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The Race Against Time Geronimo Stilton Activity Craft Fun Dragon Eggs

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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.

The Race Against Time Geronimo Stilton Activity Craft Fun Dragon Eggs

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

The Race Against Time Geronimo Stilton Activity Craft Fun Dragon Eggs

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

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
The Race Against Time Geronimo Stilton Activity Craft Fun Dragon Eggs

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

The Race Against Time Geronimo Stilton Activity Craft Fun Dragon Eggs

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.

The Race Against Time Geronimo Stilton Activity Craft Fun Dragon Eggs

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

The Race Against Time Geronimo Stilton Activity Craft Fun Dragon Eggs

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.

The Race Against Time Geronimo Stilton Activity Craft Fun Dragon Eggs

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.

The Race Against Time Geronimo Stilton Activity Craft Fun Dragon Eggs

Easy DIY Fun Salt Winter Watercolor Art Project for Kids

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If your kids are looking for winter watercolor art projects, they’ll love this easy diy salt project. Add it to a winter season unit study for more learning fun.

If you live in Texas like I do, you won’t see a lot of snow unless you’re vacationing somewhere else.

But it’s still nice to dream about beautiful forests under a blanket of snow.

Easy DIY Fun Salt Winter Watercolor Art Project for Kids

So, today we are going to create our own winter watercolor art project to capture some of that snowy magic with a few different types of paint.

I’ve seen a technique like this done using snow but obviously that’s not an option for us.

Instead, I set to thinking about how I could make it happen here and turn into a fun art lesson too.

Over and Under the Snow

And my solution was a spray bottle filled with water instead of letting the snow melt over my picture.

You will probably want to take this one outside or put a plastic tablecloth on the table under your craft to help contain the mess.

No matter what you’re studying this winter or where you live, snow or not, it can still be fun and informative to learn about snow.

Topics like snowflakes, ice, hibernation, glaciers, icebergs, and everything else winter entails keep it fun.

Add a fun book to this winter watercolor art project like Over and Under the Snow to investigate what happens when that white blanket of snow covers the earth.

As a matter of fact, the book which inspired this project progresses from day to dusk to night as the child and father ski over the snow noticing it all.

Easy DIY Fun Salt Winter Watercolor Art Project for Kids

I love the darling images of creatures sleeping beneath the earth.

Winter Subnivean Zone

And above there are busy people, squirrels, owls, and a big full moon.

It is a great way to introduce snow, hibernation and terms like subnivean zone (it’s the network of open spaces and tunnels between the snow and ground) to your kids.

The word subnivean comes from the Latin “sub” (under) and “nives” (snow). 

There is a fantastic appendix of animals at the back of the book.

Easy DIY Fun Salt Winter Watercolor Art Project for Kids

It introduces animals and gives a bit of information on each spotted throughout as well as suggestions for more winter books.

More Winter Season Unit Study Resources

Then, here are some other winter unit study resources you’ll love.

Add in a few of these activities to make a fun learning about winter day.

Easy DIY Fun Salt Winter Watercolor Art Project for Kids

Let’s make this watercolor art project.

How to Make DIY Winter Water Art Project

You will need:

  • Watercolor paper. It really makes a difference with this paper.
  • Fine Salt
  • Food coloring
  • Black craft paint
  • White craft paint
  • Paint brushes
  • Water in a spray bottle
  • Baking sheet
Easy DIY Fun Salt Winter Watercolor Art Project for Kids

First, place watercolor paper on a baking sheet and spritz the entire paper well with water.

Pour a few tablespoons of salt into a small container.

Mix with a few drops of food coloring and repeat for as many colors as you would like to have.

Easy DIY Fun Salt Winter Watercolor Art Project for Kids

Scoop colored salt all over paper randomly and in different sized piles with different thicknesses to create a mottled watercolor effect.

Easy DIY Fun Salt Winter Watercolor Art Project for Kids

Spray the colored salt until completely saturated with the spray bottle.

