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diorama

How to Make an Easy Antarctica Diorama With Your Kids

November 27, 2023 | Leave a Comment
This post may contain affiliate links. For more information, please see my full disclosure policy.

I wanted a unique Antarctica diorama that was in something besides a shoebox, and this is what I came up with, a snow globe. Be sure you grab more ideas for winter fun on my page Winter Season Unit Study with free lapbook.

It was so much fun to create a little snowy wonderland of Antarctic creatures and learn about them, their habitats, diets, and more.

You will not find arctic foxes, polar bears, or snowy owls in Antarctica because there are no true terrestrial (land-living) animals that make their home there.

How to Make an Easy Antarctica Diorama With Your Kids

Antarctica is the only continent on Earth without them. 

While it has no native land mammals, reptiles, or amphibians it is teeming with penguins, whales, seals, and seabirds.

A great hands-on activity to complete while you learn about what animals do and do not live in Antarctica is to create this cute snow globe diorama that I have for you below.

I thought it was the perfect way to highlight this frozen polar desert.

Books for Kids About the Antarctic

First, look at some of these books either based in the Antarctic or about animals that live there.

I lean toward living books first then like to add informational books next.

11 Antarctica Books & Resources for Kids Who Love to Read and Be Read To

Add some of these books for different ages and resources to your study about Antarctica.

Antarctica: The Heart of the World

Named a "Best Book of the Year" by Science Books & Films

"Librarians acquiring this book, a must-have for any scientific collection, can be assured that it will contribute to some reader's decision to visit or work in Antarctica."—VOYA

"This is an eye-catching book packed with gems for browsing, and the presentation makes it suitable for reports."—School Library Journal

A Trip to the Bottom of the World with Mouse:

Join a young explorer and his best friend, Mouse, on a sea journey to Antarctica, where they make new friends with penguins and a whale – and have all kinds of fun. Young readers won’t stop grinning as they’re swept away by the strange and magical world created by Frank Viva, the bestselling author of Along a Long Road. As kids TOON into Reading, they will want to circle back to the beginning – again and again.

The Real Book About the Antarctic

The exploration of the Antarctic has been undertaken for five centuries in the name of many nations. Challenged by the mystery of its formidable, icy regions, they have used dogs, sleds, and above all the weapon of human endurance to cut down the barrier which isolates it from the developed world. In this history of the centuries of exploration, of the men who risked and often gave life to penetrate its secrets, the achievements of many great figures are reviewed

Endurance: Shackleton's Incredible Voyage

In August 1914, polar explorer Ernest Shackleton boarded the Endurance and set sail for Antarctica, where he planned to cross the last uncharted continent on foot. In January 1915, after battling its way through a thousand miles of pack ice and only a day's sail short of its destination, the Endurance became locked in an island of ice. Thus began the legendary ordeal of Shackleton and his crew of twenty-seven men. When their ship was finally crushed between two ice floes, they attempted a near-impossible journey over 850 miles of the South Atlantic's heaviest seas to the closest outpost of civilization.

Antarctica Toob - Toy Figurines Penguins, Whales, Seals, & More

Explore Antarctic Wildlife: This Toob includes 10 diverse figures from the freezing landscapes of Antarctica: emperor, chinstrap, and rockhopper penguins, blue, humpback, and sperm whales, an orca, a crabeater seal, an Antarctic fur seal, and a wandering albatross.

Shipwreck at the Bottom of the World: The Extraordinary True Story of Shackleton and the Endurance

The extraordinary true story behind Ernest Shackleton's harrowing expedition to Antarctica on the Endurance—the ill-fated ship that became trapped in ice and sank to the ocean floor. Defying the odds, the crew made it back alive, bringing with them the astounding collection of photographs included in this critically acclaimed, timeless book.

Antarctic Journal: Four Months at the Bottom of the World

It is the windiest, coldest, most forbidding region on earth, and I am heading straight for it.

Sketchbook in hand, an artist leaves home to spend four months in Antarctica. She hikes up glaciers, camps on deserted islands, and sees mirages of castles in the air. She sails past icebergs and humpback whales. And she fills her sketchbook with drawings of penguin chicks huddled in their nests and seals basking in the sun. Jennifer Dewey's sketches, photographs, journal entries, and letters home let you see the last great wilderness on earth through the eyes of an artist at work.

Ice Trap! : Shackleton's Incredible Expedition

In August 1914, during the height of the heroic age of Antarctic exploration, Sir Ernest Shackleton set off from England with a team of explorers to walk across the Antarctic and study the icy depths of this new and forbidding continent. Sailing through some of the most perilous seas, the Endurance becomes trapped in the deadly pack ice of the Weddell sea. When the Endurance is eventually crushed between the vast bulk of two floating icebergs, the men are forced to abandon ship and make the dangerous journey across the crushing sea in lifeboats,

Where Is Antarctica?

Antarctica, the earth's southernmost continent, was virtually untouched by humans until the nineteenth century. Many famous explorers journeyed (and often died) there in the hope of discovering a land that always seemed out of reach. This book introduces readers to this desert--yes, desert!--continent that holds about 90 percent of the world's ice; showcases some of the 200 species that call Antarctica home, including the emperor penguin; and discusses environmental dangers to the continent, underscoring how what happens to Antarctica affects the entire world.

