hands-on activities

Geronimo Stilton The Curse of The Cheese Pyramid Barbie Mummy

July 25, 2022 | Leave a Comment
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Geronimo Stilton The Curse of The Cheese Pyramid is another fun book in the series of Geronimo Stilton books. It is the second book in the series.

Elementary students will love taking their favorite Geronimo Stilton book and turning it into a mini unit study with a few hands-on activities.

The Curse of the Cheese Pyramid is another adventure for Geronimo Stilton. He is off to Egypt to the Great Cheese Pyramid.

Geronimo Stilton The Curse of The Cheese Pyramid Barbie Mummy

So, this hands-on activity I am sharing with you today, mummifying a Barbie gives kids a little bit more understanding of the mummification process.

And you can easily tie in science and history perfectly with the fun book The Curse of the Cheese Pyramid. Matter of fact most of the books highlight some kind of geography or history.

Even if your kids are older like middle or high school the same activity can be altered to make it a bit more challenging so that the whole family can join in.

Books Of Geronimo Stilton

If you don’t know about Geronimo Stilton books let me give you a quick little overview. The fun series is aimed at early readers or ages 7 to 10 years old

And they follow the many and varied adventures of Geronimo Stilton editor and publisher at The Rodent’s Gazette.

Too, they read similar to a graphic novel.

Geronimo Stilton Four Cheese Box Set (Books 1-4)

For instance, the words are highlighted in different fonts, sizes, and colors. The series make it an engaging read for kids.

They are silly and outlandish which makes it especially great for reluctant readers.

Another point about the different fonts and colors of words are that some are for emphasis.

However, quite a few make great lessons for vocabulary, spelling words, and introduction to the eight parts of speech.

So be sure to make note of the words for several chapters.

And have your child look up the words and make flashcards to round out this mini lesson.

You certainly can use this fun book as a spine for language arts. Too, you can use this spine as independent reading or for a read aloud.

Ancient Egypt Mummifying a Barbie Craft

However, one of the best parts of each book is that you can add hands-on activity as Stilton is always on a globe-trotting adventure.

Today, since Stilton is off to Egypt, we learned about mummies in Ancient Egypt

Look at this short list of supplies to make a Barbie mummy.

A Barbie or similar doll (we grabbed a cheap one from Dollar Tree)
Gauze
Cooking oil
Salt (we used Epsom since we had that)
large dish big enough for the body to lay in
Essential oils
Scissors and construction paper

First, we made a death mask from construction paper and laid it aside.

Your kids can get elaborate with this part or keep it simple.

Then we made simple canopic jars by drawing them on paper.

After drawing the jars, we cut them out and taped them into a tube shape.

A quick google search will show you what each of the four gods, Hapy, Imsety, Duamutef and Qebhsenef looked like and which housed which organs.

We also used our TOOB Organs to examine the organs closely,

Then, we laid them out and talked about each function as the kids pretended to extract the organ and place it in the canopic jars.

Barbie Mummy

Next, this portion of the activity can be done or finished while you read aloud.

Have your child finish the death mask. And let your child draw them with whatever art medium they choose. We used markers.

First, the brain was pulled out through the nose, but considered unimportant in ancient Egyptian times, it was just tossed out.

Then, the stomach, intestines, lungs, and liver were extracted and placed in the correct jar.

The heart stayed in place in the body. Use tweezers for this part and let them pretend they are extracting each part.

Next, Egyptians would cover the body in salt to remove all moisture, this would take weeks but for the sake of time we waited just a few minutes.

We used Epsom salt as we had a ton on hand already.

And then we placed our prepared body in a large tupperware container and covered it in salt as well as we could.

Finally, the body would be anointed with oils and wrapped,.

If you have some on hand add essential oils to a little bit of cooking oil to add to the sensory experience, pour over the entire body.

We tightly wrapped our Barbie head to toe and then affixed her death mask with a bit of tape.

Obviously, you know your child best and can include the parts that you would choose and gloss over those that might be too much for a younger child.

For example, for older children you can add ideas like labeling the organs, give them spelling and vocabulary words like sarcophagus, hieroglyphic, and etc.

Too, you can extend the lesson by having them give a presentation in front of the whole family on the mummification process.

Geronimo Stilton The Curse of The Cheese Pyramid covers everything from mummies to pyramids as well as mentions of camels, pharaohs, and the eye of RA, giving you a large base for a unit study.

I can’t wait to dig in a little deeper and share more hands on activities with you! What do you think? Are you going to add this to your list of hands-on activities?

