book lists

Geronimo Stilton The Second Journey Through Time Sun King Fun Medallion

December 28, 2022 | 1 Comment
This post may contain affiliate links. For more information, please see my full disclosure policy.

For the Geronimo Stilton The Second Journey Through Time book, we’re making a sun king fun medallion. Be sure to grab more Geronimo Stilton Books ideas and crafts on my page.

Let’s take a trip with our mouse guide Geronimo to the Court of Versailles in 1682 CE in Back in Time, The Second Journey Through Time to meet King Louis XIV and learn about Palace of Versailles.

Geronimo Stilton The Second Journey Through Time Sun King Fun Medallion

Did you know that King Louis XIV (that’s #14 in Roman Numeral) was known as “The Sun King”?

It was a nickname that he gave himself.

And Louis XIV chose the sun as his personal emblem.

The sun is the symbol of Apollo who is the god of peace and the arts.

King Louis named himself such because he wanted the realm to revolve around him like the planets revolve around the sun.

Be sure to grab Geronimo Stilton The Second Journey Through Time book.

Facts about the Sun King Louis XIV

Louis ruled for 72 years, he was just shy of 5 years old when it passed to him.
King Louis XIV died of gangrene on September 1, 1715.
Louis XIV built his extravagant Palace of Versailles after the civil war known as the Fronde when he had to flee from his palace in Paris at just 12 years old, He fled to the family hunting lodge 13 miles outside Paris.
He was very strict in his protocols at court and every moment of the day was precisely organized and planned out.
The king was an excellent ballet dancer.
He died at the age of 76 and was succeeded by his grandson King Louis XV.
A U.S. state is named after him. Louisiana was given its name by French explorer René-Robert Cavelier for King Louis.

Then you’ll want to add a few more hands-on activities to understand about the French.

Hands-on Ideas to Understand the French Empire

For example, look at the hands-on ideas below.

Besides, hands-on activities makes learning stick so be sure to include a few more with this book.

Too, look at more Geronimo Stilton Book crafts.

Geronimo Stilton Book Activities

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

Now, let’s learn how to make this fun sun king gold medallion.

I hope you enjoy our journey with Geronimo and also making your very own medallion.

Hot glue is a fun medium for art projects because you can use it for a lot more than just attaching two objects.

It can be put into silicone molds to create shapes that harden once it dries or used free handed like we are going to do today.

How to Make a Sun King Medallion Craft for Kids

Since your child will create their medallion freehanded I am giving you some loose instructions and tips to help them create it.

You will need:

Hot glue gun
Glue
Gold and black paint
Plastic bead chain or string
Silicone mat

Directions:

Gather all your supplies and don’t forget that silicone mat. It is the best material for peeling off your glue creations and is heat safe!

Your child can create any shape medallion that they would like.

Additionally, they can design their own crest to represent themselves, the family, or they can try to recreate a King Louis sun medallion like this one.

The most important thing is to build up your layers by creating a first layer and letting it cool.

Use toothpicks and craft sticks to try and add a little shaping or detail to the glue when it is partially cooled but not all the way.

But if it’s too liquidly it will just keep pooling.

Then add layer after layer until it is thick and shaped like you want it. We tried to get a general sun shape.

Once the entire thing is completely cooled and hardened, peel it off the silicone and paint it gold with craft paint.

It will probably take 2-3 coats to get good coverage.

When it is almost dry use a paintbrush to dry brush on some black craft paint to age and patina your medallion, so it looks like an old treasured relic.

Brush off excess, you just need a bit.

Allow the paint to dry fully.

Measure a piece of chain or string to create a necklace that can be slipped on and off over your head.

Flip the medallion over and hot glue the length of chain or string to finish your necklace.

What do you think?

The Journey Through Time Book And Knights Armor Engraving Fun Kids Craft

December 20, 2022 | Leave a Comment
This post may contain affiliate links. For more information, please see my full disclosure policy.

The Journey Through Time Book (Geronimo Stilton Special Edition) is our book for adventure today. And we’re doing a knights armor engraving craft. Be sure to grab more Geronimo Stilton Books ideas and crafts on my page.

