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History Based

Unit Study: French Revolution + Free Storming the Bastille Game

October 23, 2022 | 16 Comments
This post may contain affiliate links. For more information, please see my full disclosure policy.

This French Revolution board game is so much fun. Also, you’ll love grabbing more ideas for history games on my page.

Unit Study: French Revolution + Free Storming the Bastille Game

Plodding along, we have started out next unit study which is the French Revolution. 

Mr. Awesome needs to cover some more European history during his high school years and so this a great topic to cover for older kids.

French Revolution Homeschool Unit Study

Too, sickness has hit our family early and everybody has had a touch of the crud this whole week. Crazy that we all get sick at the same time.

Playing the French Revolution Game

So knowing that the French Revolution is not a topic exactly easy to explain to younger children and because all of us are still recovering from the coughing junk,  I made a board game about the French Revolution that they both could play.

This way they both have an introduction to this time period.

I can’t pry them away from the fireplace when they play games either.

I guess they think the ultimate luxury for at home learning is sitting by the fireplace because that is their go to place (even in the summer). I give up and let them play where they want to now.

French Revolution Game | Tina's Dynamic Homeschool Plus

About the French Revolution Board Game

Just to let you know I made the game really big.

However, you can print it on regular size paper or print it poster size (4 separate pages under your print settings).

We printed it on regular size paper because I can’t store anything now

By making it large, I could print it on 4 pages when we decided to play again.

Normally, I like to start our unit studies with a real aloud from books written about that time period like A Tale of Two Cities or Les Miserables.

But again, my time has been short lately, so I have found a nice abridged audio reading of A Tale of Two Cities that the boys could listen to.

Click here to listen Charles Dickens’ “A Tale of Two Cities.“

The boys can’t miss hearing the popular phrase: “It was the best of times, it was the worst of times,  . . .” I love the whole opening paragraph of that book.

Also, you’ll love these other fun history games.

More Fun History Games

  • The Geronimo Stilton Book Fourth Journey Fun Egypt Game
  • 7 Super Fun History Games to Bring the Past to Life
  • Free Ancient Egypt Mehen Printable Board Game (Hands-on History)
  • Free Ancient Greece Go Fish Game – Ancient Greece Unit Study
  • 13 Free and Fun BEST Printable History Board Game
  • Easy Hands-on Fun Ancient Greek Games for Kids DIY Knucklebones

Other French Revolution Resources

  • French Revolution Lapbook–Finalized!
  • French Revolution Minibooks
  • Free Printable Minibook–Timeline of Events Leading Up to the French Revolution
Unit Study: French Revolution + Free Storming the Bastille Game

How to Grab the Free French Revolution Board Game
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Exploring Space and Astronomy Free Unit Study for Multiple Ages

16 CommentsFiled Under: Hands-On Activities, History Based, History Resources Tagged With: frenchrevolution

Geronimo Stilton The Curse of The Cheese Pyramid Barbie Mummy

July 25, 2022 | Leave a Comment
This post may contain affiliate links. For more information, please see my full disclosure policy.

Geronimo Stilton The Curse of The Cheese Pyramid is another fun book in the series of Geronimo Stilton books. It is the second book in the series.

Elementary students will love taking their favorite Geronimo Stilton book and turning it into a mini unit study with a few hands-on activities.

The Curse of the Cheese Pyramid is another adventure for Geronimo Stilton. He is off to Egypt to the Great Cheese Pyramid.

Geronimo Stilton The Curse of The Cheese Pyramid Barbie Mummy

So, this hands-on activity I am sharing with you today, mummifying a Barbie gives kids a little bit more understanding of the mummification process.

And you can easily tie in science and history perfectly with the fun book The Curse of the Cheese Pyramid. Matter of fact most of the books highlight some kind of geography or history.

Even if your kids are older like middle or high school the same activity can be altered to make it a bit more challenging so that the whole family can join in.

