Hands-On Activities

Amazon Rainforest Predators and Make a Fun Pasta Emerald Tree Boa

May 22, 2023 | Leave a Comment
This post may contain affiliate links. For more information, please see my full disclosure policy.

Your kids will love learning about the Amazon rainforest predators. And I have more ideas on my pages Rain Forest – Amazon, Rain Forest – Animals of the Amazon, and Rainforest Amazon Activities for Kids.

The Amazon rainforest predators are bold, fierce, and cunning.

And they use different adaptations to survive and catch their prey.

They make a fascinating part of a solid Amazon rainforest unit. Study predator’s hunting range which goes from the water to the forest floor and all the way up into the emergent layer as they swim, run, slither, and fly to catch their prey.

Amazon Rainforest Predators and Make a Fun Pasta Emerald Tree Boa

Grab a hands-on activity or two, learn a few new vocabulary words, and hunt up some predator fun with these resources I have gathered for you.

In addition, I have a simple pasta emerald tree boa craft for your child to create.

Amazon Rainforest Predators Facts

Poison dart frogs are one of the deadliest animals on earth. Although they are cute, their skin has enough poison in it to kill 10 adults.
The jaguar is the 3rd largest of the big cats and is the main predator in the rain forest and they feed on over 80 species of animals.
Green anaconda snakes are non-venomous but lethal because they suffocate their prey with their strong bodies.
The black caiman makes its home in the waters of the Amazon basin and is considered the biggest predator of the Amazon ecosystem. Reaching lengths of 20 ft long, they feed on a wide variety of birds, reptiles, fish, and mammals.
The giant otter is considered an apex predator in the rainforest. Giant otters are quick and strong, and cunning. Too, they have even been spotted killing and eating caiman and anaconda.
Harpy eagles, when full grown, are at the top of the food chain and have the largest talons of any eagle.
The Amazon Basin emerald tree boa is an arboreal species, it lives in trees, are nocturnal and have prehensile tails that grasp things, and can reach lengths of 6-9 ft.

Amazon Rainforest Predators Vocabulary

Introduce some new vocabulary and spelling words to your child.

Here are a few key words and phrases that may come up during your study of Amazon Rainforest Predators to get started with.

Predator-an animal that naturally preys on others.
Prey-an animal that is caught and killed by another animal for food.
Food Chain- list of organisms in a habitat that shows their feeding relationships.
Food Web-interlocking pattern of food chains.
Carnivore- an animal or plant that eats the flesh of others.
Omnivore-an animal that eats both plants and animal materials.
Instinct- A natural born pattern of behavior.

In addition, look at these books about the rain forest.

21 Rain Forest Animals For Kids Books and Resources

Add these rain forest animal books, games, and toys to round out your study of the animals of the rain forest.

Wildlife Animal Model Toy Red Eye Tree Frog Figure

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

All the Way Down: Amazon Rainforest

This book explores the rainforest layer by layer and the creatures that make their home in each part of the rainforest.

Rainforest Animals (Who Am I?)

Which rainforest animal is a frog that uses its eyes to help it swallow its food? Which rainforest animal is a bird with a big, colorful bill? Let's learn more about rainforest animals such as sloths, poison dart frogs, toucans, and more! Read With You's Who Am I? series encourages children to be more curious about the world around them as they learn fun facts about animals from across the globe.

Over and Under the Rainforest

Part of the critically acclaimed Over and Under series that includes Up in the Garden and Down in the Dirt and Over and Under the Snow!Under the canopy of the rainforest hundreds of animals make their homes, but up in the leaves hides another world. Turn the pages of this beautiful and educational book to discover in words and mesmerizing illustration:

Animals like the slender parrot snake and the blue morpho butterfly.

The canopies where toucans and pale-billed woodpeckers chatter and call.

Capuchin monkeys who swing from vines and slow-moving sloths who wait out daily thunderstorms.

Wild Animal Jungle Sloth Toy Figurine

Sloth Toy Figurine

In the Rainforest (Let's-Read-and-Find-Out Science 2)

The rainforest is home to millions of plant and animal species. Some animals live high up in the trees, some crawl across the forest floor, and some tunnel underground, but they all depend on one another and the rain to survive. With colorful illustrations and fascinating diagrams from author-illustrator Kate Duke, In the Rainforest is a lively look at the most vibrant ecosystem on our planet.

Anacondas (Rain Forest Animals)

This book introduces readers to the largest snake in the world: the anaconda. Readers learn about the life cycle, behavior, physical characteristics, and habitat of anacondas

Learn to Draw Rainforest & Jungle Animals

Expanding the popular collection of animal books in the Learn to Draw Series, Learn to Draw Rainforest & Jungle Animals will teach kids how easy it is to draw a variety of exciting and exotic creatures from around the world. Each project starts with a basic shape and progresses with simple-to-follow steps to a finished realistic final colored artwork. While they’re learning, kids will also discover fun facts about each featured animal.

The Rainforest Grew All Around

Imaginations will soar from the forest floor, up through the canopy and back down again, following the circle of life in this clever adaptation of the song “The Green Grass Grew All Around.” The jungle comes alive as children learn about a wide variety of the animals (jaguars, emerald tree boas, leafcutter ants, sloths, poison dart frogs, toucans, and bats) and plants (kapok trees, liana vines, and bromeliads) living in the lush Amazon rainforest. Delve even deeper into the jungle using sidebars and the three-page “For Creative Minds” educational section.