Other Resources You’ll Love

Super Easy and Fun Aquarium Jar Craft For Summer Activities for Middle Schoolers

July 24, 2022 | Leave a Comment
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Your kids will love this fun aquarium jar craft for summer activities for middle schoolers. Whether you’re diving into a study about the oceans or doing a shark unit study, hands-on activities are the way to go. Also, look at my page homeschool middle school for more fun tips.

Either use an upcycled jar or a mason jar from Dollar Tree. This easy aquarium craft for summer activities for middle schoolers is a multisensory approach to learning.

Not all middle schoolers are at the same level of maturity, so a hands-on approach is effective at getting information in.

Super Easy and Fun Aquarium Jar Craft For Summer Activities for Middle Schoolers

In addition, no matter how easy of a project, it can help the information stay in little growing brains.

When we study a particular topic I like to include as many hands-on activities as possible and they range from super simple to more involved.

In addition, with shark week looming I started brainstorming fun and easy ways to learn about sharks and other ocean creatures in a unique way.

Besides, this is easy enough to make for a fun summer activity or to use for a homeschool summer co-op.

Craft For Summer Activities for Middle Schoolers

First, I gathered up some of our favorite books to fit the theme.

Ocean Anatomy,
Basher Ocean, and
The Big Book of Blue for reference.

We really enjoy the illustrations and the way the information is provided in simple little nuggets.

Next, before introducing the mini aquarium jar craft learn a few facts about the ocean.

For example, start with the fact that the ocean is a vast and mostly unexplored part of our Earth.

And it is filled with many beautiful and at the same time frightening creatures.

Encourage your child to be a marine biologist if just for the day.

Learn about a couple of creatures, their habits, feeding, characteristics, and what part they play in the oceans ecosystem.

Ocean Craft for Tweens

Have your middle schooler go through your ocean themed books. And the pile of plastic ocean animals. Choose just two to learn about. Here are the easy stipulations.

First, the animal had to fit in the small plastic mason jar from the Dollar Tree.

Second, the animal has to be one that your child is interested in learning about . This way he can research and learn about the animal for the rest of the assignment.

Although you may school year round, you can use assignments like this in summer to keep writing to a a minimal while sneaking in some learning through summer crafts.

Next, look at this easy list of supplies.

A smooth upcycled jar or plastic mason jar from Dollar Tree
Gravel or sand
Plastic ocean animals
A Hot glue gun
Distilled water
Essential oil or hand sanitizer

How to Make a Simple Jar Aquarium Ocean Craft

Begin by using a smooth upcycled jar or mason jar from Dollar Tree.

Sometimes the empty name brand jars have a good amount of writing and raised designs.

However, jars like spaghetti and pickle jars are good choices. Once you soak the label off they are usually smooth.

I pick up a couple of these plastic mason jars from Dollar Tree every so often because they are great for not only storage but also crafts.

Start by putting hot glue on the bottom of a piece of coral or plastic aquarium plant.

Press into the bottom of the jar.

And if you don’t have one in your plastic animals you can easily make some with craft foam.

They will stand upright and hold up to being soaked in water.

Next, add a layer of gravel or sand, just a bit to cover the bottom.

Next hot glue some of the animals in place.

We didn’t want our animals floating upside down or all piled up on the bottom.

And the glue shows very little through the jar.

We chose a giant squid and whale shark

Add just a tiny bit of hot glue and press them into place.

Once glue is cooled and hardened slowly add distilled water to ⅛” from the top of the jar.

You can add a bit of blue food coloring if you like too.

But previously we found that it made it too cloudy to see well.

Additionally to keep the water from going bad you can add a couple drops of antibacterial essential oil . Hand sanitizer works as well.

Add a bit of hot glue to the threads on the lid, Then, screw into place to keep it from leaking.

Finally, you can add quite a bit to this activity by watching a documentary.

Watch a document while your child puts the jar aquarium together

Too, create the mini aquarium during read aloud time with an ocean themed book keeps wiggly learners interest.

A few more ideas to make this fun are to use chalk pastels. Sketch your chosen animals for a fresh art piece.

Chalk pastels are more intriguing than everyday crayons. Also, have your child create a large model of their animal with paper mache.

What ocean crafts do you like doing during summer with your middle schoolers?

Other Ocean Crafts for Middle Schoolers

How to Make a Fun Paper Mache American Robin Bird Craft

July 17, 2022 | Leave a Comment
This post may contain affiliate links. For more information, please see my full disclosure policy.

