• Facebook
  • Pinterest
  • Instagram
  • YouTube
  • LinkedIn
  • Skip to secondary menu
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer

Tina's Dynamic Homeschool Plus

Activity, Change, Progress

  • HOME
  • How to
    • Preschool
    • Kindergarten
    • Elementary
    • Middle School
    • High School
      • Science 
  • Planner
  • Lapbooks
    • Trioramas
    • History Games
    • LEGO
  • Shop
  • GET STARTED NOW!
    • Learning Styles
  • 7 Step Planner
    • DIY Best Student Planner
    • Free & Easy DIY Home Management Binder
  • Unit Studies
    • Creation to Ancients
    • Middle Ages to Reform
    • Exploring to Revolution
    • World Wars to Today
    • Science
    • Free Art Curriculum Grades 1 – 8
  • Curriculum
    • More Unit Studies
    • Geography
    • Writing PreK to 12th
    • Geronimo Stilton
  • BootCamp
    • Resources
      • Dynamic Subscriber Freebies
      • Exclusive Subscribers Library
      • Ultimate Unit Study Planner

Africa

How To Make A Mountain Volcano | Mighty Mount Kilimanjaro With Geronimo Stilton

January 18, 2024 | Leave a Comment
This post may contain affiliate links. For more information, please see my full disclosure policy.

Geronimo Stilton is trekking his way up mighty Mount Kilimanjaro in book #41 of his exciting globe-trotting series. Be sure to grab more Geronimo Stilton Books and Free Africa Unit Study for Kids Who Love Hands-on Learning | Free Continent & Country Reports ideas and crafts on my pages.

If I wasn’t so tickled by all the adventures this mouse has and the fun way he shares them with us I would be downright jealous of all the places he gets to go.

How To Make A Mountain Volcano | Mighty Mount Kilimanjaro With Geronimo Stilton

Here is the book Mighty Mount Kilimanjaro (Geronimo Stilton, No. 41).

He has even made his way through time and space.

Now, Geronimo Stilton is headed to Africa to climb to the top of Mighty Mount Kilimanjaro.

And we are going to join him as we learn about the 5 climate zones that make up this majestic mountain.

From the base where you find the civilization zone to the peak where the Arctic zone lies, we are going to explore the flora, fauna, and more of each layer.

Additionally, I’m showing you how to make an easy-torn paper Mighty Mount Kilimanjaro that you can label with the different zones.

Also, I’m giving you information on each zone to read as you create your mountain masterpiece, and some additional resources to turn a simple book into a thrilling learning adventure.

5 Layers of Mighty Mount Kilimanjaro

  • Civilization- At the base of Kilimanjaro, 6,000 ft and below you will find this zone. Here, where it was once scrubland and forest, you will find many small villages, livestock, and small farming areas that people have set up in the fertile volcanic soil at the base.  Some of the main items grown here are coffee, avocados, mangos, and bananas.
  • Rainforest – At 6,000 feet to 9,000 feet there is the rainforest zone with mild temperatures and wet weather. This is the zone where you are most likely to see one of the many creatures that make their home here. Blue Monkeys (Diademed Monkey), Servals, Jackson’s Chameleon, Aardvark, White Necked Raven, and Bush Babies are just a few of these beautiful creatures in the rainforest of Kilimanjaro.
How To Make A Mountain Volcano | Mighty Mount Kilimanjaro With Geronimo Stilton
  • Moorland- This zone is found at  9,200 to 11,000 ft altitude, temperatures begin to drop rapidly and the forest gives way to scrubby shrubs and grasses, magnificent views but very little animal life.
  • Alpine Dessert- Keep going, we are almost there!  At 13,200 to 16,500 feet you might find just small hardy plants, very few flowers, and sparse grasses but plenty of volcanic rock. You might spot the occasional eland (a large antelope) that happens to be the world’s largest antelope at this height, but animals do not typically venture to this zone with almost no rain.
  • Arctic Desert/Zone- WE have reached the top at 16,500 to 19,340 ft and temperatures average 10-40 F during the day and drop to -15-20 F at night. This high altitude gets about half the oxygen level that you would find at sea level. There is no plant or animal life here except for the odd lichen growing in the bitter cold and you will be able to spot glaciers at this level.

Geronimo Stilton Books 1-20

Geronimo Stilton Books 1 - 20

It is not necessary to go in order, each book is its own stand-alone story, and the main characters are properly reintroduced each time.  So, you can choose the books based on your child's current interest, the season, or a unit study topic.

Lost Treasure of the Emerald Eye

Who Is Geronimo Stilton? That's me! I run a newspaper, but my true passion is writing tales of adventure. Here on Mouse Island, my books are all best-sellers! What's that? You've never read one? Well, my books are full of fun. They are whisker-licking good stories, and that's a promise!Lost Treasure of the Emerald Eye. It all started when my sister, Thea, discovered a mysterious map. It showed a secret treasure on a faraway island. And before I could let out a squeak of protest, Thea dragged me into her treasure hunt! In no time at all, we'd set sail for the island. It was an adventure I'd never forget....

The Curse of the Cheese Pyramid (Geronimo Stilton #2)

I'm off to Egypt! I climbed onboard a crabby old camel that would take me across the desert to the Great Cheese Pyramid. There, among mummies and hieroglyphics, I would learn the secret of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient Mouse World....

Cat and Mouse in a Haunted House (Geronimo Stilton, No. 3)

I was lost in a dark, spooky forest! Until I stumbled upon Curlypaw Cannycat's Castle.

I'm Too Fond of My Fur! (Geronimo Stilton #4)

Well, my books are full of fun. They are whisker-licking good stories, and that's a promise! I'm Too Fond of My Fur! I was on my way 'round the world to Mouse Everest! The trip was long and dangerous. I almost froze my tail off on the way. And then I was kidnapped by the Abominable Snowman! Yes, it was truly an amazing adventure....

Four Mice Deep in the Jungle (Geronimo Stilton Funny Tales)

Enter the world of Geronimo Stilton, where another funny adventure is always right around the corner. Each book is a fast-paced adventure with lively art and a unique format kids 7-10 will love.I have never been a brave mouse... but lately, my fears were taking over my life! Soon I was too afraid even to leave my mousehole. That's when Thea and Trap decided to cure me. They dragged me away on an airplane (I'm afraid of flying!) all the way to the jungle. There I was forced to eat bug soup, climb trees as high as skyscrapers, swim in raging rivers, and even wrangle snakes! How would a 'fraidy mouse like me ever survive?

Paws Off, Cheddarface! (Geronimo Stilton, No. 6)

Who Is Geronimo Stilton? That's me! I run a newspaper, but my true passion is writing tales of adventure. Here on Mouse Island, my books are all best-sellers! They are whisker-licking good tales, and that's a promise!__PAWS OFF, CHEDDARFACE!It was the strangest thing... all across New Mouse City, rodents kept telling me I'd done things I had no memory of! I soon discovered why... there was a Geronimo look-alike out there, pretending to be me. He'd even fooled my sister Thea! And worst of all, he was trying to take over my newspaper. I had to find a way to strike back -- but how??

Red Pizzas for a Blue Count

They are whisker-licking-good tales, and that's a promise! Red Pizzas for a Blue Count My troublemaker cousin was trapped in Transratania! And before I could even squeak, my sister, Thea, dragged me along on her rescue mission. Little did we know that Transratania is the land of vampire bats! Holey cheese, bats give me mouse bumps! Why? Well, there's nothing a bat likes more than sinking its teeth into a nice, juicy mouse....

