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Hands-On Activities

How To Make A Paper Popper Pumpkin Treat Bag

September 11, 2024 | Leave a Comment
This post may contain affiliate links. For more information, please see my full disclosure policy.

Today, I’m showing you how to make a paper popper pumpkin treat bag. Also, look at my post How to Turn a Pumpkin Lapbook into a Fun Unit Study.

When the air turns cool and crisp, it’s a great time to do some fun diy projects.

Your kids will love these adorable pumpkin popper treat bags.

How To Make A Paper Popper Pumpkin Treat Bag

Use these adorable treats for when learning about pumpkins as a craft or use for a fall treat.

Too, this would make a great idea for a group or a co-op to celebrate autumn.

With a few materials, you can keep the kids entertained while enjoying a fun treat.

Pumpkin Books for Kids

If you choose to do this pumpkin popper with a pumpkin unit study, then add some of these living books about pumpkins.

Read aloud as your child crafts or choose one or two to read afterward.

8 Pumpkin Books

Grab some of these fun books about pumpkins, fall and fall harvest.

Image for Too Many Pumpkins

Too Many Pumpkins

Rebecca Estelle has hated pumpkins ever since she was a girl when pumpkins were often the only food her family had. When an enormous pumpkin falls off a truck and smashes in her yard, she shovels dirt over the pieces and forgets about them. But those slimy pumpkin smithereens sprout up in autumn, and Rebecca Estelle finds a sea of pumpkins in her garden. A heartwarming classic for more than twenty years, this story shows what happens when one thrifty gardener figures out how to make other people happy with the squash she can't stomach.

Image for Seed, Sprout, Pumpkin, Pie (Picture the Seasons)

Seed, Sprout, Pumpkin, Pie (Picture the Seasons)

Seed, Sprout, Pumpkin, Pie follows Apples for Everyone in the Picture the Seasons series. This beautifully photographed picture book about everybody’s favorite fall treat is sure to please kids both young and old. The glossy, festive images and lively text are sure to get your family in the mood to celebrate the season.Pumpkins! Who can resist the sight of big, round, orange pumpkins ripening in a field?

Image for How Big Could Your Pumpkin Grow?

How Big Could Your Pumpkin Grow?

Every year, giant pumpkin contests take place at fairs across the country—the 2012 record-holder weighed over a ton! The latest craze is to carve the most enormous pumpkins into racing boats. But what’s next? Why not think really big? Award-winning artist Wendell Minor does just that as he imagines larger-than-life pumpkins decorating some of America’s favorite places—as immense as the Capitol dome, Mount Rushmore, the Brooklyn Bridge, even the Grand Canyon! This celebration of famous landmarks and landscapes plays with concepts of size and scale and is full of fun facts.

Image for How Many Seeds in a Pumpkin?

How Many Seeds in a Pumpkin?

How many seeds are in a pumpkin?" Mr. Tiffin asks his class as they gather around the big, medium, and small pumpkins on his desk. Robert, the biggest kid, guesses that the largest one has a million seeds; Elinor, sounding like she knows what she's talking about, guesses the medium one has 500 seeds; and Anna, who likes even numbers better than odd ones, guesses that the little one has 22. Charlie, the smallest boy in the class, doesn't have a guess.

Image for Pumpkins (First Step Nonfiction ― Plant Life Cycles)

Pumpkins (First Step Nonfiction ― Plant Life Cycles)

Plant Life Cycles
Image for From Seed to Pumpkin: A Fall Book for Kids

From Seed to Pumpkin: A Fall Book for Kids

This is a clear and appealing environmental science book for early elementary age kids, both at home and in the classroom. Plus it includes a find out more section with activities such as an experiment to show how plants use roots to drink water from the ground and a recipe for roasted pumpkin seeds.

Image for Autumn Harvest

Autumn Harvest

"Mr. Tresselt writes quiet, factual prose about katydids, reapers and threshing, falling leaves, apple-gathering, and the first frost."-

Image for Mr. Hermit Miser and the Neighborly Pumpkin: the green edition

Mr. Hermit Miser and the Neighborly Pumpkin: the green edition

Mr. Hermit Miser doesn’t like his neighbors, and they don’t like him. But when a pumpkin vine sprouts in Mr. Hermit Miser’s yard and makes its way into the neighbors’ yards, but he wants all those pumpkins for pies … well, what is he to do?

With adventures in pumpkin-snatching, failed attempts at baking pies, and pumpkin goo everywhere, this tale about being neighborly in a not-so-perfect way will be an endearing autumn story for all the readers in your circle.

Also, look at more pumpkin crafts.

