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Free Bird Unit Study and Lapbook And Fun Edible Bird Nests

January 5, 2023 | 6 Comments
This post may contain affiliate links. For more information, please see my full disclosure policy.

You’ll love this free bird unit study and dynamic bird lapbook. Be sure to grab my other lapbook ideas and Best Homeschool Unit Studies on my page.

And a great way to begin this unit study is to make a delicious and fun edible bird nest.

This one is a great addition to this bird unit study.

Free Bird Unit Study and Lapbook And Fun Edible Bird Nests

It’s easy, adorable and tasty.

Make these edible bird nests together with your budding ornithologist as part of a bigger study.

This unit study comes just in time for National Bird Day on January 5th.

First, begin with some of these topics to cover in the bird study.

  • Common Species
  • Feathers
  • Beaks and their uses
  • Migration
  • Nests
  • Eggs
  • Calls

In addition, here are two more facts:

  1. All birds have feathers, but not all birds can fly. For example, penguins do not fly.
  2. And all birds lay eggs, breathe air, and are warm blooded.

Bird Watching Questions

Next, when we learn about birds, I find a list of questions helps to identify what type of bird we’re looking at.

These same questions can be used in your nature walk or just looking in your backyard.

  1. What is the bird doing? (Answer: Flying, perching, hopping, in water, climbing,etc.)
  2. What shape is the bird? (Answer: Look at bird head size to body proportion. And beak size to bird head. Notice the bird’s overall body size.)
  3. How big is it?
  4. Explain what are field markings. For instance, stripes, colors, patches and patterns are field markings. So then ask what field markings do you see?
  5. Are the wings round or pointed?
  6. And what shape is the bill?
  7. How is the bird behaving? (Answer: What is the feeding style, how is it moving and is it with a flock or alone,)

I would highly recommend a field guide and binoculars to do research in real life

More Hands-on Bird Activities

  • How to Make a Chalk Pastel Bird Nest Easy Drawing
  • How To Make A Blue-Footed Booby Bird Craft
  • How To Make A Fun Animal Soap Carving & A Quick Study on A Swan
  • American Robin Free Printables, Resources and Crafts
  • The Colorful Blue Jays Winter Food | Make Fun Seed Slime
  • How to Make Easy DIY Bird Feeders With Kids
  • Turkey Animal Facts for Kids and Easy Fine Motor Craft

Free Bird Teacher’s Guides and Lesson Plans

In addition, here are some fun and free educator guides and lesson plans about birds.

  • A Teacher’s Guide To Hawaiian Birds This has a nice glossary for vocabulary words and pictures too.
  • Lesson Plan for the lower grades.
  • Lesson Plans for middle school.
  • High School Ideas. Citizen Science has some ideas for projects like tracking sightings, nest watch,

  • Beak Variations
  • Migration Challenge. Why do bird migrate?
  • Learning About Bird Migration
  • Preschool to Kindergarten age Lesson Plan

  • What’s in a Bird Song
  • Free Bird Coloring Pages
  • Another lesson plan for early learning.
  • Students examine historical examples of art with birds as the subject. High School
  • Name That Bird Middle to High School

Moreover, research about different types of bird nests.

5 Common Types of Bird Nests

Also, when your child knows how to observe the types of nests, then it helps to match them with type of bird.

Besides many animals build nests and birds are some of the most expert builders.

Most birds’ nests fall into 5 main types of nests.

  1. cupped (or half-cupped). Used by songbirds and are round with a dip in the center. And swallows use half-cupped nests which adhere to a surface.
  2. cavity. Woodpeckers used cavities in a tree.
  3. Pendulum or Pendant. Baltimore Orioles use suspending type sac-like nests.
  4. Scrape. Used by ground-nesting birds in open habitats. Killdeer make scrape nests.
  5. Burrow. Burrowing Owls make burrow nests.

Cupped nest. A cup nest is cup-shaped and can be made with a variety of materials such as grass, moss,
lichen, or spiderweb

Cavity nest: A cavity nest is a hollowed-out opening in the trunk of a tree.

Pendulum or pendant nest: A hanging sac-like shape, usually suspended from a small tree branch.

Scrape – A type of nest without much material and are shallow ground impressions.

Burrow – This is either a hole burrowed or borrowed from another animal.

Free Bird Unit Study and Lapbook And Fun Edible Bird Nests

Lastly, think about the type of materials a bird collects to build a list. Have your child collect some of them to build his special nest.

  • dried grass
  • twigs
  • green grass
  • feathers
  • hair
  • mud or dirt
  • leaves
  • bark
  • pine needles
  • straw
  • shredded plant stems
  • animal hair
  • moss
  • old spiderwebs
Free Bird Unit Study and Lapbook And Fun Edible Bird Nests

Check out some of these resources to help you cover every aspect of birds you might want to learn about.

Bird Books, Activities, and Resources

Then, add in some of these fun books and resources.

17 Books, Resources, and Activities About Birds

You'll love these fun resources if you're studying about birds. Besides, you can study about birds anytime of the year.

So, add one or two of these to your unit study, nature journaling, or just fun for the day.

