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Hands-On Activities

How To Create Toilet Paper Roll Penguins For A Bowling Game

November 25, 2024 | Leave a Comment
This post may contain affiliate links. For more information, please see my full disclosure policy.

We’re making these super cute toilet paper roll penguins for a bowling game. Be sure you grab more ideas for winter fun on my page Winter Season Unit Study.

And then of course you know I found 12 more toilet paper roll craft ideas to make.

Toilet paper roll crafts are a great way to upcycle something that is already on hand.

How To Create Toilet Paper Roll Penguins For A Bowling Game

Once you see these cute ideas you are going to want to start saving up all your empty toilet paper rolls to work your way through them.

Penguins are flightless birds that live in the Southern Hemisphere.

Additionally, penguins are known for their black and white feathers, waddling walk, and love of swimming.

They happen to make adorable inspiration little bowling pins for a wintery themed bowling game.

And you can make as small or as large a set of pins as you like.

Six seems to be a good number and manageable to knock over.

Before we waddle into all these crafts let me leave you with a few things to share with your preschooler about these formal wearing little Antarctica cuties.

BOOKS ABOUT PENGUINS

11 Penguin Books & Resources for Kids Who Love to Read and Be Read To

Add some of these books and resources about penguins to your learning day.

Image for Penguin's Way

Penguin's Way

With a new children’s book imprint, the Bodleian Library brings beloved classics back into print, beginning with a beautiful storybook about the life of a fascinating Antarctic species. Originally published in 1962, Penguin’s Way by Johanna Johnston tells the surprising story of these creatures, complete with colorful artwork by award-winning illustrator Leonard Weisgard. In Penguin’s Way, a playful colony of emperor penguins lives on the edge of a faraway secret sea. During the summers, the penguins are content to fish and swim in the icy waters. But, when the seasons change, they must travel more than one hundred miles to the snowy lands surrounding the South Pole. All across the snow plain, the penguins sing songs to welcome newly hatched chicks into the world, but how will the fluffy newborns survive the freezing winter? Few things pique children’s curiosity about the world around them better than a good book. Brought back for a new generation of young readers, Penguin’s Way offers a fun and creative introduction to these fascinating animals.

Image for Mr. Popper's Penguins: All-Time Popular Children Book

Mr. Popper's Penguins: All-Time Popular Children Book

Charming Characters: Meet the endearing Mr. Popper and his comical penguins, each with their distinct personalities and quirks, creating a delightful and memorable cast of characters.

Whimsical Adventures: Follow Mr. Popper and his penguins on a series of whimsical escapades, as they navigate unexpected challenges and create joyous chaos in their small town.

Heartwarming Message: Experience the heartwarming message of friendship, family, and the importance of embracing the unexpected, as Mr. Popper's life is transformed by the presence of his unusual feathered companions.

Image for Whiteblack the Penguin Sees the World

Whiteblack the Penguin Sees the World

Whiteblack the Penguin is worried. He has run out of stories for his radio show, a dire situation for the Chief Storyteller of Penguinland. So Whiteblack decides to travel in search of new tales to share. The result is a journey that spans the globe and not only introduces the precocious penguin to a host of colorful characters but teaches him about the power of friendship and what it means to be a hero. Originally created in 1937, while the Reys lived in Paris, this delightful story is being published for the first time, and is sure to enchant readers young and old. From the creators of Curious George, Whiteblack the Penguin Sees The World is a timeless tale with all the hilarity and childlike sense of adventure characteristic of the Reys’ previous work.

Image for The Emperor's Egg: Read and Wonder

The Emperor's Egg: Read and Wonder

Can you imagine spending the winter outdoors in Antarctica without anything to eat? That’s just what the male Emperor penguin does. While his mate is off swimming and catching loads of fish, he stands around in the freezing cold with an egg on his feet for two whole months, keeping it warm and waiting for it to hatch. Welcome to the story of the world’s most devoted dad!

Image for Penguins!: Strange and Wonderful

Penguins!: Strange and Wonderful

A new edition to the acclaimed Strange and Wonderful series. The seventeen species of penguins come in all sizes and are fascinating in many other ways. The little blue penguin, the smallest, stands about sixteen inches high, and the emperor penguin, the largest, stands almost four feet tall. Some penguins are named for how they look, such as the black-footed penguin, while others are named for where they live, such as the Galapagos penguin. Laurence Pringle's informative book, with stunning illustrations by Meryl Henderson, introduces young readers to the life and behavior of one of nature's most remarkable birds.

Image for 12PCS Realistic Penguin Figurines

12PCS Realistic Penguin Figurines

This penguin figures set was made by hand painted with high realistically detailed appearance, cute face and childish eyes. Their uniquely molded textures and richly painted details make the animals vivid. And all the animal figures stands up very well, they do not fall over. Children would like to spend more time to observe and play with them.