Ocean Anatomy: The Curious Parts & Pieces of the World under the Sea

The Anatomy series by Julia Rothman is always a go-to resource, ocean Anatomy contains plenty of information on the animals that live in Antarctica, icebergs Polar Ice, and glaciers.

Penguin's Way

With a new children’s book imprint, the Bodleian Library brings beloved classics back into print, beginning with a beautiful storybook about the life of a fascinating Antarctic species. Originally published in 1962, Penguin’s Way by Johanna Johnston tells the surprising story of these creatures, complete with colorful artwork by award-winning illustrator Leonard Weisgard. In Penguin’s Way, a playful colony of emperor penguins lives on the edge of a faraway secret sea. During the summers, the penguins are content to fish and swim in the icy waters. But, when the seasons change, they must travel more than one hundred miles to the snowy lands surrounding the South Pole. All across the snow plain, the penguins sing songs to welcome newly hatched chicks into the world, but how will the fluffy newborns survive the freezing winter?

Next, look at some of the animals that do make their home there.

Creatures of Antarctica

You can either create a diorama centered around one of these amazing creatures or highlight them all, we are going to learn a little bit about each of these 3 most common -penguins, seals, and whales.

PENGUINS

There are 17 different species of penguins in the world, and 8 of them live in Antarctica.

A penguin’s diet is mainly fish, squid, crustaceans, and krill.

While they do prefer to drink fresh water they do have a gland near their eyes that allows them to filter the salt out of salt water for drinking.

  • Emperor Penguin 
  • Adélie penguin 
  • Gentoo penguin
  • Chinstrap penguin 
  • Macaroni penguin 
  • Rockhopper penguin 
  • Magellanic penguin 
  • King penguin 

SEALS

Only 6 out of the 35 seal species in the world live in Antarctica but they make up the majority of seal numbers. Seals are divided up into 3 different families- True seals, eared seals, and walruses.

Except for the fur seal, all of these Antarctica seals are ‘True seals’ without ears but they can still hear very well, even underwater.

They are built for their frozen home with a thick layer of blubber and fur for insulation as well as being excellent swimmers and divers.

  • Southern Elephant 
  • Crabeater
  • Leopard
  • Weddel
  • Antarctic Fur

WHALES

These amazing aquatic giants are distinct in their appearance and behaviors.

The Humpbacks are known for their haunting songs that can be heard for up to 20 miles while the Orcas are found everywhere but are most abundant here in Antarctica.

The 8 whales that you are likely to spot in Antarctica are:

  • Killer 
  • Sperm 
  • Humpback
  • Fin
  • Blue
  • Minke
  • Right
  • Sei
How to Make an Easy Antarctica Diorama With Your Kids

Find out how these creatures survive the freezing conditions of Antarctica in this How Animals Survive Harsh Winters Fun Blubber Activity.

How to Make an Easy Antarctica Diorama

I found a clear plastic bowl, cake plate, and fake snow at Dollar Tree.

Whether you want to keep and display your snow globe diorama long term or toss it out after it is done, this is a very economical project.

You will need:

  • Clear plastic bowl
  • Clear plastic plate/platter
  • Fake snow
  • Cardboard
  • Air dry clay
  • School glue
  • Blue craft paint
  • Plastic arctic animals
How to Make an Easy Antarctica Diorama With Your Kids

First, use air-dry clay to create a dam to separate your water from the land area.

To do this I just rolled it out like a long snake and then smoothed it into place, it doesn’t have to be thick, just enough to keep the water in.

How to Make an Easy Antarctica Diorama With Your Kids

Paint a thick layer of school glue onto the side that you designated for land.

How to Make an Easy Antarctica Diorama With Your Kids

Sprinkle generously with the fake snow and tap down gently with your fingers or a paintbrush to press it into the glue then tap off the excess.

How to Make an Easy Antarctica Diorama With Your Kids

Mix blue paint with school glue and pour a thick layer into the water section you created, be sure to cover it all completely.

How to Make an Easy Antarctica Diorama With Your Kids

If you like, take some more air-dry clay and create an iceberg, a little cave, or any other land formations you would like, give it a little glue and cover it in more flakes of fake snow.

How to Make an Easy Antarctica Diorama With Your Kids

Allow this to dry for 24-48 hours until the glue, paint, and air-dry clay have cured.

Antarctica Diorama

Add in your animals as you like. If you are going to be transporting it you can add a little bit of hot glue to the bottom of the animals.

To remove and use them another time you can heat up the glue with a hair dryer and wipe it away with a paper towel.

How to Make an Easy Antarctica Diorama With Your Kids

Place the plastic bowl on top and secure it in place with a couple of dots of hot glue if desired or let it sit loosely on top.

