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arctic

How to Make an Easy 3D Tundra Biome Poster Project

August 7, 2023 | Leave a Comment
This post may contain affiliate links. For more information, please see my full disclosure policy.

Creating a 3d tundra biome poster project is a fun challenge if your studying biomes. Too, you’ll love my Arctic and Inuit Unit Study. Free Lapbook – Hands-on Ideas and my Arctic Region pages.

Also, it’s a great hands-on project.

This project is part art and part science.

Too, it is a great creative writing challenge and teaches your kids about advertising as well.

How to Make an Easy 3D Tundra Biome Poster Project

It is much more exciting to research the tundra biome to create a travel poster to entice visitors to come and see what it offers through images and inviting words than just fill in a worksheet.

You can use printed photos of animals found in the tundra or to make it a truly 3D poster and attach small animals throughout the scene.

Also, because we are advertising the tundra as a whole, we do have some animals from both of the different types of tundra mixed into the scene.

Facts About The Tundra Biome

  • Tundra comes from the Finnish word tunturi, which means- treeless plain.
  • The tundra covers about one fifth of the land on earth.
  • The tundra is the coldest of the biomes, the average temperature there is around -18 degrees F.
  • It is also about as dry as a desert, getting only around 10 inches of precipitation a year, and most of this is snow.
  • There are 2 different types of tundra biomes:
  • Alpine tundra, the area of land high in the mountains above the treeline.
  • Arctic tundra – Far north in the northern hemisphere along the Arctic Circle.
  • Polar bears come to the tundra in the summer, this is where they have their babies.
  • Most of the vegetation that grows in this inhospitable area is sedge, moss, lichen, dwarf shrub, and grass.
  • The growing season in the tundra is very short, it usually lasts just 6 to 10 weeks.
How to Make an Easy 3D Tundra Biome Poster Project

Then look at some of the animals in the tundra.

Animals of the Tundra

The type of animals and vegetation you find will depend on if it is Arctic, Alpine, or Antarctic tundra. Here are a few examples of each:

Arctic:

  • Beluga Whale
  • Snowy Owl
  • Snowshoe Hair
  • Walrus

Alpine:

  • Mountain Goat
  • Bighorn Sheep
  • Canadian Lynx
  • Elk

Antarctic:

  • Chinstrap Penguin
  • Leopard Seal
  • Arctic Tern
  • Spectacled Porpoise

Also, add some of these fun books to your reading day.

Books About the Tundra

Look at some of these books, resources, and fun things to add to your study of the tundra.

A Walk in the Tundra (Biomes of North America)

Take a walk on the tundra. In this cold, harsh biome on the top of the world, summer is short. How do plants and animals of the tundra live? Discover how they depend on each other for survival as you travel through this fascinating land.

Mini Arctic 10PCS Polar Animal Figurines Includes Polar Bear Seal Reindeer Wolf Rabbit Arctic Fox Igloo

Included-10 arctic animal toy set including 1 polar bear, 1 reindeer, 1 arctic hare, 1 arctic wolf, 1 walrus, 1 beluga, 1 killer whale, 1 arctic fox, 1 arctic seal , 1 igloo model.

Arctic Tundra

It’s a land of riddles, where a winter night can last for weeks and where the ground is full of water though it rarely rains or snows. Bears, hares, wolves, and foxes roam the ice-crusted earth, as flowers follow the sun as it moves across the sky. Young readers may never come to the Arctic tundra, but now it can come to them―in a book chock full of fun-to-do experiments and activities for children ages 6 and up that help them to solve some of the mysteries of this strange and forbidding world. Arctic Tundra includes a picture field guide, a glossary-index, and a resource list.

More Ideas for a Tundra Biome Poster Project

Also, look at more ideas to add to your poster project.

  • 20 Amazing Animals In The Tundra
  • Ideas for a tundra diorama
  • Tundra Biome: Interesting Info About its Plants and Animals

Finally, look how to make this fun poster.

How to Make a 3D Tundra Biome Poster Project

You will need:

  • Trifold science board or foam board
  • Plastic Tundra Animals or printouts
  • Tacky glue or Hot Glue
  • Cotton balls, white tissue paper, cotton fill
  • Craft paint/paint brushes
How to Make an Easy 3D Tundra Biome Poster Project

First, water down a light blue craft paint and paint a very light coat over all or most of your board.

Leave a little room at the top for your information. You don’t want to saturate it too much because it is cardboard and will warp if soaked.