Books Of Geronimo Stilton

If you don’t know about Geronimo Stilton books let me give you a quick little overview. The fun series is aimed at early readers or ages 7 to 10 years old

And they follow the many and varied adventures of Geronimo Stilton editor and publisher at The Rodent’s Gazette.

Too, they read similar to a graphic novel.

  • Geronimo Stilton Four Cheese Box Set (Books 1-4)

For instance, the words are highlighted in different fonts, sizes, and colors. The series make it an engaging read for kids.

They are silly and outlandish which makes it especially great for reluctant readers.

Geronimo Stilton The Curse of The Cheese Pyramid Barbie Mummy

Another point about the different fonts and colors of words are that some are for emphasis.

However, quite a few make great lessons for vocabulary, spelling words, and introduction to the eight parts of speech.

So be sure to make note of the words for several chapters.

And have your child look up the words and make flashcards to round out this mini lesson.

Geronimo Stilton The Curse of The Cheese Pyramid Barbie Mummy

You certainly can use this fun book as a spine for language arts. Too, you can use this spine as independent reading or for a read aloud.

Ancient Egypt Mummifying a Barbie Craft

However, one of the best parts of each book is that you can add hands-on activity as Stilton is always on a globe-trotting adventure.

Today, since Stilton is off to Egypt, we learned about mummies in Ancient Egypt

Look at this short list of supplies to make a Barbie mummy.

  • A Barbie or similar doll (we grabbed a cheap one from Dollar Tree)
  • Gauze
  • Cooking oil
  • Salt (we used Epsom since we had that)
  • large dish big enough for the body to lay in
  • Essential oils
  • Scissors and construction paper

First, we made a death mask from construction paper and laid it aside.

Your kids can get elaborate with this part or keep it simple.

Then we made simple canopic jars by drawing them on paper.

Geronimo Stilton The Curse of The Cheese Pyramid Barbie Mummy

After drawing the jars, we cut them out and taped them into a tube shape. 

Geronimo Stilton The Curse of The Cheese Pyramid Barbie Mummy

A quick google search will show you what each of the four gods, Hapy, Imsety, Duamutef and Qebhsenef looked like and which housed which organs.

We also used our TOOB Organs to examine the organs closely,

Then, we laid them out and talked about each function as the kids pretended to extract the organ and place it in the canopic jars.

Barbie Mummy

Next, this portion of the activity can be done or finished while you read aloud.

Have your child finish the death mask. And let your child draw them with whatever art medium they choose. We used markers.

First, the brain was pulled out through the nose, but considered unimportant in ancient Egyptian times, it was just tossed out. 

Then, the stomach, intestines, lungs, and liver were extracted and placed in the correct jar.

The heart stayed in place in the body. Use tweezers for this part and let them pretend they are extracting each part.

Geronimo Stilton The Curse of The Cheese Pyramid Barbie Mummy

Next, Egyptians would cover the body in salt to remove all moisture, this would take weeks but for the sake of time we waited just a few minutes.

We used Epsom salt as we had a ton on hand already.

And then we placed our prepared body in a large tupperware container and covered it in salt as well as we could.

Geronimo Stilton The Curse of The Cheese Pyramid Barbie Mummy

Finally, the body would be anointed with oils and wrapped,.

If you have some on hand add essential oils to a little bit of cooking oil to add to the sensory experience, pour over the entire body. 

We tightly wrapped our Barbie head to toe and then affixed her death mask with a bit of tape.

Geronimo Stilton The Curse of The Cheese Pyramid Barbie Mummy

Obviously, you know your child best and can include the parts that you would choose and gloss over those that might be too much for a younger child.

For example, for older children you can add ideas like labeling the organs, give them spelling and vocabulary words like sarcophagus, hieroglyphic, and etc.

Too, you can extend the lesson by having them give a presentation in front of the whole family on the mummification process.

