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earthscience

27 Amazing Homeschool Lapbook Ideas for Science

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

I have 27 amazing homeschool lapbook ideas for science. You’ll love all my homeschool lapbooks for hands-on fun science.

Using a lapbook is not just for real young children and especially lapbook ideas for science.

I am not sure why that thinking permeates in the homeschool world and I have often wondered why it does.

27 Amazing Homeschool Lapbook Ideas for Science

We might feel that middle school or high school is supposed to be only about serious learning.

My thinking has changed and has been molded by many homeschool experiences but one thing that has not changed is the need to add a bit of fun to our everyday subjects.

Homeschool lapbooks can be as fun or as serious a hands-on tool for any child you’re homeschooling.

Free Printable Lapbooks

Also, quite a few of the lapbooks I have listed can be printed freely.

Too, when I prepare lapbooks, I created some with minibooks filled with facts.

You have the choice to print the blank form or use the prefilled minibook.

As we’ve done lapbooks throughs the years, I’ve realized sometimes we didn’t have as much as wanted to on our lapbooks.

Other times, we stayed much longer on certain topics.

Striking a balance of having some facts for the minibooks versus none is not easy, but you want to.

This encourages research and nurtures self-education.

27 Amazing Homeschool Lapbook Ideas for Science

Too, sometimes my kids preferred a combination of lapbooking and notebooking.

Lapbook Materials

Also, lapbooks are cost effective. Your kids can create one together or create one individually.

Once you’ve printed the minibooks and place them in the lapbook, the lapbooks can last for years.

Of course, using cardstock makes all the difference in how long the minibooks lasts.

And you don’t really need an expensive printer. I’ve use a mobile printer for years. And I use acid free glue.

Lastly, new flaps about different subtopics can be added to your lapbook as your child studies the science topic again.

27 Amazing Homeschool Lapbook Ideas for Science

Finally, look at the 27 amazing lapbook ideas for science below.

Other Homeschool Lapbook Resources

Also, look at some of these other posts for more help.

  • Fun Pharaohs and Queens Ancient Egypt Lapbook and Activities
  • Free Amazing Winter Unit Study and Winter Lapbook for Kids
  • Fun Apple Lapbook and Hands-on Unit Study for Multiple Ages
  • 15 Amazing Lapbook Materials to Use Besides Glue and Paper
  • 20 Free Homeschool Science Lapbooks to Teach Hands-on
  • 3 Free and Amazing Amazon Rainforest Lapbooks for Kids

Science Lapbook Ideas

Hands-on lapbooks goes hand in hand with learning about homeschool science.

The best way to learn science is through engaging activities created by the child.

Famous and Historic Trees

The beauty of unit studies is the ability to combine multiple subjects.

This famous and historic trees fun study combines nature, history, and geography. Add in some art and music and it’s a memorable unit study.

FBI Unit Study Experiment 2 (Invisible Ink)

So the teens gathered some supplies and printed off some of the invisible ink activities from the internet. The one they really wanted to do was the one using cornstarch.

An iodine solution is used to reveal the writing. You make a gravy using cornstarch and write with that

The Inuit & Arctic Circle Lapbook

The emphasis too is not just on the content or material to be researched but on presentation of the lapbook. I guess that is why I say I use my lapbooks for enrichment. We do unit studies, write some each day and like you, do math.

So I am not interested in presenting to my children or anybody else for that matter a bunch of blank uninspiring mini books.

{Pumpkins, Leaves, Corn, & More}

Doing a fall season or fall unit study is a great way to brace the change in the weather.

We love this time of the year! Here in Texas as least we have some leaves that change colors not to mention how wonderful spices and sweet potato pie smell!

Strawberry Lapbook

Strawberries are the very first spring fruit, and one of our field trips was strawberry picking so we used this lapbook to learn about them.

Apple Lapbook

If you’re looking for an apple lapbook and apple unit study, you’ll love the ideas here. Whether you’re looking for Johnny Appleseed ideas, fun crafts about apples or ideas about Isaac Newton and his apple, you’ll find them here.

Free Amazing Winter Lapbook

You’ll love this free winter lapbook for kids. Add to the other lapbooks I have here and you can create your own unit studies. In addition add it to my winter unit study.

And if you have multiple ages of children, this free winter lapbook has several minibooks with various topics.

Add the lapbook to a winter unit study or do it alone as an enhancement to your studies.