How to Make an Easy 3D Tundra Biome Poster Project

Allow it to dry.

Tear cotton balls into smaller wisps.

How to Make an Easy 3D Tundra Biome Poster Project

“Paint” your ground area and any hills or mountains with a thick coat of tacky glue.

How to Make an Easy 3D Tundra Biome Poster Project

Press torn cotton balls into it for snow.

How to Make an Easy 3D Tundra Biome Poster Project

Add some clouds if you like. Allow glue to dry.

Paint some ocean in your scenery to add aquatic and semi aquatic animals.

How to Make an Easy 3D Tundra Biome Poster Project

Gather up your animals.

How to Make an Easy 3D Tundra Biome Poster Project

Hot glue them in various places around the scene.

To remove the hot glue once you are done with the project, just pull them off the poster and heat the glue with a blow dryer until it softens a bit and you can pull the excess glue right off.

How to Make an Easy 3D Tundra Biome Poster Project

Use letter stickers to create an interesting and eye-catching title.

How to Make an Easy 3D Tundra Biome Poster Project

Add more details like catchy words or phrases to describe the tundra around the board.

How to Make an Easy 3D Tundra Biome Poster Project

Have your child write or type up a paragraph to play up the positives of the tundra, just like a travel agency would hype up the location they are advertising. You might also have them research and list some locations that the tundra biome is located.

Print, cut, and attach your “advertising”.

How to Make an Easy 3D Tundra Biome Poster Project

Leave a CommentFiled Under: Hands-On Activities Tagged With: arctic, biome, earth science, earthscience, hands-on, hands-on activities, handson, handsonhomeschooling, life science, science, tundra

How to Make Wooden Peg Easy Arctic Animal Crafts

August 6, 2023 | Leave a Comment
This post may contain affiliate links. For more information, please see my full disclosure policy.

Today, I have some fun ideas for easy Arctic animal crafts. Too, you’ll love my Arctic and Inuit Unit Study. Free Lapbook – Hands-On Ideas and my Arctic Region pages.

If you are studying the Arctic with your little one these peg doll animals are a great craft project to do together.

They can be used in sensory bins, for small-world dramatic play, or as part of a simple diorama and can be kept as simple or as elaborate as you would like.

How to Make Wooden Peg Easy Arctic Animal Crafts

You can make an entire family of polar bears. Or craft a village of all different arctic creatures to round out a nice keepsake collection using the variety of sizes and shapes that unfinished peg dolls come in.

A wonderful resource to add to your study is Ocean Anatomy, besides the gorgeous illustrations it offers a treasure trove of information on icebergs, polar bears, narwhals, seals, and more arctic animals.

How to Make Wooden Peg Easy Arctic Animal Crafts

Next, look at some facts about animals of the Arctic.

10 Arctic Animal Facts

  1. Snowy owls hunt during the daytime instead of at night like other owls.
  2. Male snowy owls are easy to distinguish from females as they are almost completely white and female snowy owls have black and brown markings.
  3. Polar bears can smell a seal 3 feet below the snow.
  4. An Arctic Fox’s fur is not always white, sometimes during the summer months it can be gray or brown.
  5. Beluga whales start gray or brown when born but eventually turn white as they grow up.
  6. A Narwhal tusk is not a horn, rather it is a large tooth that can grow up to 10 feet long.
  7. Both the male and female walruses have large tusks that are used for things like pulling themselves out of the water onto the ice.
  8. Polar bears are the largest living carnivores on land at about 8 feet long and nearly 800 pounds.
  9. Arctic Hare’s eyes are set on the side of their heads so they can look forward, backward, and sideways without needing to move their head so that they can avoid predators.
  10. Learn why there are not penguins in the Arctic.
How to Make Wooden Peg Easy Arctic Animal Crafts

As you make your peg dolls together you will find lots of opportunities to talk about topics like camouflage in the white snow, predator vs. prey, and different adaptations like fur-covered feet to help them survive the extreme cold.

Use some of the facts from above as conversation starters as you work on each animal.

More Easy Arctic Animal Crafts

  • How to Paint Peg Dolls to Look Like Farm Animals is perfect if you are learning about the farm theme and would make a great handmade gift.
  • Julie of the Wolves Free Hands-on Arctic Unit Study
  • DIY Peg Doll Woodland Animals, find out how to make adorable woodland creatures like a fox and raccoon as well as their babies.
  • Inuit of the Arctic: How Animals Survive Harsh Winters Fun Blubber Activity
  • Free Arctic Ground Squirrel Lapbook & Unit Study Resources

Also, look at these books about the Arctic.