Geronimo Stilton The Curse of The Cheese Pyramid covers everything from mummies to pyramids as well as mentions of camels, pharaohs, and the eye of RA, giving you a large base for a unit study.

I can’t wait to dig in a little deeper and share more hands on activities with you! What do you think? Are you going to add this to your list of hands-on activities?

Geronimo Stilton The Curse of The Cheese Pyramid Barbie Mummy

Other Resources You’ll Love

  • Easy and Fun Who Is Geronimo Stilton Rodent Notebooking Page
  • Fun and Easy Hands-On Ancient Egypt Craft: Create Canopic Jars
  • Ancient Egypt Homeschool Unit Study – Hands-on and FUN!
  • Hands-on Ancient Egypt: Israelite Mud Bricks for Kids
  • Fun Hands-On History: Ancient Egyptian Collar Craft
  • Free Ancient Egypt Mehen Printable Board Game (Hands-on History)
  • Ancient Egypt Civilization (Hands-on History): King Narmer Crown

Leave a CommentFiled Under: Ancient Civilizations, Hands-On Activities, History Based, History Resources, Homeschooling, Literature Based, My Unit Studies {Free Printables & Hands-on Ideas}, Science Based, Teach Homeschool Science Tagged With: ancient civilizations, ancient egypt, ancientegypt, egypt, Geronimo Stilton, hands on history, hands-on, hands-on activities, handson, handsonhomeschooling, homeschoolscience, language arts, languagearts, science

18 Colorful and Free Lapbooks for History Unit Studies

July 15, 2022 | 2 Comments
This post may contain affiliate links. For more information, please see my full disclosure policy.

I’ve rounded up 18 colorful and free lapbooks for your history unit studies. On my homeschool lapbooks page you can find them in chronological order if you plan that way.

If you’re wanting to cover history through a hands-on approach, then you’ll love lapbooks.

Besides, lapbooking can be used by a student on any level. And it can be crafty or not.

Lapbooks can be as much as the product of the student as he wants it to be, or he can use part put together.

18 Colorful and Free Lapbooks for History Unit Studies

Note: Some of the lapbooks were free for a limited time.

Too, it’s a great hands-on tool for reviewing history.

In addition, there are many other reasons to use lapbooks while doing your history unit study.

If you’re focusing on reading a living book about history, then create separate mini books for the 5ws and 1H of writing — who, what, when, where, why, and how.

Some history unit studies will be more reading literature focused while others may be more event focused.

And with free lapbooks you can mix and match mini books depending on the history topic you’re focusing on.

8 Easy Mini Books to Make for a History Lapbook

For example, look at these other mini books that your children could create based on any history topic.

1. Make an easy foldable timeline.

Timelines can be as easy or as complicated and extensive as your student wants. I love this one by Home School in the Woods.

2. Write a mini biography about a history maker.

In addition, a mini biography can be written in a quick glance fashion.

3. Sketch a geographical area referenced in your history topic.

Also, storing a hand drawn sketch in a pocket is a great reference tool for you student.

4. Draw mini maps.

Even a pretend map or mythical map brings a history to life.

5. Use strips to write vocabulary words.

Too, when your student uses sentence strips for vocabulary words, writing is not as overwhelming.

6. Compare natural resources of an area if your history topic is slanted toward natural resources.

Then how the natural resources of an area affects the people of the local area is another fun topic to write about.

7. Use a trifold mini book to compare 3 events or 3 people.

Moreover, if you’re wanting to compare and contrast, a trifold books can compare three people, three events, or even three dates.

8. A layered book could help your students visual the main religions or cultural difference.

As you can see this is a very short list of the mini books that you can include in your lapbook or that you can find in free lapbooks.

The advantage of course to any lapbook or history study is that you can follow your child’s interest.

Events Leading Up to the French Revolution Minibook

And another advantage to the free lapbooks I create is that they are all colorful. Visual appeal matters.

