling sounds.

Throughout the warm spring and summer months blue jays live and feed their young on a diet of mostly insects but in the cold of winter, they forage for seeds, nuts, fruit, berries, and grain to give them their much-needed energy.

We are using some of the seeds to create our slime and the rest can be put out to help feed backyard birds throughout the winter.

I have some tips for setting up a welcoming yard for Jays and other birds.

You will also find some fun facts and more hands-on ideas to build a lovely winter unit for the Blue Jay.

Books and Activities About Blue Jays

I lean toward living books for independent reading and to read aloud, then I look for reference books.

Books & Resources For Kids Who Love to Learn About Blue Jays

Blue Jays are a fun bird to learn about anytime of the year and turn it into a full unit study with toms of these resources.

The Adventures of Sammy Jay

Sammy Jay thinks he's a very fine gentleman and is proud of his handsome blue coat and high cap. But Sammy often does things he shouldn't do — like stealing. Nobody likes to be told he's a thief — especially Sammy Jay! Much of the time, he just struts around, trying to look important when he thinks someone is looking at him. Filled with pranks and rivalries, this delightful tale — enhanced with Harrison Cady's charming illustrations — combines humorous animal escapades with gentle lessons about wildlife and nature.

The Tale of Jasper Jay

Some of the feathered folk in Pleasant Valley said that old Mr. Crow was the noisiest person in the neighborhood. But they must have forgotten all about Mr. Crow's knavish cousin, Jasper Jay. And it was not only in summer, either, that Jasper's shrieks and laughter woke the echoes. Since it was his habit to spend his winters right there in Farmer Green's young pines, near the foot of Blue Mountain, on many a cold morning Jasper's ear-splitting "Jay! jay!" rang out on the frosty air.

Saving Jemima: Life and Love with a Hard-Luck Jay

When Jemima, a young orphaned blue jay, is brought to wildlife rehabilitator Julie Zickefoose, she is a virtually tailless, palm-sized bundle of gray-blue fluff. But she is starved and very sick. Julie’s constant care brings her around, and as Jemima is raised for eventual release, she takes over the house and the rest of the author's summer. Shortly after release, Jemima turns up with a deadly disease. But medicating a free-flying wild bird is a challenge. When the PBS show Nature expresses interest in filming Jemima, Julie must train her to behave on camera, as the bird gets ever wilder. Jemima bonds with a wild jay, stretching her ties with the family. Throughout, Julie grapples with the fallout of Jemima’s illness, studies molt and migration, and does her best to keep Jemima strong and wild. She falls hard for this engaging, feisty and funny bird, a creative muse and source of strength through the author’s own heartbreaking changes. Emotional and honest, Saving Jemima is a universal story of the communion between a wild creature and the human chosen to raise it.

The Blue Jay–120 Piece Puzzle Fun

THE HARDEST CHALLENGE - With hints on the back that won't take away from the fun of the game by making it too difficult, the Fruit And Birds series will provide hours of screen-free entertainment and mental relaxation for the whole family, and is sure to become a permanent decoration in your home.

Birds Blue Jay Plush with Authentic Bird Sound

With one squeeze, Audubon birds produce beautifully authentic bird calls provided by the Cornell Lab of Ornithology’s bird recording archives.

Next, look at some facts about blue jays.

5 Fun Facts about the Colorful Blue Jay

Blue Jays are large songbirds with blue, black, and white feathers.

The pigment that is in Blue Jay feathers is melanin and brown. The blue color is caused by light scattering through the cells on the surface of the feather barbs.

Blue jays are omnivores, which means they consume plants, animals, nuts, and seeds. They eat corn, seeds, fruits, insects, frogs, mice, and sometimes eggs and nestlings of other birds.

The Blue Jay frequently mimics the calls of hawks and does this sometimes when approaching a feeder to scare the other birds away.

Unlike some other species of bird both the male and female Blue Jay look identical so you cannot identify the sex by color. Males are just slightly larger than females.

Also, look how to attract blue jays to your yard.