Attack of the Bandit Cats (Geronimo Stilton, No. 8)

Oh, what a day! I had just published New Mouse City's first phone book -- and almost every single number was wrong! My customers were out for my fur. So when Thea, Trap, and Benjamin asked me to join their quest for a legendary island covered in silver, I agreed. But no sooner had we set out than we were attacked by a ship of pirate cats! They mousenapped us and threatened to make us their dinner. Would we escape with our lives... or find ourselves in the soup?

A Fabumouse Vacation for Geronimo (Geronimo Stilton, No. 9)

Sometimes a busy businessmouse like me needs a nice, relaxing vacation. But of all the rotten rats' luck -- every time I tried to get away, disaster struck. My aunt Dizzy Fur's mouse hole caught on fire, my office was flooded, and our printing press broke down! When I was finally ready to depart, all the good trips were booked up. I was stuck in a flea-ridden old hotel, sharing a room with a bunch of Gerbil Scouts! I couldn't wait to get back to my comfy home in New Mouse City....

All Because of a Cup of Coffee (Geronimo Stilton, No. 10)

I, Geronimo Stilton, was in love! I went out for a cup of coffee one morning and laid eyes on the most beautiful rodent I'd ever seen. Unfortunately, I immediately tripped over my paws and ended up with my tail in a toaster! I was one mortified mouse. But I was determined to prove that I wasn't a complete stumblemouse. So I decided to join my family on their most daring adventure yet -- a journey to the eighth wonder of the world! There I made a discovery so truly amazing, I knew I could win the heart of my darling ratlette....

The Phantom of the Subway (Geronimo Stilton, No. 13)

When my sister Thea told me a ghost was haunting New Mouse City's subway tunnels, I knew I had to get the scoop for The Rodents Gazette! So I set off with Thea, Trap, and my assistant editor Pinky Pick. We soon discovered that Sally Ratmousen, the editor of The Daily Rat, was also on the trail of the mysterious ghost. But we were all in for the fright of our wee mouse lives... because the ghost turned out to be a CAT!

The Temple of the Ruby of Fire (Geronimo Stilton, No. 14)

It was my most thrilling adventure yet! My old friend Professor von Volt had discovered the location of the famous Ruby of Fire. And before I could let out a squeak of protest, my sister Thea had dragged me into race to be the first to find the legendary gem. The jewel was protected by thousands of ancient booby-traps -- a 'fraidy mouse's worst nightmare? Would I make it through with my fur?

The Mona Mousa Code (Geronimo Stilton, No. 15)

Do you like art? I do! So when Thea heard that there was a secret map hidden beneath Mouse Island's most famous painting, the Monamouse, I knew we had to get the scoop! Together we began to investigate, and soon we discovered secret clues that led us to the most fabumouse secret. And it all lay beneath the streets of New Mouse City!

A Cheese-Colored Camper[GERONIMO STILTON #16 CHEESE-CO][Paperback]

My grandfather William Shortpaws -- also known as Cheap Mouse Willy -- was back at The Rodent's Gazette, and he was determined to torture me. He wanted to publish a guide book to Ratzikistan, the Siberia of Mouse Island. And he ordered *me* to go there to write it! But as you know, dear reader,

Watch Your Whiskers, Stilton! (Geronimo Stilton, No. 17)

Cheesecake! A mysterious one-eyed rat was trying to steal The Rodent's Gazette from under my snout! I had to stop him -- but how? My business manager, Shif T. Paws, came up with a plan. He arranged for me to appear on a TV quiz show. If I won, the Gazette was safe. But if I lost -- SQUEAK! -- I had to give up my tail!

Shipwreck on the Pirate Islands (Geronimo Stilton, No. 18)

My sister had come up with a new way to torment me. She'd combined my two least favorite things - travel and ghosts! Thea had heard rumors of a haunted pirate treasure buried on a desert island. And before I could say "avast ye scurvy rats," she'd dragged me into her treasure hunt!

My Name Is Stilton, Geronimo Stilton (Geronimo Stilton, No. 19)

Have you met my very young assistant editor, Pinky Pick? She is only thirteen years old, but she is one of the cleverest mice I've ever known. If you've ever wondered how Pinky came to work for me at The Rodent's Gazette, this is the book for you! It's a looooong story... and one that's full of adventure, laughs, and of course, like all of my books, lots of embarrassing moments for yours truly!

Surf's Up, Geronimo! (Geronimo Stilton, No. 20)

Ah, there's nothing like a relaxing vacation on the beach! I would spread out by the crystal-clear water with a good book. What more could a mouse want? At least, that was the plan. But somehow, my vacations never seem to go according to plan. Instead of a beautiful seaside resort, I found myself in a fleabag hotel that was falling down around my ears! Oh, would I ever be able to relax and enjoy my vacation

Geronimo Stilton Book List Activities

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

  • Top 5 Reasons to Love Geronimo Stilton And Geronimo Stilton Book List 1-20
  • Geronimo Stilton Race Against Time And Make Pottery Like Ancient Greeks
  • Geronimo Stilton Back in Time Second Journey Through Time and Fun Mayan Mask
  • The Race Against Time Geronimo Stilton Activity Craft Fun Dragon Eggs
  • Geronimo Stilton The Second Journey Through Time Sun King Fun Medallion
  • The Journey Through Time Book And Knights Armor Engraving Fun Kids Craft
  • Journey Through Time Geronimo Stilton Time Warp Fun Lost City of Atlantis
  • Race Against Time Build a Fun Greek Water Clock
  • Out Of Time Fun Sir Francis Drake Ship Craft
  • Stilton Journey Through Time Series Fifth Journey Fun Eiffel Tower
  • 10 Things to Learn From The Fun Geronimo Stilton Chapter Books
  • The Fourth Journey Through Time Fun Cleopatra Collar
  • Learn About Mozart The Eight Journey Through Time Geronimo Stilton Series
  • The Geronimo Stilton Book Fourth Journey Fun Egypt Game
  • Geronimo Stilton Journey Through Time Craft a Fun England Tower Guard
  • Mouse in Space Fun Puffy Moon Craft (Glow in the Dark)
  • Down and Out Down Under Make a Fun Edible Coral Reef
  • Field Trip to Niagara Falls Summary And Fun Corn Craft
  • The Journey Through Time #2: Back in Time Colosseum Craft
  • The Race Against Time Geronimo Stilton Activities: Fun Edible Spine
  • #2: Back in Time Mayan Craft
  • The Curse of The Cheese Pyramid Barbie Mummy
  • Who Is Geronimo Stilton Rodent Notebooking Page
How To Make A Mountain Volcano | Mighty Mount Kilimanjaro With Geronimo Stilton

Mighty Mount Kilimanjaro Resources

  • We used this graphic for inspiration to create the 5 layers for our mountain volcano project below.
  • This page in Geronimo Stilton is a great inspiration for talking about just what you would need to pack for such a high adventure. Compare Geronimo’s list with this Kilimanjaro Packing list from the climbing Kilimanjaro site, how did the mouse do? What about packing for a shorter hike in your area? What would you take? Encourage your child to use planning and critical thinking skills to create a list.
How To Make A Mountain Volcano | Mighty Mount Kilimanjaro With Geronimo Stilton
  • Watch Discovering Kilimanjaro Mountain: A Kid’s Adventure to the Top of Africa.
  • I also found this great partially animated video- Let’s Take a Hike: Crash Course Kids #30 that talks about how the geosphere affects biosphere for a wonderful science lesson.
  • Here is a printable that is both a coloring page and a maze depicting Mount Kilimanjaro and a few of the animals found nearby.

