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World War I & II History Toys For Kids that Make Learning Exciting

April 23, 2025 | Leave a Comment
This post may contain affiliate links. For more information, please see my full disclosure policy.

World War I and II history toys for kids can be used to teach history in a creative and fun way as a supplement to your curriculum. Also, look at my page Free World War II Unit Study Ideas and Fun Lapbook and my page Kids History Games Boosts Learning & Promotes Critical Thinking for more activities.

Toys can be a powerful tool for learning, and history toys are no exception.

For World War I and World War II, there are many toys available that can engage children.

And they teach them about these significant historical events.

World War I & II History Toys For Kids that Make Learning Exciting

These toys can range from model kits and action figures to board games and educational resources.

Even playing cards can help teach some important history lessons from the World Wars.

Using toys to teach children about WWI and WWII can have several benefits.

It is never just about playing with an action figure or building a model tank.

It can make history more engaging and accessible, helping children to connect with the past in a tangible way.

These “toys” can also foster critical thinking, problem-solving, and empathy.

By learning about these significant historical events, children can develop a deeper understanding of the world and the challenges facing humanity.

WORLD WAR II & WORLD WAR II HISTORY TOYS FOR KIDS

First, playing cards were popular during both World War I and World War II.

Soldiers often carried playing cards with them for entertainment and to pass the time during periods of downtime.

They were a common item in care packages sent to soldiers overseas, and organizations like the Red Cross distributed them as well.

Some of the games played were poker, brag, pontoon, and nap.

Cards are an inexpensive item that can be used not only for these games but also as a prop to talk about how they were used throughout this period.

Speaking of which, another way that playing cards were used during both World Wars was for strategy.

The Bicycle playing card company joined forces with American & British intelligence agencies to create a deck of cards to help Allied prisoners of war escape from German camps during World War II.

These decks of cards peeled apart when wet and when put together they revealed secret escape maps of Germany.

So, downed pilots and captured soldiers could navigate their way back to Allied lines.

Did you know that the U.S. military also distributed playing cards with silhouettes?

And the names of both friendly and enemy aircraft so troops would be exposed to the relevant information while playing cards.

Also, look at these other resources.

OTHER EDUCATIONAL RESOURCES

Besides traditional toys there are other educational resources that can help children learn about WWI and WWII.

These include books, documentaries, and interactive websites. Some resources are specifically designed for children and present the information in an engaging and accessible way.

For example, illustrated books with historical photographs and maps can bring the past to life, while documentaries featuring firsthand accounts from veterans.

It can provide a personal perspective on the war.

Not a toy but this Children’s War World War 2 Replica Memorabilia Pack is a fantastic way to introduce this topic, boys and girls alike will love pouring over this peak into the past.

Great Battles for Boys is a very engaging series that brings history to life and makes what could otherwise be a boring topic interesting.

MORE WORLD WAR 2 ACTIVITIES

History Toys for Kids

Finding meaningful ways to teach kids about the world can feel like an uphill battle. That’s where historical toys come in.

II Heavy Tank Building Blocks Set, WWII Military British Main Battle Tank Building Kit

World of Tanks co-branded model, British main battle TOG II* heavy tank. The TOG II* tank model is accurately reproduced at a scale of 1:30, perfectly showing the magnificent momentum of this British giant tank in World War II.Finished size: 15.47*4.17*7.09in.
Function- Printed bricks. The turret can rotate 360°, restore the prototype tracks of the Maus tank, the turret hatch and turret door can be opened, the turret can rotate 360°, and the barrel can be flexibly adjusted up and down. Special camouflage color matching, and equipped with World of Tanks game props redemption card.

Model Tank

Russian T34 Scale Model Kit: The T-34 was arguably by far the best tank design in the Second World War. In addition to having an excellent combination of firepower, armour, mobility and shape, its superb technical design emphasised simplicity and durability making it possible to mass produce it in large numbers and gave it a very high field and combat reliability

Flying Tigers Fighter Model Kit - WWII Classic Fighter Model

【US P-40 Flying Tigers Fighter Model Kit】: The P-40 series fighter jet is a fighter jet produced by the United States during World War II. It served in the Chinese Flying Tigers and is a symbol of friendship between China and the United States. This 4D fighter model kit is accurately replicated in a 1:48 ratio, making it the perfect gift for military enthusiasts.

