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hands-on activities

Learning About The Solar System Free Cosmic Wonders Guide

November 30, 2025 | Leave a Comment
This post may contain affiliate links. For more information, please see my full disclosure policy.

I have some learning about the solar system activities and a free Cosmic Wonders Fun Guide to the Universe’s Coolest Events. Look at my other page Exploring Space and Astronomy Free Unit Study for more ideas and topics for hands-on learning.

Learning about the cool events in the night sky printable has family activities and learning prompts.

And there are many hands-on ideas to keep your kids learning. For example, your child can build a comet model and keep a sky journal.

Learning About The Solar System Free Cosmic Wonders Guide

However, you want to explain what are cosmic events. Your child may know some of them.

For instance, they are supernovas which is a star that when it dies it explodes. Too, some supernovas can be seen from Earth without a telescope.

And a shooting star which your child may be familiar with is a tiny piece of space rock burning up in Earth’s atmosphere.

BOOKS ABOUT THE WONDERS OF THE SKY FOR KIDS

Next, look at a few of these books about the universe.

5 Books About Awesome Things in the Skies

Whether it’s the Northern Lights or shooting stars these books bring the wonder of the skies to life!

Arctic Lights, Arctic Nights

Imagine a land where the sun rises at 1:58 a.m. in the summer and shines for less than four hours on a winter's day. The animals in the wilderness near Fairbanks, Alaska, witness some of the world's greatest temperature extremes and light variations ever year. At an average low of -16 degrees Fahrenheit, the winters may be unpleasantly frigid, but the light shows are always glorious!

The Lights That Dance in the Night

The northern lights bring wonder and joy to all the creatures who bask under their mysterious glow in this gorgeous picture book from the creator of the holiday hit The Tree That's Meant to Be.From tiny specks of dust to gleaming rays in the dark, the northern lights travel across the Arctic, uniting every creature in a celebration over land and sea.In this wonderfully wintery picture book, Yuval Zommer imagines the northern lights' fleeting journey from space to Earth and how they weave a special magic for the animals and people living in the frozen lands below.

Shooting Stars

Explains what shooting stars are, what they are made of, and what happens to them when they land on Earth.

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

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. From planets and asteroids to black holes and galaxies, every page of this enthralling space book reveals the secrets behind more than 100 celestial objects, and will inspire  youngsters as they journey through the vastness of the Universe. Each celestial body is shown both photographically and illustrated, and children will love poring over the detailed close-up images.Get ready to explore fun facts and exciting new scientific discoveries as this best-selling picture book will illuminate imaginations and spark curious minds to explore the vastness of space. The engaging storybook-style descriptions and simple text shed a light on facts, myths, and key discoveries about the universe, perfect for children aged 6-8 to explore the wonders of our solar system and beyond.

Northern Lights:the award-winning, internationally bestselling, now full-colour illustrated edition

A stunning full-colour illustrated gift hardback to celebrate the 25th anniversary of NORTHERN LIGHTS, with breathtaking art throughout by Chris Wormell.

First published in 1995, and acclaimed as a modern masterpiece, this first book in the series won the UK's top awards for children's literature.

“Without this child, we shall all die.”

Lyra Belacqua and her animal daemon live half-wild and carefree among scholars of Jordan College, Oxford.

The destiny that awaits her will take her to the frozen lands of the Arctic

Next, look at these solar system activities to add to your learning day.

SOLAR SYSTEM ACTIVITIES

  • How To Make A Cool Paint Pour Aurora Borealis Craft
  • How to Create A Stunning Night Sky Paper Roll Display
  • About Astronomy and Space Science Fun Quick Unit Study
  • Dynamic Astronomy Lapbook for Multiple Ages
  • Oreo Phases Of The Moon Kids Science They’ll Love
  • Solar System Unit Study and Hands-on Planets Activity
  • Meteors, Meteorites, Comets and Meteoroids Today And Make a Fun Windsock
Learning About The Solar System Free Cosmic Wonders Guide

Also, look at what is included in this free printable.

COSMIC WONDERS OF THE UNIVERSITY

  • meteor showers
  • auroras
  • solar & lunar eclipses
  • comets
  • planetary alignments
  • supermoons
  • blood moons
  • zodiacal light
  • earthshine
  • sun halos

HOW TO GET THE FREE COSMIC WONDERS GUIDE

Now, how to grab the freebie.  It’s a subscriber freebie.

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

1) CLICK HERE ON THIS LINK TO SIGN UP ON MY EMAIL LIST & TO GET THIS FREEBIE.

2) Grab the freebie instantly.

3) Last, look for all my emails in your inbox. Glad to have you following me!

Leave a CommentFiled Under: Hands-On Activities Tagged With: astronomy, hands-on, hands-on activities, handson, handsonhomeschooling, homeschool, science, space

Easy Lewis And Clark Map Activity For Young History Buffs (Free Maps)

November 29, 2025 | Leave a Comment
This post may contain affiliate links. For more information, please see my full disclosure policy.

I have an easy Lewis and Clark map activity for your budding history buffs. Also, look at my page Lewis and Clark Fun Homeschool Unit Study and Lapbook for more ideas.

Additionally, I have a free map that can be used as an outline to teach younger children, and I share ways you can expand it for older learners. You can download the map at the bottom.

