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elementary science

Unleash Your Inner Scientist: 12 Amazing Gifts for the Science Lovers

December 1, 2023 | Leave a Comment
This post may contain affiliate links. For more information, please see my full disclosure policy.

Here are 12 amazing gifts for the science lovers in your life from preschooler to adult and covering a wide range of science interests as unique as they are.

Do you have a friend or family member with a little bit of a science loving nerdy vibe?

You might have been searching for just the right gift but couldn’t quite settle on what it might be.

Unleash Your Inner Scientist: 12 Amazing Gifts for the Science Lovers

Those with an interest in science can be a little trickier to buy for without loading them down with textbooks and test tubes as your only gift options.

You really have to think outside the box, or the beaker as it were to really wow them.

Science is a pretty broad topic like -Chemistry, Biology, Physics, Geology, Astronomy, Animals, Botany, and Earth Science.

Whatever your science lover is crazy about there is a great gift out there for them and I have tried to gather them up in one place to help you out with little muss and fuss.

What scientist in your life are you shopping for? Your preschooler? Middle schooler? Spouse? Co-op teacher?  Maybe you want to treat yourself or surprise a friend with a creative gift idea that is a little different.

There are many ways to help them show off a love of science in a fun, silly way that still supports their passion and even encourages it with a thoughtful gift.

Let’s look at some ideas and see if we can find a gift that has the right chemistry and will cause a positive reaction for your favorite scientist to experiment with.

I tried to make sure that there was a variety of topics, prices, and items for different personalities for you to choose from.

Unleash Your Inner Scientist: 12 Amazing Gifts for the Science Lovers

Also, look at more gift guides for your family.

Gift Guides for Families

  • 11 Unique Turtle Gift Ideas for Reptile Enthusiasts
  • How To Gift A True Crime Fan : 8 Best Gifts For True Crime Fans
  • Navigating the Perfect Present: 22 Gifts for Geography Lovers
  • 13 Amazing and Fun Gifts for Kids Who Love History
  • Unleash Your Inner Scientist: 12 Amazing Gifts for the Science Lovers
  • Ten Best Tech Gifts for Teen Boys
  • Gifts For Kids Who Are Wild About History
  • 12 Fun And Creative Teenager Gift Ideas For Girls

Amazing Gifts for the Science Lovers

Amazing Gifts for the Science Lovers

These ideas will bring science to life and celebrate their uniqueness through science kits, posters, t-shirts, and even fun science promoting jewelry that they will adore.

Image for Totally Gross: The Game of Science

Totally Gross: The Game of Science

If you really want to get a science-loving kid even more into science try a really fun board game like this one that covers  biology, chemistry, geology, astronomy, zoology, anatomy, and physics.

Image for The Chemistry of Cola (Curious World of Kitchen Science)

The Chemistry of Cola (Curious World of Kitchen Science)

This is one of a series of books on chemistry, biology, physics (and even a math option) that include really fun hands-on experiments to try with easy to understand instructions and explanations.

Image for Graduated Cylinders and Beakers with 5 Pipettes

Graduated Cylinders and Beakers with 5 Pipettes

If you are stocking up for a science lover a nice set of bakers and cylinders is a must for experiments or even just really cool decor

Image for Vintage Entomology Poster

Vintage Entomology Poster

Replica vintage Cavallini posters are available in a variety of science topics and look great on the wall anywhere in the house, office, or school room no matter what the science subject is

Image for Compound monocular Microscope with Microscope Slide Set, Cell Phone Adapter

Compound monocular Microscope with Microscope Slide Set, Cell Phone Adapter

A must have item for any science fanatic no matter which branch of science they like. This option can be connected to the phone or computer to get an even better look at the specimen.

Image for The Kingfisher Science Encyclopedia

The Kingfisher Science Encyclopedia

While you can use the internet to look up just about anything you want to know, nothing beats a nice science reference book like an encyclopedia that covers the entire span of sciences. I really like the Kingfisher Science Encyclopedia and it is great for upper elementary through high school for reference and inspiration.

Image for Caffeine Beaker Mug

Caffeine Beaker Mug

For the adult that loves Chemistry this beaker coffee mug is a fantastic and fun way to enjoy your morning cup of coffee, just make sure they don’t get them confused with the lab one.

Image for Periodic Table with 83 Real Elements Inside

Periodic Table with 83 Real Elements Inside

Not your typical wall poster, I enjoy something like this that is not only educational but is a beautiful display that would look just as good on the coffee table as it would a school desk. With real samples of elements and a magnifying glass to have a closer look at each one this is a nice conversation piece.

Image for I Think You're Overreacting Funny Nerd Science Chemistry T-Shirt

I Think You're Overreacting Funny Nerd Science Chemistry T-Shirt

Science can be funny and silly shirts like this prove that academia doesn't have to be uptight, it can be downright hilarious to wear.

Image for Science Academy Detective lab - Science Kits

Science Academy Detective lab - Science Kits

MindWare Detective Lab teaches basic forensics, data collection and critical thinking with science experiments that are safe, easy and fun! You’ll learn about chromatography, pH, and basic analysis.

Image for Plant Propagation Station

Plant Propagation Station

This is great for the budding botanist and looks so pretty on the desk or in a window. I love that it is also useful because they are able to learn about propagating plants,hydroponics, and watch the roots grow.

Image for Microscope Dangle Earrings

Microscope Dangle Earrings

Aren’t these just too cute? They are a great gift idea for a co-op science teacher or any girl scientist you know to show off their love of science with a fashionable flair. They also have atoms, beakers, and DNA strands.