12 Arctic Books about People & Animals of the Arctic

Studying about the region of the Arctic is a fascinating topic. Grab some of these books about life in the Arctic and animals of the Arctic.

The Story of Snow: The Science of Winter's Wonder

How do snow crystals form? What shapes can they take? Are no two snow crystals alike? These questions and more are answered inside this exploration of the science of snow, featuring photos of real snow crystals in all their beautiful diversity. Perfect for reading on winter days, this book by a nature photographer and a snow scientist will inspire wonder and curiosity about the marvels of snow. Snowflake-catching instructions are also included for aspiring young snow scientists!

In Arctic Waters

This arctic adaptation of “This is the House that Jack Built” follows polar bears, walruses, seals, narwhals and beluga whales as they chase each other around “the ice that floats in the Arctic waters.” Not only is the rhythmic, cumulative prose good for early readers; it is a pure delight to read aloud. The “For Creative Minds” section helps children learn how these animals live in the cold, icy arctic region.

Arctic Fox: Fascinating Animal Facts for Kids (This Incredible Planet)

Fascinating Animal Facts Arctic Fox Learn all about the amazing and adaptable Arctic fox. This small yet hardy creature survives in the harshest of environments!

This Incredible Planet series provides young readers with interesting information about the Earth’s most fascinating creatures.

Beautiful color photography makes each animal come to life. Learn about the Arctic fox’s habitat, diet, breeding, lifespan, behavior, threats, and so much more!

Over and Under the Snow

A wonderful winter book for kids from the author and illustrator of the beloved Over and Under series, now in paperback! Part of the acclaimed nature book series that includes Over and Under the Pond, Over and Under the Rainforest, and Up in the Garden and Down in the Dirt, this volume takes readers on a cross country ski trip through the winter woods to discover the secret world of animals living under the snow.

Animals in Winter (Let's-Read-and-Find-Out Science)

Read and find out about how animals cope with winter in this colorfully illustrated nonfiction picture book.

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

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

Read and find out in the proven winner Animals in Winter!

This is a Level 1 Let's-Read-and-Find-Out, which means the book explores introductory concepts perfect for children in the primary grades.

The Inuit Thought of It: Amazing Arctic Innovations (We Thought of It)

Today’s Arctic communities have all the comforts of modern living. Yet the Inuit survived in this harsh landscape for hundreds of years with nothing but the land and their own ingenuity. Join authors Alootook Ipellie and David MacDonald as they explore the amazing innovations of traditional Inuit and how their ideas continue to echo around the world. Some inventions are still familiar to us: the one-person watercraft known as a kayak still retains its Inuit name. Other innovations have been replaced by modern technology: slitted snow goggles protected Inuit eyes long before sunglasses arrived on the scene. Andother ideas were surprisingly inspired: using human-shaped stone stacks (Inunnguat) to trick and trap caribou. Many more Inuit innovations are explored here, including: • Dog sleds • Shelter • Clothing • Kids’ stuff • Food preservation • Medicine. In all, more than 40 Inuit items and ideas are showcased through dramatic photos and captivating language. From how these objects were made, to their impact on contemporary culture, The Inuit Thought of It is a remarkable catalogue of Inuit invention.

Mini Arctic Animals Figurines Set, Polar Animals Toy for Kids Plastic Arctic Reindeer,Walrus,White Whale,Polar Bear,Arctic Fox,Wolf Figures,

Tiny Animals Figures Party: 18 PCS Package include orca, walrus, white owl, reindeer, husky, 2pcs seal, 2pcs beluga whale, 2pcs arctic wolf, 2pcs arctic fox, 2pcs arctic rabbit, 2pcs polar bear figurines and igloo model.

Who are the Eskimos? Arctic People's Traditional Way of Life

Who Are The Eskimos is perfect for early to middle elementary students and makes a great addition to your library.

North: The Amazing Story of Arctic Migration

“A treat for middle-graders of an ecological bent.” — Bulletin of the Center for Children’s Books (starred review) At the top of our world is a huge wild place called the Arctic. In the winter, it is a cold and barren land, where few animals can survive. But when spring comes, it attracts animals from every corner of the earth. This lushly illustrated picture book celebrates the resilient wildlife and barren, beautiful landscapes of the Arctic Circle, tracing the awe-inspiring spring migration of millions of creatures to the Arctic and reminding the reader of the hardships and harmony of life in the wild.Back matter includes additional information about the arctic, a glossary, and an index.

