crafts

Easy Apple Crafts and How to Make a Fun Apple Sailboat

August 26, 2025 | Leave a Comment
This post may contain affiliate links. For more information, please see my full disclosure policy.

I have rounded up some easy apple crafts. Too, you’ll love this fun and easy apple sailboat to keep your little one having fun. Too, you’ll love the other ideas I have on my page Apple Lapbook and Apple Unit Study.

No glue and no glitter. And no paint-stained fingers. It’s a low-mess, low-stress activity that can be done in under 15 minutes, using things you probably already have at home.

In addition, while having fun, you can naturally introduce science terms such as buoyancy, and balance and symmetry.

Easy Apple Crafts and How to Make a Fun Apple Sailboat

And your little ones are learning foundational STEM principles through play.

Too, kids are learning how to think, create, problem-solve, and play all through an easy apple craft.

In addition, not every sailboat floats perfectly on the first try so your kids learn patience.

BOOKS ABOUT APPLES FOR KIDS

Next, I’ve rounded up some fun books about apples to make this a full unit study.

8 Fun Learning About Apples Books and Resources

You will of course need a few great books that not only teach but that your kids will enjoy, a fun game or two, and maybe a few other items to make a fun apple unit.

Apples (New & Updated Edition)

Discover the well-loved tradition of growing and picking apples - a fruit that has been in existence for about two million years. Explore the history of the apple but also the way that families and farmers grow and care for apple trees today, from planting to selling, to turning them into delicious treats and using them for classic games like "bobbing for apples" .

How Do Apples Grow?

This is a clear and appealing environmental science book for early elementary age kids, both at home and in the classroom.

Questions addressed in this book include:

Did you know that when you bite into an apple, you're eating part of a flower?
Why do apple trees need bees to make apples?
How does the tree feed the growing apples and make them ready to eat?

Read and find out in the proven winner How Do Apples Grow!

My Little Golden Book About Johnny Appleseed

In this simple yet lively book, preschoolers will be introduced to John Chapman, better known as Johnny Appleseed. Lyrical text and bright, appealing artwork capture the essence of this important American and early conservationist who traveled the country planting apple trees. Little ones will enjoy engaging anecdotes about Johnny Appleseed, beginning with the young John, who liked to walk barefoot in the cool, quiet woods.

Ten Apples Up On Top!

Don't let the apples drop! Three animal friends practice balancing apples on their heads in this hilarious introduction to counting, illustrated by Roy Mckie. The sturdy board book teaches all about numbers, with a dose of signature Seuss charm. Kids will learn to count to ten--and want to start all over again!

SmartGames Apple Twist Travel Puzzle Game with 60 Challenges

An "apple" game board with five twisting levels to create different puzzles!
Includes 60 challenges and is great for on the go fun.
Helps develop Spatial Insight, Problem Solving, Planning and Logic Skills
All SmartGames are made with the highest quality materials to ensure long product life
Set Includes twisting apple game board, 3 caterpillar puzzle pieces and challenge booklet

How to Make an Apple Pie and See the World (Dragonfly Books)

Bake a delicious apple pie--and take a trip with this culinary global adventure!An apple pie is easy to make...if the market is open. But if the market is closed, the world becomes your grocery store. This picture book takes readers around the globe to gather ingredients for a delicious apple pie. First hop a steamboat to Italy for the finest semolina wheat. Then hitch a ride to England and hijack a cow for the freshest possible milk. And, oh yes! Don't forget to go apple picking in Vermont! A simple recipe for apple pie is included.

LeapFrog Tad's Fridge Phonics Magnetic Letter Set

Choose a level and push the letter tiles into the letter slot to reinforce letter names, phonics and word skills
Magnetic back makes it great for fridge play in the kitchen
26 magnetic letter tiles stick to the fridge and help kids learn the shape of each letter
Three photo tiles can be customized with your own photos for a unique, personalized play experience.

Food Anatomy: The Curious Parts & Pieces of Our Edible World

Get your recommended daily allowance of facts and fun with Food Anatomy, the third book in Julia Rothman’s best-selling Anatomy series. She starts with an illustrated history of food and ends with a global tour of street eats. Along the way, Rothman serves up a hilarious primer on short-order egg lingo and a mouthwatering menu of how people around the planet serve fried potatoes — and what we dip them in. Award-winning food journalist Rachel Wharton lends her expertise to this light-hearted exploration of everything food that bursts with little-known facts and delightful drawings. Everyday diners and seasoned foodies alike are sure to eat it up.

Then, look at some easy apple crafts for all ages.

