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Summer Learning Ideas For The Littles & Free Backyard Brainiacs Printable

May 26, 2025 | Leave a Comment
This post may contain affiliate links. For more information, please see my full disclosure policy.

I have summer learning ideas for your littles. Too, I have a free backyard brainiacs space themed printable. Also, look at my post Free Summer Unit Study For Kids for more activities. Too, look at my page How To Homeschool Elementary Students Like A Pro.

Anytime is really a good time to get your little learners outside with these fun summer learning ideas. Especially with hands-on ideas and room for free exploration, try one or two of these activities.

Teaching your elementary school children doesn’t have to stop in summer. A lot of homeschoolers school year round and summer is not any different than any other season.

Summer Learning Ideas For The Littles & Free Backyard Brainiacs Printable

We homeschool, we learn and take time off as needed. Repeat as necessary.

And young children learn best through play, exploration, and meaningful conversations with you. So, turn your backyard into a lab or make it a nature story time place.

First, look at some of these books for summer reading.

SUMMER THEMED BOOKS FOR ELEMENTARY CHILDREN

I prefer living books first.

As I find them, I add to our list then add reference books.

8 Summer Books for Elementary Aged Children

Add these summer books to your little learner’s reading list. Use for read aloud or to add to a fun unit study.

The Raft

Nicky is convinced that his summer with his grandmother in the Wisconsin woods is going to be the worst summer ever. She cooks food that he doesn’t like, there’s an art studio where her living room should be, and he’s expected to do chores—including fishing, the most boring chore ever.

But one afternoon, while Nicky is trying to catch their dinner, a raft drifts down the river towards him. The raft has a calming magic about it, affecting both Nicky and the wildlife of the river and woods. Through the raft and the adventures it brings him on, Nicky finds new common ground with his grandmother, a fellow river rat, who encourages him to explore his newfound talent for art.

This is an imagination-sparking story about appreciating the simple, natural joys of the world and the people in it, and about discovering and exploring one’s own talents.

Miss Rumphius

Barbara Cooney's story of Alice Rumphius, who longed to travel the world, live in a house by the sea, and do something to make the world more beautiful, has a timeless quality that resonates with each new generation. The countless lupines that bloom along the coast of Maine are the legacy of the real Miss Rumphius, the Lupine Lady, who scattered lupine seeds everywhere she went. Miss Rumphius received the American Book Award in the year of publication.

Andrew Henry's Meadow

Andrew Henry has two younger brothers, who are always together, and two older sisters, who are always together. But Andrew Henry is in the middle--and he's always with himself. He doesn't mind this very much, because he's an inventor. But when Andrew Henry's family doesn't appreciate him or his inventions, he decides it's time to run away. Many children in the neighborhood feel the same way and follow him to his meadow, where he builds each of his friends a unique house of their very own. But in town the families miss their children and do everything they can to find them. And the kids realize that it feels a little lonely out in the meadow without their parents.

Summer Story (Brambly Hedge)

Follows the activities of the Brambley Hedge community of field mice in summer.

Blueberries for Sal

Kuplink, kuplank, kuplunk! Sal and her mother a picking blueberries to can for the winter. But when Sal wanders to the other side of Blueberry Hill, she discovers a mama bear preparing for her own long winter. Meanwhile Sal's mother is being followed by a small bear with a big appetite for berries! Will each mother go home with the right little one?

Jamberry

A small boy and a big friendly bear embark on a berry-picking extravaganza, looking for blueberries, blackberries, and strawberries. Their fun adventure comes to a razzamatazz finale under a starberry sky.

Pond

When Matt is out for a late winter hike he sees a trickle of water in the old deserted and junk filled dirt pit at the edge of his
neighborhood. With quiet appreciation, Matt can imagine the pond that must once have been there, shining in the early spring light, freezing in the winter for skating and the perfect place for swimming in the summer. Can Matt’s discovery transform a forgotten pond to its natural wonder? With his idea of making the pond whole again, Matt rallies his friends, Katie and Pablo, and together they work through the spring, clearing debris, moving rocks to hold the water, and looking for leaks. But would there be enough water to fill the pond? Can they bring the pond back?