Wildlife Anatomy: The Curious Lives & Features of Wild Animals around the World

While it covers more than just the rainforest this is a fabulous resource to have on your shelves. You will find plenty of great pictures and information on many animals that live there- crocodiles, harpy eagles, monkeys, tapir , sloths,Jaguarundi, and the food web.

Rainforest Glow-in-The-Dark Puzzle, Rainforest Animals, Birds, Plants and More

COLORFUL ARTWORK: Kids will love the colorful puzzle artwork showing the animals, plants, trees and birds that call the rainforest home. The storage box shows the completed puzzle artwork and is an ideal place to keep pieces safe and free from damage.

The Great Kapok Tree: A Tale of the Amazon Rain Forest

Tells a story of a man who came to cut down a kapok tree and encounters many of the beautiful and exotic native creatures who make their home in the Amazon Rainforest.

Professor Noggin's Reptiles and Amphibians Trivia Card Game

FUN FACTS: How about Reptiles versus Amphibians?! That's just one of the topic cards in this kids card game. Find out more fun facts from Eggs to the Komodo Dragon!

Rainforest Gummi Frogs Candy

How fun!

FRESH & FRUITY: Fruidles single-flavor gummies pack giant taste into one delicious flavor. After one bite of these fruity gummies, you'll taste the difference of giant fresh fruit flavors & a deliciously soft chew you won't find with other gummy candies.

Hello, World! Rainforest Animals

This bright and exciting Hello, World! board book teaches toddlers all about the amazing world of a rainforest—with easy-to-understand facts about the incredible animals who make their home there.

Where Is the Amazon?

Human beings have inhabited the banks of the Amazon River since 13,000 BC and yet they make up just a small percentage of the "population" of this geographic wonderland. The Amazon River basin teems with life—animal and plant alike.

Canopy, Card Game, Features 25 Unique Species of Rainforest Animals and Plants

Compete to grow the most bountiful rainforest! Carefully select what grows in your forest, and give rise to a thriving ecosystem.

LEGO Creator Rainforest Animals

Features a frog, a fly and a parrot with articulated wings and tail, opening mouth and rotatable eyes 3-in-1 model: rebuilds into a chameleon or a tropical fish

Afternoon on the Amazon

Vampire bats and killer ants? That's what Jack and Annie are about to run into when the Magic Tree House whisks them away to the Amazon River. It's not long before they get hopelessly lost. Will they be able to find their way back to the tree house? Or are Jack and Annie stuck forever in the rain forest?

Red-eyed Tree Frog (Scholastic Bookshelf)

NatureI n a tropical rain forest in Central America, a red-eyed tree frog spends the night looking for food while avoiding potential predators. Award-winning photographer Nic Bishop's larger-than-life, gorgeous images document the hunt, which ends happily with the frog settling down in the leaves to spend his daylight hours sleeping! Joy Cowley's simple, readable text makes the frog's story fun, interesting, and accessible to young readers.

Protecting the Amazon Rainforest (Saving Earth's Biomes)

Explores the richness of the Amazon rainforest, how humans have damaged it, and efforts being taken to protect it. Clear text, vibrant photos, and helpful infographics make this book an accessible and engaging read.

More Rainforest Activities for Kids

Next, add some of these hands-on Amazon predators activities.

Hands-On Amazon Rainforest Predators Activities

Choose an activity to highlight one of these cunning predators from this list.

Create two mats by writing predator and pray at the top on construction paper, use plastic amazon animals to sort them into their proper categories.

Male a cute and simple Paper Plate Anaconda.
Colorful and fun Poison Dart Frog Printable.
Create a creepy crawly tarantula craft.
How cute is this Fuzzy Jaguar Craft?
Recreate the fierce Cardboard Crocodile..
Print and complete the Amazon Rainforest Food Web Printable.
Have your child pick one Amazon predator and create a project around it-diorama, paper mache, LEGO, report, or painting.
Include this video on the 10 Deadliest Amazonian Predators while you work on one of the hands-on activities above.

Amazon Rainforest Predators- Pasta Emerald Tree Boa

You will need:

Tube pasta
Bright green paint
Gallon ziploc bag
Pipe cleaners
White paint
Paintbrush
Hot glue gun/glue

Grab a handful of uncooked pasta and place it in a gallon storage bag. You can use any kind of larger diameter tubular pasta like penne, Cannelloni, or even Ditalini.

Squirt a couple teaspoons of paint into the bag on top of the pasta.

Shake and knead the bag gently to massage to paint all over the pasta, be sure it’s well coated.

Transfer pasta to a paper or baking sheet to dry and spread it out a bit so it doesn’t dry clumped together.

If it dries on paper it might stick, I stop this by rolling it around after a few minutes of drying time.

Once the pasta is dry, thread it onto 2-3 pipe cleaners that have been twisted together end to end to make it if you want it.

Use hot glue to secure the pieces on each end but leave the rest loose. I left at least 1” of extra space without painted pasta so the snake could be posed and moved around easily.