EASY APPLE CRAFTS

Next, look at these easy apple crafts for kids of all ages.

Finally, look at how to make this fun apple sailboat.

HOW TO MAKE AN APPLE SAILBOAT

First, look at this easy list of supplies.

Large plastic bin
Water
Apples (cut in half)
Toothpicks
Small pieces of paper (for sails)
Child-safe scissors (to cut sails)
Straws (for blowing boats across the water)

Prepare the bin – Fill a large bin with water. Make the sailboats – Cut apples in half.

Cut small paper sails and poke them onto the toothpicks.

Push a toothpick into each apple half.

Launch the boats – Place the apple sailboats into the bin of water.

Race the boats – Give kids straws and let them gently blow air toward the sails to make their boats glide across the water.

Experiment & play – Try different sizes of sails, blow from different directions, or see how many boats can move at once.

Benefits for Kids:

Social Skills – Promotes cooperation and friendly competition when racing boats together.
STEM Exploration – Introduces concepts of buoyancy, wind power, and cause-and-effect.
Fine Motor Skills – Strengthens hand-eye coordination while building and sailing the boats.
Creativity & Imagination – Encourages playful storytelling as kids race or “sail” their apple boats.
Sensory Play – Water play is soothing, engaging multiple senses at once.

Winnie The Pooh Craft Ideas & How To Make Honey Slime

August 24, 2025 | Leave a Comment
This post may contain affiliate links. For more information, please see my full disclosure policy.

Winnie the Pooh Craft ideas are wonderful for party favors, co-op activities, or just everyday fun, and it is made from just a few simple ingredients.

If you have little ones who love Winnie the Pooh and his adventures in the Hundred Acre Wood, you’ll adore these cheerful, honey-inspired craft ideas I found.

They’re perfect for rainy days, parties, or just a cozy afternoon paired with a good Pooh storybook.

Winnie The Pooh Craft Ideas & How To Make Honey Slime

From paper plate fun to Perler bead creation and our sweet and sticky honey slime, there’s something here for every age and skill level.

We will also bring Pooh’s favorite treat to life with this golden, stretchy honey slime.

It’s simple to make, looks just like the real thing, and is a great sensory activity. You can even store it in little jars with “Hunny” written on the side for party favors or gifts.

WINNIE THE POOH RESOURCES FOR KIDS

First, look at these fun resources to make learning about Winnie the Pooh come to life.

6 Books & Resources for Learning About Winnie The Pooh

Add some of these books and resources to your learning day.

Winnie-the-Pooh: Classic Gift Edition

For over ninety years, Winnie-the-Pooh and his friends—Piglet, Owl, Tigger, and the ever doleful Eeyore—have endured as the unforgettable creations of A.A. Milne, who wrote this book for his son, Christopher Robin, and Ernest H. Shepard, who lovingly gave Pooh and his companions shape through his illustrations. Now fans can celebrate the legacy of Pooh with a beautiful new gift edition of the original stories as they were first published in the United States.

Friends Eeyore and Winnie the Pooh Plushie

With Its Sweet Disposition And Unmistakable Character Details,The Disney Lil Friends Eeyore Plush Will Win The Hearts Of Disney Fans Of All Ages

Now We Are Six (Illustrated): The 1927 Classic Edition with Original Illustrations

Now We Are Six takes us on a journey through a collection of poems that celebrate the joys and wonders of growing up. Experience the excitement and anticipation of a young child in Waiting at the Window as he watches the raindrops on the glass on a rainy day and pretends they are in a race to the bottom, sing along with the grumpy emperor in The Emperor's Rhyme, and admire the beauty of the world around us with Wind on the Hill! These unforgettable adventures offer a glimpse into A.A. Milne’s own son's childhood and the values the author passed on to him, reminding us that there is still much magic to be found in the world, even in the simplest things.

When We Were Very Young (Illustrated): The 1924 Classic Edition with Original Illustrations

With its memorable rhymes accompanied by charming illustrations, Milne's classic poems invite readers young and old to explore an enchanting world full of adventure, where anything is possible Follow Alice and Christopher Robin as they wait for the changing guard in Buckingham Palace and chant along with the independent James for his lost mother in Disobedience. These lovely poems capture the essence of childhood, transporting readers of all ages to a place of joy and wonder, where ordinary objects become extraordinary and even the most uneventful day can turn into an
unforgettable adventure.