How to Attract Blue Jays and Other Birds To Your Backyard

Blue Jays mostly do well foraging on their own. If you want to enjoy these beauties and other birds in your backyard here is what you can do to bring them in and keep them happy, so they return again and again.

Provide shade and shelter- If you already have bushes and trees, you have a natural attractant for birds. Birds need trees for shade, to rest in, for protection, and to build their nests. Trees can also be a great source of food for birds, providing insects, fruits, nuts, and berries.

Provide food- Add a bird feeder or a few to your yard to provide a variety of seeds. The more variety the more bird species you will attract. Blue Jays in particular prefer open-platform feeders. Suet blocks are a great option in the winter as well for seeds as they offer healthy easy-to-digest fat that hungry birds need for energy.

Provide clean water- Add a bird bath to your yard, in the shade where they are protected, and watch how many feathered friends show up to drink and bathe. Be sure to keep the water clean by adding fresh daily and scrubbing out the bowl often to prevent them from getting sick from bacteria.

The more you can offer to birds that they need the more frequently they will return and give you a colorful show.

Additionally, here are more slime seed ideas.

More Slime and Seed Slime Ideas

How to Make Fun Watermelon Seed Slime For Summer Learning
Bird Seed Slime
Chia Seed Slime

More Backyard Birds Activities

Finally, look how to make fun seed slime.

Fun Seed Slime

You will need:

Bird seed
1 cup white or clear school glue
1 Tablespoon baking soda
2-3 Tablespoons contact lens solution
Tray for set up
Bird figurines
Brown pipe cleaners

First, in a large bowl combine white or clear glue and baking soda, and mix well before moving on to the next step.

Slowly add in the contact lens solution ½ a teaspoon at a time, stirring to mix well between every addition.

As you mix it will become less sticky, if you add too much too fast once mixed it will be too hard and lose its stretch.

You will know it is ready when it pulls away from the sides of the bowl and does not stick to your hands.

Mix in your seeds, as much or as little as you like.

I wound up using about ¾ of a cup.

Now, to create a fun invitation to play with your slime.

You can use a divided round tray from Dollar Tree or just grab whatever tray and bowls you have on hand.

Place the slime in a larger bowl and fill smaller bowls with additional seeds so they can mix them in themself, bird figurines, and small pieces of brown pipe cleaner.

Look at this fantastic stretch!

Little pieces of pipe cleaners can be poked into the slime to create little nests for the birds.

Fungi Fun: 11 Unconventional Mushroom Gift Ideas for the Adventurous Spirit

December 18, 2023 | Leave a Comment
This post may contain affiliate links. For more information, please see my full disclosure policy.

I have 11 mushroom gift ideas for the adventurous spirit who is just beginning their journey or the one who is already deep in the woods gathering. Also, I have this Fun Hands-on Free Mushroom Unit Study and Kids Learning Activities.

Whether mushrooms are a passion that they enjoy hunting and eating or just have a love of mushroom decor and trinkets you will find a wide assortment of ideas to satisfy the fungi or fun girl mycophile.

Fungi Fun: 11 Unconventional Mushroom Gift Ideas for the Adventurous Spirit

Webster defines my·co·phile ˈmī-kō-ˌfī(-ə)l as a devotee of mushrooms, especially one whose hobby is hunting wild edible mushrooms.

However, if you have mycophobes (those who fear mushrooms) on your list you probably better skip these ideas.

Gift Guides for Families

More Mushroom Learning Ideas

In addition, one or two of these things you may want to add to your own fun mushroom unit study.

11 Unconventional Mushroom Gift Ideas

Mushroom Gift Ideas for the Adventurous Spirit

Now that you have been schooled in the ways of mushroom lovers, here is my list of ideas for those mycophiles in your life to whom you might want to give a little something special for any occasion or none at all, just because they are special to you.

Back to the Roots Organic Mini Mushroom Grow Kit

For a new mushroom enthusiast growing a small batch in the comfort of their own home may be a great way to supplement a growing hobby. They can be grown indoors year-round, and you are ready to start harvesting in just 10 days, not quite but almost instant gratification.

