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Geronimo Stilton

Geronimo Stilton The Race Against Time Build a Fun Greek Water Clock

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We are time traveling to Ancient Greece in Geronimo Stilton The Race Against Time The Third Journey Through Time. And we’re building a fun Greek water clock. Be sure to grab more Geronimo Stilton Books ideas and crafts on my page.

Our favorite adventuring mouse gets to wander through Athens in 434 BCE. He meets Xanthippe, the wife of famous philosopher Socrates, and Socrates too.

After exploring the Greek alphabet, he visits The Symposium.

Geronimo Stilton The Race Against Time Build a Fun Greek Water Clock

He is really living his best life, isn’t he?

These books give amazing vocabular and detailed descriptions of clothing for the period.

Geronimo Stilton The Race Against Time The Third Journey Through Time

In addition, they show architecture and important people of the time to give the young reader a fun glimpse into whatever historical era he ends up in.

Geronimo Stilton The Race Against Time Build a Fun Greek Water Clock

Before we make the water clock, look at some of these resources.

Geronimo Stilton The Race Against Time Build a Fun Greek Water Clock

I have many resources to make this wonderful book a full literature unit study.

Ancient Greece Resources

Add these resources to your day to make learning come alive or do a full unit study.

Geronimo Stilton The Race Against Time Build a Fun Greek Water Clock

In addition, I have many crafts to go with some of the books in the Geronimo Stilton series.

Other Geronimo Stilton Chapter Book Activities

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

Then, here are a few more facts about The Greeks.

Geronimo Stilton The Race Against Time Build a Fun Greek Water Clock

Amazing Ancient Greek Facts

  • Roughly one third of Ancient Greeks were slaves.
  • Greeks called themselves Hellenes.
  • The Ancient Greeks invented the Yo-Yo.
  • The Greek alphabet came into being around about 1000 BC.
  • Many Ancient Greeks wore a chito which is a long shirt made from a single large piece of cotton.
  • The Greeks really loved to learn. They felt that learning was one of the best ways you could spend your time.
  • The basic crops that were grown in Ancient Greece were wheat, barley, olives, and grapes.
  • Romans were considered big copycats of the Greeks. They copied a lot of the Greek culture.  Everything from their gods, to architecture, language, and even what and how they ate.

Finally, look below at how to make this fun water clock.

We are going to create our own version of a Greek water clock.

A water clock or clepsydra was used in Ancient Greece to measure time by regulating the flow of water.

As water moved from one vessel to another in a certain period, they measured it.

Water would drip through a hole in the bottom of a filled container into the bottom one.

Often, the bottom container was marked with the hours of the day so that they could tell time by how full the vessel became.

Basically it is an hourglass with water instead of sand to simplify it.

It also happens to be one of the oldest ways to tell time from the ancients.

How to Make an Ancient Greek Water Clock

You will need:

  • Two 16-20 oz. bottles with lids
  • Water
  • A sharpie marker
  • Hot glue or e6000
  • A timer
  • Drill/small drill bit.
Geronimo Stilton The Race Against Time Build a Fun Greek Water Clock

Pull the label off both bottles and wash the bottles well (especially if they were soda bottles).

Remove the caps and drill a small hotel through both caps, in the center, and line them up as close as you can.

Geronimo Stilton The Race Against Time Build a Fun Greek Water Clock

Glue the two caps together, flat top to flat top, take care not to get glue in your holes and plug it up. You can reverse this order if it’s easier to line up the holes after gluing.

Start with 1 cup of water and pour it into one of your bottles, mark the line where the water stops. 

You may want to open the bottle backup and add more later if you want the timer to go longer.

Geronimo Stilton The Race Against Time Build a Fun Greek Water Clock

Screw the glued tops onto the empty bottle and then flip it and screw it onto the bottle with water.

Geronimo Stilton The Race Against Time Build a Fun Greek Water Clock

Get your timer ready, as soon as you flip the bottle and the drops begin to go through, start the timer.