U. S. Toy Green Army Men Toy Soldiers

36 Pack - 2 Inch Classic Green Toy Army Men!

WWII German Infantry Figures France Campaign (5)

5 German infantry figures, helmets, mounting plates, various accessories, and possibly paints, glue, and small tools

Renegade Game Studios Axis & Allies: 1941 - A WWII Strategy Board Game,

A Streamlined introduction to the Axis & Allies line of board games

WWII Historical Board Game of Epic Battles! Tabletop Miniatures

HISTORICAL EPIC: Step into the shoes of WWII commanders and engage in thrilling battles with Memoir '44, a unique historical board game featuring plastic Army men and authentic scenarios.

Photo Credit: shrsl.com

Our series features stunning, lifelike portraits of key figures from the Great War era, each seemingly ready to step out of the frame and into your history lesson. From world leaders to military commanders, these images offer an unprecedented glimpse into the faces that shaped the course of the 20th century.

Pizza Party Math: Exciting Money Math Activities with Felt Pizzas

August 30, 2024 | Leave a Comment
This post may contain affiliate links. For more information, please see my full disclosure policy.

Hands on money math activities teach kids about identifying coins and bills and learning their value.

A felt pizza is a creative and interactive way to introduce math concepts to young learners.

It engages multiple senses, making learning fun and memorable.

Pizza Party Math: Exciting Money Math Activities with Felt Pizzas

For just a couple dollars in craft felt you will create an activity that has endless possibilities for teaching and fun.

I like to use actual currency for activities like this.

It can be more difficult to learn plastic change and relearn it as real coins.

It is like skipping a small step and going right to real life.

Resources to Teach Kids About Money

Then look at some of these fun resources to teach your kids about money.

8 Rad Money Resources to Teach Money For All Ages

Grab some of these money resources to teach your children about how to save and budget money.

Not Your Parents' Money Book: Making, Saving, and Spending Your Own Money

For the first time, financial guru and TODAY Show regular Jean Chatzky brings her expertise to a young audience. Chatzky provides her unique, savvy perspective on money with advice and insight on managing finances, even on a small scale. This book will reach kids before bad spending habits can get out of control. With answers and ideas from real kids, this grounded approach to spending and saving will be a welcome change for kids who are inundated by a consumer driven culture. This book talks about money through the ages, how money is actually made and spent, and the best ways for tweens to earn and save money.

The Toothpaste Millionaire

Sixth-grader Rufus Mayflower is betting that he can make a whole gallon of toothpaste for the same price as one tube from the store.
There’s just one problem, he has to solve real-life mathematical
equations first! With help from his good friend Kate Mackinstrey, can
these two entrepreneurs keep up with the high demand for their popular product? Beloved children’s author Jean Merrill introduces readers to the ins and outs of a budding business, from costs to profits, in this exciting tale about perseverance, ingenuity, and underdogs.

Learning Resources Money Bags Coin Value Game

MONEY GAME FOR KIDS: Players collect, count, and exchange money all the way to the finish line
MONEY SKILLS: Learn valuable money skills through fun game play
PLAY MONEY: Includes game board with spinner, 100 plastic coins, play bills, markers, and dice

Smart Money Smart Kids - Raising the Next Generation to Win with Money

In Smart Money Smart Kids, financial expert and best-selling author Dave Ramsey and his daughter Rachel Cruze equip parents to teach their children how to win with money. Starting with the basics like working, spending, saving, and giving, and moving into more challenging issues like avoiding debt for life, paying cash for college, and battling discontentment, Dave and Rachel present a no-nonsense, common-sense approach for changing your family tree.