PUMPKIN AND FALL CRAFTS FOR KIDS

  • Fall Season Fall Unit Study {Pumpkins, Leaves, Corn, & More}.
  • How To Do An Easy Science Pumpkin Study By A Rotting Pumpkin Experiment.
  • Pumpkin Anatomy | Kids Exploring the Parts of a Pumpkin And Printables
  • 8 Easy Fall Wood Crafts For Kids And A Dollar Tree Pumpkin Patch
  • How to Make Pumpkin Spice Body Scrub & 7 Fall DIY Crafts For Teens
  • Easy Fall Crafts for Middle School: DIY String Pumpkin Art
  • Kids Fun Glue and Watercolor Fall Pumpkin Unit Study
How To Make A Paper Popper Pumpkin Treat Bag

Finally, learning how to make a paper popper pumpkin bag is easy.

It has just a few steps.

The popper part is when the kids pop the bottom part to see what is inside.

HOW TO MAKE A PAPER POPPER PUMPKIN TREAT BAG

First, look at this easy list of supplies which you probably have at the house already.

Supplies:

  • Toilet paper rolls
  • Green pipe cleaners
  • Green paper shred (optional)
  • Orange tissue paper
  • Faux green fall leaves
  • Scissors
  • glue
  • Treats. You decide, candy, chocolate, small toys, stickers, confetti or shredded paper to help fill it
How To Make A Paper Popper Pumpkin Treat Bag

Directions:

Place a toilet paper roll in the center of a full sheet of orange tissue paper.

How To Make A Paper Popper Pumpkin Treat Bag

Fill the toilet paper roll with paper shred and treats.

How To Make A Paper Popper Pumpkin Treat Bag

Wrap the toilet paper roll by bringing up the sides of the tissue paper and twisting at the top.

How To Make A Paper Popper Pumpkin Treat Bag

Cut off the top portion of the paper but leave some to represent the stem of the pumpkin.

How To Make A Paper Popper Pumpkin Treat Bag

Twist a green pipe cleaner around the top of the pumpkin stem.

How To Make A Paper Popper Pumpkin Treat Bag

Then, use your finger or a pencil to twist the pipe cleaner to represent the vine.

How To Make A Paper Popper Pumpkin Treat Bag

Glue a leaf near the stem and set aside to dry.

How To Make A Paper Popper Pumpkin Treat Bag

These pumpkin poppers are great for fall parties or any occasion.

Optional: Your child can draw on the pumpkins or use glitter on the pumpkins.

Leave a CommentFiled Under: Hands-On Activities Tagged With: fall, fall crafts, hands-on, hands-on activities, handson, handsonhomeschooling, pumpkin

How to Turn a Pumpkin Lapbook into a Fun Unit Study

September 10, 2024 | Leave a Comment
This post may contain affiliate links. For more information, please see my full disclosure policy.

I have a fun pumpkin lapbook today. Also, look at my other lapbooks on my page Homeschool Lapbooks – Powerful Tools For Mastery Learning. Too, look at my page Fall Season Fall Unit Study {Pumpkins, Leaves, Corn, & More}.

So today I am showing you how to easily turn a printable pumpkin lapbook into a unit study.

Remember a unit study means you cover one theme while covering as many academic subjects as you naturally can.

And with the many unit studies I have done, I’ve learned if a subject does not fit into a theme naturally then don’t force the fit.

In addition, you decide to add hands-on activities or not.

I used to not be such a firm believer of hands-on but after homeschooling for 20+ years I am now.

Hands-on means that all senses are involved, and it helps learning to stick.

The information sinks in when children learn to engage in hands-on activity.

Besides hands-on learning is more than just doing a craft.

Not all kids learn the same way, but all children should be motivated to learn outside of their comfort zone.

For example, I have a son who prefers to read books over doing until he does something he enjoys.

How to Turn a Pumpkin Lapbook into a Fun Unit Study

A lapbook can promote critical thinking skills.

When done alongside a unit study, you can easily cover many subjects in that one theme.

Besides, problem solving skills promote independent thinking.

And engaging or manipulating an activity hands-on can make concrete subjects real.

Your child can create a lapbook any way he prefers or use part of my printables and part printables you find which interests your child.

Also, before you begin read aloud or pick some of your favorite pumpkin books for reading.

Books About Pumpkins for Kids

I try to look for living books.

Then add reference books.

8 Pumpkin Books

Grab some of these fun books about pumpkins, fall and fall harvest.

Image for Too Many Pumpkins

Too Many Pumpkins

Rebecca Estelle has hated pumpkins ever since she was a girl when pumpkins were often the only food her family had. When an enormous pumpkin falls off a truck and smashes in her yard, she shovels dirt over the pieces and forgets about them. But those slimy pumpkin smithereens sprout up in autumn, and Rebecca Estelle finds a sea of pumpkins in her garden. A heartwarming classic for more than twenty years, this story shows what happens when one thrifty gardener figures out how to make other people happy with the squash she can't stomach.

