Hands-On Activities

Geronimo Stilton Journey Through Time Series Fifth Journey Fun Eiffel Tower

October 31, 2022 | 3 Comments
This post may contain affiliate links. For more information, please see my full disclosure policy.

The Geronimo Stilton Journey Through Time Series has so many topics in one book. If your child is loving the Geronimo Stilton books, your child will love making a fun Eiffel Tower.

In Geronimo Stilton No Time To Lose The Fifth Journey Through Time Geronimo jumps from Napoleon’s Time to the Vikings’ Time and finally to King Solomon’s time in the Whisker Wafter time machine.

We are going to ride with him to France to Napoleon’s Court for his coronation ceremony to crown him as emperor of France.

Geronimo Stilton Journey Through Time Series Fifth Journey Fun Eiffel Tower

And then we will work on a hands-on activity which combines several areas of stem.

technology
engineering
math
art and
some history, and geography as we learn about a famous French landmark.

Geronimo Stilton Hands-on Literature

As usual these great Geronimo Stilton adventures take you through the clothing of the time periods in the books.

No Time To Lose (Geronimo Stilton Journey Through Time #5) is no exception.

You get to meet interesting historical figures like Napoleon and Josephine, and your kids learn so much about history through an entertaining little chapter.

Was the Eiffel Tower part of the landscape when Napoleon charged through?

No, but it was built to celebrate the centennial of the French Revolution at the World’s Fair.

While it is not a part of the story it is unarguably one of the most famously identifiable landmarks in the world.

Too, this is a great way to introduce a timeline to learn about events before, during, and after the French Revolution.

Also, you’ll love my French Revolution Unit Study and Lapbook to go with this craft.

6 Hands-on Activities for Geronimo Stilton Journey Through Time Series

Then, look at these 6 ways to enhance the book and timer period about the French Empire.

Pull up a world map online, check out the map on your wall, or use an atlas to help your child identify France.
Give them a hands- activity like this Edible Eiffel Tower to make.
Learn a few words in French – Bonjour-Hello, Au Revoir- Goodbye, Merci- Thank You, Oui- Yes and Non- No
Check out a few French artists through their paintings online or in a book.
Free Storming the Bastille Game
Learn About the Geography of France by Creating A Solar Oven

French Empire Hands-on Activity

First, before I get to the directions I want to say you should definitely let your kids learn through trial and error in making this edible Eiffel Tower.

This is a great learning experience but I do want to give you a few tips that we learned along the process that will make it a little bit easier for you.

We originally set out to make our Eiffel Tower with just the cookies and the frosting which was not a strong enough glue.

Definitely, include toothpicks as well as anything else you think might be helpful for the building process and then let your child experiment with what works and what doesn’t.

Second, I found the sugar wafers cut very nicely with a butter knife but they make a huge mess from the minute they leave the package.

I’m talking worse than those little green packages of granola bars that leave crumbs everywhere.

I highly recommend you do this somewhere that is easily swept up or possibly even outside.

Will it be perfect? No it won’t, but remember momma, that’s okay the goal here is for them to learn and most importantly have fun while figuring it out.

Add these Safari Ltd Around the World figurines to your collection.

They can be used as art inspiration like for the Eiffel Tower, in sensory bins and dioramas, and so much more.

Build a Fun Edible Eiffel Tower

You will need:

Vanilla sugar wafers
Frosting
Plastic or metal butter knife
Toothpicks, skewers, etc…
Plate, cookie sheet or other base

Next, the directions to make this fun craft Geronimo Stilton Journey Through Time Series

This is an activity where you want your kid to be in the lead.

Let them solve with as little support as possible.

Try to keep your help as open ended as possible by forming it into a question.

I see your tower is leaning, what do you think you could do to help that?
You did a great job on the base, what is your next step going to be?

That being said I will give you a few tips and things that worked for us to share with your child to help them get started.

Dip both ends of your cookies in the frosting to help hold it into the base and each other as you secure it.

Start by making the base with 4 cookies in each corner.

Using another cookie in between is a good way to measure equal distances between the corners.

I found the easiest way to do this was to carefully press a toothpick through two, slide them apart to the ends and bend them slightly to get an angle. Two made a stronger connection.

Then build your “platform”.

This is easily done by piercing two wafers through the sides at each end like this.

Place it on top of the angled corners and secure.