Mark the water line in the bottom bottle at 1 minute, 5 minutes, 10 minutes, etc.

Reverse the bottles and do the same on the other side.

Geronimo Stilton The Race Against Time Build a Fun Greek Water Clock

You now have an awesome low tech timer for games, quizzes, or cooking and a little better understanding of how time was kept in Ancient Greece.

What do you think? Ready to make this?

Geronimo Stilton Out Of Time Fun Sir Francis Drake Ship Craft

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This post may contain affiliate links. For more information, please see my full disclosure policy.

Geronimo Stilton Out of Time The 8th Journey Through Time we make a visit to Sir Francis Drake. You’ll love the other Geronimo Stilton Books and crafts on my page.

I am so enamored with this little mouse and his wild adventures through time to meet famous figures.

At least we get to have a peek through his stories, right? 

In this book, Geronimo visits Alexander the Great, Queen Cleopatra, Mozart, and our focus today Sir Francis Drake. 

Geronimo Stilton Out Of Time Fun Sir Francis Drake Ship Craft

If you are not familiar with Francis Drake, he was an English explorer.

But he was also a sea captain, privateer, slave trader, naval officer, and politician. 

His biggest claims to fame are having a major role in England’s defeat of the Spanish Armada in 1588.

He was the first Englishman to circumnavigate the world and was knighted by Queen Elizabeth.

About the Geronimo Stilton Series

Geronimo Stilton is full of fun facts presented in a colorful and interesting way for even the child that is reluctant to read.

The series is a younger version of a graphic novel and a great way to introduce history to your child. 

This book has jokes, a seek and count page, maps, and lots of fun pirate terms to learn.

Geronimo Stilton Out Of Time Fun Sir Francis Drake Ship Craft

Too, colorful words in different fonts and sizes keep kids interested in the story while learning new vocabulary and placing emphasis on what is important.

Activities for Learning About Sir Francis Drake

Besides the wonderful activities in the book, look at some other ideas for learning about Sir Francis Drake.

Then, add some information about the differences between a pirate and a privateer.

What is the difference between a pirate and a privateer?

A pirate attacks and robs ships at sea for their own gain.

Privateers are pirates that were hired by the government to do the same thing.

Geronimo Stilton Out Of Time Fun Sir Francis Drake Ship Craft

However, they keep part of what they steal for themselves.

Other Geronimo Stilton Chapter Book Activities

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

Geronimo Stilton Out Of Time Fun Sir Francis Drake Ship Craft

Finally, look at how to make a Sir Francis Drake ship craft.

How to Make a Sir Francis Drake Ship

Here is a list of supplies.

  • White Paper plate
  • Brown craft paint
  • Black, white, and brown construction paper/cardstock
  • Two wooden skewers
  • Red marker
  • Hot glue gun/glue sticks
Geronimo Stilton Out Of Time Fun Sir Francis Drake Ship Craft

First, cut a paper plate in half, hot glue the two sides together.

You can do this with regular glue instead of hot glue if you’d like it to be an entirely child lead craft but it does take a lot longer for the glue to dry.

So, you may choose to just hot glue it so they can get on with the craft quicker.

Geronimo Stilton Out Of Time Fun Sir Francis Drake Ship Craft

This is what it should look like at this point.

Geronimo Stilton Out Of Time Fun Sir Francis Drake Ship Craft

Let your child paint both sides of the boat as well as the inside if they like and allow it to dry completely.

Geronimo Stilton Out Of Time Fun Sir Francis Drake Ship Craft

While you’re waiting for the boat to dry cut out three small circles of brown construction paper.

And cut three slightly smaller circles out of black construction paper.

Then layer them to create the little portholes on the ship.

Next, take white card stock and cut two smaller trapezoids.

Also, cut two larger trapezoids for the sales as well as a small rectangle for the flag and you can see what that will look like below. 