You want to make sure that the salt is very wet so that the food coloring can absorb into the paper.

Allow it to sit undisturbed for 20 to 30 minutes.

The longer it sits the more saturated the image will be.

Too, you can let it dry overnight if your little one has the patience to wait.

Flip over your paper quickly to remove all the salt and use a dry brush to remove excess or just wait until it dries naturally and brush then.

Easy DIY Fun Salt Winter Watercolor Art Project for Kids

Now you should have a beautiful watercolor paper that resembles a dusky night sky or the aurora borealis.

Winter Crafts

Allow your paper to dry completely.

Then, paint a few straight lines straight up from the bottom using a thin flat brush. Draw any amount of trees you want, just leave room for the branches.

Easy DIY Fun Salt Winter Watercolor Art Project for Kids

Take the same brush dipped in black paint and start at the top line and drag it away from the line in a downward stroke.

This creates the shape of an evergreen tree.

Also, draw some scraggly spindly trees with just limbs and branches using a small, pointed tip brushed if you like.

Easy DIY Fun Salt Winter Watercolor Art Project for Kids

Finally, allow your black paint to dry a little and then dip your paintbrush in white paint.

If it’s thick, add a tiny bit of water to loosen it up.

You’re gonna want your paint a little runny so that you can tap it on your hand over the paper and create splatters for snow.

Paint a moon if you’d like up in the corner. 

Easy DIY Fun Salt Winter Watercolor Art Project for Kids

Let your completed painting dry.

Because the paper was so saturated it may crinkle up a bit. Lay a couple heavy books on top once it’s dry to help smooth and flatten it.

What do you think? Easy winter art?

How to Dissolve a Seashell – Beach Hands-on Fun Activity

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This is a fun how to dissolve a seashell activity. Also, look at my Seashore Beach Watching Unit Study and Seashore Lapbook for more ideas.

With summer quickly approaching I thought a fun beach themed activity would be just the thing to keep kids interested and learning even with the end of the year burnout that we often face.

I put together a fun activity – how to dissolve a seashell.

I remember doing it myself years ago; I like it because it’s low cost, easy to assemble, and the kids can do most of it on their own.

How to Dissolve a Seashell - Beach Hands-on Fun Activity. Whether you're doing an Ocean or Beach theme, your kids will love this EZ activity. Click here!

Seashell Acid Base Experiment

It gives them a visual of what might be going on beneath the ocean’s surface and truly can give them a glimpse of what acid can do in general in a safe manner.

This simple lesson covers chemistry as well as including some conservation awareness.

What is a seashell anyway?

Seashells are mostly made up of a substance called calcium carbonate which is easily dissolved when left in vinegar even for a few days.

A seashell is the exoskeleton of mollusks. This could be an oyster or a sea snail for example.

Vinegar is great for a quick wash and disinfection of the seashells you bring home from the beach, but if you leave them in for too long they begin to eat away at your seashells.

Let’s see what happens.

How to Dissolve a Seashell Activity Ingredients

You will need:

  • white vinegar
  • seashells
  • a glass jar

Ocean Acidification Activity

Directions:

You can either use seashells from your collection that you’ve brought home from your own beach visit or you can purchase a bag.

Save the extra for a fun art project or you can place them in a pretty jar for summer decor.

Place a seashell or two in your container of vinegar.

Be sure to cover them completely and watch as bubbles immediately begin to form, this is carbon dioxide.

1 How to Dissolve a Seashell - Beach Hands-on Fun Activity immediate bubbling

It is a product of the reaction between the acetic acid in the vinegar and the calcium carbonate of the seashell creating a gas. Science is cool, right?

Add in a few fun workbooks like this Ocean Habitats activity book by Evan Moor and it’s easy to sneak in learning too.

Check out what’s happening.

In just 12 hours or less you should be able to see the edges of the shell eroding and maybe some holes in the center of the shell in the weaker areas.

2 How to Dissolve a Seashell - Beach Hands-on Fun Activity 12 hour results

Encourage the kids to check the progress of the shells and vinegar every few hours.