I Want More Pizza: Real World Money Skills For High School, College, And Beyond

The perfect gift! Give the gift of financial literacy to your teen - they will thank you for a lifetime. You are not alone; it is often difficult to reach young adults on the topic of money management, but look no further. I Want More Pizza finally has teenagers excited about personal finance and is giving them the confidence that they can succeed. This resource is being used in classrooms around the nation as young adults enjoy the pizza model for learning about money management. Now available for the first time for you to bring into your home, give your young adult the gift of financial literacy and they will thank you for a lifetime. Primary topics discussed include saving, spending, prioritization, goal setting, compound growth, investing, debt, credit cards, student loans, mental blocks, and taking real world action.I am sure you have heard a few of these: "I don't need it", "I'm too young", "I need to spend my money on _____ ", and the list goes on. The pizza model for learning personal finance breaks down those barriers because, well, everyone loves pizza! Just because money management is extremely important doesn't mean that it has to be extremely complex. I Want More Pizza leaves them in complete control to find the plan that works for your young adult - it's their choice. If they don't enjoy math or don't like to plan, no problem, we've got them covered as well. And it's only ~100 pages, which young adults love given their busy social calendars. Money doesn't have to be stressful. Finally reach your young adult and help them become financially literate for a lifetime. After all, there is a lot of pizza in life to enjoy!

Managing Your Money (Usborne Life Skills)

This down-to-earth guide is filled with practical advice on everything from how to budget and be a smart shopper to student loans, mortgages and insurance. An essential book for equipping young people with the skills they need to manage their money now and in the future. Includes links to websites with more tips and advice.

12 Ways for a Homeschooled Teen to Earn Money - A Budding Entrepreneur?

Long before they are of age to start working, kids want their own money. And whether they count bricks at a construction site as a kid like my entrepreneur husband did or just want some spending money, kids are looking for creative ways to earn their own bucks.

Economics for Beginners

Nobody has everything they need, all the time – so how can we make do with what we have? Economics is all about understanding the choices we make to solve this problem. With bright, infographics pictures, this informative book describes why markets are so important, how businesses work out what to sell, and how governments choose how to run a country. Includes Usborne Quicklinks to specially selected websites for more information.

The benefits of hands-on money math activities are countless.

Benefits of Teaching Hands-on Money Activities

Concrete experience: Hands-on activities provide kids with a concrete experience of handling money, which can help them understand the value of money and how to use it.

Real-world application: Hands-on activities allow kids to apply their knowledge of money to real-world situations, such as making purchases and budgeting.

Problem-solving skills: Hands-on activities can help kids develop problem-solving skills as they learn to make decisions about how to spend their money.

Financial literacy: Hands-on activities can help kids develop financial literacy skills, such as understanding the concept of saving, investing, and budgeting.

Confidence: Hands-on activities can help kids build confidence in their ability to manage money.

6 More Exciting Money Math Activities

Play a fun game while you learn like this Exact Change Card Game.
Learn How to Make a Boys Duct Tape Wallet Back to School Craft to hold bills while you teach what each bill is.
Using Grocery Flyers To Practice Math Skills is a great practical life skill for teaching both money and value in the real world.
Grab these Free Counting Money Clip Cards for Coins to keep hands and minds busy while they quickly learn to identify values.
Sort coins using a muffin tin and liners with a Brilliant Coin Value Recognition and Counting Activity that takes very little effort to prep for.
Try out simple Art and Math Activities : Coin Rubbings to identify each coin.

Next, look at these fun hands on money activities to do with felt.

Money Math Activities You Can do With Felt Pizza

Money:

Let your child create a slice with whatever toppings they like and then have them figure the total cost.
Give your child a certain amount of money and ask them to build a slice using just the money they have.

But also, I couldn’t help but share with you all the other math topics you can use with this simple inexpensive felt pizza.

Fractions:

Cut the pizza into slices and assign each slice a fraction value (e.g., 1/2, 1/4, 1/8).
Have kids identify the fraction of the pizza represented by each slice.
Practice adding and subtracting fractions using the pizza slices.

Shapes:

Identify the different shapes of the toppings, such as circles, triangles, and rectangles.
Sort the toppings by their shapes.
Create patterns using different shaped toppings.

Counting:

Count the number of toppings on the pizza.
Count the number of toppings of each color or shape.
Compare the number of toppings on different slices.

Addition and Subtraction:

Add or subtract the number of toppings on different slices of pizza.
Create word problems involving addition and subtraction of toppings.

Problem Solving:

Encourage kids to create their own pizza designs and solve problems related to the toppings. Ask questions like, “If you remove two pepperoni slices, how many toppings are left?”

Dramatic Play

The youngest of children will enjoy simply using the pizza for dramatic play.

Toppings get lost? Just make a few more to replace them.

Finally, grab your crafting supplies.