Geronimo Stilton Out Of Time Fun Sir Francis Drake Ship Craft

Help your child to poke the top and bottom of the trapezoid through the skewer.

Bend it out a little bit to look like it has a little wind and it sails of course with a larger trapezoid on bottom and the smaller trapezoid on top.

Attach the flag to the top of one with glue.

Geronimo Stilton Out Of Time Fun Sir Francis Drake Ship Craft

Glue portholes to the side of the ship.

Geronimo Stilton Out Of Time Fun Sir Francis Drake Ship Craft

Slip the skewered flags inside the ship and attach with hot glue, this will make certain it is secure and allow it to be ready faster.

Once the glue is cooled your ship is ready to set sail for adventure.

What do you think? Ready to try another fun Geronimo Stilton activity?

Geronimo Stilton Time Travel How to Make a Medieval Stained Glass Craft

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This post may contain affiliate links. For more information, please see my full disclosure policy.

This Geronimo Stilton Time Travel book has your kids going back in time through the Medieval time. If you love the Geronimo Stilton Books, you’ll love this medieval stained glass window cling.

Let’s ride off with brave Geronimo Stilton through the Medieval Period straight into Camelot.

This first book in the series takes you through prehistory with the dinosaurs, and through Ancient Egypt and the Great Sphinx of Giza, and finally into Camelot.

Geronimo Stilton Time Travel: How to Make a Medieval Stained Glass Craft

The Medieval period is where we are going to hang out today with a colorful hands-on activity that you will love.

After reading Geronimo Stilton: The Journey Through Time (Geronimo Stilton), we decided to make a stained glass window craft.

This is a DIY window cling that you can use over and over and move it around as you like.

Start with a simple design like a window with big areas to fill in.

However, once you get the hang of it you can create beautiful flowers, swords, a coat of arms and more to deck your windows out in style.

About the Geronimo Stilton Time Travel Series

And the time travel series are a unique series. Like most all the books they have unique sections and pictures full of facts for the time period.

They are filled with maps that show your child where events are taking place.

Geronimo Stilton Time Travel: How to Make a Medieval Stained Glass Craft

Also, facts about the time period, detailed and labeled buildings, in this case a castle.

Geronimo Stilton Time Travel: How to Make a Medieval Stained Glass Craft

Throughout the reading there are important tidbits woven in like what they ate and wore during the time period.

Geronimo Stilton Time Travel: How to Make a Medieval Stained Glass Craft

So, the series is more than just fun reading, but a way to make science, history, and geography a meaningful part of the story.

Again, we’re focusing on only one section of the book.

History Middle Ages Hands-on Activities

Then, add a few more activities and fun items.

And you can create a simple and easy Middle Ages unit study that your royal knight will thoroughly enjoy.

In addition, here is a fun role-playing costume.

Too, you’ll love these other Geronimo Stilton activities to go with the books.

Other Geronimo Stilton Chapter Book Activities

Finally, here are some tips to keep in mind before doing this craft.

Geronimo Stilton Time Travel How to Make a Medieval Stained Glass Craft

How to Create a Medieval Stained Glass Window Craft

Before you get started, know this.

  • Keep a couple wet q tips on hand to clean up drips and overflow.
  • Start with a simple design for your first one, keep it large and with minimal detail.
  • Don’t use paint in place of food coloring or it will not have the translucent effect. You can use liquid food coloring though if that’s what you have on hand.

List of supplies.

  • Black craft paint
  • White craft glue
  • Gel food coloring
  • Dish soap
  • paint brushes
  • Gallon ziploc bag
  • paper
  • Paint palette or a paper plate

Start by designing your window by drawing it with a pencil on a sheet of white paper or cardstock.

Geronimo Stilton Time Travel How to Make a Medieval Stained Glass Craft

Once you are happy with the design darken the lines by drawing over them with a black marker.

Slip your drawing inside a gallon sized ziploc bag.

To create the leaded paint lines, mix black paint into white craft glue.