Paint a white line all the way down the back with a small paintbrush or a paint pen then make small marks down each side along the length of the snake to mimic the markings on the Emerald Tree Boa.

Finish off by using a marker to draw eyes one either side of the head and add slits for the eyes.

Creating Fun Red Eyed Tree Frog Manipulatives for Rain Forest Math

May 21, 2023 | 1 Comment
This post may contain affiliate links. For more information, please see my full disclosure policy.

Look how to make these fun red eyed tree frog manipulatives to use for rain forest math. And I have more ideas on my pages Rain Forest – Amazon, Rain Forest – Animals of the Amazon, and Rainforest Amazon Activities for Kids

Besides, creating these adorable red eyed tree frogs can be used for a multitude of fun rain forest math activities.

This is a wonderful way to incorporate math with a matching theme into your rainforest unit study.

Also, you sneak in some science, fine motor skills, art, problem-solving, and critical thinking skills.

Creating Fun Red Eyed Tree Frog Manipulatives for Rain Forest Math

For example, if you are having your child create the frog manipulatives take a moment to research Amazon lily pads.

Rather than the typical small lily pad with a notch in the side, the Victoria Amazonica is the largest member of the water lily family.

And is a massive round shape with upturned edges which can reach up to 8 feet in width.

This is why we are going to create a perfectly round shape for our lily pads to go along with our red-eyed tree frogs.

Before jumping to some fun rain forest math, look at a few fun facts about red eye tree frogs.

7 Facts about Red Eyed Tree Frogs

They are nocturnal.
A red-eyed tree frog will change its skin color to blend in with surroundings.
The big red eyes are a defense mechanism.
Red eyed tree frogs are in the Hylidae family of frogs known as tree frogs.
They have bright leaf green bodies.
They are small, about 1 inch and have sticky pads on their toes and fingers.
The red-eyed tree frog has three eyelids.

9 Rain Forest Math Concepts

Next, look at some rain forest math ideas to add to your study for the day or your rainforest unit study.

1. Addition/Subtraction Rain Forest Math

The obvious way to use them for addition is to count them but there are many ways to mix it up to keep it from becoming boring.

Take the green circles you cut out and write numbers or use dots to represent the numbers then have your child place the matching number of button frogs on the lily pad.

Write simple addition or subtraction problems on the lily pads and have your child use the frogs as manipulatives to solve the problem.

Roll dice to get your two numbers and use them to create addition or subtraction problems.

2. One-to-One Correspondence Rain Forest Math

Your youngest learners will first need to learn this skill to help them grasp the value of objects. Have them point to each one as they count-1,2,3, etc.

3. Number Line

Grab a piece of blue paper (for your Amazon River of course), cut it out in a strip and write out your number line 1-10 or make it higher by taping strips end to end if you need to. This is yet another way to practice addition and subtraction.

Have them start their frog on a particular number and have them add/or subtract by another smaller number.

For older children, you could even make negative numbers on the left side of the number line.

4. Sorting

Have your child sort from

largest to smallest or small, medium, large, or even just small and large.

They can even simply sort by color shade if you have a mix of light and dark green buttons, sorting colors is an important early math skill.

5. Arrays

Use your button tree frogs for multiplication. One of the ways we can teach the concept of multiplication is through arrays. Arrays are simply an arrangement of evenly spaced columns and rows to demonstrate a number.

For example, show 2×3 by placing two rows and three columns of buttons to equal 6.

6. Fractions

Create fractions with the frogs.

Lay out 4 frogs and have your child show you what ½ or ¼ of the frogs are.

Write fractions on the lily pads and use the frogs to figure them out.

7. Skip Counting

Lay out as many frog manipulatives as you like and have your child skip by 2’s or any other number by pointing to the objects, this helps make it a concrete rather than an abstract process.

8. Number Chart

Use the frog manipulatives to move around on a 100’s chart to count, skip count, or find 1 less and 1 more.

9. Greater Than/Less Than

Draw an Inequality symbol on one of the lily pads and create problems by placing various amounts of frogs on either side.

Then, have your child turn the symbol to so that it is in the correct orientation.

Also, look at this list if you want to add a few rain forest books or resources to your study.

21 Rain Forest Animals For Kids Books and Resources

Add these rain forest animal books, games, and toys to round out your study of the animals of the rain forest.

Wildlife Animal Model Toy Red Eye Tree Frog Figure

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

All the Way Down: Amazon Rainforest

This book explores the rainforest layer by layer and the creatures that make their home in each part of the rainforest.

Rainforest Animals (Who Am I?)

Over and Under the Rainforest

Animals like the slender parrot snake and the blue morpho butterfly.

The canopies where toucans and pale-billed woodpeckers chatter and call.

Capuchin monkeys who swing from vines and slow-moving sloths who wait out daily thunderstorms.