For instance, when I graded lapbooks created by my children visual appeal counted. Because we live in a digital age, visual appeal matters more than ever.

Adding clip art to illustrate a history topic properly is equally important.

History Lapbook Materials

Additionally, the beauty of your history lapbook is that very little materials are needed. Sure, you can make it fancy like we have done at times.

For example, we used strips of leather and a beautiful colorful shell with a feather as a clasp to close our Plains Indians lapbook.

Too, look at these beautiful Suede Leather Cords and gorgeous Ocean Tone Colored File Folders Letter Size.

Also, I love colorful file folders instead of the drab plain ones.

Too, one more technique we like is to use the bright color for the inside of the file folder.

If your file folder is bright colored on both sides, then it doesn’t matter.

It’s just more visually appealing and it stays pretty through the years.

More Lapbook Ideas

  • 75 AWESOME Things to Add to a Lapbook 
  •  How to Turn Boring Worksheets into Fun Minibooks – From Boring to Interactive
  • Summer Learning with Lapbooks
  • 4 Clever Ways to Store Writing in Lapbooks
18 Colorful and Free Lapbooks for History Unit Studies

If you’ve never used a lapbook with history, this is a great time to start.

Once your children do one or two they can get hooked on lapbooks and history.

Besides, look at this video, How to Homeschool EZ by Tina Robertson I have for you.

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Colorful and Free Lapbooks for History Unit Studies

You'll love this roundup of free lapbooks to bring your history topics to life.

The Trail of Tears 1820 - 1845 Unit Study & Lapbook

This unit study will focus of course on the culture and life of a few different Native American people, I wanted to expose the injustices and ugly side of American history.  Those are teachable moments too of examples that we do not want to be like.  The ugly side of history is something we do not shy away from, but I do think it should be approached in age appropriate ways.

American Revolution Unit Study and Lapbook 1775 - 1783

The American Revolution was the political upheaval during the last half of the 18th century in which thirteen colonies in North America joined together to break free from the British Empire, combining to become the United States of America.

American Civil War – The War Between the ‘Tates 1861 – 1865 Unit Study and Lapbook

I believe this government cannot endure, permanently half slave and half free…It will become all one thing, or all the other. “A House Divided” speech, June 16, 1858 Abraham Lincoln

Free Ancient Greece Lapbook

I finally have the rest of the minibooks for the free Ancient Greece lapboook that seems like it took us half a year to cover.

Free American History Lapbook - The Old West Through the Life of Wyatt Earp

I have the newest lapbook, which is the American history lapbook, learning about The Old West through the life of Wyatt Earp finished.

Free Marco Polo Unit Study, Lapbook, and Hands-on Ideas

Marco Polo 1254 to 1324 – A unit study and lapbook about the life of Marco Polo and Genghis Khan, as well as how the Silk Road came under the control of the Mongol rule.

French and Indian War 1754 -1763

The French and British discovered prior to the French and Indian war that they were claiming lands that were not empty. The Iroquois had been in the New York State for several hundred years before Europeans arrived. The British and French tried to get different Indian tribes on their side, including the Iroquois.

Iroquois Lapbook

In 1754  the British and the Iroquois Confederacy met and made an alliance. Britain provided the Iroquois with weapons and supplies, and the Native Americans helped the British fight against the French for control of the colonies.

Prior to 1775,  the Indians had been dragged into many wars and the period prior to the American Revolution was no different. The Europeans had brought over superior weapons of destruction like guns, steel tomahawks, cannon and their diseases.

Ancient Civilizations II

Ancient Civilization Lapbook covering Sumer, Mesopotamia, The Babylonian & Hammurabi, Minoan and Mycenaean , Ancient Egypt,  Greece, Phoenician, Ancient Greece & Rome Pockets, and Celts.

Plains Indians. Unit Study & Lapbook

I was born upon the prairie where the wind blew free, and there was nothing to break the light of the sun.

I was born where there were no enclosures, and where everything drew free breath.