Lastly, look how to make this mighty Mount Kilimanjaro volcano.

How To Make A Mountain Volcano

You will need:

  • Patterned colorful scrapbook paper
  • A large piece of scrap cardboard
  • School  glue
  • Foam brush
How To Make A Mountain Volcano | Mighty Mount Kilimanjaro With Geronimo Stilton

First, cut a large scrap of corrugated cardboard to the size you would like your project to be.

Choose 2-3 shades of blue paper for the sky, 4 different shades or patterns for the various layers, and a very white or light one for the top layer.

If you use scrapbook paper that has a white core it has a really neat effect when torn and creates more visual interest.

Tear the paper into small pieces, ripping it toward you will make the white core of the paper show and make really cool borders on some of the pieces.

How To Make A Mountain Volcano | Mighty Mount Kilimanjaro With Geronimo Stilton

Continue tearing and making piles of each color. Determine what patterns will represent each layer and separate them.

How To Make A Mountain Volcano | Mighty Mount Kilimanjaro With Geronimo Stilton

Next “paint” on a thick layer of glue to make your mountain volcano the size and shape you want it.

How To Make A Mountain Volcano | Mighty Mount Kilimanjaro With Geronimo Stilton

Begin adding pieces to your mountain, I started at the top.

How To Make A Mountain Volcano | Mighty Mount Kilimanjaro With Geronimo Stilton

Then we found it helpful to add a couple of pieces to one side for each of the layers to kind of define them, so we didn’t go over and there was room for each layer.

How To Make A Mountain Volcano | Mighty Mount Kilimanjaro With Geronimo Stilton

Continue adding the correct colors for each layer, adding more glue if needed.

Geronimo Stilton | Mighty Mount Kilimanjaro Craft

Once you have covered every layer, paint on another layer of glue over the paper to help press it down.

How To Make A Mountain Volcano | Mighty Mount Kilimanjaro With Geronimo Stilton

Paint the sky portion around it with a thick layer of glue and repeat adding torn paper in blues.

Once filled in, paint a layer of glue over the top again.

How To Make A Mountain Volcano | Mighty Mount Kilimanjaro With Geronimo Stilton

Let the glue dry, it will probably require an overnight drying period.

Now you can write or type and print the names of each of the layers and place them in the correct spot- civilization, rainforest, moorland alpine forest, and arctic zone.

How To Make A Mountain Volcano | Mighty Mount Kilimanjaro With Geronimo Stilton

Leave a CommentFiled Under: Hands-On Activities Tagged With: Africa, geography, Geronimo Stilton, hands-on, hands-on activities, mountains, volcano

Interesting Facts For Kids About Africa | Cute Handprint Cheetah

December 4, 2023 | Leave a Comment
This post may contain affiliate links. For more information, please see my full disclosure policy.

Sharing interesting facts for kids about Africa is a great way to introduce or refresh information on this amazing continent. Also, grab more ideas on my post Free Africa Unit Study for Kids Who Love Hands-on Learning | Free Continent & Country Reports.

There is much to be learned about Africa as a continent.

For, you want to learn about its people, customs, animals, plants, landforms, and the resources that we get from there.

It is truly one of the most diverse places on earth from the Savanna to the Congo.

Interesting Facts For Kids About Africa | Cute Handprint Cheetah

We’re focusing on the amazing African wildlife that covers it and makes its homes in all the different biomes.

Too, we’re creating a cute handprint cheetah and then digging into some interesting facts.

Whether you are just looking for a single activity or want to create a whole unit there is no shortage of ideas and information.

Books About Africa for Kids

Also, add some of these books to your reading diet.

13 Resources for Children Studying About Africa

Add one or two of these books to your study about the art of Africa.

Africa For Kids: People, Places and Cultures - Children Explore The World Books

Africa For Kids: People, Places, Culture gives children not only a peek into the land and its people but the artwork of even simple everyday items like weaving and serving plates.

Africa Coloring Book For Kids!

Here is a coloring book filled with African souvenirs to color that is soothing and a great springboard for discussion.

African Patterns Scrapbook Paper

I found this beautiful book of African Patterned Scrapbook paper that can be used for many craft projects.

Africa, Amazing Africa: Country by Country

Atinuke’s first non-fiction title is a major publishing event: a celebration of all 55 countries on the African continent! Her beautifully-written text captures Africa’s unique mix of the modern and the traditional, as she explores its geography, its peoples, its animals, its history, its resources and its cultural diversity. The book divides Africa into five sections: South, East, West, Central and North, each with its own introduction. This is followed by a page per country, containing a delightful mix of friendly, informative text and colourful illustrations.

Africa Is Not a Country

Enter into the daily life of children in the many countries of modern Africa. Countering stereotypes, Africa Is Not a Country celebrates the extraordinary diversity of this vibrant continent as experienced by children at home, at school, at work, and at play.

The Water Princess

With its wide sky and warm earth, Princess Gie Gie’s kingdom is a beautiful land. But clean drinking water is scarce in her small African village. And try as she might, Gie Gie cannot bring the water closer; she cannot make it run clearer. Every morning, she rises before the sun to make the long journey to the well. Instead of a crown, she wears a heavy pot on her head to collect the water. After the voyage home, after boiling the water to drink and clean with, Gie Gie thinks of the trip that tomorrow will bring. And she dreams. She dreams of a day when her village will have cool, crystal-clear water of its own.

Ashanti to Zulu: African Traditions (Picture Puffin Books)

Artists Leo and Diane Dillon won their second consecutive Caldecott Medal for this stunning ABC of African culture. "Another virtuoso performance. . . . Such an astute blend of aesthetics and information is admirable, the child's eye will be rewarded many times over."

When Stars Are Scattered

Omar and his brother Hassan, two Somali boys, have spent a long time in the Dadaab refugee camp. Separated from their mother, they are looked after by a friendly stranger. Life in the camp isn't always easy. The hunger is constant . . . but there's football to look forward to, and now there's a chance Omar will get to go to school . . .With a heart-wrenching fairytale ending, this incredible true story is brought to life by Victoria's stunning illustrations. This book perfectly depicts life in a refugee camp for 8-12 year olds.

The Boy Who Harnessed the Wind, Young Reader's Edition

When a terrible drought struck William Kamkwamba's tiny village in Malawi, his family lost all of the season's crops, leaving them with nothing to eat and nothing to sell. William began to explore science books in his village library, looking for a solution. There, he came up with the idea that would change his family's life forever: he could build a windmill. Made out of scrap metal and old bicycle parts, William's windmill brought electricity to his home and helped his family pump the water they needed to farm the land. Retold for a younger audience, this exciting memoir shows how, even in a desperate situation, one boy's brilliant idea can light up the world. Complete with photographs, illustrations, and an epilogue that will bring readers up to date on William's story, this is the perfect edition to read and share with the whole family.