How to Make an Easy Antarctica Diorama With Your Kids

Leave a CommentFiled Under: Hands-On Activities Tagged With: antarctica, diorama, earth science, earthscience, hands-on, hands-on activities, handsonhomeschooling, homeschoolinginwinter, life science, science, winter crafts, winter season

5 Easy Bat Stem Activities and Create a STEM Bat Habitat

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

I have five easy bat stem activities today and a stem bat habitat craft. Also, I have more fun ideas for all ages on my post Why Bats Are Not Birds Fun Homeschool Unit Study and Lapbook.

We are also going to build a bat habitat diorama that is perfect for upper elementary through middle schoolers. 

5 Easy Bat Stem Activities and Create a STEM Bat Habitat

You can use the building the bat habitat as a launching pad for talking about:

  • the different species of bats,
  • their habitats,
  • what they need in a habitat,
  • various places they are located, and
  • many other bat topics.

First, look at these bat facts.

5 Bat Habitat Facts

  1. Bracken Cave, which is located on the northern outskirts of San Antonio, is home to the world’s largest bat colony, filled with more than 15 million Mexican free-tailed bats.
  2. When bats are most active during the spring and summer, they live in colonies of between 25 and 35 individuals.
  3. There are more than 40 species of bats living in the United States in deserts, woodlands, suburban communities, and cities.
  4. Depending on the species, bats seek out a variety of retreats during the day such as caves, old buildings, rock crevices, bridges, mines, and trees.
  5. To hang upside down, a bat will fly into position, open their claws, and find a surface to grip onto. The bat simply lets its body relax to let the talons grab hold. Then, the weight of the bat’s upper body pulls down on the tendons that are connected to the talons, creating a grip.
5 Easy Bat Stem Activities and Create a STEM Bat Habitat

Also, add some of these resources about bats to your unit study or learning day.

9 Books and Resources for Kids Who Love Bats

Add some of these fun books and resources about bats for a hands-on day of learning.

Stellaluna 25th Anniversary Edition

Knocked from her mother’s safe embrace by an attacking owl, Stellaluna lands headfirst in a bird’s nest. This adorable baby fruit bat’s world is literally turned upside down when she is adopted by the occupants of the nest and adapts to their peculiar bird habits. Two pages of notes at the end of the story provide factual information about bats. “Delightful and informative but never didactic; a splendid debut.”--Kirkus Reviews

National Geographic Readers: Bats

They live in spooky caves, in forests, even in the dark reaches of ordinary attics and bridges. They flock by the hundreds, and they sleep while hanging upside down! In this beautifully photographed Level 2 Reader, kids learn about one of the most interesting creatures around—and discover the bat’s unique place in the wild and in the world. The high-interest topic, expertly written text, and bonus learning activity lay the groundwork for a successful and rewarding reading experience.

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.

Bats (New & Updated Edition)

Though people often think of bats as scary, bats are really shy, gentle animals. There are nearly 1000 different species of bats, and they live on every continent except Antarctica. Some are tiny, but the giant flying fox bat has a five-foot wingspan! Popular science author Gail Gibbons also discusses the efforts to protect the world's only truly flying mammals. A final page offers additional facts.

Bats of the World

The natural history and evolution of bats- Important identifying features- Habitats, migration patterns, and common mating practices- The status of various endangered bat species

Bats: An Illustrated Guide to All Species

Bats: An Illustrated Guide to All Species explores bats and their fundamental role in our ecosystems through lavish full-color photographs and lively narrative. From the Giant Golden Crowned Flying Fox, a megabat with a wingspan of more than five feet, to the aptly named Bumblebee Bat, the world's smallest mammal, the number and diversity of bat species have proven to be both rich and underestimated. Nocturnal, fast-flying, and secretive, bats are difficult to observe and catalog. This richly illustrated handbook presents bats' evolution, biology, behavior, and ecology. It offers in-depth profiles of four hundred megabats and microbats and detailed summaries of all the species identified to date. Complete with an introduction exploring bats' natural history and their unique adaptations to life on the wing, Bats includes close-up images of these animals' delicate and intricate forms and faces, each shaped by evolution to meet the demands of an extraordinarily specialized life.

Bat Plush, Stuffed Animal

  • Even if the nocturnal life is not for you; this plush toy bat will be ready to play.
  • Stuffed animals are the perfect gift for any age or occasion.

    The Secret Lives of Bats: My Adventures with the World's Most Misunderstood Mammals

    Stories and science surrounding the beloved bat, from an ecologist who has dedicated his life to the curious creature.

    Few people realize how sophisticated and intelligent bats are. Merlin Tuttle knows, and he has stopped at nothing to find and protect them on every continent they inhabit. Sharing highlights from a lifetime of adventure and discovery, Tuttle takes us to the frontiers of bat research to show that frog-eating bats can identify frogs by their calls, that some bats have social sophistication similar to that of higher primates, and that bats have remarkable memories. Bats also provide enormous benefits by eating crop pests, pollinating plants, and carrying seeds needed for reforestation. They save farmers billions of dollars annually and are essential to a healthy planet. Tuttle’s account
    forever changes the way we see these poorly understood yet fascinating creatures.

