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Hands-On Activities

How To Make An Adorable Rocking Chick Easy Chicken Craft

March 8, 2025 | Leave a Comment
This post may contain affiliate links. For more information, please see my full disclosure policy.

I have an easy chicken craft. It is an adorable rocking chick made from paper. Also, look at my post Free Homeschool Chicken Unit Study and Anatomy of an Egg Felt Activity & Worksheet for more ideas.

It’s the perfect craft to welcome spring, and a great way to add a playful element to your chicken unit study.

And besides baby chicks are adorable, fluffy and full of energy.

How To Make An Adorable Rocking Chick Easy Chicken Craft

When a chick is born, it’s called a hatchling because it just hatched from an egg. It’s the cutest thing on the farm.

And baby chicks have a little bit of food left inside their eggs that helps them survive for the first couple of days. So, they don’t need to be fed by their moms.

A female chicken called a hen lays eggs. She’ll usually lay one egg a day until she has a bunch of them.

CHICKEN BOOKS FOR KIDS

Next, look at some books and fun resources to go along with this craft.

Just make it a whole day of fun learning.

9 Books and Resources for a Fun Chicken Unit Study

Whether you’re wanting to do a chicken unit study or study chickens for the day, you’ll love these books and resources to add to your collection.

Image for Chicks & Chickens

Chicks & Chickens

Cheep . . .  cheep . . . cluck!  Everything you ever wanted to know about chickens and eggs—except which came first. With bright watercolor illustrations and simple, clear language, nonfiction master Gail Gibbons shows young readers everything there is to know about chickens. See what different breeds of chickens look like, discover how eggs are laid and hatched, and learn how big and little farms take care of their birds. Key vocabulary words about chicken behavior and anatomy are introduced throughout Chicks and Chickens, and new words are reinforced in accessible language for young readers.

Image for 4 PCS Chicken Farm Animal Life Cycle Growth Model

4 PCS Chicken Farm Animal Life Cycle Growth Model

Children can see how animals change and grow. Realistic detail showing a different stage in the development of animals.

Uniquely molded textures and richly painted details bring them to life and help inspire creativity for kids.

It is a great way to expand the growth with children through physical science.

Image for Farm Anatomy: The Curious Parts and Pieces of Country Life

Farm Anatomy: The Curious Parts and Pieces of Country Life

Learn the difference between a farrow and a barrow, and what distinguishes a weanling from a yearling. Country and city mice alike will delight in Julia Rothman’s charming illustrated guide to the curious parts and pieces of rural living. Dissecting everything from the shapes of squash varieties to how a barn is constructed and what makes up a beehive to crop rotation patterns, Rothman gives a richly entertaining tour of the quirky details of country life. 

Image for Where Do Chicks Come From?

Where Do Chicks Come From?

Read and find out about eggs—and how baby chicks grow inside of them—in this colorfully illustrated nonfiction picture book.

Learn how chicks develop, how they get the food they need to grow, and how a mother hen helps keep them safe in this introduction to the life cycle of a baby chick.

This is a clear and appealing science book for early elementary age kids, both at home and in the classroom. It's a Level 1 Let's-Read-and-Find-Out, which means the book explores introductory concepts perfect for children in the primary grades. The 100+ titles in this leading nonfiction series are:

Image for Chickenology: The Ultimate Encyclopedia

Chickenology: The Ultimate Encyclopedia

A great educational book, covering:• Different breeds of chickens, like Padovana and Silkie• The difference between roosters and hens• How chicks are formed in the egg• Chickens sounds and noises• Chicken anatomy and feather anatomy and colors• Chickens and eggs around the world• Chicken history and folklore• Raising chickens at home• Chickens as pets

Image for LEGO Creator Easter Chickens 30643

LEGO Creator Easter Chickens 30643

These LEGO Chickens are a fun and easy add on for little ones joining in the fun.

Image for Farm Animal for Kids, Chicken Coop

Farm Animal for Kids, Chicken Coop

DETAILED & REALISTIC. Crafted with precision and authentic detail to create a lifelike toy that teaches and inspires toddlers and kids of every age; helps introduce children to animals. From the first sketch to the intricate finishing touches, we see value in every detail.

Image for Farm Animal Chicken Coop Building Blocks

Farm Animal Chicken Coop Building Blocks

Chicken Coop Building Blocks. It contains a coop, twenty chicken and ten eggs.

Compatible with LEGO: It's made of LEGO-compatible bricks. It will enrich your MOC blocks. It can be put together with a lot of block scenes, such as farm, house, castle, village, animal and so on.

Image for Farm Animals Figurines Simulated Farm Life

Farm Animals Figurines Simulated Farm Life

These little chicken figurines would also make a great addition to a chicken study, put them in a sensory bin with a little birdseed or cracked corn for hours of fun.

And then here are more facts about chicks.

  • Hens sit on their eggs to keep them warm. This is called incubation.
  • When it’s time for the chick to hatch, it starts pecking at the inside of the egg using a special little “egg tooth” on its beak.
  • Baby chicks are often yellow, but they can also be black, brown, or even a mix of colors, depending on the breed of chicken.
  • When they’re just born, they might nibble on some tiny grains of food or special chick starter feed.
  • As chicks get older, they start eating bigger pieces of food like bugs, worms, and seeds.
  • After just a few weeks, they start growing feathers.

Also, look at more easy chicken crafts.

Just in time for spring.