The House at Pooh Corner (Winnie-the-Pooh)

Return to the Hundred Acre Wood in A.A. Milne’s second collection of Pooh stories, The House at Pooh Corner. Here you will rediscover all the characters you met in Winnie-the-Pooh: Christopher Robin, Eeyore, Owl, Piglet, Kanga, tiny Roo, and, of course, Pooh himself. Joining them is the thoroughly bouncy and lovable Tigger, who leads the rest into unforgettable adventures. Since 1926, Winnie-the-Pooh and his friends have endured as the unforgettable creations of A.A. Milne, who wrote these stories for his son, Christopher Robin, and Ernest H. Shepard, who lovingly gave Pooh and his companions shape.

The Enchanted Places

Millions of readers throughout the world have grown up with the stories and verses of A. A. Milne; have envied Christopher Robin in his enchanted world; laughed at Pooh—a bear of very little brain—and worried about Piglet and his problems. But what was it like to be the small boy with the long hair, smock and wellington boots? At the age of 54 Christopher Milne recalled his early childhood, remembering 'the enchanted places' where he used to play in Sussex. The Hundred Acre Wood, Galleon's Lap and Poohsticks Bridge existed not only in the stories and poems but were part of the real world surrounding the Milne home at Cotchford Farm. With deftness and artistry Milne draws a
memorable portrait of his father, and an evocative reconstruction of a happy childhood in London and Sussex. It is a story told with humor and modesty.

Before we get into these honey-sweet craft ideas, take a look at this darling Pooh’s Library set. Wouldn’t it make a wonderful keepsake from your early homeschooling years?

Next, look at these facts about honey.

6 HONEY FACTS FOR KIDS

Bees collect nectar from flowers using their long tongues. They store it in their “honey stomach”. Back at the hive, they pass the nectar to other bees, who chew it for a while to break it down. Then, the bees spread the nectar in honeycomb cells and fan it with their wings to dry it out—this turns it into thick, golden honey.
Honey is sticky because it’s made of natural sugars like fructose and glucose, plus it has very little water. That thick, syrupy texture makes it cling to your fingers and everything else it touches.
Honey is stored in a honeycomb, which is made up of perfect hexagon-shaped cells. The hexagon design is super strong and fits together without gaps, which means bees can store the most honey possible in a small space.
Just like Pooh, real bears love honey, and they will go after the bees and larvae too because they’re a good source of protein. A hungry bear will rip open a hive and snack on everything inside, even if it means getting a few stings in the process.
Honey isn’t always golden-it can be pale yellow, amber, orange, or even dark brown, depending on the flowers the bees visited. Clover honey is light and mild, while buckwheat honey is dark and strong.
Honey never really spoils if it’s kept sealed. Archaeologists have even found pots of honey in ancient Egyptian tombs that were still safe to eat thousands of years later.

Turn your simple story session into a bit of a science lesson and show pictures of beekeepers in protective suits and explain how they take care of hives.

POOH IDEAS

Then try two different kinds of honey and see if you can tell the difference in flavor while you share some of these sweet honey facts.

Explore the different types of bears and other things they like to eat to introduce some simple zoology lessons.

Next, look at these fun Winnie the Pooh craft ideas.

Winnie The Pooh Headbands- Create cute and simple Winnie the Pooh or any of his best friends’ headbands for dress up.
How to Make a Winnie the Pooh Craft Using Paper Plates–Turn an ordinary paper plate into an adorable Pooh face! With a little paint you will have a friendly bear ready to hang on the wall or join your next story time.
Winnie the Pooh Perler Bead Keychains-Perler beads are perfect for pixel-style Pooh and friends. Make keychains, magnets, or charms for backpacks—this is a great craft for older kids who like a little more detail.
Winnie the Pooh Bookmark–Keep your place in your favorite Pooh adventure with a homemade bookmark.

WINNIE THE POOH CRAFT IDEAS

10 Creative Mason Jar Crafts | How to Make a Winnie the Pooh Craft– Reuse a tin can or mason jar by painting it like Pooh’s famous honey pot. It’s a quick, useful craft that can hold pencils, markers, or even utensils at a themed party.
Bee & Honeycomb Garland-Cut hexagon shapes from yellow cardstock and string them together for an easy honeycomb garland. Add a few paper bees for extra charm—perfect for decorating a Pooh party space.
Winnie the Pooh Oreo Pops– I love to include a simple recipe in my craft lists. Getting in the kitchen teaches many skills like following directions, chemistry, math, and more.

Finally, look at how to make this fun honey slime.