I want to die there, and not within walls.”

~Ten Bears, Comanche Chief~

The FBI Unit Study and Lapbook

J. Edgar Hoover was named Assistant Director on August 22, 1921. We focused on the time period around his start with the FBI.

Ancient Civilizations Multiple Free Lapbooks

  • Ancient Rome
  • Ancient Babylon
  • Ancient Phoenicia
  • Famous Pharaohs and Queens of Egypt.
  • Ancient Assyria
  • Ancient China

Medieval Japan Unit Study and Lapbook 1185 – 1600 A.D.

This Medieval Japan Unit Study and Lapbook covers from 1185 – 1600 A.D.{1185 – 1600 A.D.} From the end of the Heian Period to the Beginning of Tokugawa {Edo} Period.

Vikings Lapbook Unit Study and Hands-on Activities

Your kids will love this Vikings lapbook and Vikings Unit Study. Barbarians as we use the term today had a very different meaning to the Ancient Greeks. The term Barbarian was coined by the Ancient Greeks and then used by the Romans. 

BEST Westward Ho Unit Study and Lapbook!

The Oregon Trail was given National Historic Trail designation in 1978, honoring this great migration that helped assure that one day the Oregon country would one day be part of the United States.

Lewis and Clark Fun Homeschool Unit Study and Lapbook

Studying about Lewis and Clark has been one of the best ways to study American History. Begin with this mission statement by Thomas Jefferson below.

The object of your mission is to explore the Missouri river & such principal stream of it, as, by it’s course and communication with the waters of the Pacific Ocean…may offer the most direct & practicable water communication across this continent for the purpose of commerce.

Words by President Thomas Jefferson, June, 1803.

RMS Titanic Unit Study and Free Lapbook

RMS Titanic – {April 14/15, 1912}

Daniel Boone - North American Explorer

Before Washington began to fight the battles of the Revolution in the east, Daniel Boone and other famous hunters were fighting bears and Indians in what was then called the west. By that war in the woods, these brave and hardy men helped us to get possession of that part of the country.

2 CommentsFiled Under: History Based, Lapbook Tagged With: hands on history, hands-on, hands-on activities, handson, handsonhomeschooling, history, history resources, homeschoolhistory, lapbook, lapbooking, lapbookresources

Fun No Sew Pioneer Rag Doll For Kids Westward Expansion Activity

July 10, 2022 | Leave a Comment
This post may contain affiliate links. For more information, please see my full disclosure policy.

Add this pioneer rag doll westward expansion activity to the BEST Westward Ho Unit Study and Lapbook. It’s just too cute.

And if you love the Little House on the Prairie series, or just pioneers in general making a no sew pioneer rag doll is a perfect hands-on activity to learn a little about the culture back then. 

Your child will be creating art, doing a little math, learning history and geography.

Also, your child will be working those fine motor skills, learning basic skills, and having fun while doing it. 

Fun No Sew Pioneer Rag Doll For Kids Westward Expansion Activity

While kids today have technology at their fingertips, during pioneer times toys were simpler and less expensive.

For instance, one favorite of little girls was rag dolls.

Too, they were sometimes sewn and more elaborate. And a simple one could even be made from a square handkerchief.

With all the bells and whistles of today’s toys, your children will certainly enjoy making and playing with a simple pioneer rag doll.

Besides it can be made with just a few dollars or free if you already have the scrap fabric on hand.

Further, if you were a reader as a child the chances are you remember Laura Ingalls little corn cob doll wrapped in a handkerchief named Susan.

Westward Expansion Activity

Oh how Laura loved and cherished her!

Similarly, small children who set out with their family to cross the Oregon Trail must have clutched their little simple ragdolls to their chest.

They drew comfort from them over every bump, sickness, broken axle, and excitement of wild new lands

And as they slept in snug beds in fresh new pine cabins that whispered “home” they drew their dolls closer.