MORE EASY CHICKEN CRAFTS

  • Free Homeschool Chicken Unit Study and Anatomy of an Egg Felt Activity & Worksheet
  • Free Chicken Life Cycle Worksheet For Kids & Hands-on Activity
  • 10 Crafts With Styrofoam Egg Cartons | How to Make Easy Chicken Crafts
  • The Ancient Art Of Mummifying: How To Mummify A Chicken
  • Then look at this book The Backyard Chicken Keeper’s Bible: Discover Chicken Breeds, Behavior, Coops, Eggs, and More.
How To Make An Adorable Rocking Chick Easy Chicken Craft

Finally, look at how to make this adorable paper rocking chick.

HOW TO MAKE A PAPER ROCKING CHICK WITH A FREE TEMPLATE

First, look at this easy list of materials.

  • Construction papers
  • Glue
  • White marker
  • Scissor
  • free chick template (enter your email in the form at the end of this post to get the freebie instantly)
How To Make An Adorable Rocking Chick Easy Chicken Craft

Cut a circle from a white paper. We used a paper bowl turned upside down to make a perfect circle.

After cutting out the circle, then fold it in half.

Cut triangles on the folded part to make a “breaking egg” illusion.

How To Make An Adorable Rocking Chick Easy Chicken Craft

Cut the chick out of the yellow paper following the template and assemble them just as shown.

How To Make An Adorable Rocking Chick Easy Chicken Craft

Make the eyes by cutting two small circles then shade the inner part using a marker.

How To Make An Adorable Rocking Chick Easy Chicken Craft
How To Make An Adorable Rocking Chick Easy Chicken Craft

Too, you can use googly eyes but we used the white paper and a black marker.

Once you have assembled them, attach it at the back of the white paper cracked eggshell. Let it dry.

How To Make An Adorable Rocking Chick Easy Chicken Craft

Then rock it back and forth as your chick hatches. How fun!

HOW TO DOWNLOAD THE FREE CHICK TEMPLATE FOR AN EASY CHICKEN CRAFT

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

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Leave a CommentFiled Under: Hands-On Activities Tagged With: chciks, chicken, crafts, hands-on, hands-on activities, handsonhomeschooling, homeschool, spring, spring crafts

How To Make A Pinwheel Windmill & More Windmill Project For Kids

March 7, 2025 | Leave a Comment
This post may contain affiliate links. For more information, please see my full disclosure policy.

Grab one or more of these ideas below for a windmill project for kids as part of wind power or a renewable energy unit. Also, for more meteorology ideas look at my Free Weather Unit Study for Kids Who Love Hands-on Learning and for more earth science ideas look at my  Free Earth Science Lapbook.

Renewable energy is energy that is generated from a natural resource.

It can be replenished on a human timescale.

For example, it can be sunlight, wind, rain, tides, waves, and geothermal heat.

How To Make A Pinwheel Windmill & More Windmill Project For Kids

However renewable energy sources are constantly being renewed.

Today we are going to focus on windmills.

They are also known as wind turbines. They are tall structures that use the power of the wind to generate electricity.

They are a clean and renewable source of energy, meaning they don’t pollute the air or water like fossil fuels do.

Too, they work by using the force of the wind to turn blades that are attached to a rotor.

The rotor is connected to a generator. It converts the mechanical energy of the spinning blades into electrical energy.

This electricity can then be used to power homes, businesses, and other buildings.

Windmills come in all shapes and sizes.

Some windmills are small enough to fit on a rooftop, while others are as tall as skyscrapers.

The largest windmills in the world have blades that are longer than a football field.

5 WINDMILL PROJECT FOR KIDS BOOKS & RESOURCES

Next, grab these resources and books to learn more about windmills.

5 Renewable Energy Books & Resources

Grab a few of these resources to add to your unit study about renewable energy or windmills.

Image for The Boy Who Harnessed the Wind, Young Reader's Edition

The Boy Who Harnessed the Wind, Young Reader's Edition

When a terrible drought struck William Kamkwamba's tiny village in Malawi, his family lost all of the season's crops, leaving them with nothing to eat and nothing to sell. William began to explore science books in his village library, looking for a solution. There, he came up with the idea that would change his family's life forever: he could build a windmill. Made out of scrap metal and old bicycle parts, William's windmill brought electricity to his home and helped his family pump the water they needed to farm the land.

Image for Of Dikes and Windmills

Of Dikes and Windmills

Of Dikes and Windmills was written and illustrated by the well known children's writer, Peter Spier. His target audience was young adults. "Of Dikes and Windmills" chronicles Holland's long and often times turbulent relationship with the Sea. Spier has beautiful pen and water color illustrations on nearly every page of the book. There are wonderful illustrations of windmills, canals and the Dutch countryside.

Image for Wind Power: Sailboats, Windmills, and Wind Turbines (A True Book: Alternative Energy)

Wind Power: Sailboats, Windmills, and Wind Turbines (A True Book: Alternative Energy)

Birds soar on it. It sends autumn leaves skittering across lawns. And we can even harness its power to create electricity. Readers (Grades 3-5) will learn what causes wind, how people have used wind power throughout history, and why wind is becoming one of the leading alternative energy sources for generating electricity.

Image for Green Science Windmill Generator Kit, DIY Science Kit With LED Lights

Green Science Windmill Generator Kit, DIY Science Kit With LED Lights

  • The windmill generator uses green science to harness wind power and light an LED bulb.
  • This kit contains all the materials needed to build a 5-inch windmill
    generator with LED light. Just add a recycled soda bottle.
  • An enclosed pamphlet contains fun facts about renewable energy.
  • Image for Katje the Windmill Cat

    Katje the Windmill Cat

    This heroic tale was inspired by a true story that took place over 500 years ago. It tells of Katje the windmill cat who lives happily with Nico, the miller, in a Dutch village by the sea. But when Nico brings home his new bride, everything changes. Katje is shooed away by Lena as she sweeps the house or when she finds Katje playing with the new baby. Eventually poor Katje leaves her home and moves into the windmill. But when a storm breaks the dike that holds back the sea, Katje performs a feat of extraordinary courage that makes her forever welcome in the house.