You can then “wrap” cookies all around the side or just leave the platform depending on your little one’s level.

Repeat the same steps and cut your cookies slightly smaller for each level to create the tall tapering look. Use lots of toothpicks.

This is what happened before we started using lots of toothpicks to secure everything- a great lesson in why the strength of the foundation and each subsequent level to support your structure is so important.

Continue building all the way up as high as your child wants to go.

They will find after a certain point it will not hold well. Another great lesson they can learn on their own by doing.

Here is what your final structure may look like.

Finally, look at these other Geronimo Stilton books.

Other Geronimo Stilton Chapter Book Activities

For younger children or those who may become too frustrated due to coordination or learning challenges you may just choose to let them copy the Eiffel Tower on a flat surface.

You can still talk about the structure, the shape, what makes the Eiffel tower strong, etc.

Unit Study: French Revolution + Free Storming the Bastille Game

October 23, 2022 | 16 Comments
This post may contain affiliate links. For more information, please see my full disclosure policy.

This French Revolution board game is so much fun. Also, look at my free French Revolution 1789 – 1799 Unit Study & Lapbook. And you’ll love grabbing more ideas for history games on my page.

Plodding along, we have started out next unit study which is the French Revolution.

Unit Study: French Revolution + Free Storming the Bastille Game

Mr. Awesome needs to cover some more European history during his high school years and so this a great topic to cover for older kids.

Too, sickness has hit our family early and everybody has had a touch of the crud this whole week. Crazy that we all get sick at the same time.

So knowing that the French Revolution is not a topic exactly easy to explain to younger children and because all of us are still recovering from the coughing junk, I made a board game about the French Revolution that they both could play.

This way they both have an introduction to this time period.

I can’t pry them away from the fireplace when they play games either.

I guess they think the ultimate luxury for at home learning is sitting by the fireplace because that is their go to place (even in the summer). I give up and let them play where they want to now.

French Revolution Game | Tina's Dynamic Homeschool Plus

About the French Revolution Board Game

Just to let you know I made the game really big.

However, you can print it on regular size paper or print it poster size (4 separate pages under your print settings).

We printed it on regular size paper because I can’t store anything now

By making it large, I could print it on 4 pages when we decided to play again.

Normally, I like to start our unit studies with a real aloud from books written about that time period like A Tale of Two Cities or Les Miserables.

But again, my time has been short lately, so I have found a nice abridged audio reading of A Tale of Two Cities that the boys could listen to.

Click here to listen Charles Dickens’ “A Tale of Two Cities.“

The boys can’t miss hearing the popular phrase: “It was the best of times, it was the worst of times, . . .” I love the whole opening paragraph of that book.

Also, you’ll love these other fun history games.

More Fun History Games

Other French Revolution Resources

HOW TO GRAB THE FREE FRENCH REVOLUTION BOARD GAME

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

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

Exploring Space and Astronomy Free Unit Study for Multiple Ages

Geronimo Stilton The Fourth Journey Through Time Fun Cleopatra Collar

October 17, 2022 | Leave a Comment
This post may contain affiliate links. For more information, please see my full disclosure policy.

Geronimo Stilton Back The Fourth Journey Through Time has several sections in it. If you love the Geronimo Stilton Books, you’ll love this book and book craft.

The section and craft we focused on is about Cleopatra.

This book of the Geronimo Stilton series takes us through Cleopatra’s Time, Genghis Khan and Queen Elizabeth.

Geronimo Stilton The Fourth Journey Through Time Fun Cleopatra Collar

And today we are going to hang out in Ancient Egypt with the Queen of the Nile and have fun reading Geronimo Stilton Back The Fourth Journey Through Time.

About The Geronimo Stilton Books

Geronimo shares accessories to become perfect Ancient Egyptians.

And fashions during Cleopatra’s Time which gives a perfect base for today’s hands-on activity.

These books really can’t be beat for introducing historical topics, vocabulary, and fun illustrations.

Here is a peek into the elaborate and beautiful library of Alexandria.

Then, you can also add a few facts about Ancient Egypt.

Add this The Geronimo Stilton Book Fourth Journey Fun Egypt Game.