Image for Seed, Sprout, Pumpkin, Pie (Picture the Seasons)

Seed, Sprout, Pumpkin, Pie (Picture the Seasons)

Seed, Sprout, Pumpkin, Pie follows Apples for Everyone in the Picture the Seasons series. This beautifully photographed picture book about everybody’s favorite fall treat is sure to please kids both young and old. The glossy, festive images and lively text are sure to get your family in the mood to celebrate the season.Pumpkins! Who can resist the sight of big, round, orange pumpkins ripening in a field?

Image for How Big Could Your Pumpkin Grow?

How Big Could Your Pumpkin Grow?

Every year, giant pumpkin contests take place at fairs across the country—the 2012 record-holder weighed over a ton! The latest craze is to carve the most enormous pumpkins into racing boats. But what’s next? Why not think really big? Award-winning artist Wendell Minor does just that as he imagines larger-than-life pumpkins decorating some of America’s favorite places—as immense as the Capitol dome, Mount Rushmore, the Brooklyn Bridge, even the Grand Canyon! This celebration of famous landmarks and landscapes plays with concepts of size and scale and is full of fun facts.

Image for How Many Seeds in a Pumpkin?

How Many Seeds in a Pumpkin?

How many seeds are in a pumpkin?" Mr. Tiffin asks his class as they gather around the big, medium, and small pumpkins on his desk. Robert, the biggest kid, guesses that the largest one has a million seeds; Elinor, sounding like she knows what she's talking about, guesses the medium one has 500 seeds; and Anna, who likes even numbers better than odd ones, guesses that the little one has 22. Charlie, the smallest boy in the class, doesn't have a guess.

Image for Pumpkins (First Step Nonfiction ― Plant Life Cycles)

Pumpkins (First Step Nonfiction ― Plant Life Cycles)

Plant Life Cycles
Image for From Seed to Pumpkin: A Fall Book for Kids

From Seed to Pumpkin: A Fall Book for Kids

This is a clear and appealing environmental science book for early elementary age kids, both at home and in the classroom. Plus it includes a find out more section with activities such as an experiment to show how plants use roots to drink water from the ground and a recipe for roasted pumpkin seeds.

Image for Autumn Harvest

Autumn Harvest

"Mr. Tresselt writes quiet, factual prose about katydids, reapers and threshing, falling leaves, apple-gathering, and the first frost."-

Image for Mr. Hermit Miser and the Neighborly Pumpkin: the green edition

Mr. Hermit Miser and the Neighborly Pumpkin: the green edition

Mr. Hermit Miser doesn’t like his neighbors, and they don’t like him. But when a pumpkin vine sprouts in Mr. Hermit Miser’s yard and makes its way into the neighbors’ yards, but he wants all those pumpkins for pies … well, what is he to do?

With adventures in pumpkin-snatching, failed attempts at baking pies, and pumpkin goo everywhere, this tale about being neighborly in a not-so-perfect way will be an endearing autumn story for all the readers in your circle.

Pumpkin Facts

Pumpkins were an important part of the life of early Native Americans.

Besides eating them, they used just about every part of the pumpkin

For example, for food they would boil them in a stew and even dry some pieces.

The seeds were saved too and roasted later as a snack.

And after the pumpkin was eaten, the empty shell makes for a great bowl or container.

Pumpkins symbolized the end of the harvest season in a year and to enjoy the bounty of the harvest.

How to Turn a Pumpkin Lapbook into a Fun Unit Study

Additionally, look at some fun pumpkin activities.

They are not only a fun way to enjoy the change in the weather, but to add some fun learning.

MORE PUMPKIN ACTIVITIES

  • How To Make A Paper Popper Pumpkin Treat Bag
  • Easy Pumpkin Salt Painting: A Creative Fall Activity For All Ages

How to Add Subjects to a Pumpkin Unit Study

1. Do basic chemistry.

First, use a pumpkin to learn about volcanoes.

A foaming, oozing pumpkin volcano can be a great hands-on experiment to demonstrate volcanoes.

Look at my post Celebrate National Vinegar Day With A Hands-on Study of Volcanoes. This fun activity introduces kids to basic chemistry concepts.

2. Perform simple math activities.

Use the seeds for simple counting exercises. If you have older kids introduce estimation and have them estimate how many seeds a pumpkin has.

Older learners can measure and compare sizes on a chart. Introduce geometry when you explore the share and size.

Also, they can weigh pumpkins and compare heights. And fractions can be taught as you cut pieces of the pumpkin.

3. Explore seeds and science

Learn about seed germination. And even plant and water some of the seeds from you pumpkin. Watch them grow and chart the progress in a Science Journal.