Lewis and Clark along with their team are the ultimate explorers in U.S. history. However, introducing the feat they accomplished on their journey to the Pacific is not easy to present to younger children.

Easy Lewis And Clark Map Activity For Young History Buffs

Even older learners may not have an idea of their trek. This easy hands-on assignment using push pins and a map gives them a chance to touch history and makes their story have meaning.

And by tracing and learning about the expedition, learners understand that history happened in real places.

Too, if you happen to live in an area that Lewis and Clark traveled in or visited an area they trekked, history takes on personal meaning.

LEWIS AND CLARK BOOKS FOR KIDS

Next, I’ve rounded up some living books and other resources for multiple ages.

Add one or two to your home library.

14 Lewis and Clark | Sacagawea Exploration Unit Study Resources

Lewis and Clark is one of the most significant periods in American history and you can spend weeks exploring the lands and people west of the Mississippi with these fun books and resources.

How We Crossed The West: The Adventures Of Lewis And Clark

Appealing art and descriptive text bring Lewis and Clark alive for young adventurers. Carefully chosen text from Lewis and Clark's actual journals opens a fascinating window into this country's exciting history.

National Geographic Readers: Sacagawea

Explore one of the most recognized figures in American history with this biography of Sacagawea. Kids will learn about her crucial role in the Lewis and Clark expedition and her influential legacy.  The level 3 text provides accessible, yet wide-ranging, information for independent readers.

Of Courage Undaunted: Across the Continent with Lewis & Clark

Commissioned in 1803 by President Thomas Jefferson to explore and open up this vast territory, Lewis and Clark felt it was the realization of a lifelong dream. Against the hardships of the wilderness, possible attack by hostile Indians, sudden blizzards and terrifying natural obstacles, these two men led the Corps of Discovery ably and nobly to complete their mission. Their Corps included American Indians from the Sioux, Mandan, Shoshone, Clatsop and Chopunnish tribes. Sacajawea, the only woman on the trip, was a Shoshone woman who contributed invaluable service as interpreter and guide. Daugherty's evocative sepia and black ink illustrations depict individuals of humor, vitality, passion, and strength.

Undaunted Courage: Meriwether Lewis, Thomas Jefferson, and the Opening of the American West

From the New York Times bestselling author the definitive book on Lewis and Clark’s exploration of the Louisiana Purchase, the most momentous expedition in American history and one of the great adventure stories of all time.

The Truth About Sacajawea (Lewis & Clark Expedition)

The only book ever written that tells the eyewitness truth about this famous teenage Indian mother who was indispensable to the Lewis and Clark Expedition.

The Journals of Lewis and Clark: 1805: Volume II

On May 14, 1804, the Corps of Discovery set out from Camp Dubois, Illinois, heading westward under the command of Captain Meriwether Lewis and his Second Lieutenant, William Clark. While Lewis led the group in terms of rank, the two men became de facto equals, giving their names jointly to a journey that would shape the future of the fledgling United States — the Lewis and Clark Expedition. This book presents journal entries taken directly from the expedition.

Sacagawea: American Pathfinder

Describes how Sacagawea found adventure guiding Lewis and Clark to the Oregon coast.

Along the Trail with Lewis and Clark (Third Edition): A Guide to the Trail Today

Take Your Own Journey through History on the Lewis & Clark Trail! Follow the journey of the Corps of Discovery from Thomas Jefferson’s Monticello through the Midwest and the Rockies, to the Pacific Ocean and back with this detailed chronicle of the Lewis & Clark Expedition. This third edition of the classic guidebook features accessible text that combines the historical sites and color maps that merge the past and present in a user-friendly and entertaining way.

The Lewis and Clark Expedition (Graphic History)

In this epic graphic novel, follow the dramatic story of  the Lewis and Clark expedition. In 1804, these two explorers, along with their "Corps of Discovery," traversed the unmapped American West, leading to scientific discoveries, interactions with Native nations, and route to the Pacific Ocean. Dramatic illustrations and fast-paced text provide a "you-are-there" experience. With extensive back matter, including a bibliography, extended reading list, glossary, and further Internet sources, young readers will gobble up this action-packed comic book about one of history's most compelling moments.

The Oregon Trail: The Journey Across the Country From Lewis and Clark to the Transcontinental Railroad With 25 Projects

In The Oregon Trail: The Journey Across the Country from Lewis and Clark to the Transcontinental Railroad, readers ages 9 to 12 can delve into the explorations of Meriwether Lewis and William Clark and other explorers. They can learn about the more than half a million people who followed during the nineteenth century. What challenges did these pioneers face on the 2,170-mile journey? How were Native American tribes and nations affected by this mass migration? Primary sources allow readers to feel like a part of the Oregon Trail experience while biographical sidebars will introduce the compelling people who were part of this time in U.S. history. Investigative, hands-on projects and critical thinking activities such as writing a treaty and researching artistic impressions of the Oregon Trail invite readers to further their understanding of life on the trail, early towns and forts, and the Transcontinental Railroad that followed the wagons into new lands and territories that would eventually become states.