    For a quick and inexpensive take on how a windmill works we are going to craft a pinwheel windmill from paper and a dowel rod.

    Before we get into that fun project let’s look at these facts about windmills and wind energy, as well as choose another windmill activity or two.

    7 WINDMILL FACTS FOR KIDS

    1. The first windmills were used in Persia 2,000 years ago to grind grain and pump the water.
    2. The largest wind farm in the world is located in China and has over 7,000 windmills.
    3. Windmills can generate enough electricity to power up a small town.
    4. During the peak of windmill popularity in the 18th and 19th century, Europe housed around 200 thousand of them.
    5. Wind turbines are the modern equivalent of windmills but are much more efficient and powerful.
    6. One of the best things about wind turbines is that they are good for the environment because they don’t produce greenhouse gases.
    7. Today wind power only accounts for roughly 7.8% of the world’s energy with the majority being used in China.
    How To Make A Pinwheel Windmill & More Windmill Project For Kids

    We are of course focusing on windmills, but I think it’s important to also take a look at other wind energy sources and even devices used for measuring wind speeds.

    MORE WINDMILL PROJECT FOR KIDS

    • These Dixie Cup Windmills are just precious to craft for little hands aren’t they?
    • Here are 5 Simple Wind Energy Activities For Kids & Fun DIY Anemometer to expand your wind studies.
    • Learn How to Make a Simple Wind Vane | Fun Wind Activities Middle School.
    • Make this traditional Dutch Windmill Printable to see their unique design.

    Finally, look how to make this pinwheel windmill.

    HOW TO MAKE A PINWHEEL WINDMILL

    You will need:

    • Double sided Cardstock
    • Dowel rod
    • Thumb tack
    • Scissors
    How To Make A Pinwheel Windmill & More Windmill Project For Kids

    First, you can make your pinwheel windmill any size that you like.

    I opted to make it a huge one using 12×12 double sided cardstock to make sure that the bright colors popped on all sides.

    Fold your cardstock corner to corner at an angle and press in the crease, repeat in the opposite direction.

    How To Make A Pinwheel Windmill & More Windmill Project For Kids

    Cut up each crease to about 1” from the center, be sure to not cut all the way through.

    How To Make A Pinwheel Windmill & More Windmill Project For Kids

    Fold every other corner inward to the middle, don’t crease, just fold it over gently to form the ‘blades’ of the pinwheel.

    How To Make A Pinwheel Windmill & More Windmill Project For Kids

    Push a pin through all 4 corner points and  then through the center of the paper.

    How To Make A Pinwheel Windmill & More Windmill Project For Kids

    Gently tap the push pin into a dowel rod with a small hammer, leaving some space for the pinwheel to move between the pin and wooden dowel.

    How To Make A Pinwheel Windmill & More Windmill Project For Kids

    If your pin sticks out that back just a bit you can cover it with a dab of hot glue for safety.

    Leave a CommentFiled Under: Hands-On Activities Tagged With: elementary science, hands-on, hands-on activities, handson, handsonhomeschooling, homeschool, science, wind, windmill

    Weather Activities For Early Years and Free Printable Flashcards

    March 6, 2025 | Leave a Comment
    This post may contain affiliate links. For more information, please see my full disclosure policy.

    I have some fun weather activities for early years. Also, I have this fun Free Weather Unit Study for Kids Who Love Hands-on Learning post for more teaching ideas.

    And I have some free printable weather flashcards.

    Hands-on activities is the best way to get little children involved and weather flashcards can teach them weather awareness.

    Weather Activities For Early Years and Free Printable Flashcards

    When you introduce ideas like thunderstorms or floods, you can use the cards to explain safety precautions.

    One of my favorite parts of using these weather flashcards is that it promotes conversation with your little ones and it promotes their curiosity.

    In addition, as you introduce the weather flashcards kids learn about the seasons.

    Also, allow kids to pick the card to show what the weather is daily.

    WEATHER BOOKS FOR KIDS

    Next, look at these fun weather resources for kids

    13 Weather Resources and Books For Kids Who Love to Read and Be Read To

    Grab some of these fantastic weather resources and books to engage your youngest learners about what is weather.

    Image for What Will the Weather Be?

    What Will the Weather Be?

    Will it be warm or cold? Should we wear shorts or pants? Shoes or rain boots? What Will the Weather Be? uses colorful, simple diagrams to explain meteorology in a fun, engaging way. Perfect for young scientists and budding meteorologists, this bestseller features clear explanations of everyday weather instruments like thermometers and barometers.

    Image for TEDCO-Pet Tornado-Spin and Watch

    TEDCO-Pet Tornado-Spin and Watch

    • Nature's most destructive force can be observed and enjoyed in the palm of your hand.
    • Hold Pet Tornado from top or bottom and rotate wrist form amazing funnel clouds.
    Image for Nature Anatomy: The Curious Parts and Pieces of the Natural World

    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.

    Image for Water Is Water: A Book About the Water Cycle

    Water Is Water: A Book About the Water Cycle

    Drip. Sip. Pour me a cup. Water is water unless...it heats up.Whirl. Swirl. Watch it curl by. Steam is steam unless...it cools high.This spare, poetic picture book follows a group of kids as they move through all the different phases of the water cycle. From rain to fog to snow to mist, talented author Miranda Paul and the always remarkable Jason Chin (Redwoods, Coral Reefs, Island, Gravity) combine to create a beautiful and informative journey in this innovative nonfiction picture book that will leave you thirsty for more.