Image for 1. A Place for Birds

1. A Place for Birds

In simple yet compelling language, Melissa Stewart showcases twelve North American birds, from the familiar eastern bluebird to the rare Kirtland's warbler. Her clear narrative shows the threats these birds face, and informative sidebars describe a wide variety of efforts to save them. In addition, remarkable full-color illustrations vividly and accurately depict the birds within the ecosystems that support their survival. Range maps and additional bird facts are also included.

Image for 2. Feathers: Not Just for Flying

2. Feathers: Not Just for Flying

Young naturalists explore sixteen birds in this elegant introduction to the many, remarkable uses of feathers. A concise main text highlights how feathers are not just for flying. More curious readers are invited to dig deeper with informative sidebars that underscore how feathers of all shapes and sizes help birds with warming or cooling, protect them from the sun, help them swim, glide or even
dig.

Image for 3. A Nest Is Noisy (Family Treasure Nature Encylopedias)

3. A Nest Is Noisy (Family Treasure Nature Encylopedias)

This gorgeous and informative look at the fascinating world of nests, from those of tiny bee hummingbirds to those of orangutans high in the rainforest canopy.

Image for 4. Big Book of Birds (The Big Book Series)

4. Big Book of Birds (The Big Book Series)

The book draws in children and parents alike with captivating information about and charming illustrations of hummingbirds, peacocks, flamingos, bald eagles, secretary birds, puffins, red-crowned cranes, and more. The book also invites young bird-watchers to protect birds where they live and make their gardens bird-friendly. The text is chatty, funny, and full of remarkable facts.

Image for 5. Peterson Field Guide To Birds

5. Peterson Field Guide To Birds

For decades, the Peterson Field Guide to Birdsof Eastern and Central North America has been a popular and trusted guide for birders of all levels, thanks to its famous system of identification and unparalleled illustrations. Following the Spring 2020 update to Peterson Field Guide to Birds of North America, this guide will feature updated text and range maps, and art updated to reflect current knowledge in ornithology. 

Image for 6. How to Feed Backyard Birds: A Step-by-Step Guide for Kids

6. How to Feed Backyard Birds: A Step-by-Step Guide for Kids

How to Feed Backyard Birds: A Step-by-Step Guide for Kids is the perfect resource for beginners who are young (and not so young) to discover the joy of attracting birds to your yard. Bird lover and expert Chris Earley wants to share his passion for our colorful singing and flying neighbors with the whole family.

Image for 7. Wingspan Board Game - A Bird-Collection, Engine-Building Game

7. Wingspan Board Game - A Bird-Collection, Engine-Building Game

Competitive, card-driven, engine-building board game.

Challenging strategy game recommended for those ages 14 plus

Game includes 170 unique bird cards, 26 bonus cards and 16 Automa cards, 103 food tokens and 75 egg miniatures, 5 custom wooden dice and 5 player mats, 1 birdfeeder dice tower and 2-piece Game Trayz custom tray, 1 goal mat and 8 goal tiles, 1 first-player token and 40 action cubes, 4 clear plastic resource containers, 1 scorepad, and 3 rulebooks.

Image for 8. Beaks!

8. Beaks!

Young naturalists explore a variety of birds, their habitats, and how their beaks help them build, eat, and survive. From the twisted beak of a crossbill to the color changing bill of a seagull, readers will learn fun facts about how beaks are designed and used as tools by birds of all shapes and sizes.  Bright, bold cut-paper illustrations create amazingly realistic tableaus of birds in their natural
environments with their beaks in action.

Image for 9. Bird Figurine Toy Birds for Kids Realistic Bird

9. Bird Figurine Toy Birds for Kids Realistic Bird

Set of bird figurine toys, which contains 7 different small plastic birds. The weight of bird figure toy is 96G / 0.2LB. The set of small plastic bird contains 7 pecies of toy birds,such as robin, bluebird, oriole, woodpecker, etc. Please refer to the picture for the actual size and color.

Image for 10. Professor Noggin's Birds of North America Trivia Card Game

10. Professor Noggin's Birds of North America Trivia Card Game

PLAY & LEARN: Professor Noggin’s series of educational card games encourages kids to learn interesting facts about their favorite subjects.

FUN FACTS: Everything young birders need to know about the most common and interesting Birds of North America. Learn to identify different species and discover fascinating facts about their habitat and behavior.

CARD GAME: Each of the thirty game cards combines trivia, true or false, and multiple-choice questions. A special three-numbered die is included which adds an element of unpredictability.

Image for 11. Audubon's Birds of America Coloring Book

11. Audubon's Birds of America Coloring Book

Including the red-winged blackbird, painted bunting, wood duck, great blue heron, ruby-throated hummingbird, purple finch, and blue jay, 46 different species of birds from all parts of the United States are included in this book. The pictures have been faithfully redrawn by Paul E. Kennedy from originals by John James Aububon (1785–1851), the most famous American painter-naturalist.