Cleopatra and Ancient Egypt Fun Facts

Ancient Egyptians loved board games.
Egypt has the only remaining ancient wonder in the world.
While she was known for her beauty, she was also very intelligent.
Cleopatra spoke around 9 different languages.
Both female and male ancient Egyptians wore eye makeup.
Cleopatra was the last ruler of the Ptolemaic dynasty.
Cleopatra’s favorite perfume was Mendesian perfume named for the city Mendes.
She had 4 children- 3 with Mark Antony- Ptolemy Philadelphus and twins Cleopatra ‘Selene’ and Alexander ‘Helios’. And one with Julius Caesar who she named Caesarion “Little Caesar”.
Ancient Egyptians called their home Kemet rather than Egypt.

If you want to add a few books to your mini unit study then, Everything Ancient Egypt.

And 1,000 Facts About Ancient Egypt are a couple great companion reference books.

Also, look at this great video on Cleopatra Queen of Egypt or Ancient Egypt For Kids from Homeschool Pop while you create your jewelry.

Cleopatra Project Ideas

Finally, let’s make a fun Cleopatra collar and craft jewelry.

You will need:

smooth sturdy cardboard
empty toilet paper rolls
hot glue gun/sticks or school glue
craft paints
dinner plate and a bowl

First, trace a large dinner plate onto your cardboard.

I used the back cover from a 12” x12” cardstock pack. You could also use poster board, but it will crumple a bit easier.

Corrugated cardboard will work but may be too thick.

Next, trace a bowl up near the top of the larger circle. You want to leave more room at the bottom for your necklace design.

Cut out both circles.

Cut all the way up one side of the empty toilet paper rolls.

These next few steps are fun and are what make this project turn out amazing.

Start by creating designs on your cuffs and collar with hot glue.

This is a good introduction to a hot glue gun if you feel your child is ready because it doesn’t really require touching the glue or pressing things together.

Now, use the hot glue gun to create a bunch of different jewel shapes on aluminum foil or a silicone mat.

I did find with the foil that it stuck to the hot glue. I just peeled off around it because it doesn’t affect it if left on the backing.

You can also help tidy up the edges and shapes with scissors. Dried hot glue cuts very well.

These silicone mats are great for protecting your table or desk while painting, gluing, etc.

Too, another tip is that you can use regular white school glue if you like to make your design.

But hot glue dries much faster. Let the hot glue harden and dry completely, pull off any glue strings that may be left behind. Then paint them in using pretty jeweled colors.

While your jewels are drying give your cardboard collar and cuffs a coat or two of gold, going right over the hot glue lines

Once your gold and jewels are dry you can attach them to the cuffs and collar with a bit more hot glue.

Your beautiful Cleopatra inspired cuffs and collar are ready to wear and show off your royalty!

Digging into ancient history can be so much fun and educational at the same time.

Homeschooling offers us a wonderful opportunity to introduce the world in a more relaxed way and make memories at the same time.

Other Geronimo Stilton Books Resources

Learn About Mozart The Eight Journey Through Time Geronimo Stilton Series

October 11, 2022 | Leave a Comment
This post may contain affiliate links. For more information, please see my full disclosure policy.

The next book in the Geronimo Stilton series Out of Time (Geronimo Stilton Journey Through Time #8) has fun learning facts about Mozart. So, if your child is loving the Geronimo Stilton books, you’ll love this next hands-on craft with the book.

How about combining Mozart, music, and the adorable antics of Geronimo Stilton?

In the Geronimo Stilton series, The Eighth Journey Through Time sails through 4 different time periods in the book.

What a busy mouse.

Learn About Mozart The Eight Journey Through Time Geronimo Stilton Series

Out of Time (Geronimo Stilton Journey Through Time #8) takes your little learner to meet:

Alexander the Great,
Queen Cleopatra,
Sir Francis Drake,
and todays topic of interest- Mozart in The Court of Vienna.

The way the books are set up, your child can read the whole thing or just choose to start at one of the time periods.

Geronimo meets Mozart and his family and helps them get to the Court of Vienna.

Of course like the other books in this series, it is loaded with fun facts. Also, it has introductions to several instruments, fashion of the time period, and many historical references.

Also, there are a few logic games where your child studies a picture and discover what is wrong.

These books are aimed at middle to upper elementary, but they are really fantastic for struggling or reluctant readers.

They are not quite a graphic novel and have a fair amount of reading to them.

But it is laid out in such a fun and colorful way that they hardly realize they are learning all wonderful historical facts.