    Image for Book of Storms: Hurricanes, Twisters and Squalls

    Book of Storms: Hurricanes, Twisters and Squalls

    What triggers a tornado? What can you see in the eye of a hurricane? What's the difference between a thunderbolt and a thunderclap? Popular author and artist Eric Sloane proves why weather is something best understood by seeing it. His illustrated book shows weather "happening." In fact, there's not a sunny page in it—nothing but cyclonic storms, whirlwinds, waterspouts, lightning bolts, and other fascinating, weather-related topics. More than seventy pages of drawings and diagrams make the weather come alive in a book that examines everything from storm mechanisms and cold fronts to the birth of a thunderhead.

    Image for Eric Sloane's Weather Book

    Eric Sloane's Weather Book

    "Amateur weather forecasters (which includes just about everyone) will find this volume an informative and entertaining account of the why and how of the weather." -- The Nation In simple language, Eric Sloane explains the whys and wherefores of weather and weather forecasting -- and does it in a style that's universally appealing. With humor and common sense shining through in a book that's also lively and informative, Sloane shows readers how to predict the weather by "reading" such natural phenomena as winds, skies, and animal sounds. This beautifully illustrated and practical treasure trove of climate lore will enlighten outdoorsmen, farmers, sailors, and anyone else who has ever wondered what a large halo around the moon means, why birds "sit it out" before a storm, and whether or not to take an umbrella when leaving the house.

    Image for Thunderstorm

    Thunderstorm

    A midwestern summer thunderstorm as seen through the eyes of artist/etcher Arthur Geisert, and depicted in unprecedented detail, beautifully hand-colored.

    Thunderstorm follows the course of a storm through midwestern farm country minute-by-minute, hour-by-hour, from late morning into late afternoon. As always with Arthur Geisert, it is a meticulously executed and visually stunning piece of work. Other than the timeline that runs along the bottom border of the illustrations, there is no text, and the illustrations are continuous.

    Through keen observation, Geisert beautifully captures the nuances and details of a midwestern thunderstorm, from the ever-changing color of the sky, to the actions of the human inhabitants, to the reactions of the natural world to the wind and rain. America's heartland is somewhat unfamiliar territory in the realm of picture books, but in Thunderstorm, Geisert has provided readers with valuable, breathtaking insight into one of its most natural occurrences.

    Image for The Magic School Bus Kicks Up A Storm: A Book About Weather

    The Magic School Bus Kicks Up A Storm: A Book About Weather

    A book about weather, from the animated television series on the Learning Channel.

    Image for Rain, Hail, Sleet & Snow

    Rain, Hail, Sleet & Snow

    Rain, Hail, Sleet & Snow was first published by Nancy Larrick in 1961 and served as an introduction to elementary students about how weather conditions are formed. The book has been out of print for quite some time and modern books do not offer this age group such an approachable discussion of how inclement weather is formed and the conditions that effect it. While it does not discuss the most modern tools of meteorology, it does mention the use of airplanes, satellites, and other tools of measurement. Other topics besides rain, hail, sleet and snow that are discussed are tornadoes and hurricanes, lightning and thunder, fog, humidity, water vapor, condensation, ice crystals, and the different types of clouds.

    Image for Look at the Sky and Tell the Weather

    Look at the Sky and Tell the Weather

    A delightful blend of serious meteorology and beautiful illustrations, this informative book displays the many talents of Eric Sloane. A writer, landscape painter, weather forecaster, and authority on early American history, Sloane takes readers with him on a voyage of discovery as he traces a single air mass from the Canadian Rockies to northern New England. A vivid narrative and the author's own pen-and-ink sketches describe the progress of the air mass over America, and tell about its encounters with other elements of weather systems and with Americans from a variety of backgrounds.

    Image for The Secret World of Weather: How to Read Signs in Every Cloud, Breeze, Hill, Street, Plant, Animal, and Dewdrop

    The Secret World of Weather: How to Read Signs in Every Cloud, Breeze, Hill, Street, Plant, Animal, and Dewdrop

    In this eye-opening trove of outdoor clues, acclaimed natural navigator Tristan Gooley shows us how, by "reading" nature as he does, you'll not only detect what the weather is doing (and predict what's coming), you'll enter a secret wonderland of sights and sounds you've never noticed before. Discover the ways that weather can reveal a hidden world with every step you take—through the woods or down a city street.

    • A turbulent sky with mismatched clouds predicts bad weather.
    • Snowflakes get smaller as the temperature drops.
    • Dry weather and morning frost follow a clear moon.
    • Gliding birds mean stable air and thus, fair weather.
    • Honeybees don't leave their hives below 55 degrees Fahrenheit.
    • Crickets chirp faster as the temperature rises.
    • Pine cones close their scales in high humidity.
    • Perching birds face into the wind.
    • Cows don't lie down before rain, but they do head home.
    Image for Weather Words and What They Mean

    Weather Words and What They Mean

    Simple, kid-friendly text explains the origins of fog, clouds, frost, thunderstorms, snow, fronts, hurricanes, reinforcing the explanations with clear, well-labeled drawings and diagrams. Newly revised, this edition of Weather Words and What They Mean has been vetted by an expert from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Association. Best of all, the book features a fun list of weird weather facts!

    Image for The Wonder Of Thunder: Lessons From A Thunderstorm

    The Wonder Of Thunder: Lessons From A Thunderstorm

    o you know a child who is scared or feels uneasy during thunderstorms?

    The Wonder of Thunder is a lighthearted children’s rhyming picture book that helps tame fears while highlighting all the wondrous things thunderstorms can do.