Seaman's Journal

A trade paperback edition of the award-winning tale of the journey of Lewis and Clark. When Seaman, a Newfoundland dog, met his new master in August of 1803, he didn't know that he would spend the next three years on an adventure of more than 8,000 miles to the Pacific Ocean and back. Seaman's Journal is based on actual entries in Meriwether Lewis s journal describing Seaman, and it presents an account of the Lewis and Clark expedition as seen from the viewpoint of Lewis s dog. Join Seaman before the trip as preparations take place. Meet the Native American guides and friends they encountered along the way. And read of Seaman s love for Sacajawea, the Shoshone woman whose husband acted as interpreter and guide. Ages 5-8.

The Lewis & Clark Expedition: Join the Corps of Discovery to Explore Uncharted Territory

Describes the expedition led by Lewis and Clark to explore the unknown western regions of America at the beginning of the nineteenth century.

Lewis and Clark for Kids: Their Journey of Discovery with 21 Activities

Following Meriwether Lewis and William Clark’s Corps of Discovery as they navigate the muddy Missouri River and begin a great adventure, this activity book is set against the background of the vast North American continent. It takes children from President Jefferson’s vision of an exploratory mission across a continent full of unique plants and animals through their dangerous and challenging journey into the unknown to the expedition’s triumphant return to the frontier town of St. Louis. Twenty-one activities bring to life the Native American tribes they encountered, the plants and animals they discovered, and the camping and navigating techniques they used. A glossary of terms and listings of Lewis and Clark sites, museums, and related websites round out this comprehensive activity book.

It's Her Story Sacajawea A Graphic Novel

Sacajawea was a brilliant, multilingual Shoshone girl who was torn from her home at a young age. In 1804, she set out with the Lewis and Clark Expedition, acting as an interpreter and guide across hundreds of miles of unmapped land to reach the Pacific Ocean. Almost 200 years later, she became the first Indigenous woman to appear on a US coin. This is her story.

Also, look at these other Lewis and Clark activities.

MORE LEWIS AND CLARK ACTIVITIES

  • Spectacular Lewis And Clark Plants Drawings | 7 Quick Botany Art Lessons
  • What Plants And Animals Did Lewis And Clark Discover on their Famous Trek & Bitterroot Craft
  • 7 Fun Sacagawea Facts For Kids | How To Make Lewis & Clark & Sacagawea Peg Dolls
  • Fun Homeschool Unit Study Ideas | Lewis and Clark Exploration Lapbook
  • Lewis and Clark Expedition Botany 1 and 2 Interactive Minibooks
  • 22 Free Lewis & Clark Activity Posters (You Don’t Want to Miss These)
  • Lewis & Clark – Mighty Mississippi book & Sediment Activity
  • Lewis and Clark:Cooking on the Trail
  • Lewis and Clark Expedition – The Ultimate Guide
  • Lewis and Clark Louisiana Purchase Edible Map
  • Reliving The Past: Lewis And Clark’s Hands-on Experience With Simple Char Cloth
Easy Lewis And Clark Map Activity For Young History Buffs (Free Maps)

Finally, look at how to make this easy map for a visual of the area Lewis and Clark trekked.

LEWIS AND CLARK MAP ACTIVITY USING PUSHPINS

First, look at this easy list of supplies.

  • Large U.S. outline map printed on cardstock (grab this by adding your email at the bottom and you’ll get it instantly)
  • Cork board
  • Push pins
  • String or thin twine
  • Tape (optional, for securing the map to the cork board)
Easy Lewis And Clark Map Activity For Young History Buffs

Prepare the Map: Place the U.S. outline map on top of the cork board. Use tape at the corners if you want it to stay in place while the kids work.

Mark the Starting Point: Find St. Louis, Missouri, on the map.

Easy Lewis And Clark Map Activity For Young History Buffs

Place the first push pin there to mark the beginning of Lewis and Clark’s journey.

Map the Route: Look at a reference map of Lewis and Clark’s expedition.

Easy Lewis And Clark Map Activity For Young History Buffs

Add push pins along the path they traveled as they made their way northwest across the country.

Connect the Path: Tie a slip knot at the end of string and place around the first pin in St. Louis.

Easy Lewis And Clark Map Activity For Young History Buffs (Free Maps)

Then stretch the string from pin to pin, wrapping it around each push pin as kids trace the route all the way to the Pacific Ocean.

Easy Lewis And Clark Map Activity For Young History Buffs (Free Maps)

Review the Journey: Once the route is complete, have kids point out major stops or areas they recognize, and talk about how long and challenging the journey would have been.

LEWIS & MAP IDEAS FOR OLDER LEARNERS

So the outline of the states is an easy enough activity to introduce young history buffs to because it gives them the shape of the U.S.

Plus you can introduce easy cardinal directions.

However, you can expand this activity and use the maps in several ways.

Use the blank map to have your child label the states and also research some landmarks along the way.

For example, Pompeys’ Pillar and Fort Clatsop. And mark rivers and oceans. It gives your older learner a deeper appreciating of the area they explored when they can see how many states were covered.

BENEFITS OF AN EASY LEWIS AND CLARK MAP

Problem-Solving: Following a historical route encourages kids to compare maps, estimate distances, and make logical decisions about where to place pins.

Hands-On Geography: Kids learn U.S. geography in a tactile way by placing pins and following landmarks across the map.

History Connections: Mapping the route helps kids visualize Lewis and Clark’s expedition and understand how far they traveled.

Spatial Awareness: Kids get practice reading maps, understanding direction, and seeing how different regions connect.