    Dissect-It Simulated Synthetic Lab Dissection - Bat

    REALISTIC AND SAFE EXPERIENCE – Made out of gelatin-like material that is absolutely safe for children, our Dissect-It Bat gives the realistic experience of a dissection without the use of a real bat!

    Next, add some of these fun bat stem activities for hands-on learning.

    Bat Stem Activities

    1. Chiropterology is the scientific study of bats. Have your child choose one bat in particular and study it with reference books and online. Have them write a paragraph or complete an entire paper and draw a picture or make a painting to go along with it.
    2. This Bat Labeling Activity is most appropriate for elementary age but you can adapt your own to make it more detailed for older children.
    3. Watch –Experience: Bracken Cave Preserve to see an overview of the entire preserve including thousands of bats in flight. But, if you want to focus just on the bats as they leave their cave in search of food, watch Bats emerge from Bracken Cave Preserve.
    4. Create a challenge with the M (Math) in stem with this Bat Math worksheet.
    5. Challenge your child to build a bat house with or without your help, you can find instructions at How to Build a Bat House With Kids. This is a great opportunity to incorporate math, engineering, and science when you research the bats in your area.

    More Bat Activities

    Add a few more hands-on learning about bats for all ages with these activities.

    • Fun Bat Anatomy Toilet Paper Roll Craft | 8 Bat Science Activities Preschool
    • 4 Fun and Engaging Bat Activities for Kindergarten
    • Why Bats Are Not Birds Fun Homeschool Unit Study and Lapbook
    5 Easy Bat Stem Activities and Create a STEM Bat Habitat
    • Dynamic Why Bats Are Not Birds Lapbook For Multiple Ages

      Dynamic Why Bats Are Not Birds Lapbook For Multiple Ages

      $4.00
      Add to cart

    Finally, look how to build this creative bat habitat.

    Create a STEM Bat Habitat

    You will need:

    • Shoe or another cardboard box
    • Lightweight spackling (Dollar Tree)
    • Craft paint
    • Small plastic bats (Rings from Dollar Tree)
    • Moss (Dollar Tree)
    • Small rocks
    • Hot glue gun/sticks
    • Craft glue
    5 Easy Bat Stem Activities and Create a STEM Bat Habitat

    First, cut your box so that it has a front opening, leaving just a little to form the curved opening of the cave.

     I used a shoe box with an attached lid but you can do it with any type of box you have on hand.

    Paint the inside and outside the box with browns, grays, and tans to create a rock look.

    It doesn’t need to be perfect; we are going to cover most of it, you just want to give it a good background.

    5 Easy Bat Stem Activities and Create a STEM Bat Habitat

    Be sure to get the ceiling of your cave as well.

    5 Easy Bat Stem Activities and Create a STEM Bat Habitat

    Let the paint dry.

    While you are waiting if you use bat rings like I did, you can cut off the ring portion and set them aside.

    5 Easy Bat Stem Activities and Create a STEM Bat Habitat

    When the paint is dry, mix up some paint in the spackling using a craft stick, right in the container.

    You are going to need the whole thing, maybe more depending on the size of your box.

    I did not mix mine well because I wanted some variations in color like natural rocks.

    5 Easy Bat Stem Activities and Create a STEM Bat Habitat

    Use the craft stick or paintbrush to smear the spackling inside and outside of the box.

    Also, use a paintbrush to poke and brush it to give some more texture.

    Allow the spackling to dry for at least an hour.

    5 Easy Bat Stem Activities and Create a STEM Bat Habitat

    Make little puddles in the roof of the cave with hot glue, and press bats into it, it may melt the feet just a bit but that’s okay you won’t see them anyway.

    I wanted it to look like our bats were just starting to take off, so I glued some to the back of the cave and out the outer edges as well.

    5 Easy Bat Stem Activities and Create a STEM Bat Habitat

    Make puddles of glue on top of the box and add moss and small pebbles.

    5 Easy Bat Stem Activities and Create a STEM Bat Habitat

    Finally, add some small stones or pebbles and moss to the bottom edge of the cave.

    5 Easy Bat Stem Activities and Create a STEM Bat Habitat

    Leave a CommentFiled Under: Hands-On Activities Tagged With: bats, diorama, elementary science, hands on history, hands-on, hands-on activities, handson, handsonhomeschooling, homeschoolscience, life science, science

    How to Make an Easy Wetlands Paper Plate Habitat Diorama

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

    I have an easy wetlands paper plate habitat diorama. You’ll also love my post Above & Below: Pond Unit Study, Hands-on Ideas, & Lapbook

    Creating a paper plate habitat diorama is a great way to incorporate a project that is super inexpensive and less work.

    One thing I love about a diorama is that it can be done by everyone from preschool through high school and showcases each child’s imagination.

    How to Make an Easy Wetlands Paper Plate Habitat Diorama

    Not every project has to be a huge display.

    Creating something small like creating a paper plate habitat diorama allows for a quicker project.

    Some topics you don’t need a super deep dive into, and it is also very inexpensive.

    We always have a pack of paper plates on hand for craft projects, quick lunches, or to use as a disposable paint palette.