Image for The Great Penguin Rescue: Saving the African Penguins

The Great Penguin Rescue: Saving the African Penguins

African penguins waddle around nesting colonies in lower numbers than ever before. Despite South African government efforts to protect the penguin colonies and their ocean fish supply, young penguins still struggle to survive. Fuzzy chicks waiting for food in open nests may overheat in the sun or become prey. Others simply may not get enough food to survive on their own once their parents leave. But new conservation methods, including rescuing and hand-feeding vulnerable chicks, are giving experts hope. Can volunteers and scientists help save Africa's only penguins before it's too late?

Image for March of the Penguins

March of the Penguins

This documentary chronicles the heroic and harrowing journey that emperor penguins make amid subfreezing temperatures and violent snowstorms at the South Pole in order to mate.

Image for 365 Penguins (Reissue)

365 Penguins (Reissue)

A family finds a penguin mysteriously delivered to their door every day for a year. At first they’re cute, but with every passing day, the penguins pile up—along with the family’s problems. Feeding, cleaning, and housing the penguins becomes a monumental task. They’re noisy and smelly, and they always hog the bathroom! And who on earth is sending these kwak-ing critters? Bright, striking illustrations with lots of opportunity for counting (and lots of laughs), 365 Penguins has become a perennial wintertime favorite.

Image for Penguin: A Season in the Life of the Adélie Penguin

Penguin: A Season in the Life of the Adélie Penguin

Beautiful, full-color photographs and an engaging first-person narrative introduce young readers to an Adelie penguin family's first view of the harsh, wild Antarctic environment.

Image for Penguins!

Penguins!

An illustrated introduction to those wonderful waddling water birds!Living only in the southern hemisphere, there are seventeen different kinds of penguins.  With bright watercolor illustrations and kid-friendly language, Gail Gibbons introduces these black and white birds, describing where and how they live, what they eat, and how they hatch their young.   An exploration of the egg-laying and chick-raising habits of the emperor penguin is also included, describing how these large penguins take care of their babies in extremely cold temperatures, working together to look after one large egg at a time. Readers will also learn about threats to penguin populations, and what conservation efforts have been made to help preserve them.  A collection of penguin facts is also included.

Also, look at a few fun facts about penguins.

FUN FACTS ABOUT PENGUINS

Penguins are typically black and white.

WHAT COLOR ARE PENGUINS?

Their black feathers help them absorb heat from the sun, while their white feathers help them camouflage themselves in the snow.

WHERE DO PENGUINS LIVE?

They live in the Southern Hemisphere, in places like Antarctica, South America, and New Zealand.

In addition, they prefer to live in cold, coastal areas.

WHAT DO PENGUINS EAT?

Penguins eat a variety of things, including krill, fish, and squid. They use their beaks to catch their food.

HOW DO PENGUINS STAY WARM?

Too, penguins have a thick layer of feathers that helps them stay warm in the cold weather.

They also huddle together in groups to keep each other warm.

12 TOILET PAPER ROLL CRAFTS TO TRY

  1. There is no buzz about it, cutting strips from your toilet paper rolls creates the cutest little Toilet Paper Roll Honeycomb Honey Bee Activity.
  2.  Not only is it a cute craft but also a great game for building hand eye coordination-How To Make A Frog Craft Toilet Paper Roll.
  3. These Reindeer Toilet Paper Craft friends are just too cute.
  4. What a unique take on recycling a toilet paper roll, this Craft And Play: Toilet Paper Roll Car Craft looks so fun to make and play with.
  5. Fun and easy, try this Robot Toilet Paper Roll Craft.
  6. These unique snow people can be found in How to Make an Adorable Toilet Roll Snowman for Winter Crafts.
  7. What a pretty Cardboard Tube Unicorn Crafts, I think this one would even be a great craft for a unicorn themed party as well.
  8. Learn how to Make An Adorable Toilet Roll Winter Village to brighten up wintry days with a craft and a great decoration.
  9. While this How to Make a Toilet Paper Tube Flower Garland is left brown you could absolutely have your child paint the rolls and let them dry before cutting to add some color.
  10. Toilet Roll cats can be made in any color or pattern to match your own personal kitty, maybe even craft an entire herd of them.
  11. For a space unit or just a space loving kid this Rocket Ship Craft is out of this world.
  12. Great for preschoolers this Toilet Paper Roll Owl Craft also allows them to work on some fine motor skills as they wrap yarn.
How To Create Toilet Paper Roll Penguins For A Bowling Game

Now, let’s get to put together a set of penguin bowling pins that your preschooler will love to set up and knock down over and over again.