Wild Animal Jungle Sloth Toy Figurine

Sloth Toy Figurine

In the Rainforest (Let's-Read-and-Find-Out Science 2)

Anacondas (Rain Forest Animals)

This book introduces readers to the largest snake in the world: the anaconda. Readers learn about the life cycle, behavior, physical characteristics, and habitat of anacondas

Learn to Draw Rainforest & Jungle Animals

The Rainforest Grew All Around

Wildlife Anatomy: The Curious Lives & Features of Wild Animals around the World

Rainforest Glow-in-The-Dark Puzzle, Rainforest Animals, Birds, Plants and More

The Great Kapok Tree: A Tale of the Amazon Rain Forest

Tells a story of a man who came to cut down a kapok tree and encounters many of the beautiful and exotic native creatures who make their home in the Amazon Rainforest.

Professor Noggin's Reptiles and Amphibians Trivia Card Game

FUN FACTS: How about Reptiles versus Amphibians?! That's just one of the topic cards in this kids card game. Find out more fun facts from Eggs to the Komodo Dragon!

Rainforest Gummi Frogs Candy

How fun!

Hello, World! Rainforest Animals

This bright and exciting Hello, World! board book teaches toddlers all about the amazing world of a rainforest—with easy-to-understand facts about the incredible animals who make their home there.

Where Is the Amazon?

Canopy, Card Game, Features 25 Unique Species of Rainforest Animals and Plants

Compete to grow the most bountiful rainforest! Carefully select what grows in your forest, and give rise to a thriving ecosystem.

LEGO Creator Rainforest Animals

Features a frog, a fly and a parrot with articulated wings and tail, opening mouth and rotatable eyes 3-in-1 model: rebuilds into a chameleon or a tropical fish

Afternoon on the Amazon

Red-eyed Tree Frog (Scholastic Bookshelf)

Protecting the Amazon Rainforest (Saving Earth's Biomes)

More Rainforest Activities for Kids

Finally, look how to make cute red-eyed tree frogs to use to teach rain forest math.

Rain Forest Math Red Eyed Tree Frog Manipulatives

You will need:

Green buttons in various sizes
Red cardstock/construction paper
Hole punch
Craft glue

Additional items for activities:

Dice
Blue construction paper
Pipe cleaners
Gallon zippered bag

Gather as many green buttons as you think you will need. For younger children start with 10 for simple math problems. Once you get going the process is quick and you can have dozens made in no time.

Hole punch red paper two times for each button you have.

Add a small slit down the center of each dot with a pen. You may find it easier to do this step after they are glued in place but either way is fine.

Add two dots of glue and attach the eyes.

Set aside to dry.

While the glue is drying on the eyes, trace a circle object about 3”-4” wide onto green construction paper to make lily pads. It’s up to you how many you cut but I recommend starting with 10. There are so many ways you can use these.

Now, once your frogs are dry you can use them for math for multiple ages from toddlers up to kids working on multiplication and fractions.

You could also grab these cute and colorful Amazon frogs to use as manipulatives if you wanted to skip making them and still use the additional items we create with them.

Pop all your supplies in a gallon ziploc bag to keep them together and then you also have a math pack that you can take on the go and practice with anywhere.

Waiting at the doctor’s office, or at a restaurant, or take them on a trip to the park for homeschool on a blanket.

Cute Colorful Toilet Paper Roll Rainforest Frogs for a Rainforest Frog Craft

May 20, 2023 | 1 Comment
This post may contain affiliate links. For more information, please see my full disclosure policy.

I have a cute toilet paper roll rainforest frog craft. And I have more ideas on my pages Rain Forest – Amazon, Rain Forest – Animals of the Amazon, and Rainforest Amazon Activities for Kids

If you spend any time studying the Amazon Rainforest one of the first things that pops up is probably the smallest.

The tiny colorful little frogs that make their home in Amazon Rain Forest are beautiful, some poisonous, and some still much a mystery.

Cute Colorful Toilet Paper Roll Rainforest Frogs for a Rainforest Frog Craft

If you are studying the rainforest you will want to camp out and study these fascinating little leapers for a while.

You’ll want to find out about their beautiful color and amazing adaptations, understand which are poisonous, where they fit in the food web, and how they survive the treacherous conditions there.

While you enjoy a study of the Amazon Rainforest, I have a rainforest frog craft for you that can be customized to create colors just as varied and beautiful as you will find in the thick greenery of the Amazon.

If you were trekking through the rain forest some of the frogs you might see are:

Red-Eyed Tree Frogs
Poison Dart Frogs
Emerald Glass Frog
Splendid Leaf Frog
Smokey Jungle Frog
Golden Poison Frog

10 Rainforest Frog Facts

Most poison dart frogs are about the size of a quarter.
One interesting feature of the red-eyed tree frog is that as it is jumping and untucks its brightly colored legs it startles predators, giving it more time to escape.
Poison Dart frogs are immune to their own poison due to special sodium chambers that protect them.
The tiny Golden Poison Frog is likely the most poisonous animal on Earth.
Toxins from poison dart frog skin have been found to have valuable medicinal uses.
There is strong evidence to suggest there is a correlation between the vibrancy of their skin and the amount of alkaloid toxins the frogs have.
Female, red-eyed tree frogs lay their eggs above the water. When the eggs are ready to hatch, the tadpoles inside start moving vigorously, this breaks the egg open, and they fall into the water below.
Rainforest frogs’ lifespan is about 20 to 30 years.
Rainforest frogs prefer crickets, flies, grasshoppers, and moths. But they will even eat smaller frogs.
There have been more than 427 species of frogs found in the Amazon Rainforest.