The Sun Egg

A mysterious orange egg has fallen into the woods. "It's a sun egg!" declares the elf who finds it nestled on the forest floor. Soon
she and her friends discover what it really is; but not before the sun egg is lost and little elf begins a wonderful adventure.

This is a delightful story for young children about imagination and discovery from the world-renowned Swedish author–illustrator Elsa Beskow.

Next, look at some of these summer learning ideas.

SUMMER LEARNING IDEAS FOR THE LITTLE LEARNERS

Finally, look at what is included in this backyard brainiacs printable for ages 7 to 11 with space theme.

HOW TO DOWNLOAD THE FREE BACKYARD BRAINIACS SPACE THEMED PRINTABLE FOR THE LITTLE LEARNERS

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.

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How to Conduct an Exploding Watermelon Theme Experiment

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

Nothing screams summer more than an exploding watermelon theme experiment. Also, see my 4 Week Free Watermelon Unit Study & Best Hands-on Ideas.

The exploding melon experiment is a perfect example of physics and engineering in action.

Just so you know this is one of the coolest and messiest science activity we’ve done. Be sure to do this outside for a fun summer day.

How to Conduct an Exploding Watermelon Theme Experiment

The idea is simple: you stretch rubber bands around the middle of the melon, one at a time.

Eventually, the melon explodes, shooting juice and pieces everywhere.

However, there is a lot of science to learn from this simple experiment.

KIDS BOOKS & RESOURCES ABOUT WATERMELON

First, add some of these books and fun resources.

5 Watermelon Books & Resources

Add these fun books about seeds, gardening and watermelons. You can use them for a unit study or add to your home library.

Watermelon, Watermelon

"Watermelon, Watermelon" is a delightful sing-along book by award-winning songwriter and music therapist Stephanie Leavell. Perfect for ages 1-7, this rhythmic and catchy story is based on Stephanie's beloved children's song. The book features bright, captivating illustrations by Sarah Pilar Echeverria, making it an engaging read that young children will request again and again.

Food Anatomy: The Curious Parts & Pieces of Our Edible World

Julia Rothman starts with an illustrated history of food and ends with a global tour of street eats. Along the way, Rothman serves up a hilarious primer on short-order egg lingo and a mouthwatering menu of how people around the planet serve fried potatoes–and what we dip them in.Award-winning food journalist Rachel Wharton lends her expertise to this light-hearted exploration of everything food that bursts with little-known facts and delightful drawings

The Watermelon Seed

Crocodile loves watermelon, but what will happen when his greatest fear of swallowing a watermelon seed comes to pass? Will vines sprout out his ears? Will his skin turn pink? Only one thing is certain: his wild imagination will have kids laughing out loud and begging for another read.

Where the Watermelons Grow

When twelve-year-old Della Kelly finds her mother furiously digging black seeds from a watermelon in the middle of the night and talking to people who aren't there, Della worries that it’s happening again—that the sickness that put her mama in the hospital four years ago is back. That her mama is going to be hospitalized for months like she was last time.

With her daddy struggling to save the farm and her mama in denial about what’s happening, it’s up to Della to heal her mama for good. And she knows just how she’ll do it: with a jar of the Bee Lady’s magic honey, which has mended the wounds and woes of Maryville, North Carolina, for generations.

Bananagrams Word-a-Melon: Family-Fun Word Search Game for Kids Age 6+

WORDY-FUN: Word-a-Melon is the family-fun word search game by Bananagrams
FLIP THOSE TILES: Take turns rolling the die, flipping the cardboard letter chips and creating words with the overturned letters
USE YOUR MELON: Unused letters are flipped back over so players must be sure to remember where they are!

Next, look at more fun summer themed activities.

MORE WATERMELON THEME ACTIVITIES

Finally, look at how to do this experiment.