And look how to make felt pizzas. Use them for math but keep around for dramatic play too.

How to Make Felt Pizzas

You will need:

Colorful felt
plate
Scissors
paper

First, prepare the pizza crust by tracing a circle using a plate or bowl onto cream felt and then cut it out.

Trace and cut out a slightly smaller uneven circle from the red felt.

Trace and cut an even smaller circle from yellow felt for the cheese layer.

Layer the pizza-crust, sauce, and cheese.

Cut in half and then in half again to create 4 even pieces.

Cut out various shapes and sizes from green, yellow, and other colors of felt.

These will be the toppings, such as pepperoni, mushrooms, olives, and bell peppers.

A medicine bottle cap is a great size for pepperoni.

Now you want to create a ‘menu’ for your pizza by giving a value to each part of it.

You can type something up or just quickly write it out by hand, drawing images if needed for younger children.

To practice money math, you can create a slice of pizza with different toppings and have your child figure out how much that slice would cost based on the menu.

When not in use, load all the pieces up in a ziploc bag to store.

You can also add a pizza pan from a dollar tree to make it even more fun.

The Best Second Grade Homeschool Curriculum | Tips and Recommendations

July 3, 2024 | Leave a Comment
This post may contain affiliate links. For more information, please see my full disclosure policy.

Second grade homeschool curriculum should be fun and engaging while building on basics that your child has already learned. Also, you’ll love my page Homeschool Curriculum for more ideas and grade level curriculum.

Gone are the sweet little round cheeks of a baby and a taller leaner child is taking over.

I can assure you every phase has its joys spent with your heads leaning over a book learning new things and watching those little ‘aha!” light bulb moments come across their eyes.

The Best Second Grade Homeschool Curriculum | Tips and Recommendations

At this age children can sit for longer periods of time but that still doesn’t mean they should sit at a desk or table all day long.

There is still much learning to be done through play, field trips, and fun activities.

We will include some technology and games too so that their interests continue to be explored and developed in these formative years.

Second graders are building up reading skills, continuing with print and cursive instruction, spelling, phonics, and copywork.

So, these are the skills we are going to focus on with the resources and tips I have.

Second Grade Homeschool Tips and Recommendations

If you are not doing it already, consider beginning a morning time routine. It is such a wonderful slow start to the day. This usually includes reading aloud, music, character training, and handicrafts.
Keep in mind that children learn different things at different rates, your second grader may be a whiz at math but hasn’t started reading yet and that’s okay. No need to sound the alarm yet unless you truly suspect a learning disability.
While they won’t be sitting at a desk all day it is helpful to create a dedicated learning space with posters and maps to reinforce what they are learning (even if you put everything on a trifold science board instead of walls).
Attend a homeschool convention this year if you are able to, this is the best place to see a lot of curriculum in person, hear lectures from homeschool veterans, and hang out with like-minded parents on the same journey.
Home Learning Year by Year, Revised and Updated: How to Design a Creative and Comprehensive Homeschool Curriculum

Best Homeschool Curriculum For All Grades

2nd Grade Homeschool Curriculum Recommendations

Second graders are building up reading skills, continuing with print and cursive instruction, spelling, phonics, and copywork.

Horizons 2nd Grade Math Box Set

Parent-led curriculum

Christian curriculum

Spiral Learning

Print curriculum set

Fun-Schooling Math Mysteries - Add, Subtract, Multiply, Divide: Ages 6-10 ~ Create Your Own Number Stories & Master Your Math Facts!

Fun-Schooling Math Mysteries lets your child create their own math problems while they write and color their way through the basic concepts of math.

Photo Credit: www.allaboutlearningpress.com

All About Reading Level 2

Package includes: one Teacher's Manual, one Student Packet (Activity Book, Flashcards, Stickers), and two readers.

Kids Science Experiment Kit with Lab Coat Scientist

While it may seem like it’s just dramatic play, this science experiment kit with a lab coat and more is
useable and a great way to teach young children about the importance of safety when working on labs and accuracy with measuring, etc.

Earth Science & Astronomy for the Grammar Stage Student Workbook:

Earth Science and Astronomy for the Grammar Stage provides a foundational survey of Earth science and astronomy for the elementary student. The Student Workbook includes all the pages you need for the unit projects, narrations, lab reports, and student glossary, plus review sheets. Don’t forget the Teacher Guide which lays out the plans for this study of planet Earth, the weather, rocks and fossils, the solar system, and space.