Also, add some of these books and resources to learn about frogs.

14 Frog Unit Study Resources

Add a book or two or some fun hands-on resources to your unit study.

The Frog (Animal Lives)

Superbly detailed drawings capture the elusive frog in its watery realm, as it captures its prey with a sticky tongue, feeds its young, and leaps from place to place to escape from predators.

Tale of a tadpole

The natural world doesn't work the way fairy tales do, but it still has its fair share of enchantments. With text and pictures that are both scientifically accurate and totally true to the comedies of family life, this is a happily-ever-after tale of unexpected transformations

Rainforest Frogs

Rainforest Frogs Haiku by Caley Vickerman Illustrated by Mark Lerer Foreword by Franco Andreone Designed and Edited by Susan Newman Frogs Are Green, Inc is proud to announce… Rainforest Frogs Order your copy now! Free shipping in the USA if you order directly from us! $11.95 | 52 pages softcover | Full color Rainforest Frogs profiles ten exotic and endangered amphibian species. Table of Contents Foreword by Franco Andreone Blue Poison Dart frog Amazon Milk frog Yellow-Banded Poison Dart frog Northern Glass frog Tiger’s Tree frog Golden Mantella Red-Eyed Tree frog Flat-Head Bromeliad Tree frog Tiger-Leg Monkey Tree frog Rabbs Fringe-Limbed Tree frog (Toughie)

Frog (Life Cycle of a . . .)

Do tadpoles have legs? Why do frogs live in water? How do frogs catch food? Explaining concepts through stunning photographs and simple text, 'Life Cycle of a Frog' takes an in-depth look at this familiar but fascinating animal.

Ice King Bear Plush Giant Frog

Scientific name of this frog is Conraua goliath (The largest frog in the world).

Product size is 22 inches length from head to soles of the feet, big size.

Soft, huggable material built to high-quality standards and hand wash best.

Suit for kids toy, funny party props, early education animals, cute decorations in house.

Climbing Tree Frogs (Pull Ahead Books)

Introduces the physical characteristics, behavior, and habitats of North American tree frogs

Frogs

How far can frogs jump? Why do their eggs look slimy? Answer these questions and many more in this illustrated introduction to amphibians, and learn about the unique role frogs play in the environment. With her signature bright, well-labeled diagrams and simple text, Gail Gibbons introduces the habitat and life cycles of frogs, and gives a brief overview of common frog behaviors. Important vocabulary is introduced, defined, and reinforced with kid-friendly language and clear illustrations—plus a page of intriguing frog trivia.

Frog and Friends

Frog and Toad

Frog & Toad The Complete Collection

This collection brings together all of Arnold Lobel’s engaging, warm and funny stories about Frog and Toad, and features a special foreword by Julia Donaldson. A collectable classic treasury that every child should read and own. Julia Donaldson says “I hugely admire and envy Arnold Lobel; he is my hero”. Once upon a time there were two good friends, a frog and a toad… From writing letters to going swimming, telling stories to finding lost buttons, Frog and Toad are always there for each other – just as best friends should be.

Frog Growth Cycle

This Forg life cycle set is a fun for children with an interest in insects and nature explore. And also it is a great teaching and learning tool for homeschoolers and preschoolers teaching.

Anatomy Lab Soft Cover Frog Dissection Guide Book

Fully Illustrated Guide: Each study guide is fully illustrated and conveys the complete dissection through illustration.

Visualize the Steps: the dissection guides depict anatomically correct step-by-step procedural illustrations helping the student visualize key organs and anatomy aiding in the overall dissection process.

Frog-Development Paperweight Specimens

The frog development paperweight specimen is a 100% natural insect incased in clear resin block, you can observe its development all life stages very clearly from any angle.

Red-eyed Tree Frog (Scholastic Bookshelf)

Category: NatureIn a tropical rain forest in Central America, a red-eyed tree frog spends the night looking for food while avoiding potential predators. Award-winning photographer Nic Bishop's larger-than-life, gorgeous images document the hunt, which ends happily with the frog settling down in the leaves to spend his daylight hours sleeping! Joy Cowley's simple, readable text makes the frog's story fun, interesting, and accessible to young readers. This is a nature tale like you've never seen before!

Frogs Toy Mini Vinyl Realistic Frog

Rich in style: the plastic frogs toys contain 12 different types and each type includes 3 pieces, allowing you to combine and match for beautiful and personalized decorations at your will, which can give rein to your imagination and creativity

Quality material: the realistic frogs toy decorations are made of quality PVC material for safety and wearing, which are odorless; They are also easy to clean and can be applied many times, providing a comfortable touching experience for you

More Rainforest Frog Crafts

Then, here are some more rainforest frog crafts.

I love this little rainforest Frog Footprint craft to highlight their little “suction cup” toes.
How to Draw a Tree Frog is perfect for upper elementary through high schoolers.
Suction Cup Paper Tree Frogs are a great addition to learning about how frogs hang around.
Look at the sensory bin Rainforest Floor Sensory Activity for Little Kids for ideas to set up your own.
How about challenging your child to build their own DIY 3D Poison Dart Frog Model?
While this Edible Frog life cycle activity is not specific to rainforest frogs it would be easy to adapt to make it work.