EXPLODING WATERMELON EXPERIMENT

You will need:

A medium-sized watermelon
400-600 rubber bands
Safety goggles

The very first step is to put on your safety goggles.

Ensure that all observers also have their eye protection in place. This cannot be stressed enough – flying watermelon pieces can cause serious eye injury.

Choose a flat outdoor surface and set down the watermelon.

If you are using protective sheeting, lay it down before placing the watermelon.

Have your camera or phone ready to record the event. Consider the lighting and the angle that will best capture the explosion.

Apply the first layer, carefully placing rubber bands around the circumference of the watermelon.

Ensure that they are distributed somewhat evenly around the widest part of the fruit.

There’s no specific pattern required, just aim for relatively uniform coverage.

Layer by layer, continue adding rubber bands, one at a time.

As you add more, you will start to feel the tension increasing. The rubber bands will begin to bunch together and press firmly against the watermelon’s rind.

Try to weave the new rubber bands in among the existing ones to distribute the pressure as evenly as possible.

Using a mix of rubber band sizes can help achieve better coverage and prevent too much stress on a single point.

Once you have applied a significant number of rubber bands, pause and observe the watermelon closely.

MELON EXPERIMENT

You may start to hear subtle cracking or popping sounds emanating from the rind.

These are indicators that the pressure is building and the watermelon’s structural integrity is being challenged.

Be patient; the explosion won’t happen instantaneously.

Keep adding rubber bands. As the pressure intensifies, the watermelon will likely begin to deform slightly. The area around the equator will appear compressed, and the rubber bands will be tightly stretched.

The cracking and popping sounds may become more frequent and pronounced.

This is the exciting phase where the internal forces are nearing their limit, you can see how one end of the watermelon is bulging and catch where it was just beginning to burst.

Eventually, the cumulative pressure from the rubber bands will exceed the tensile strength of the watermelon rind. This will result in a sudden and often surprisingly powerful explosion.

The watermelon will rupture, sending chunks of rind and flesh flying outwards. Be prepared for a loud noise and a shower of watermelon debris. Maintain a safe distance during this stage.

Almost as cool as the explosion was that the rubber bands formed a tight rubber band ball when the watermelon pushed through them.

The exploding watermelon experiment illustrates several key scientific concepts:

SCIENTIFIC CONCEPTS MELON EXPERIMENT

Energy Release: The potential energy stored in the stretched rubber bands and the compressed watermelon is suddenly released during the explosion, propelling the fragments outwards.

External Pressure: The rubber bands exert an external compressive force on the watermelon. Each rubber band contributes a small amount of tension, and the cumulative effect of hundreds of these bands creates significant pressure directed inwards towards the watermelon’s core.

Internal Pressure: Watermelons, like many fruits, have a high water content, which contributes to internal turgor pressure. This internal pressure pushes outwards against the rind, helping the fruit maintain its shape.

Tensile Strength: The watermelon rind possesses a certain amount of tensile strength, which is its ability to withstand being pulled apart or stretched. The rind can endure a certain level of external pressure before its structural integrity is compromised.

Accumulation of Force: Individually, a single rubber band exerts a relatively small force. However, by applying a large number of rubber bands, these small forces add up to create a substantial overall pressure. This demonstrates how multiple small forces can combine to overcome a greater resistance.

Material Failure: The explosion occurs when the total external pressure exerted by the rubber bands exceeds the tensile strength of the watermelon rind plus its internal pressure. At this point, the rind can no longer withstand the forces acting upon it, and it ruptures catastrophically.

Bioluminescence For Kids: How To Make A Fun Firefly Craft

May 23, 2025 | Leave a Comment
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Today, were doing a bioluminescence for kids fun craft. Besides, the best way to remember any lesson is to do a fun hands-on idea. Also, look at my page Free Kids Insect Unit Study for more ideas.

We’re making fireflies in a jar craft along with learning some facts about fireflies and bioluminescence.

During the summer those tiny floating lights look like fairy lights. They bring me back to my childhood of spending summer outdoors and waiting for those glowing lights to appear.