Image for 12. The Boy Who Drew Birds: A Story of John James Audubon

12. The Boy Who Drew Birds: A Story of John James Audubon

If there was one thing James loved to do more than anything else, it was to be in the great outdoors watching his beloved feathered friends.In the fall of 1804, he was determined to find out if the birds nesting near his Pennsylvania home would really return the following spring. Through careful observation, James laid the foundation for all that we know about migration patterns today.

Image for 13. Attracting Birds to Your Backyard: 536 Ways To Turn Your Yard and Garden Into a Haven For Your Favorite Birds

13. Attracting Birds to Your Backyard: 536 Ways To Turn Your Yard and Garden Into a Haven For Your Favorite Birds

Enjoy your home and garden as never before when you have a yard that's filled with colorful birds and bird songs as well as flowers. This A-to-Z guide includes:Terrific tips and plans for building bird feeders, birdbaths, and birdhouses.Recipes for making bird food that is sure to be a hit with your feathered friends--including Chickadee Doughnut Delights and Easy Bird Treat Mini-Muffins.The 25 best plants to grow to attract birds to your yard--including columbine and honeysuckle, hummingbird favorites.How to identify and attract goldfinches, chickadees, cardinals, and more than 50 other favorite birds to your yard. Plus, you'll learn what their songs and antics really mean.

Image for 14. Field Guide to the Nests, Eggs, and Nestlings of North American Birds

14. Field Guide to the Nests, Eggs, and Nestlings of North American Birds

Describes all species found in the North American region and offers information on breeding cycles, nesting habits, and provides pictures of nestlings and eggs

Image for 15. What's That Bird? Teacher Guide

15. What's That Bird? Teacher Guide

This study guide accompanies What's That Bird? published by Storey Publishing in 2005, incorporating facts to know, comprehension questions, and characteristics of specific birds. Sections include: 'Meet the Bird', 'How Birds Live', and 'The Wider World of Birds'. Student Book and What's That Bird? sold separately.

Image for 16. Paint by Sticker: Birds: Create 12 Stunning Images One Sticker at a Time!

16. Paint by Sticker: Birds: Create 12 Stunning Images One Sticker at a Time!

Nature's Masterpieces—ready for paintingPeel the sticker,Paint the sticker, And watch your painting come to life.Paint by Sticker: Birds celebrates the rainbow of colors and shapes of the avian world: a red-headed woodpecker, a blue jay, an orange and black Baltimore oriole, an electric bright hummingbird.

Image for 17. Sibley Backyard Birding Flashcards

17. Sibley Backyard Birding Flashcards

The Sibley Field Guide to Birds is now transformed into 100 easy-to-reference cards housed in one handsome pull-drawer gift box. Divided into one stack of 50 common Western and Eastern North American birds, and one stack of 50 common birds found across North America, each card features precise illustrations and text concerning habitat, behavior, and voice description necessary for easy identification. Edited with the backyard birder in mind, each bird card is accompanied with a regional map as an additional guide to migratory patterns.

Delightful Birds Lapbook

Also, you’ll love this fun delightful birds lapbooks.

It’s geared toward upper elementary to middle school-ish but of course grades are selective.

Free Bird Unit Study and Lapbook And Fun Edible Bird Nests

Awesome Features of the Bird Lapbook

  • You get this SAME lapbook TWO different ones. One lapbook has a facts filled in each minibook and the other lapbook has minibooks with all blank inside pages.
  • Because I use a combination of cursive and print fonts, I aim my lapbooks toward upper elementary up to high school. 
  • This lapbook is aimed at upper elementary to middle school-ish.
  • However, because one lapbook is BLANK you can use it for any age.
  • This is a .pdf instant downloadable product and not a physical product.
  • You are paying for the printables, the lapbook.
  • You can use any reference materials, books, or online resources to complete the lapbook.
  • I don’t provide links in the lapbooks for filling in the information. This keeps my prices low for my products, but I do provide free links and unit studies on my site as I can.
  • My printables are very flexible. You decide which topics you want your children to research.  Also, you can mix and match filled in and blank minibooks of your choice.
  • Dynamic Delightful Bird Lapbook for Multiple Ages

    Dynamic Delightful Bird Lapbook for Multiple Ages

    $4.00
    Add to cart

Additionally, here are more bird unit study activities.

Bird Unit Study Resources

  • Free Bird Journal
  • Cardinal Birds in Winter and Birch Trees Easy Watercolor Kids Activity
  • How to Make a Fun Paper Mache American Robin Bird Craft
  • Why Bats Are Not Birds Fun Homeschool Unit Study and Lapbook
  • How to Make a Kid’s Fun and Easy Bird Nest Activity
  • How to Make an Easy Jumbo Stick Bird Feeder with Kids
  • Hands-On Nature Study: Bird Color Bar Graphing Activity
  • Hands-On Nature Study: Make a Fun Bird Nesting Bag
  • Colorful Winter Bird: Northern Cardinal Lapbook & Unit Study
  • Easy and Fun Nature Study: Beautiful Birds
  • How to Make Easy DIY Bird Feeders

Too, let’s make a fun hands-on edible nest to go with this unit study.