Then, here are more rainforest activities for kids.

More Rainforest Activities for Kids

Finally, look how to make these adorable rainforest toilet paper frogs.

Rainforest Frog Craft-Toilet Paper Roll Rainforest Frogs

First, do a little research on the Internet or by looking through books to determine what types of frogs live in the Amazon rainforest.

This will help you choose your paint colors and the patterns on the frogs. For younger children feel free to just let them freely paint with bright colors while you talk about the different rainforest frogs.

You will need:

Bright construction paper/cardstock
empty toilet paper rolls
Bright craft paints
Craft or hot glue
Buttons
Scissors

Cut toilet paper rolls in half.

On one end of each toilet paper roll press the sides inward slightly and then crease. Flatten this end partly.

At the opposite end press flat and glue, hold in place until the glue dries, or use clothespins or paper clips to hold it together.

Once dry paint the entire outer toilet paper roll with whatever base color you like.

While waiting for the bodies to dry, work on the legs.

Remember the old accordion fans you used to make as a child? You are going to repeat that accordion fold on each of the legs for each frog.

Cut the construction paper into quarter-inch strips and then cut it in half. You want them about 6” long. Crease each fold firmly as you go back and forth to give it a good “spring”.

Cut out some feet with rounded toes.

Glue a foot onto the end of each leg.

Now, even if your paint is still a bit wet you can add some detail with more paint like dots and stripes and add some to the legs too.

Allow everything to dry completely.

Flip your frog over and attach the legs to the underside.

Flip it back over and fold down ½” to form the mouth.

To finish off your frog, glue the button eyes to the top of the head. You can add slits to the red eyes to really make them look realistic.

Create a whole colorful army of rainforest frogs to decorate with.

20 Fun Summer Learning Activities And Make A Rock Sundial

May 12, 2023 | 1 Comment
This post may contain affiliate links. For more information, please see my full disclosure policy.

I have 20 fun summer learning activities and we’re making a rock sundial. And look at 11 Fun Summer Activities for Middle Schoolers for more summer fun.

Are you looking for fun summer learning activities? Whether you teach year-round or take the summer off there is no reason that learning must end.

One of the best things about homeschooling is that learning can be fun and takes place all year long, even in the long hot days of summer.

20 Fun Summer Learning Activities And Make A Rock Sundial

A simple rock sundial is not only a fun and frugal summer activity, but there is much to learn.

Look at what you learn when you make a simple rock sundial.

good way to work on telling time
problem-solving
the history of telling time
learning about the Earth’s rotation
shadows,
and enjoying some fresh air.

You can use this activity for preschool and up, creating more challenging tasks for different ages.

More Summer Learning Activities

Also, look at more summer learning activities below.

Then, look at these fun summer learning activities.

20 Summer Learning Activities

I am also giving you a wonderful list of fun summer learning activities to keep them busy all sunny summer long including water play, tasty treats, messy fun, and many more hands-on activities.

Photo Credit: preschoolpowolpackets.blogspot.com

Science Experiment: Elephant Toothpaste

"Elephant toothpaste" is a science experiment that I used to do with my high school students. It is a strong multi-sensory demonstration that goes great with a lot of chemistry concepts.

Photo Credit: www.123homeschool4me.com

Marshmallow Shooter Summer Activity for Kids

These super EASY to make marshmallow shooters are a must for your summer bucket list.

Photo Credit: www.growingajeweledrose.com

Bean Experiment for Kids

To help with observation we used a jar instead of a bean this time, and I was delighted to discover that my kids were just as amazed by this simple bit of science as I was so many years ago.

Photo Credit: littlebinsforlittlehands.com

Geometric Bubble Activity

Kids love blowing bubbles so learning, while you play, doesn’t get any better with this easy to set up geometric bubble STEM activity.

Photo Credit: littlebinsforlittlehands.com

Build A Marble Run Wall - Little Bins for Little Hands

Make a simple noodle marble run wall from pool noodles!

Photo Credit: www.kindergartenworksheetsandgames.com

Ice Cream Volcano Experiment - Summer Science Activity for Kids

Kids will be excited to learn and explore when making this ice cream volcano! This is a combination of an ice cream activity and easy volcano experiments for one EPIC, memorable summer activity for kids!

Photo Credit: www.steampoweredfamily.com

Build a Nerf War Battlefield

Build a Nerf War Battlefield in your own backyard for an adrenaline-pumping, active play experience and STEM challenge.

Photo Credit: www.mombrite.com

Easy Sun Print STEM Activity: The Power of the Sun

In this simple experiment, your kids will learn just how potent the sun’s rays are, and why colors fade under the sun.

Photo Credit: www.steampoweredfamily.com

The Coolest Project For Kids With Craft Sticks – Engineer Launchers

This is a great engineering and crafting challenge for kids 7 years old and up. The result is part crossbow, part slingshot, all fun!

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Human Sundial Shadow Science Experiments

Hands-on outdoor science activities for children, such as this human sundial experiment, can help children learn how shadows are created, and, measure the earth’s rotation.