Arctic White

When you live in the Arctic in winter, everything is a shade of white. A young girl looks around her home in the Arctic and sees only white, white, white...but one day her grandfather takes her on a journey through the tundra.  And at the end of their cold walk across the ice, they find something special that brings color into their world.

Farthest North: The Incredible Three-Year Voyage to the Frozen Latitudes of the North (Modern Library Exploration)

In 1893, Fridjtof Nansen set sail in the Fram, a ship specially designed and built to be frozen into the polar ice cap, withstand its crushing pressures, and travel with the sea’s drift closer to the North Pole than anyone had ever gone before. Experts said such a ship couldn't be built and that the voyage was tantamount to suicide.  This brilliant first-person account, originally published in 1897, marks the beginning of the modern age of exploration. Nansen vividly describes the dangerous voyage and his 15-month-long dash to the North Pole by sledge. Farthest North is an unforgettable tale and a must-read for any armchair explorer.

This Place Is Cold: An Imagine Living Here book

Can you imaging living in a place where it's so cold your breath turns instantly into tiny ice crystals that glitter in the sun? Where temperatures can drop fifty degrees below zero and even lower and the sun only comes out for a few hours per day? In This Place Is Cold readers will learn how people and animals survive in Alaska's ferocious cold, and how because of global warming this region is now in trouble. Vicki Cobb and Barbara Lavallee travelled the world together to research this groundbreaking geography series, that is now updated and redesigned to appeal to today's readers.

More Arctic Region Unit Study Ideas

  • The Inuit & Arctic Circle Hands-On Activities
  • Inuit Art, Arctic Circle + 10 Notebooking Pages & Free Resources
  • Arctic Region Salt Dough Map + Free Map Flag Printable
How to Make Wooden Peg Easy Arctic Animal Crafts

Finally, look how to make these adorable easy Arctic animal crafts.

How to Make Peg Doll Animals of the Arctic

You will need:

  • Peg dolls
  • Craft paint
  • Paint pens
  • Small wood beads
  • Air dry clay
  • Hot glue gun/sticks
  • Paint brushes
How to Make Wooden Peg Easy Arctic Animal Crafts

First, I like to add my details to the peg dolls using beads or air-dry clay.

Small wooden beads make the work go quicker as hot glue dries fast but I like the detail and shape that I can get with air dry clay.

For ears, muzzles, and wings you want to pinch off a small bit of clay and press it into the wood. Heavier pieces like ears or muzzles you want to glue in place.

How to Make Wooden Peg Easy Arctic Animal Crafts

I made a polar bear using beads and one with clay for ears so you can see the difference and choose for yourself.

How to Make Wooden Peg Easy Arctic Animal Crafts

For the snowy owl, we just smoothed some clay over the sides for wings.

How to Make Wooden Peg Easy Arctic Animal Crafts

To make a narwhal roll out a little piece of clay into the horn shape and twist gently, hot glue to the top of the peg doll head.

How to Make Wooden Peg Easy Arctic Animal Crafts

 Allow it to dry for 24 hours.

Animals of the Arctic Craft Ideas

Then paint all your peg dolls white, including any clay you added.

Even though some of our animals aren’t white or at least not all white it gives you a good prep base to work from and it will be the majority of your animal’s fur color.

How to Make Wooden Peg Easy Arctic Animal Crafts

Now, here is where those paint pens will come in handy.

You can do the details with a tiny brush dipped in paint, but it is so much easier to get crisp lines and details with a fine-tipped paint brush.

Use the paintbrush to draw on some basic details like eyes, noses, and outlines.

Allow to dry, these dry quickly faster than a coat of brushed-on paint.

Now layer on more detailing like whiskers, spots, etc. to make your creatures a little more realistic.

If you want to give them a little bit more life and durability you can either seal them with a clear coat or give them a mod podge seal coat or two.

Add some fake snow or even cotton batting to your animals to spark your child’s imagination.

How to Make Wooden Peg Easy Arctic Animal Crafts

Leave a CommentFiled Under: Hands-On Activities Tagged With: animals, arctic, crafts, elementary science, handicraft, hands-on, hands-on activities, handsonhomeschooling, life science, science, winter crafts, winter season

Julie of the Wolves Free Hands-on Arctic Unit Study

October 27, 2022 | Leave a Comment
This post may contain affiliate links. For more information, please see my full disclosure policy.