How to Make Edible Bird Nests

You will need:

  • 2 cups pretzel sticks
  • ¼ cup butterscotch chips
  • ¼ cup chocolate chips
  • mm’s
Free Bird Unit Study and Lapbook And Fun Edible Bird Nests

Directions:

Lay out a piece of waxed paper on the counter.

Place both kinds of chips in the microwave in a heat safe bow and heat in 20 second increments until completely melted.

Stir well to combine.

Free Bird Unit Study and Lapbook And Fun Edible Bird Nests

Pour pretzels into a bowl of melted chocolate and stir gently until all pretzels are completely coated.

Free Bird Unit Study and Lapbook And Fun Edible Bird Nests

Encourage your child to build a bird’s nest by creating a base of a few flat pretzels and then stacking to build up the sides into a cup shaped bird’s nest.

We found this recipe made about 4 good sized nests.

Free Bird Unit Study and Lapbook And Fun Edible Bird Nests

Add a few m & ms as eggs to the nest.

Let the nests sit until the chocolate has hardened, about an hour or so if your kitchen is not warm.

You can also harden it quicker by placing them in the fridge for a bit.

Once your nest has solidified you can enjoy eating it!

Free Bird Unit Study and Lapbook And Fun Edible Bird Nests

6 CommentsFiled Under: My Unit Studies {Free Printables & Hands-on Ideas} Tagged With: birdjournal, birds, cardinal bird, elementary science, hands-on, hands-on activities, handson, lapbook, lapbooking, lapbookresources, lapbooks, life science, science

Two Fun Candy Cane Hands-on Science Winter Experiments

December 26, 2022 | Leave a Comment
This post may contain affiliate links. For more information, please see my full disclosure policy.

I have two fun candy cane hands-on winter experiments today. Be sure you grab more ideas for winter fun on my page winter season unit study.

Candy canes are plentiful right now and did you know that they make for a tasty, easy, and inexpensive item for science experiments? 

Your kids will love tasting and exploring the world of science with these two simple hands on science experiments in honor of National Candy Cane Day on December 26. 

Two Fun Candy Cane Hands-on Science Winter Experiments

These experiments are a great way to introduce all sorts of scientific terms like hypothesis and bonds.

You can encourage them to make educated guesses (hypothesis) document results, make observations, and learn about how experiments work in general.

Don’t forget to save some to munch on while you learn about them.

Cool Candy Cane Facts

  • They were first made in 1670 but didn’t make their way to American until 1847.
  • Candy canes were once white, no one is sure when the red stripe was added but looking at images prior 1900, they were always white.
  • The world’s largest candy cane was 63 feet tall and was created in 2011.
  • Candy canes have no fat or cholesterol.
  • Two billion candy canes are made each year.
  • The hooks were created by hand until 1921 when a machine was invented to do it.
  • The original candy cane flavor was originally used as a medicine for indigestion and nausea and then the oil was also used to help cover up the flavor of more unpleasant medicinal concoctions.

Furthermore, add some other hands-on candy cane activities.

Candy Cane Hands-on Activities

  • Before you begin investigating watch How Candy Canes Are Made on YouTube.
  • Here is another fun experiment you can do with candy canes Fizzing Candy Canes.
  • Make some Candy Cane Paint to add some art.
  • Use candy canes as counters and manipulatives for math, measure the length, grab various sizes and let your younger child arrange them in size order.

More Winter Unit Study Resources

Look at these other winter unit study resources.

  • Cardinal Birds in Winter and Birch Trees Easy Watercolor Kids Activity
  • Cute and Simple Snowman Story Stones Winter Art Activities
  • Winter Craft Ideas How to Make Fun Pinecone Flowers
  • How to Make an Adorable Toilet Roll Snowman for Winter Crafts
  • Easy and Fun Pinecone Snowy Owl Winter Craft for Kindergarten
  • Free Amazing Winter Unit Study and Winter Lapbook for Kids
  • Easy Hands on Snowflake Winter Craft for Kids Who Don’t Have Snow
  • Winter Nature Craft: How to Make Easy DIY Bird Feeders
  • 3 Fun Cocoa Winter Hands on Science Activities
  • How to Make an Easy Build a Snowman Kid’s Game (free printable cube)

Now, let’s have some candy cane fun.

For these two winter science activities, you’ll want to grab the supplies below.

Two Candy Cane Science Activities

Here are all the supplies you will need to gather so that you can complete both experiments:

Two Fun Candy Cane Hands-on Science Winter Experiments
  • Mini Candy Canes
  • Clear bowls or cups
  • 3-5 liquids-water, sprite, milk, vinegar, etc
  • Baking sheet
  • Parchment paper
  • paper/pen

Now, let’s make this first one which is bending candy canes.

1. Bending Candy Canes Science Activity

For the first experiment we are first going to let your child attempt to bend a candy cane fresh out of the package, it just breaks right? Ask them why they think that is? How were candy makers able to bend it in the first place?

Preheat oven to 250 degrees.

Line baking sheet with parchment paper.

Spread out several candy canes on parchment lined sheet.