This part does not need to be translucent and we want thicker lines here.

Just add enough paint to the glue to turn it black. Add 2 drops of dish soap and mix well.

Smooth out your plastic bag and “draw” over the outlines of your picture with the black glue mixture.

Geronimo Stilton Time Travel How to Make a Medieval Stained Glass Craft

You will need to let this dry probably overnight so that it is completely dry and will not smear for the next step.

Once the black lines are dry you can add your color.

Geronimo Stilton Time Travel Stained Glass Craft

To do this, mix a drop of gel food color and a very small drop of dish soap to a couple teaspoons of glue.

Repeat this for as many colors as you would like.

Geronimo Stilton Time Travel How to Make a Medieval Stained Glass Craft

Fill in all the open spaces.

Make the spaces solid or swirl to get a different effect.

Be sure to add a thick layer of paint so that your cling is sturdy and doesn’t fall apart when peeled off.

Use a wet q tip to clean up drips off the black paint if needed.

You will need to let this next step dry for a day as well.

Geronimo Stilton Time Travel How to Make a Medieval Stained Glass Craft

Once everything is dry, carefully peel the window off the plastic bag.

Clean the window where you want to put it with a bit of windex and leave slightly damp.

Apply your stained glass to the window.

It will stick until you peel it off and can be stored in a plastic bag when not in use.

If you have them, separate multiple window clings with pieces of waxed paper.

What do you think? Ready to try another fun Geronimo Stilton activity?

The Journey Through Time #2 Back In Time Ancient Rome Fun Mosaic

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This post may contain affiliate links. For more information, please see my full disclosure policy.

The Geronimo Stilton The Journey Through Time #2: Back In Time has your kids going back in time to Ancient Rome. If you love the Geronimo Stilton Books, you’ll love this craft which is making a fun mosaic.

Traveling with this wandering mouse we will be introduced to Romulus and Remus, the birth of Rome, the official language of Ancient Rome, fashions of the time, thermal baths, and chariot races.

The Journey Through Time #2 Back In Time Ancient Rome Fun Mosaic

There are even some puny Roman jokes.

I always learn so much myself from just a small section of Geronimo Stilton’s adventures and The Journey Through Time #2: Back in Time (Geronimo Stilton Special Edition) is no different.

The Journey Through Time #2 Back In Time Ancient Rome Fun Mosaic

The series of books really weave so much about that time into an entertaining story with colorful inviting words, images, and a storyline that draws in the most reluctant readers.

About Ancient Mosaics

Today, we are going to be creating a Roman mosaic in honor of Geronimo’s visit to Ancient Rome.

We did a profile of a Roman soldier but you can choose anyone or anything you like to make.

This hands-on activity is great for learning about history through an ancient art form, working fine motor skills, and you can create a special piece to display.

A mosaic is just a picture or pattern that is made with small pieces of ceramic tile.

The Romans used to create very large and elaborate mosaic pieces, covering walls and sometimes the entire floor in their art.

Be sure you grab the SuperToob Ancient Rome to go along with your study.

What can you use these cute little figures for?

There are lots of ways to use them to compliment a unit and they come in so many themes.

  • Introduce a new unit with a fun set up.
  • Sensory Bins
  • Dioramas
  • Model for art projects
  • Shadow boxes
  • Cake/cupcake toppers
The Journey Through Time #2 Back In Time Ancient Rome Fun Mosaic

Then, add in more fun Ancient Rome activities.

Ancient Rome Activities

Here are a few more fun activities to include.

Here are some ideas for additional mosaic tile art subjects you could choose from which keep with the Ancient Rome theme.

  • Colosseum
  • Columns
  • Soldier
  • Gladiator
  • Triumphal Arch
  • Pottery
  • Parthenon
  • Laurel Wreath
  • Roman gods and goddesses

Too, I recommend that you stick with a simple image for your first project, two to three colors max.

It is a lot of gluing and arranging.