Leave a CommentFiled Under: Gift Guides Tagged With: earth science, earthscience, elementary science, gift, gift list, high school, high school science, homeschoolgiftideas, science

Animals That Are Born Alive And Hatched From Egg DIY Hatching Egg Activity

November 25, 2023 | Leave a Comment
This post may contain affiliate links. For more information, please see my full disclosure policy.

We’re doing a hands-on activity about animals that are born alive and hatched from egg. Also, you’ll love the activities on my post Free Homeschool Chicken Unit Study and Anatomy of an Egg Felt Activity & Worksheet.

A lot of this is learned through our natural conversations and through the myriad of questions your child might ask.

However, it never hurts to have some fun intentional activities to help answer them.

It is an amazing world we live in.

And while most children know very early on that birds lay eggs; they are not familiar with other animals that do.

For instance, the platypus, alligators, snakes, and common house lizards lay eggs.

Animals That Are Born Alive And Hatched From Egg DIY Hatching Egg Activity

Too, I have an easy-to-prep and complete activity that can be done in two parts and is a ton of fun.

Besides, if you have plastic animals on hand and a few basic pantry items, this is a no-extra-cost activity that will help your child learn about two types of animals.

The two types are oviparous animals which lay eggs and viviparous animals which have live births.

7 Facts about Viviparous and Oviparous Animals

  1. Animals that give birth to offspring are called viviparous.
  2. Animals that lay eggs are called oviparous.
  3. There are only two types of mammals that lay eggs, the duck-billed platypus, and the echidna.
  4. After laying the eggs, some animals sit on their eggs to keep them warm while others bury the eggs in the sand.
  5. The temperature of the egg is critical during development in reptiles as it determines the sex of the offspring.
  6. Viviparous animals can reproduce any time of the year as they feed the embryo with the fat reserves in the body.
  7. Birds are the only egg layers that have a hard-shelled egg, others are soft and leathery like turtles and lizards.
Animals That Are Born Alive And Hatched From Egg DIY Hatching Egg Activity

Next, add some books and fun resources to your learning day.

Resources to Learn About Egg Laying Animals & Animals that Have Live Births

Investigate how eggs are hatched and why some animals have live births with these fun books.

Image for An Egg Is Quiet: (Picture Book, Kids Book about Eggs)

An Egg Is Quiet: (Picture Book, Kids Book about Eggs)

This stunningly beautiful and wonderfully informative book from award-winning artist Sylvia Long and author Dianna Hutts Aston makes for a fascinating introduction to the vast and amazing world of eggs.
Featuring poetic text and an elegant design, this acclaimed book teaches children countless interesting facts about eggs. Full of wit and charm, An Egg Is Quiet will at once spark the imagination and cultivate a love of science.

Image for Chickens Aren't the Only Ones (World of Nature Series)

Chickens Aren't the Only Ones (World of Nature Series)

Ruth Heller's prose and pictures are the perfect means for discovering the variety of oviparous animals and their unique ways of laying eggs.

Image for Who Laid the Egg? (Exploring Nature)

Who Laid the Egg? (Exploring Nature)

What kind of animals lay eggs?

A chicken?

An ostrich?

Maybe even . . . a dinosaur?!

Find out which animals lay eggs in this entertaining picture book for toddlers, preschoolers, and early readers!

Who Laid the Egg is a simple, easy-to-read book that introduces children to some of the
wonderful egg-laying animals in our world. Kids will love guessing which animal laid each egg as you read this book together!

Featuring: a chicken, an ostrich, a frog, a turtle and others!

Image for Figurines of Mudpuppy, Dragonfly, Water Snake, Bat, Goose, Herring Gull, Blue Heron, Lynx, Sturgeon, Yellow Perch

Figurines of Mudpuppy, Dragonfly, Water Snake, Bat, Goose, Herring Gull, Blue Heron, Lynx, Sturgeon, Yellow Perch

Here are a few great plastic animal collections that have at least a couple of live-bearing and egg-laying creatures in it.

Educational Resource: Perfect for teaching children about the diverse species that inhabit the Great Lakes ecosystem. Encourages curiosity and respect for nature and wildlife.

Image for Mini North American & Australian Animal Figurines

Mini North American & Australian Animal Figurines

North American & Australian Animals has a few egg-laying animals, but I really love that it includes the platypus.

Also, add some of these hands-on activities.

Activities For Animals That Are Born Alive And Hatched From Egg

  • Free Homeschool Chicken Unit Study and Anatomy of an Egg Felt Activity & Worksheet.
  • Fun Kids Hands-on Egg Carton Sea Turtle Life Cycle Activity
  • Fun Homeschool Unit Study Egg to Sea Turtle Lesson Plans & Lapbook
  • Egg to Gosling Fascinating Journey | Is A Goose Hatched From Egg Or Born Alive

Before you begin your activity, you want to gather up a bunch of little plastic toys, Safari Toobs are my favorite and I linked a couple above but you can even raid the toy box to find some.

You want to collect a variety of both egg-laying and non-egg-laying animals.

Animals That Are Born Alive And Hatched From Egg DIY Hatching Egg Activity

Here are a few examples of each to get you started.

Egg Laying

  • Birds
  • Platypus
  • Fish
  • Turtles
  • Lizards

Live Birth

  • Bears
  • Cats
  • Dolphins
  • Fox
  • People
Animals That Are Born Alive And Hatched From Egg DIY Hatching Egg Activity

Finally, look at this fun hands-on activity about animals that are born alive and hatched from egg.