    Children will adore Sally Storm, a lovable character who excitedly shares all the good she can do as she swirls and tumbles overhead. This early learning picture book introduces the topic of storms, thunder, lightning and rain in a fun and non-threatening way.

    Colourful and captivating illustrations pull children into the story and hold their attention through to the end, where Sally shares more fun facts about thunderstorms and engages children through direct questions.

    Also, look at these weather activities for early years.

    WEATHER ACTIVITIES FOR EARLY YEARS

    • Quick Groundhog Day Unit Study and Fun Cupcake Activity for Kids
    • 7 Easy Cloud Crafts For Preschoolers | Types of Clouds Activity
    • Welcome December Weather By Making an Easy Mitten Wreath With Kids
    • Fun Felt Weather Chart & Free The Magic School Bus Kicks Up A Storm Worksheet
    • Weather In A Bottle | How To Make An Amazing Tornado In A Jar
    • 9 Hands on Weather Activities for Kids and Awesome Weather Sensory Tray
    • 5 Simple Wind Energy Activities For Kids & Fun DIY Anemometer
    • T Is For Simple Fun Thunderstorm Activities For Kindergarten
    Weather Activities For Early Years and Free Printable Flashcards

    HOW TO DOWNLOAD THE FREE WEATHER FLASHCARDS

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

    When you sign up to follow me, you get access to this freebie.

    1) Sign up on my email list to follow me and get this freebie and many others.
     2) You’ll instantly be directed to download the printable.
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    Leave a CommentFiled Under: Hands-On Activities Tagged With: flashcards, hands-on, hands-on activities, handson, handsonhomeschooling, homeschool, weather

    Fun Facts About Marco Polo | The Fascinating World of the Mongols

    March 4, 2025 | Leave a Comment
    This post may contain affiliate links. For more information, please see my full disclosure policy.

    We are learning some fun facts about Marco Polo, the Mongols, and investigate the contents of the Mongols Middle Ages History Unboxed. Also, look at my page free Marco Polo Unit Study and Lapbook 1254 to 1324.

    The Mongols were a nomadic people who lived in the vast steppes of Central Asia.

    They were skilled horsemen and archers, and they were known for their fierce fighting ability.

    Fun Facts About Marco Polo | The Fascinating World of the Mongols

    In the 12th century, a young Mongol named Temujin united the Mongol tribes and became Genghis Khan, or “Universal Ruler.”

    Genghis Khan was a brilliant military strategist. He led the Mongols on a campaign of conquest that stretched from the Pacific Ocean to the borders of Europe.

    The Mongols were some of the most successful conquerors in history.

    They defeated powerful empires, such as the Jin Dynasty of China and the Abbasid Caliphate of Baghdad.

    The Mongols also established one of the largest empires in history, which stretched from Eastern Europe to Southeast Asia.

    BOOKS ABOUT MARCO POLO FOR KIDS

    Marco Polo, explorer, served Emperor Kublai Khan in China.

    Then he returned to Venice to write his account of the experiences he had there.

    And that gave Europeans some of their earliest information about China.

    First, look at some of these books about Marco Polo and his adventures.

    10 Marco Polo Books & Resources for Kids Who Love Reading and Being Read To

    Add some of these fun books about Marco Polo to your home library or use them in your unit studies.

    Image for Marco Polo

    Marco Polo

    The amazing story of a Venetian trader who becomes an aide to the great Kublai Khan comes to life in this retelling for students by Manuel Komroff. Follow along as Marco Polo travels through deserts littered with bones, encounters animals previously unknown to Europeans, and comes to serve in the court of one of the greatest kingdoms ever known.Included is a gorgeous new map tracing his journey, and 29 full page illustrations from an early edition written for adults.The text in this edition is a reprint of the original Messner Biography, a series that was created for students. "Well told and with engaging narratives, they unknowingly flow nicely from story to fact. You will find a plethora of information packed between these pages, not only about the title’s subject, but the subject's time and the world they lived in."

    Image for The Adventures of Marco Polo

    The Adventures of Marco Polo

    Was Marco Polo the world's greatest explorer -- or the world's greatest liar? Newbery Medalist Russell Freedman turns his eagle eye on the enigmatic Marco Polo in his most exciting biography yet.

    He claimed to have seen rocks burn, bandits command sandstorms, lions tamed with a look, and sorcerers charm sharks while divers gathered pearls on the ocean floor. Marco Polo shook Europe with descriptions of the world he'd seen on his epic journey to the court of Kublai Khan.

    But was Marco Polo the world's most accomplished explorer? Had he really seen the "Roof of the World" in Central Asia, and the "City of Heaven" in far-off China? Or was he a charlatan who saw nothing more than the conjurings of his inventive mind? Join Russell Freedman as he tackles a centuries-old mystery.

    Image for The Story of Marco Polo

    The Story of Marco Polo

    This is volume number 22 in the Signature Books series for young readers. This series, under the general editorship of Enid Lamonte Meadowcroft, provides easy to read, exciting stories based upon the lives of historical figures. A vivid story of the life and adventures of perhaps the most romantic traveler of all time, a man who returned from the East with tales so fantastic that no one believed him until he was vindicated by later travelers.

    Image for Animals Marco Polo Saw (Explorer Series)

    Animals Marco Polo Saw (Explorer Series)

    A continuation of the Explorers series by award-winning author Sandra Markle, Animals Marco Polo Saw brings to life the amazing, exotic animals Marco Polo encountered during his explorations in Asia, how the animals sometimes affected the outcome of the journey, and even helped the explorer survive!

    Image for Marco Polo (Junior World Explorers)

    Marco Polo (Junior World Explorers)

    Examines the political forces and personal ambition that drove Marco Polo in his explorations.