Bioluminescence For Kids: How To Make A Fun Firefly Craft

Bioluminescence is when a living creature makes its own light. This glow usually comes from a special chemical reaction.

Bioluminescence mostly happens underwater, where it’s dark and deep. But it can also happen on land.

For example, not only fireflies have it, but so do some glowworms and a special fungi called foxfire.

BOOKS ABOUT FIREFLIES FOR KIDS

Then, grab one or two of these fun books.

I prefer living books when I can find them.

5 Firefly Books For Kids Who Love to Read and Be Read To

Grab some of these fun books about fireflies and add them to your home library or use them in a unit study for the day. Some are just for reading aloud.

Fireflies in the Night (Let's-Read-and-Find-Out Science 1)

"Clearly written text [tells of a young girl who] learns some interesting facts about fireflies from her grandfather. Alexander uses
richly hued pastels for her illustrations of the young girl, her grandparents' farm, and the creatures of a summer night." (School Library Journal)

It's a Firefly Night

Part glittery counting book, part endearing daddy-daughter story! A favorite childhood activity—catching fireflies—glows from the pages of this story, plus counting. Lilting rhymes chronicle a little girl's capture and release of fireflies, one by one, capped off by a collection of fascinating firefly facts.

Sam and the Firefly

Sam the Owl and Gus the Firefly literally light up the sky in this classic Beginner Book edited by Dr. Seuss. In Sam and the Firefly, P. D. Eastman (author of Are You My Mother? and Go, Dog. Go!) introduces us to the dynamic duo of Sam and Gus, who soar through the air writing words in the night sky. But when Gus’s words end up causing confusion and chaos for the people on the ground, it’s up to Sam to help Gus “write” his wrongs.

When Lightning Comes in a Jar

Its time for a family reunion! when tricias aunts, uncles, and cousins arrive at her house for an annual family reunion, the fun really begins. And this year, gramma has promised to teach the children something wonderfulhow to catch lightning in a jar. with so many people and so much love, this family reunion will certainly prove to be the most memorable one yet. inspired by her own family, patricia polacco beautifully depicts an endearing family reunion that will surely have readersyoung and old yearning to spend quality time with their family.

Fireflies (Science I Can Read Book)

Describes the physical characteristics of a firefly from the time it is a glowworm until adulthood.

Then, look at some bioluminescence for kids facts.

BIOLUMINESCENCE FOR KIDS FACTS

The light is made by mixing two main ingredients.
Luciferin is a light-producing chemical.
Luciferase is an enzyme that helps the reaction happen.
It is called a cold light because when they mix with oxygen they don’t give off heat.
Animals use bioluminescence for different reasons.
Fireflies blink to attract mates.
Some squid shoot glowing ink to ward off predators.
Anglerfish use a lantern glowing light to lure in prey.
And some fish glow their belly so it matches light from above to hide.

Also, look How To Mix Glow In The Dark Slime Ingredients To Make Awesome Ocean Slime.

And If you want to park here in this topic of bioluminescence for a while this book, All About Bioluminescence, is full of information and activity ideas.

HOW TO MAKE A FIREFLIES IN A JAR CRAFT

Next, even though they’re called fireflies, they’re actually beetles. Fireflies belong to the insect family called Lampyridae.,

Fireflies blink to talk to each other. It’s mostly to attract a mate. Each species has its own blinking pattern.

And some flash slow, others fast and still others a combination.

Finally, look at how to make this fun and easy fireflies in a jar craft.

Look at this easy list of supplies:

Glow In the Dark Paint ( green and yellow)
Mason jar
Paintbrush
Paper plate (or something for the paint)

Gather all the supplies needed to create fireflies in a jar.

Use a clean and dry mason jar.

Apply small dots of green and yellow glow-in-the-dark paint to the outside of the mason jar using a paintbrush.

Allow the paint to dry.

Charge the paint by either placing it in a sunny area or with a flashlight on the jar for 10-15 minutes.