HOW TO CREATE TOILET PAPER ROLL PENGUINS FOR A BOWLING GAME

You will need:

  • 2 sheets black construction paper
  • 3 sheets white construction paper
  • 1 sheet orange construction paper
  • Google eyes
  • 6 empty toilet paper rolls
  • Glue sticks
  • Hot glue gun/sticks
  • Scissors
How To Create Toilet Paper Roll Penguins For A Bowling Game

First, cut out 6 pieces of black construction paper to 3 ¾”x 6 ¼”, this is the perfect size for a toilet paper roll.

Cut out 6 orange beaks (about 1” long) and 12 half sized orange triangles for feet.

Finally, cut 6 small white ovals out of construction paper.

How To Create Toilet Paper Roll Penguins For A Bowling Game

Let your child use a glue stick to put the parts of the penguin together on the center of each black paper, including google eyes

How To Create Toilet Paper Roll Penguins For A Bowling Game

Continue until all 6 are done, let glue dry completely.

How To Create Toilet Paper Roll Penguins For A Bowling Game

To make sure that it holds up to being knocked over repeatedly I highly recommend that you wrap the paper around the toilet paper roll.

How To Create Toilet Paper Roll Penguins For A Bowling Game

Secure it with hot glue rather than a glue stick.

How To Create Toilet Paper Roll Penguins For A Bowling Game

Finally, tightly ball up a couple pieces of white construction paper to make a snowball bowling ball.

How To Create Toilet Paper Roll Penguins For A Bowling Game

This fun little set is now ready for playtime, when not in use keep

Leave a CommentFiled Under: Hands-On Activities Tagged With: bowling, hands-on, hands-on activities, handson, handsonhomeschooling, homeschool, penguin, toilet paper roll, winter crafts, winter season

Physical Science For Kindergarten: Free States Of Matter Pages

November 24, 2024 | Leave a Comment
This post may contain affiliate links. For more information, please see my full disclosure policy.

Teaching physical science for kindergarten level should be fun. Also, look at my page Kindergarten Homeschool Curriculum for more activities and ideas.

Besides teaching science covers a wide range of topics and many topics overlap.

Until a child reaches middle or high school grades, there is no need to break physical science down into branches.

For instance, physical science includes chemistry, physics, and astronomy.

Also, mathematics is a science.

Physical Science For Kindergarten: Free States Of Matter Pages

For example, at an early age you can teach children how many, how few, how hot, how cold, how large, how small, how far, and how near.

And one excellent way to teach physical science for kindergarten is by coloring.

Children are naturally curious about the world around them.

So, learning about the properties of matters should be a natural process.

WHAT IS MATTER

By this age children can distinguish between living and nonliving things.

They can observe water (a liquid) change to ice (a solid).

And matter is anything that takes up space and has weight, like the air we breathe and the water we drink.

Matter can change from one state to another one.

There are three main states of matter: solid, liquid, and gas.

Look at some easy definitions and items to use as examples.

WHAT IS A SOLID

A solid has a definite shape.

As your child grows you can explain that molecules are packed together closely. This will lead to a discussion of atoms.

For now, they understand that solids have definite shape and volume. They stay hard.

Here is a list of some solids to share with your child.

  • wood
  • rocks
  • ice (as long as it stays below freezing)
  • wooden blocks
  • toys like dolls
  • ball
  • book
  • crayon
  • pencil
  • fork
  • eraser
  • backpack
  • shoe

Then move on to what are liquids.

WHAT ARE LIQUIDS

Too, this concept is better illustrated by items. But liquids can flow and pour.

But a liquid takes the shape of its container.

Molecules are not packed as tightly and move around.

This allows liquids to flow.

Here are some examples of liquids.

  • orange juice
  • milk
  • syrup
  • dish soap
  • liquid glue
  • rain
  • water
  • river
  • honey
  • tea

Finally, move on to gases which may be a bit more difficult to explain because we can’t see them.

WHAT IS A GAS

However, we can see what they do.

But a gas does not have a fixed shape or volume.

Look at some ways to illustrate it.

  • Helium is used to blow up balloons.
  • When water boils and gets hot we see steam. That is a gas.
  • Air is what we breathe, and it is made up of gas.

Too, let your child explore with water, which is a liquid, then freeze to turn to ice, a solid, then boil to see the steam which is a gas.

Besides it’s better to see the states of matter in action for kids this age.

MORE SCIENCE ACTIVITIES FOR KINDERGARTEN

Also, here are few more science activities.

  • Quick Unit Study & Easy Salt water Density Ocean Science Experiments For Kindergarten
  • 10 Kindergarten Fall Crafts and Craft Fun Bean Mosaics
  • How to Make an Edible Kindergarten Earth Science Tectonic Plate Activity
  • T Is For Simple Fun Thunderstorm Activities For Kindergarten
  • 8 Best Summer Unit Studies For Kindergarten | Free Ant Study
  • Growing a Seed Activity For Kindergarten Science Kids Activity
  • 8 Stellaluna Kindergarten Activities | How To Make A Coffee Filter Bat Craft
  • Rock Activities For Kindergarten And Fun Edible Rock Cycle
Physical Science For Kindergarten: Free States Of Matter Pages

Then, look these fun color by code states of matter free pages.