Once your children get the hang of it, the sky is the limit.

The Journey Through Time #2 Back In Time Ancient Rome Fun Mosaic

Hands-on History Ancient Rome Mosaic

You could also try making a mosaic of your dog, a cup of coffee, a video game controller, or whatever interests you.

I used cardstock.

But you could also upcycle colorful magazine pages and sort the colors for your project, use construction paper, or paint sample cards would be great.

You will need:

  • Cardstock
  • Scissors or paper cutter
  • Glue stick

Choose what image you want to create.

Then lightly draw the most important outlines and features with a pencil.

You don’t need to be detailed just get the general shape down.

The Journey Through Time #2 Back In Time Ancient Rome Fun Mosaic

Grab cardstock in the colors you will need and cut them in about ½” strips with scissors or paper cutter.

Next, cut the strips down into ½” pieces.

I cut some slightly larger and smaller to help fill in different areas.

The Journey Through Time #2 Back In Time Ancient Rome Fun Mosaic

Add any details you want to put in your picture first, then work around them like the eyes and mouth.

The Journey Through Time #2 Back In Time Ancient Rome Fun Mosaic

Apply glue in small sections and work on one color at a time to fill in completely.

I found that it was easiest to do the outline of the particular section first and then fill in.

The Journey Through Time #2 Back In Time Ancient Rome Fun Mosaic

Continue gluing and pressing down squares until your piece is completely filled in.

Once the glue is completely dry, lay it under a heavy book for a few hours to flatten if you like.

The Journey Through Time #2 Back In Time Ancient Rome Fun Mosaic

Other Geronimo Stilton Chapter Book Activities

What do you think? Ready to try another fun Geronimo Stilton activity?

Geronimo Stilton Journey Through Time Series Fifth Journey Fun Eiffel Tower

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This post may contain affiliate links. For more information, please see my full disclosure policy.

The Geronimo Stilton Journey Through Time Series has so many topics in one book. If your child is loving the Geronimo Stilton books, your child will love making a fun Eiffel Tower.

In Geronimo Stilton No Time To Lose The Fifth Journey Through Time Geronimo jumps from Napoleon’s Time to the Vikings’ Time and finally to King Solomon’s time in the Whisker Wafter time machine.

We are going to ride with him to France to Napoleon’s Court for his coronation ceremony to crown him as emperor of France.

Geronimo Stilton Journey Through Time Series Fifth Journey Fun Eiffel Tower

And then we will work on a hands-on activity which combines several areas of stem.

  • technology
  • engineering
  • math
  • art and
  • some history, and geography as we learn about a famous French landmark.

Geronimo Stilton Hands-on Literature

As usual these great Geronimo Stilton adventures take you through the clothing of the time periods in the books.

No Time To Lose (Geronimo Stilton Journey Through Time #5) is no exception.

You get to meet interesting historical figures like Napoleon and Josephine, and your kids learn so much about history through an entertaining little chapter.

Geronimo Stilton Journey Through Time Series Fifth Journey Fun Eiffel Tower

Was the Eiffel Tower part of the landscape when Napoleon charged through?

No, but it was built to celebrate the centennial of the French Revolution at the World’s Fair.

While it is not a part of the story it is unarguably one of the most famously identifiable landmarks in the world.

Too, this is a great way to introduce a timeline to learn about events before, during, and after the French Revolution.

Geronimo Stilton Journey Through Time Series Fifth Journey Fun Eiffel Tower

Also, you’ll love my French Revolution Unit Study and Lapbook to go with this craft.

6 Hands-on Activities for Geronimo Stilton Journey Through Time Series

Then, look at these 6 ways to enhance the book and timer period about the French Empire.