HOW TO MAKE HONEY SLIME

You will need:

½ cup Clear school glue
½ cup water
1-2 Tablespoons Contact solution
1 teaspoon baking soda
Yellow liquid watercolor
Brown liquid watercolor
Gold glitter
Mason jar or small container

First, in a medium-sized bowl mix water, baking soda, and glue until well combined.

Stir in glitter and yellow liquid watercolor.

You can leave your slime the beautiful golden yellow that it is or add a couple drops of brown liquid watercolor to make it a more amber honey color.

Add contact solution a few teaspoons at a time, stir well between each addition and continue until slime has a soft stretchy consistency but does not stick to your hands or spatula.

Store in an airtight container for up to two weeks.

Until it begins to lose its stretch and stickiness then throw away.

How To Make A Dollar Tree Sunflower Craft & Fun Facts About Sunflowers For Kids

August 16, 2025 | Leave a Comment
This post may contain affiliate links. For more information, please see my full disclosure policy.

II have some fun facts about sunflowers for kids and a fun Dollar Tree sunflower craft. Also, I have a free pattern template you can download at the bottom of this post. And look at my page Free Wildflowers Unit Study & Lapbook.

Sunflowers are bright, cheerful flowers that follow the sun. Young sunflowers love the sunshine so much, they turn their heads to follow it across the sky.

Also, you can include different science topics like plants, photosynthesis, life cycles, or seasons.

How To Make A Dollar Tree Sunflower Craft & Fun Facts About Sunflowers For Kids

Too, you can include topics like growth and their importance in nature, pollinators, seeds and agriculture.

And for art you can include color theory and spatial awareness.

In addition, include some easy math like counting seeds, measuring petals and discussing geometric shapes.

BOOKS ABOUT WILDFLOWERS

Then, add some books to include other flowers.

10 Wildflower Books & Resources For Kids Who Love to Read and Be Read To

Spring is especially a good time to learn about wildflowers but you can learn about them anytime. Add a few of these hands-on resources and books and you'll have a fun multiple ages unit study for your homeschooled kids.

Botanicum: Welcome to the Museum

Botanicum, is a brilliantly curated guide to plant life. With artwork from Katie Scott of Animalium fame, Botanicum gives readers the experience of a fascinating exhibition from the pages of a beautiful book. From perennials to bulbs to tropical exotica, Botanicum is a wonderful feast of botanical knowledge complete with superb cross sections of how plants work.

National Geographic Pocket Guide to Wildflowers of North America

With this basic beginner's field guide to North American wildflowers, all who enjoy nature and the outdoors can identify common wildflowers, from backyard weeds to dainty forest blossoms. In a logical, user-friendly, highly visual format, this new title offers key facts about 160 of the most common wildflowers and weeds, coast to coast, including Canada and Alaska.

Wildcraft! an Herbal Adventure Game for Kids

Unlike many kids games 4 and up that turn out to be too confusing for children, Wildcraft! An Herbal Adventure Game, is a fun, strategic challenge that’s also easy to follow– NO READING REQUIRED. Because our learning board games feature clear illustrations and matching icons, even younger kids will learn what the different plants look like and can be used for. It’s the perfect fun game for family game night with kids, and ideal for beginners – no prior plant knowledge necessary!

Wildflower Seeds: Bulk Mix of 21 Varieties

Wide Variety Of Flower Seeds: Our wildflower seeds will provide you with a vibrant selection of flowers in your garden. You will get 21 different varieties of annual seeds including Black Eyed Susans, California Bluebells, African Daisies and more.

Wildflower Bingo Game

Do you know which flower got its name from its resemblance to the sombrero? What is the species of the bluebonnet? Lot of facts about North American wildflowers in this game.

Wildflowers, Blooms & Blossoms (Take Along Guides)

An introduction to the world of insects, caterpillars, and butterflies including identification information, educational activities, and fun facts.Invites young naturalists to spot wildlife. Safety tips are provided and interesting activities are suggested.

Ultimate Explorer Field Guide: Wildflowers

What do you call a garden filled with lots of flowers? A polli-nation! Nat Geo Kids is back with the newest fact- and photo-filled Ultimate Explorer Field Guide, and this one packs some real flower power! This guide to wildflowers will make kids stop and look for all kinds of blossoms blooming right under their noses. From buttercups to bladderworts, primroses to pitcher plants, kids will learn how, where, and when to spot these wildflowers in their backyard, down the street, or all over town! Jam-packed with tons of info, interactive prompts, tips for budding botanists, super stats, and jokes--it's the perfect companion for exploring the backyard or field trips, camping, or vacation. Durable and portable, it's just right for your pocket or backpack!