Let’s try to capture a little of that innocent, but rugged childhood spirit of the pioneer child with this easy no sew rag doll craft.

Also, what a sweet memory you will make with your little one while you create one of these dolls and teach them basic life skills.

Encourage your child to do as much of this project as possible – cutting, measuring, tying, and folding so they can get the most from this project.

Next, to get started look at this easy supply list.

  • 14” x 10” square of muslin or other light fabric
  • 3- 1”x12” muslin strips
  • 2- ¼”x6” muslin strips
  • Scrap patterned fabric
  • Cotton batting or cotton balls
  • Scissors
  • Ruler/measuring tape

Then look at these directions.

First, lay the light muslin fabric out flat and place a small handful of cotton batting or about 4-5 cotton balls directly in the center.

Fun No Sew Pioneer Rag Doll For Kids Westward Expansion Activity

Pinch fabric around the cotton and give it a half twist, tie off tightly just below the cotton with one of your muslin strips, cut off the excess.

Then, line your 3 12” muslin strips up evenly, knot off one end, and then braid all the way to the other end. Finish it off with a knot.

Fun No Sew Pioneer Rag Doll For Kids Westward Expansion Activity

After that, open your doll skirt and place these braided strips centered up against the underside of the head.

Fun No Sew Pioneer Rag Doll For Kids Westward Expansion Activity

Westward Expansion Unit

In addition, fold the skirting back down and knot it just below the arms to separate the bodice from the skirt and also this will help to hold the arms in place.

Fun No Sew Pioneer Rag Doll For Kids Westward Expansion Activity

Then, move on to make the sun bonnet.

Begin by cutting a triangle that is roughly 10” at the widest end, and wrap around the head making the point stick out over the face. Knot it under the chin.

Fun No Sew Pioneer Rag Doll For Kids Westward Expansion Activity

Lastly, finish off your doll by cutting a rectangle out of scrap fabric 10”- 12” long, and 6” tall.

Cut into the fabric  ¼” down and 4 ½” in on each side to create an apron shape like this.

Don’t worry about being exact, this is a rag doll after all!

Fun No Sew Pioneer Rag Doll For Kids Westward Expansion Activity

Finally, tie the apron around the waist with the strings that you made.

Your doll is ready to cuddle and enjoy.

Further, if you want to extend the learning, have your child research other toys that children used in pioneer times.

For instance, ask a question like which of these toys do you think they would have taken along on long journeys during westward expansion? 

Fun No Sew Pioneer Rag Doll For Kids Westward Expansion Activity

Additionally, have your children research various fabrics and patterns that were popular in those days like gingham and broadcloth.

Older children can delve into learning about how those fabrics were made.

Fun No Sew Pioneer Rag Doll For Kids Westward Expansion Activity

Too, they can learn the cost of making a doll or a dress in that period.

Westward Expansion Activity Ideas

Another great thing about this  activity is that it works just as easily for a one on one project at home as it does as an activity for a large co-op.

Finally, try these other hands-on activity to create a fun unit study.

  • Pioneer Living and Cloth Dyeing (Hands-on History)
  • Hands-on History: Make Maple Snow Candy – Pioneer Activity
  • 10 Westward Expansion History Fun Coloring Pages
  • Make Pioneer Bread
  • Free Pioneer Printables

Leave a CommentFiled Under: Hands-On Activities, History Based, History Resources, My Unit Studies {Free Printables & Hands-on Ideas} Tagged With: american history, hands on history, hands-on, hands-on activities, handson, handsonhomeschooling, history resources, homeschoolhistory, westward expansion, westwardho

Fun Pioneer Peg Dolls For Kids Westward Expansion Hands On Activities

July 7, 2022 | Leave a Comment
This post may contain affiliate links. For more information, please see my full disclosure policy.

Making these pioneer peg dolls for kids westward expansion hands on activities for your BEST Westward Ho Unit Study and Lapbook are just too fun.