HOW TO GET THE TWO FREE PRINTABLE MAPS

Now, how to grab the freebie.  It’s a subscriber freebie.

Easy Lewis And Clark Map Activity For Young History Buffs (Free Maps)

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

1) CLICK HERE ON THIS LINK TO SIGN UP ON MY EMAIL LIST & TO GET THIS FREEBIE.

2) Grab the freebie instantly.

3) Last, look for all my emails in your inbox. Glad to have you following me!

Leave a CommentFiled Under: Hands-On Activities Tagged With: hands on history, hands-on, hands-on activities, handson, handsonhomeschooling, history, homeschool

How To Teach Geography To Preschoolers: Around The World Bin

November 28, 2025 | Leave a Comment
This post may contain affiliate links. For more information, please see my full disclosure policy.

How to teach geography to preschoolers should be hands-on but it is not about teaching them continent names or capitals. Also, look at my pages How to Homeschool Preschool and Hands-On Simple And Best Homeschool Geography Ideas & Tips.

Preschoolers are naturally curious about the world around them. And teaching geography to preschoolers needs to begin with their immediate world and spark interests in other places.

For example, show your preschooler a picture with the house and your child in the picture. This also teaches spatial awareness.

How To Teach Geography To Preschoolers: Around The World Bin

Next, talk about where is the grocery store, the park or gas station. Places your preschoolers visits regularly helps associate location.

Even creating a me on the map activity give your child a starting point.

In addition, plenty of picture books gives your child an idea of other places.

ANIMAL GEOGRAPHY RESOURCES FOR KIDS

First, look at these fun books for preschoolers.

Use them for read aloud.

7 Animal Geography Resources

We refer to Wildlife Anatomy quite a bit for zoology, it is worth adding to your collection.

Wildlife Anatomy: The Curious Lives & Features of Wild Animals around the World

Bestselling author/illustrator Julia Rothman shares a delightfully illustrated guide to all the beasts of the wild, from lions, tigers, and bears to musk oxen, monkeys, elephants, giraffes, foxes, badgers, bats, crocodiles, owls, flying squirrels and much, much more.

Waypoint Geographic World ScrunchMap - Up-to-Date & Easy

Wall Maps: These world wall maps feature bright colors for easy identification of places of interest. This map of the world can be easily folded or "scrunched" Into the included storage pouch. Lasts longer than paper maps.

The Big Book of Beasts (The Big Book Series)

In The Big Book of Beasts, Yuval Zommer’s wonderful illustrations bring to whimsical life some of the grizzliest, hairiest, bravest, wiliest, and most fearsome beasts in the animal kingdom. Brimming with interesting facts from beast consultant Barbara Taylor, this charming picture book is a beautiful way for parents to introduce young children to the animal world―and for older children to learn by themselves.

Photo Credit: www.bfbooks.com

Around the World with Picture Books Part II (Download) -

Each country visited features a selection of animals indigenous to those regions. These beautiful drawings will familiarize students with some remarkable creatures, their habitat and habits, cultivating respect and wonder for the natural world. Part Two covers Europe and South America. In Europe we cover France, Spain, Italy, Holland, Denmark, Sweden, and Great Britain! In South America we cover Ecuador, Chile, Peru, and Brazil!

Rand McNally Junior Classroom Atlas of the World

Our colorful, engaging atlas is ideal for students in second through fourth grades and was developed from our award-winning Classroom Atlas, just simplified for younger students. Completely redesigned with a new layout,eye-catching pictures, informative graphics, and fully updated map content. Teaches map and globe skills to younger students. Features photos, graphs, interesting facts, and thought-provoking questions that reinforce map concepts.Includes 15 physical, political, and thematic maps.

A Child's Introduction to the World: Geography, Cultures, and People--From the Grand Canyon to the Great Wall of China (A Child's Introduction Series)

Explore all the fascinating things that make Planet Earth such an exciting place to live with this lively introduction to our world, its geography, culture, and people.  Get ready for an incredible journey, one in which you’ll visit far-off places, meet interesting people, and learn all about continents, countries, climates, and more. This book is also full of fun facts about animals, sports, foods, inventions, and holidays from all over the world.

Animal Atlas

Lift the flaps in this quirky 3D atlas as illustrator Ingela P. Arrhenius takes the youngest of readers around the globe, introducing an enchanting selection of animals. Did you know that flamingos hide their heads while they sleep? That a Galápagos tortoise can live for a hundred years? That baboons have pink bottoms? Or that a peacock’s tail is used to impress potential mates? With interactive flaps and a central pop on each colorful spread, this is a stand-up gift for small children who love animals of all stripes.

Then, look at these other preschool activity resources.

MORE PRESCHOOL GEOGRAPHY RESOURCES

  • Learn About Indigenous Animal Geography Fun Activity for Preschool to Elementary
  • 5 Mexico Crafts For Preschoolers And Free Activity Pages
  • Sensory Play Made Easy: Crafting a Community Helpers Sensory Bin
  • How To Teach The 50 States To Preschoolers | 50 States Busy Book
  • K is for Kangaroo| Australia Theme
  • Fun Hands-on Coral Reef Activities and Play Dough Invitation to Play
How To Teach Geography To Preschoolers: Around The World Bin

In addition, look at these ways to teach geography to preschoolers.