HOW TO GET THE FREE STATES OF MATTER COLOR BY CODE PAGES

Too, these pages work for any early grades, not just kindergarten.

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 now.

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

Leave a CommentFiled Under: Hands-On Activities Tagged With: color pages, coloring, coloringpages, hands-on, hands-on activities, handson, handsonhomeschooling, homeschool, kindergarten, science, states of matter

Creative Time Telling Activities And Free Worksheets For Young Learners

November 23, 2024 | Leave a Comment
This post may contain affiliate links. For more information, please see my full disclosure policy.

I have some creative time telling activities to share and free time telling worksheets.

Teaching time telling is a gradual process.

In the formative years, introduce your child to fun clocks so they understand its associated with time.

For example, point out the two types of hand. One is a long hand and the other is a short hand.

Too, some kids don’t understand what we mean by hand. I had a few of mine looking for actual hands.

Creative Time Telling Activities And Free Worksheets For Young Learners

So, it’s important for them to know that is what we call the long and short arrows.

Gradually, as your kids move from kindergarten to second grade, introduce more detailed concepts.

For example, illustrate how long a second is. I always had my sons blink their eyes.

Next, illustrate a minute. Since I had boys, everything related to running and moving.

A couple of mine wanted to run so we did that.

Last illustrate an hour by timing a cobbler, reading time or lunch time. This gradual process makes this part of math fun.

HOW TO TELL TIME BOOKS AND RESOURCES

Also, look at some of these time telling books and resources to add to your day.

9 Time Telling Books for Kids Who Love to Read and Be Read To

Add some of these resources to your day for telling time.Your kids will love hands-on games and ideas.

Image for Clocks and How They Go

Clocks and How They Go

Describes the weight clock and the spring clock and how they work.

Image for Turn & Tell Wooden Clock

Turn & Tell Wooden Clock

Educational Details: The clock face has large red numbers to match the hour hand, small blue numbers to match the minute hand, and a segmented color disk to help kids visualize "quarter
past" and "half past

Image for The Secret Clocks: Time Senses of Living Things

The Secret Clocks: Time Senses of Living Things

Why do some plants blossom only during the day? How do certain birds know when and where to migrate? Why are some people "early birds" and others "night owls"? In this easy-to-read volume, Seymour Simon examines the inner biological clocks of people, animals, and plants and explains what makes them tick.

Image for Perfect Timing Game

Perfect Timing Game

TIMES UP: Learn to tell time in this fast paced, fun and cooperative game. The goal of this Perfect Timing card game is to get the clock to the right place just in time.

Image for Time Dice Pair

Time Dice Pair

Jumbo 12-sided dice/manipulative to reinforce basic time-telling skills. Contains 2 dice: (1) yellow with blue numbers 1-12 to designate hours. (1) yellow with red numbers: 00 -: 55 to designate minutes.

Image for The 13 Clocks

The 13 Clocks

The hands of all thirteen clocks stand still in the gloomy castle on a lonely hill where a wicked Duke lives with his niece, the beautiful Princess Saralinda. The Duke fancies he has frozen time, for he is afraid that one day a Prince may come and win away the hand of the Princess—the only warm hand in the castle. To thwart that fate, he sets impossible tasks for Saralinda’s suitors. But when the bold Prince Zorn of Zorna arrives, disguised as a wandering minstrel, and helped by the enigmatic Golux, the cold Duke may at last have met his match.

Image for The Invention of Hugo Cabret

The Invention of Hugo Cabret

Orphan, clock keeper, and thief, Hugo lives in the walls of a busy Paris train station, where his survival depends on secrets and anonymity. But when his world suddenly interlocks with an eccentric, bookish girl and a bitter old man who runs a toy booth in the station, Hugo's undercover life, and his most precious secret, are put in jeopardy. A cryptic drawing, a treasured notebook, a stolen key, a mechanical man, and a hidden message from Hugo's dead father form the backbone of this intricate, tender, and spellbinding mystery.

Image for Clocks Tell the Time

Clocks Tell the Time

Man has always found a great need for measuring time. This book begins with very early time-keeping, and goes through water-clocks, sundials and early clocks to modern ones. At the end is the Atomichron, which may be the accurate time-keeper that will go with rockets into space.Early mechanical clocks were worked by heavy weights, and had only an hour hand, as seen in the old clockmaker's shop used on page 4. At that time people did not feel the need to know the exact time, nor had they made a clock accurate enough to tell it. In this age of science, time must be measured exactly. The Atomichron should lose only one second in three thousand years.