Benefits of Learning Music

Even if you or your child have no musical aspirations music is a great experience and has so many learning benefits.

Strengthens memory and attention.
Reinforces important language skills.
Relaxes and relieves anxiety.
Improves listening skills.
Helps learn math skills (quarter, half note, etc and fractions).
Nurtures creativity.
Makes you use more of and different parts of your brain.

While you listen to some of Mozart’s music, play a memory game.

Encourage your child to identify the instruments they hear.

They can also listen for when the music speeds up and slows down. What a wonderful way to help you both relax and focus, this can be a great beginning, end, or reset to your homeschool day.

Also, look at these sites:

Fun Ways to Teach Children Note Values
Dig a little deeper into learning about Mozart with this YouTube video- History of Mozart from Bedtime History .

Then, add some fun facts about Mozart.

Marvelous Mozart Facts

Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart was born in 1756.
He wrote his first musical compositions at just 5 years old.
Mozart could speak 12 different languages.
He wrote over 600 musical pieces in his short lifetime.
He was left-handed.
Mozart wrote his first opera at just 12 years old.
Mozart died December 5, 1791 at age 35, believed from rheumatic fever.

Let’s make a DIY music memory game without the need for any special equipment.

But I do suggest that if you don’t have a paper slicer you grab one.

They are so great for cutting straight lines and very inexpensive. But you can do this with just a ruler and scissors also.

Music Appreciation Activity DIY Memory Game

You will need:

white cardstock
colored cardstock
glue stick
paper cutter or scissors
markers

First, cut your white cardstock into 2 ½ ”x 2 1/2” squares.

Again, you can use scissors, but these little paper slicers come in handy dandy for a lot of different projects and are really reasonable.

Next, cut your colored cardstock slightly larger than the white, say 2 3/4” to 3” square.

Draw music notes, simple instruments, music symbols, or write out musical terms on your white cards.

Remember you will need two of each.

A quick Google search can help you find some inspiration.

But here is a photo of the 6 I did for this version. You can make more or less depending on your child’s familiarity with music and their skill level.

Once your designs are drawn glue the white cardstock to the center of the colored squares.

This helps create sturdier cards and you can’t see through the white cards anymore.

To play the game it is simply like traditional memory, mix up and then lay all the cards out face down.

Take turns picking two at a time to try and create a match, if you get a match you keep the pair, and draw again, but if not put them back down in the same spot.

Repeat until all cards are matched up.

Music Note Memory Variations

Write the notes on half your cards and the name on the other half.
Draw instruments on your cards instead.
Write composer names.
Draw music bars with different notes

Other Geronimo Stilton Series

Finally, you’ll love these other hands-on book crafts for the Geronimo Stilton series books:

3 Fun Cocoa Winter Hands on Science Activities

October 6, 2022 | Leave a Comment
This post may contain affiliate links. For more information, please see my full disclosure policy.

Your kids will love doing three different cocoa winter hands-on science activities to go with my winter season unit study.

And we’re taking one of our favorite winter treats and turning it into science.

Using a simple packet of cocoa, we’re going to do three fun winter hands on science activities that your kids will love.

3 Fun Cocoa Winter Hands on Science Activities

These activities will appeal to multiple senses and can be used to teach some basic science principles.

Adding a new sensory experience to some science activities that might be ordinary and basic can give them new life.

Too, it makes them interesting, stirs your child to ponder about science, and helps your child retain what he has learned in an exciting new way.

3 Fun Cocoa Science Activities for Kids

Grab some of your favorite chemistry books like Basher Chemistry to reference while exploring these cocoa winter science activities.

And learn some of the vocabulary and scientific terms that go with them.

Don’t forget to enjoy a delicious cup of cocoa with your little scientist while you have fun with these activities.

Don’t confuse it with one of science mixtures.

1. Hydrophobic Hot Cocoa Science Activity

First, begin with this hydrophobic hot cocoa activity.

You’ll need:

A clear container
Spoon
Hot cocoa mix
Water- hot and cold

Directions:

Grab a glass of cold water and a heaping tablespoon of hot cocoa powder.

Slowly lower the spoon into the glass.

Twist and move the spoon a bit.

Raise the spoon out of the glass. What happened? The liquid that was wrapped around the powder rolls right off.