Was King Arthur real? Most historians believe he was just a fictional character from folklore and legend.

But that doesn’t stop him from being a very fascinating part of the Medieval period.

The Journey Through Time Book And Knights Armor Engraving Fun Kids Craft

With dashing and chivalrous knights, Camelot, jousting, castles, and kings is it any wonder that our favorite time traveling mouse zoomed right into the Middle Ages among the likes of King Arthur and Excalibur.

We are visiting this time period through Geronimo Stilton’s The Journey Through Time, the first book in the Journey Through Time series.

And Geronimo Stilton also makes stops in prehistory with the dinosaurs and in Ancient Egypt.

About The Journey Through Time Book (Geronimo Stilton Special Edition)

The story is fun and captivating but as always, the author weaves so much amazing information into it.

Readers learn fantastic vocabulary from the period, medieval fashion, castle architecture, and the feudal system.

Too, they will even be reading an excerpt from an Alfred, Lord Tennyson poem.

Just because these books are colorful and whimsical it’s no reason to discount the quality they add to your child’s reading time.

In addition, Safari Ltd Toobs have a fantastic knights and dragons set that make for a great addition to a study or to this book.

They can be used to set the mood for introducing a new unit theme, in sensory bins, dioramas, or even as pawns in place of standard board game pieces.

Additionally, we learned that knights had a code of chivalry to be followed.

The Knight’s Code of Chivalry was a system of morals.

Further, the code declared all knights should protect others who could not protect themselves like widows, children, and the elderly.

Facts About Knights and The Knight’s Code of Chivalry

The word “knight” comes from an Old English word meaning “servant”.
Knights were sworn to uphold their duty to God, to the church, and to their liege lord.
Earlier anyone who proved themselves brave and honorable in battle could be awarded knighthood by the king but later it was decided they had to descend from nobility.
Young boys could begin their knight training at just 7 years old. They were sent away to live and train and were called pages.
At 13 years old, they could become a squire as they continued their education and training.
They were finally able to be dubbed a knight at 21.
William Marshal was one of England’s greatest knights and was considered the greatest tournament knight of his time.
Women could be knights as well. For example, the Order of the Hatchet (Orden de la Hacha) in Catalonia was a military order of knighthood for women.
A knight would be punished with public humiliation for breaking the code.
Knights armor weighed between 45 and 55 lbs.

Geronimo Stilton Book Activities

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

In honor of King Arthur and his wonderful Knights of the Round Table we are creating a Medieval Knight in a full suit of armor.

This method is a simpler version of the intricate metal engraving that was done on jewelry, metal plates and more by goldsmiths of the Middle Ages.

How to Make a Knights Armor Engraving

You will need:

A cardboard piece
Aluminum foil
Hot glue gun/glue sticks
Black craft paint
Paper towel
Toothpick tape
Pencil/pen

Start by sketching out a simple knight in armor shape on your cardboard.

After you are satisfied with it in pencil you can go back over it with a pen to make it easier to see.

Trace over the lines with hot glue.

Be sure that you make the lines thick enough that they will leave an impression in the foil.

You don’t have to add a lot of detail at this point, just the general shape is enough.

Allow to cool and harden.

Once the glue is hardened, cover your cardboard in foil and wrap around the back. Tape into place.

Carefully, run your fingers over the raised surface to press the foil into it.

You will want to go back and forth over it several times.

Once your outline is fully showing through the foil take a toothpick and gently scratch in a few details to give your knight more interest.

Squirt a little black paint right onto your completed design.

Spread it gently with a paper towel and let it sit for a couple minutes and wipe it off.

The black should stay inside the indentions and create some dimension making the design stand out a bit and age it a bit.

Allow the paint to dry and your knight engraving is ready to go on display.

You can use the same technique to write your name, engrave a castle design, or anything else you like.

Growing a Seed Activity For Kindergarten Science Kids Activity

December 8, 2022 | 1 Comment
This post may contain affiliate links. For more information, please see my full disclosure policy.