Mushroom Oven Mitts and Pot Holders 2pcs Set

These may be a bit whimsical and over the top but a great addition to the kitchen of someone who fawns over shitake or button mushrooms. Practical gifts with a bit of the recipient's personality are fun and useful at the same time.

Soft Warm Throw Blanket Gift for Home Decor Chair Couch - Mushroom

I know for me that soft plush blankets are always welcome, a wonderful comforting staple in every home. Finding one themed to someone's passion is a big bonus, there are many options but I liked the neutral look of this one.

Foraging Kit with Mushroom Foraging Bag

When gathering Morels,Hen-of-the-woods, and Oyster mushrooms in the woods you need a good-sized breathable bag and a knife. This kit even comes with 15 common mushroom identification cards and even a field journal. This inexpensive kit is a great start for a beginner.

Beginner's Guide to Safely Foraging for Wild Mushrooms: Identifying and Collecting Mushrooms Sustainably with Confidence

A foraging pro might already have a collection of reference guides but this would be fantastic for someone who is fairly new to or has not even dug into the world of mushroom gathering yet.

Vintage Hanging Posters, Decorative Mushroom Wall Art Prints

I think these vintage linen posters are a fantastic gift that would look amazing in a variety of decor styles. They come ready to hang out of the box with wood-trimmed frames at the top and bottom and a very nice size at nearly 16” x 24.”

40 Pieces Unfinished Wooden Mushroom

Your fungi lover also enjoys being a little crafty they might enjoy painting replicas of their favorite varieties. This is a great gift for kids or adults to add their creative twist to creating realistic or fantasy-designed mushrooms.

Grelim Mushroom Coffee

Mushroom coffee still tastes very close to traditional coffee with an earthy note, it is made from an equal mix of ground mushrooms and ground coffee bean. But it is supposed to be excellent for anxiety, reducing inflammation, for better sleep, and immunity. Put it with a mushroom cup.

Mushroom Mug, Cute Coffee Mug with Lid and Spoon

I had to include a mug to go along with the mushroom coffee, a perfect pairing. The whimsical aesthetic of this cute mug (with a little spoon for stirring) is just too sweet.

Fungarium: Welcome to the Museum

Hear me out, this is recommended for grades 3-7 and while it does make a great gift for a homeschooler or any kid that loves mushrooms it is pretty enough to be a fantastic coffee table book for an adult mushroom aficionado. The illustrations in this series are top-notch and contain just enough information to make it a perfect flip-through book.

Mushroom Glass Cups

I think this would be perfect for someone you know who is heavily into mushrooms but doesn't now them well enough to know what kind of collection they might already have. They are pretty and inexpensive and can be used to hold not only drinks but layered desserts or used as a vase or pencil holder on the desk. I really like how open-ended they are

How to Spark Learning with a Candy Cane Maze STEM Activity

December 17, 2023 | Leave a Comment
This post may contain affiliate links. For more information, please see my full disclosure policy.

I have a fantastic candy cane maze STEM activity. Be sure you grab more ideas for winter fun on my page Winter Season Unit Study.

Besides, this is a great activity to do to celebrate December 26th as National Candy Cane Day.

Simple themed STEM activities like this are great for developing your child’s critical thinking skills.

Also, they develop innovation, creativity, curiosity, persistence, decision-making, problem-solving, leadership, entrepreneurship, and acceptance of failure.

It is so much fun to add a simple twist.

Incorporate a seasonal theme into STEM projects like this maze.

How to Spark Learning with a Candy Cane Maze STEM Activity

Did you know that candy canes have been around since 1672?

This candy cane maze requires planning and critical thinking to map it out as well as solve the ‘puzzle’.

Siblings can try to create a maze for each other to figure out.

Additionally, I have an exciting list of 10 more candy cane stem ideas.

It will be a minty fun day of learning.

So be sure to stock up on a lot of candy canes.

They come in various sizes this season and don’t forget to enjoy a few as well.

Candy canes have a long history.