What better way to learn about pioneers and heading west.

Create an entire family or many families to travel on your wagon train.

They are a great size to go with popsicle stick wagons.

And log cabins make a great edition to a pioneer themed diorama.

Fun Pioneer Peg Dolls For Kids Westward Expansion Hands On Activities

Too, preschoolers to highschoolers can create their own versions at whatever level they are at; and have fun doing it.

In addition, this project is a great hands-on activity to do while reading aloud or watching a movie.

If you have a documentary on the subject this project will keep hands busy while they take in and process all the information.

First, learn about the history of peg dolls and learn why they are called peg dolls.

At the Wales Museum of History, it says “The tradition of making peg dolls out of wooden clothes pegs comes from a time when people had little money to spend on toys.”

Westward Expansion for Kids

This makes for great conversation discussing how kids made their own toys from what they had.

Your kids will love making their own from what they have. Use my idea here or let them create their own peg dolls.

Next learn about the Oregon Trail. The Oregon trail was the path of a great migration of people from the east to the west.

The pioneers were a hearty bunch who traveled across the country to find more freedoms, land, opportunity, better hunting, and adventure!

Would you enjoy setting off on this challenging adventure with your family?

When families packed up to head west, they had to pack carefully.

But remember they couldn’t really just walk down the street to a store to get what they needed once on the trail.

So, they needed to take all their supplies with them like food, tools, seeds, for planting, clothing, and animals.

 Do you think you could pack enough to survive off of it for months and still fit your family into your car today?

Another awesome point is that this craft is inexpensive to make.

For example, if you have paint and fabric scraps on hand you can get a bag of 8 unfinished peg dolls at hobby lobby for less than $3.

It makes this a very affordable project for even big families.

Best Books About Westward Expansion

10 Westward Expansion Resources

Add in a few books and resources to bring the study of the Oregon Trail to life during the United States expansion of the west.

Your Life as a Pioneer on the Oregon Trail (The Way It Was)

Your Life as a Pioneer on The Oregon Trail, has some funny illustrations and great information for this unit study.

Little House on the Prairie Series 7 Books Collection

Of course ALL the Little House Books are some of the best about pioneer life.

The Ingalls are the most famous pioneers and westward moving families.

Westward Expansion (A True Book: Westward Expansion)

A True Book: Westward Expansion takes readers on an amazing journey to a fascinating time in U.S. history when the country was experiencing dynamic change and expanding westward.

The Oregon Trail 4-Book Paperback Box Set Plus Poster Map

In this boxed set, choose your own trail and complete the journey to Oregon City with all four paperbacks in this exciting series! It's 1850 and your first goal is to get your family, covered wagon full of supplies, and oxen to Chimney Rock on time. 

The Oregon Trail: Journey to Willamette Valley Boardgame

  • It's a race to Willamette Valley as you join the wagon train and seek your fortune in the West!

Apples to Oregon:

Apples, ho! When Papa decides to pull up roots and move from Iowa to Oregon, he can’t bear to leave his precious apple trees behind. Or his peaches, plums, grapes, cherries, and pears. Oh, and he takes his family along too.

Locomotive

It is the summer of 1869, and trains, crews, and family are traveling together, riding America’s brand-new transcontinental railroad. These pages come alive with the details of the trip and the sounds, speed, and strength of the mighty locomotives; the work that keeps them moving; and the thrill of travel from plains to mountain to
ocean

The California Gold Rush and the '49ers

Try your luck, and search for your fortune in California! Follow the joy and heartbreak of the '49ers during the California Gold Rush.

Daily Life in a Covered Wagon

In 1853, the Larkin family loaded up their wagons and headed west in search of a new life. But how did they do it? What did they eat? How did they survive sickness, and attacks from cattle thieves? Drawing on diaries and letters, and illustrated with photographs of actual object from the past, Daily Life in a Covered Wagon explored what life was really like on the wagon trail.