DIY Hatching Egg Activity

You will need:

  • Construction paper
  • Makers
  • Baking soda
  • Water
  • Vinegar
  • A shallow container
  • Small container
  • Pipette

First, place a cup or two of baking soda in a large bowl depending on how many creatures you want to put in your eggs.

Animals That Are Born Alive And Hatched From Egg DIY Hatching Egg Activity

Add water a little at a time while mixing with your hands until it is damp enough to hold together when you squeeze it.

Animals That Are Born Alive And Hatched From Egg DIY Hatching Egg Activity

It should look like this.

Animals That Are Born Alive And Hatched From Egg DIY Hatching Egg Activity

You can color some of the mixture if you like.

Hatching Egg Activity For Kids

Grab one of your animals hatched from an egg and add the damp baking soda mixture around it.

Animals That Are Born Alive And Hatched From Egg DIY Hatching Egg Activity

Keep adding and shaping until it is completely covered with the mixture and resembles an egg shape.

Animals That Are Born Alive And Hatched From Egg DIY Hatching Egg Activity

Next, let the eggs dry out for several hours or overnight until they harden up.

Place eggs in a shallow container with a small bowl of vinegar and a pipette.

Animals That Are Born Alive And Hatched From Egg DIY Hatching Egg Activity

Encourage your child to use the pipette to drizzle the eggs with vinegar, they will know what to do next!

Animals That Are Born Alive And Hatched From Egg DIY Hatching Egg Activity

They will enjoy watching the fizzing and bubbling acting.

Animals That Are Born Alive And Hatched From Egg DIY Hatching Egg Activity

When they are done, they will see and reinforce the teaching about animals that come from eggs.

Animals That Are Born Alive And Hatched From Egg DIY Hatching Egg Activity

Now, take two pieces of construction paper and write across the top on one Hatched from an Egg with an egg next to it.

Across the other write Born Alive with the no egg symbol.

Animals That Are Born Alive And Hatched From Egg DIY Hatching Egg Activity

Additionally, be sure to read these aloud to your child.

The symbols help the non-reader to know which paper to use but it is a very important connection that your child knows that the spoken word and the written word are linked by writing them it will begin to help them identify letters and make that connection.

Next, give them several of both live-bearing and egg-laying animals and instruct them how to sort between the two pages.

Help your child as they need help but give them independence as well.

Finally, talk about the animals and the differences between them. 

Animals That Are Born Alive And Hatched From Egg DIY Hatching Egg Activity

Leave a CommentFiled Under: Hands-On Activities Tagged With: animals, eggs, elementary science, hands-on, hands-on activities, handsonhomeschooling, homeschoolscience, life science, science

How to Make Gingerbread Slime For Play | 9 Slime Craft Ideas

November 19, 2023 | 1 Comment
This post may contain affiliate links. For more information, please see my full disclosure policy.

In honor of National Slime Day December 7th, I have 9 food-themed slime craft ideas as well as my recipe for gingerbread slime. Also, look at this cocoa slime at my post 3 Fun Cocoa Winter Hands on Science Activities.

My concoction for gingerbread slime is soupy, foamy, and more of a liquid.

It is perfect for sensory bins, especially for little ones who need help mastering pouring and transferring.

How to Make Gingerbread Slime For Play | 9 Slime Craft Ideas

Made without borax, baking soda, or contact solution to create a safer sensory activity for even the smallest hands. 

You might want to head outdoors with this one or pick up a cheap plastic tablecloth or shower curtain liner to lay under the play area to catch the inevitable drips and splashes.

Slime is a popular and pretty beneficial sensory activity that kids have loved ever since it became a fad, one that is not going away anytime soon.

The good news is that it has so many benefits and of course, I am going to share them with you.

5 Benefits of Slime

  1. It helps develop fine motor skills through measuring, stirring, squeezing, pouring, twisting, and all the other fun things they can do with it.
  2. Is a great way to stimulate all the senses. I always like to add some kind of scent to my mixtures to be sure that all the senses are addressed.
  3. Helps children slow down and increases attention span and focus as they become absorbed in the play.
  4. Builds creativity and gives them another opportunity to use and expand their imagination. Plus, it’s just fun and we all need a little bit of that right?
  5. Slime introduces basic chemistry if you bring them into the creation process and even experiment with different materials.
How to Make Gingerbread Slime For Play | 9 Slime Craft Ideas

Next, add these gingerbread theme resources.

8 Books and Resources Studying About Gingerbread

Add some of these books and resources for a gun Gingerbread theme.

Image for The Plan for the Gingerbread House: A STEM Engineering Story

The Plan for the Gingerbread House: A STEM Engineering Story

The gingerbread man and woman need a new home! A team of kids struggle to create the perfect gingerbread house. The project guidelines are clear: the winning house must stand upright on its own and a gingerbread boy and girl must fit inside.Sounds easy?But creating is hard. Cookie burn, the icing it too thin, the house caves-in, someone is eating the candy decorations, and—Oh!—they forgot about putting the gingerbread boy and girl inside the house. Engineering is a creative process. That means you must learn to

  • overcome problems
  • and persevere.

Inspire budding engineers to think about the classic gingerbread house in new ways.

Image for Gingerbread House Cookie Cutter Set

Gingerbread House Cookie Cutter Set

SAFE AND HEALTHY FOR YOUR FAMILY - The simple stainless steel Gingerbread House Cookie Cutter Set design is easy to clean, the folded edges are kind to hands, and the welded seam won’t come unstuck

Image for The Gingerbread Man Padded

The Gingerbread Man Padded

"Run, run as fast as you can. You can't catch me, I'm the gingerbread man!" Follow the gingerbread man as he runs from the old woman, the old man, pig, cow, and horse, and meets a sly fox. This padded storybook of the classic fairy tale features engaging text and delightful, colorful illustrations by Gail Yerrill. Designed to encourage vocabulary development and help children read aloud, this story uses large font types and vibrant, contemporary illustrations to help early learning skills. It's a perfect addition to any children's library.