    Image for The Travels of Marco Polo

    The Travels of Marco Polo

    Marco Polo was the most famous traveller of his time. His voyages began in 1271 with a visit to China, after which he served the Kubilai Khan on numerous diplomatic missions. On his return to the West, he was made a prisoner of war and met Rustichello of Pisa, with whom he collaborated on this book. The accounts of his travels provide a fascinating glimpse of the different societies he encountered: their religions, customs, ceremonies and way of life; on the spices and silks of the East; on precious gems, exotic vegetation and wild beasts. He tells the story of the holy shoemaker, the wicked caliph and the three kings, among a great many others, evoking a remote and long-vanished world with colour and immediacy. He found himself traversing the most exotic lands-from the dazzling Mongol empire to Tibet and Burma. This fascinating chronicle still serves as the most vivid depiction of the mysterious East in the Middle Ages.

    Image for He Went With Marco Polo

    He Went With Marco Polo

    Cathay is a long way from his home in Venice, but when 14-year-old gondolier, Tonio Tumba receives the chance of a lifetime, he doesn’t say no. Leaving behind his only possession, a shabby green gondola, Tonio eagerly joins Marco Polo on his adventure.

    As Tonio and the Polo family travel the dangerous silk road to modern-day China, they encounter many fascinating people and dangerous perils. When Tonio rides into Cathay on one of the Khan’s elephants, he says to his friend, Pietro: “Elephants are grand… but give me a horse any time – unless I could have a gondola. When we get back to Venice, I’ll take you out in mine.”

    There are many wonderful sights, amazing inventions and great riches to discover, though Tonio looks forward to getting back home - but many years will pass before his chance to see the canals of Venice again. When so much has changed, will Tonio find anything worth returning for?

    Louise Andrews Kent is a master storyteller, weaving historical accuracy and immersive adventure into one epic voyage of discovery.

    This new edition features all the original illustrations and clean, readable text. It is a fantastic living book teaching about history and geography, recommended for ages 10 and up.

    Image for Genghis Khan and the Mongol Horde (World Landmark Books)

    Genghis Khan and the Mongol Horde (World Landmark Books)

    Excellent, historic story well told by Harold Lamb and beautifully illustrated by Elton Fax. Originally published in 1954, this paperback edition was released in 1982.

    Image for Marco Polo: Overland to China (In the Footsteps of Explorers)

    Marco Polo: Overland to China (In the Footsteps of Explorers)

    Relive Italian voyager Marco Polo's adventures in China in1275, including his legendary meeting with Kublai Khan, emperor of the powerful Mongol Empire. This exciting new book separates fact from myth using excerpts from Polo's actual journals and vivid illustrations and photographs to portray Polo himself and his impressions of the unique traditions and customs of the Mongols. A recipe from the period is also included. Topics include - what the Medieval period meant to Europe and exploration - the Silk Road - Marco Polo's service in Kublai Khan's court - life at sea and in the Mongol Empire - Marco Polo's influence on later explorers Teacher's guide available.

    Image for Marco Polo: his travels and adventures.

    Marco Polo: his travels and adventures.

    This edition is presented complete and unabridged, with larger text for easier reading by younger readers, and all the original illustrations and decorations.“I have attempted to transform the somewhat dry and monotonous translation of this narrative into an entertaining story, that may engage the attention and the interest of my young readers; for which it certainly presents ample opportunities. If the task is properly done, no one can fail to follow Marco Polo from his Venetian home, across the entire continent of Asia to the court of Kublai Khan, and in his various adventures and journeys while in the far-off Orient, without eager curiosity and ever-deepening interest. The central figure of the story is heroic, for Marco Polo was in all things manly, brave, persevering, intelligent, and chivalrous; and the scenes and incidents in which he was the leading actor were in the highest degree thrilling and dramatic.”-From the Preface by the Author.

    For our study on the Mongols and Marco Polo I purchased the Young Adult package for the Mongols which is intended for ages 16 and up.

    But, before we get into what comes in the box let’s take a look at some fun facts about Marco Polo.

    And of course I have some great hands-on activities and resources to accompany your study too.

    FUN FACTS ABOUT MARCO POLO AND MONGOLS

    1. During his time in China, Polo served as a trusted official in Khan’s court. It was a position that gave him access to the inner workings of the Mongol Empire and Chinese society. His observations and detailed descriptions of the people, customs, and innovations he encountered were meticulously recorded in his book, “The Travels of Marco Polo”.
    2. He journeyed to the Far East during the reign of Kublai Khan, the Mongol ruler of China. His career as a diplomat and emissary for Kublai Khan spanned 17 years.
    3. Polo’s travels introduced Europeans to many Chinese inventions that would have a major impact on the Western world. They were inventions like paper money, gunpowder, and the compass.
    4. His travels helped to forge new trade routes between Europe and Asia, increasing the flow of goods, ideas, and knowledge. The Silk Road, a network of trade routes connecting East and West, experienced a resurgence in activity because of Polo’s accounts.
    5. One of the Asian tribes the Tartars unified Asia into a new Kingdom, the Mongols.
    6. Temuchin is Genghis Khan (a word from the Tarter language meaning lord or prince).
    7. Genghis and his Mongol army are called “The Golden Horde”.
    8. The Golden Horde broke through the Great Wall of China in 1214.
    9. Genghis Khan first created national parks, the postal system, international law and the borders of modern nations. His Empire was the safest and most tolerant of lands.
    Fun Facts About Marco Polo | The Fascinating World of the Mongols

    Also, look at some hands-on activities.

    MARCO POLO AND THE MONGOLS HANDS ON ACTIVITIES

    Investigate the importance of wool and learn wool felting, taste a popular Mongol drink, and play games with a Mongolian Shagai bone with this box from History Unboxed.