3 Free Amazing Amazon Rainforest Lapbooks

 I have three free Amazon rainforest lapbooks which go with our Amazon Rain Forest Unit Study And homeschool lapbooks make great tools for master learning about a unit study topic..

Free Wildflowers Lapbook

When the Texas wildflowers blanket the fields here we’ve never been able to stay indoors. We’re always thinking of ways to get outside.

Sharing this wildflowers unit study and lapbook along with some hands-on ideas, I hope they’ll help your kids get excited about a fun wildflowers unit study

Exploring Space and Astronomy Lapbook

Exploring space and astronomy free unit study for multiple ages is a fascinating study. It’s a glimpse into the sun, moon, stars, galaxy, and structure of the universe.

Why Bats Are Not Birds Lapbook

Why bats are not birds fun homeschool unit study and lapbook is an easy way to do a unit study with multiple ages of children.

Above & Below: Pond Lapbook

Whether you study a pond in winter or summer, a pond unit study makes for a great hands-on science project. You can add in so many different nature topics.

There are just as many things that grow above a pond as there are that live below in a pond.

Free Super Seashore and Beach Lapbook

I can smell the beach from here! Okay, maybe not where I live now, but I feel that way since I grew up with the beach a short 30 minute drive. And we never missed a chance to go to it.

We would cook crab or gumbo, spend hours on the shoreline and build a fire. Seashore watching was an activity I loved as a kid and I made sure my kids knew about it. I think you’ll love these ideas for a seashore watching unit study.

Foraging and Feasting Lapbook

My kids have always loved ways of learning how to live off the land. This foraging and feasting nature unit study is not only a way to teach Tiny some basic survival skills, but a great way to sneak in tips about how to cook.

From Egg to Sea Turtle Lapbook

We made a detour on finishing up high school for a quick nature read about sea turtles. I chose Our Sea Turtles as a spine and we weren’t disappointed. Today, in sharing from egg to sea turtle nature unit study and lapbook, I’ve rounded up some awesome links and ideas for you.

Also, I created a fun lapbook for about upper elementary to middle school for your kids.

Beautiful Human Body Lapbook

The completed human body lapbook. Have you been following along as we did our huge human body lapbook and unit study?

We have had a ton of fun with our unit study and today, I want to give you one more minibook about the eye and some clip art to go on the

Free Earth Science Lapbook

 I have the rest of the minibooks to go with the free earth science lapbook, which is Earth’s Structures. Too, I have a cover which can be used as a lapbook cover or for clip art to decorate notebooking pages.

Remember, for this lapbook, I am using the free middle science book that I shared with you earlier as a quick science spine.

Arctic Region

The Arctic is literally the end of the world. It takes its name from the Greek word for bear, arktos, because the land is under the constellation of the Great Bear.

The Arctic region is at the top of the Northern Hemisphere. The Arctic Ocean is about 5.5 million square miles of water. The Arctic is really a giant sheet of sea ice that floats on top of the Arctic Ocean.

Amber - Freezing Gold Lapbook

In ancient times it was called the gold of the North. Amber has been called freezing gold, a window to the past, a time capsule, captured sunshine and a golden tear. It is all of these things.

Carnivorous Plants Lapbook

The term carnivorous plant may conjure up in your mind  a scene like this one where the unsuspecting victim in a swamp is being snatched up by a flesh-eating plant.  But carnivorous plants are a very interesting group of  plants that aren’t near as big as they are shown in this picture.

Coral Reef Lapbook

Coral reefs swarm with brilliant colored fish, starfish, giant clams and sea slugs. They are not only beautiful to look at; but they are home to thousands of other species. Coral reefs can be large or small and are some of the oldest ecosystems on the planet.

Peregrine Falcon Lapbook

The Peregrine Falcon (Falco peregrinus), also known as the Peregrine, and historically as the “Duck Hawk” in North America, is a bird of prey in the family Falconidae.

Toads - Amphibians Lapbook

In many ways amphibians are unique with changes that are either rare or nonexistent elsewhere in the animal kingdom. Compared with other vertebrates, amphibians tend to be overlooked.

Honey Bees Lapbook

Your kids will love this honey bees unit study and lapbook.

Whether you want to learn about how honey bees are fascinating master pollinators, learn about the interesting social activities in the hive, learn about beeswax, or know what is honey, these honey bee activities and resources will be helpful

Free Arctic Ground Squirrel Lapbook

Nature study in the winter can be fun and it doesn’t have to be complicated. We decided to add to our Arctic and Inuit Unit Study by doing an Arctic ground squirrel lapbook.