Things Fall Apart

Things Fall Apart is the first of three novels in Chinua Achebe's critically acclaimed African Trilogy. It is a classic narrative about Africa's cataclysmic encounter with Europe as it establishes a colonial presence on the continent. Told through the fictional experiences of Okonkwo, a wealthy and fearless Igbo warrior of Umuofia in the late 1800s, Things Fall Apart explores one man's futile resistance to the devaluing of his Igbo traditions by British political andreligious forces and his despair as his community capitulates to the powerful new order. With more than 20 million copies sold and translated into fifty-seven languages, Things Fall Apart provides one of the most illuminating and permanent monuments to African experience. Achebe does not only capture life in a pre-colonial African village, he conveys the tragedy of the loss of that world while broadening our understanding of our contemporary realities.

Wildlife of East Africa (Princeton Pocket Guides, 3)

Those looking for a concise yet informative, visually breathtaking yet affordable East African safari need look no further than this spectacular field guide. Featuring full-color photos of 475 common species of bird, mammal, snake, lizard, insect, tree, and flower, Wildlife of East Africa takes us on an exquisite one-volume tour through the living splendor of the main national parks and game reserves of Kenya, Tanzania, and Uganda. Many of the species included--from pelicans to plovers, ostriches to elephants, from the daintiest of antelopes to cattlelike giants, from leopards to lions, baboons to gorillas, chameleons to crocodiles, acacias to aloes--also inhabit neighboring countries. The selection was based on the personal experiences of the authors, wildlife experts who have been leading safaris in the region for more than twenty years.

Facing the Lion: Growing Up Maasai on the African Savanna

Heads up: this is a great book but there is a rite of passage and has a part about circumcision.

Joseph Lemasolai Lekuton gives American kids a firsthand look at growing up in Kenya as a member of a tribe of nomads whose livelihood centers on the raising and grazing of cattle. Readers share Lekuton's first encounter with a lion, the epitome of bravery in the warrior tradition. They follow his mischievous antics as a young Maasai cattle herder, coming-of-age initiation, boarding school escapades, soccer success, and journey to America for college. Lekuton's riveting text combines exotic details of nomadic life with the universal experience and emotions of a growing boy.

The Bitter Side of Sweet

Fifteen-year-old Amadou counts the things that matter. For two years what has mattered are the number of cacao pods he and his younger brother, Seydou, can chop down in a day. The higher the number the safer they are. The higher the number the closer they are to paying off their debt and returning home. Maybe. The problem is Amadou doesn’t know how much he and Seydou owe, and the bosses won’t tell him. The boys only wanted to make money to help their impoverished family, instead they were tricked into forced labor on a plantation in the Ivory Coast. With no hope of escape, all they can do is try their best to stay alive—until Khadija comes into their lives. She’s the first girl who’s ever come to camp, and she’s a wild thing. She fights bravely every day, attempting escape again and again, reminding Amadou what it means to be free. But finally, the bosses break her, and what happens next to the brother he has always tried to protect almost breaks Amadou. The three band together as family and try just once more to escape.

Next, look at some of the interesting facts for kids about Africa.

12 Interesting Facts For Kids About Africa

  1. The 4 main biomes in Africa are Deserts (the Sahara, Kalahari) Tropical and Subtropical Grasslands, Savannas and Shrublands.
  2. The Congo rainforest is located here and is the second largest rainforest in the world and is home to over 10,000 species of animals.
  3. There are over 2,000 spoken languages here but the most widely spoken language is Arabic. 
  4. Africa is home to three of the seven species of “Big Cats”, the lion, leopard, and cheetah.
  5. Giraffes have a blue tongue; this blue color gives their tongue extra protection since they are exposed to a lot of sunlight while they feed all day long.
  6. African Lions are nocturnal animals and spend roughly 15-20 hours of every day sleeping.
  7. The same way that babies will suck their thumb for comfort the African elephant sucks on its trunk.
  8. The most abundant animal in Africa is the antelopes which cover the entire continent and have over 80 species.
  9. Africa has the tallest animal on earth, the giraffe, as well as the heaviest on earth, the elephant.
  10. Africa is the world’s hottest continent, temperatures in the Sahara often reach over 100 degrees F.
  11. The deadliest African animal is the adorable hippopotamus, they are primarily herbivores but are aggressive when it comes to protecting their territory, themselves, and their offspring.
  12. The country Nigeria sets the record for the most twins born in the world with an average of 50 sets of twins in every 1,000 births.
Interesting Facts For Kids About Africa | Cute Handprint Cheetah

You can learn more about this fascinating continent as a family by watching Africa: Destination World by Nat Geo Kids.

Also, here is some information to add to your study about the African Cheetah.

The African Cheetah

Almost all wild cheetahs can be found in sub-Saharan Africa.

And they are the fastest land animal in the world, reaching speeds of almost 70mph in short bursts.

They are very distinctive with long slender bodies and of course those spots.

African Cheetahs are unfortunately in the “vulnerable” category and are at risk of extinction in the wild.

Education and conservation are the best ways to protect these gorgeous creatures, December 4th has been marked as International Cheetah Day to call attention to them.

Interesting Facts For Kids About Africa | Cute Handprint Cheetah

So, we’re recreating one in its habitat with a cute little handprint, a classic preschool craft.

Cute Handprint Cheetah

I thought this time we could dress up the usual handprint craft by adding some layers to create a beautiful Savanna sunset and a Baobab tree.

You will need:

  • Pink construction paper
  • Orange construction paper
  • Yellow construction paper
  • Brown construction paper
  • Green construction paper
  • tan/cream construction paper
  • Yellow craft paint
  • Black craft paint
  • Black pen
  • Glue stick
Interesting Facts For Kids About Africa | Cute Handprint Cheetah

Demonstrate how to tear the pink, orange, and yellow paper into strips, you will only need about 2 of each.

Interesting Facts For Kids About Africa | Cute Handprint Cheetah

At the same time have them tear smaller strips of brown for the tree and green for the leaves. You help them tear a half circle for the sun.

Interesting Facts For Kids About Africa | Cute Handprint Cheetah

Use a glue stick to lay down your sunset-colored strips and the sun in the center on just the top half of the tan construction paper.

Interesting Facts For Kids About Africa | Cute Handprint Cheetah

Add the tree trunk, branches, and leaves.

Interesting Facts For Kids About Africa | Cute Handprint Cheetah

Paint the entire hand yellow and press down on to the paper, with the fingers pointed down toward the bottom of the page.

You can either paint on the tail with a paintbrush or repaint a single finger and press onto the back to make a tail.

Interesting Facts For Kids About Africa | Cute Handprint Cheetah

Allow the yellow paint to dry at least partially and then make spots by painting your child’s finger black and having them stamp wherever they like on the yellow.

Interesting Facts For Kids About Africa | Cute Handprint Cheetah

Once everything has dried you can use a small black fine point pen to add face details.

Interesting Facts For Kids About Africa | Cute Handprint Cheetah

Leave a CommentFiled Under: Hands-On Activities Tagged With: Africa, cheetah, handprint, hands-on, hands-on activities, handson, handsonhomeschooling, life science, science

8 The Water Princess STEM Activity Ideas and African Clay Pot Craft

December 3, 2023 | Leave a Comment
This post may contain affiliate links. For more information, please see my full disclosure policy.