5 WAYS TO TEACH GEOGRAPHY TO PRESCHOOLERS

Because kids this age need to move and explore, use their natural love for learning to teach geography through different sense.

1. USE MUSIC AND STORIES TO TEACH CULTURES

First, begin with music. Children love to dance and move to music.

Introduce stories and songs from a country you think would interests your child.

2. SIMPLE GLOBES & MAPS ARE BEST

Also, children can much more than we may think. Let the feel and spin simple globes to understand what is the world.

Besides, flat maps they can see introduces the shapes of continents. This early introduction can ignite a future love of maps.

3. GEOGRAPHY-THEMED SENSORY PLAY

Too, I will be doing a geography themed sensory bin.

Bins can have desert, ocean, or even snow themes to introduce a preschooler to different biomes.

4. CONNECT GEOGRAPHY TO ANIMALS AND NATURE

Additionally, my sensory bin will. be using something all preschoolers like which is animals.

Using nature and animals and where animals live fosters a love of science too.

5. CELEBRATE CULTURAL TRADITIONS

And because kids love to move, use traditions of countries to teach your kids about cultures. They can make crafts to celebrate different traditions.

Even go on a scavenger hunt teaches them directions.

Finally, look at how to make this around the world geography sensory bin.

AROUND THE WORLD GEOGRAPHY SENSORY BIN

Supply List

  • Uncooked rice
  • Blue food coloring
  • Zip-top bag or bowl for dyeing rice
  • Green felt sheets
  • Scissors
  • Toy animals

Dye the Rice: Add uncooked rice to a zip-top bag or bowl. Add a few drops of blue food coloring, seal or stir, and shake/mix until the rice is evenly coated. Spread it out to dry completely.

How To Teach Geography To Preschoolers: Around The World Bin

Prepare the Continents: Cut simple continent shapes out of green felt. Keep them recognizable but child-friendly and easy to handle.

How To Teach Geography To Preschoolers: Around The World Bin

Set Up the Bin: Pour the blue rice into the sensory bin to create the “ocean” base.

How To Teach Geography To Preschoolers: Around The World Bin

Add Continents: Lay the green felt continents on top of the rice to form a basic world map.

How To Teach Geography To Preschoolers: Around The World Bin

Add Animals: Place toy animals nearby or mix a few into the bin.

BENEFITS OF A GEOGRAPHY SENSORY BIN

Provides sensory input that keeps kids calm, engaged, and curious during play.

Encourages geography awareness by helping kids connect animals to different continents.

Builds fine motor skills while placing animals and exploring the rice base.

Strengthens critical thinking as kids match habitats to regions.

Supports language development through conversations about animals, climates, and continents.

Leave a CommentFiled Under: Hands-On Activities Tagged With: geography, hands-on, hands-on activities, handson, handsonhomeschooling, homeschool, homeschool preschool, preschool

Australian Wild Animals Sensory Activities To Celebrate Its Unique Wildlife

November 25, 2025 | Leave a Comment
This post may contain affiliate links. For more information, please see my full disclosure policy.

Australian wild animals sensory activities are a wonderful way to dig into the wild and crazy world of outback creatures. Also, see my page Free 4-Week Kid’s Australia Unit Study Who Love Hands-on Learning.

Australia is home to some of the world’s most fascinating (and sometimes scary) creatures. From hopping kangaroos to ferocious crocodiles, this continent’s wildlife is full of surprises.

Australian Wild Animals Sensory Activities To Celebrate Its Unique Wildlife

Creating a sensory bin inspired by Australian animals is a fun and hands-on way for kids to learn about these amazing creatures while exploring textures, sounds, and colors that represent their natural habitats.

You can fill your sensory bin with sand or kinetic sand to represent the outback, small pebbles, toy trees, and plastic animal figures of Australian wildlife.

As your child digs, scoops, and plays, you can introduce fun animal facts to spark curiosity and conversation.

Books About Australia or Set in Australia for Kids

Next, look at some of these books we’ve used.

9 Australia Books for Kids Who Love to Read and Be Read To

Grab one or two of these books about Australia to add to your unit study or your home library.

The Upside-down History of Down Under

The true story of Australia starts with a piece of land that went for a swim. Millions of years ago it floated away from Africa. Very, very, slowly. It was home to dinosaurs and giant animals, until the first Australians showed up and got comfortable. This wild and wonderful land was a mystery to the rest of the world. Then the English decided to make it the biggest jail ever . . . Experience the story of Australia from prehistory to federation in 1901.

Storm Boy & Other Stories

Set along the rugged beauty of the South Australian coast, Storm Boy cares for an injured pelican and finds a friend that shows him the power of loyalty and love. This moving story is now a major motion-picture and one of the classics of Australian writing for children. This edition comes with five other stories by Colin Thiele that capture the unique voices of Australians across the natural and suburban landscape.

Seven Little Australians

A captain who has lost his wife remarries a much younger woman to provide his six children with a new mother. Together, the couple had another child, making seven. The captain tries to run the family with stern discipline, but he is no match for the fun-loving children.

Warrigal the Warrior

The story of a killer-dog. His owner had tried to train him to the domestic life, but the call of the wild and his hunting instincts were too powerful. As a killer he roamed abroad, hunted fiercely by farmers whose stock he wantonly destroyed. It is a story that is founded in fact.As for Warrigal -- he is as nature fashioned him.“I have not sought to glorify Warrigal, neither have I condemned him. I have just tried to present him as he really is, without fear or favour, affection or ill-will.”