20 Brain Break Quick And Fast Facts For Kids

May 21, 2025 | Leave a Comment
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I have a free 20 micro lessons brain break fast facts for kids printable.

In today’s fast paced world, children are constantly taking in information. This is important to feed their insatiable curiosity. However, all learners need a brain break.

A brain break is a short mental pause designed to help children stay fresh and engaged.

20 Brain Break Quick And Fast Facts For Kids

Brain breaks are not a distraction. They’re a vital part of learning.

They help children recharge, refocus, and return to their routine with renewed energy and attention. The key is to make them fun, low-stress, and effective at re-energizing the brain.

Too, there are various forms of brain breaks.

RESOURCES FOR KIDS BRAIN BREAK

First, look at some of these other bran break resources.

I’ve included activities for multiple ages.

7 Brain Break Activities for Kids

Add a few of these fun short activities to give the brain a break. Besides, short pauses and quick lessons give kids a change to refocus.

Exploring Geometry: An Interesting Activity Book for Kids Ages 11 to 14

Discover the fascinating world of geometry through captivating games and activities! The activities in this book are designed to make geometry fun and engaging. Through interactive games and exercises, children will learn complex concepts.

Unlock the fascinating world of shapes, angles, and patterns with "Exploring Geometry"! This engaging activity book is perfect for kids ages 11 to 14, transforming complex geometric concepts into fun and interactive learning experiences.

HOW TO DRAW EVERYTHING SCIENCE FOR CURIOUS KIDS: Step-by-Step Art To Explore The World Around You

This exciting drawing book makes learning about the world around us fun, easy, and incredibly creative.

Packed with cool, and amazing step-by-step drawing lessons, kids will learn how to draw experiences of the world around us from rockets and robots to plants, animals, and atoms. Whether it's their very first how-to-draw book or they’re next drawing adventure, this book takes them on the next step of their artistic and curious journey.

Daring Deeds - World War II Short Stories for Kids: Family-Friendly Stories About Friendship, Bravery, Kindness & Love for 8-14 Year Olds

Is your child obsessed with all things World War II?

Does he or she keep wanting to know more and more about these historic events?

Or maybe they are just always hungry for knowledge and obscure facts..

Have you been wanting to give them the perfect book?

Our big book of short stories has:

More than 20 never-before-read short stories from WW2
Stories of love, loss, bravery & kindness & other important morals
Unknown stories (everybody knows the story of Anne Frank already!)

Mazes for Kids: Maze Activity Book for Ages 4 – 8

Mazes that are fun for kids!

Suitable for ages 4 – 8: easy to medium
80 creative designs for hours of entertainment

Brain Breaks for Kids: Recharging Minds, One Break at a Time

Transform any setting with "Brain Breaks for Kids," a practical guide packed with creative ideas for 5-20 minute breaks that recharge kids' minds and bodies, helping them return to their tasks refreshed and ready to learn.

Brain breaks are short bursts of mental and physical activities that let kids pause their tasks to refresh. These quick, revitalizing breaks can include movement, games, music, and mindfulness exercises, all designed to keep kids engaged and energized throughout the day.

Color Sorting Sensory Toys for Toddlers, Color Matching Fidget Toys for Calming, Preschool Learning Montessori Toy Travel Fine Motor Skills Game

Fine Motor Toys: These cute ice cream-shaped color sorting toys allow children to improve their fine motor skills and hand-eye coordination by squeezing different colored rubber beads into the corresponding colors. Each color includes 5 beads.

Harkla Sensory Activity Dice – Fun and Effective Brain Breaks for Kids

GRAB, ROLL AND PLAY— Get Instant Sensory Support, No Prep Needed. Just roll the exercise dice and follow the activity—no screens, no setup, just instant movement that supports better behavior and focus.

Too, fast facts for kids can be any resource from short stories to word searches.

WHAT IS INCLUDED 20 MICRO LESSONS BRAIN BREAKS FAST FACTS FOR KIDS

I have 20 micro lessons for kids.

The twenty topics are science based.

From what is a black hole to understanding goose bumps, these engaging science lessons are quick and fun.