4. Dive into botany and explore the life cycle of a pumpkin.

Besides learning about the different types of pumpkins, learn pumpkin anatomy.

For example, there are pumpkins harvested which are smaller and sweeter and good to use for delicious pies.

Examples of them are Sugar Pie, Baby Bear, and Cinderella pumpkins.

There are also pumpkins used more for decoration like blue pumpkins like the Jarradale, and miniature pumpkins like the Munchkin.

How to Turn a Pumpkin Lapbook into a Fun Unit Study

However, you can explore all the parts of any pumpkin and begin with the life cycle.

Look at my activity here How To Do An Easy Science Pumpkin Study By A Rotting Pumpkin Experiment.

Next, look at my post Pumpkin Anatomy | Kids Exploring the Parts of a Pumpkin And Printables to dive into a hands-on activity about the anatomy of a pumpkin.

5. Add language arts.

There are many fun ways to incorporate language arts.

Look above at the books about pumpkins and use a few of them for reading and copywork.

Too, look at my page here about the Fall Season for notebooking pages about autumn.

Then look at these pumpkin vocabulary words on my page How To Do An Easy Science Pumpkin Study By A Rotting Pumpkin Experiment to add to your notebook.

5. Do arts and crafts.

Add fun too like arts and crafts ideas with pumpkins.

  • 8 Easy Fall Wood Crafts For Kids And A Dollar Tree Pumpkin Patch
  • How to Make Pumpkin Spice Body Scrub & 7 Fall DIY Crafts For Teens
  • Easy Fall Crafts for Middle School: DIY String Pumpkin Art
  • Kids Fun Glue and Watercolor Fall Pumpkin Unit Study

And I have some art memorization cards on this post for my fall lapbook.

5. Life skills like cooking.

Then nothing says fall more than baking a delicious pumpkin pie.

When the kids were real little, we learned about the ingredients and made this Fall Y’all:Pumpkin Pie in a Bag. It’s great if you don’t want your little ones around the heat yet.

But also add this recipe for Two Yummy Pumpkin Seed Recipes and then this is a sweet potato pie recipe which is our favorite. My granny’s recipe for pumpkin pie is almost exactly like that one.

About the Pumpkin Lapbook & Notebooking Pages

Finally, I have a fun pumpkin lapbook to use with multiple ages. I geared it toward grades 2 to 4 but again grades are selective as we know.

Look at the printables included in the download.

  • One front outside cover in color. Mix and match the pieces for the outside flap.
  • One front outside flap cover for your child to color.
  • Pumpkin Life Cycle and labeled parts of pumpkin
  • 7 vocabulary words and definitions
  • Seed box pocket to store saved seeds
  • About pumpkin pocket with facts
  • Parts of pumpkin fact card
  • More Pumpkin Facts & Fun pocket to glue on back of file folder
  • Two Anatomy of a Pumpkin Notebooking Pages. One has facts filled in and one page is blank so that your child labels the part.
  • Three pages of pumpkin note cards to use to identify the parts of a pumpkin.
  • Two Life Cycle of a Pumpkin pages. One has facts filled in and one page is blank so that your child labels the cycle.
  • One About Pumpkin Notebooking page for your children to write what interests them.
  • Dynamic and Fun Pumpkin Lapbook for Multiple Ages

    Dynamic and Fun Pumpkin Lapbook for Multiple Ages

    $4.00
    Add to cart
How to Turn a Pumpkin Lapbook into a Fun Unit Study

How to Get the Pumpkin Lapbook

You can purchase the lapbook now!

  • Aimed at elementary.
  • This is a .pdf  instant downloadable product and not a physical product.
  • You are paying for the printables, the lapbook and notebooking pages.
  • My lapbooks are created for multiple ages.
  • Your digital product is delivered to the email you used for pay pal.
  • 19 page digital download.

You can use any reference materials, books, or online resources to complete the lapbook. However, I always provide activities and have a blog post with resources to go with each of my lapbooks.

I don’t provide links in the lapbooks for filling out the information. This keeps my prices low for my products, but I do try to provide free links on my site as I can.

MY GUARANTEE: To treat you like I want to be treated which means I know at times technical problems may cause glitches, so I will do everything possible to make your experience here pleasant. I value your business and value you as a follower. I stand behind my products because they are actual products I use and benefit from too. Though I cannot refund purchases after you have been given access to them, I will do what I can to be sure you are a pleased customer. Read carefully what you get on your digital download. If you have questions, email me FIRST at tina homeschools AT gmail DOT com.

  • Dynamic and Fun Pumpkin Lapbook for Multiple Ages

    Dynamic and Fun Pumpkin Lapbook for Multiple Ages

    $4.00
    Add to cart

Happy Fall!