    Since we were gathering items from outside and drawing our own animals, we were able to complete this project for free.

    5 Facts About Wetlands

    The wetlands are defined as areas where water covers the soil or is near the surface of the soil all year.

    This includes swamps, marshes, estuaries, mangroves, mudflats, ponds, deltas, coral reefs, billabongs, lagoons, shallow seas, bogs, lakes, and floodplains.

    Look at these 5 facts about wetlands.

    How to Make an Easy Wetlands Paper Plate Habitat Diorama
    1. About 30% of the Earth’s wetlands are in North America and are found on every continent except Antarctica.
    2. One of the largest wetlands in the world is the Pantanal which covers over 93,000 miles over Brazil, Bolivia, and Paraguay in South America.
    3. The Florida Everglades are sitting on a bed of limestone, which helps produce clean water for the state.
    4. Many of the plants that are found in the wetland either grow under the water or float on top of it.  But some grow out of the ground like trees. The 3 main types of plants found here are emergent, floating, and submerged.
    5. Wetlands can be made of saltwater or freshwater and sometimes they are a combination of both.

    I referenced Wildlife Anatomy for ecosystems like wetlands.

    How to Make an Easy Wetlands Paper Plate Habitat Diorama

    It is also a great reference for animals that live within the wetlands like alligators, along with Nature Anatomy which also includes many plants and animals.

    How to Make an Easy Wetlands Paper Plate Habitat Diorama

    More Paper Plate Habitat Diorama Inspiration

    Here are some more wonderful and creative ideas for using paper plates to create mini ecosystems.

    • Preschoolers will love making and playing with the Paper Plate Magnetic Duck Pond
    • How fun is this Paper Plate Aquarium Fish diorama?
    • Create a Mini Beach Scene, add in crabs and other animals you would see along the shoreline.
    • Here is an even smaller idea, How to Make a Paper Plate Mini-Diorama
    • This Fancy Mushroom Diorama could be made using paper platters or plates.

    Now you can take this paper plate habitat diorama and use it for anything- desert, ocean, woodland, arctic, etc.. but for this one, I want to focus on giving you information and activities for the wetlands.

    How to Make an Easy Wetlands Paper Plate Habitat Diorama

    Decide for yourselves which wetland you want to create for your project, this will determine the type of flora and fauna you add to it.

    Next, add some of these activities for studying about wetlands.

    Activities for Learning About the Wetlands

    • Coral Reef Unit Study and Lapbook
    • Above & Below: Pond Unit Study, Hands-on Ideas, & Lapbook
    • Fun Hands-on Coral Reef Activities and Play Dough Invitation to Play
    • The Geronimo Stilton Series: Make a Fun Edible Coral Reef
    • Pond Life for Kindergarten Activity Build a Fun Beaver Dam

    Wetlands Paper Plate Habitat Diorama

    Typically, in dioramas, we often use small plastic animals.

    But because our paper plate habitat diorama is so much smaller we decided to draw our little animals to keep it lightweight and to keep the scale small.

    If you would still like to include the plastic animals for your diorama or to use in sensory bins, etc.

    This Safari Ltd River set has a lot of animals found in wetlands.

    You will need:

    • A paper plate
    • Small pebbles
    • Small sticks
    • moss
    • Plastic animals- optional
    • Cardstock
    • Paints
    • Markers

    First, fold the paper plate in half, creasing it sharply.

    How to Make an Easy Wetlands Paper Plate Habitat Diorama

    Open the paper plate and paint half of it green and half blue.

    How to Make an Easy Wetlands Paper Plate Habitat Diorama

    Squeeze a generous amount of blue, green, and tan onto your plate where you would like your water, and brush it out, leaving it thick so it has some dimension.

    Water in wetlands is generally kind of murky and muddled so wanted it to look natural.

    How to Make an Easy Wetlands Paper Plate Habitat Diorama

    While your plate is drying, have your child research and draw several wetlands animals for the habitat onto white cardstock.

    How to Make an Easy Wetlands Paper Plate Habitat Diorama

    Once the plate is dry, paint or use a marker to add trees in the background on the top half of the plate, against the sky.

    How to Make an Easy Wetlands Paper Plate Habitat Diorama

    Then, add moss, sticks, and small pebbles to the base. You can glue them down or leave them loose for additional play.

    You can also create trees by hot gluing moss to small sticks, then secure them to the base with a little puddle of glue.

    How to Make an Easy Wetlands Paper Plate Habitat Diorama

    Add plastic animals or the paper ones your child drew to the scene.

    How to Make an Easy Wetlands Paper Plate Habitat Diorama

    Leave a CommentFiled Under: Hands-On Activities Tagged With: diorama, earth science, ecosytem, elementary science, hands-on, hands-on activities, handson, handsonhomeschooling, life science, science, wetlands

    Rocky Mountains Oregon Trail Fun Large Diorama Craft for Kids

    January 26, 2023 | Leave a Comment
    This post may contain affiliate links. For more information, please see my full disclosure policy.

    Trekking through the Rocky Mountains Oregon Trail was an arduous journey. Too, I have more ideas and activities on my Westward Ho Unit Study and Lapbook.