    Here is a Marco Polo Unit Study – Terracotta Warriors and Free Resources full of more fantastic ideas.

    Make Homemade Mongolian Cookies and incorporate home economics and life skills into your curriculum.

    For a deeper look at Marco Polo and the Mongols read both Who Was Marco Polo or Genghis Khan for read aloud or independent reading time.

    Follow his travels with the Marco Polo Unit Study – Salt Dough Map + Free Printable Map Flags and create a relief map that showcases his path.

    Listen to the podcast The Adventures of Marco Polo – Family Time History Podcast – Episode 1 together as a family while you are on the road or sitting around the table.

    Finally, look at some hands-on activities.

    History Unboxed carries boxes of wonderful activities and sometimes edible treats spanning Ancient History, Us History, and the Middle Ages.

    You can purchase History Unboxed one box at a time or as a bundle of 12 and choose youth for elementary or young adult for middle and high school.

    MONGOLS UNBOXED (MIDDLE AGES)

    Inside our Mongols box was a book full of information and illustrations, a reading list, as well as instructions for enrichment activities like recipes, wool felting, and silk spinning.

    It also included the items needed for these activities individually packaged making it easy to assign and keep track of supplies.

    Here is what is inside…

    Shagai Games: Decorate and play traditional games with Mongolian Shagai bones, learning about the recreational activities that have been part of Mongolian culture for centuries.

    Fun Facts About Marco Polo | The Fascinating World of the Mongols

    Felting and Wool: Learn about the importance of wool in Mongolian life.

    We tried our hand at wool felting.

    We did it without a needle as it was originally done with hot water and soap. Felting was essential to the nomadic lifestyle of the mongols.

    Fun Facts About Marco Polo | The Fascinating World of the Mongols

    Traditional Drinks: Taste a drink inspired by a traditional Mongolian recipe, offering a flavorful glimpse into the Mongolian culinary heritage. Our box included a Wild Orange tea to try.

    Silk Spinning: Spin silk from a silkworm cocoon and uncover how silk played a key role in Genghis Khan’s army, protecting soldiers and enhancing trade routes.

    Fun Facts About Marco Polo | The Fascinating World of the Mongols

    The Life of Genghis Khan: Dive into the fascinating story of Genghis Khan, a figure revered by some and reviled by others, whose leadership and legacy still shape perceptions of the Mongols today.

    Lessons are laid out for you in the book.

    Fun Facts About Marco Polo | The Fascinating World of the Mongols

    This method of learning is a lot more fun than reading out of a textbook for most learning types and who doesn’t love to get a box of surprises in the mail?

    Leave a CommentFiled Under: Hands-On Activities Tagged With: hands on history, hands-on, hands-on activities, handson, handsonhomeschooling, history, homeschool, Marco Polo

    How to Make a Queens Crown | Letter Q Crafts for Preschoolers

    March 3, 2025 | Leave a Comment
    This post may contain affiliate links. For more information, please see my full disclosure policy.

    We are going to start with a lovely round of letter Q crafts for preschoolers and end with a unique felt craft that I have put together for you. Also, look at my page How to Homeschool Preschool for more ideas.

    Every queen needs a crown right?

    We are going to fashion the easiest one from felt that will hold up nicely for daily playtime long after the lessons are over.

    How to Make a Queens Crown | Letter Q Crafts for Preschoolers

    This simple no sew felt crown is to represent Q is for queen and uses letter beads to help your become familiar with the letter through fun repetition.

    Also, you want learning to be interactive and hands-on.

    There are lots of fun ways to practice letters with your preschoolers including crafts, songs, games, and more.

    LEARN THE ALPHABET AND LETTER Q

    Letter Q and Alphabet Books & Resources

    Add these fun books about the letter Q to your preschool or kindergarten day.

    Image for Quite Quirky With Q | A Silly Book For Children

    Quite Quirky With Q | A Silly Book For Children

    Quite Quirky is a delightful watercolor picture book that introduces young readers to the whimsical world of Letter Q, who celebrates the joy of being quirky in many silly and entertaining ways. Through playful rhymes and enchanting illustrations, this book encourages children to embrace their uniqueness and celebrate their quirks.

    Image for The Queen's Question: The Letter Q Book

    The Queen's Question: The Letter Q Book

    This is the seventeenth book in the highly acclaimed AlphaBOX Alphabet Readers collection – a gorgeously illustrated series that teaches each letter of the alphabet and its phonetic sound. With The Queen’s Question, young readers will explore the letter Q with bright colors, adorable pictures and an arty challenge you can enjoy together. They will also encounter the important sight words WHAT, HAS, A, DOES, ON, IN and OF to help build their fluency and literacy along the journey. Charming, captivating and lots of fun, each AlphaBOX Alphabet Reader has a lovingly created twist. For example, all illustrations in this book were created using Q-for-Quill pens! Classroom and bedtime tested – guaranteed to enchant, educate and entertain your little learners.

    Image for Creature ABC

    Creature ABC

    An elegant addition to any library, this deluxe alphabet book features 120 pages of Andrew Zuckerman's breathtaking wildlife photography. From alligator to zebra, each featured animal boasts two striking studio portraits against a clean white background, offering a unique up-close view of the animal kingdom. Readers can flip to a helpful glossary in the back for extra information. From the sleek beauty of a smiling hippo to the powerful majesty of a roaring lion, this gorgeous new book is both a stunning work of art and a ferociously fun way for young animal-lovers to learn their ABCs.