Leave a CommentFiled Under: Hands-On Activities Tagged With: earth science, earthscience, elementary science, fall, hands-on, hands-on activities, handson, handsonhomeschooling, homeschool, homeschoolscience, pumpkin, science

Fun and Easy Preschool Hibernation Science Activities to Nurture Learning

September 9, 2024 | Leave a Comment
This post may contain affiliate links. For more information, please see my full disclosure policy.

Are you looking for fun and easy ways to teach preschool hibernation science activities and resources that really nurture learning? Also, look at my page How to Homeschool Preschool for more ideas.

Keep on reading for a host of wonderful ideas.

You know that hands-on activities are always my go-to for teaching.

Fun and Easy Preschool Hibernation Science Activities to Nurture Learning

But especially with younger children they need play learning.

Play learning incorporates sensory experiences, builds problem solving, and creates positive learning experiences.

When many animals disappear in winter, where do they go?

This is a great nature topic for preschoolers, to learn about hibernation.

Also, add some fun books.

HIBERNATION AND MIGRATION BOOKS FOR KIDS

We love living books so I add them to our reading list when I can find them.

Then some of my kids love reference books too.

6 Hibernation and Migration Books for Kids Who Love to Read and Be Read To

Add these fun books to your home library about animals that hibernate or migrate.

Image for Traveling with the birds. A book on bird migration.

Traveling with the birds. A book on bird migration.

Bird migration.

Image for Wild Voyageur

Wild Voyageur

Story of a goose family.

Image for Hibernation Station

Hibernation Station

Everybody at the station! It’s time for winter hibernation! The sweet rhyming text of this book will calm even the most rambunctious kids and have them dreaming about what it’s like to hibernate. Young readers will be soothed and delighted as this story introduces them to different types of hibernating animals. The creatures on the train are preparing to snuggle into sleep, although with a passenger list that includes chipmunks, bears, snakes, hedgehogs, groundhogs, frogs, turtles, mice, bats, and more, there’s a lot of noise! Will the hibernating critters ever get to sleep? Take a trip to Hibernation Station to find out!

Image for Time to Sleep

Time to Sleep

A chill is in the air and Bear knows it is time for her winter nap. But first, she must tell Snail. And Snail must tell Skunk. And Skunk must tell Turtle. Each animal who tries to put off going to sleep just a little longer sees, smells, hears, or tastes the signs of the impending season. Finally, Ladybug rushes off to tell Bear--already asleep in her cave--the exciting news.

Image for Animals in Winter

Animals in Winter

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

Have you ever seen a butterfly in the snow? Probably not. Butterflies can't survive cold weather, so when winter comes, many butterflies fly to warmer places. They migrate. Woodchucks don't like cold weather either, but they don't migrate; they hibernate. Woodchucks sleep in their dens all winter long. How do these and other animals handle the cold and snow of winter?

Image for Over and Under the Snow

Over and Under the Snow

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

WHAT IS HIBERNATION

Hibernation is a special kind of deep sleep that certain animals do to survive the cold winter months.

When animals hibernate, their body temperature drops way down, their breathing slows way down, and they go into a deep sleep.

This helps them save energy and make it through the winter without having to find food.

These creatures usually start preparing for hibernation in the fall by eating tons of food to build up their fat stores.

They also find a safe and cozy place to sleep, like a cave or a burrow.

Once they’re all settled in, they will sleep for most of the winter.

They might wake up every once in a while, for a quick snack or drink, but they’ll mostly just be snoozing until spring arrives.

When spring finally comes around, hibernating animals will wake up and start eating and moving around again.

They’ll be hungry after their long sleep, so they’ll often start looking for food right away.

Hibernation is an incredible way for animals to survive the winter.

It’s like they have their own built-in sleeping bags and fat stores that act as fully stocked refrigerators to live off.

Fun and Easy Preschool Hibernation Science Activities to Nurture Learning

Animals that Hibernate

  • Snakes
  • Bats
  • Deer Mice
  • Groundhogs
  • Hedgehogs
  • Box Turtles
  • Bumblebees
  • Fat Tailed Dwarf Lemur
  • Chipmunks
  • Ground Squirrels
  • Ladybugs
  • Marmots
  • Skunks
  • Raccoons
  • Woodchucks

Next, look at more preschool hibernation science activities. 