Growing a seed activity for kindergarten science is one of the easiest and delight science experiments with kids. Also, grab my other tips, ideas, and crafts for kindergarten on my page Kindergarten Homeschool Curriculum.

A seed activity for kindergarten is a great way to introduce your child to life science.

For this science experiment, I wanted to keep it simple while also letting the kids fully see the seed as it sprouts.

Growing a Seed Activity For Kindergarten Science Kids Activity

Too, by not being hampered by soil or being tucked inside a paper towel your kids will be amazed at the growing stages.

For this seed experiment we are going to investigate if seeds need darkness to sprout.

Begin by explaining that seeds need the proper temperature, moisture, air, and light conditions to germinate.

But they do not require being covered in soil.

Let’s investigate if the light or dark makes a difference.

You can keep activities simple and still learn so much by investigating life around you with your child.

A Seed is Sleepy Activity

In addition, I based this experiment off the book A Seed is Sleepy.

Aa beautiful picture book that is a great science reference book for preschoolers to middle elementary students.

The illustrations are rich and the snippets of information it provides give a lot of great information for young learners.

Also, below you will see a list of some other books you can use as well

Books About Seeds for Kids Science

Even picture books can be used with older learners.

5 Fun Books About Seeds

Children of all ages love activities about seeds. Add a few of these books to your learning day or use as a unit study.

A Seed Is Sleepy: (Nature Books for Kids)

This gorgeous book from award winning artist Sylvia Long and author Dianna Hutts Aston offers children a beautiful and informative look at the intricate, complex, and often surprising world of seeds. Poetic in voice and elegant in design, the book introduces children to a fascinating array of seed and plant facts, making it perfect reading material at home or in the classroom.

Seeds Move!

Every seed, big or small, needs sunlight, water, and an uncrowded place to put down roots. But how do seeds get to the perfect place to grow?

A Seed is the Start

Meet seeds that pop, hop, creep, and explode in this vividly illustrated introduction to the simplest concepts of botany.

From Seed to Plant

With simple language and bright illustrations, non-fiction master Gail Gibbons introduces young readers to the processes of pollination, seed formation, and germination.

Go Seed, Grow!

Through wind, drought, fire, and water, a seed can be one of the most tenacious miracles on the planet. A seed is life, and life always finds a way. Follow how a seed magically beats the odds time and time again, to transform the world.

Then, look at more seed activities here or choose several and make it a great seed unit study.

Hands-on Seed Activities

Make Wildflower Seed Bombs to plant.
Plant a small container with one or two seeds and track the plant’s growth once it bursts out of the soil.
Learn How to Easily Make Fun Seed Tape With Kids.
Check out this tutorial on How to Make a Fun Kids Root Viewer.
Have a Green Bean Investigation.
Figure out How to Easily Garden Plan With Kids Using LEGO to plot it out.
Look at Easy Seed and Gardening Unit Study for Kids to get some more ideas.
Buy several packages of inexpensive seeds and let your child sort, compare, and investigate them. Research the types by looking in books or online to find out what each seed will become.
Another similar experiment to this one is testing what temperature seeds like best to grow in is found at What Temperature Do Seeds Like Best and
Try out the Do Seeds Need Their Coat Experiment.

You can also use the book to investigate other types of seeds besides fruit and vegetables.

Go on a nature walk and collect pinecones, acorns, seed pods, and flowers to investigate.

More Kindergarten Homeschool Curriculum

Look at these other resources.

Then, look below at how to do this easy science activity.

Before you begin the experiment, have your child make a hypothesis as to what they think will happen?

Will both sprout? Which will sprout faster?

If they can, write down their answers so they have the opportunity to see their words in print.

Let your child do as much of this as possible so they have ownership in the experiment.

Help your child create a small booklet by stapling together half sheets of paper.

For example, staple down one side to bind to record the different steps in the experiment with words or just their drawings.

Explain that you want to try and keep everything the same in the experiment except for the one thing which is light and dark so that your results are accurate.