Audrey of the Outback

Meet Audrey Barlow - a girl with a lot on her mind. Her dad has gone away to work, her brother Price thinks he's too old for games, and little Dougie likes pretending to be a bird. So together with her best friend Stumpy, Audrey ponders some of life's big questions ... like whether being a swaggie is lonelier than being a girl, and whether it's better to be a sheep or a cow. Follow Audrey and Stumpy through this dazzler of a story and discover how friends are never far away ... even in the Outback. You'll soon wish you lived there too.

A Little Bush Maid

Billabong, a large cattle and sheep property in the Australian countryside, is home to 12-year-old Norah Linton, her widowed father, David, and her older brother, Jim. Norah's prim and proper aunts, who live in the city, consider she is in danger of "growing up wild" - riding all over Billabong on her beloved pony, Bobs, helping with mustering, and joining in on all the holiday fun when Jim and his friends come home from boarding school.

A fishing trip results in unexpected drama when they discover a mysterious stranger camped in the bush. Who is this stranger and why is he there? Norah's resourcefulness is tested to the full!

Rabbit-Proof Fence: 1000 Headwords

Fourteen-year-old Molly and her cousins Daisy and Gracie were mixed-race Aborigines. In 1931 they were taken away from their families and sent to a camp to be trained as good 'white' Australians. They were told to forget their mothers, their language, their home.But Molly would not forget. She and her cousins escaped and walked back to Jigalong, 1,600 kilometres away, following the rabbit-proof fence as their guide across the desert.This is the story of that walk, told by Molly's daughter, Doris. 

Are We There Yet?

Join Grace and her family as they hit the road camping, experiencing, and meeting all the people and places that make up Australia.

Possum Magic

Grandma Poss uses her best bush magic to make Hush invisible. But when Hush longs to be able to see herself again, the two possums must make their way across Australia to find the magic food that will make Hush visible once more. “Another treat from Mem Fox that is sure to be treasured. The whimsical illustrations are a wonderful complement.

Here are some incredible animals to include and what makes each one special.

AUSTRALIAN WILD ANIMALS

DINGO

The dingo is Australia’s wild dog. It looks a lot like a domestic dog but is a clever hunter that lives in deserts, forests, and grasslands.

Dingoes are known for their howls, which help them communicate across long distances. Unlike most dogs, they rarely bark.

They are skilled hunters and often hunt in small packs to catch rabbits, kangaroos, or birds.

KOALA

Koalas are often called “koala bears,” but they aren’t bears at all. They’re marsupials, which means they carry their babies, called joeys, in a pouch.

Koalas spend most of their lives in eucalyptus trees and eat almost nothing but eucalyptus leaves. Because their food provides little energy, they sleep up to 18–20 hours a day.

Fun fact: A koala’s fingerprints are almost identical to a human’s. Even scientists have a hard time telling them apart under a microscope.

KANGAROO

Kangaroos are one of Australia’s most recognizable animals. They are the largest marsupials and can leap more than 25 feet in a single bound.

Their powerful hind legs and large tails help them balance and move quickly. Female kangaroos carry their young, called joeys, in a pouch until they’re ready to hop out and explore.

PLATYPUS

The platypus is one of the strangest animals on Earth. It has the bill of a duck, the tail of a beaver, and webbed feet. It lays eggs even though it’s a mammal, and it spends much of its time swimming in rivers and streams. Male platypuses have venomous spurs on their back legs, which is rare among mammals.

TASMANIAN DEVIL

The Tasmanian devil is a small but fierce carnivore found only on the island of Tasmania. It’s famous for its loud screeches, powerful jaws, and strong teeth.

Despite their scary name, these animals are important scavengers that help keep the environment clean by eating dead animals.

FRILLED LIZARD

The frilled lizard is known for the dramatic frill of skin around its neck. When it feels threatened, it opens its mouth wide, and the frill pops out like a big circle around its head.

This display makes it look much larger to scare away predators. Frilled lizards live in northern Australia and are excellent climbers.

WOMBAT

Wombats are sturdy, burrowing marsupials with short legs and a love for digging tunnels underground. They have cube-shaped droppings that help mark their territory and don’t roll away.

Their backward-facing pouch prevents dirt from getting inside when they dig.

CROCODILE

Australia is home to two kinds of crocodiles — the freshwater crocodile and the larger, more dangerous saltwater crocodile. Saltwater crocodiles, sometimes called “salties,” can grow over 20 feet long and are powerful swimmers.

They live in rivers, swamps, and coastal areas of northern Australia.

Fun fact: Crocodiles can go months without eating, thanks to their slow metabolism, and can hold their breath underwater for over an hour.

Australian Wild Animals Sensory Activities To Celebrate Its Unique Wildlife

Next, look at these activities.

AUSTRALIAN WILD ANIMALS CRAFTS AND RESOURCES

  • Free Printable Australian Animals Graphing Activity
  • 6 Australian Animal Craft Ideas | Easy Paper Bag Platypus
  • Cute Playdough Hedgehog Activity for Kids – Taming Little Monsters
  • Kookaburra Crafts & Song
  • How To Make A Kangaroo Pocket | Letter K Craft Preschool Australia Theme
  • Fun Koala Handprint Craft

Finally, look at this Australian wild animals sensory activities.