    The Rocky Mountain National Park was established in Colorado on January 26th, 1915.

    In honor of this amazing National Park, I thought we would take a virtual trip by creating a miniature section of the Rocky Mountains with a diorama.

    Rocky Mountains Oregon Trail Fun Large Diorama Craft for Kids

    And to be more specific, we’re creating it as it might have looked along the Rocky Mountains Oregon Trail section.

    How exciting and scary a time it must have been.

    The Rocky Mountains are distinctive and easily identifiable just by their silhouette but are unique depending on where you are along the western mountain chain.

    We were inspired by this amazing drawing of the Cherokee Pass through the Rocky Mountains in Colorado. It is by Daniel Jenks from 1859.

    And we created this fun and large diorama with just a few different simple items.

    But first look at these facts about the Rocky Mountains.

    Rocky Mountain Facts

    • The Rocky Mountains stretch through more than 3000 miles and over 6 states which are New Mexico, Colorado, Utah, Wyoming, Idaho, and Montana.
    • Rocky Mountain is one of the nation’s highest national parks.
    • There are many indigenous people living in the Rocky Mountains like Bannock, Sioux, Blackfoot, Cow People, Apache, Kutenai, and more.
    • There is a super volcano in the Rocky Mountains called Yellowstone Caldera. It’s located in the Yellowstone National Park in the United States.
    • The Rocky Mountain National Park is open all year.
    • In 1806, the Lewis and Clark Expedition became the first scientific reconnaissance of the Rocky Mountains; they gathered a lot of important information as well as specimens.
    • There are over 250 different bird species which live in the Rocky Mountain National Park.
    • The Rocky Mountains are rich with natural resources like gold, silver, copper, tungsten, zinc, molybdenum, and lead.
    • The Rockies have over 100 separate ranges.
    • Bighorn sheep are the symbol of Rocky Mountain National Park and there are over 400 residing in the park.

    Westward Expansion Resources

    Also, add some of these fun books.

    10 Westward Expansion Resources

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

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

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

    Little House on the Prairie Series 7 Books Collection

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

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

    Westward Expansion (A True Book: Westward Expansion)

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

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

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

    The Oregon Trail: Journey to Willamette Valley Boardgame

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

    Apples to Oregon:

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

    Locomotive

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

    The California Gold Rush and the '49ers

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

    Daily Life in a Covered Wagon

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

    Covered Wagons, Bumpy Trails

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

    Additionally, learn about some of the animals which lives in the Rocky Mountains.

    Rocky Mountain Animals and Birds

    If you were a pioneer heading west through the Rocky Mountain Oregon Trail, what type of wildlife would you see?

    This is the perfect next step to create a mini study from this project.

    Let your child choose one of the animals that are common to the Rocky Mountains and create a report, write a story, paint a picture, or create a presentation on their chosen animal. 

    • Brown Bears
    • Coyote
    • BigHorn Sheep
    • Black Bear
    • Mule Deer
    • Mountain Lion
    • Gray Wolf
    • Elk

    Also, look at some of the birds.

    • Yellowthroat
    • Red Crossbill
    • Nuthatch
    • Dipper
    • Meadowlark
    • Towhee
    • Song Sparrow
    Rocky Mountains Oregon Trail Fun Large Diorama Craft for Kids

    Additionally, here are more hands-on Westward Expansion Activities.

    Hands-on Westward Expansion Activities

    • Pioneer Living and Cloth Dyeing (Hands-on History)
    • Hands-on History: Make Maple Snow Candy – Pioneer Activity
    • 10 Westward Expansion History Fun Coloring Pages
    • Hands-on Fun Shrunken Head Apple
    • Fun No Sew Pioneer Rag Doll For Kids Westward Expansion Activity
    • Pioneer Peg Dolls For Kids Westward Expansion Hands On Activities
    • 7 Educational Movies for Kids About Westward Expansion
    • Free Westward Ho History Cards
    • National Bison Day: Make Fun Oregon Trail Bison Jerky With Kids

    Finally, look at how to make this Rocky Mountains Oregon Trail diorama.

    Besides the little Safari Ltd. Toob animals you can get everything used in this diorama from Dollar Tree with plenty of supplies left over for future projects.

    How to Make a Rocky Mountain Oregon Trail Diorama

    You will need:

    • A foam board
    • Paper bags
    • Newspaper
    • Aluminum foil
    • Craft paint
    • Paintbrushes
    • Blue and green cardstock
    • Hot glue gun/sticks
    Rocky Mountains Oregon Trail Fun Large Diorama Craft for Kids

    Put puddles of brown, gray, and green paints on a paper plate.

    Rocky Mountains Oregon Trail Fun Large Diorama Craft for Kids

    Wad up a small piece of newspaper up and dip it in your paints.

    Rocky Mountains Oregon Trail Fun Large Diorama Craft for Kids

    Press the newspaper around the foam board as if you were sponge painting.

    Cover the foam board with a light coat of the mixed colors to represent the rocks, grass, and earth.