And besides being a tasty winter treat they are used for decorations, and we can even find a wealth of ways to use them for learning, like these STEM activities.

Fun Books to Read in Wintertime

Next, add some of these fun books about winter.

13 Snow, Snowman, Animals, and Winter Books

Add one or more of these books to your learning day if you're learning about snow, snowflakes, winter or just for fun.

Winter Cottage

Immerse Yourself in This Story of Love and Companionship Amidst Deprivation

It is the fall of 1930, and America has plunged into the Great Depression. On a remote dirt road deep in the snowy woods of northern Wisconsin, misfortune forces the impoverished Sparkes family to take desperate measures.

A wayfaring quartet consisting of thirteen-year-old Araminta (nicknamed Minty), her recently unemployed father-a poetry-quoting widower called Pops-and her younger sister, Eglantine (known as Eggs-a dreamer like Pops), and their dog, Buster, are on their way to Minneapolis to live with the curmudgeonly Aunt Amy. When their car breaks down and they are unable to fix it, the homeless four stumble upon a vacant summer cottage by a lake. In desperate straits, they decide to settle in.

1. The Story of Snow: The Science of Winter's Wonder

How do snow crystals form? What shapes can they take? Are no two snow crystals alike? These questions and more are answered inside this exploration of the science of snow, featuring photos of real snow crystals in all their beautiful diversity. Perfect for reading on winter days, this book by a nature photographer and a snow scientist will inspire wonder and curiosity about the marvels of snow.

2. Sneezy the Snowman

B-R-R-R-R! AH-CHOO! Sneezy the Snowman is cold, cold, cold. To warm up, he drinks cocoa, sits in a hot tub, stands near a warm fire–and melts! But the children know just what to do to build him up again–and make him feel “just right”.

3. Snowmen at Night

Have you ever built a snowman and discovered the next day that his grin has gotten a little crooked, or his tree-branch arms have moved? And you've wondered . . . what do snowmen do at night? This delightful wintertime tale reveals all!

4. The Biggest Snowman Ever

When the mayor of Mouseville announces the town snowman contest, Clayton and Desmond claim that they will each make the biggest snowman ever. But building a huge snowman alone is hard! They work and work, but their snowmen just aren't big enough. Soon they have an idea. As the day of the contest approaches, Clayton and Desmond join forces to build the biggest snowman ever.

5. Over and Under the Snow

Over the snow, the world is hushed and white. But under the snow lies a secret world of squirrels and snow hares, bears and bullfrogs, and many other animals making their winter home under the snow. This beloved nonfiction picture book exploring the subnivean zone reveals the tunnels and caves formed beneath the snow but over the ground, where many kinds of animals live through the winter, safe and warm, awake and busy, but hidden beneath the snow.

A Hat for Minerva Louise

"Stoeke's second book about that intrepid screwball, Minerva Louise, is a rare find."—The Horn Book, starred review. The other chickens hate snowy mornings. But not Minerva Louise! To her a snowy day—like everything else—is an adventure. But this chilly, chipper hen needs something to keep her warm. What she finds—and how she finds it—will keep young readers cackling.

6. How to Catch a Snowman

Our heroes' entry for the snowman contest has magically come to life―and ran away! Can YOU help catch it? Get ready for snow much fun as you travel through a winter wonderland with running, skating, and bouncing through trap after trap to catch the snowman and claim the winning prize. Will the snowman teach our heroes a lesson they'll never forget?

The Big Snow

When the geese begin to fly south, the leaves flutter down from the trees and the cold winds begin to blow from the north, the animals of the woods and meadows, big and small, prepare for the long, cold winter ahead when the countryside is hidden under a deep blanket of snow. They gather food and look for warm, snug places in the ground, trees, caves or thickets, where they can find protection against the icy winds.It might have been hard for the birds and animals of the hillside to survive when the Big Snow came if their good friends, who lived in the little stone house, had not remembered to put food out for them.Here, in many beautiful pictures, the Haders show how winter comes to the woodland as the busy animals make their preparations.