AUSTRALIAN WILD ANIMALS SENSORY ACTIVITIES

You will need:
● Large shallow tub
● Australian animals toob
● Craft sand or rice
● Red food coloring
● Sticks
● Rocks of different sizes
● Cardstock, craft foam, or felt

Australian Wild Animals Sensory Activities To Celebrate Its Unique Wildlife

Use a couple of drops of red food coloring to dye your base; you can then use sand, salt, or rice to represent the high iron content in the soil that gives it a red appearance.

Australian Wild Animals Sensory Activities To Celebrate Its Unique Wildlife

Spread your base out and allow it to dry in the sun if possible.

Australian Wild Animals Sensory Activities To Celebrate Its Unique Wildlife

Stir it a few times so everything dries evenly.

Australian Wild Animals Sensory Activities To Celebrate Its Unique Wildlife

Pour the base into a shallow sensory tub.

Australian Wild Animals Sensory Activities To Celebrate Its Unique Wildlife

Add a layer of sticks, leaves, rocks, and other foliage of different sizes to get your terrain.

Australian Wild Animals Sensory Activities To Celebrate Its Unique Wildlife

Finally, hide your animals around the sensory bin.

Australian Wild Animals Sensory Activities To Celebrate Its Unique Wildlife

For letter recognition, you can also include letter tiles for the beginning letter of each animal.

Australian Wild Animals Sensory Activities To Celebrate Its Unique Wildlife

Be sure to add spoons, measuring cups, and other little tools so your child can scoop, pour, measure, and redo their sensory bin.

Leave a CommentFiled Under: Hands-On Activities Tagged With: Australia, biology, hands-on, hands-on activities, handson, handsonhomeschooling, homeschool, science

How to Make a Fizzy Snow Man Potion

November 24, 2025 | Leave a Comment
This post may contain affiliate links. For more information, please see my full disclosure policy.

We’re making a fizzy snow man potion. It’s a bit of art, part science and the other part pure fun. Also, grab more ideas and a free lapbook for winter fun on my page Winter Season Unit Study.

Besides having many snowman ideas to keep your kids learning all winter long, this idea will also keep your kids from bouncing off the wall when the weather is bad outside.

This fizzy snow man potion brings a bit of winter wonder right into your kitchen.

How to Make a Fizzy Snow Man Potion

Think of it as a fun science experiment disguised as a winter craft.

Using just a few household ingredients like baking soda and vinegar, you and your little ones can create a “snowman” that bubbles and fizzes. Also, you can add a few drops of food coloring for massive ewws and awwws.

Without even realizing it, your kids are learning about chemical reactions.

BOOKS FOR KIDS ABOUT SNOW AND SNOWMEN

Next, look at a few books about snow and snowmen for kids.

I prefer living books and then we may add a reference book or two to our day.

13 Snow, Snowman, Animals, and Winter Books

Add one or more of these books to your learning day if you're learning about snow, snowflakes, winter or just for fun.

Winter Cottage

Immerse Yourself in This Story of Love and Companionship Amidst Deprivation

It is the fall of 1930, and America has plunged into the Great Depression. On a remote dirt road deep in the snowy woods of northern Wisconsin, misfortune forces the impoverished Sparkes family to take desperate measures.

A wayfaring quartet consisting of thirteen-year-old Araminta (nicknamed Minty), her recently unemployed father-a poetry-quoting widower called Pops-and her younger sister, Eglantine (known as Eggs-a dreamer like Pops), and their dog, Buster, are on their way to Minneapolis to live with the curmudgeonly Aunt Amy. When their car breaks down and they are unable to fix it, the homeless four stumble upon a vacant summer cottage by a lake. In desperate straits, they decide to settle in.

1. The Story of Snow: The Science of Winter's Wonder

How do snow crystals form? What shapes can they take? Are no two snow crystals alike? These questions and more are answered inside this exploration of the science of snow, featuring photos of real snow crystals in all their beautiful diversity. Perfect for reading on winter days, this book by a nature photographer and a snow scientist will inspire wonder and curiosity about the marvels of snow. 

2. Sneezy the Snowman

B-R-R-R-R! AH-CHOO! Sneezy the Snowman is cold, cold, cold. To warm up, he drinks cocoa, sits in a hot tub, stands near a warm fire–and melts! But the children know just what to do to build him up again–and make him feel “just right”.

3. Snowmen at Night

Have you ever built a snowman and discovered the next day that his grin has gotten a little crooked, or his tree-branch arms have moved? And you've wondered . . . what do snowmen do at night? This delightful wintertime tale reveals all!

4. The Biggest Snowman Ever

When the mayor of Mouseville announces the town snowman contest, Clayton and Desmond claim that they will each make the biggest snowman ever. But building a huge snowman alone is hard! They work and work, but their snowmen just aren't big enough. Soon they have an idea. As the day of the contest approaches, Clayton and Desmond join forces to build the biggest snowman ever.

5. Over and Under the Snow

Over the snow, the world is hushed and white. But under the snow lies a secret world of squirrels and snow hares, bears and bullfrogs, and many other animals making their winter home under the snow. This beloved nonfiction picture book exploring the subnivean zone reveals the tunnels and caves formed beneath the snow but over the ground, where many kinds of animals live through the winter, safe and warm, awake and busy, but hidden beneath the snow.