I have 8 The Water Princess STEM activity ideas and my African clay pot craft. Also, look at my page Free Africa Unit Study for Kids Who Love Hands-on Learning | Free Continent & Country Reports for more ideas.

National Princess Day is November 18th.

But I’m highlighting a different kind of princess entirely – The Water Princess.

The Water Princess is a lovely book based on the childhood experience of Georgie Badiel.

It takes place in Africa.

And is the story of the long trek that many women and children in villages must make daily for water.

The water is needed for drinking, cooking, and washing.

8 The Water Princess STEM Activity Ideas and African Clay Pot Craft

It is a wonderful opportunity to talk about life without water from the kitchen tap we take for granted.

There are nearly one billion people around the world who don’t have access to clean water.

The reality of this is what inspired African Model Georgie Badiel to try and make a difference in the lives of those in need.

She works with Ryan’s Well to help provide access to water for hydration, food preparation, sanitation services, and proper hygiene.

Your child may become inspired to help by raising money for the foundation, or even to become one of the scientists or engineers who come up with ideas to give clean water to people everywhere.

5 Facts About Water in Africa

Next, look at some of these facts about water in Africa.

  1.  A shocking 40 Percent of Sub-Saharan Africa is Without Access to Clean Water, and 1 in 10 people on the planet do not have access to clean water.
  2. Women and girls spend an estimated 200 million hours carrying water back and forth every day.
  3. The average woman and child in rural Africa walk about 3.7 miles every day and haul around 40 pounds or more of water back to their homes.
  4. There are 677 Lakes throughout Africa, which makes Africa the continent with the largest volume of non-frozen water. The problem is not due to the lack of water, but rather the lack of CLEAN drinking water.
  5. Sadly 115 people in Africa die every hour from diseases that are due to poor sanitation, poor hygiene, and contaminated water.
8 The Water Princess STEM Activity Ideas and African Clay Pot Craft

Next, look at some of these books about Africa if you’re looking to create a unit study.

13 Resources for Children Studying About Africa

Add one or two of these books to your study about the art of Africa.

Africa For Kids: People, Places and Cultures - Children Explore The World Books

Africa For Kids: People, Places, Culture gives children not only a peek into the land and its people but the artwork of even simple everyday items like weaving and serving plates.

Africa Coloring Book For Kids!

Here is a coloring book filled with African souvenirs to color that is soothing and a great springboard for discussion.

African Patterns Scrapbook Paper

I found this beautiful book of African Patterned Scrapbook paper that can be used for many craft projects.

Africa, Amazing Africa: Country by Country

Atinuke’s first non-fiction title is a major publishing event: a celebration of all 55 countries on the African continent! Her beautifully-written text captures Africa’s unique mix of the modern and the traditional, as she explores its geography, its peoples, its animals, its history, its resources and its cultural diversity. The book divides Africa into five sections: South, East, West, Central and North, each with its own introduction. This is followed by a page per country, containing a delightful mix of friendly, informative text and colourful illustrations.

Africa Is Not a Country

Enter into the daily life of children in the many countries of modern Africa. Countering stereotypes, Africa Is Not a Country celebrates the extraordinary diversity of this vibrant continent as experienced by children at home, at school, at work, and at play.

The Water Princess

With its wide sky and warm earth, Princess Gie Gie’s kingdom is a beautiful land. But clean drinking water is scarce in her small African village. And try as she might, Gie Gie cannot bring the water closer; she cannot make it run clearer. Every morning, she rises before the sun to make the long journey to the well. Instead of a crown, she wears a heavy pot on her head to collect the water. After the voyage home, after boiling the water to drink and clean with, Gie Gie thinks of the trip that tomorrow will bring. And she dreams. She dreams of a day when her village will have cool, crystal-clear water of its own.

Ashanti to Zulu: African Traditions (Picture Puffin Books)

Artists Leo and Diane Dillon won their second consecutive Caldecott Medal for this stunning ABC of African culture. "Another virtuoso performance. . . . Such an astute blend of aesthetics and information is admirable, the child's eye will be rewarded many times over."

When Stars Are Scattered

Omar and his brother Hassan, two Somali boys, have spent a long time in the Dadaab refugee camp. Separated from their mother, they are looked after by a friendly stranger. Life in the camp isn't always easy. The hunger is constant . . . but there's football to look forward to, and now there's a chance Omar will get to go to school . . .With a heart-wrenching fairytale ending, this incredible true story is brought to life by Victoria's stunning illustrations. This book perfectly depicts life in a refugee camp for 8-12 year olds.

The Boy Who Harnessed the Wind, Young Reader's Edition

When a terrible drought struck William Kamkwamba's tiny village in Malawi, his family lost all of the season's crops, leaving them with nothing to eat and nothing to sell. William began to explore science books in his village library, looking for a solution. There, he came up with the idea that would change his family's life forever: he could build a windmill. Made out of scrap metal and old bicycle parts, William's windmill brought electricity to his home and helped his family pump the water they needed to farm the land. Retold for a younger audience, this exciting memoir shows how, even in a desperate situation, one boy's brilliant idea can light up the world. Complete with photographs, illustrations, and an epilogue that will bring readers up to date on William's story, this is the perfect edition to read and share with the whole family.

Things Fall Apart

Things Fall Apart is the first of three novels in Chinua Achebe's critically acclaimed African Trilogy. It is a classic narrative about Africa's cataclysmic encounter with Europe as it establishes a colonial presence on the continent. Told through the fictional experiences of Okonkwo, a wealthy and fearless Igbo warrior of Umuofia in the late 1800s, Things Fall Apart explores one man's futile resistance to the devaluing of his Igbo traditions by British political andreligious forces and his despair as his community capitulates to the powerful new order. With more than 20 million copies sold and translated into fifty-seven languages, Things Fall Apart provides one of the most illuminating and permanent monuments to African experience. Achebe does not only capture life in a pre-colonial African village, he conveys the tragedy of the loss of that world while broadening our understanding of our contemporary realities.

Wildlife of East Africa (Princeton Pocket Guides, 3)

Those looking for a concise yet informative, visually breathtaking yet affordable East African safari need look no further than this spectacular field guide. Featuring full-color photos of 475 common species of bird, mammal, snake, lizard, insect, tree, and flower, Wildlife of East Africa takes us on an exquisite one-volume tour through the living splendor of the main national parks and game reserves of Kenya, Tanzania, and Uganda. Many of the species included--from pelicans to plovers, ostriches to elephants, from the daintiest of antelopes to cattlelike giants, from leopards to lions, baboons to gorillas, chameleons to crocodiles, acacias to aloes--also inhabit neighboring countries. The selection was based on the personal experiences of the authors, wildlife experts who have been leading safaris in the region for more than twenty years.

Facing the Lion: Growing Up Maasai on the African Savanna

Heads up: this is a great book but there is a rite of passage and has a part about circumcision.

Joseph Lemasolai Lekuton gives American kids a firsthand look at growing up in Kenya as a member of a tribe of nomads whose livelihood centers on the raising and grazing of cattle. Readers share Lekuton's first encounter with a lion, the epitome of bravery in the warrior tradition. They follow his mischievous antics as a young Maasai cattle herder, coming-of-age initiation, boarding school escapades, soccer success, and journey to America for college. Lekuton's riveting text combines exotic details of nomadic life with the universal experience and emotions of a growing boy.