Covered Wagons, Bumpy Trails

Illustrations and simple rhyming text follow Mother, Father, and Baby John as they make the difficult journey by wagon to a new home across the Rocky Mountains in the fertile Sacramento Valley of California. By the creators of Gold Fever.

Western Expansion Project Ideas

I order online too when I need to, and it still costs less. Look at the easy list below:

Fun Pioneer Peg Dolls For Kids Westward Expansion Hands On Activities
  • Unfinished Wood Peg Dolls
  • Craft Paint/ Paint Pen
  • Small Paint Brushes
  • Fabric Scraps
  • Craft Glue

Next, dive into making these fun pioneer dolls:

Begin by painting the head of your peg doll any skin shade you choose.

We usually just leave ours unfinished wood color so we can get on to the next step in painting.

Start by painting the largest part of the clothing.

Fun Pioneer Peg Dolls For Kids Westward Expansion Hands On Activities

You can paint the entire body a solid color for the dresses or half and half to create the boys tops and pants. 

Allow paint to dry to the touch. Then move on to the next section.

We like to do the hair next.

You can paint the hair on smooth and leave it as is. Or make a layer of thick blobs of paint to create a texture and dimension.

Fun Pioneer Peg Dolls For Kids Westward Expansion Hands On Activities

While the hair is drying, take your tiniest brush and add some details to the face. Add eyes and a mouth.

To the clothes, add a pretty gingham or calico pattern, some suspenders, buttons, and whatever else you like.

Then, let the paint dry completely.

We find that paint pens are also good for adding details and can give you a bit more control over your design.

Fun Pioneer Peg Dolls For Kids Westward Expansion Hands On Activities

Finally, to add a little more fun and make them look like true pioneers use some scrap fabric to create a sun bonnet and a “straw hat”.

You can do this for all your dolls or mix it up.

Fun Pioneer Peg Dolls For Kids Westward Expansion Hands On Activities

For a bonnet you want to trace a circle on your fabric using something like the bottom of a small paint bottle 1 ½” to 2” in diameter then cut the circle in half.

Try it on your doll’s head and trim it down as needed to make it a good fit.  

Fun Pioneer Peg Dolls For Kids Westward Expansion Hands On Activities

Once you are happy with the size “paint” your fabric with craft glue and press into place on the head.

Doing this not only adheres it to the doll but also makes it stiffer and a little more durable which is especially helpful if your child will actually be playing with their dolls.

To create the straw hat, you will follow the same step of tracing a small circle onto scrap fabric and “painting” the fabric with glue.

Westward Ho Activities

Press the fabric all around the head to create the crown of the hat, smoothing it as much as you can.

Fun Pioneer Peg Dolls For Kids Westward Expansion Hands On Activities

To make the brim just keep shaping it into place so that it stays up, the glue gives it some body so you are able to mold it as you work with it.

When you are happy with the shape let it dry and trim off the excess brim with scissors.

Your pioneer family is finally ready to set off on their adventure together, who knows what they will find as they explore the west!

Fun Pioneer Peg Dolls For Kids Westward Expansion Hands On Activities

Finally, here are a few more ideas to make your unit study come alive!

  • Make a diorama together to show a still life section of the trail.
  • Create a wagon from popsicle sticks and fabric.
  • Play classic Oregon Trail on the computer.
  • Add Little House on The Prairie Art Lessons
  • Make an edible Louisiana Purchase Map , yum!
  • Sew your own Prairie Bonnet

You’ll love these other westward expansion hands on activities for your study:

  • 10 Westward Expansion Hands-on History Activities
Fun Pioneer Peg Dolls For Kids Westward Expansion Hands On Activities

Leave a CommentFiled Under: Hands-On Activities, History Based, History Resources Tagged With: american history, hands on history, hands-on, hands-on activities, handson, handsonhomeschooling, history, history resources, homeschoolhistory, middleschool, westward expansion, westwardho

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