Wild Flowers of North America (Science Nature Guides)

Did you know that wild plants are still used for food, for medicines, and as dyes? Many of the plants growing in urban areas, in woods and by the side of roads are useful as well as being pretty. Other plants have small and less obvious how many have you seen and not realized that they were flowers? This book will show you the most common wild flowers and where you are most likely to find them. A nature guide designed for elementary grades 2-3, the book includes more than 20 easy-to-do science projects.

Miss Lady Bird's Wildflowers: How a First Lady Changed America

In this warm, engaging look at the life of a great First Lady, Kathi Appelt tells the story behind Lady Bird Johnson's environmental vision. Joy Fisher Hein's colorful wildflowers burst from every page, inviting us to share in Lady Bird's love for natural beauty.

From a lonely childhood in the Piney Woods of East Texas to an exciting life in the White House, Lady Bird Johnson loved wildflowers with all her heart. They were her companions in her youth, greeting her everywhere as she explored wild forests, bayous, and hills.

Wild Flowers of North America: Botanical Illustrations by Mary Vaux Walcott

Published in association with the Smithsonian Institution. What does it take to paint a wildflower that blooms for a single day in a deep forest? For Mary Vaux Walcott, it involved spending up to seventeen hours a day out of doors with her paintbox to capture the shape, movement, and colors of delicate petals and leaves.

Next, look at some activities about sunflower.

MORE SUNFLOWER ACTIVITIES

Then, look at these fun facts about sunflowers for kids.

FACTS ABOUT SUNFLOWER FOR KIDS

Sunflowers are not just one flower. It is thousands of flowers.
They can grow super tall.
Birds and bees love sunflowers.
They come in different colors.
They’ve been planted in places with polluted soil (like near nuclear power plants and after oil spills) to help clean the ground.
Sunflower seeds make a tasty snack.
Sunflowers inspired artists.
A process called heliotropism is when young sunflowers face the sun.
They belong to the Asteraceae family, which also includes daisies, zinnias, and marigolds.
In addition to ornamental use, sunflowers are grown for biofuel, livestock feed, birdseed, and cooking oil.

Finally, look at how to make a Dollar Tree sunflower craft.

DOLLAR STORE PAPER PLATE SUNFLOWER CRAFT

First, look at this easy list of supplies:

Paper Plate – Dollar Store
Pom Poms, Black Tinsel – Dollar Store
Craft Paint – Golden Yellow
Cardstock – Brown, Green
Glue Gun and Glue Sticks – Dollar Store
Paintbrush
Scissors
Permanent Marker
PATTERNS Paper Plate Sunflower. Free template. You can grab it at the bottom of this post by adding your email.

STEP ONE

Gather all supplies. Base coat the inside of the paper plate with golden yellow acrylic craft paint.

Set aside to dry and apply a second coat, if necessary.

STEP TWO

Download and print the Sunflower Patterns, then cut out with scissors. You can grab the template at the bottom.

Trace the center of the flower once onto brown cardstock. You could also use colored craft foam or craft felt for this project.

STEP THREE

Cut out the flower center pattern with scissors making sure to cut inside the traced lines for a clean, finished project.

STEP FOUR

Attach the brown cardstock flower center to the middle of the sunflower with a glue gun and glue sticks.

TIP: You can use liquid craft glue for this project, but you will have to wait for it to dry.

STEP FIVE

Cut triangle shaped wedges from the paper plate with scissors to create the thick petals of the sunflower.

STEP SIX

Attach black tinsel pom poms to the brown sunflower center using a glue gun and glue sticks.

STEP SEVEN

Trace the leaf patterns onto green cardstock with a pencil.

You could also use colored craft foam or craft felt for this project.

STEP EIGHT

Cut out the leaf patterns with scissors making sure to cut inside the traced lines for a clean, finished project.

STEP NINE

Outline the leaves and draw a center vein with a black marker.

STEP TEN

Attach the leaves to the back of the sunflower with a glue gun and glue sticks.

This is a fun activity to keep the kiddos busy with coloring, counting and motor skills.

Make this super cute paper plate sunflower kids craft in just about 30 minutes!

HOW TO GET THE FREE SUNFLOWER TEMPLATE PATTERN

That means when you sign up to follow me, you get my emails in your inbox and you get this freebie.

1) CLICK HERE ON THIS LINK TO SIGN UP ON MY EMAIL LIST & TO GET THIS FREEBIE.

2) Grab the freebie instantly.

3) Last, look for all my emails in your inbox. Glad to have you following me!