If you’re looking for a literature-based unit to do for an Arctic unit study, you’ll love Julie of the Wolves. Be sure to grab more ideas on my page Arctic and Inuit Unit Study Free Lapbook – Hands-On Ideas and also on my page Best Homeschool Unit Studies.

Julie of the Wolves by Jean Craighead George is a wonderful book for reading aloud or it can be an exciting adventure as an independent reading chapter book.

Julie of the Wolves Free Hands-on Arctic Unit Study

It makes the perfect addition to a winter or Arctic unit study.

Too, I’ve pulled together some of my favorite resources to go along with the Julie of the Wolves by Jean Craighead George to help you put together your own unit study.

And I have rounded up vocabulary words, videos, additional books, and of course plenty of great hands-on activities.

About Julie of the Wolves Book

First, Julie goes by two names Miyax to her Eskimo village and as Julie to English speaking friends.

The story tells of the adventures of Julie after she runs away from a forced marriage to live in the wild Arctic fighting for survival, following the way of her people.

But will she choose to continue this way or return to civilization?

There are 3 books in the series, but we are going to focus on the original for this.

In addition, this story is a great base for a unit study as it covers Eskimo life, snow/winter, animal habits and habitats, and the emotions of growing up.

You can go in the direction of studying the book from a literary angle, diving into Inuit life and culture, studying the animals and habitats mentioned in the book, or a combination of all.

Hands-on Ideas for Learning About the Arctic

Always include some fun hands-on ideas in your unit studies to keep the kids interested and make the points really hit home.

  • Arctic and Inuit Unit Study. Free Lapbook – Hands-On Ideas. Be sure to grab my lapbook, ideas for studying animals, making snow goggles, soap carving and making a salt dough map.
  • Inuit of the Arctic: How Animals Survive Harsh Winters Fun Blubber Activity
  • Winter Season Unit Study
  • Arctic Ground Squirrel Lapbook & Unit Study Resources
  • How to build a Milk Jug Igloo– That’s a lot of milk.
  • Arctic Region
  • How to Build an Igloo ( with real snow)
  • Inuit Soap Carvings
  • Wolf Facts & Worksheets
  • More Arctic Wolf information
  • The Inuit Way of Life lesson plan
  • Ideas for a diorama and a Miyax (Julie) doll.
  • Free Gray Wolf lapbook

Too, many birds are mentioned in the book which live in the Artic. For instance, look at this list of ones to learn about.

  • lapland longspurs
  • puffins
  • snowy owl
  • siskin
  • sandpipers

Next, add in some other reference books.

Other Arctic Books and Resources

In addition, Nature Anatomy is a go to spine for anything nature related.

Julie of the Wolves Free Hands-on Arctic Unit Study

In this book I found a couple pages on snowflakes, animal life like caribou, seals, fish, snowy owls, and other birds of prey that are found in Arctic regions.

Another book in the series Ocean Anatomy covers polar bears, penguins, seals, Narwhal, and whales.

But also sea ice, life under the ice, glaciers, and Icebergs.

And Safari LTD Animals may be considered for young children, older kids love them too.

Older kids can use them in dioramas, as inspiration for an art project or to create an inviting display.

Additionally, YouTube has wonderful videos.

Videos about Arctic Life

  • 20 Awesome Facts About Arctic Wolves
  • Arctic Wolves Singing
  • How Do Animals Survive in The Arctic
  • Julie of The Wolves Read Aloud
  • Julie of The Wolves Mini Documentary
  • How an Igloo Keeps You Warm
  • Eskimo Hunters in Alaska – The Traditional Inuit Way of Life | 1949 Documentary on Native Americans

Too, you’ll love this list of vocabulary words.

Julie of the Wolves Vocabulary Words

Last, here are 12 vocabulary words for each of the three sections of the book to get you started.

Julie of the Wolves Free Hands-on Arctic Unit Study

First, this list is for Part I.

  • Bleak- unpleasantly cold and damp.
  • Lichen-A slow growing plant that produces leaflike branching growth on trees and rocks.
  • Semaphore- a system of sending messages using arms or two flag poles.
  • Undulate-Increase of decrease of volume or pitch.
  • Carrion- Rotting flesh of dead animals.
  • Ravenous- Extremely hungry.
  • Wean- Gradually accustomed to living on something other than mothers milk.
  • Deference– Tendency to yield to another.
  • Viscera-Internal organs in the main cavities, especially abdomen.
  • Apogee-The farthest point at which the moon or a satellite is from the earth.
  • Forage- To look for and collect, as in food. Further, grab my Foraging and Feasting Unit Study and Lapbook.
  • Permafrost- Permanently frozen ground.