Image for Clock Learning for Kids

Clock Learning for Kids

  • Unlock the joy of learning time with our practical and functional Montessori toys for babies. Enhance kids' clock learning to tell time with our toy clock.

Then move into concepts harder to grasp.

I don’t believe in kids being ready at exact grade levels, I believe as they’re ready teach them the next concept.

Grade levels are just to give you a goal to aim for.

CONCEPTS TO TEACH FOR TIME TELLING

After you teach the basics, look at some of these concepts to teach.

  • Teach what o’clock means
  • Also, half past the hour and explain the minute hand is on 6. They need to know it half of an hour.
  • Move on to quarter past the hours.
  • And quarter to. So quarter past and quarter to are easier to explain by a hand held clock. I showed you how to make one below.
  • Compare analog and digital time.
  • Explain what is digital time and how to read it.
  • Before you do this go over counting by 5s. If a child struggles with skip counting, time telling will be difficult.
  • Then move on to a.m. and p.m.

HANDS-ON TIME TELLING ACTIVITIES

Next, look at these hands-on math activities for learning to tell time.

  • Tick-Tock! How to Make a Hands-on Time Cool Paper Plate Clock
  • Upcycled Clock: A Color Matching Activity
  • 7 Time-Telling Fun Hands-On Time Activities and a Simple Watch Craft
  • Time Puzzle
  • Make A Rock Sundial
  • Hourly Telling Time Bookmarks
  • Learn to tell the time clock craft
Creative Time Telling Activities And Free Worksheets For Young Learners

Finally, look at how to grab the free time telling worksheets.

HOW TO GET THE FREE TIME TELLING WORKSHEETS

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 now.

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

Leave a CommentFiled Under: Hands-On Activities Tagged With: clock, hands-on, hands-on activities, handson, handsonhomeschooling, homeschool, homeschool math, how to tell time, math, time telling

Easy Atom Model Project: How To Create A Fun Lego Version

November 22, 2024 | Leave a Comment
This post may contain affiliate links. For more information, please see my full disclosure policy.

Making an easy atom model project is really a terrific way to help kids understand the makeup of atoms.

LEGO bricks are a versatile and engaging teaching tool that can be used to teach a wide range of subjects and skills.

For example, they teach science, technology, engineering, arts, and math (STEAM) in a fun way.

Easy Atom Model Project: How To Create A Fun Lego Version

LEGO is great for hands-on learning because it allows students to learn by doing.

Kids build creativity and imagination.

When working in a group LEGO learning builds collaboration, team work, and problem solving.

Finally, they can be used for learning how STEM concepts work in the real world.

If you want a different easy atom model project I have 5 more great ideas for you.

From edible to oversized models, these activities are sure to hold kids’ attention and help them retain what they are learning.

EASY ATOM MODEL PROJECT FACTS

Atoms are the basic building blocks of matter.

They are so small that you can’t even see them with a microscope!

Atoms are made up of even smaller particles called protons, neutrons, and electrons.

  • Protons have a positive electric charge.
  • Neutrons have no electric charge.
  • Electrons have a negative electric charge.

Protons and neutrons are found in the center of the atom, called the nucleus.

Electrons orbit the nucleus in paths called electron shells.

The number of protons in an atom determines what element it is.

For example, all atoms with one proton are hydrogen atoms.

 All atoms with six protons are carbon atoms, and so on.

Atoms can combine with each other to form molecules. Molecules are the building blocks of all things around us, from water to air to the food we eat.

Atoms are constantly moving and vibrating. When atoms move faster, they have more energy. When atoms move slower, they have less energy.

The study of atoms is called atomic physics. Atomic physicists have learned a lot about atoms over the years, but there is still much that we don’t know.

Easy Atom Model Project: How To Create A Fun Lego Version

Since atoms are the basic building block doesn’t it just seem fitting that we use our favorite building blocks to recreate our own model as well? 

5 EASY ATOM MODEL PROJECT IDEAS

  1. You can make your atom and eat it too with an Atomic Cookie Skillet Model that introduces another science activity, cooking, into the mix.
  2. Another edible model that is tasty, the Marshmallow Atom Project, keeps it really simple while teaching the basics.
  3. Label The Atom Playdough Activity turns another favorite ‘toy’ into a learning lesson.
  4. Go big with this How to Make a 3D Model of an Atom, perfect for co-op or a family science project.
  5. If you have a budding artist at home they may enjoy learning about the parts of an atom by learning How to Draw an Atom in 6 Easy Steps.

Finally, look at how to create a fun LEGO atom version.