Image for The Gingerbread Boy (Paul Galdone Nursery Classic)

The Gingerbread Boy (Paul Galdone Nursery Classic)

The classic tale of the old couple, with no children of their own, who bake a gingerbread boy to keep them company. Just as the little old woman is about to take him from the oven, he slips away and runs out the door past a cow, a horse, a group of threshers, mowers, etc. All follow in hot pursuit until the gingerbread boy meets up with a wily fox, and ‘at last and at last he went the way of every single gingerbread boy that ever came out of an oven . . . He was all gone!’ A wonderfully frenetic cross-country chase is depicted in Galdone’s broadly humorous color wash drawings.

Image for Gingerbread Baby

Gingerbread Baby

Fairy tale about the Gingerbread Baby. Full-color illustrations.

Image for 12PCS Measuring Cups, Little Cook Colorful Measuring Cups and Spoons Set

12PCS Measuring Cups, Little Cook Colorful Measuring Cups and Spoons Set

The 12 different spoon sizes in this measuring cup set make it versatile for measuring a wide range of ingredients. The measuring spoons range from 1/8 tsp teaspoon up to 1 cup tablespoon, allowing you to measure small or large quantities with ease. This makes the measuring spoons set perfect for home cooks and professional chefs alike, as it can be used for a variety of recipes, from baking to cooking and more.

Image for Gingerbread Man Cookie Cutter Set (Gingerbread Man 3 Piece)

Gingerbread Man Cookie Cutter Set (Gingerbread Man 3 Piece)

Gingerbread Man 3 Piece

Image for How to Catch a Gingerbread Man

How to Catch a Gingerbread Man

Do you have what it takes to catch the Gingerbread Man? The famous storybook character has magically come to life and leapt from the pages during story time! Follow along as the Gingerbread Man runs loose in a bookstore with the help of Robin Hood, Sherlock Holmes, Peter Rabbit, nursery rhyme characters, and more! If you set the right traps, you might…just might be able to catch this wily cookie and finish the fairy tale!

Also, add these food themed slime craft ideas.

9 Food-Themed Slime Craft Ideas

  1. These 3 Fun Cocoa Winter Hands-on Science Activities include a hot cocoa slime that smells fantastic and is perfect for the season.
  2. A warm scent that makes you feel cozy is cinnamon and it is the base in this Cinnamon Scented Slime that is perfect for fall right through winter.
  3. Grab a box of your favorite pudding flavor and treat your child to some Edible Pudding Slime, they will be busy for hours.
  4. Another great wintery treat, this Cranberry Edible Slime pays homage to that canned goodness that you can enjoy even if it’s not your favorite side dish.
  5. Calling all chocolate lovers, try DIY Nutella Slime for a yummy chocolate-y slime that is fun to make and play with.
  6. Here is a neat candy-themed one- Edible Starburst Slime and kids can pull, twist, flatten, and even taste it.
  7. This Cake Confetti Slime is too adorable and would also make a great homemade gift idea for friends as well.
  8. These drink mixes come in a very wide variety so you can make all your favorites with Soda Pop Slime, I have even seen them at Dollar Tree.
  9. Floam Candy Cane Slime Recipe is a great winter-themed idea and will make your house smell amazing if you add the peppermint scent to it.
How to Make Gingerbread Slime For Play | 9 Slime Craft Ideas

Finally, look how to make this gingerbread slime.

How to Make Gingerbread Slime For Play

Adding vanilla extract and gingerbread spices takes this sensory experience to another level creating wonderful aromatherapy that everyone will enjoy.

But do remind your children this is not an edible slime, even though it will smell yummy.

You will need:

  • 1 cup school glue
  • 1 cup water
  • 1 Tablespoon Cinnamon
  • 1 Tablespoon Ginger
  • Vanilla Extract, to preference
  • Sensitive unscented shaving cream
  • 1 Tablespoon Dish soap
  • Brown craft paint-optional
  • Gingerbread essential oil-optional
How to Make Gingerbread Slime For Play | 9 Slime Craft Ideas

First, combine water and school glue in a large bowl, stirring until mixed.

How to Make Gingerbread Slime For Play | 9 Slime Craft Ideas

Stir in cinnamon, ginger, vanilla, and essential oil if you are using it.

How to Make Gingerbread Slime For Play | 9 Slime Craft Ideas

Whip in soap and the shaving cream and keep adding shaving cream to it as you stir it in until it becomes a thicker consistency that you like.

How to Make Gingerbread Slime For Play | 9 Slime Craft Ideas

If your gingerbread slime is not dark enough you can add a little brown paint to give it a deeper brown color.

How to Make Gingerbread Slime For Play | 9 Slime Craft Ideas

Pour the slime into a large shallow container.

Grab some kitchen items like a whisk, slotted spoon, measuring cups, funnels, and gingerbread cutters to add to your sensory bin gingerbread slime.

These will make it an even more immersive experience.

How to Make Gingerbread Slime For Play | 9 Slime Craft Ideas

You can also give your child a small amount of spices like ginger and cinnamon as well as vanilla to add themselves.

I even found some gingerbread sprinkles that make a nice add-in, they will dissolve away somewhat quickly though.