Today, I’m sharing how to make a fun paper mache American Robin bird craft. Whether you’re doing a summer or spring unit study, you’ll love this craft to go with my North American Robin Unit Study.

And because you can study about birds anytime of the years, this paper mache bird craft can be done anytime. Too, hand crafts stimulate the creativity and imagination of your children.

For younger children, having something to hold like this fun American Robin craft helps them to focus on what you’re teaching

Besides, this is a fun art project that your children will love and want to keep.

Further, once you learn this technique you can do this for any spring or summer birds you find in your yard.

Also, this fun bird craft would make a great gift idea.

So if you’re like us, one of our favorite spring and summer pastimes is sitting in the backyard watching the birds stop by our feeder.

Too, we are always sure to keep it stocked with seed and keep the bird bath clean and full to encourage their visits.

In addition, we have such a variety of beautiful birds that come to eat.

For example, we see cardinals, black capped chickadees, blue jays, Mockingbirds, Mourning Doves, American Robin’s, and many more.

Moreover, American Robins can be seen throughout the US year round and in a wide range of habitats besides your backyard.

Facts About the American Robin

They are spotted in city parks, forests, mountains, tundra, and fields.

How to Make a Fun Paper Mache American Robin Bird Craft

If you look close you will notice that the males coloring is more intense while the females are a bit duller.

Robins like to build their nests among the dense leaves of trees but might also build their nest in a basket or light fixture on your front porch as well.

They love a wide variety of fruit as well as worms, insects, and sometimes even small snakes.

Next, these are two of my favorite nature reference books.

,And they have great bite sized tidbits of information, beautiful illustrations.

Too, while the Big Book of Birds especially is geared toward younger children middle schoolers really enjoy using it too!

The second one is Nature Anatomy: The Curious Parts and Pieces of the Natural World.

North American Robin Unit Study

Next, you’ll love these other tips and resources for a spring or summer unit study.

Use the links for this unit study or any bird unit study.

Finally, look at this list of easy supplies.

Robin Crafts

Cardboard
Straight edge knife
newspaper
scissors
Glue
water
Sturdy craft wire
Masking tape
Craft paint- rust orange, gray, brown, black,and white
Paintbrushes

Directions:

Use a pencil to draw a general bird shape onto a piece of scrap cardboard. You want to use a thick corrugated box rather than something like a cereal box for strength.

Make it as big or as little as you like.

This first step helps form the base shape and support the paper mache. Cut it out using scissors or a straight edge.

Move on next to bend craft wire to form the legs and feet.

Fold the wire over several times on each section to be sure it’s sturdy enough.

Too, I tried taping these to the form but they did not stay on well. But I found that hot glueing them was quicker and sturdier.

Combine 2 parts glue to one part water and mix well.

We used watered down glue which works as well as old fashioned paper mache but dries a bit faster and is less likely to mold like the wet flour might.

Tear newspaper into 1” or less strips, and make them just a little longer than the widest part of your bird form.

Ball up smaller pieces of newspaper and attach it to the sides of your form with masking tape to create a little more body and define the basic shape.

Dip your paper strips into the glue mixture, dragging it across the edge of your bowl to remove some of the excess.

Begin covering your structure with strips, alternating directions, and thickness to complete the shape of your bird.

Be sure to smooth each layer to avoid getting too much bumpy texture on your finished product.

Allow to dry completely. This will likely take a couple days to be sure it is dry through all the layers.

Once dry, you are ready to begin painting and adding personality to your little bird.

Mix a bit of gray and black paint to get the color of the back. You may find the perfect chest color in your paints already, but we mixed a bit of terra cotta and brick red to get ours.

We found the easiest order to paint our American Robin in was by first painting the gray brown back of the bird, then the black capped head and finally the rust brown underbelly and beak,. letting each section dry about 15 minutes between each.

When the paint is completely dry add some details with white like the eyes and some feather details.

You can use this tutorial to make any type of bird you like!

Just change up the shape slightly and choose whatever paint colors you need to customize your creation.

Spend some time before or after this craft looking up pictures of American Robin babies in the nest, listening to their calls, sketching the pictures in your notepad, and reading through some fun books to turn this craft into a mini unit study!

18 Colorful and Free Lapbooks for History Unit Studies

July 15, 2022 | 2 Comments
This post may contain affiliate links. For more information, please see my full disclosure policy.

I’ve rounded up 18 colorful and free lapbooks for your history unit studies. On my homeschool lapbooks page you can find them in chronological order if you plan that way.