7. Curious About Snow (Smithsonian)

The Smithsonian does things right and this Curious About Snow book is a
great introduction for curious kiddos with real images and simple explanations.

8. Animals in Winter

This is a clear and appealing book for early elementary age kids, both at home and in the classroom. Introduce kids to basic science ideas as part of discussions about the seasons and animals.

9. Arctic Figurines, Including A Harp Seal, Husky, Caribou, Arctic Rabbit, Killer Whale, Walrus, Arctic Fox, Beluga Whale, Igloo, And Polar Bear

SET OF 10 FUN AND FRIGID FIGURES – It’s hard to stay warm at the North Pole, but you can discover its wonders in your home with these frigid friends. This TOOB includes a Harp Seal, Husky, Caribou, Arctic Rabbit, Killer Whale, Walrus, Arctic Fox, Beluga Whale, Igloo, and Polar Bear.

10. Nature Anatomy: The Curious Parts and Pieces of the Natural World

See the world in a whole new way! Acclaimed illustrator Julia Rothman combines art and science in this exciting and educational guide to the structure, function, and personality of the natural world. Explore the anatomy of a jellyfish, the inside of a volcano, monarch butterfly migration, how sunsets work, and much more. Rothman’s whimsical illustrations are paired with interactive activities that encourage curiosity and inspire you to look more closely at the world all around you.

Next, look at these other candy cane stem activities.

10 Candy Cane STEM Activities

Try one or more of these very hands-on activities from math to engineering and even cooking to develop important STEM skills for the future with a lot of fun for now.

Try growing Crystal Candy Canes to learn about chemical changes that take place in supersaturated liquids.
Here you can try out Two Fun Candy Cane Hands-on Science Winter Experiments, dissolving and melting candy canes.
For older kids Learn How to Make Candy Canes, cooking incorporates both science and math so it fits nicely into the activities.
Learn about building sturdy structures with the STEM: Candy Cane STEM Building Challenge and test out those engineering skills.
Do different colors of candy canes dissolve faster than others? Find out with this simple Colored Candy Canes Science Experiment.
Does your child like or want to learn about coding? This Candy Cane Coding for Kids is a great way to get started and make a fun craft in the process.
Experiment with Dancing Candy Canes to learn about chemical reactions, baking soda and vinegar are must-haves in your science supplies.
How much weight can you hold on a candy cane bridge? The steps are here in the Candy Cane Bridge STEM Challenge.
Since math is a very important part of the stem, here is a Candy Cane math counting activity perfect for preschoolers.
I also found these free printables for 3 different candy cane math ideas-counting, pattern grids, and a counting grid.

Finally, look at how to make this candy cane STEM activity.

Candy Cane Maze STEM Activity

Your child’s maze doesn’t have to be complicated, challenge them based on their age and ability.

They are learning critical skills for life even if they don’t go into a STEM field it is used in many real-life situations.

If you would rather use fake candy canes so you can create a maze that can be used without attracting pests and put away for next year grab a set of these.

You will need:

Candy canes
Cardboard
Marbles
Hot glue gun/sticks

First, determine the outside measurements of your maze and cut out a piece of cardboard accordingly.

I made mine 12×12 and I wouldn’t recommend going any smaller because you want to make sure that there is enough room to work with but you can go larger.

To make it look a little nicer I covered the bottom with a sheet of 12×12 vinyl I got at Dollar Tree, but you can use contact paper, construction paper, or paint it if you want.

Cut 1” tall strips of cardboard to make the sides so that your marble stays inside.

Hot glue the strips all the way around the outside to create a wall.

Depending on the age and ability of your child help them lay out a maze with their candy canes, you can leave them whole as well as break some to remove the curve or shorten them. The more variety the better.

Have them trace the path with their finger to make sure there is at least 1 path through the maze before gluing.

To create a candy cane maze that is more challenging and therefore fun you will want to create some trickier wrong turns, traps, and dead ends.

Once the design is laid out pick them up one at a time and run a little hot glue along the back, then press them back into position.

Add sticker dots in red and green to mark the starting line and finish line, you could also use a permanent marker.

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