Easy Grow a Seed Activity

You will need:

Seeds (radishes are a quick sprouting seed)
2 containers
Black paper
Paper towels
Water

Directions:

Grab two of the same containers, whatever you have laying around will work, cleaned out yogurt containers, paper cups, etc.

Then, fold a paper towel so that it is small enough to fit in the bottom.

Soak the paper towel and place a few seeds on each damp paper towel in your cup.

Cover one cup completely with black construction paper.

Next, place both in a sunny window. Explain that you want to keep everything the same except for one.

Check both every 24 hours.

Usually at this time they are completely or almost dried out so you will need to rewet the paper towels. Take care not to disturb the seeds.

Here is what our experiment looked like at the start.

After 24 hours, there was really no difference yet in either cup.

At 48 hours we could see a tiny sprout bursting out of the seeds which were covered with the dark paper but nothing on the one exposed to light.

After 72 hours there is an obvious sprout from several seeds in the dark cup.

Also, at this point we noticed that one of the seeds in the cup which was covered finally started to germinate but just a tiny bit.

Look how much has happened with the covered seeds after just 3 days.

It’s clear that seeds need the darkness to sprout.

After the experiment is done you can transplant your seedlings to soil for planting in the garden once they are large enough.

Geronimo Stilton The Race Against Time Build a Fun Greek Water Clock

November 30, 2022 | 1 Comment
This post may contain affiliate links. For more information, please see my full disclosure policy.

We are time traveling to Ancient Greece in Geronimo Stilton The Race Against Time The Third Journey Through Time. And we’re building a fun Greek water clock. Be sure to grab more Geronimo Stilton Books ideas and crafts on my page.

Our favorite adventuring mouse gets to wander through Athens in 434 BCE. He meets Xanthippe, the wife of famous philosopher Socrates, and Socrates too.

After exploring the Greek alphabet, he visits The Symposium.

Geronimo Stilton The Race Against Time Build a Fun Greek Water Clock

He is really living his best life, isn’t he?

These books give amazing vocabular and detailed descriptions of clothing for the period.

Geronimo Stilton The Race Against Time The Third Journey Through Time

In addition, they show architecture and important people of the time to give the young reader a fun glimpse into whatever historical era he ends up in.

Before we make the water clock, look at some of these resources.

I have many resources to make this wonderful book a full literature unit study.

Ancient Greece Resources

Add these resources to your day to make learning come alive or do a full unit study.

Fun Ancient Greece Homeschool Unit Study and Lapbook
Play Ancient Greece Go Fish
Add a reference book like Tools of the Ancient Greeks. This is another fun book to compliment Geronimo for a deeper dive into Ancient Greece.

Make this Ancient Greek Chariot for your own chariot races.
Enjoy a little taste of a favorite of Greeks of long ago and Make Baklava.
Create this Ancient Greece Pottery Activity.
Kids DIY Knucklebones
Great Big List of Ancient Greece Freebies
Ancient Greek Theatre Mask
9 EASY and Fun Hands-on Ancient Greece Kids Activities

In addition, I have many crafts to go with some of the books in the Geronimo Stilton series.

Other Geronimo Stilton Chapter Book Activities

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

Then, here are a few more facts about The Greeks.

Amazing Ancient Greek Facts

Roughly one third of Ancient Greeks were slaves.
Greeks called themselves Hellenes.
The Ancient Greeks invented the Yo-Yo.
The Greek alphabet came into being around about 1000 BC.
Many Ancient Greeks wore a chito which is a long shirt made from a single large piece of cotton.
The Greeks really loved to learn. They felt that learning was one of the best ways you could spend your time.
The basic crops that were grown in Ancient Greece were wheat, barley, olives, and grapes.
Romans were considered big copycats of the Greeks. They copied a lot of the Greek culture. Everything from their gods, to architecture, language, and even what and how they ate.

Finally, look below at how to make this fun water clock.

We are going to create our own version of a Greek water clock.

A water clock or clepsydra was used in Ancient Greece to measure time by regulating the flow of water.