A Hat for Minerva Louise

"Stoeke's second book about that intrepid screwball, Minerva Louise, is a rare find."—The Horn Book, starred review. The other chickens hate snowy mornings. But not Minerva Louise! To her a snowy day—like everything else—is an adventure. But this chilly, chipper hen needs something to keep her warm. What she finds—and how she finds it—will keep young readers cackling.

6. How to Catch a Snowman

Our heroes' entry for the snowman contest has magically come to life―and ran away! Can YOU help catch it? Get ready for snow much fun as you travel through a winter wonderland with running, skating, and bouncing through trap after trap to catch the snowman and claim the winning prize. Will the snowman teach our heroes a lesson they'll never forget?

The Big Snow

When the geese begin to fly south, the leaves flutter down from the trees and the cold winds begin to blow from the north, the animals of the woods and meadows, big and small, prepare for the long, cold winter ahead when the countryside is hidden under a deep blanket of snow. They gather food and look for warm, snug places in the ground, trees, caves or thickets, where they can find protection against the icy winds.It might have been hard for the birds and animals of the hillside to survive when the Big Snow came if their good friends, who lived in the little stone house, had not remembered to put food out for them.Here, in many beautiful pictures, the Haders show how winter comes to the woodland as the busy animals make their preparations.

7. Curious About Snow (Smithsonian)

The Smithsonian does things right and this Curious About Snow book is a
great introduction for curious kiddos with real images and simple explanations.

8. Animals in Winter

This is a clear and appealing book for early elementary age kids, both at home and in the classroom. Introduce kids to basic science ideas as part of discussions about the seasons and animals.

9. Arctic Figurines, Including A Harp Seal, Husky, Caribou, Arctic Rabbit, Killer Whale, Walrus, Arctic Fox, Beluga Whale, Igloo, And Polar Bear

SET OF 10 FUN AND FRIGID FIGURES – It’s hard to stay warm at the North Pole, but you can discover its wonders in your home with these frigid friends. This TOOB includes a Harp Seal, Husky, Caribou, Arctic Rabbit, Killer Whale, Walrus, Arctic Fox, Beluga Whale, Igloo, and Polar Bear.

10. Nature Anatomy: The Curious Parts and Pieces of the Natural World

See the world in a whole new way! Acclaimed illustrator Julia Rothman combines art and science in this exciting and educational guide to the structure, function, and personality of the natural world. Explore the anatomy of a jellyfish, the inside of a volcano, monarch butterfly migration, how sunsets work, and much more. Rothman’s whimsical illustrations are paired with interactive activities that encourage curiosity and inspire you to look more closely at the world all around you.

Next, look at more snow man activities.

MORE SNOW MAN ACTIVITIES

  • How To Build A Snowman Using Wooden Spools
  • How to Make an Easy Build a Snowman Kid’s Game (free printable cube)
  • W Is For Winter Craft Easy Snowman Oobleck Activity
  • Fun Paper Cup Snowman Game Matching Upper and Lowercase Alphabet Letters
  • Cute and Simple Snowman Story Stones Winter Art Activities For Preschoolers
  • How to Make an Adorable Q Tip Painting Snowman
  • 8 Cool Winter Crafts for Middle School | Craft a Snowman Bead Necklace
  • Fun Styrofoam Snowman Art Activity & 5 Facts About The Wonders of Winter
  • How to Make an Adorable Toilet Roll Snowman for Winter Crafts
  • Snow and Snowflake Facts for Kids and Fun Hands-on Exploding Snowman
How to Make a Fizzy Snow Man Potion

Finally, look at how to make a fizzy snowman potion.

FIZZY SNOWMAN POTIONS ACTIVITY

First, look at this list of supplies.

  • Small cup or dropper for pouring
  • Small clear potion bottle or jar
  • Black paper
  • Orange paper
  • Scissors
  • Clear tape
  • Baking soda
  • Glitter (white, silver, or blue)
  • Vinegar
How to Make a Fizzy Snow Man Potion

Start by decorating the potion bottle to look like a snowman. Cut small black circles from paper for the eyes and buttons.

Cut an orange triangle for the carrot nose.

How to Make a Fizzy Snow Man Potion

Stick the paper pieces onto the bottle and cover them with clear tape to protect your snowman’s face from getting wet.

Add a scoop of baking soda to the bottle.

How to Make a Fizzy Snow Man Potion

Sprinkle in a little glitter for a magical snowy sparkle.

How to Make a Fizzy Snow Man Potion

Slowly pour in vinegar (or use a dropper for extra fun). Watch as the potion fizzes and bubbles like a snowstorm inside the bottle

Kids can experiment by adding small amounts of vinegar at a time to see how the fizz changes.

They can mix in more glitter, pretend they’re “mixing up snow magic,” or try making potions for different snowmen with varied ingredients.

BENEFITS

This activity introduces kids to simple chemistry through a safe and exciting hands-on experiment.

It builds fine motor skills, encourages creativity, and helps children learn about reactions between baking soda and vinegar

Leave a CommentFiled Under: Hands-On Activities Tagged With: hands-on, hands-on activities, handson, handsonhomeschooling, homeschool, science, snow, snowman

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