The Bitter Side of Sweet

Fifteen-year-old Amadou counts the things that matter. For two years what has mattered are the number of cacao pods he and his younger brother, Seydou, can chop down in a day. The higher the number the safer they are. The higher the number the closer they are to paying off their debt and returning home. Maybe. The problem is Amadou doesn’t know how much he and Seydou owe, and the bosses won’t tell him. The boys only wanted to make money to help their impoverished family, instead they were tricked into forced labor on a plantation in the Ivory Coast. With no hope of escape, all they can do is try their best to stay alive—until Khadija comes into their lives. She’s the first girl who’s ever come to camp, and she’s a wild thing. She fights bravely every day, attempting escape again and again, reminding Amadou what it means to be free. But finally, the bosses break her, and what happens next to the brother he has always tried to protect almost breaks Amadou. The three band together as family and try just once more to escape.

Then, add some of these water activities.

8 The Water Princess Stem Activity Ideas

  1. This DIY Water Filter is a great way to explain how much it takes to create good clean drinking water and one way that people can make it usable.
  2. Besides purifying water, there is a problem with making it more accessible to people over a wide expanse. Try this Water Pipelines An Amazing Real Life Challenge to see how it can be moved from one place to another.
  3. Have your child collect water from various areas, the tap, hose, a local pond and conduct a Water Lab – A STEM Experiment Exploring Safe Drinking Water.
  4. Here is one that is great for a summer day and is another demonstration of how water can be moved from one place to another- Water Science: Water Pump Sprinkler.
  5.  How to Make a Waterwheel is a different approach to water, showing how we can harness water and use it as a renewable energy source.
  6. One of the great problems with water is pollution and the solutions to fix it. This Earth Day Water Pollution Activity is a great challenge to come up with creative and inexpensive fixes.
  7. This Milk Carton Well is a wonderful demonstration for a child who has never seen water drawn this way.
  8. Finally, Build an Aqueduct like the ancient Romans did to move water along. This stem experiment uses inexpensive supplies and teaches motion and forces.
8 The Water Princess STEM Activity Ideas and African Clay Pot Craft

Now, we are going to make our own unique little water pot to remember the story.

So, we have included reading, science, and art into one little book study!

Water Pot Craft

You will need:

  • Air dry clay
  • Craft paint
  • Paintbrush
  • Jar for a mold.
  • Plastic wrap
  • string/yarn/twine
8 The Water Princess STEM Activity Ideas and African Clay Pot Craft

First, you want to cover your pot mold with plastic wrap, a standard mason jar bottom is a good size but you can make it any size you like.

8 The Water Princess STEM Activity Ideas and African Clay Pot Craft

Roll out your air-dry clay to 1/8 inch thickness.

8 The Water Princess STEM Activity Ideas and African Clay Pot Craft

Lay the thin clay over the plastic wrap and Mason jar shaping it around it.

8 The Water Princess STEM Activity Ideas and African Clay Pot Craft

Use a clay knife or even just a plastic knife or wooden craft stick to cut off the excess.

8 The Water Princess STEM Activity Ideas and African Clay Pot Craft

To smooth any rough edges, you can simply wet your fingertip and rub it over and it will smooth the clay nicely.

Roll a length of clay into a thin snake as long as the diameter of your pot.

8 The Water Princess STEM Activity Ideas and African Clay Pot Craft

Attach it around the opening of the pot using just a little bit of water to smooth it on to create the lip.

8 The Water Princess STEM Activity Ideas and African Clay Pot Craft

Flip your jar over and carefully remove the clay, poking two holes on each side with a skewer or pencil for the handles.

8 The Water Princess STEM Activity Ideas and African Clay Pot Craft

Place clay back on the pot and leave it jar side up to be sure that your pot has a flat bottom and let it dry for 24 to 48 hours or until dried completely throughout.

8 The Water Princess STEM Activity Ideas and African Clay Pot Craft

Carefully remove from the jar peel off plastic wrap and paint however you like, I tried to get mine to resemble the one that the water princess uses.

8 The Water Princess STEM Activity Ideas and African Clay Pot Craft

After the base layer is dry you can add decorative paint details.

Once your paint is dry you can run twine or yarn through each side to create the handles. new line.

 This version will not hold water but can be used in other ways like holding trinkets, crayons or other small objects and serves as a great reminder of the story.

8 The Water Princess STEM Activity Ideas and African Clay Pot Craft

Leave a CommentFiled Under: Hands-On Activities Tagged With: Africa, clay pot, earth science, earthscience, elementary science, hands on history, hands-on, hands-on activities, handson, handsonhomeschooling, homeschoolscience, science

How to Make An Embroidered African Map Fun Geography Craft

November 3, 2023 | Leave a Comment
This post may contain affiliate links. For more information, please see my full disclosure policy.

Creating a geography craft is a fantastic way to teach geography in a hands-on way that won’t soon be forgotten. Also, look at my pages Homeschool Geography , Free Africa Unit Study for Kids Who Love Hands-on Learning | Free Continent & Country Reports and Learn About Indigenous Animal Geography Fun Activity for Preschool to Elementary for more ideas and tips.

When you think of geography most likely you think of map skills, states, countries, mountain ranges, etc.

But it is so much more than that.

Geography is the study of Earth and the forces that shape it, both physical and human.

Specifically, it is the study of Earth’s landscapes, its people, places, and the environment.

I am going to show you how to make an embroidered map.

We made Africa but you can apply the same technique to any map you like.

How to Make An Embroidered African Map Fun Geography Craft

You also don’t need to be an embroidery expert.

I am fairly new to it myself. If you know how to sew a basic stitch, you can create this pretty keepsake map.

Not only is sewing your embroidery map a fantastic way for kids to learn geography but they also are learning a beautiful handiwork skill that will translate into hobbies or maybe even a career later in life.

It is great practice in fine motor skills, patience, planning, spatial recognition, and of course art!

6 Facts About The Continent of Africa

First, look at these facts about Africa.

  1. There are 54 different countries in Africa and 9 dependent territories with more than 1.3 billion people living on the continent.
  2. More than half of the African continent is covered by grassland or savannah.
  3. Northern Africa is made up mostly of the vast Sahara Desert and the semi-arid Sahel zone which also includes fertile land in the Nile delta.
  4. Central Africa has rainforests and coastal plains. It is also home to the continent’s highest mountains and lakes.
  5. Southern Africa is mainly on a high plateau.
  6. The southernmost city on the African continent is Cape Town in South Africa. It has about 5 million inhabitants and is one of the most populous cities in the world.
How to Make An Embroidered African Map Fun Geography Craft

Next, look at some of these books to add to your collection about Africa.

Books About Africa

13 Resources for Children Studying About Africa

Add one or two of these books to your study about the art of Africa.

Africa For Kids: People, Places and Cultures - Children Explore The World Books

Africa For Kids: People, Places, Culture gives children not only a peek into the land and its people but the artwork of even simple everyday items like weaving and serving plates.

Africa Coloring Book For Kids!

Here is a coloring book filled with African souvenirs to color that is soothing and a great springboard for discussion.

African Patterns Scrapbook Paper

I found this beautiful book of African Patterned Scrapbook paper that can be used for many craft projects.