Oceans Lapbook

The oceans cover more than two-thirds of the earth’s surface. Though the waters on the earth are really one world ocean, they are referred to by many names: Pacific, Atlantic, Indian, Arctic, and Southern.

Colorful Winter Bird: Northern Cardinal Lapbook

It’s such a beautiful and bright bird during winter and because it doesn’t migrate, it’s a great bird to study really at anytime.

Leave a CommentFiled Under: Lapbook Tagged With: earthscience, homeschoolscience, lapbook, lapbooking, lapbookresources, lapbooks, life science, physical science, science, sciencecurriculum

3 Fun Cocoa Winter Hands on Science Activities

October 6, 2022 | Leave a Comment
This post may contain affiliate links. For more information, please see my full disclosure policy.

Your kids will love doing three different cocoa winter hands-on science activities to go with my winter season unit study.

And we’re taking one of our favorite winter treats and turning it into science.

Using a simple packet of cocoa, we’re going to do three fun winter hands on science activities that your kids will love.

3 Fun Cocoa Winter Hands on Science Activities

These activities will appeal to multiple senses and can be used to teach some basic science principles.

Adding a new sensory experience to some science activities that might be ordinary and basic can give them new life.

Too, it makes them interesting, stirs your child to ponder about science, and helps your child retain what he has learned in an exciting new way.

3 Fun Cocoa Science Activities for Kids

Grab some of your favorite chemistry books like Basher Chemistry to reference while exploring these cocoa winter science activities.

And learn some of the vocabulary and scientific terms that go with them.

Don’t forget to enjoy a delicious cup of cocoa with your little scientist while you have fun with these activities.

Don’t confuse it with one of science mixtures.

1. Hydrophobic Hot Cocoa Science Activity

First, begin with this hydrophobic hot cocoa activity.

You’ll need:

  • A clear container
  • Spoon
  • Hot cocoa mix
  • Water- hot and cold

Directions:

Grab a glass of cold water and a heaping tablespoon of hot cocoa powder.

3 Fun Cocoa Winter Hands on Science Activities

Slowly lower the spoon into the glass.

3 Fun Cocoa Winter Hands on Science Activities

Twist and move the spoon a bit.

Raise the spoon out of the glass. What happened? The liquid that was wrapped around the powder rolls right off.

3 Fun Cocoa Winter Hands on Science Activities

Now heat up a cup of water. It doesn’t have to be boiling just nice and hot.

Stir another tablespoon of cocoa into the water and see how fast it dissolves.

What is the Science of Hydrophobic Hot Cocoa

Cocoa is a substance that is known as hydrophobic. This means that it repels water.

The fat in the cocoa makes it hydrophobic. Oil is also hydrophobic. Have you heard the old saying oil and water don’t mix? It’s true.

So why does it dissolve in hot water so much better than cold water? Simply put, hot water has more energy in it than cold water.

This means that the molecules move faster and break down the cocoa powder faster than cold water does. 

You can also try this experiment with cold and hot milk. It will work the same due to the amount of water in the milk.

2. Hot Cocoa Slime Science Activity

Second, slime is not just a fun sensory activity.

It can be used to learn some basic chemistry terms like

  • molecules
  • polymers
  • chemical reactions
  • and nonnewtonian fluid ( neither a solid or a liquid).

And slime is also calming. It helps with focus and builds fine motor skills. This slime smells amazing and is a great winter themed experiment.

You’ll need:

  • 1 packet of hot cocoa
  • 1 cup of school glue
  • 2 Tablespoons of contact solution
  • 3 teaspoons baking soda

Directions:

Place glue, baking soda, and contact solution in a large bowl.

3 Fun Cocoa Winter Hands on Science Activities

Stir in an entire packet of hot cocoa.

3 Fun Cocoa Winter Hands on Science Activities

Remove from bowl and knead with your hands for a few minutes until desired texture is reached.

3 Fun Cocoa Winter Hands on Science Activities

What is the Science of Cocoa Slime

When you mix baking soda with contact lens solution the main ingredients polyvinyl alcohol and borate ion undergo a chemical reaction called an endothermic reaction

Together, these two ingredients create a non-Newtonian fluid which is a substance that is neither liquid nor solid.

Slime is a polymer.

3 Fun Cocoa Winter Hands on Science Activities

And polymers are made up of long chains of molecules.

Too, the glue contains polymers which can bend and slide past each other. This allows the slime to flow and to take the shape of the container it is in.