MORE PRESCHOOL HIBERNATION SCIENCE ACTIVITIES 

  1. Make A Paper Bag Bear Den for Small World Play and you not only have an art project but also a really cute cave to add to blocks or sensory bins.
  2. Young preschoolers will love this Animals In Winter Hibernation Sensory Activity.
  3. Paper plate crafts are very inexpensive and can be so cute like the Hibernating Bear Paper Plate Craft And Free Template.
  4. Hibernation Habitat Process Art.
  5. Some bats migrate and some hibernate, make this cute Fun Bat Anatomy Toilet Paper Roll Craft | 8 Bat Science Activities Preschool.
  6. Check out this Over and Under The Snow Activities for a Free Literature Unit Study while they are also learning basic nature science concepts.
Fun and Easy Preschool Hibernation Science Activities to Nurture Learning

An invitation to play is a wonderful activity that encourages a child to expand their thinking and creativity.

Children play in a new way, allowing for open-ended play with little to no direction.

HIBERNATION SCIENCE INVITATION TO PLAY

After reading a book on hibernation, watching a video, or completing another activity your child will love diving into creating hibernation habitats for their little animals.

Or they might build a bridge for them to cross, sort the materials, or create a maze- all wonderful exploration ideas!

Grab a divided tray and let’s get started.

If you don’t have one on hand you can find several sizes and styles at Dollar Tree.

If you want something a little more organic and durable these wooden options are beautiful.

You will need:

  • A divided tray
  • Fiber fill
  • Toilet paper roll
  • Small plastic animals that hibernate
  • Clay or playdough
  • Natural items-moss, twigs, bark, small rocks
Fun and Easy Preschool Hibernation Science Activities to Nurture Learning

First, gather as many natural materials as you can from the yard.

For example, sticks, twigs, rocks, large chunks of bark, leaves, and moss all make lovely natural habitat pieces.

 I like to also include some small rocks or pebbles to use for building caves.

You will probably want to also include a few toys and household items like small plastic animals, cotton batting makes a wonderful layer of snow.

Also, an empty toilet paper tube can be colored like this to create a hollowed out log (you are not likely to find a miniature version in your yard).

Fun and Easy Preschool Hibernation Science Activities to Nurture Learning

I like to also include some clay whenever it is any kind of building invitation to play because it helps adhere things together in a non-permanent way.

PRESCHOOL INVITATION TO PLAY

You can use Play-Doh but I find that this Crayola air-dry clay is much stickier.

Lay out your items separated into your divided tray and don’t forget to include an on-theme book for them to reference IF they wish.

Fun and Easy Preschool Hibernation Science Activities to Nurture Learning

Start building the base of your cave and use clay as mortar to hold the rocks together.

Fun and Easy Preschool Hibernation Science Activities to Nurture Learning

Continue building up and around until you have it completed.

Don’t forget to make sure it is large enough for your animal to fit inside.

Fun and Easy Preschool Hibernation Science Activities to Nurture Learning

We used our colored toilet paper roll as a hollow log for our squirrel to curl up in for the winter and covered it in a layer of “snow”.

Fun and Easy Preschool Hibernation Science Activities to Nurture Learning

While platypuses do not hibernate for the winter they do go into a state called ‘torpor’ ( which has only been witnessed in captivity)for up to 6 days.

This is a great opportunity to discuss animals that do and do not hibernate and those that partially hibernate.

We tucked ours among some logs.

Fun and Easy Preschool Hibernation Science Activities to Nurture Learning

Let your child play as long as they like exploring, creating, and enjoying.

You may find that if you put it away a few days later and bring it back out with a few new pieces added into it it’ll be like a fresh activity all over again.

Can you spot our hibernating snake?

Leave a CommentFiled Under: Hands-On Activities Tagged With: hands-on, hands-on activities, handson, handsonhomeschooling, hibernation, homeschool, homeschool preschool, preschool

Tick-Tock! How to Make a Hands-on Time Cool Paper Plate Clock

September 8, 2024 | Leave a Comment
This post may contain affiliate links. For more information, please see my full disclosure policy.

This hands-on time activity is a creative and engaging way for kids of all ages to learn about telling time.

It’s also a great way to encourage their creativity and fine motor skills.

Let kids take the initiative to be part of the learning process right from the start.

Tick-Tock! How to Make a Hands-on Time Cool Paper Plate Clock

For example, they can paint, cut and write on their own learning manipulative.

This gives them ownership in it and helps them to better retain the lessons they learn.

Whether it is for preschool, kindergarten, or early elementary, this clock will work to teach time to the hour, minute, quarter, and half hours.

First, look at some of these fun books and manipulatives.

Books About Telling Time for Kids

I love to use living books when I can find them, then I like to add games or reference books when we study a topic like this.

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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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 look at some of these teaching tips about telling time.

Tips for Teaching Telling Time

To teach young children to tell time you want to…

Start with the basics- Explain the concepts of hours, minutes, and seconds.

You can use a clock with movable hands to demonstrate how they work like our paper plate clock activity.

Introduce the clock face– Show your child how to find the numbers 1-12 on the clock face.