Second, this list is for Part II.

  • Shaman-A person who acts as intermediary between the natural and supernatural worlds.
  • Blubber-The insulating layer of fat underneath the skin of some animals.
  • Prance-Spring forward from the hind legs.
  • Tundra-A treeless plain where the subsoil is permanently frozen.
  • Derisive-Showing contempt or ridicule.
  • Scarce- Insufficient for the demand, food in this case.
  • Mythical-Based or described in stories rather than history.
  • Drone- A monotonous low dull sound.
  • Descent- Downward movement.
  • Foyer- Large entrance waiting area.
  • Piteous- Deserving or evoking sympathy and sorrow.
  • Seize-To grab or take hold of.

Further, here is Part III.

  • Brandish-  Move or swing objects back and forth.
  • Abeyance- State of temporary suspension or disuse.
  • Saunter –Leisurely walk with no evident aim.
  • Deviate- Change or turn away from planned course.
  • Bravado-Bold show of courage to impress or intimidate.
  • Cumbersome-Hard to manage due to size or weight.
  • Desolate- Bleak, depressing, empty, bare.
  • Larder- A storeroom for storing food goods.
  • Plaintive- Showing sorrow.
  • Totem- A person or thing considered to be a symbol of something.
  • Temperate- Mild temperatures, without extremes.
  • Resonant- Evoking powerful memories or emotions

Leave a CommentFiled Under: My Unit Studies {Free Printables & Hands-on Ideas} Tagged With: arctic, earthscience, hands-on, hands-on activities, handsonhomeschooling, homeschoolscience, Julie of the Wolves, life science, science, unit studies, unit study

Easy and Fun Pine Cone Snowy Owl Winter Craft for Kindergarten

October 20, 2022 | 2 Comments
This post may contain affiliate links. For more information, please see my full disclosure policy.

This fun snowy owl winter craft for kindergarten can be used for a winter unit study. Grab more craft ideas on my kindergarten homeschool curriculum page.

Whoooo doesn’t love owls? Sorry, corny pun. If you are working on an owls unit study or talking about winter I have the perfect hands-on winter craft to add

You probably won’t even need a trip to the store to put together this snowy owl winter craft for kindergarten.

Easy and Fun Pine Cone Snowy Owl Winter Craft for Kindergarten

Whether you are learning about winter, owls, or even just looking for an O or W craft for your letter of the week this simple activity is fun and cute to include.

You can find pinecones on your nature walk.

But if not, you can also find them at craft stores in the seasonal section.

Add a few books and additional activities like videos and you have a quick mini snowy owl unit study ready to go.

Snowy Owl Facts

  • Female owls remain with the babies while the male owl brings food back.
  • A baby owl is called an owlet.
  • They have feathers all over their legs and feet to keep them warm.
  • They are quite large. Their wingspan can reach 4’-5’ wide.
  • Snowy owls are diurnal, unlike most other owls. Instead of hunting at night they hunt during the day.
  • Male owls are pretty much solid white. Females have brown markings on their white plumage.
  • Snowy owl pairs mate for their whole life.
  • Lemmings make up most of the snowy owls diet.
  • By the time they are just 6 weeks old, snowy owls can fly well.

Snowy Owl Books

Nature Anatomy is the perfect companion spine for little learners, even if they are not reading yet.

The illustrations are fantastic and the little pieces of info they give are just enough for you to read and keep their attention.

I found a two page spread on owls to go along with the craft.

Easy and Fun Pine Cone Snowy Owl Winter Craft for Kindergarten

Gail Gibbons books are also a fantastic choice if you love the idea of Charlotte Mason style living books.

Owls are perfect to go along with this activity too.

The classic Owl Babies would also be a wonderful addition to your book collection.

Look below for more ideas.

Winter Unit Study Ideas

Try these other activities along with your winter craft

  • Listen to these Snowy Owl Sounds while you craft from YouTube.
  • Also look at my Inuit of the Arctic: How Animals Survive Harsh Winters Fun Blubber Activity. It is a fun way to demonstrate how Arctic animals keep warm.
  • How to Make fake snow with 2 ingredients for your owlet to hide in or for your little learner to play with in a sensory bin.
  • This Owl Babies Craft is absolutely adorable and would make for a great companion activity to this one.