    Rocky Mountains Oregon Trail Fun Large Diorama Craft for Kids

    Use a beige paint to create a trail going through the mountains. Set aside to dry while you begin working on the mountains.

    Open 3-4 paper bags.

    Slip them over your hand/arm one at a time and take the same paints and newspaper and cover all sides and the top of the bag.

    Rocky Mountain Oregon Trail Diorama

    You can leave some spots bare as the brown from the bag will blend in as earth.

    Slip over a jar or something and allow it to dry completely.

    Rocky Mountains Oregon Trail Fun Large Diorama Craft for Kids

    Stuff the bags loosely with newspaper and foil as you like but not so full that you can’t “mold” it.

    You just want them to give your bag some structure.

    Twist and mold the bags to create the sharper angles and peaks of the Rocky Mountains silhouette.

    Hot glue the base of the mountain along the back of your base board to secure into place.

    Rocky Mountains Oregon Trail Fun Large Diorama Craft for Kids

    Pinch and shape the mountains as needed to fix them up.

    To create a water feature at the base of the mountain, tear up some blue paper in whatever shape you like and glue down.

    Cut a bunch of green triangles of different sizes then make little cuts on each side to make pine trees.

    Rocky Mountains Oregon Trail Fun Large Diorama Craft for Kids

    Fold ⅛” piece of the bottom over and then glue them onto the board with the largest in front and the smallest closest to the mountains.

    This creates some perspective.

    Create the snow peaked caps by drizzling paint on the top and brush lightly just a little down the sides.

    Rocky Mountains Oregon Trail Fun Large Diorama Craft for Kids

    Finally, add some of the wildlife you would see traveling through the Rocky Mountains.

    This North American Wildlife Safari Toob provided the bulk of the animals used here.

    Rocky Mountains Oregon Trail Fun Large Diorama Craft for Kids

    Leave a CommentFiled Under: Hands-On Activities Tagged With: diorama, hands on history, hands-on, hands-on activities, handsonhomeschooling, mountains, Oregon Trail, westward expansion, westwardho

    The Journey Through Time Geronimo Stilton Time Warp Fun Lost City of Atlantis

    December 12, 2022 | 1 Comment
    This post may contain affiliate links. For more information, please see my full disclosure policy.

    The Journey Through Time Geronimo Stilton Seventh Journey Time Warp is our next book for adventure. And we’re doing a fun Lost City of Atlantis craft. Be sure to grab more Geronimo Stilton Books ideas and crafts on my page.

    This time we are going to visit mythical Atlantis with our favorite globetrotting mouse in Geronimo Stilton Time Warp The Seventh Journey Through Time.

    We are going to do it with a magical diorama that lets your child create their own version of the magical city to go along with the reading.

    The Journey Through Time Geronimo Stilton  Time Warp Fun Lost City of Atlantis

    Geronimo finds himself underwater this time in The Time Tentacle 2000 in the lost city of Atlantis.

    He speculates about their clothing guessing that it was similar to ancient Greek tunics.

    And he shares about the 10 kings of Atlantis who descended from Poseidon, visits the ornate gold palace, and enjoys a banquet with royalty.

    The Journey Through Time Geronimo Stilton  Time Warp Fun Lost City of Atlantis

    Benefits of Introducing Myths, Legends and Fairytales

    Also, I know I usually stick to history and reality but there is much to be said about the benefits of imagination, fairy tales, legends and myths.

    For example, legends, folktales, and myths:

    • can teach children about emotional resilience by helping them to connect fictional stories to real life people and circumstances.
    • help children to deal with adversity by learning to believe in themselves to overcome obstacles and challenges. 
    • help children confront real-life fears and anxieties in a wonderful fantastical setting that makes it easier to deal with.
    • develop a child’s imagination.
    • are full of rich insights into humanity and history.
    • cultivate an appreciation and understanding  of other cultures.
    • open the door to learning about why people came to believe them.

    :

    The Journey Through Time Geronimo Stilton  Time Warp Fun Lost City of Atlantis

    In addition, mythology whether it comes from the Roman Empire, the Greek or the Egyptian region is a part of teaching within language arts.

    Stories and myths and names of characters helps to promote vocabulary skills and heightens a child’s interest in following story lines.

    About the Lost City of Atlantis

    The Lost City of Atlantis is a myth which may have started in Egypt, survived in classical Greek writings, and then emerged in medieval traditions by Arabian geographers

    Supposedly, Atlantis disappeared into the sea as a result of earthquakes and floods.

    Some historians think suggest that this myth had its roots in the volcanic explosion of Santorini.

    And your child will love reading about the Lost City of Atlantis.