  1. Pull up a world map online, check out the map on your wall, or use an atlas to help your child identify France.
  2. Give them a hands- activity like this Edible Eiffel Tower to make.
  3. Learn a few words in French – Bonjour-Hello, Au Revoir- Goodbye, Merci- Thank You, Oui- Yes and Non- No
  4. Check out a few French artists through their paintings online or in a book.
  5. Free Storming the Bastille Game
  6. Learn About the Geography of France by Creating A Solar Oven

French Empire Hands-on Activity

First, before I get to the directions I want to say you should definitely let your kids learn through trial and error in making this edible Eiffel Tower.

This is a great learning experience but I do want to give you a few tips that we learned along the process that will make it a little bit easier for you. 

We originally set out to make our Eiffel Tower with just the cookies and the frosting which was not a strong enough glue. 

Definitely, include toothpicks as well as anything else you think might be helpful for the building process and then let your child experiment with what works and what doesn’t. 

Second, I found the sugar wafers cut very nicely with a butter knife but they make a huge mess from the minute they leave the package.

I’m talking worse than those little green packages of granola bars that leave crumbs everywhere.

I highly recommend you do this somewhere that is easily swept up or possibly even outside.

Will it be perfect? No it won’t, but remember momma, that’s okay the goal here is for them to learn and most importantly have fun while figuring it out.

Add these Safari Ltd Around the World figurines to your collection.

They can be used as art inspiration like for the Eiffel Tower, in sensory bins and dioramas, and so much more.

Build a Fun Edible Eiffel Tower

You will need:

  • Vanilla sugar wafers
  • Frosting
  • Plastic or metal butter knife
  • Toothpicks, skewers, etc…
  • Plate, cookie sheet or other base
Geronimo Stilton Journey Through Time Series Fifth Journey Fun Eiffel Tower

Next, the directions to make this fun craft Geronimo Stilton Journey Through Time Series

This is an activity where you want your kid to be in the lead.

Let them solve with as little support as possible.

Try to keep your help as open ended as possible by forming it into a question.

  • I see your tower is leaning, what do you think you could do to help that?
  • You did a great job on the base, what is your next step going to be?

That being said I will give you a few tips and things that worked for us to share with your child to help them get started.

Dip both ends of your cookies in the frosting to help hold it into the base and each other as you secure it. 

Geronimo Stilton Journey Through Time Series Fifth Journey Fun Eiffel Tower

Start by making the base with 4 cookies in each corner.

Using another cookie in between is a good way to measure equal distances between the corners.

I found the easiest way to do this was to carefully press a toothpick through two, slide them apart to the ends and bend them slightly to get an angle. Two made a stronger connection.

Geronimo Stilton Journey Through Time Series Fifth Journey Fun Eiffel Tower

Then build your “platform”.

This is easily done by piercing two wafers through the sides at each end like this.

Place it on top of the angled corners and secure.

You can then “wrap” cookies all around the side or just leave the platform depending on your little one’s level.

Geronimo Stilton Journey Through Time Series Fifth Journey Fun Eiffel Tower

Repeat the same steps and cut your cookies slightly smaller for each level to create the tall tapering look. Use lots of toothpicks.

This is what happened before we started using lots of toothpicks to secure everything- a great lesson in why the strength of the foundation and each subsequent level to support your structure is so important.

Geronimo Stilton Journey Through Time Series Fifth Journey Fun Eiffel Tower

Continue building all the way up as high as your child wants to go.

They will find after a certain point it will not hold well. Another great lesson they can learn on their own by doing.

Geronimo Stilton Journey Through Time Series Fifth Journey Fun Eiffel Tower

Here is what your final structure may look like.

Geronimo Stilton Journey Through Time Series Fifth Journey Fun Eiffel Tower

Finally, look at these other Geronimo Stilton books.

Other Geronimo Stilton Chapter Book Activities

For younger children or those who may become too frustrated due to coordination or learning challenges you may just choose to let them copy the Eiffel Tower on a flat surface.

You can still talk about the structure, the shape, what makes the Eiffel tower strong, etc.

Geronimo Stilton Journey Through Time Series Fifth Journey Fun Eiffel Tower