Now heat up a cup of water. It doesn’t have to be boiling just nice and hot.

Stir another tablespoon of cocoa into the water and see how fast it dissolves.

What is the Science of Hydrophobic Hot Cocoa

Cocoa is a substance that is known as hydrophobic. This means that it repels water.

The fat in the cocoa makes it hydrophobic. Oil is also hydrophobic. Have you heard the old saying oil and water don’t mix? It’s true.

So why does it dissolve in hot water so much better than cold water? Simply put, hot water has more energy in it than cold water.

This means that the molecules move faster and break down the cocoa powder faster than cold water does.

You can also try this experiment with cold and hot milk. It will work the same due to the amount of water in the milk.

2. Hot Cocoa Slime Science Activity

Second, slime is not just a fun sensory activity.

It can be used to learn some basic chemistry terms like

molecules
polymers
chemical reactions
and nonnewtonian fluid ( neither a solid or a liquid).

And slime is also calming. It helps with focus and builds fine motor skills. This slime smells amazing and is a great winter themed experiment.

You’ll need:

1 packet of hot cocoa
1 cup of school glue
2 Tablespoons of contact solution
3 teaspoons baking soda

Directions:

Place glue, baking soda, and contact solution in a large bowl.

Stir in an entire packet of hot cocoa.

Remove from bowl and knead with your hands for a few minutes until desired texture is reached.

What is the Science of Cocoa Slime

When you mix baking soda with contact lens solution the main ingredients polyvinyl alcohol and borate ion undergo a chemical reaction called an endothermic reaction

Together, these two ingredients create a non-Newtonian fluid which is a substance that is neither liquid nor solid.

Slime is a polymer.

And polymers are made up of long chains of molecules.

Too, the glue contains polymers which can bend and slide past each other. This allows the slime to flow and to take the shape of the container it is in.

Last, this activity is the hot cocoa volcano.

3. Hot Cocoa Volcano Science Activity

This is a fantastic multi-sensory science experiment. It smells great and creates an exciting chemical reaction that kids love.

You can continue to add baking soda and vinegar to keep the reaction going indefinitely.

You’ll need:

Small plastic cup
1 Tablespoon Hot Cocoa
2 Tablespoons baking soda
Vinegar

Directions:

Mix baking soda and hot cocoa in a small cup.

Place your cup outside or on a surface that is easy to clean, this ~~could~~ WILL get messy.

Slowly pour vinegar into the cup and watch it bubble over.

Add more baking soda and vinegar to continue with the cocoa lava flow.

if you really want to get a bubbly foaming concoction that resembles lava add a bit of dish soap to your mixture.

What is the Science of the Hot Cocoa Volcano

Baking soda and vinegar react to neutralize each other.

Vinegar is an acid and baking soda is an alkali.

And the resulting reaction releases carbon dioxide which is the bubbles of gas that make it look like a bubbling volcano.

More Winter Season Unit Study Resources

Then, here are some other winter unit study resources you’ll love.

And add my other unit study Arctic Region.

What do you think? Are you ready for a bit of winter fun and science?

Hands-On Activities

Geronimo Stilton Journey Through Time Series Fifth Journey Fun Eiffel Tower

Geronimo Stilton Hands-on Literature

6 Hands-on Activities for Geronimo Stilton Journey Through Time Series

French Empire Hands-on Activity

Build a Fun Edible Eiffel Tower

Other Geronimo Stilton Chapter Book Activities

Unit Study: French Revolution + Free Storming the Bastille Game

About the French Revolution Board Game

More Fun History Games

Other French Revolution Resources

HOW TO GRAB THE FREE FRENCH REVOLUTION BOARD GAME

Geronimo Stilton The Fourth Journey Through Time Fun Cleopatra Collar

About The Geronimo Stilton Books

Cleopatra and Ancient Egypt Fun Facts

Cleopatra Project Ideas

Other Geronimo Stilton Books Resources

Learn About Mozart The Eight Journey Through Time Geronimo Stilton Series

Benefits of Learning Music

Marvelous Mozart Facts

Music Appreciation Activity DIY Memory Game

Music Note Memory Variations

Other Geronimo Stilton Series

3 Fun Cocoa Winter Hands on Science Activities

3 Fun Cocoa Science Activities for Kids

1. Hydrophobic Hot Cocoa Science Activity