3 Fun Cocoa Winter Hands on Science Activities

Last, this activity is the hot cocoa volcano.

3. Hot Cocoa Volcano Science Activity

This is a fantastic multi-sensory science experiment. It smells great and creates an exciting chemical reaction that kids love.

You can continue to add baking soda and vinegar to keep the reaction going indefinitely.

You’ll need:

  • Small plastic cup
  • 1 Tablespoon Hot Cocoa
  • 2 Tablespoons baking soda
  • Vinegar

Directions:

Mix baking soda and hot cocoa in a small cup.

3 Fun Cocoa Winter Hands on Science Activities

Place your cup outside or on a surface that is easy to clean, this could WILL get messy.

Slowly pour vinegar into the cup and watch it bubble over.

3 Fun Cocoa Winter Hands on Science Activities

Add more baking soda and vinegar to continue with the cocoa lava flow.

if you really want to get a bubbly foaming concoction that resembles lava add a bit of dish soap to your mixture.

What is the Science of the Hot Cocoa Volcano

Baking soda and vinegar react to neutralize each other.

Vinegar is an acid and baking soda is an alkali.

And the resulting reaction releases carbon dioxide which is the bubbles of gas that make it look like a bubbling volcano.

3 Fun Cocoa Winter Hands on Science Activities

More Winter Season Unit Study Resources

Then, here are some other winter unit study resources you’ll love.

  • Free Amazing Winter Unit Study and Winter Lapbook for Kids
  • Inuit of the Arctic: How Animals Survive Harsh Winters Fun Blubber Activity
  • Colorful Winter Bird: Northern Cardinal Lapbook & Unit Study
  • 16 Ways to Make Homeschool Memorable During Winter
  • Arctic and Inuit Unit Study. Free Lapbook – Hands-On Ideas

And add my other unit study Arctic Region.

What do you think? Are you ready for a bit of winter fun and science?

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

Geronimo Stilton Mouse into Space:How to Make an EASY Straw Rocket

October 3, 2022 | Leave a Comment
This post may contain affiliate links. For more information, please see my full disclosure policy.

Today for mouse into space we are doing an easy straw rocket. The book Mouse in Space (Geronimo Stilton #52) is about outer space. So, if your child is loving the Geronimo Stilton books, your child will love making this easy straw rocket.

If you have a child who loves all things space consider tying it in with Geronimo Stilton Mouse in Space for a mini space unit study.

Geronimo Stilton Mouse into Space:How to Make an EASY Straw Rocket

By now you know that we love the Geronimo Stilton series.

And the series is wonderful for young readers.

They are fantastic for either read aloud or as your child’s independent reading time and are good for lower to upper elementary.

Geronimo Stilton Stories

I think they are great for developing reading fluency and vocabulary in a fun way.

However, they also dive into so many fantastic science and history lessons.

Kids think they are just reading a silly story about a mouse off on adventures.

Before you know your kids are filling their heads with historical facts about Cleopatra, Da Vinci, Genghis Khan, Vikings, and more.

Or maybe they are getting science lessons about dinosaurs, the Australian Outback or of course…outer space.

Geronimo Stilton Mouse into Space:How to Make an EASY Straw Rocket

Also, I’ve included a few ideas to expand your space unit study.

7 Activities for a Homeschool Space Unit Study

  • Use watercolors, chalk pastels, or some other unique art medium to draw a rocket and label the parts-nose, fins, body tube, windows, etc.
  • Learn How to Make Astronaut Ice Cream
  • Make a fun glow in the dark Puffy Paint Moon
  • Add a few more books to Geronimo Stilton like Who Was Neil Armstrong or The Mysteries of the Universe.
  • Create a space themed sensory bin with black gravel and space themed toys.
  • Watch National Geographic Rockets 101

Finally, my HUGE Exploring Space and Astronomy Free Unit Study for Multiple Ages

Geronimo Stilton Mouse into Space:How to Make an EASY Straw Rocket

Spend some time talking about the science of what makes rockets work.

National Geographic has a great article on just that.

How to Make an Easy Straw Rocket

This simple and easy straw rocket activity is something that will keep the kids busy flying missions all day.

And you are very likely to already have this stuff on hand so there is no need to run out for special supplies

You will need:

  • Two straws, one that fits inside the other
  • Colored cardstock
  • Tape
  • Scissors
  • Stickers or markers for decoration
Geronimo Stilton Mouse into Space:How to Make an EASY Straw Rocket

Cut a general rocket shape and two fins out of colorful cardstock.