Story of the World, Vol. 2: History for the Classical Child: The Middle Ages

Now more than ever, other cultures are affecting our everyday lives―and our children need to learn about the other countries of the world and their history. Susan Wise Bauer has provided a captivating guide to the history of other lands. Written in an engaging, straightforward manner, this revised edition of The Story of the World: History for the Classical Child, Volume 2: The Middle Ages weaves world history into a story book format. Who discovered chocolate? What happened to the giant Fovor of the Mighty Blows? Why did the Ottoman Turks drag their war ships across dry land?

DK Workbooks: Geography, Second Grade: Learn and Explore

Your child will discover and understand new topics and curriculum-aligned exercises with every page. Objectives include familiarity with the compass rose and map grids.This second-grade workbook further unpacks geography concepts through fun activities and exercises. Your child will grow their confidence in topics like physical and political maps, and the concept of hemispheres.

Geography: An Illustrated A-Z Glossary: An Introduction To Earth's Geographical Features For Kids

Welcome to Geography: An Illustrated A-Z Glossary by B.C. Lester Books! This book takes you across the world's main landforms and biomes, each with a colorful illustration accompanied with a child-friendly definition.

What is a mesa? Or an estuary? What is the difference between a swamp and a marsh?

Exploring Creation with Zoology 1: Flying Creatures of the Fifth Day

Let your child s imagination soar with this fascinating study of birds, bats, and flying insects. Your young zoologist will investigate the dynamics of flight, learn classification skills, keep a field journal, and explore how the design we see in flying creatures points us toward our Creator. High-flying projects for this course include building a bird feeder, working with nesting materials, and even bringing a flying insect back from the dead !

Photo Credit: www.bfbooks.com

Early American History K-3rd - Homeschooling History Pack

Sure to ignite curiosity about our nation's history, this Early American History Through Literature study will take you and your K-3 homeschooling students through the first Indigenous people of the Americas, the Vikings discovery of America, the exploration, colonization, settlement, and establishment of the United States. Spanning 1000 AD to the mid-1800's this course makes teaching this literature-rich curriculum easy and fun!

Carson Dellosa Beginning Traditional Cursive Handwriting Workbook for Kids, Handwriting Practice

Workbook Features:• Ages 6-9, Grade 1-3• 32 pages, 11 inches x 8 ½ inches • Practice writing upper- and lowercase letters, number words, and more in cursive• Learn to form and connect letters together • Includes a lined practice page and an alphabet reference chart

The Read-Aloud Family: Making Meaningful and Lasting Connections with Your Kids

Discover why reading aloud to your kids can make such a big difference in their lives and yours.

Learn practical strategies to make reading aloud an attainable family goal.

The stories we read--and the conversations we have about them--help shape family traditions, create lifelong memories, and become part of our legacy. Many parents can't get their children to become book-lovers. Other parents lose touch with what their child is reading.

A Reason For Handwriting Writing Workbook Level B, Grade 2 -Practice Paper Books for Spelling and Reading for 2nd Grader

Proven Handwriting Learning Book - A Reason For workbooks sharpens your child's writing books
Packed 2nd Grade Handwriting Workbook - 35+ lesson plans full of fun handwriting tips & tricks

Renaissance Inventors: How To Make A Fascinating Da Vinci Submarine Craft

May 2, 2024 | Leave a Comment
This post may contain affiliate links. For more information, please see my full disclosure policy.

Renaissance inventors changed the world with its forward thinking and science and art were very much intertwined at this time. Also, look at my unit study and lapbook Renaissance 1300 to 1600.

Leonardo Da Vinci was an amazing artist.

Renaissance Inventors: How To Make A Fascinating Da Vinci Submarine Craft

However, he also dabbled in architecture, anatomical studies, cartography, civil engineering, chemistry, geology, geometry, hydrodynamics, mathematics, mechanical engineering, optics, physics, pyrotechnics, and zoology.

The Renaissance is credited as being the bridge between the Middle Ages and modern-day civilization.

Next, look at this list of living books about Leonardo Da Vinci.