HOW TO CREATE A FUN LEGO ATOM VERSION

Remember how I mentioned this was easy? It really is as simple as letting your child play with LEGO. I typed up and added in a quick key for each of the parts to help them remember and that was it!

You will need:

  • LEGO baseplate
  • Lots of 1x? Any length bricks
  • 2-6 studs (1×1) in 3 different colors
  • Typed or handwritten list of atom parts
  • 18-2×2 bricks
  • 2-3×6 plates

First, start with a reference picture of an atom online or in a favorite science book.

You can choose any color you like for each part, just be sure that you have a lot of the 1x_ pieces in a variety of lengths to create the electron paths.

Then you will need to designate a color for electrons, protons, and neutrons in single studs.

Easy Atom Model Project: How To Create A Fun Lego Version

Start by creating electron paths by making an outer “circle” and an inner “circle” with 1x_ pieces, you can achieve more of a circular shape by alternating placement at corners and randomly around the circle.

Occasionally use your designated color for electrons and replace a stud to represent the electrons moving along the path.

Easy Atom Model Project: How To Create A Fun Lego Version

Add in your desired number of protons and neutrons to the center.

Easy Atom Model Project: How To Create A Fun Lego Version

Flip two 3×7 plates upside down and make 3 stacks made up of 6 2×2 bricks across one end of them.

Easy Atom Model Project: How To Create A Fun Lego Version

Turn over your atom model plate and attach these to one end of the board.

Easy Atom Model Project: How To Create A Fun Lego Version

This will create a fun angled display for your model.

Easy Atom Model Project: How To Create A Fun Lego Version

Have your child type or write up each of the parts of an atom and then use this as a key, putting the corresponding LEGO colors next to each one.

Remove the LEGO colors from the key and see if they can recall which is which, including the names of each.

Leave a CommentFiled Under: Hands-On Activities Tagged With: atoms, hands-on, hands-on activities, handson, handsonhomeschooling, homeschool, LEGO, science

How to Make a Plant Cell Model Edible for Kids

November 20, 2024 | Leave a Comment
This post may contain affiliate links. For more information, please see my full disclosure policy.

Did you know that you can make a plant cell model edible?

In fact, you can, and it makes for a great hands on activity to learn all about the different parts.

It just so happens to be pretty tasty too with a sugar cookie base, icing, and extra sweets on top to represent each thing.

How to Make a Plant Cell Model Edible for Kids

Having kids be able to fully get in there and explore with multiple senses is always the best way for them to learn.

Besides, who is going to forget the mitochondria is the powerhouse of the cell after they form it from candy, label it, and then gobble it up?

Before we get to our tasty activity let’s look at each of the cell parts and what they do to get a better understanding.

Also, I have some wonderful activities to go along with today’s hands-on project to extend the learning and appeal to all learning types.

BOOKS ABOUT PLANTS FOR KIDS

Too, look at these living books about plants.

9 Plant Books for Kids Who Read and Love to Be Read To

 Add a few of these books about plants to your home library or to your unit study.

Image for Living Sunlight: How Plants Bring The Earth To Life

Living Sunlight: How Plants Bring The Earth To Life

Living Sunlight shows children, teachers, and parents the remarkable magic of what makes us human.This informative yet dramatic book will mesmerize readers and help further a child's understanding of the energy we share with all living things in nature. We are all dancing sunlight. The book is co-authored by award-winning M.I.T. professor Penny Chisholm, a leading expert on ocean science. A perfect addition to any library!

Image for Rooting for Plants: The Unstoppable Charles S. Parker, Black Botanist and Collector

Rooting for Plants: The Unstoppable Charles S. Parker, Black Botanist and Collector

In 1882, Black botanist and mycologist Charles S. Parker sprouted up in the lush, green Pacific Northwest. From the beginning, Charles’s passion was plants, and he trudged through forests, climbed mountains, and waded into lakes to find them. When he was drafted to fight in World War I, Charles experienced prejudice against Black soldiers and witnessed the massive ecological devastation that war caused. Those experiences made him even more determined to follow his dreams, whatever the difficulties, and to have a career making things grow, not destroying them.As a botanist and teacher, Charles traveled the United States, searching for new species of plants and fungi. After discovering the source of the disease killing peach and apricot trees, Charles was offered a job at Howard University, the famed historically Black college where he taught the next generation of Black scientists—men and women—to love plants and fungi as much as he did.

Image for Gregor Mendel: The Friar Who Grew Peas

Gregor Mendel: The Friar Who Grew Peas

How do mothers and fathers—whether they are apple trees, sheep, or humans—pass down traits to their children? This question fascinated Gregor Mendel throughout his life. Regarded as the world’s first geneticist, Mendel overcame poverty and obscurity to discover one of the fundamental aspects of genetic science: animals, plants, and people all inherit and pass down traits through the same process, following the same rules.