You can make it any size you like. But the lighter and smaller it is the higher it will fly so keep that in mind.

Geronimo Stilton Mouse into Space:How to Make an EASY Straw Rocket

Flip the rocket and fins over and tape together securely on the back.

Flip your rocket back over and decorate the front with markers or fun stickers.

Here we used little round stickers like you would use for yard sale pricing to make the rockets windows.

Don’t forget to name your rocket. The Geronimo 1 just felt right.

Geronimo Stilton Mouse into Space:How to Make an EASY Straw Rocket

Tear off bits of orange or red cardstock to create flames from the boosters.

Tape them on the back as well if you like to add more detail.

Geronimo Stilton Mouse into Space:How to Make an EASY Straw Rocket

Cut the paper straw so that it is just about 1” longer than your paper rocket.

Then, smash down one end. Tape it off to completely close off the hole on one end.

Geronimo Stilton Mouse into Space:How to Make an EASY Straw Rocket

Next, tape securely to the back. And leave 1” sticking out of the bottom with the opening at the bottom and the taped off end toward the top.

Geronimo Stilton Mouse into Space:How to Make an EASY Straw Rocket

Too, I discovered that a paper straw fits perfectly inside of a Dunkin Doughnuts straw. (You know where we’ve been.)

Now, point your rocket to the sky and put the end of the straw in your mouth and blow. Soon your rocket will take off.

Geronimo Stilton Mouse into Space:How to Make an EASY Straw Rocket

Also, try experimenting with different sizes of rockets, fins, as well as various straw lengths to see what flies the farthest, fastest, straightest, etc.

Geronimo Stilton Mouse into Space:How to Make an EASY Straw Rocket

Finally, you love these other Geronimo Stilton books and crafts:

More Geronimo Stilton Books and Craft Ideas

  • 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
  • 10 Fun Things You Can Teach Using Geronimo Stilton Books

Leave a CommentFiled Under: Hands-On Activities Tagged With: earthscience, Geronimo Stilton, hands-on, hands-on activities, handsonhomeschooling, homeschoolscience, science

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

September 25, 2022 | Leave a Comment
This post may contain affiliate links. For more information, please see my full disclosure policy.

If you’re studying the Inuit of the Arctic in my Arctic Region unit study and my Arctic and Inuit unit study, your kids will love this blubber activity.

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

I have seen this experiment done with preschoolers.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

What is Blubber

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

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

What types of animals have blubber?

Marine animals have blubber.

Then there are 4 different types of marine animals.

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

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

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

Why do Arctic animals need blubber?

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

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

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

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

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

Is blubber really edible?

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

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

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

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

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

Are there any other uses for blubber?

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

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

Fun Blubber Arctic

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

You will need:

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

This is a fantastic topic and experiment for winter study.

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

Other Winter Ideas and Resources

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

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

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

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

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

Geronimo Stilton Theme Mouse in Space Fun Puffy Moon Craft (Glow in the Dark)

September 13, 2022 | Leave a Comment
This post may contain affiliate links. For more information, please see my full disclosure policy.

Today, for book Number 52 the Geronimo Stilton theme is Mouse in Space and we’re making a fun puffy paint moon craft. The Geronimo Stilton books were written by Elisabetta Dami an Italian children’s book writer.

The Geronimo Stilton series is an absolute delight for children ages 7 to 10 years old and are full of mouse fun and adventure.

Today, Geronimo Stilton theme is about space.

Geronimo Stilton Theme Mouse in Space Fun Puffy Moon Craft (Glow in the Dark)

So instead of going back in time like his adventures take him, Geronimo Stilton is headed to space.

Geronimo blasts off on a top-secret mission full of space training, interaction with Dr. Wicked Whiskers, satellites, and a spacewalk.

This book is perfect for diving into some fun science.

Space Unit Study Craft

And today we are going to learn about and create a puffy paint moon that glows in the dark.

This spacecraft has a lot of texture, is fun to make and the fun continues when you turn out the light.

Once charged a bit in the light it will glow brightly, and you have a fun moon to hang up in your bedroom or classroom.

Choose a few activities, crafts, and other books and you have yourself the makings of a space unit study.

I have some ideas to get you started below.

Don’t forget to use the words in different colors, font sizes, and types in the Geronimo Stilton books for spelling and vocabulary.

They make it easy to turn a simple book into a mini unit study.

There are many topics they cover and the layout of the words on the pages makes it fun.