Leonardo Da Vinci Books for Kids Who Love to Read and Be Read To

Add a few of these books to your library about Leonardo Da Vinci and his fascinating life.

Leonardo da Vinci

Based on thousands of pages from Leonardo da Vinci’s astonishing notebooks and new discoveries about his life and work, Walter Isaacson “deftly reveals an intimate Leonardo” (San Francisco Chronicle) in a narrative that connects his art to his science. He shows how Leonardo’s genius was based on skills we can improve in ourselves, such as passionate curiosity, careful observation, and an imagination so playful that it flirted with fantasy.

Amazing Leonardo da Vinci Inventions: You Can Build Yourself

Amazing Leonardo da Vinci Inventions You Can Build Yourself introduces readers to the life, world, and incredible mind of Leonardo da Vinci through hands-on building projects that explore his invention ideas. Most of Leonardo's inventions were never made in his lifetime. They remained sketches in his famous notebooks. Amazing Leonardo da Vinci Inventions. You Can Build Yourself shows you how to bring these ideas to life using common household supplies. Detailed step-by-step instructions, diagrams, and templates for creating each project combine with historical facts and anecdotes, biographies and trivia about the real-life models for each project. Together they give kids a first-hand look into the amazing mind of one the world’s greatest inventors.

Leonardo Da Vinci

Leonardo's inventions went way beyond art. Fascinating picture book.

The Art of Leonardo Da Vinci

The Art of Leonardo Da Vinci.

Leonardo's Horse

"Filled with engaging details of Leonardo and his world. . . . Illustrations which range from utterly recognizable scenes of Florence to the ghostly horses at Leonardo's deathbed. . . . An unusual biography for young people, and one well worth poring over . . . . A unique way of picturing a unique world . . . . An extraordinary tribute."

Who Was Leonardo da Vinci?

Leonardo da Vinci was a gifted painter, talented musician, and dedicated scientist and inventor, designing flying machines, submarines, and even helicopters. Yet he had a hard time finishing things, a problem anyone can relate to. Only thirteen paintings are known to be his; as for the illustrated encyclopedia he intended to create, all that he left were thousands of disorganized notebook pages. Here is an accessible portrait of a fascinating man who lived at a fascinating
time—Italy during the Renaissance.

The Renaissance Inventors: With History Projects for Kids

In The Renaissance Inventors with History Projects for Kids, readers 10 through 15 explore the period of European history from the fourteenth to seventeenth centuries while focusing on the biographies of five inventors from that time and the creations they brought to the world. The lives of Leonardo da Vinci, Galileo Galilei, Leon Battista Alberti, Johannes Gutenberg, and Gerardus Mercator are brought to life as kids discover the challenges these men faced and the discoveries they made using their critical and creative thinking skills combined with their passion for science and engineering.

Imagine a world without inventors and scientists. How would people understand the environment around them? What new technologies would improve people's lives? During the Renaissance, inventors and other creative thinkers designed and constructed many new things, including a more accurate map that showed the spherical Earth on a flat paper, a printing press that brought books beyond just the realm of the rich, and a machine that measured the speed of the wind. In The Renaissance Inventors, readers learn about what it is to be an inventor, both now and in the past. They also discover how brainstorming and tinkering with everyday materials can lead to the development of great problem-solving skills, not to mention the creation of new inventions.

With 10 hands-on projects that use the engineer design process, kids create their own versions of many amazing inventions from the Renaissance. Activities such as making a parachute and creating a globe from an orange let middle schoolers stretch their inventive wings and learn what it’s like to be an inventor. Fun facts, primary source illustrations, fun STEAM activities, and links to online resources all spark an interest in the Renaissance. Even without a time machine, learners can experience the Renaissance!

The Renaissance Inventors is one of a set of four books in the Renaissance for Kids series. Books in the Renaissance for Kids series invite readers ages 10 to 15 to learn about the inventors, artists, explorers, philosophers, scientists, and politicians who lived in Europe and around the world during the Renaissance and who made contributions to the wealth of human knowledge and experience that have lasted far into the future. Primary sources, color photography, relevant quotes, and hands-on STEAM activities that promote the scientific method or engineering design process keep even the most curious kids satisfied! Titles in this series include The Renaissance Thinkers: With History Projects for Kids; The Renaissance Inventors: With History Projects for Kids; The Renaissance Artists: With History Projects for Kids; and The Renaissance Explorers: With History Projects for Kids.