How To Design A Mushroom Preschool Sensory Tray

August 6, 2025 | Leave a Comment
This post may contain affiliate links. For more information, please see my full disclosure policy.

I’m showing you how to put together a fun mushroom preschool sensory tray. It’s a great way to include the littles when you’re doing a study of mushrooms together. Also, look at my pages How to Homeschool Preschool and Fun Hands-on Free Mushroom Unit Study and Kids Learning Activities for more ideas.

If you’re looking to combine sensory exploration, nature-based learning, and imaginative play, a mushroom sensory tray is the perfect hands-on activity.

A sensory tray is a container filled with materials that stimulate the senses—touch, sight, sound, and even smell.

How To Design A Mushroom Preschool Sensory Tray

Mushrooms are fun to preschoolers. They’re colorful, oddly shaped, and part of so many fairy tales.

It’s a great opportunity to talk about nature, fungi, forest animals, and even safe vs. unsafe plants with not just preschoolers but with all your children.

And although mushrooms are not plants, but fungi even little children understand that fungi help recycle dead trees and plants.

MUSHROOM BOOKS FOR KIDS

Next, look at some of these fun mushroom books for all ages.

9 Mushroom Unit Study Books

Grab some of these fun books to learn about mushrooms, the part of a mushroom and the life cycle.

Mushrooms: How to Identify and Gather Wild Mushrooms and Other Fungi

This mushroom foraging book is packed with vital information that will help you identify the exact types of mushrooms you are looking for when you’re out foraging. You’ll learn how to identify the caps, stems and gills, which all have different physical characteristics like shape and texture, and color.From the Neobulgaria pura and the Mitrula paludosa, discover newly-found fungi species and complex ones which can only be viewed microscopically. The detailed illustrations and identification charts will help you name the mushrooms you find or hope to search for.

Back to the Roots Organic Mini Mushroom Grow Kit

GROW YOUR PLANT ALL YEAR-ROUND: This organic mushroom indoor kit allows you to grow your own crop all-year round; Just place the box near a window with indirect light, mist twice a day, and you'll see delicious, beautiful mushrooms growing within a week; Included in this kit is an organic plant-based soil infused with mushroom spawn and a booklet with instructions

Nature Anatomy: The Curious Parts and Pieces of the Natural World

See the world in a whole new way! Acclaimed illustrator Julia Rothman combines art and science in this exciting and educational guide to the structure, function, and personality of the natural world. Explore the anatomy of a jellyfish, the inside of a volcano, monarch butterfly migration, how sunsets work, and much more. Rothman’s whimsical illustrations are paired with interactive activities that encourage curiosity and inspire you to look more closely at the world all around you.

National Audubon Society Field Guide to North American Mushrooms (National Audubon Society Field Guides)

Featuring a durable vinyl binding and over 700 full-color identification photographs organized visually by color and shape, the National Audubon Society Field Guide to North American Mushrooms is the perfect companion for any mushroom hunting expedition. Each species is accompanied by a detailed physical description, information on edibility, season, habitat, range, look-alikes, alternative names, and facts on edible and poisonous species, uses, and folklore. A supplementary section on cooking and eating wild mushrooms, and illustrations identifying the parts of a mushroom, round out this essential guide.

The Mushroom Fan Club

Elise Gravel is back with a whimsical look at one of her family’s most beloved pastimes: mushroom hunting! Combining her love of exploring nature with her talent for anthropomorphizing everything, she takes us on a magical tour of the forest floor and examines a handful of her favorite alien specimens up close. While the beautiful coral mushroom looks like it belongs under the sea, the peculiar Lactarius indigo may be better suited for outer space. From the fun-to-stomp puffballs to the prince of the stinkers―the stinkhorn mushroom―and the musically inclined chanterelles, Gravel shares her knowledge of this fascinating kingdom by bringing each species to life in full felt-tip-marker glory.

Botanicum: Welcome to the Museum

The 2017 offering from Big Picture Press's Welcome to the Museum series, Botanicum, is a brilliantly curated guide to plant life. With artwork from Katie Scott of Animalium fame, Botanicum gives readers the experience of a fascinating exhibition from the pages of a beautiful book. From perennials to bulbs to tropical exotica, Botanicum is a wonderful feast of botanical knowledge complete with superb cross sections of how plants work.

Ridley's Funky Fungi

FUN FAMILY GAME: See if you have what it takes to be the mushroom master in Funky Fungi from Ridley's Games! In this card-collecting game that will definitely grow on you, forage for the best fungi to be the first player to reach ten points and win the game.