Geronimo Stilton Theme Mouse in Space Fun Puffy Moon Craft (Glow in the Dark)

The Space themed Safari Ltd. Toob is a great place to start and can be used in dioramas, sensory bins, or just fun dramatic play situations.

You could also use them to tell a story about space or they can be used as inspiration for a drawing.

Then Basher Space Exploration and Basher Astronomy take big topics and break them down with silly pictures.

This makes topics easy to understand for any grade.

Four Space Hands-on Craft Ideas

Next, add in more hands-on ideas to make this unit study longer.

  • Create 4 different puffy paintings to show all 4 phases of the moon.
  • Try astronaut ice cream or other freeze-dried food for the true astronaut experience.
  • Enjoy Homeschool Pop’s Planets of Our Solar System video on YouTube.

And this last one is my HUGE Exploring Space and Astronomy Free Unit Study for Multiple Ages.

Don’t forget to grab Mouse in Space! (Geronimo Stilton #52).

Then grab the free unit study.

Geronimo Stilton Theme Mouse in Space Fun Puffy Moon Craft (Glow in the Dark)

Also, add more Geronimo Stilton book resources for a fun literature slant to space.

Other Geronimo Stilton

Most of the hands-on activities below can be done with multiple ages.

  • Field Trip to Niagara Falls Summary And Fun Corn Craft
  • Adventures The Journey Through Time #2: Back in Time (Colosseum Craft)
  • The Race Against Time Activities: Fun Edible Spine
  • Adventure The Journey Through Time #2: Back in Time (Mayan Craft)
  • The Curse of The Cheese Pyramid Barbie Mummy
  • Easy and Fun Who Is Geronimo Stilton Rodent Notebooking Page

Finally, let’s make this fun glow in the dark moon craft.

Now off to the moon!

You can trace a plate or bowl to create the outline of your moon.

But this makes for a great opportunity to introduce your child to a compass to create circles.

How to Make A Glow in the Dark Puffy Paint Moon Craft

You will need:

  • Glow in the dark paint
  • Shaving cream
  • White school glue
  • Artist canvas or thick paper
  • A couple small plastic caps, different sizes
  • Geometry compass
  • watercolors
  • Paintbrush
Geronimo Stilton Theme Mouse in Space Fun Puffy Moon Craft (Glow in the Dark)

You can make your glow in the dark puffy paint moon craft on paper.

However, we had some flat canvases already and I wanted to create something a little more permanent.

So we used our canvases. Trace your moon either with a round plate or demonstrate how to use a compass to draw a circle as large as your canvas.

Geronimo Stilton Theme Mouse in Space Fun Puffy Moon Craft (Glow in the Dark)

Next, combine 1 part glue to 3 parts shaving cream.
How much you mix will depend on how large of a moon you are going to make or if you want extra for more than one.

For a 8 1/2 x12 canvas I used about 1 cup shaving cream, ¼ cup of glue, and 1 heaping Tablespoon glow in the dark paint.

Once mixed, paint in your moon with very thick blobs of paint. Cover the entire circle well.

Geronimo Stilton Theme Mouse in Space Fun Puffy Moon Craft (Glow in the Dark)

While the paint is still wet, stamp in it a few times with different size caps to create craters.

Your kids can also use their fingers. Add a few blobs of your glow in the dark paint here and there around the canvas to be stars or asteroids.

Geronimo Stilton Theme Mouse in Space Fun Puffy Moon Craft (Glow in the Dark)

Allow paint to dry overnight so it is completely dry throughout.

Once it is dry your child can add very wet watercolor around your moon.

Add watercolor right up to the edges of your puffy paint. Then, sprinkle with a bit of salt to create some texture.

Geronimo Stilton Theme Mouse in Space Fun Puffy Moon Craft (Glow in the Dark)

Once dry brush away your salt and it will take some of the watercolor with it leaving a unique texture to the night sky.

Geronimo Stilton Theme Mouse in Space Fun Puffy Moon Craft (Glow in the Dark)

You can grab a flat canvas at Dollar Tree to keep it very low cost. Look how great it looks at night!

What do you think? Are you ready for this fun science activity go with your literature study?

Geronimo Stilton Theme Mouse in Space Fun Puffy Moon Craft (Glow in the Dark)

Leave a CommentFiled Under: Hands-On Activities Tagged With: astronomy, crafts, earthscience, Geronimo Stilton, hands-on, hands-on activities, handsonhomeschooling, kindergarten, science, space

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