Photo Credit: aroundthekampfire.com

Ice Cream in a Bag: Changing Matter Experiment for Second Grade

Students investigate ways that matter can change and whether these changes are reversible.

Photo Credit: funlearningforkids.com

Rain Cloud in a Jar Science Experiment with Printable Recording Sheets

This rain cloud in a jar is a weather science experiment gives young children a chance to explore clouds and rain in a hands-on and engaging way!

Photo Credit: climatekids.nasa.gov

Make SMores With a Solar Oven!

Harness the energy of the Sun to make the best snack ever invented, S’mores!

Photo Credit: www.simplemost.com

Make A Fun DIY Mason Jar ‘Fairy Light’ With Your Kids

Check out this super easy DIY weekend project that will help you turn a regular old mason jar into a glow-in-the-dark fairy light. Your kids will love how they sparkle and shimmer at night, and it’s the perfect craft for when you’ve got a little free time on your hands.

Photo Credit: sugarspiceandglitter.com

Beach Water Table Invitation (with Video) ⋆ Sugar, Spice and Glitter

This fun DIY Beach Water Table Invitation brings all the best parts of the beach to your backyard!

Photo Credit: www.glitteronadime.com

Soda Geyser Eruption Experiment - Science for Kids

We kicked it off with a Soda Geyser Eruption Experiment. Have you tried this? It is so easy and the kids loved it! Like with most of our activities, it is extremely inexpensive and simple to set up

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Paint Gun Parts of Speech Game

Looking for an outrageously fun parts of speech game to help kids review nouns, verbs, adjectives, and adverbs. Kids are going to have a blast with this fun parts of speech activity that is perfect for summer learning

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Trail Signs Printable & Activity

When it comes to simple activities to keep kids busy and having fun, scavenger hunts are always popular. They are also extremely versatile. You can find easy scavenger hunts geared towards toddlers and harder ones for teen

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Pipe Cleaner Constellations - a Hands-on Constellation Activity

Calling all space lovers! Whether you enjoy star-gazing on a clear summer night or are in planning mode for an upcoming solar system unit or astronomy study, this hands-on STEM activity will help your kids learn about constellations, stars, and the patterns stars form in the night sky!

Photo Credit: theresjustonemommy.com

Dragon STEM Activities for Kids

Because everybody should study about dragons in the summer.

Finally, look at how to make the fun rock sundial.

How to Make a Rock Sundial

Obviously, this wasn’t a foolproof way to tell time because it didn’t work at night. But it was an early innovative technique that paved the way for later more advanced time telling.

People used sundials to keep track of time by watching where the shadow falls on its surface.

The sun seems to move across the sky during the day due to the earth slowly spinning on its axis.

The various positions of the sun in the sky during the day causes the shadow to move on the sundial, showing the change of time.

You will notice each day that the shadow falls very close to where it was the day before demonstrating the accuracy of the sundial.

In the morning the shadow continues to get shorter and shorter as noon approaches.

Then, in the afternoon, the shadow gets longer and longer.

Observe the length of the shadow on the sundial throughout the day.

Is it longer in the morning or late afternoon?

Kids Rock Sundial

You will need:

A straight stick
12 flat smooth rocks
Sharpie
Phone or clock
Compass

Directions:

First, find an area of your yard that gets full sun all day, you can start any time of day when there is sun but it may take a full 24 hours or more to get all the times set.

Use a Sharpie or paint marker to write 1-12 on each rock.

Set a timer on your phone to go off every hour on the hour.

Push a fairly straight sturdy stick into the soil, and tilt it slightly to the north.

You can find this out with a compass or use the compass on your phone.

When you are on the hour, go check the direction in which the shadow from the stick is pointing and add your first corresponding numbered stone.

Throughout the day, on each hour add the next numbered rock to the end of the shadow until you have completed your clock.

You can repeat this experiment several times to make sure your numbers are in the correct space. Then try learning time at :30 as well as on the hour.

10 Sea Shell Activities for Kids and Make Crystal Sea Shells

May 11, 2023 | 2 Comments
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I have 10 sea shell activities today. And your kids will love making these fun crystal sea shells. Grab more ideas on my Seashore Watching Unit Study and Beach Lapbook.

Sea shell activities are a fun way to explore one of your favorite parts of the beach.

If you find yourself with an abundance of sea shells from your beach visits or you just want to have some seashell-themed fun I have a fun learning activity.

I have dug up 10 great sea shell activities and put together one of my own for you.

10 Sea Shell Activities for Kids and Make Crystal Sea Shells

You can observe and describe seashells, identify them with a favorite guide or reference book or use them for a multitude of crafts and activities.

I am sharing a tutorial today for how to make crystal seashells.

This is an activity that can be educational as well as pretty.

Your child can place these glittery shells alongside the plainer ones on your science shelf to remember the fun they had watching them grow crystals.

Gather up handfuls of your favorite seashells and let’s see what kind of fun and learning we can do with them.

10 Stupendous Sea Shell Facts

First, look at these facts about sea shells.