Finally, add some buttons and eyes to create the gingerbread man.

How to Make Gingerbread Slime For Play | 9 Slime Craft Ideas

This large container from Dollar Tree is great because it has a lid that you can put on it between “baking” sessions and once the slime is no longer good you can throw the whole thing out without worrying about washing.

How to Make Gingerbread Slime For Play | 9 Slime Craft Ideas

1 CommentFiled Under: Hands-On Activities Tagged With: elementary science, gingerbread, hands-on, hands-on activities, handson, handsonhomeschooling, slime

Celebrate World Jellyfish Day With A Jellyfish in a Jar Preschool Activity

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

We are creating a jellyfish in a jar preschool activity that is part art project and part science to highlight World Jellyfish Day on November 3rd. Also, you’ll love How to Homeschool Preschool and Learn How to Make an Easy Jellyfish Lights Craft.

It is a fun but simple demonstration of how jellyfish move in the water and making the jellyfish together provides the perfect opportunity to talk about its anatomy.

The best part is that you can make it with trash, well at least items destined for the trash or recycle bin.

Celebrate World Jellyfish Day With A Jellyfish in a Jar Preschool Activity

What makes this cool science activity work the way it does?

Air is lighter than water, so any way that you turn the bottle, the head of the jellyfish will rise to the top.

Use these facts below to learn more about the moon jelly that closely resembles our jellyfish in a jar and some of the resources and activities I found to create an entire study or just a day of fun and learning.

4 Facts About Moon Jellyfish

Since our jellyfish in a jar activity resembles a moon jellyfish, we are going to swim right into it and learn all about this amazing invertebrate.

  1. Aurelia is a genus of jellyfish; they are commonly called moon jellies and are in the class Scyphozoa. There are currently 25 accepted species that fall under moon jellies.
  1. Moon jellies can be identified by four circles visible through the translucent white bell and short tentacles.
  1. Moon jellyfish can be found in oceans all around the world. They thrive in a warm environment and are often found near coastlines in the Atlantic, Pacific, and Indian oceans.
  1. Moon jellies even went into space as an experiment on the Space Shuttle Columbia in 1991 as part of a study on the effects of weightlessness on the development of internal organs in juvenile jellies.
Celebrate World Jellyfish Day With A Jellyfish in a Jar Preschool Activity

Also, look at some of these books about jellyfish.

I always lean toward living books first, then add reference books.

7 Books and Resources about Jellyfish

Add some of these books and resources to your study of jellyfish.

Image for Jellyfish: A Natural History

Jellyfish: A Natural History

With their undulating umbrella-shaped bells and sprawling tentacles, they are compelling and gorgeous, strange and dangerous. In many places they’re also vastly increasing in number, and these population blooms may be an ominous indicator of the rising temperatures and toxicity of the oceans.

Image for Jellyfish (A Day in the Life: Sea Animals)

Jellyfish (A Day in the Life: Sea Animals)

Beautiful and translucent, jellyfish can be deadly but some are perfectly harmless. Learn about the physical traits of jellyfish, how they move, where they are found, and their hunting and sleeping habits.

Image for Moon Jelly Swims Through the Sea

Moon Jelly Swims Through the Sea

Describes the life cycle of a female moon jellyfish as she escapes the many hazards of the sea to develop from planula to polyp to ephyra to a young adult ready to lay her own fertilized eggs.

Image for Jellyfish - 70 Piece Tube Building Stem/Steam Toy

Jellyfish - 70 Piece Tube Building Stem/Steam Toy

SIMPLE DESIGN - FUELS CREATIVITY: One shape, endless possibility! Every brick easily connects to the next. Create colorful flat mosaics or work in 3-D to make more intricate builds. Mix and match any Plus-Plus set to bring more ideas to life!

Image for Jellyfish Wooden Jigsaw Puzzles

Jellyfish Wooden Jigsaw Puzzles

CHALLENGE GAME - Wooden jigsaw puzzles with uniquely shaped pieces are actually more challenging than traditional woodcut puzzles. It is absolutely going to be a great adventure!

Image for A Jellyfish Is Not a Fish (Let'S-Read-And-Find-Out Science Book)

A Jellyfish Is Not a Fish (Let'S-Read-And-Find-Out Science Book)

Describes the general characteristics and functions of a variety of jellyfish with emphasis on the ones to avoid.

Image for Bloom

Bloom

Once, the ocean was full of friends. Then a little jellyfish notices that things are changing--friends are disappearing! He sets out to discover the truth and learns that everyone has a part to play in protecting the careful balance of the ocean. "Bloom" refers to a substantial increase in jellyfish population that can be caused by climate change and pollution. In this beautifully illustrated, timely, and topical tale, the jellyfish band together to deliver an important message.

Additionally, look at these other jellyfish crafts.

Jellyfish Activities

Choose one or more additional activities to make your jellyfish study even better, allowing a deeper dive into the topic.

  • Learn How to Make an Easy Jellyfish Lights Craft that will be fun to hang up in your child’s room as a reminder of what they learned.
  • Make a Paper Lantern Jellyfish as you study their anatomy or habits.
  • I like art activities that serve more than one purpose like this Fine Motor Jellyfish Craft For Kids that will develop fine motor skills and muscles.
  • Create Black Glue Jellyfish Art for a dramatic art activity.
  • A colorful Suncatcher Jellyfish Kids Craft will brighten up your windows on any dark or sunny day.
  • Another craft that uses art and developing fine motor skills Paper Plate Jellyfish Craft for Kids
  • Jellyfish are the perfect shape for a cute and colorful windsock, check out this Scrape Painted Jellyfish Windsock.
  • Make these cute Egg Carton Jellyfish from just beads and egg cartons.
Celebrate World Jellyfish Day With A Jellyfish in a Jar Preschool Activity

Finally, look how to make this jellyfish in a jar preschool activity.