This photo is after 24 hours of soaking in vinegar, after about 12-15 hours the acid left in the vinegar will no longer be effective at dissolving the shell so you can dump it out and add fresh vinegar. 

3 How to Dissolve a Seashell - Beach Hands-on Fun Activity 24 hours

We changed ours out three times during the experiment and it took about three days for the to seashells to dissolve completely.

Ocean Unit Study Activity

After 2 ½ days, all we have left is just a few remnants of the seashell. 

It is amazing how quickly this common acid begins to change the seashells, thin shells will go even quicker.

This is a great lesson to talk about the impact that pollutants have on our oceans.

Chemicals which are dumped intentionally or even accidental runoff of chemicals can affect the delicate organisms that live there and eventually larger animals.

Ask your child what they can do to change things in the future or what impact, positive or negative, that they can have on the oceans and other nature.

We also choose a few books to learn about shells more in-depth.

For anywhere from preschool to Upper Elementary the Let’s read and find out science books or one of our favorites for delivering information in a more fun and engaging way than a textbook might.

For example, look at What Lives in a Shell.

Shell guides are a great item to take to the beach with you, you can quickly and easily identify the shells that you find while you’re there and because they’re laminated there reusable we take them to the beach every time we go.

Ocean Seashell Chemistry Activity

You can take this experiment a step further by choosing 2 or 3 other liquids to soak your seashells in.

Try placing tap water in one jar, vinegar in another, soda, lemon juice or even salt water in others. Label each container with the contents so that you know what is in each.

See how long it takes for the seashells to erode, does the water or saltwater do anything to the shell? How quickly did you start seeing changes to your shells? 

Be sure to have your child record their hypotheses, observation, and of course the results in their science journal.

This project would make a great science fair project.

How to Dissolve a Seashell EZ beach themed or ocean themed hands-on fun activity @ Tina's Dynamic Homeschool Plus

Your child can share it just with the family, as an end-of-the-year project, or if your Co-op has a science fair it would be a wonderfully simple demonstration to share with a group.

You’ll love these other ocean themed activities:

Screen-Free Educational Activities for Kids Who Love Video Games

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Do your kids love playing video games?

Most parents seem to shudder at the thought of video games and screen-time, but I’ll be honest and say that setting limits in this area wasn’t my strong suit in parenting.

How to get your gamers interested in other subjects or activities! You’ll love the SOLUTIONS. CLICK here to grab these tips for Screen-Free Educational Activities for Kids Who Love Video Games

My boys are gamers.

Compared to most standards, I was always lenient about screen time with my kids. Of course, I’ve done my fair share of harping about it, but for the most part I never won the battle. (For the record, I also never really fought that hard.)

Everyone says to pick and choose your battles, and video games weren’t on the list of battles I chose. If they weren’t playing anything inappropriate, I was okay with them.  

Video games have always been something my boys enjoyed doing together, and with six years between them, those opportunities were few and far between. Even with an age gap, they both enjoy some of the same games and they’ve done a lot of bonding over video games throughout the years.

Ironically, my oldest is now a full-time college student majoring in Computer Science with a goal to enter the master’s program for Interpretive Entertainment. That’s a fancy name for video games.

In the end, I guess all the games I let them play weren’t so bad.

Even though I failed the screen-time thing, I have spent my fair share of time aggravated that I couldn’t get them interested in other things. It’s hard to compete with technology!

How do you get your gamers interested in other subjects or activities?

Screen-Free Educational Activities

Art for Kids Who Love Gaming

Video game characters (and their artists) have sparked interest in both of kids over the years. My kids didn’t just have favorite characters, they had favorite artists. Still do! Just like we throw around celebrity names-my boys toss around the names of artists and game designers like it’s common knowledge.

Although, I never recognize any of the names, there’s an entire industry and market of people who would know exactly who they’re talking about. That’s awesome!

Reading for Kids Who Love Gaming

Good news!