Image for Out of School and Into Nature: The Anna Comstock Story

Out of School and Into Nature: The Anna Comstock Story

This picture book biography examines the life and career of naturalist and artist Anna Comstock (1854-1930), who defied social conventions and pursued the study of science. From the time she was a young girl, Anna Comstock was fascinated by the natural world. She loved exploring outdoors, examining wildlife and learning nature's secrets. From watching the teamwork of marching ants to following the constellations in the sky, Anna observed it all. And her interest only increased as she grew older and went to college at Cornell University. There she continued her studies, pushing back against those social conventions that implied science was a man's pursuit. Eventually Anna became known as a nature expert, pioneering a movement to encourage schools to conduct science and nature classes for children outdoors, thereby increasing students' interest in nature. In following her passion, this remarkable woman blazed a trail for female scientists today.

Image for In the Garden with Dr. Carver

In the Garden with Dr. Carver

Sally is a young girl living in rural Alabama in the early 1900s, a time when people were struggling to grow food in soil that had been depleted by years of cotton production. One day, Dr. George Washington Carver shows up to help the grown-ups with their farms and the children with their school garden. He teaches them how to restore the soil and respect the balance of nature. He even prepares a delicious lunch made of plants, including "chicken" made from peanuts. And Sally never forgets the lessons this wise man leaves in her heart and mind. Susan Grigsby's warm story shines new light on a Black scientist who was ahead of his time.

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A World of Plants

Covering more than twenty-five subjects, from photosynthesis and permaculture to the hidden world of Victorian plant hunters, this stylish illustrated guide is packed with scientific insight into the critical role plants play in the drama of life on Earth. Did you know that some plants steal while others defend themselves against attack? That the largest cacti can reach sixty-six feet tall and weigh more than a car? That there are meat-eating plants the size of footballs? Readers young and old will marvel at the wondrous diversity and adaptability of plants, from trees and tropical species to those that have evolved to master extreme conditions. A brisk narrative bursting with facts—all carefully organized with maps and charts in richly patterned vintage-style illustrations—make for a vivid guide to all that grows . . . and a beautiful gift book for anyone interested in the environment.

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Notes on Plants and Flowers: The Nature Notebook

Originally published in the early 1900's by Anna Comstock. This book, Notes on Plants and Flowers, contains the following information: How to Understand a Plant, How to understand a flower; along with multiple forms to fill in while in the field, to aid in the identification of plants and flowers.

Anna Comstock intended that the pupil would use these notebooks to create their very own field guides by observing local flora and fauna with which they should be very familiar.

This is an 8.5x11 workbook for students, featuring short illustrated chapters on identifying parts of plants and flowers along with multiple forms for the pupil to complete.

Image for First Studies of Plant Life (Yesterday's Classics)

First Studies of Plant Life (Yesterday's Classics)

A guide to discovery of the forces at work in the world of plants. Through germinating seeds and varying their growing conditions, students learn by observation the different ways seeds germinate and young plants respond to moisture and light. Further experiments shed light on the manner of nourishment, respiration, and reproduction. The reader is given plenty to ponder since the text often poses questions without supplying answers. The life stories of the sweet pea, oak, ferns, moss, and mushrooms and an account of some of the forces plants have to contend with in their struggle to survive encourage students to continue to read and interpret their surroundings. An engaging introduction to botany for middle school and beyond.

Image for Wicked Plants: The Weed That Killed Lincoln's Mother and Other Botanical Atrocities

Wicked Plants: The Weed That Killed Lincoln's Mother and Other Botanical Atrocities

A tree that sheds poison daggers; a glistening red seed that stops the heart; a shrub that causes paralysis; a vine that strangles; and a leaf that triggered a war. In Wicked Plants, Stewart takes on over two hundred of Mother Nature’s most appalling creations. It’s an A to Z of plants that kill, maim, intoxicate, and otherwise offend. You’ll learn which plants to avoid (like exploding shrubs), which plants make themselves exceedingly unwelcome (like the vine that ate the South), and which ones have been killing for centuries (like the weed that killed Abraham Lincoln's mother). Menacing botanical illustrations and splendidly ghastly drawings create a fascinating portrait of the evildoers that may be lurking in your own backyard. Drawing on history, medicine, science, and legend, this compendium of bloodcurdling botany will entertain, alarm, and enlighten even the most intrepid gardeners and nature lovers.

Plant cells are complex structures that perform a variety of functions essential for plant growth and survival.