Jellyfish in a Jar Preschool Activity

You will need:

  • Large clean jar
  • Water
  • Small plastic bag
  • Scissors
  • Straw
  • String
  • Blue food coloring
Celebrate World Jellyfish Day With A Jellyfish in a Jar Preschool Activity

First, cut a square of plastic out of a store bag or ziploc bag that would fit inside your jar with plenty of room to move.

Cut strips through both sides, leaving a few inches uncut for tentacles, you may want to cut away a few of the strips so it is not so full.

Celebrate World Jellyfish Day With A Jellyfish in a Jar Preschool Activity

Place a straw into the center and wrap a string just above the cuts to define the head (bell) of the jellyfish.

Celebrate World Jellyfish Day With A Jellyfish in a Jar Preschool Activity

Blow into the straw to fill it with air. As you pull out the straw, tighten and tie off the string to keep it filled with air.

Celebrate World Jellyfish Day With A Jellyfish in a Jar Preschool Activity

Fill the jar with water and a drop of blue food coloring.

If you add too much blue it will be hard to see your jellyfish.

Celebrate World Jellyfish Day With A Jellyfish in a Jar Preschool Activity

Use the straw to push the jellyfish down into the jar.

Celebrate World Jellyfish Day With A Jellyfish in a Jar Preschool Activity

Replace the lid and watch the tentacles dance around as you gently swirl the water.

To extend the activity a bit you can let your child use dry erase markers.

Use the markers on the jar to create a colorful world for your jellyfish to live in.

Celebrate World Jellyfish Day With A Jellyfish in a Jar Preschool Activity

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Fun Felt Weather Chart & Free The Magic School Bus Kicks Up A Storm Worksheet

November 7, 2023 | Leave a Comment
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You’ll love this free The Magic School Bus Kicks Up a Storm Worksheet for your child to mark off the month, season, and weather each day. Also, I have this fun Free Weather Unit Study for Kids Who Love Hands-on Learning post for more teaching ideas.

It is a fun and colorful worksheet that you can print for each week to write on, or you can laminate it and use a dry-erase marker to make it a reusable resource.

One of the first formal things that you can do with a young child is track the weather every day and for that I have also created a felt weather chart. 

It’s quick, easy, and inexpensive. 

If you include your child in the making of it then it will take on even more meaning and get them excited to learn.

Fun Felt Weather Chart & Free The Magic School Bus Kicks Up A Storm Worksheet

I truly believe that younger children should have lots of fun hands-on activities, rather than a lot of sit-down desk time.

It’s a wonderful time to explore the world around them, read wonderful books together, and learn through play.

I have all that and more for you today to create a super weather unit for kids of multiple ages from my own craft and worksheets to facts, more hands-on activities, and great resources.

5 Weather Facts 

  1. Weather includes things like wind, lightning, storms, hurricanes, tornadoes, rain, hail, snow, and more.
  2. Weather happens when different parts of the Earth get different amounts of heat from the Sun, this creates different climates.
  3. A weather forecast is a prediction of what the weather will be like over a period of time.
  4. Lightning is caused by a buildup of static electricity inside a storm cloud. Tiny water molecules called hydrometeors bumping around each other create a static electric charge- much like rubbing your socks over the carpet.
  5. Fog is a cloud that touches the ground. Amazing, it happens when it’s very, very humid – 100%.
Fun Felt Weather Chart & Free The Magic School Bus Kicks Up A Storm Worksheet

Also, you’ll love some of these beautiful books about weather.

I lean toward living books first then add in books for reference too.

13 Weather Resources and Books For Kids Who Love to Read and Be Read To

Grab some of these fantastic weather resources and books to engage your youngest learners about what is weather.

Image for What Will the Weather Be?

What Will the Weather Be?

Will it be warm or cold? Should we wear shorts or pants? Shoes or rain boots? What Will the Weather Be? uses colorful, simple diagrams to explain meteorology in a fun, engaging way. Perfect for young scientists and budding meteorologists, this bestseller features clear explanations of everyday weather instruments like thermometers and barometers.

Image for TEDCO-Pet Tornado-Spin and Watch

TEDCO-Pet Tornado-Spin and Watch

  • Nature's most destructive force can be observed and enjoyed in the palm of your hand.
  • Hold Pet Tornado from top or bottom and rotate wrist form amazing funnel clouds.
Image for Nature Anatomy: The Curious Parts and Pieces of the Natural World

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.

Image for Water Is Water: A Book About the Water Cycle

Water Is Water: A Book About the Water Cycle

Drip. Sip. Pour me a cup. Water is water unless...it heats up.Whirl. Swirl. Watch it curl by. Steam is steam unless...it cools high.This spare, poetic picture book follows a group of kids as they move through all the different phases of the water cycle. From rain to fog to snow to mist, talented author Miranda Paul and the always remarkable Jason Chin (Redwoods, Coral Reefs, Island, Gravity) combine to create a beautiful and informative journey in this innovative nonfiction picture book that will leave you thirsty for more.