    The Journey Through Time Geronimo Stilton  Time Warp Fun Lost City of Atlantis

    Other Geronimo Stilton Chapter Book Activities

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

    • Geronimo Stilton The Race Against Time Build a Fun Greek Water Clock
    • Out Of Time Fun Sir Francis Drake Ship Craft
    • Geronimo Stilton Journey Through Time Series Fifth Journey Fun Eiffel Tower
    • 10 Things to Learn From The Fun Geronimo Stilton Chapter Books
    • Geronimo Stilton The Fourth Journey Through Time Fun Cleopatra Collar
    • Learn About Mozart The Eight Journey Through Time Geronimo Stilton Series
    • The Geronimo Stilton Book Fourth Journey Fun Egypt Game
    • Geronimo Stilton Journey Through Time Craft a Fun England Tower Guard
    • Mouse in Space Fun Puffy Moon Craft (Glow in the Dark)
    • Down and Out Down Under Make a Fun Edible Coral Reef
    • Field Trip to Niagara Falls Summary And Fun Corn Craft
    • The Journey Through Time #2: Back in Time Colosseum Craft
    • The Race Against Time Geronimo Stilton Activities: Fun Edible Spine
    • Journey Through Time #2: Back in Time Mayan Craft
    • The Curse of The Cheese Pyramid Barbie Mummy
    • Who Is Geronimo Stilton Rodent Notebooking Page

    Now, dioramas are meant to be free form and totally creatively led by your child,.

    Use what supplies you have with maybe a couple of special items added.

    However, I will give you some loose directions to help get you going.

    If you don’t have them on hand already you can get most of the supplies at Dollar Tree.

    I grabbed even my cardboard box here, the castle cut out in the unfinished wood craft and the sand.

    Too, they carry seashells in the floral aisle as well as paint, and glitter.

    The Journey Through Time Geronimo Stilton  Time Warp Fun Lost City of Atlantis

    Finally, look below at how to make your own diorama.

    How to Make A Mythical Lost City of Atlantis Diorama

    You will need:

    • A cardboard box
    • A castle cut out (Dollar Tree) or you can draw a simple one on cardstock or cardboard and cut it out.
    • Paint and glitter
    • Sand
    • Assorted seashells
    • Plastic ocean animals
    • Hot glue gun/glue sticks
    • Safari LTD Mythical Realms Toob

    These mats are fantastic for craft projects, they are easy to clean, safe and are a good way to keep your kitchen table free from paint, hot glue, and other craft messes.

    Directions:

    The first thing to do is to tape up or hot glue the bottom of the box.

    I folded it so there was more coverage rather than like you would for support if shipping something and glued it well.

    Next, cut off the flaps on one end except for one, and the larger side of the box to create a 3 walled structure with a floor base.

    This gives your child plenty of open space for creativity.

    The Journey Through Time Geronimo Stilton  Time Warp Fun Lost City of Atlantis

    Paint the inside or cover it in blue tissue paper or construction paper to give it a water like look.

    You don’t have to paint the bottom unless your child wants to. We will cover it up with sand in a bit. Allow your paint to dry completely.

    The Journey Through Time Geronimo Stilton  Time Warp Fun Lost City of Atlantis

    Next, paint a thick coat of glue on the base and sprinkle generously with sand.

    Additionally, you could also use table salt to get the same look.

    The Journey Through Time Geronimo Stilton  Time Warp Fun Lost City of Atlantis

    While you are waiting for the glue to dry paint your castle gold and add glitter if you like.

    We added a little more texture to the castle with some hot glue and pressed more glitter into it while the glue is still wet.

    The Journey Through Time Geronimo Stilton  Time Warp Fun Lost City of Atlantis

    Create some depth to your diorama by not just gluing your castle flat to the back but popping it out instead.

    How to Make a Cardboard Castle

    Too, you can hot glue anything thick to the back to separate it from the back of the box.

    I cut several squares of cardboard roughly the same size and glued them together and then to the back.

    The Journey Through Time Geronimo Stilton  Time Warp Fun Lost City of Atlantis

    Now the really fun part for us was creating coral and other undersea items from hot glue.

    This is a good introduction to the glue gun for kids because there is really no need for their fingers to get near the glue until it is completely cooled.

    All you do is squeeze out the glue and make underwater shapes on your silicone mat or waxed paper.

    Make sure that each piece is connected and thick enough that it can support itself upright.

    Create grassy shapes and twisting coral and let them cool for a few minutes until hard.

    The Journey Through Time Geronimo Stilton  Time Warp Fun Lost City of Atlantis

    If you want to add glitter, sprinkle some on the glue immediately before it sets.

    The Journey Through Time Geronimo Stilton  Time Warp Fun Lost City of Atlantis

    Or you can paint the hot glue shapes once hardened.

    The Journey Through Time Geronimo Stilton  Time Warp Fun Lost City of Atlantis

    Peel your shapes off and make a small puddle of hot glue to create a base.

    Immediately put your shapes on the base and hold until hardened or use whatever objects you can to hold them in place upright until ready.

    The Journey Through Time Geronimo Stilton  Time Warp Fun Lost City of Atlantis

    Place your Mythical Toob figures, ocean animals, and shells around to fill up your Atlantis diorama.

    The Journey Through Time Geronimo Stilton  Time Warp Fun Lost City of Atlantis

    1 CommentFiled Under: Hands-On Activities Tagged With: ancient civilizations, books, crafts, diorama, Geronimo Stilton, hands on history, hands-on, hands-on activities, handson, handsonhomeschooling, history, history resources

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