PARTS OF A PLANT CELL

Additionally, here are the main parts of a plant cell include:

  • Cell Membrane: The cell membrane is a selectively permeable barrier that surrounds the cell and regulates the movement of substances into and out of the cell.
  • Endoplasmic Reticulum: The endoplasmic reticulum is a network of membranes that fold and transports proteins.
  • Cell Wall: The cell wall is a rigid structure that surrounds the cell membrane and provides support and protection for the cell.
  • Cytoplasm: The cytoplasm is a jelly-like substance that fills the cell and contains all of the cell’s organelles.
  • Nucleus: The nucleus is the control center of the cell and contains the cell’s DNA.
  • Nucleolus: The nucleolus is a small structure within the nucleus that produces ribosomes.
  • Ribosomes: Ribosomes are small structures that produce proteins.
  • Golgi Apparatus: The Golgi apparatus is a stack of membranes that modifies, sorts, and packages proteins.
  • Lysosomes: Lysosomes are small sacs that contain enzymes that break down waste products and worn-out cell parts.
  • Vacuoles: Vacuoles are storage sacs that hold water, salts, and other substances.
  • Chloroplasts: Chloroplasts are green organelles that contain chlorophyll and carry out photosynthesis.
  • Mitochondria: Mitochondria are organelles that produce energy for the cell.

Next, look at more edible plant activities.

MORE CELL MODEL EDIBLE PROJECTS

  • Start with a video on Plant Cells and Their Parts to demonstrate each part and the role they play as part of the cell.
  • Follow this tutorial to learn  How to Make a 3D Cell Model with Jello.
  • This Plant Cell Model is made from all kinds of kitchen goodness from jello to noodles to fruit. This is a creative way to use up a little bit of everything in the pantry and fridge.

Too, grab my free Amazon Rainforest lapbooks which have several minibooks about plants.

For example, I have the Plant label, Why do we need plants, Photosynthesis wheel rain forest and Labeling a Plant Cell printable minibooks to name a few from my rainforest lapbook.

And look at more hands-on plant activities.

PLANT ACTIVITIES FOR KIDS

  • How to Make a Fun Pitcher Plant Craft With Pool Noodles
  • Spectacular Lewis And Clark Plants Drawings | 7 Quick Botany Art Lessons
  • Carnivorous Plants For Kids and Make a Fun Paper Plate Venus Flytrap Craft
  • What Plants And Animals Did Lewis And Clark Discover on their Famous Trek & Bitterroot Craft
  • Free Carnivorous Plants Lapbook and Fun Homeschool Unit Study Ideas
  • 10 Plant Life in The Amazon Rainforest Facts and Make a Fun Rafflesia Arnoldii
  • Free Carnivorous Plants Notebooking Pages & Easy Hands-on Science Activity
  • Fun Kids Activity How to Make Wildflower Seed Bombs
  • How to Easily Make Fun Seed Tape With Kids
  • How To Make Plastic Bottle Little Greenhouses | 5 Plastic Bottle Craft Ideas
  • How to Make a Fun Kids Root Viewer
How to Make a Plant Cell Model Edible for Kids

Finally, look at how to make a plant cell model edible.

HOW TO MAKE A PLANT CELL MODEL EDIBLE FOR KIDS

The first thing you want to do is take a picture of a plant cell on your phone with you to the store and let your kids pick out candy that they think looks like the various parts.

To keep it simple I recommend using various colors of taffy like candy, they are easy to warm and manipulate into different shapes.

Dollar Tree has a ton of fantastic options to choose from, look for bags with multiple colors in them like Air heads or Laffy Taffy Packs.

How to Make a Plant Cell Model Edible for Kids

You will need:

  • Sugar cookie mix
  • Various candy
  • Frosting
  • paper/pencil

First, prepare cookie mix according to package directions.

Spread dough out onto a parchment lined baking sheet and form it into a rectangle with slightly rounded corners, roughly the shape of a plant cell.

How to Make a Plant Cell Model Edible for Kids

Bake to the directions.

Allow the cookie to cool completely then cover it with frosting, leaving a small unfrosted border all the way around to represent the cell wall.

How to Make a Plant Cell Model Edible for Kids

Now set out your frosted cookie and selection of candies for creating the parts.

How to Make a Plant Cell Model Edible for Kids

To make the candy a little more malleable, heat it in the microwave for 8-10 seconds to just slightly soften it.

How to Make a Plant Cell Model Edible for Kids

Get creative with shaping and placing the candy to represent the various parts of the plant cell.

How to Make a Plant Cell Model Edible for Kids

Once it is done, write the parts on a piece of paper.

And have your child create a ‘legend’ to show what each is by placing another piece of the matching candy next to the label.

How to Make a Plant Cell Model Edible for Kids

Now you can use your masterpiece to quiz your child. Remove the labels and ask what each does.

Have them tell you what each does before they eat it and rearrange it to see if they can correctly remake the labels.

Leave a CommentFiled Under: Hands-On Activities Tagged With: hands-on, hands-on activities, handson, handsonhomeschooling, homeschool, life science, plant cell, plants, science

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