Two Fun Candy Cane Hands-on Science Winter Experiments

Bake for 7-10 minutes. Start checking at 7 minutes because you want to pull them out before they begin to distort and melt.

Two Fun Candy Cane Hands-on Science Winter Experiments

Immediately remove parchment paper from pan and place on a flat surface away from the hot pan.

Your child can immediately pick them up and begin bending them into shapes.

Two Fun Candy Cane Hands-on Science Winter Experiments

You can make letters, shapes like hearts or knots, or even a cute little candy can make like this one.

Two Fun Candy Cane Hands-on Science Winter Experiments

You’re just a couple of minutes the candy cane will harden again into its new shape.

You can repeat the process in the oven with candy canes after they’ve hardened or with fresh ones to continue experimenting with what you can do.

2. Melting Candy Canes

Now we are going to test and see which liquid melts candy canes the fastest.

So, you will want to check this one often. We put ours in the bowls and forgot for about 45 minutes and came back to this.

Two Fun Candy Cane Hands-on Science Winter Experiments

First, choose your liquids, I would suggest no less than 3 to get a good reading and probably not more than 6 to keep it manageable.

Whatever number you choose to test, place that many clear bowls or cups on a surface where they will not be disturbed. Add a mini candy cane to each.

Two Fun Candy Cane Hands-on Science Winter Experiments

Measure exact amounts of each of the liquids and pour over the candy cane.

This is a good time to explain that when conduction an experiment like this you want to keep everything the same except for the one variable that you are testing, in this case the type of liquid.

Two Fun Candy Cane Hands-on Science Winter Experiments

Write each of the liquids onto a small slip of paper and place it in front of each container to keep track.

Check after 5 minutes to see how much they have dissolved; these ones were noticeably smaller.

Two Fun Candy Cane Hands-on Science Winter Experiments

After the first 5 minutes you want to change to every minute or two because it seems to go so much faster after that.

At less than the 10-minute mark we had a clear winner when we came back, and the vinegar had completely dissolved it.

Two Fun Candy Cane Hands-on Science Winter Experiments

Be sure to have your child record their guesses (hypothesis), then list the types of liquids (variables), and finally their results.

Leave a CommentFiled Under: Hands-On Activities Tagged With: elementary science, hands-on, hands-on activities, handson, handsonhomeschooling, homeschoolinginwinter, homeschoolscience, middle school, middleschool, physical science, science, sciencecurriculum, winter crafts, winter season

Growing a Seed Activity For Kindergarten Science Kids Activity

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

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

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

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

Growing a Seed Activity For Kindergarten Science Kids Activity

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

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

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

But they do not require being covered in soil.

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

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

A Seed is Sleepy Activity

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

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

Growing a Seed Activity For Kindergarten Science Kids Activity

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

Growing a Seed Activity For Kindergarten Science Kids Activity

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

Books About Seeds for Kids Science

Even picture books can be used with older learners.

5 Fun Books About Seeds

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

Image for A Seed Is Sleepy: (Nature Books for Kids)

A Seed Is Sleepy: (Nature Books for Kids)

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

Image for Seeds Move!

Seeds Move!

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

Image for A Seed is the Start

A Seed is the Start

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

Image for From Seed to Plant

From Seed to Plant

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

Image for Go Seed, Grow!

Go Seed, Grow!

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

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

Hands-on Seed Activities

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

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

Growing a Seed Activity For Kindergarten Science Kids Activity

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

More Kindergarten Homeschool Curriculum

Look at these other resources.

  • Native American Activities For Kindergarten Create A Fun Cradleboard Craft
  • Rainforest Science Activities For Kindergarten Amazing and Fun Living Terrarium
  • Pond Life for Kindergarten Activity Build a Fun Beaver Dam
  • Easy and Fun Pine Cone Snowy Owl Winter Craft for Kindergarten
  • 4 Fun and Engaging Bat Activities for Kindergarten
  • Native American Crafts for Kindergarten How to Make a Kids Pinch Pot
  • 10 Best Homeschool Phonics Curriculum For Kindergarten
  • 15 Fun Resources For History for Kindergarten Homeschool
  • 19 Fun Hands-on Rainforest Activities for Kindergarten
  • Rainforest Crafts for Kindergarten: Make an Easy Paper Plate Monkey
  • How to Create the Best Homeschool Schedule for Kindergarten (free printable)
  • 60 Favorite Top Homeschooling Materials for Kindergarten
  • 10 Affordable and Complete Homeschool Kindergarten Curriculum
  • How to Effortlessly Blend Kindergarten Homeschool Subjects & Life
  • BEST Free Kindergarten Homeschool Curriculum With A Gentle Approach (List)
  • Delightful Kindergarten Homeschool Curriculum Which Promote a Love of Learning

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

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

Will both sprout? Which will sprout faster? 

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

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

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

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

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

Easy Grow a Seed Activity

You will need:

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

Directions:

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

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

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

Growing a Seed Activity For Kindergarten Science Kids Activity

Cover one cup completely with black construction paper.

Growing a Seed Activity For Kindergarten Science Kids Activity

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

Check both every 24 hours.