Image for Book of Storms: Hurricanes, Twisters and Squalls

Book of Storms: Hurricanes, Twisters and Squalls

What triggers a tornado? What can you see in the eye of a hurricane? What's the difference between a thunderbolt and a thunderclap? Popular author and artist Eric Sloane proves why weather is something best understood by seeing it. His illustrated book shows weather "happening." In fact, there's not a sunny page in it—nothing but cyclonic storms, whirlwinds, waterspouts, lightning bolts, and other fascinating, weather-related topics. More than seventy pages of drawings and diagrams make the weather come alive in a book that examines everything from storm mechanisms and cold fronts to the birth of a thunderhead.

Image for Eric Sloane's Weather Book

Eric Sloane's Weather Book

"Amateur weather forecasters (which includes just about everyone) will find this volume an informative and entertaining account of the why and how of the weather." -- The Nation In simple language, Eric Sloane explains the whys and wherefores of weather and weather forecasting -- and does it in a style that's universally appealing. With humor and common sense shining through in a book that's also lively and informative, Sloane shows readers how to predict the weather by "reading" such natural phenomena as winds, skies, and animal sounds. This beautifully illustrated and practical treasure trove of climate lore will enlighten outdoorsmen, farmers, sailors, and anyone else who has ever wondered what a large halo around the moon means, why birds "sit it out" before a storm, and whether or not to take an umbrella when leaving the house.

Image for Thunderstorm

Thunderstorm

A midwestern summer thunderstorm as seen through the eyes of artist/etcher Arthur Geisert, and depicted in unprecedented detail, beautifully hand-colored.

Thunderstorm follows the course of a storm through midwestern farm country minute-by-minute, hour-by-hour, from late morning into late afternoon. As always with Arthur Geisert, it is a meticulously executed and visually stunning piece of work. Other than the timeline that runs along the bottom border of the illustrations, there is no text, and the illustrations are continuous.

Through keen observation, Geisert beautifully captures the nuances and details of a midwestern thunderstorm, from the ever-changing color of the sky, to the actions of the human inhabitants, to the reactions of the natural world to the wind and rain. America's heartland is somewhat unfamiliar territory in the realm of picture books, but in Thunderstorm, Geisert has provided readers with valuable, breathtaking insight into one of its most natural occurrences.

Image for The Magic School Bus Kicks Up A Storm: A Book About Weather

The Magic School Bus Kicks Up A Storm: A Book About Weather

A book about weather, from the animated television series on the Learning Channel.

Image for Rain, Hail, Sleet & Snow

Rain, Hail, Sleet & Snow

Rain, Hail, Sleet & Snow was first published by Nancy Larrick in 1961 and served as an introduction to elementary students about how weather conditions are formed. The book has been out of print for quite some time and modern books do not offer this age group such an approachable discussion of how inclement weather is formed and the conditions that effect it. While it does not discuss the most modern tools of meteorology, it does mention the use of airplanes, satellites, and other tools of measurement. Other topics besides rain, hail, sleet and snow that are discussed are tornadoes and hurricanes, lightning and thunder, fog, humidity, water vapor, condensation, ice crystals, and the different types of clouds.

Image for Look at the Sky and Tell the Weather

Look at the Sky and Tell the Weather

A delightful blend of serious meteorology and beautiful illustrations, this informative book displays the many talents of Eric Sloane. A writer, landscape painter, weather forecaster, and authority on early American history, Sloane takes readers with him on a voyage of discovery as he traces a single air mass from the Canadian Rockies to northern New England. A vivid narrative and the author's own pen-and-ink sketches describe the progress of the air mass over America, and tell about its encounters with other elements of weather systems and with Americans from a variety of backgrounds.

Image for The Secret World of Weather: How to Read Signs in Every Cloud, Breeze, Hill, Street, Plant, Animal, and Dewdrop

The Secret World of Weather: How to Read Signs in Every Cloud, Breeze, Hill, Street, Plant, Animal, and Dewdrop

In this eye-opening trove of outdoor clues, acclaimed natural navigator Tristan Gooley shows us how, by "reading" nature as he does, you'll not only detect what the weather is doing (and predict what's coming), you'll enter a secret wonderland of sights and sounds you've never noticed before. Discover the ways that weather can reveal a hidden world with every step you take—through the woods or down a city street.

  • A turbulent sky with mismatched clouds predicts bad weather.
  • Snowflakes get smaller as the temperature drops.
  • Dry weather and morning frost follow a clear moon.
  • Gliding birds mean stable air and thus, fair weather.
  • Honeybees don't leave their hives below 55 degrees Fahrenheit.
  • Crickets chirp faster as the temperature rises.
  • Pine cones close their scales in high humidity.
  • Perching birds face into the wind.
  • Cows don't lie down before rain, but they do head home.
Image for Weather Words and What They Mean

Weather Words and What They Mean

Simple, kid-friendly text explains the origins of fog, clouds, frost, thunderstorms, snow, fronts, hurricanes, reinforcing the explanations with clear, well-labeled drawings and diagrams. Newly revised, this edition of Weather Words and What They Mean has been vetted by an expert from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Association. Best of all, the book features a fun list of weird weather facts!

Image for The Wonder Of Thunder: Lessons From A Thunderstorm

The Wonder Of Thunder: Lessons From A Thunderstorm

o you know a child who is scared or feels uneasy during thunderstorms?

The Wonder of Thunder is a lighthearted children’s rhyming picture book that helps tame fears while highlighting all the wondrous things thunderstorms can do.

Children will adore Sally Storm, a lovable character who excitedly shares all the good she can do as she swirls and tumbles overhead. This early learning picture book introduces the topic of storms, thunder, lightning and rain in a fun and non-threatening way.

Colourful and captivating illustrations pull children into the story and hold their attention through to the end, where Sally shares more fun facts about thunderstorms and engages children through direct questions.