Leonardo da Vinci: A Nonfiction Companion to Magic Tree House

When Jack and Annie got back from their adventure in Magic Tree House Merlin Mission #10: Monday with a Mad Genius, they had lots of questions. Why was Leonardo da Vinci interested in flight? What are some of his most famous painting? Did he really keep noteboooks just like Jack? What do scientists today think of his ideas? Find out the answers to these questions and more as Jack and Annie track the facts.

Let’s learn about some of these incredible Renaissance Inventors, what they made that changed the world.

And even make our own hands-on version of the submarine to incorporate some of our own science.

Renaissance Inventors

1284- Eyeglasses were invented by Salvino D’Armate and were made of glass or crystal with a metal handle to hold them up to the eyes.
1440- At this time, Johannes Gutenberg invented the printing press which is commonly believed to be the most important invention of the world because it gave us the ability to distribute information faster to a larger audience.
1515– While not the inventor, Leonardo da Vinci, is credited with sketching a primitive submarine. Ironically, Leonardo did not reveal his idea for a submarine “because of the evil nature of men who practice assassination at the bottom of the sea.” It would become developed later by Dutch inventor Cornelis Drebbel.
1608- The telescope was developed and patented by Hans Lippershey and gave us the ability to make very distant things seem closer.
1656- With the use of the pendulum, Galileo Galilei’s invention in 1581. Mechanical clocks were greatly improved upon by increasing their accuracy and were created by Pope Sylvester II, known as Gerbert.

Additionally, look at these hands-on activities for learning about the Renaissance.

Hands-on Renaissance Inventors Middle Ages Activities for Kids

In addition, look at some facts about submarines.

How Does The Submarine Craft Work

A submarine or boat floats when the mass of water that it displaces is equal to the mass of the boat.

This displaced water causes an upward force called buoyancy. Buoyancy works in the opposite direction of gravity, allowing objects to float above.

While a sailboat cannot control its buoyancy, submarines are designed so that they can.

Submarines have ballast tanks that can be filled with water to make them more dense so that they can go down below the water or they can be filled with air that pushes all the water out and makes them buoyant again. Real submarines carry compressed air tanks on board to do this.

Our bottle works in much the same way, the bottle would actually be the ballast itself.

As the bottle submarine is filled with air it is buoyant and rests on the top of the water.

When you gently squeeze to fill the bottle with water it becomes more dense than the water surrounding it and is pulled down by gravitational forces.

When your straw submarine is in the water it is buoyant, the buoyant force competes against the gravitational pull that is pulling the straw down and the difference between the two forces decides how buoyant the submarine is, more water makes it more dense, more air increases its buoyancy.

Simply put- When you allow it to fill with water it sinks, as you blow the water out and fill it with air, it rises.

Displace-Pushes out of the way.
Buoyancy-The ability to float in water or air or some other fluid.
Ballast-a heavy substance placed in such a way as to improve stability and control.

Finally, how to make a fascinating Da Vinci submarine craft.

How To Make A Fascinating Da Vinci Submarine Craft

You will need:

An empty water bottle
Bendy straw
Coins
Clay
Rubber bands
Large shallow container
Water
Sharp blade

First, use a sharp blade or the tip of a pen if the lid is soft enough and poke a hole just large enough for the straw to fit in.

Slide the short end of the bendy straw into the hole and press clay around it to seal it well.

Use a permanent marker to note three spots about 2” apart on one side of the bottle.

Then use a razor knife to cut out holes on these spots.

Make two stacks of quarters, a pile of 4 and a pile of 2. Tape each stack together. We are going to use these to give our submarine a bit of weight, like a ballast.

In between the holes you secure the quarters to the bottle with a rubber band, placing the larger stack nearer to the bottom of the bottle. Be sure not to cover the holes.

Now for the fun! Place your submarine into a large container of water, hole side down and allow it to fill with water until it sinks, but keep the straw above water.

What do you notice? The heavier end sinks, the end nearest to the straw with only air remains floating.

Blow into the straw to expel the water from the bottle and observe what happens now. The bottle, rather the submarine, rises.