If you’re wanting to cover history through a hands-on approach, then you’ll love lapbooks.

Besides, lapbooking can be used by a student on any level. And it can be crafty or not.

Lapbooks can be as much as the product of the student as he wants it to be, or he can use part put together.

18 Colorful and Free Lapbooks for History Unit Studies

Note: Some of the lapbooks were free for a limited time.

Too, it’s a great hands-on tool for reviewing history.

In addition, there are many other reasons to use lapbooks while doing your history unit study.

If you’re focusing on reading a living book about history, then create separate mini books for the 5ws and 1H of writing — who, what, when, where, why, and how.

Some history unit studies will be more reading literature focused while others may be more event focused.

And with free lapbooks you can mix and match mini books depending on the history topic you’re focusing on.

8 Easy Mini Books to Make for a History Lapbook

For example, look at these other mini books that your children could create based on any history topic.

1. Make an easy foldable timeline.

Timelines can be as easy or as complicated and extensive as your student wants. I love this one by Home School in the Woods.

2. Write a mini biography about a history maker.

In addition, a mini biography can be written in a quick glance fashion.

3. Sketch a geographical area referenced in your history topic.

Also, storing a hand drawn sketch in a pocket is a great reference tool for you student.

4. Draw mini maps.

Even a pretend map or mythical map brings a history to life.

5. Use strips to write vocabulary words.

Too, when your student uses sentence strips for vocabulary words, writing is not as overwhelming.

6. Compare natural resources of an area if your history topic is slanted toward natural resources.

Then how the natural resources of an area affects the people of the local area is another fun topic to write about.

7. Use a trifold mini book to compare 3 events or 3 people.

Moreover, if you’re wanting to compare and contrast, a trifold books can compare three people, three events, or even three dates.

8. A layered book could help your students visual the main religions or cultural difference.

As you can see this is a very short list of the mini books that you can include in your lapbook or that you can find in free lapbooks.

The advantage of course to any lapbook or history study is that you can follow your child’s interest.

And another advantage to the free lapbooks I create is that they are all colorful. Visual appeal matters.

For instance, when I graded lapbooks created by my children visual appeal counted. Because we live in a digital age, visual appeal matters more than ever.

Adding clip art to illustrate a history topic properly is equally important.

History Lapbook Materials

Additionally, the beauty of your history lapbook is that very little materials are needed. Sure, you can make it fancy like we have done at times.

For example, we used strips of leather and a beautiful colorful shell with a feather as a clasp to close our Plains Indians lapbook.

Too, look at these beautiful Suede Leather Cords and gorgeous Ocean Tone Colored File Folders Letter Size.

Also, I love colorful file folders instead of the drab plain ones.

Too, one more technique we like is to use the bright color for the inside of the file folder.

If your file folder is bright colored on both sides, then it doesn’t matter.

It’s just more visually appealing and it stays pretty through the years.

More Lapbook Ideas

If you’ve never used a lapbook with history, this is a great time to start.

Once your children do one or two they can get hooked on lapbooks and history.

Besides, look at this video, How to Homeschool EZ by Tina Robertson I have for you.

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Colorful and Free Lapbooks for History Unit Studies

You'll love this roundup of free lapbooks to bring your history topics to life.

The Trail of Tears 1820 - 1845 Unit Study & Lapbook

This unit study will focus of course on the culture and life of a few different Native American people, I wanted to expose the injustices and ugly side of American history. Those are teachable moments too of examples that we do not want to be like. The ugly side of history is something we do not shy away from, but I do think it should be approached in age appropriate ways.

American Revolution Unit Study and Lapbook 1775 - 1783

The American Revolution was the political upheaval during the last half of the 18th century in which thirteen colonies in North America joined together to break free from the British Empire, combining to become the United States of America.

American Civil War – The War Between the ‘Tates 1861 – 1865 Unit Study and Lapbook

I believe this government cannot endure, permanently half slave and half free…It will become all one thing, or all the other. “A House Divided” speech, June 16, 1858 Abraham Lincoln

Free Ancient Greece Lapbook

I finally have the rest of the minibooks for the free Ancient Greece lapboook that seems like it took us half a year to cover.

Free American History Lapbook - The Old West Through the Life of Wyatt Earp

I have the newest lapbook, which is the American history lapbook, learning about The Old West through the life of Wyatt Earp finished.