Finally, measure out 5’ with painters tape on the floor to demonstrate to your child how large the snowy owl wingspan can be.

Next, let’s make a pine cone snowy owl craft.

Snowy Owl Winter Craft for Kindergarten

You will need:

  • A large pine cone
  • Craft glue
  • White and yellow craft felt
  • White feathers, cotton balls, or cotton batting.
  • Tan or yellow pipe cleaner
  • Googly eyes
Easy and Fun Pine Cone Snowy Owl Winter Craft for Kindergarten

First, prepare small pieces of cotton batting, cotton balls, or white feathers.

Cut wing shapes from white felt. Cut them a little bigger than you think you need.

Try on your pinecone and trim as needed.

Easy and Fun Pine Cone Snowy Owl Winter Craft for Kindergarten

Draw w’s with a paint marker or sharpie to create feather definition on the wings.

Easy and Fun Pine Cone Snowy Owl Winter Craft for Kindergarten

Cut a small beak and two circles slightly larger than your google eyes from the yellow felt..

Easy and Fun Pine Cone Snowy Owl Winter Craft for Kindergarten

Squeeze a generous amount of school glue into the openings between the scales of the pinecone.

Stuff in your cotton pieces to make it fluffy.

Easy and Fun Pine Cone Snowy Owl Winter Craft for Kindergarten

I had originally intended on using fiber fill on the owl because I had it on hand but took a run to Hobby Lobby and found this cute little fluffy boa on sale for $1.50.

It looked so soft we couldn’t resist.

I cut it into little pieces to make stuffing all over easier. Encourage your child to fill it in and create a sweet little fluff ball baby owl.

When the pinecone is stuffed and fluffy to their liking, glue the wings, beak, and eyes in place with a generous amount of glue.

We found that laying it on its back to dry helped keep the pieces from sliding off.

Easy and Fun Pine Cone Snowy Owl Winter Craft for Kindergarten

Finish off by gluing small v shaped pieces of pipe cleaner/chenille stems to the bottom for his feet.

Easy and Fun Pine Cone Snowy Owl Winter Craft for Kindergarten

Other Winter Craft Ideas for Kindergarten

Also, look at a few more craft ideas.

Easy and Fun Pine Cone Snowy Owl Winter Craft for Kindergarten
  • Free Amazing Winter Unit Study and Winter Lapbook for Kids
  • Easy Hands on Snowflake Winter Craft for Kids Who Don’t Have Snow
  • Winter Nature Craft: How to Make Easy DIY Bird Feeders
  • 3 Fun Cocoa Winter Hands on Science Activities
  • How to Make an Easy Build a Snowman Kid’s Game (free printable cube)

2 CommentsFiled Under: Teach Kindergarten Tagged With: arctic, crafts, hands-on, hands-on activities, handson, handsonhomeschooling, homeschoolinginwinter, kindergarten, owl, winter crafts, winter season

Inuit of the Arctic: How Animals Survive Harsh Winters Fun Blubber Activity

September 25, 2022 | Leave a Comment
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If you’re studying the Inuit of the Arctic in my Arctic Region unit study and my Arctic and Inuit unit study, your kids will love this blubber activity.

This winter experiment is perfect for demonstrating how Arctic animals can survive harsh winter conditions.

I have seen this experiment done with preschoolers.

However, this is an amazing hands-on visual aid that demonstrates the science of blubber.

Inuit of the Arctic: How Animals Survive Harsh Winters Fun Blubber Activity

So, this is an activity which can be done with tots to teens.

A great thing about this Arctic activity is that it just takes minutes to set up and complete.

In addition to science, you can have your child point out Arctic areas on a map and you have incorporated geography too.

Weigh and measure the lard. Then, you have added math into a mini unit study created simply from one Arctic activity.

Before you begin your experiment, have your child research some questions using your favorite living books or the internet to find out the answers.

I have some to get you started that will give your student a good understanding of blubber, its uses, and what animals have it.

For younger children you can just read from the information in the book below.

Inuit of the Arctic: How Animals Survive Harsh Winters Fun Blubber Activity

This is a great opportunity to learn not only what animals need blubber for but also what the people of the Arctic use it for.

In addition, Ocean Anatomy has a section on ice, seals, penguins, and polar bears.