Let's learn about mushrooms

Introduces the characteristics and uses of a variety of mushrooms and discusses some of the beliefs and customs connected with this plant family.

Katya's Book of Mushrooms

Mushrooms are exciting to find, beautiful to look at, fascinating to identify, and delicious to eat. When you know what to look for, a mushroom hunt is as safe and enjoyable as a treasure hunt. Katya Arnold ranges through the world to find hundreds of varieties of mushrooms, as well as fascinating anecdotes and fun facts that make these wonders of nature exciting and immediate. A walk in the woods will never be the same!

Also, look at more resources about mushrooms.

MORE MUSHROOM ACTIVITIES FOR KIDS

And also look at more preschool activities.

PRESCHOOL ACTIVITIES FOR KIDS

Finally, look at how to design this mushroom preschool sensory tray.

HOW TO MAKE A MUSHROOM SENSORY TRAY

First, look at this easy list of supplies.

Craft foam sheets
Pre-cut mushroom tops (semi-circles or domes)
Pre-cut mushroom stems
Small craft foam circles (to use as mushroom spots)
Pom poms in various colors
Tray or bin
Optional: glue dots or double-sided tape for sticking pieces together

And you could even change this out and add in bark or moss pieces, wooden mushrooms and forest animals.

Set up the tray. Arrange the foam mushroom tops, stems, and spots in a divided tray or scattered in a bin. Add a handful of pom poms for extra decoration options.

Build a mushroom. Let kids pick a top and a stem, then match them together to form a mushroom.

Decorate. Use the foam circles to add spots to the mushroom tops. Kids can also stick pom poms on top or around the mushrooms.

Make a mushroom patch: Encourage children to build several mushrooms and lay them out to create a magical mushroom patch.

Easy Ballet Study and Fascinating Swan Lake Facts by Tchaikovsky

August 3, 2025 | Leave a Comment
This post may contain affiliate links. For more information, please see my full disclosure policy.

Twirl into an easy ballet study and fascinating Swan Lake facts by Tchaikovsky.

It is a fun and cultured study which can be adapted for preschool through high school.

Ballet is a graceful and expressive art form that tells stories through movement, music, and emotion.

It’s a beautiful subject to explore in your homeschool, whether your child is already dancing or just learning to appreciate the arts.

Easy Ballet Study and Fascinating Swan Lake Facts by Tchaikovsky

Furthermore, one of the most famous ballets in the world is Swan Lake, composed by Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky.

Today we will explore some ballet basics, explore the magic of Swan Lake, and provide ideas for hands-on, artistic activities to bring it all to life, like your very own lace-up ballet slipper card craft.

Ballet, classical music, and storytelling come together in a magical way through Swan Lake.

Whether your child dreams of dancing or simply enjoys watching the story unfold, this unit can bring beauty and inspiration to your days.

BOOKS ABOUT BALLET AND TCHAIKOVSKY

Also, you can add your lace-up ballet slipper card to your homeschool portfolio as a reminder of this graceful journey into music and movement.

Next, look at a few books that you’ll love to add to this study.

5 Books About Ballet and Tchaikovsky

Add these fun books to your reading list.

Swan Lake (Classic Stories)

To escape a boring ball, Prince Siegfried escapes to an enchanted forest where he discovers a lake full of swans. When one of the swans turns into a princess, Siegfried falls in love! Can he declare his love for Odette in time to break the evil spell she is under?

Young readers don’t need to grow up to enjoy the story of Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky’s classic ballet, Swan Lake. Crafted for young audiences by Peter Clover and Teresa Martinez, this elegant adaptation brings the romantic princess story to life. Beautiful illustrations throughout and foil on the cover make this a book to cherish for a lifetime.

Emma and Julia Love Ballet

Emma is little. Julia is big.They both love ballet.Emma takes ballet lessons. So does Julia.Emma is learning to be a ballerina. Julia is a professional ballerina.They are both excited about the big performance in the theater tonight.Emma will be watching from the audience. Julia will be dancing onstage!And afterward, Emma will go backstage to meet her ballet hero!Barbara McClintock's richly illustrated, heartwarming story is sure to become a perennial favorite.

Swan Lake

This lavishly illustrated book follows the storyline, choreography, costumes, and sets of the New York City Ballet’s production of Swan Lake. With beautiful art illustrated by Valeria Docampo, this magnificent retelling is a perfect gift for an aspiring ballerina or any family who wants to add this enchanting and classic tale to their library.