As water moved from one vessel to another in a certain period, they measured it.

Water would drip through a hole in the bottom of a filled container into the bottom one.

Often, the bottom container was marked with the hours of the day so that they could tell time by how full the vessel became.

Basically it is an hourglass with water instead of sand to simplify it.

It also happens to be one of the oldest ways to tell time from the ancients.

How to Make an Ancient Greek Water Clock

You will need:

Two 16-20 oz. bottles with lids
Water
A sharpie marker
Hot glue or e6000
A timer
Drill/small drill bit.

Pull the label off both bottles and wash the bottles well (especially if they were soda bottles).

Remove the caps and drill a small hotel through both caps, in the center, and line them up as close as you can.

Glue the two caps together, flat top to flat top, take care not to get glue in your holes and plug it up. You can reverse this order if it’s easier to line up the holes after gluing.

Start with 1 cup of water and pour it into one of your bottles, mark the line where the water stops.

You may want to open the bottle backup and add more later if you want the timer to go longer.

Screw the glued tops onto the empty bottle and then flip it and screw it onto the bottle with water.

Get your timer ready, as soon as you flip the bottle and the drops begin to go through, start the timer.

Mark the water line in the bottom bottle at 1 minute, 5 minutes, 10 minutes, etc.

Reverse the bottles and do the same on the other side.

You now have an awesome low tech timer for games, quizzes, or cooking and a little better understanding of how time was kept in Ancient Greece.

What do you think? Ready to make this?

Geronimo Stilton Out Of Time Fun Sir Francis Drake Ship Craft

November 22, 2022 | 1 Comment
This post may contain affiliate links. For more information, please see my full disclosure policy.

Geronimo Stilton Out of Time The 8th Journey Through Time we make a visit to Sir Francis Drake. You’ll love the other Geronimo Stilton Books and crafts on my page.

I am so enamored with this little mouse and his wild adventures through time to meet famous figures.

At least we get to have a peek through his stories, right?

In this book, Geronimo visits Alexander the Great, Queen Cleopatra, Mozart, and our focus today Sir Francis Drake.

Geronimo Stilton Out Of Time Fun Sir Francis Drake Ship Craft

If you are not familiar with Francis Drake, he was an English explorer.

But he was also a sea captain, privateer, slave trader, naval officer, and politician.

His biggest claims to fame are having a major role in England’s defeat of the Spanish Armada in 1588.

He was the first Englishman to circumnavigate the world and was knighted by Queen Elizabeth.

About the Geronimo Stilton Series

Geronimo Stilton is full of fun facts presented in a colorful and interesting way for even the child that is reluctant to read.

The series is a younger version of a graphic novel and a great way to introduce history to your child.

This book has jokes, a seek and count page, maps, and lots of fun pirate terms to learn.

Too, colorful words in different fonts and sizes keep kids interested in the story while learning new vocabulary and placing emphasis on what is important.

Activities for Learning About Sir Francis Drake

Besides the wonderful activities in the book, look at some other ideas for learning about Sir Francis Drake.

Horrible Histories YouTube I’ve Got a Brand New Land to Find.
Learn some Pirate Words and Phrases.
Walk the plank by creating one on the floor with painters tape.
YouTube Bedtime History Podcast.
How to Draw a Pirate Ship.
Make your own spyglass with an empty paper towel roll.
Learn How to Make a Compass.
Create your own treasure map by drawing out your backyard and creating a fun treasure to find.
Visit a pet store and look at a real parrot.
Trace Sir Francis Drakes famous route on your home map or atlas.
Learn more about pirates with my Pirates Unit Study and Lapbook.

Then, add some information about the differences between a pirate and a privateer.

What is the difference between a pirate and a privateer?

A pirate attacks and robs ships at sea for their own gain.

Privateers are pirates that were hired by the government to do the same thing.

However, they keep part of what they steal for themselves.

Other Geronimo Stilton Chapter Book Activities

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

Finally, look at how to make a Sir Francis Drake ship craft.

How to Make a Sir Francis Drake Ship

Here is a list of supplies.