Africa, Amazing Africa: Country by Country

Atinuke’s first non-fiction title is a major publishing event: a celebration of all 55 countries on the African continent! Her beautifully-written text captures Africa’s unique mix of the modern and the traditional, as she explores its geography, its peoples, its animals, its history, its resources and its cultural diversity. The book divides Africa into five sections: South, East, West, Central and North, each with its own introduction. This is followed by a page per country, containing a delightful mix of friendly, informative text and colourful illustrations.

Africa Is Not a Country

Enter into the daily life of children in the many countries of modern Africa. Countering stereotypes, Africa Is Not a Country celebrates the extraordinary diversity of this vibrant continent as experienced by children at home, at school, at work, and at play.

The Water Princess

With its wide sky and warm earth, Princess Gie Gie’s kingdom is a beautiful land. But clean drinking water is scarce in her small African village. And try as she might, Gie Gie cannot bring the water closer; she cannot make it run clearer. Every morning, she rises before the sun to make the long journey to the well. Instead of a crown, she wears a heavy pot on her head to collect the water. After the voyage home, after boiling the water to drink and clean with, Gie Gie thinks of the trip that tomorrow will bring. And she dreams. She dreams of a day when her village will have cool, crystal-clear water of its own.

Ashanti to Zulu: African Traditions (Picture Puffin Books)

Artists Leo and Diane Dillon won their second consecutive Caldecott Medal for this stunning ABC of African culture. "Another virtuoso performance. . . . Such an astute blend of aesthetics and information is admirable, the child's eye will be rewarded many times over."

When Stars Are Scattered

Omar and his brother Hassan, two Somali boys, have spent a long time in the Dadaab refugee camp. Separated from their mother, they are looked after by a friendly stranger. Life in the camp isn't always easy. The hunger is constant . . . but there's football to look forward to, and now there's a chance Omar will get to go to school . . .With a heart-wrenching fairytale ending, this incredible true story is brought to life by Victoria's stunning illustrations. This book perfectly depicts life in a refugee camp for 8-12 year olds.

The Boy Who Harnessed the Wind, Young Reader's Edition

When a terrible drought struck William Kamkwamba's tiny village in Malawi, his family lost all of the season's crops, leaving them with nothing to eat and nothing to sell. William began to explore science books in his village library, looking for a solution. There, he came up with the idea that would change his family's life forever: he could build a windmill. Made out of scrap metal and old bicycle parts, William's windmill brought electricity to his home and helped his family pump the water they needed to farm the land. Retold for a younger audience, this exciting memoir shows how, even in a desperate situation, one boy's brilliant idea can light up the world. Complete with photographs, illustrations, and an epilogue that will bring readers up to date on William's story, this is the perfect edition to read and share with the whole family.

Things Fall Apart

Things Fall Apart is the first of three novels in Chinua Achebe's critically acclaimed African Trilogy. It is a classic narrative about Africa's cataclysmic encounter with Europe as it establishes a colonial presence on the continent. Told through the fictional experiences of Okonkwo, a wealthy and fearless Igbo warrior of Umuofia in the late 1800s, Things Fall Apart explores one man's futile resistance to the devaluing of his Igbo traditions by British political andreligious forces and his despair as his community capitulates to the powerful new order. With more than 20 million copies sold and translated into fifty-seven languages, Things Fall Apart provides one of the most illuminating and permanent monuments to African experience. Achebe does not only capture life in a pre-colonial African village, he conveys the tragedy of the loss of that world while broadening our understanding of our contemporary realities.

Wildlife of East Africa (Princeton Pocket Guides, 3)

Those looking for a concise yet informative, visually breathtaking yet affordable East African safari need look no further than this spectacular field guide. Featuring full-color photos of 475 common species of bird, mammal, snake, lizard, insect, tree, and flower, Wildlife of East Africa takes us on an exquisite one-volume tour through the living splendor of the main national parks and game reserves of Kenya, Tanzania, and Uganda. Many of the species included--from pelicans to plovers, ostriches to elephants, from the daintiest of antelopes to cattlelike giants, from leopards to lions, baboons to gorillas, chameleons to crocodiles, acacias to aloes--also inhabit neighboring countries. The selection was based on the personal experiences of the authors, wildlife experts who have been leading safaris in the region for more than twenty years.

Facing the Lion: Growing Up Maasai on the African Savanna

Heads up: this is a great book but there is a rite of passage and has a part about circumcision.

Joseph Lemasolai Lekuton gives American kids a firsthand look at growing up in Kenya as a member of a tribe of nomads whose livelihood centers on the raising and grazing of cattle. Readers share Lekuton's first encounter with a lion, the epitome of bravery in the warrior tradition. They follow his mischievous antics as a young Maasai cattle herder, coming-of-age initiation, boarding school escapades, soccer success, and journey to America for college. Lekuton's riveting text combines exotic details of nomadic life with the universal experience and emotions of a growing boy.

The Bitter Side of Sweet

Fifteen-year-old Amadou counts the things that matter. For two years what has mattered are the number of cacao pods he and his younger brother, Seydou, can chop down in a day. The higher the number the safer they are. The higher the number the closer they are to paying off their debt and returning home. Maybe. The problem is Amadou doesn’t know how much he and Seydou owe, and the bosses won’t tell him. The boys only wanted to make money to help their impoverished family, instead they were tricked into forced labor on a plantation in the Ivory Coast. With no hope of escape, all they can do is try their best to stay alive—until Khadija comes into their lives. She’s the first girl who’s ever come to camp, and she’s a wild thing. She fights bravely every day, attempting escape again and again, reminding Amadou what it means to be free. But finally, the bosses break her, and what happens next to the brother he has always tried to protect almost breaks Amadou. The three band together as family and try just once more to escape.

Next look at more geography crafts.

More Geography Craft Ideas

  • How to Make a Paper Mache Planet Earth is a simple classic craft idea to familiarize your child with the landforms and bodies of water of the planet.
  • Make a Fun and Easy Salt Dough Daniel Boone Wilderness Road Map
  • Paper Art Landforms are beautiful and interesting, helping to cement the different landforms in their mind.
  • Hands-on Geography Mesopotamia: Fun Salt Dough Map
  • As a big fan of LEGO I of course agree– Is There Anything You Can’t Do With Lego? This demonstrates a simple map of Australia. Crafts don’t have to be consumable items, a reusable resource like LEGO gives you endless use.
  • Hands-on Geography: Longitude/Latitude Mapmaking Activity
  • Lewis and Clark Louisiana Purchase Edible Map
  • Another delicious map idea is How to Make a Rice Krispies Edible Map.
  • Marco Polo Unit Study – Salt Dough Map + Free Printable Map Flags

Finally, look at how to learn a handwork skill and geography too.

Embroidered Map Fun Geography Craft

Depending on skill, age, ability, and how often it is worked on this will probably take about 2-4 hours total.

It is a lot for one day, especially for a child who is new to the craft and should be broken up over several days.

Also, know that the marker fades after several days.

You will need:

  • Embroidery fabric 
  • Embroidery needles
  • Embroidery thread
  • Embroidery loom
  • Water erasable pen 
  • Map outline of Africa

Print a physical map of Africa (or whatever continent or country you like).

How to Make An Embroidered African Map Fun Geography Craft

I highly recommend reducing the size by 25% or 50% before printing.

I printed my full size, and it was too big for my hoop.

If this is the case for you just move the fabric around until you can embroider the whole piece.

Cut a piece of thin embroidery fabric to a few inches larger than the map all the way around.