    Image for Animalia by Graeme Base

    Animalia by Graeme Base

    More than three million copies of Animalia have been sold around the world, making Graeme Base’s amazing alliterative alphabet book one of the most beloved titles of the past quarter century. To celebrate thirty years, Abrams is proud to publish a special anniversary edition. Animalia’s incredible imaginary world intrigues all readers. Each page includes hidden objects and ideas: start with “A is for An Armoured Armadillo Avoiding an Angry Alligator” and you’ll find aprons, ants, aces, Atom-brand anchovies, and much more. The rest of the alphabet is just as much fun!

    Next, look at ways to teach the letter Q for preschoolers

    HOW TO TEACH LETTERS TO PRESCHOOLERS: THE LETTER Q

    Introduce the letter Q-Show your child the letter Q and say its name. Point out the different parts of the letter, such as the circle and the tail.

    Start with a story– read a story to your child that features the letter Q. For example, you could read “The Quick Brown Fox Jumps Over the Lazy Dog” or “Quacky Quack Goes the Duck.”

    Practice writing the letter Q-Have your child practice writing the letter Q in the air, on paper, or on a whiteboard. You can also use playdough or clay to make the letter Q.

    Point out the letter Q in everyday objects- Signs, books, and toys. You can also make a game of finding the letter Q on a walk or in a magazine.

    Make a letter Q craft-Make a Q out of construction paper, pom-poms, or beads. Or make our Q for queen crown below.

    Sing a letter Q song– For example, you could sing “The ABC Song” or “The Letter Q Song.”

    Play a letter Q game-There are many different letter Q games that you can play with your child. For example, you could play a matching game with letter Q cards or a memory game with letter Q pictures.

    Next, look at crafts for the letter Q.

    LETTER Q CRAFTS FOR PRESCHOOLERS

    • To build fine motor skills and reinforce familiarity with the letter Paint With Q Tips.
    • Here is a pretty extensive list of foods that start with Q to not only practice identifying and using the sound for Q but to also introduce your child to a variety of unique foods.
    • Simple craft feathers help add a sensory aspect to the Q is for Quail crafts.
    • Make a magazine clipping Q is for Quilt Project.
    • Not only does Quarter Stamping help your child become more familiar with the letter but I also introduces the coin as well.
    • Edible Q-Tips- Kinda gross but it works for a fun ewww kinda snack to go along with your Q study.
    • What starts with the letter Q sensory bin and other hands on ideas will make your letter of the week fun and memorable.
    • This Q is for Quack paper plate is just precious isn’t it?
    • Grab the free printable Q is for Queen Handprint Craft and Free Letter Q Worksheets.
    • Learn How to Make A Quill Pen that beginning writers can use to draw or even begin to form letters like Q while learning words that begin with it.
    How to Make a Queens Crown | Letter Q Crafts for Preschoolers

    Additionally, look at more alphabet letter activities.

    MORE LEARNING YOUR LETTERS ACTIVITIES

    • A is for Apple Craft | Apple Study
    • B is for Bird Craft | Bluebird Study
    • Quick And Inexpensive Letter C Handprint Craft – Crafty Crab Fun
    • E is For Easy Eagle Study
    • How to Make a Fun Paper Plate Fish | F is for Fish
    • G is for Gorilla Mask | Africa Study
    • H Horse Handprint | Horse Study
    • K is for Kangaroo| Australia Theme
    • M is for Monkey Handprint | Monkey Study
    • N Is For Nest Handprint | Nests Study
    • O is for Owl | Great Horned Owl Study
    • P Is For Pineapple Craft | How To Make A Fun Handprint Pineapple
    • R is for Rainbow | Rain Mobile
    • How To Create A Sweet Strawberry Letter S Handprint Craft
    • T is for Teeth | Dental Unit
    • How to Make A Letter V For Volcano Handprint Craft
    • W Is For Winter | Snowman Oobleck Activity
    • How To Make A Letter Y Handprint Craft Featuring A Yak
    • X is for X Ray | Crayon Resist Skeleton

    Now, onto my tutorial for the Q is for Queen crown to top off your letter q crafts for preschoolers.

    HOW TO MAKE A QUEENS CROWN- NO SEW FELT

    You will need:

    • Craft felt
    • String
    • Jewel beads
    • Letter beads
    • Tacky glue
    How to Make a Queens Crown | Letter Q Crafts for Preschoolers

    First, measure your child’s head approximately where you would like the crown to sit with a piece of string.

    How to Make a Queens Crown | Letter Q Crafts for Preschoolers

    Cut out two strips of felt about 3” tall, you may need a piece of a third to make it long enough depending on the size of your child’s head.

    How to Make a Queens Crown | Letter Q Crafts for Preschoolers

    Use the string to measure out the length of felt that you need.

    Lay one piece over top of the other and cut triangular points along the length.

    Use letter beads to spell out QUEEN on the front of the crown, repeat each letter as you help your child place it.

    How to Make a Queens Crown | Letter Q Crafts for Preschoolers

    Let your child lay their beads in whatever pattern they like around the crown as well as some additional Q letter beads, the more they see and handle the letter the more familiar with it they will become.

    Use tacky glue to attach each bead to the felt, you could also use hot glue but this glue allows your child to have ownership in the craft from beginning to end.

    How to Make a Queens Crown | Letter Q Crafts for Preschoolers

    Glue the ends of the crown together and allow all the glue to dry completely.

    How to Make a Queens Crown | Letter Q Crafts for Preschoolers

    Once ready your child can wear it and practice finding the Q’s on their queen crown.

    Leave a CommentFiled Under: Hands-On Activities Tagged With: alphabet, hands-on, hands-on activities, handson, handsonhomeschooling, homeschool, homeschool preschool, letter sounds, phonics, preschool, preschool skills

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