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

Here is what our experiment looked like at the start.

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

Growing a Seed Activity For Kindergarten Science Kids Activity

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

Growing a Seed Activity For Kindergarten Science Kids Activity

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

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

Growing a Seed Activity For Kindergarten Science Kids Activity

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

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

Growing a Seed Activity For Kindergarten Science Kids Activity

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

1 CommentFiled Under: Hands-On Activities, Teach Kindergarten Tagged With: book lists, crafts, earth science, earthscience, elementary science, hands-on, hands-on activities, handson, handsonhomeschooling, homeschoolscience, kindergarten, life science, science

About Astronomy and Space Science Fun Quick Unit Study

December 7, 2022 | 3 Comments
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Learning about astronomy and space science is a fun quick study. Sometimes you want to study about science without having to dig too deep. Add it to my Exploring Space and Astronomy Free Unit Study for a fun study and look at m page Best Homeschool Unit Studies.

When learning about astronomy and space in general there is a vast amount to cover.

About Astronomy and Space Science Fun Quick Unit Study

Everything from stars to space dust, the mapping out of the milky way to UV rays.

I have gathered up some resources to help you build a unit study on astronomy and space science for all ages. 

5 Questions and Answers for Kids about Astronomy and Space

First, let’s break it down a bit by answering some questions that may help your student better understand what and why of space sciences.

1. Is there a difference between space science and astronomy?

Yes. Space science boundaries include everything which happens from our outer part of the atmosphere to the edge of the solar system (our heliosphere).

But astronomy or astrophysics does not have boundaries. It is past the atmosphere and into the entire universe.

2. What exactly does astronomy entail?

We know it’s all about space but what exactly does that include?

Astronomy is the study of everything in the universe beyond Earth’s atmosphere. This covers objects we can see with our naked eyes.

For example, objects like the sun, the planets, comets and the stars.

It also means objects we can only see with telescopes or other instruments, things like galaxies far away.

3. Why are astronomy and space so important to us here on earth?

Because astronomy is used to measure time, mark the seasons, and help us to navigate the oceans. 

Also, it helps us to know where we came from and to understand space sciences on different atmospheres.

4. Where did the name astronomy come from?

Astronomy was originally called astrology.

About Astronomy and Space Science Fun Quick Unit Study

Both astrology and astronomy have Greek roots, the prefix astro-means “star.” The suffix -ology means “knowledge” or “science”

5. How many sub-fields is astronomy broken into?

There are 4 sub-field and they are:

  1. Astrophysics: Applying the laws of physics into space.
  2. Astronomy: The mapping of celestial bodies.
  3. Astrology: Examining rocks, terrain, and space materials.
  4. Astrobiology: The search for life outside of  Earth.

This isn’t an exhaustive list just some that jumped out at me.

Additionally, these subfields are then broken into 17 different branches:

  1. Astrophysics
  2. Astrobiology
  3. Astrogeology
  4. Astrometry
  5. Physical cosmology
  6. Solar Physics
  7. Observational Astronomy
  8. Radio Astronomy
  9. Optical Astronomy
  10. Ultraviolet Astronomy
  11. X-ray Astronomy
  12. Gamma-ray Astronomy
  13. Cosmic Astronomy
  14. Planetary Astronomy
  15. Solar Astronomy
  16. Stellar Astronomy
  17. Galactic Astronomy

About and Astronomy and Space Books

Next, books are always my favorite place to start when putting together must have resources for a unit study.

This collection begins with a biography on Neil Armstrong.

11 Astronomy Resources & Books

Add one or two books to your unit study or use one as a spine for studying about space.

Image for The Planets

The Planets

From the burning surface of Venus to the freezing darkness of Neptune, Gail Gibbons takes children on a tour of our planetary neighbors—which are very different from each other in size, shape, orbit, and even weather.

Image for The Planets

The Planets

With her bestsellers Longitude and Galileo's Daughter, Dava Sobel introduced readers to her rare gift for weaving complex scientific concepts into a compelling narrative. Now Sobel brings her full talents to bear on what is perhaps her most ambitious topic to date-the planets of our solar system. Sobel explores the origins and oddities of the planets through the lens of popular culture, from astrology, mythology, and science fiction to art, music, poetry, biography, and history. Written in her characteristically graceful prose, The Planets is a stunningly original celebration of our solar system and offers a distinctive view of our place in the universe.

Image for Who Was Neil Armstrong?

Who Was Neil Armstrong?

On July 20, 1969, Neil Armstrong stepped on the moon and, to an audience of over 450 million people, proclaimed his step a "giant leap for mankind."

Image for Find the Constellations

Find the Constellations

Containing star charts, a guide to the constellations, and details about seasons and the movement of the objects we see in the sky, this classic book makes H. A. Rey’s passion for astronomy evident on every page.

New updates concentrate on the planetary and solar system information in the latter part of the book. Facts and figures for each planet have been revised, and new scientific information has been added, such as Pluto’s reclassification as a dwarf planet.

Image for Where Is Our Solar System?

Where Is Our Solar System?