Tape the printout to a window and then tape the fabric over it.

Use the fabric marker to trace the outline of the map.

How to Make An Embroidered African Map Fun Geography Craft

Then any important characteristics like mountains, rivers, etc.

How to Make An Embroidered African Map Fun Geography Craft

Place your fabric on your embroidery hoop, pull it tight, and tighten down the screw.

How to Make An Embroidered African Map Fun Geography Craft

Cut off a piece of black thread about as long as your arm.

You can use the full thickness of the embroidery thread or carefully pull off 3 or 4 of the strings to use if you would like a thinner line. 

How to Make An Embroidered African Map Fun Geography Craft

Run the thread through the needle, leaving about 3 inches of a tail coming out the eye of the needle. On the other end knot as close to the end as you can and then trim excess.

How to Make An Embroidered African Map Fun Geography Craft

Come through the back side with the needle, pinching the tail of the thread with the needle.  Start at one end of the outline and stitch in and out, starting a new stitch very close to the last one. 

Continue until you have filled in the complete outline.

When you’re finished with the outline, tie a knot in the end of the thread, as close as you can to the fabric.

Use different colors to mark off each of the topographical features like mountains and rivers.

Fill in each area with a different type of stitch if you like to create interest and make it more obvious that the land is different.

How to Make An Embroidered African Map Fun Geography Craft

Flip your fabric over and cut any loose threads to clean up the back. It’s okay if your back is messy from big knots or thread running all the way across, you won’t see it on the final product!

How to Make An Embroidered African Map Fun Geography Craft

You can either wait for the purple fabric marker to fade to invisible or use a wet paintbrush to brush away the marker, it will just fade out.

To display, you can either mount it in a hoop, place it in a frame behind glass, or back it with felt to make it stiff for tabletop use.

How to Make An Embroidered African Map Fun Geography Craft

Leave a CommentFiled Under: Hands-On Activities Tagged With: Africa, crafts, geography, handicraft, hands on history, hands-on, hands-on activities, handson, handsonhomeschooling, homeschool geography, homeschoolgeography, map

8 Facts about African Elephants and a Cute Paper Plate Elephant

July 14, 2023 | Leave a Comment
This post may contain affiliate links. For more information, please see my full disclosure policy.

Today, I have 8 facts about African elephants and a cute paper plate elephant. Also, look at my pages Free Africa Unit Study for Kids Who Love Hands-on Learning | Free Continent & Country Reports and 6 World Wildlife Day Activities to Learn About African Lions for more ideas.

Do you need a great activity to go along with a study of Africa and its animals?

This simple paper plate elephant can be used for display and learning.

8 Facts about African Elephants and a Cute Paper Plate Elephant

I enjoy a craft that is inexpensive and can be used as an effective learning tool.

With this one, we can learn about the different parts of the African elephant.

For example, you can learn about why their ears are so large, why they have tusks, and compare them to Asian elephants.

Comparing African To Asian Elephants

African elephants are giant creatures that roam the savannas of sub-Saharan Africa and the rainforests of Central and West Africa in herds.

Their hide is much more wrinkled than that of their Asian counterpart.

And they have two “fingers” on their trunk while Asians only have one.

Another distinction between the two is the length of the tusks.

While African elephants have long tusks on both males and females, Asian elephants have short tusks that are generally only visible on the males.

8 Facts about African Elephants and a Cute Paper Plate Elephant

Next, look at these facts about African elephants.

8 Facts About African Elephants

  1. The African Savanna elephant is the world’s largest land animal. The word “elephant” is actually Latin for “huge Arch”.
  2. August 12th is World Elephant Day; a day created to educate and bring attention to the plight of African and Asian Elephants.
  3. A baby elephant can stand within just 20 minutes of being born, a baby African Elephant weighs almost 200 pounds at birth.
  4. Elephant tusks are enlarged incisor teeth and show when elephants are around 2 years old. These tusks will continue to grow throughout their lives.
  5. 90% of the African elephant populations have been wiped out in the last century.
  6. African elephants live in sub-Saharan Africa, the rain forests of Central and West Africa, and the Sahel desert in Mali.
  7. African elephants are made up of two living elephant species, the African bush elephant, and the smaller African forest elephant.
  8. African elephants live in a sunnier, hotter climate than Asian elephants do which is why their larger ears are better suited to them. Take a closer look at them, they also resemble the shape of the continent of Africa.
8 Facts about African Elephants and a Cute Paper Plate Elephant

Look at more paper plate elephant activities.

Resources to Go Along With the Paper Plate Elephant

  •  Easy How to Draw an African Elephant for Kids Tutorial Video 
  • This elephant word search is a great simple activity for kids.
  • Grab a map, atlas, or globe, and have your child find locations where African Elephants live. We used a small plastic elephant to mark them as we went along. You can find the largest groups in Botswana, Zimbabwe, Tanzania, Kenya, Namibia, Zambia, and South Africa.

8 Facts about African Elephants and a Cute Paper Plate Elephant
  • Fold an origami elephant, glue on long paper tusks and you have an African Elephant.
  • Need a good read-aloud? The Magician’s Elephant is a great option for the whole family to keep with the elephant theme.
  • Watch African Elephants from Amazing Animals on YouTube to learn more about them.
  • Add this African elephant family to your collection. Use for dramatic small-world play, in dioramas, sensory bins, and as inspiration for drawings and paintings.
  • Elephants of Africa by Gail Gibbons, a shorter living science book, makes a great resource book as well.
  • Peek in on the live elephant cam at Tembe Elephant Park in South Africa.

African Elephant – Paper Plate Elephant

You will need:

  • 2 paper plates
  • Grey craft paint
  • Black marker/pen
  • Scissors
8 Facts about African Elephants and a Cute Paper Plate Elephant

Cut out 2 tusks and 2 ears from the smooth center of one plate and a trunk from the ridged edge.

When the body is done, trim to size.

8 Facts about African Elephants and a Cute Paper Plate Elephant

Paint the other plate, the trunk, and the ears entirely gray and allow them to dry.

8 Facts about African Elephants and a Cute Paper Plate Elephant

Flip and paint the other sides, as you will be able to see some of both sides in the final result.

Once your plate is dry, fold it in half, creasing it gently in the center.

8 Facts about African Elephants and a Cute Paper Plate Elephant

Cut out the general shape of the legs, head (minus the trunk), and tail from both sides at the same time.

8 Facts about African Elephants and a Cute Paper Plate Elephant

Add details to your elephant’s body, ears, and trunk like wrinkles and eyes with a fine-tipped black pen or marker.

Glue the tusk and trunk in between the fold of the paper plate.

Attach the ears to either side of the head.

You can now open your elephant and put it on display. It will stand nicely and look great as part of your collection.

8 Facts about African Elephants and a Cute Paper Plate Elephant

Leave a CommentFiled Under: Hands-On Activities Tagged With: Africa, crafts, elephants, hands-on, hands-on activities, handson, handsonhomeschooling, life science, science

  • « Go to Previous Page
  • Page 1
  • Page 2
  • Page 3
  • Go to Next Page »

Primary Sidebar

Footer

Privacy Policy | About Me | Reviews | Contact | Advertise

Categories

Archives

Tina Robertson is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to amazon.com. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.

Copyright © 2026 · 5 TNT LLC · Log in · Privacy Policy