This can be used for their illustrations to sketch because they are beautiful.

What is Blubber

Look below at some facts about blubber which you can use for this unit study.

Blubber is a thick layer of fat (adipose tissue) that is directly under the skin of marine animals.

What types of animals have blubber?

Marine animals have blubber.

Then there are 4 different types of marine animals.

  • cetaceans (whales, dolphins, and porpoises),
  • pinnipeds (seals, sea lions, and walruses),
  • sirenians (manatees and dugongs), and
  • fissipeds (polar bears and sea otters).

But out of the four different types of marine animals, sea otters are the only ones that don’t have blubber.

Arctic animals like seals, whales, walruses, and polar bears have a thick even layer of blubber throughout their body to help them stay warm and it helps in a few other ways as well.

Why do Arctic animals need blubber?

Besides a thick coat of fur to keep them warm, Arctic animals need blubber for warmth.  

It takes a lot of energy to keep a warm body warm in cold water.

The blood vessels in the blubber constrict (get smaller) in cold water. This reduces the flow of blood and the energy needed to heat the body.

Also, blubber is less dense than ocean water and helps the animals float effortlessly so it increases buoyancy.

In addition, oil is stored in the oily layer of blubber and allows animals to go longer periods of time without food.

Is blubber really edible?

Muktuk is a traditional food in the Arctic. It is made of whale skin and blubber. 

Most often made from a bowhead whale but it can also be gathered from beluga and narwhal.

It is eaten raw, frozen, pickled, and cooked.

A bowhead whale could feed an entire community for a year off its meat, skin, and blubber.

Today, many Arctic peoples still eat blubber as an important part of their diet. It contains great amounts of glycogen and ascorbic acid.

Are there any other uses for blubber?

Whale oil was used in soap, margarine, and oil-burning lamps.

There are some indigenous Arctic people, like the Inuit that still harvest blubber and use it in whale-oil lamps.

Fun Blubber Arctic

Next, let’s see how effective blubber can be for the animals of the Arctic

You will need:

  • A large bowl
  • Rubber glove
  • Box of lard
  • Ice
  • Water

First, pack a bowl full of ice and add cold water leaving a little room for displacement.

Inuit of the Arctic: How Animals Survive Harsh Winters Fun Blubber Activity

Now have your child place their hand in the icy water.

Count how long they are able to keep it in until they can’t take it anymore.

It’s not long is it? 10 seconds ? 30? A full minute?

Inuit of the Arctic: How Animals Survive Harsh Winters Fun Blubber Activity

Now have them slip on a rubber glove or a plastic baggie over the same hand.

Inuit of the Arctic: How Animals Survive Harsh Winters Fun Blubber Activity

Use your block of lard to completely encase the gloved hand Be sure to cover it well so that there are no openings for the ice water to penetrate.

Inuit of the Arctic: How Animals Survive Harsh Winters Fun Blubber Activity

Have them slip their lard covered hand back into the ice water, not so cold right? 

How long can they keep their hand in now? Much longer and they barely feel the cold.

Like we learned before the blubber insulates the animal against the frigid temperatures.

Inuit of the Arctic: How Animals Survive Harsh Winters Fun Blubber Activity

This is a fantastic topic and experiment for winter study.

Instead of tossing out the lard after the experiment use it to make Eskimo ice cream or it can be used to make a suet block to help feed birds during winter when food is scarce.

Other Winter Ideas and Resources

You’ll love these other crafts and ideas for studying about winter.

  • Easy Hands on Snowflake Winter Craft for Kids Who Don’t Have Snow
  • Winter Nature Craft: How to Make Easy DIY Bird Feeders
  • 16 Ways to Make Homeschool Memorable During Winter
  • 21 Hands On Homeschooling Ideas to Keep the Winter Chill Off {Activities for Tots to Teens}
  • Free Winter Copywork for Middle School – Stopping by Woods on a Snowy Evening by Robert Frost
  • Fun Winter Craft Ideas for Middle School Homeschool
  • How Animals Cope With the Cold (Easy Nature Study)
  • Colorful Winter Bird: Northern Cardinal Lapbook & Unit Study

What do you think? Ready to add some winter fun?

Inuit of the Arctic: How Animals Survive Harsh Winters Fun Blubber Activity

Leave a CommentFiled Under: Hands-On Activities Tagged With: arctic, earthscience, hands-on, hands-on activities, handsonhomeschooling, inuit, science, winter crafts, winter season

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