Next, add in some fun hands-on activities.

Hands-on Weather Activities

  • Be sure to include my Weather In A Bottle | How To Make An Amazing Tornado In A Jar. 
  • The Water Cycle In A Bag is a pretty simple activity that helps make the concept of water cycles a little more concrete.
  • Easy Breezy Windy Art: A STEAM Activity for Kids.
  • Also, check out my Free Weather Unit Study for Kids Who Love Hands-on Learning.
  • A cute sensory tray and another handful of ideas are over on my Hands-on Weather Activities for Kids and Awesome Weather Sensory Tray post.
  • If you are talking winter you want to make these Winter STEAM: Symmetrical Snowflakes.
  • 5 Simple Wind Energy Activities For Kids & Fun DIY Anemometer.
  • This Rainy Day Window Art is a simple and sweet craft that even little toddler hands can do.
  • Practice fine motor skills while you talk about Storm Cloud Threading.
  • And of course, at the end of a storm, we get a beautiful rainbow that you can recreate with the Coffee Filter Rainbow Craft.
Fun Felt Weather Chart & Free The Magic School Bus Kicks Up A Storm Worksheet

Also, look how to make this felt weather chart.

Felt Weather Chart – The Magic School Bus Kicks Up a Storm Worksheet

Have your child simply step outside or even look out the window each day and encourage them to independently choose and put up the weather symbols that match the weather. 

We are also going to add a cute little thermometer to it to give them an easy introduction to hot and cold temperatures.

You will need:

  • 12×18 Light blue felt (or 8×12)
  • 8×12 felt in various colors  
  • Felt adhesive or iron-on letters 
  • Round dowel, rods, or flat craft sticks
  • Paint Pens or Markers
  • Glue gun
  • Scissors
Fun Felt Weather Chart & Free The Magic School Bus Kicks Up A Storm Worksheet

Hot glue your dowel or craft stick across the top of your felt, be sure that it is centered. 

Apply more hot glue along the wood and then fold it over one time so that it has a clean and neat finish.

Fun Felt Weather Chart & Free The Magic School Bus Kicks Up A Storm Worksheet

Repeat the same at the bottom of the felt.

Fun Felt Weather Chart & Free The Magic School Bus Kicks Up A Storm Worksheet

Now, sit down with your little one and talk about the different kinds of weather, help them draw different weather symbols like a sun, raindrops clouds, lightning, etc., and cut them out of felt.

Fun Felt Weather Chart & Free The Magic School Bus Kicks Up A Storm Worksheet

Next, you can use permanent markers or paint pens to add any features or details you would like. 

Fun Felt Weather Chart & Free The Magic School Bus Kicks Up A Storm Worksheet

While you are probably not going to be doing your weather chart during a tornado you might still just make one to talk about what a tornado is and if you live in an area with tornadoes, it is a good time to talk about what to do during one.

Fun Felt Weather Chart & Free The Magic School Bus Kicks Up A Storm Worksheet

You don’t want to use regular paint and paintbrushes because you don’t want to add any weight to your felt pieces or take away from the “stickiness”.

Kids DIY Felt Weather Chart

For our snowflakes, we folded up squares of white felt and cut little triangles and rounded corners out of them just like you do when creating paper snowflakes.

Fun Felt Weather Chart & Free The Magic School Bus Kicks Up A Storm Worksheet

Now, on the bottom, right corner, we’re going to create a “thermometer” by tracing, a small round object for the bulb at the bottom and using a ruler for the street vertical part of the thermometer you can make it as small or large as you want but you want to make it large enough to fit felt pieces on.

Fun Felt Weather Chart & Free The Magic School Bus Kicks Up A Storm Worksheet

I started by tracing them with a pencil and then filling it in with a silver paint marker just outside the edges of what I traced so that when the felt was on you could still see the “glass” of the thermometer.

Fun Felt Weather Chart & Free The Magic School Bus Kicks Up A Storm Worksheet

To create the color indicators for the thermometer, trace the round object again on dark blue felt. Then make them equal sizes of rectangles from blue, yellow, orange, and red felt.

Fun Felt Weather Chart & Free The Magic School Bus Kicks Up A Storm Worksheet

Apply hot glue to the thermometer, smoothing it out as much as you can, press down each piece blue at the bottom, then yellow, then orange, and finally red.

Fun Felt Weather Chart & Free The Magic School Bus Kicks Up A Storm Worksheet

Cut out a little black felt arrow for your child to move to indicate the temperature on the thermometer.

Fun Felt Weather Chart & Free The Magic School Bus Kicks Up A Storm Worksheet

Add your sturdy stickers to the top to spell out Weather.

I  added a little extra hot glue to the back even though they were adhesive to be sure they were secure.  

Fun Felt Weather Chart & Free The Magic School Bus Kicks Up A Storm Worksheet

Your child can then use the big open space to change out the weather each day.

Fun Felt Weather Chart & Free The Magic School Bus Kicks Up A Storm Worksheet

To store unused pieces, I really love these sturdy bags, you can fit all the pieces plus a few books and other resources in them.

How to Get The Magic School Bus Kicks Up a Storm Worksheet

Now, how to grab the free pages. This is a subscriber freebie.

Fun Felt Weather Chart & Free The Magic School Bus Kicks Up A Storm Worksheet

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

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Leave a CommentFiled Under: Hands-On Activities Tagged With: artnotebookingpages, earth science, earthscience, elementary science, hands on history, hands-on, hands-on activities, handsonhomeschooling, notebooking, science, weather

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