Our solar system consists of eight planets, as well as numerous moons, comets, asteroids, and meteoroids. For thousands of years, humans believed that Earth was at the center of the Universe, but all of that changed in the 17th century. Astronomers like Nicolaus Copernicus, Galileo Galilei, Johannes Kepler, and Isaac Newton proposed the unthinkable theory that Earth and the other planets actually revolved around the Sun. 

Image for Signs and Seasons Understanding the Elements of Classical Astronomy

Signs and Seasons Understanding the Elements of Classical Astronomy

Gorgeous. Worth every penny! Signs & Seasons is an introduction to “Classical Astronomy,” the traditional, historical approach to the sky, as had been practiced from ancient times. The biblical basis for astronomy

Image for The Mysteries of the Universe: Discover the best-kept secrets

The Mysteries of the Universe: Discover the best-kept secrets

Space is so much bigger than young minds can fathom and there is always more to learn. The Mysteries of the Universe is a stunning space encyclopedia for young readers to explore, with reference pages packed with fascinating information, little learners will be captivated as they journey through the vastness of the Universe. 

Image for Basher Science: Astronomy: Out of this World!

Basher Science: Astronomy: Out of this World!

Like a Facebook for the universe, Astronomy gives every important celestial body and concept its own page, where readers can learn its behaviors, likes, and dislikes up close and personal. From the flashy stars to the shadowy and strange objects that hang out like loners at the edges of the universe, no player goes unnoticed. 

Image for Stargazer's Guide to the Night Sky, The

Stargazer's Guide to the Night Sky, The

The Stargazers Guide to the Night Sky offers everything you need to explore the remarkable beauty of the stars, moon, and planets. Dr. Jason Lisle, a research scientist with a masters and Ph.D. in astrophysics provides a very thorough, practical and easy to read resource to fuel the curiosity of amateur astronomers ages 10 to 100.

Image for Solar System Puzzle Wooden Space Toys for Kids

Solar System Puzzle Wooden Space Toys for Kids

【Planet Toys for Kids】Our wooden solar system puzzle is the PERFECT CHOICE for you and your kids as it is made from natural wood, vivid planet patten with well designed. This preschool learning activities is suitable for 3+ years kids and represents the perfect activity to learn through play!

Image for Solar System Planetarium - DIY Glow In The Dark Astronomy Planet Model

Solar System Planetarium - DIY Glow In The Dark Astronomy Planet Model

The Solar System Planetarium set teaches children about the wonders of the solar system. Just assemble, paint and learn.

This set includes planets, stencils, squeeze glow paint pen, rods, string, a fact filled wall chart and 10 sets of Kidz Quiz questions.

Furthermore, here are some videos your kids will love.

Videos are a great addition to unit studies to give kids independent learning time and they can be used for all age levels.

About Astronomy and Space Science Fun Quick Unit Study

In addition, don’t forget to include a few fun nonfiction and fiction movies for enjoyment.

Drawing comparisons between real and imagine is a fun teaching tip.

  • Get to Know Your Galaxy  SciShow Kids
  • What’s Up In Space The Solar System Kids Series
  • Explore the Solar System SciShow Kids
  • The Martian Prime Video
  • Secrets of The Universe
  • Planets of our Solar System Homeschool Pop
  • Hidden Figures Prime Video

In addition, games are a fun way to spice up your learning day.

Games and Additional Resources

Games can create a warm family bond while you use them to teach a certain subject but also strategy, improve memory, focus, sometimes math, reading skills, and critical thinking.

Games and Resources for Astronomy

Games can bring to your boring learning day.

Image for Space Memory Game for Boys & Girls

Space Memory Game for Boys & Girls

What you get – space memory game comes with 48 tiles and instructions.

Fun play experience - you can play a game in 5 minutes, and it's perfect for 2 - 8 players ages 3 and up, Which makes this a perfect children's gift and other special occasions.

Easy to understand instructions – space memory comes with a clearly written instruction manual that's easy to understand - you can start playing right away!

Image for Late for the Sky Space-opoly

Late for the Sky Space-opoly

For 2-6 players

Traditional play or one-hour version

Great family fun

Image for 10 Out Of-This-World Toy Figurines, Including 2 Astronauts, 1 Space Chimp, 6 Space Craft

10 Out Of-This-World Toy Figurines, Including 2 Astronauts, 1 Space Chimp, 6 Space Craft

I like to use Safari Ltd Toobs, they are my weakness. I encourage kids to use them in their dioramas but I can also put them in a basket to introduce a new study or include them as part of a sensory bin. They can even be put on top of a treat like a cupcake used to decorate a cake as part of your lessons.

Another important part of learning are hands-on activities.

Hands-on Astronomy and Space Activities

Look at these hands-on activities.

Get out and explore the night sky in your own backyard, take a blanket into the backyard, turn off whatever lights you can and enjoy the beauty of the night sky.

This image of the moon is one I was lucky enough to capture with a tripod and long-range lens.

About Astronomy and Space Science Fun Quick Unit Study

Make an Easy Straw Rocket and get everybody outside for some fresh air to launch them again and again.