White Paper plate
Brown craft paint
Black, white, and brown construction paper/cardstock
Two wooden skewers
Red marker
Hot glue gun/glue sticks

First, cut a paper plate in half, hot glue the two sides together.

You can do this with regular glue instead of hot glue if you’d like it to be an entirely child lead craft but it does take a lot longer for the glue to dry.

So, you may choose to just hot glue it so they can get on with the craft quicker.

This is what it should look like at this point.

Let your child paint both sides of the boat as well as the inside if they like and allow it to dry completely.

While you’re waiting for the boat to dry cut out three small circles of brown construction paper.

And cut three slightly smaller circles out of black construction paper.

Then layer them to create the little portholes on the ship.

Next, take white card stock and cut two smaller trapezoids.

Also, cut two larger trapezoids for the sales as well as a small rectangle for the flag and you can see what that will look like below.

Help your child to poke the top and bottom of the trapezoid through the skewer.

Bend it out a little bit to look like it has a little wind and it sails of course with a larger trapezoid on bottom and the smaller trapezoid on top.

Attach the flag to the top of one with glue.

Glue portholes to the side of the ship.

Slip the skewered flags inside the ship and attach with hot glue, this will make certain it is secure and allow it to be ready faster.

Once the glue is cooled your ship is ready to set sail for adventure.

What do you think? Ready to try another fun Geronimo Stilton activity?

book lists

Geronimo Stilton The Second Journey Through Time Sun King Fun Medallion

Facts about the Sun King Louis XIV

Hands-on Ideas to Understand the French Empire

Geronimo Stilton Book Activities

How to Make a Sun King Medallion Craft for Kids

The Journey Through Time Book And Knights Armor Engraving Fun Kids Craft

About The Journey Through Time Book (Geronimo Stilton Special Edition)

Facts About Knights and The Knight’s Code of Chivalry

Geronimo Stilton Book Activities

How to Make a Knights Armor Engraving

Growing a Seed Activity For Kindergarten Science Kids Activity

A Seed is Sleepy Activity

Books About Seeds for Kids Science

5 Fun Books About Seeds

A Seed Is Sleepy: (Nature Books for Kids)

Seeds Move!

A Seed is the Start

From Seed to Plant

Go Seed, Grow!

Hands-on Seed Activities

More Kindergarten Homeschool Curriculum

Easy Grow a Seed Activity

Geronimo Stilton The Race Against Time Build a Fun Greek Water Clock

Geronimo Stilton The Race Against Time The Third Journey Through Time

Ancient Greece Resources

Other Geronimo Stilton Chapter Book Activities

Amazing Ancient Greek Facts

How to Make an Ancient Greek Water Clock

Geronimo Stilton Out Of Time Fun Sir Francis Drake Ship Craft

About the Geronimo Stilton Series

Activities for Learning About Sir Francis Drake

What is the difference between a pirate and a privateer?

Other Geronimo Stilton Chapter Book Activities

How to Make a Sir Francis Drake Ship

Categories

Archives

book lists

Facts about the Sun King Louis XIV

Hands-on Ideas to Understand the French Empire

Geronimo Stilton Book Activities

How to Make a Sun King Medallion Craft for Kids

About The Journey Through Time Book (Geronimo Stilton Special Edition)

Facts About Knights and The Knight’s Code of Chivalry

Geronimo Stilton Book Activities

How to Make a Knights Armor Engraving

A Seed is Sleepy Activity

Books About Seeds for Kids Science

Hands-on Seed Activities

More Kindergarten Homeschool Curriculum

Easy Grow a Seed Activity

Geronimo Stilton The Race Against Time The Third Journey Through Time

Ancient Greece Resources

Other Geronimo Stilton Chapter Book Activities

Amazing Ancient Greek Facts

How to Make an Ancient Greek Water Clock

About the Geronimo Stilton Series

Activities for Learning About Sir Francis Drake

What is the difference between a pirate and a privateer?

Other Geronimo Stilton Chapter Book Activities

How to Make a Sir Francis Drake Ship

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