Free Marco Polo Unit Study, Lapbook, and Hands-on Ideas

Marco Polo 1254 to 1324 – A unit study and lapbook about the life of Marco Polo and Genghis Khan, as well as how the Silk Road came under the control of the Mongol rule.

French and Indian War 1754 -1763

The French and British discovered prior to the French and Indian war that they were claiming lands that were not empty. The Iroquois had been in the New York State for several hundred years before Europeans arrived. The British and French tried to get different Indian tribes on their side, including the Iroquois.

Iroquois Lapbook

In 1754 the British and the Iroquois Confederacy met and made an alliance. Britain provided the Iroquois with weapons and supplies, and the Native Americans helped the British fight against the French for control of the colonies.

Prior to 1775, the Indians had been dragged into many wars and the period prior to the American Revolution was no different. The Europeans had brought over superior weapons of destruction like guns, steel tomahawks, cannon and their diseases.

Ancient Civilizations II

Ancient Civilization Lapbook covering Sumer, Mesopotamia, The Babylonian & Hammurabi, Minoan and Mycenaean , Ancient Egypt, Greece, Phoenician, Ancient Greece & Rome Pockets, and Celts.

Plains Indians. Unit Study & Lapbook

I was born upon the prairie where the wind blew free, and there was nothing to break the light of the sun.

I was born where there were no enclosures, and where everything drew free breath.

I want to die there, and not within walls.”

~Ten Bears, Comanche Chief~

The FBI Unit Study and Lapbook

J. Edgar Hoover was named Assistant Director on August 22, 1921. We focused on the time period around his start with the FBI.

Ancient Civilizations Multiple Free Lapbooks

Ancient Rome
Ancient Babylon
Ancient Phoenicia

Famous Pharaohs and Queens of Egypt.
Ancient Assyria
Ancient China

Medieval Japan Unit Study and Lapbook 1185 – 1600 A.D.

This Medieval Japan Unit Study and Lapbook covers from 1185 – 1600 A.D.{1185 – 1600 A.D.} From the end of the Heian Period to the Beginning of Tokugawa {Edo} Period.

Vikings Lapbook Unit Study and Hands-on Activities

Your kids will love this Vikings lapbook and Vikings Unit Study. Barbarians as we use the term today had a very different meaning to the Ancient Greeks. The term Barbarian was coined by the Ancient Greeks and then used by the Romans.

BEST Westward Ho Unit Study and Lapbook!

The Oregon Trail was given National Historic Trail designation in 1978, honoring this great migration that helped assure that one day the Oregon country would one day be part of the United States.

Lewis and Clark Fun Homeschool Unit Study and Lapbook

Studying about Lewis and Clark has been one of the best ways to study American History. Begin with this mission statement by Thomas Jefferson below.

The object of your mission is to explore the Missouri river & such principal stream of it, as, by it’s course and communication with the waters of the Pacific Ocean…may offer the most direct & practicable water communication across this continent for the purpose of commerce.

Words by President Thomas Jefferson, June, 1803.

RMS Titanic Unit Study and Free Lapbook

RMS Titanic – {April 14/15, 1912}

Daniel Boone - North American Explorer

Before Washington began to fight the battles of the Revolution in the east, Daniel Boone and other famous hunters were fighting bears and Indians in what was then called the west. By that war in the woods, these brave and hardy men helped us to get possession of that part of the country.

Fun Making Ocean Layers Soap | Summer Activities for Middle Schoolers

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

If you’re diving into a study on the ocean layers, doing summer activities for middle schoolers, or want to do an Ocean Unit Study and Ocean Lapbook, our kids will love this ocean layers soap. Also, look at my page Homeschool Middle School for more fun tips.

Besides, there is no better way to learn than with a fun hands-on activity that demonstrates an idea you are trying to get across.

And yes, you could even make this fun soap activity for Shark Week.

Fun Making Ocean Layers Soap | Summer Activities for Middle Schoolers

The ocean is a huge and mostly unexplored part of our earth. As a matter of fact only about 20% of it has been explored and mapped by humans.

It is made up of 5 layers and each is different not just in depth but in temperature.

Too, the life that lives in each layer is very different.

It is fascinating, mysterious, scary, beautiful, and changing.

Today, we are going to create a beautiful bar of soap to demonstrate the 5 layers of the ocean and we can learn quite a bit while completing this activity.

Also, you’ll want to grab a couple of books to reference throughout.

And one of our favorites is Ocean Anatomy because of its beautiful illustrations and concise bites of information, even a high schooler enjoys it!

Another great one, especially for littles is The Big Book of Blue, another one with great illustrations.