The Race Against Time Geronimo Stilton Activity Craft Fun Dragon Eggs

January 9, 2023 | Leave a Comment
This post may contain affiliate links. For more information, please see my full disclosure policy.

The Race Against Time Geronimo Stilton The Third Journey Geronimo travels through The Ice Age, Ancient Greece, and finally The Renaissance period. Be sure to grab more Geronimo Stilton Books ideas and crafts on my page.

Here in the Renaissance is where we are going to pull over and hang out with him.

This time I decided to create a craft that is whimsical and mythical to delight your child.

The Race Against Time Geronimo Stilton Activity Craft Fun Dragon Eggs

The European Middle Ages was full of dragons, in stories, artwork, in religious references, and their symbolism was powerful.

While they are not real, they definitely had a larger-than-life presence right up through the Middle Ages into the Renaissance.

Although Geronimo does not battle or frolic with dragons in this book, I still thought it would be a fun art project to create beautiful dragon eggs for the child that enjoys the magic and myth of dragons.

We are going to create beautiful mysterious dragon eggs as we dive into the Renaissance period with Geronimo and the elegant people of the time.

These dragon eggs are easy to make and hard to mess up with this two-layer paint technique

So, even mistakes look intentional. Your kids will love this craft.

About The Race Against Time Geronimo Stilton

Throughout this story, The Race Against Time Geronimo Stilton our mouse friend does encounter the people, clothing, architecture, and innovation of the Renaissance.

And as always he does a wonderful job of sharing it with young readers in such an engaging way.

Also, look at some dragon facts.

Dazzling Dragon Facts

Dragons “exist” in many different cultures like South Asia, the Middle East, India, Vietnam, Korea, Scandinavia, and Europe.
A dragon can have zero to four legs, claws, scales, and possibly spikes.
They can look like a snake with wings or more like a lizard.
In China, dragons symbolize wealth, power, and leadership.
A little dragon is called a “dragonet.”
People Once Thought Dinosaurs Were Dragons.
In many of the Middle Ages stories dragon blood has magical properties.
China has the most places named after dragons.
Many Viking longships had carvings of dragon heads on their prows. The Vikings called these kinds of ships “drakkar,” or “dragon ships.”
In mythology, a female dragon is called a drakaina .
People who study dragons are called dragonologists.
Dragons are the symbol of Wales

For a Middle Ages to Renaissance unit study, you might enjoy a few of these other hands-on activity ideas.

Hands-on Activities for Middle Ages Unit Study

Make your own Medieval Stained Glass Craft.
Give your child permission to fling objects across the room with this Kids Fun Pumpkin Catapult Stem Challenge for Medieval Unit Study.
Safari Ltd Toob Knights & Dragons or Lair Of The Dragons make great additions to dioramas, or dramatic play.
Make a Dragon Head Craft.
Enjoy Dragon Eggs as a snack.
Spend an afternoon creating Pipe Cleaner Dragons.
Work in a little science with a Foaming Dragon.

In addition, you’ll love these other Geronimo Stilton book ideas and crafts.

Geronimo Stilton Book Activities

Next, look at these other crafts to go with the books.

Next, let’s make these fun dragon eggs.

How to Make Fun Mythical Dinosaur Eggs

We used hot glue for a quick drying craft, but you can also use a thick layer of craft glue and allow it to dry if you don’t have or don’t want to have your child use a glue gun.

First, look at this easy list of supplies.

Unfinished wooden eggs
Craft paint
Glitter and/or metallic paints
Hot glue gun/glue sticks
Paintbrushes
Paper towels

Paint the unfinished eggs with a coat (or two if needed) of a solid color allowing the paint to dry completely.

Use the hot glue gun to draw scales and other shapes all over the eggs. Let the glue harden and cool.

The easiest way to do this is to set the egg on something that creates a pedestal for the egg.

This allows access to all of it for decorating with the hot glue without needing to touch the hot glue.

Once the hot glue is hardened, dry brush over the entire egg with a metallic paint in small sections.

Quickly wipe off excess paint as you go with paper towels.

This creates a lovely definition between the smooth and textured parts of the egg.

Let the final layer of paint dry and then your dinosaur eggs are ready to hatch or at least add a little fantasy to your shelves.

To add a little more magic to your eggs you can brush glue over your painted eggs and add a bit of glitter to make them sparkle.