Tchaikovsky Discovers America

Peter Tchaikovsky (Getting to Know the World's Greatest Composers)

Presents a biography of the nineteenth-century Russian composer who created such ballets as Swan Lake, Sleeping Beauty, and The Nutcracker

Next, look at some facts about what is a ballet.

WHAT IS BALLET

In addition, ballet is a classical dance form. It began in the Italian Renaissance courts of the 15th century. Then ballet refined in France and Russia. It combines music, choreography, costumes, and storytelling to create an experience that often feels like a dream brought to life on stage.

Key elements of ballet include:

Graceful, flowing movement – Even the most challenging steps are meant to look effortless.
Posture and poise – Ballet dancers stand tall and use their whole body to express emotion.
Turnout – Dancers rotate their legs from the hips outward.
Positions of the feet and arms – There are five classic positions that form the foundation of ballet (they are called first position through fifth position).

WHO WAS TCHAIKOVSKY

Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky (1840–1893) was a Russian composer known for his deep emotion. He had soaring melodies and an incredible skill at blending music with storytelling.

He wrote music for some of the most beloved ballets of all time, including-Swan Lake, The Nutcracker, and Sleeping Beauty.

Tchaikovsky didn’t just write music for dancers to move to, he brought characters and emotions to life through every note.

His first ballet was Swan Lake, and though it wasn’t a hit during his lifetime, it is now one of the most performed and cherished ballets in the world.

SWAN LAKE

Swan Lake is a fairy tale ballet. It tells the story of Prince Siegfried and Odette. Odette, a beautiful princess has been turned into a swan by an evil sorcerer’s curse.

By day, Odette is a swan, by night, she becomes human again. The curse can only be broken if someone who has never loved before swears eternal love to her.

At a royal ball, Siegfried is tricked into pledging his love to Odile. Odile is the sorcerer’s daughter and looks just like Odette, but wears black. Odette flees and is heartbroken.

The ballet ends tragically, as the two lovers leap into the lake. They are united in death and freed from the curse.

5 Fascinating Swan Lake Facts

Swan Lake was first performed in 1877 in Moscow but it wasn’t very successful at first.
The version most people recognize today was choreographed in 1895 by Marius Petipa and Lev Ivanov, after Tchaikovsky’s death.
The role of Odette/Odile is often danced by the same ballerina, which is one of the most challenging roles in ballet.
The famous “Dance of the Little Swans” (Pas de Quatre) features four dancers in perfect synchronization and is a favorite for audiences.
Swan Lake is filled with emotional highs and lows. It mirrors sorrow, hope, and beauty of the story.

SWAN LAKE CRAFTS AND RESOURCES

Learn 7 Fun Facts About Swan | How to Create a Handprint Swan for a swan lake inspired craft.
Choose a family-friendly recording of Swan Lake on YouTube or a streaming service like the Swan Lake – Full Length Ballet by American Ballet Theatre and point out the swan costumes, listen for Tchaikovsky’s themes, and discuss the story afterward.
Teach your child a few ballet terms and practice them in the living room.
Plié – to bend the knees
Relevé – to rise on tiptoes
Arabesque – to stand on one leg with the other extended behind
Draw Odette in her swan form or Prince Siegfried with a feathered crown. What do the characters feel? What do they wish for?
Ask your student to narrate the story of Swan Lake in their own words. And copy a quote like-“Ballet is the music made visible.” – George Balanchine
Read a short biography of Tchaikovsky or listen to more of his music. Let your child draw or paint what the music makes them feel. Try pieces like the Waltz of the Flowers from The Nutcracker, Sleeping Beauty Waltz, or Swan Lake’s “Finale”.
How sweet is the Flower Petal Ballerina Craft for your budding dancer.

Additionally, learn about the swan itself for a neat science lesson, try my How To Make A Fun Animal Soap Carving & A Quick Study on A Swan.

SWAN LAKE LACE-UP BALLET SLIPPER CARD

This sweet craft ties in perfectly with the theme of elegance and movement. You can use it as a fine motor activity, an art project, or simply a keepsake.

You will need:

Pink or purple stiff felt
Scissors
Hole punch
Ribbon or yarn

First, cut a ballet slipper shape from stiff craft felt, you could also use craft foam or cardstock.

Next, cut a smaller oval from a different color to make the opening of the shoe.

Cover the black in tacky craft glue and press onto the ballet slipper.

Then punch holes along the edge where the ribbons would lace up (like a shoe).

Also, add two near the top.

Help them lace the ribbon through the holes like real ballet slippers.

Run the ribbon up the back to the top holes.

Tie a bow at the top to tie the ballet shoes together.

Finally, allow the glue to dry.