Also, Basher has a great line that cover a lot of science as well as other topics.

We used Oceans as a reference during our soap making as well.

In addition, I’ll be sharing some research questions for each layer to challenge your child.

This will encourage them to use a reference book or internet, whichever you prefer to find out the answer.

We are going to make just enough today to make a couple of bars but you could easily double or triple the recipe for a larger batch.

Too, if you have access to a microwave this project would make a great activity for your co-op as well.

Layers of the Ocean

1. The Trenches (Hadalpelagic Zone)

First, The Trenches (Hadalpelagic Zone) is the deepest and darkest layer of the ocean.

It ranges from about 20,000 feet down to an estimate of 36,000 feet. It is freezing and the pressure is enormous there.

Hadal is named after Hades, Greek God of the underworld. While not a lot, there are some creatures that make their home there.

And a question: What is the deepest trench in the ocean? ( The Mariana Trench)

2. The Abyss(Abyssopelagic Zone)

Second, The Abyss(Abyssopelagic Zone) has crushing pressure and extremely cold temps.

And this part of the ocean ranges from about 13,700 feet down to 19,700 feet.

Ocean life is still scarce here but not nonexistent. This layer makes up about 83% of the total ocean.

And a question for your children: Name 3 creatures that live in this zone.
Chemosynthetic bacteria, tubeworms, and small fish, sharks, invertebrates and some crustaceans.

3. The Midnight Zone (Bathypelagic Zone)

Third is The Midnight Zone (Bathypelagic Zone).

The only light you will find in this mid layer of the ocean is from bioluminescent fish.

The Midnight zone ranges from 3,280 feet to 13,135 feet down into the depths.

And a question for your children: What is bioluminescence?
It is the production and emission of light from living organisms.

4. The Twilight Zone (Mesopelagic Zone)

Fourth is The Twilight Zone (Mesopelagic Zone).

Below 660 all the way down to 3,280 feet deep this layer is where some whales travel to eat.

Some of the animals here are darker and thinner for camouflage.

Too, squid and octopus are lurking at these depths.

Question: How many species of animals live in the Twilight Zone?
There are over 700.

5. The Sunlight Zone.

Fifth is The Sunlight Zone.

This top layer of the ocean only extends down to 660 feet.

There is plenty of sunlight here, hence the name, and there is a wider range of temperatures within this zone.

Fun question: In this zone where divers explore, what does SCUBA stand for?
Self-contained Underwater Breathing Apparatus.

Layers of the Ocean Soap Craft

Next, have fun making this layers of ocean soap craft.

Here is your list.

Clear melt and pour soap base
Blue Mica Powder or Soap Colorant
Soap Mold
Your favorite essential oil scents or soap fragrance. (Grab the Caribbean Set with scents like Pina Colada and Ocean Breeze)
glass bowl or measuring cup
5 Small glass bowls for dividing up colors
rubbing alcohol in a spray bottle

First, cut your soap into 1” chunks and place in the glass bowl.

Heat in the microwave for 1 minute and then in 30 second intervals until completely melted.

Mix in your scents to the desired scent strength.

We are going with coconut and lime today for our ocean scented soap, but you can put in any scent or combination you like.

Next, divide soap evenly between your bowls.

We love these little glass dishes from Dollar Tree because they work well for everything from sauces to experiments and at only 4/$1.25 they are a great kitchen or science addition!

Work quickly and add some color to each bowl.

Add only a small amount to the first bowl and adding more as go. We added a tiny bit of green and some black to the last to help make it even darker.

Pour your lightest layer in the mold and spritz it with rubbing alcohol in a spray bottle. This helps remove bubbles and will also help each layer stick together.

Let it set for 15-20 minutes to harden.

You will need to melt each layer in the microwave again for about a minute as it will harden while waiting.

However, no fret because it’s very easy to bring it back to a liquid state.

While we waited for each layer to melt we talked about that particular part of the ocean, looking up facts, watching videos, and reading our books.

Continue adding layers, lightest to darkest, spraying with alcohol between each.

Let your soap sit overnight then remove it from the mold.

More Ocean Activities for Summer

With just one activity we have covered science, geography, life skills, and art. Jot all those down in your Ultimate and Beautiful DIY Homeschool Unit Study Planner.

2. Ultimate DIY Homeschool Unit Study Planner
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Your child has used research skills, fine motor skills, following directions, reading, coordination, writing, and so much more!

The added bonus is that you are making memories while you learn about the ocean and its layers.