And explain that each number represents an hour.

Teach your child to tell the hour- Start by pointing to the hour hand and asking your child what number it is pointing to.

Then, say the time out loud, for example, “It is 1 o’clock.”

Move on to minutes- Once your child understands how to tell the hour, you can start teaching them about minutes.

Explain that there are 60 minutes in an hour and that the minute hand moves around the clock face once every hour.

Tick-Tock! How to Make a Hands-on Time Cool Paper Plate Clock

Hands on time activities in particular are the best way for kids to learn to tell time so besides the cool paper plate clock I have to show you today I have seven more hands on time activities.

More Hands-on Time Activities

You have to check out these interactive Free Printable Time Telling Puzzles, be sure to laminate them to make them last.

Play this fun Rush Hour Game – How to TEACH Kids How to Tell Time! and your kids won’t even realize they are learning.

Here you will find 7 Time-Telling Fun Hands-On Time Activities and a Simple Watch Craft that your preschooler can wear all day as they learn.

Telling Time Activity With Free Playdough Mats

For an activity that helps teach time and also the history of how early peoples kept time you can learn how to Make A Rock Sundial and 20 other fun activities to boot!

Time to Match ‘Em Up is a great matching activity using something that I am pretty sure most of us already have in our home.

How to Make a Paper Plate Clock

Make it colorful and child made, and it will be instantly more interesting to your little learner

You will need:

  • Paper plate
  • brad/paper fastener
  • Cardstock
  • markers
  • Craft paint
  • paintbrush
Tick-Tock! How to Make a Hands-on Time Cool Paper Plate Clock

First, flip the plate upside down and have your child paint it whatever color or colors that they like.

Tick-Tock! How to Make a Hands-on Time Cool Paper Plate Clock

Set the plate aside and let it dry completely.

While you are waiting, use cardstock to cut out two hands.

Cut one slightly shorter than the distance from the center of the plate to the numbers and the other about 1” shorter.

Tick-Tock! How to Make a Hands-on Time Cool Paper Plate Clock

Make holes at one end of the clock hands and push the brad through.

Tick-Tock! How to Make a Hands-on Time Cool Paper Plate Clock

When the plate is dry use a marker to draw on your numbers one through 1-12.

Then use a different color to mark lines to be the minutes in between.

Tick-Tock! How to Make a Hands-on Time Cool Paper Plate Clock

Poke a hole in the center with scissors or a sharp knife and push the brad with the hands through the center of the plate and open the prongs.

Tick-Tock! How to Make a Hands-on Time Cool Paper Plate Clock

Tips:

For younger children, start with a simpler clock face using only the numbers 12, 3, 6, and 9.

To make the activity more challenging, have kids create a clock face with both analog and digital time.

Let each child paint different colored paper plates to personalize their clocks.

Encourage kids to create their own clock designs and decorations, fostering their creativity and imagination.

If your child is old enough to write, pencil the numbers in lightly and let them write over the pencil with a marker to practice writing and help them better retain where the numbers go.

To Play:

Have your child hold the paper plate clock in front of them.

Tell them what time it is, and have them move the string so that the brad points to the correct time.

Move the hands yourself and ask them to give the time.

Call out a time of day and have your child move the hands to match.

Encourage them to practice telling time with their paper plate clock throughout the day.

Leave a CommentFiled Under: Hands-On Activities Tagged With: clock, hands-on, hands-on activities, handson, handsonhomeschooling, homeschool, homeschool math, math, science. clocks, telling time

How To Make A Frog Craft Toilet Paper Roll

September 7, 2024 | Leave a Comment
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We are making a frog craft toilet paper roll. Also, look at my page Free Toad and Frog Lapbook and Fun Homeschool Unit Study Ideas.

It is not only a model for a frog but also, is a fun cup and ball activity for motor development and hand eye coordination.

Cup and ball is a classic game of skill and coordination that is enjoyed by all ages.

The game is one that is simple to learn, but difficult to master. 

How To Make A Frog Craft Toilet Paper Roll

I thought that a frog was the perfect creature to make the focus of our DIY cup and ball game.

You can customize your frog to be any color, even make it like the bright frogs of the amazon rainforest.

Frogs are super cool creatures that can be found in all sorts of places around the world.

They come in different shapes and sizes and have some pretty amazing skills that help them survive in their homes.

Frogs are amphibians, which means they can chill out in both water and on land.

They have smooth, moist skin that helps them soak up oxygen and water.

And they also have long, powerful legs that they use to jump and swim like champs.

When it comes to food, frogs are carnivores, so they dine on other animals.

They use their long, sticky tongues to snatch up insects, spiders, and other small creatures.

And with their big, bulging eyes, they can spot their prey from a mile away.