Make Astronaut Ice Cream to enjoy together while you talk about the different food astronauts have to eat in space.

Younger Children will enjoy creating a Puffy Paint Moon but you can challenge older kids to do it as well and see how realistic an image they can come up with.

Make marshmallow constellations and enjoy a tasty snack while you teach and grab my free astronomy pages for older kids.

Recreate the phases of the moon using oreos, paint, paper, or whatever medium you choose depending on your child’s level. Don’t assume your older children don’t want to do it, sometimes they long for simpler activities.

Finally, here is another huge list in my Exploring Space and Astronomy Free Unit Study for Multiple Ages.

About Astronomy and Space Science Fun Quick Unit Study

3 CommentsFiled Under: My Unit Studies {Free Printables & Hands-on Ideas} Tagged With: astronomy, earth science, earthscience, elementary science, hands-on, hands-on activities, handsonhomeschooling, homeschoolscience, science, sciencecurriculum, space

National STEM Day – Popsicle Sticks for Creative DIY STEM Projects

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

If you’re looking for DIY stem projects, you’ll love these ideas for National Stem Day.

What is so great about STEM?

A STEM activity is one that incorporates one or more of its components.

  • Science,
  • technology,
  • engineering, and math in a learning activity.

Stem is hands-on which is always a great method for learning.

National STEM Day - Popsicle Sticks for Creative DIY STEM Projects

It teaches children about science and technology, problem solving, critical thinking, curiosity, accepting failure, initiative, flexibility, creativity, innovation, and so much more.

It has its place in your homeschool whether you are an unschooler, Charlotte Mason, classical, or eclectic family.

Careers in STEM

There are many fascinating careers in STEM that your child might be interested in-

  • Computer Sciences
  • Software Developer
  • Web Developer
  • Mechanical Engineer
  • Statistician
  • Mathematician
  • Actuary
  • Accountant
  • Cartographer
  • Aeronautics-aviation, aerospace, and astronautics
  • Biology
  • Biotechnology
  • Chemistry
  • Civil Engineering
  • Electrical Engineering
  • Environmental Science
National STEM Day - Popsicle Sticks for Creative DIY STEM Projects

This isn’t even an exhaustive list just some that jumped out at me.

Popsicle sticks are an amazing homeschool tool.

And you have probably used them for art projects but have you ever considered their many uses as a STEM tool?

They open an amazing world of possibilities for science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM).

In addition, they are inexpensive, very versatile and easy to get your hands on.

It’s a great idea to keep a bunch on hand in different sizes for all sorts of projects. 

Jumbo ones are fun and oversized.

    And Rainbow popsicle sticks add a little flair and color to your projects.

    Too, standard popsicle sticks the backbone of most diy stem projects.

    More STEM Resources

    If you want to put together a STEM kit for your young scientists, mathematicians, or  engineers to tinker with these are a few more great items you might want  to add to your supplies.

    First, look at these LED lights.

    Next, add copper tape.

    Too, rubber bands are important.

    Binder clips, rulers, pipe cleaners and lithium batteries.

    National STEM Day - Popsicle Sticks for Creative DIY STEM Projects

    Finally, look at these STEM ideas.

    13 Fantastic Popsicle Stick STEM Activities

    1. Medieval Catapult. Try this Medieval catapult using the oversized jumbo craft sticks, catapults are a great lesson in force, mass, and acceleration.
    2. 100 Brilliant STEM Activities Using Everyday Items.
    3. STEM: Build a Da Vinci Parachute Activity
    4. Popsicle Stick Chain Reaction. Teach your child about potential energy turning into kinetic energy and chain reactions by giving them the tools they need to create an exploding chain reaction.
    5. Popsicle Stick Gears. These are a great way to learn about mechanical concepts, simple machines, motion and force. This is a great basic project to use as a springboard for more advanced activities.
    6. Craft Stick Crossbow. Not only is this tiny crossbow fun but it teaches physics lessons in force, energy, motion, trajectory and projectiles.
    7. Rubber Band Powered Boat. Launch this lesson on potential energy on the water. Popsicle sticks and rubber bands are all you need.
    8. STEM and Geography: How to Build an Ancient Viking Ship
    9. Rubber Band Powered Car. Same concept but on firm ground rather than the water. Use the stored potential energy in the tightly round rubber band to launch a car
    10. LED Flashlight. Explore circuits, positive and negative charges,
    11. Newton’s Cradle. What a fun way to learn about kinetic energy with Newton’s Third Law of Motion. “For every action, there is an equal and opposite reaction.” Kids love that clickety clack perpetual motion
    12. Truss Bridge With Craft Sticks, The STEM activity of building bridges gives your child a hands-on opportunity to learn about engineering through weight distribution, gravity, changing loads, and tension.
    13. STEM Ferris Wheel. Enjoy a turn on a popsicle stick ferris wheel that introduces axles, problem solving, creating symmetrical sides, and engineering with a fun activity.

    Leave a CommentFiled Under: Teach Homeschool Science Tagged With: elementary science, hands-on, hands-on activities, handson, handsonhomeschooling, homeschoolscience, science, STEM

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