Too, there is a challenge if your child wants to dig deeper into topics.

Then, look at a few more fast fact for kids brain breaks.

MORE FAST FACTS FOR KIDS BRAIN BREAKS ACTIVITIES

Finally, look at how to download the fast facts 20 micro lessons perfect for brain breaks.

HOW TO DOWNLOAD THE FREE FAST FACTS 20 MICRO LESSONS PERFECT FOR BRAIN BREAKS

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!

Easy Mexican Crafts: How to Make a Taco Craft

May 20, 2025 | Leave a Comment
This post may contain affiliate links. For more information, please see my full disclosure policy.

I have some easy Mexican crafts. Too, we’re making a fun taco craft but this would really be fun if you could make it a fun cooking day. Also, look at my pages Mexico Unit Study for more hands-on ideas.

Too, you will find more hands-on history on my pages Meso-America Free Unit Study and Lapbook and Hands-On Simple And Best Homeschool Geography Ideas & Tips.

We’re learning about where tacos come from and learning some things about Mexican culture.

Easy Mexican Crafts: How to Make a Taco Craft

One of the most important and fun things to know about delicious tacos is that you eat them with your hands. It’s like a fold up sandwich.

Just grab and go. And tacos can be eaten anywhere or for any meal, even for a dessert.

First, add some fun books about Mexico to your craft day.

BOOKS ABOUT MEXICO FOR KIDS

Sneak in a bit of learning while the kids are playing.

I always prefer living books first if I can find them.

10 Mexico Books & Resources For Kids Who Love Reading and Being Read To

Add some of these books to your home library about Mexico. Also, use them for a homeschool unit study.

The Underdogs: A Novel of the Mexican Revolution (Penguin Classics)

The Underdogs is the first great novel about the first great revolution of the twentieth century. Demetrio Macias, a poor, illiterate Indian, must join the rebels to save his family. Courageous and charismatic, he earns a generalship in Pancho Villa’s army, only to become discouraged with the cause after it becomes hopelessly factionalized. At once a spare, moving depiction of the limits of political idealism, an authentic representation of Mexico’s peasant life, and a timeless portrait of revolution, The Underdogs is an iconic novel of the Latin American experience and a powerful novel about the disillusionment of war.

Stories from Mexico

Tales from Mexican folklore including The Palace of Canela, In Through the Window, The Coyote and the Sheep, The Cu Bird, and SenÄor Coyote and Juan's Maguey.

Adelita

Hace mucho tiempo—a long time ago—there lived a beautiful young woman named Adelita. So begins the age-old tale of a kindhearted young woman, her jealous stepmother, two hateful stepsisters, and a young man in search of a wife. The young man, Javier, falls madly in love with beautiful Adelita, but she disappears from his fiesta at midnight, leaving him with only one clue to her hidden identity: a beautiful rebozo—shawl. With the rebozo in place of a glass slipper, this favorite fairy tale takes a delightful twist. Tomie dePaola's exquisite paintings, filled with the folk art of Mexico, make this a Cinderella story like no other.

Hill Of Fire (I Can Read, Book 3) (I Can Read Level 3)

Every day is the same for Pablo's father. Then one afternoon the ground growls, hisses smoke, and swallows up his plow. A volcano is erupting in the middle of his cornfield!

Mexico in Story and Pictures

Imagine

Have you ever imagined what you might be when you grow up? When he was very young, Juan Felipe Herrera picked chamomile flowers in windy fields and let tadpoles swim across his hands in a creek. He slept outside and learned to say good-bye to his amiguitoseach time his family moved to a new town. He went to school and taught himself to read and write English and filled paper pads with rivers of ink as he walked down the street after school. And when he grew up, he became the United States Poet Laureate and read his poems aloud on the steps of the Library of Congress. If he could do all of that . . . what could you do? With this illustrated poem of endless possibility, Juan Felipe Herrera and Lauren Castillo breathe magic into the hopes and dreams of readers searching
for their place in life.