I have fun facts, resources, activities, and of course today’s frog craft toilet paper roll instructions for you.

Books and Resources About Frogs for Kids

11 Frog & Toad Unit Study Resources

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

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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.

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Frogs and toads;

Frogs and toads;

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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

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A Toad for Tuesday 50th Anniversary Edition

Just in time for its 50th anniversary, this beloved classic tale of adventure, compassion, and friendship has been remade for a new generation of young readers, including text revisions and fully colorized original illustration on the cover. A favorite chapter book is back, for read aloud or read alone.

While on a journey to visit his aunt, Warton the Toad is captured by a surly owl who announces plans to eat Warton for his birthday dinner on the upcoming Tuesday. As he awaits his fate, Warton works gamely to make his remaining days as pleasant as possible while he also seeks some way to escape and tries to convince the owl to let him go.

Naturally, Warton and Owl talk. But what the pair don't realize is how quickly even the oddest of friendships may form.

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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)

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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.

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Climbing Tree Frogs (Pull Ahead Books)

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

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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. 

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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.

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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.

Image for Anatomy Lab Soft Cover Frog Dissection Guide Book

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.

Next, look at these facts about frogs.

7 Fun Facts about Frogs

  1. These amphibians have smooth, moist skin that helps them absorb oxygen and water.
  2. They have long, strong legs that help them jump and swim.
  3. They have sticky tongues that help them catch insects.
  4. Frogs can change their skin color to camouflage themselves with their surroundings.
  5. They make different sounds to communicate with each other, such as croaking and chirping.
  6. Frogs play an important role in the ecosystem. They help control the population of insects, and they are a food source for other animals, such as snakes and birds.
  7. They also help to keep the water clean by eating algae and other small organisms.

Also, look at more frog craft toilet paper roll activities

More Frog Craft Toilet Paper Roll Bonus

  • Explore the life cycle of a frog with this set that features frogs in every step of the life cycle from egg to full grown frog.
  • Read books and watch videos about frogs like this fun Wild Kratts episode, it is filled with facts, and a ‘frog’s eye view’ of frogs underwater.
  • Visit a zoo or aquarium to see frogs up close, you can search for zoos and aquariums in your area.
  • Read a story about frogs or flip through a living science book to learn more.
  • Learn about the different types of frogs that live in your area.
  • Preschoolers will be both fascinated and grossed out by this fun frog egg sensory bin.
  • Build fine motor skills making How to Make A Fun Origami Frog Amazon Rainforest Craft.
  • For early math skills create Fun Red Eyed Tree Frog Manipulatives for RainForest Math.
How To Make A Frog Craft Toilet Paper Roll

And more learning about frog crafts.

  • Why Is a Toad An Amphibian And Pondlife Facts & Make a Fun Toad House
  • Cute Colorful Toilet Paper Roll Rainforest Frogs for a Rainforest Frog Craft
  • Fun DIY Felt Frog Dissection With Frog Insides Labeled Mess Free (Free Printables)

Finally, look at how to make a frog craft.

Frog Craft Toilet Paper Roll

You will need:

  • Toilet paper roll
  • Red craft foam/felt
  • Green craft paint
  • Googly eyes
  • Pipe cleaner
  • Hot Glue
  • Paintbrushes
How To Make A Frog Craft Toilet Paper Roll

Paint the toilet paper roll green all over, set aside and allow to dry.

How To Make A Frog Craft Toilet Paper Roll

While you are waiting for the paint to dry, cut your pipe cleaner into 4 equal pieces.

Bend into the shape of legs for the frog.

How To Make A Frog Craft Toilet Paper Roll

Next, hot glue a medium sized pom pom to one end of a string 12” to 24” long.

Add more hot glue than is necessary to add some weight to the “fly” .

This helps make it easier to get in the “cup”.

Cut a tongue for your frog from craft foam or felt about 2”-3” long.

How To Make A Frog Craft Toilet Paper Roll

Once paint has dried, flatten one end of the tube and use hot glue to close it. Hold in place until glue has set.

How To Make A Frog Craft Toilet Paper Roll

Glue each of the legs into place.

Hot glue on googly eyes and glue the tongue inside the open mouth.

How To Make A Frog Craft Toilet Paper Roll

Finally, you will hot glue the string inside the mouth with the pompom on the opposite end.

How To Make A Frog Craft Toilet Paper Roll

To play:

Hold the cup in one hand and the ball in the other hand.

Swing the ball around the cup in a circle, keeping the string taut.

Try to catch the ball in the cup by flipping it upward while holding the mouth upright.

Practice makes perfect!

Leave a CommentFiled Under: Hands-On Activities Tagged With: frogs, hands-on, hands-on activities, handson, handsonhomeschooling, life science, science, toilet paper roll

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