A sea shell is a hard, protective outer layer usually created by an animal that lives in the sea.
Mollusks can make their shells become different colors by eating a variety of colorful food. Eating red seaweed gives some sea animals a red shell.
There is more to the pattern of the seashell than just being pretty. Scientists believe that mollusks use the patterns and colors as engineering blueprints. The design of the shells helps the animal know where to place their mantle, ensuring they grow its shell in the right spots.
People used to use sea shells as currency, even as far back as Pompei.
90% of shells are dextral, meaning their shells open to the right.
There are over 100,000 varieties of mollusks including snails, clams, mussels, scallops, oysters, and more.
The official term for someone who collects shells is a “conchologist”.
You can guess the age of shells, a scallop, for example, produces about a ridge per day.
The largest sea shell is the Australian Trumpet, weighing up to 40 lbs.
Sea shells are an excellent source of calcium carbonate making them a great choice for adding calcium to your garden beds.

10 Sea Shell Activities

Get your shell on with these fun and beachy-themed crafts and activities you can do with your sea shells.

More Sea Shell Activities and Beach Resources

Also, look at more summertime and sea shell fun.

In addition, look at these fun books.

4 Seashells Books for Kids

Add one or two of these books or resources to your unit study about sea shells.

What Lives in a Shell?

This clear and appealing book for early elementary age kids, both at home and in the classroom, is a fascinating exploration of the many creatures that make a home in a shell. This picture book features beautifully accurate illustrations of the many types of shells—inside and out! Young readers will love exploring the fascinating homes of creatures like hermit crabs, scallops, and turtles.

Fascinating Shells: An Introduction to 121 of the World’s Most Wonderful Mollusks

Beautiful photographs of stunning shells from London's Natural History Museum, home to one of the most significant and comprehensive collections in the world.Collected and treasured for their beauty, used in religious rituals, or even traded as currency, shells have fascinated humans for millennia. Ancient and enchanting, dazzling in form and variety, these beautiful objects come from mollusks, one of the most diverse groups in the animal kingdom, including snails, oysters, cuttlefish, and chitons. Soft-bodied, these creatures rely on shells for protection from enemies and their environments, from snowy mountains to arid deserts, in deep-sea hydrothermal vents and the jungles of the tropics, on rocky shores, and in coral reefs.

Seashells & Beachcombing for Kids: An Introduction to Beach Life of the Atlantic, Gulf, and Pacific Coasts

Ocean beaches capture our attention like few places on Earth—and for good reason. Two vastly different ecosystems merge here, attracting a wide variety of life forms. Become a young oceanographer. Learn all about beaches and the plants and animals found there. East Coast expert Erika Zambello and West Coast naturalist Stephanie Panlasigui present a kids’ introduction to beach life. The children’s book, ideal for early and middle-grade readers, conveys fascinating information for beginners.

Start by learning about beaches and their various habitats, as well as tips on beach safety, collecting etiquette, an

What A Shell Can Tell

Award-winning marine biologist Helen Scales introduces children to the wonders of shells (from seashells to land snails) through the art of observation. Using a friendly question-and-answer format, she explores, through a richly sensory experience, the incredible diversity of shells around the world and showcases the environments molluscs inhabit. From what a shell's shape, color, or texture can reveal about its inhabitant, to where shells are found (from the deepest seas to jungly treetops), with this book, readers can get up close with nature to observe its wonders.

Also, look at some of the science before we make this fun sea shell borax crystal.

Crystal Sea shell Science

Before we soak up the next activity let’s look at some of the science behind it.

First, it is important to know that hot water holds more borax crystals than cold or room temp.

This is because the hot water molecules move far apart and make room for the borax crystals to dissolve.

You can extend this experiment by trying the same measurements of borax and water with different water temperatures.

As the solution cools down the saturated water molecules come back together and force the particles out of the solution.

They will then land on the nearest surface (sea shells) and then they will keep building up to form crystals.

Once dried you will really be able to see the unique crystal shapes, and how they build on different surfaces like the edges, ridges, cavities, etc/

You can purchase sea shells online or even at dollar tree but how much fun is it to use the ones you found on your last beach vacation?

Finally, let’s make crystal sea shells.

How to Make Crystal Seashells

You will need:

Seashells
4 cups hot water
¼ to ½ cup borax
Shallow glass container

Directions:

Heat the water in a microwave-safe container.

You can do it in a shallow glass container or a spouted glass measuring cup is perfect for pouring later in the activity.

The water doesn’t have to be boiling but you want it hot, as it is necessary to melt and absorb the borax crystals.

Stir in the borax a few tablespoons at a time, adding more and more until it no longer dissolves.

This means the water is fully saturated.

Place seashells in the bottom of a shallow glass dish and give a little space between each of them.

Lay them down upside down and right side up to observe what happens with the crystallization.

Place the shallow dish in an area where they will not be disturbed.

Wait at least 24 hours before you check them for crystals.

Moving them around and removing them from the water will disturb the crystallization process.

Once they are done lay on a paper towel to dry.

Investigate your shells with a magnifying glass and a favorite resource book.

You can see here that the crystals started filling in the cavity of this conch.

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1. Addition/Subtraction Rain Forest Math

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5. Arrays

6. Fractions

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8. Number Chart

9. Greater Than/Less Than

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Kids Rock Sundial

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10 Sea Shell Activities

More Sea Shell Activities and Beach Resources

Crystal Sea shell Science

How to Make Crystal Seashells

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