Old Ramon

Fun novel combining Mexico and California cultures where a young boy learns about life and growing up.

The Princess and the Warrior: A Tale of Two Volcanoes

In the picture book Princess and the Warrior: A Tale of Two Volcanoes, award-winning author and illustrator Duncan Tonatiuh brings a cherished Mexican legend to life.A Pura Belpré Illustrator Honor BookALA/ALSC Notable Children’s Book! “A palette of earthy, evocative colors .

. . A genuine triumph.” ―Kirkus Reviews (Starred Review)“Use this Aztec legend to inspire readers while teaching a bit about dramatic irony.” —School Library Journal Izta was the most beautiful princess in the land, and suitors traveled from far and wide to woo her. Even though she was the daughter of the emperor, Izta had no desire to marry a man of wealth and power. Instead, she fell in love with Popoca, a brave warrior who fought in her father’s army—and a man who did not offer her riches but a promise to stay by her side forever. The emperor did not want his daughter to marry a mere warrior, but he recognized Popoca’s bravery. He offered Popoca a deal: If the warrior could defeat their enemy, Jaguar Claw, then the emperor would permit Popoca and Izta to wed. But Jaguar Claw had a plan to thwart the warrior. Would all be lost? Today two majestic volcanoes—Popocatépetl and Iztaccíhuatl—stand overlooking Mexico City. They have been admired and revered for countless generations and have formed the basis of many origin and creation myths.

Growing Up In Aztec Times (Growing Up In series)

Describes the daily life of the Aztecs, discussing life in the city, life in the country, education, food and drink, and other aspects.

The Tale of Rabbit and Coyote

Poor Coyote! What’s he doing, hanging upside down in the farmer’s house, next to a pot of boiling water? How’d he wind up underneath the jicara tree, getting bonked by rock-hard fruit? Who tricked him into whacking a wasps’ nest with a stick? And why is he always howling at the moon? Because of Rabbit, that’s why! Longtime collaborators Tony Johnston and Tomie dePaola look to the folklore of Oaxaca, Mexico, for this nutty, naughty tale of trickery and hijinks. Written with sly humor and illustrated in the vibrant golds, blues, and reds of the Southwest, this is a story with a flavor as distinctive as chile peppers.

Next, look at these easy Mexican crafts.

EASY MEXICAN CRAFTS

Then, look at some of these facts about tacos.

FACTS ABOUT MEXICAN TACOS

First, tacos come from Mexico but from a long time ago.
The ancient Aztecs, who were from Mexico, used flat corn tortillas to hold their food.
The word taco means light meal, plug or a wedge or wad.
Tortillas can be made from flour or corn but traditionally from corn.
Then the filling can be an endless list of delicious ingredients like meat, beans, eggs and even vegetables. Some love rice in them too as part of the filling.
Next, there is just as long list of toppings like cheese of your liking or Mexican cheese, sour cream, avocado, black olives, lettuce, tomatoes, onions, cilantro and don’t forget the salsa.
And like most countries where food differs from each region, tacos vary from region to region.

For example, there are tacos al pastor, tacos de carnitas, tacos de pescado (fish) and taco de barbacoa.

Finally, look at this fun craft you can add to your study of Mexico or you can for go it and make some right now.

HOW TO MAKE A FUN MEXICAN TACO

First, look at this easy list of supplies.

1 paper plate
Yellow paint and paintbrush
Construction paper (green, red, yellow)
Scissors
Glue

Fold a paper plate in half like a taco shell.

Paint the outside of the folded plate yellow. Let it dry completely.

Cut out your taco fillings from construction paper.

Lettuce: Cut green paper into leafy shapes.

Cheese: Cut yellow paper into small rectangles or strips.

Tomatoes: Cut red paper into circles.

Open the folded paper plate slightly.

And glue your “lettuce,” “cheese,” and “tomatoes” along the inside edge of the back side of the plate, so they stick out when the plate is folded.

Seal the taco.

Apply glue along the inside edge of the front flap and press the two sides of the plate together to seal your taco.