If your kids are playing video games, chances are-they’re reading!

When my kids were little, I was always shocked by the amount of reading they’d have to do to get through the game. Thank goodness for all that reading/

My boys loved games like Pokémon, Animal Crossing, and Mario Party. Getting around in any of those worlds required a novel’s worth of conversation between characters. I remember my youngest learned some mad counting skills from counting all his coins while playing Mario Party ten years ago.

Obviously, our kids can’t sit in front of the screen all day, but these were some positive take-aways from allowing them to play. Luckily, video game companies like to make money in other markets too and I was always able to find books based on the games they loved growing up.

The way I see it, words on a page + my kid’s willingness to read them = happy mom.

Books for Kids Who Love Video Games

Writing for Kids Who Love Video Games

Write a game review.

Let others know why you think your favorite game is so awesome.

Sometimes it’s even more fun to write about what we don’t like! Write a review of your least favorite game! Be the critic. What you would change? How would you improve the game experience?

Write a story for a game.

Guess what video games have?

  • Plot
  • Setting
  • Theme
  • Characters
  • Conflict
  • Point of View
  • Symbolism.

What a great way to teach the aspects of writing needed for a great story! I’m not sure if we realize how much we can incorporate the things our kids love to inspire them to do the things the things they think they hate.

Next time your kid is going on and on about his game, have him write down some of the things he loves most about it and use those ideas and momentum to spark his next writing assignment.

Career Research for Homeschooled Kids

Who knew you could grow up and play video games for a living? It’s true! Do a research project on the types of careers available to someone in the gaming industry.

How much do they make?

What would your kid love about these jobs?

What colleges and universities have programs in these fields?

The career research in this field will lead you and your gamer down one fun rabbit trail! You’d be shocked to see some of the annual salaries reported for these jobs.

  • Lead designer
  • Programmer
  • Animator
  • Artist
  • Software engineer
  • Software Developer
  • Game Writer

This book, The Art of Game Design is a great read full of information for anyone wanting to get started in game design!

How to get your gamers interested in other subjects or activities! You’ll love the SOLUTIONS. CLICK here to grab these tips for Screen-Free Educational Activities for Kids Who Love Video Games

Other screen-free activities gamers love:

You’ll love these other activities:

What screen-free educational activities would you add to the list?

2019 New Year New Goals Printable – MORE of this & LESS of this

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Today, I have ready the 2019 New Year Goals Free Printable.

I love this form because it not only reminds me to keep goal setting simple and not pen in a lot of goals so that I can reach them, but most important I remind myself to have Less of This.

It’s important to remind myself that some things I need to let go.

I don’t want to have pie in the sky goals, but to be reminded to homeschool and live simply.

New Year New Goals

I can only do that when I let go of things that are not working at the end of the year.

For some years, the goals have been to be less critical of myself, to be less hard on my kids, or to be less judgmental.

As homeschoolers we’re constantly criticizing ourselves and can be our own worst enemy when it comes to meeting goals. We push ourselves to do more and more.

Goal Setting Means Doing LESS OF THIS

I’ve learned doing more means that I have to let go of something. Different things can weigh me down. I mentioned being too critical of myself is one thing that holds me back.

Letting go each year or at least reminding myself to let go each year, I can start with a fresh slate.

Also, I am renewed to keep homeschooling.

Maybe this next year you need to do more of something which is productive. Just remember that being productive means doing less of something. It means making room for it.

What are you going to be doing LESS OF this next year?

It’s easy to fill out because it requires few words! Keep goal setting simple.

Grab this form in my Facebook Group!

(Note: This is a facebook group only freebie.
You know I love ya, but please do not email me letting me know that you don’t have facebook and asking me to email you the form.  I have special freebies for my loyal blog followers and I have freebies for facebook followers too. I appreciate your loyalty.

Also, you’ll love these awesome 2 page per month calendars and the other planners. You can see all the options here on STEP 2.  Choose Calendar/Appointment Keepers.