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Explore The Great Outdoors: Nature STEM Activities For Homeschool Freebie

February 27, 2026 | Leave a Comment
This post may contain affiliate links. For more information, please see my full disclosure policy.

I have a free printable with fun nature stem activities for homeschool. Besides, too much indoor activity can be the cause of burnout.

And nature stem learning combines creativity, curiosity and hands-on for a science study that is hard to beat.

When studying nature is confined to worksheets, it can feel abstract. However when kids interact with bird feeders, trees and track moon phases they are actively engaging in learning.

Explore The Great Outdoors: Nature STEM Activities For Homeschool Freebie

This freebie helps you turn everyday outdoor moments into meaningful STEM learning.

And instead of memorizing facts, children practice recording results observing, predicting and testing.

One of my favorite reasons for sharing this STEM in the wild freebie is that you can use it for multiple ages to teach at once.

NATURE STUDY BOOKS FOR KIDS

Next, here are some fun books to use with your kids and to add to your home library.

10 Nature Study Books for Young Kids

Add these fun books to your home library or to introduce nature study to your little learners.

Crow Not Crow

New York Times bestselling children's author and beloved birder, Jane Yolen, and her son, Adam Stemple, have teamed up to write this gentle tale of a father introducing his daughter to the joys of bird-watching using the "Crow, not Crow" method for distinguishing birds. Elizabeth Dulemba's delightfully warm illustrations bring the story to life.

Exploring Nature Activity Book for Kids: 50 Creative Projects to Spark Curiosity in the Outdoors

Explore the great outdoors with this hands-on activity book for ages 6 to 12!

Track, explore, discover, and create! This incredible choice in nature books for kids is full of activities you can bring on your adventures through your backyard, the park, the woods, and beyond. No matter the weather or where you live, Exploring Nature Activity Book for Kids shows you how todive into fun and games like crafting bird feeders out of fruit, pressing flowers, or building a sundial to tell the time. Get ready to get your hands dirty and your imagination revving as you get active outside.

Owl Moon

CALDECOTT MEDAL WINNER • A soothing, poetic picture book that lovingly depicts the relationship of a young child and her father alongside humankind’s relationship to the natural world. A verbal and visual treasure for the whole family!I had been waitingto go Owling with Pafor a long, long time.Late one winter night, a little girl and her father go owling. The trees stand still as statues and the world is silent as a dream. Whoo-whoo-whoo, the father calls to the mysterious nighttime bird.But there is no answer.Wordlessly, the two walk along, for when you go owling, you don't need words. You don't need anything but hope. Sometimes, there isn't an owl, but sometimes, there is.

Out of School and Into Nature: The Anna Comstock Story

This picture book biography examines the life and career of naturalist and artist Anna Comstock (1854-1930), who defied social conventions and pursued the study of science. From the time she was a young girl, Anna Comstock was fascinated by the natural world. She loved exploring outdoors, examining wildlife and learning nature's secrets. From watching the teamwork of marching ants to following the constellations in the sky, Anna observed it all. And her interest only increased as she grew older and went to college at Cornell University. There she continued her studies, pushing back against those social conventions that implied science was a man's pursuit. Eventually Anna became known as a nature expert, pioneering a movement to encourage schools to conduct science and nature classes for children outdoors, thereby increasing students' interest in nature. In following her passion, this remarkable woman blazed a trail for female scientists today.

THE BURGESS ANIMAL BOOK FOR CHILDREN: Original Color Illustrated Edition

Discover the timeless magic of nature through Peter Rabbit's eyes in this enchanting educational adventure! The Burgess Animal Book for Children combines storytelling and learning in a way that has captivated young minds for generations.

This stunning edition features:- 54 vibrant color and 19 sepia-tone illustrations that bring the animal kingdom to life- Original unabridged text that has educated and entertained children since 1920- Chapter quizzes to reinforce learning- Bonus online quiz access for interactive engagement

Perfect for:- Young nature enthusiasts ages 6-12- Homeschool families seeking an illustrated North American wildlife book for their engaging science curriculum- Parents who want to combine entertainment with education

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

See the world in a whole new way with acclaimed illustrator Julia Rothman's beautiful nature guide book.Nature Anatomy 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.Also available in Julia Rothman's Anatomy series – Nature Anatomy Notebook, Ocean Anatomy, Food Anatomy,Farm Anatomy, and Wildlife Anatomy.

From Seed to Plant

Flowers, trees, fruits—plants are all around us, but where do they come from? With simple language and bright illustrations, non-fiction master Gail Gibbons introduces young readers to the processes of pollination, seed formation, and germination.  Important vocabulary is reinforced with accessible explanation and colorful, clear diagrams showing the parts of plants, the wide variety of seeds, and how they grow.  The book includes instructions for a seed-growing project, and a page of interesting facts about plants, seeds, and flowers.   A nonfiction classic, and a perfect companion for early science lessons and curious young gardeners.

Fun With Nature (Take Along Guides)

Fun with Nature helps kids discover the incredible world in their backyards. It is a compilation of seven bestselling titles: Caterpillars, Bugs and Butterflies; Frogs, Toads and Turtles; Snakes, Salamanders and Lizards; Rabbits, Squirrels and Chipmunks; Tracks, Scats and Signs; and Trees, Leaves and Bark. This entertaining book is filled with fascinating facts and awesome activities.

The Keeper of Wild Words: (Nature for Kids, Exploring Nature with Children)

A touching tale of a grandmother and her granddaughter exploring and cherishing the natural world.Words, the woods, and the world illuminate this quest to save the most important pieces of our language—by saving the very things they stand for.When Mimi finds out her favorite words—simple words, like apricot, blackberry, buttercup—are disappearing from the English language, she elects her granddaughter Brook as their Keeper. And did you know? The only way to save words is to know them.• With its focus on the power of language and social change, The Keeper of Wild Words is ideal for educators and librarians as well as young readers.• For any child who longs to get outside and learn more about nature and the environment• A loving portrait of the special relationship that grandparents have with their grandchildren

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

Julia Rothman's series of Anatomy books are beloved by children and adults alike. In Wildlife Anatomy, Rothman captures the excitement and distinctive attributes of wild animals around the world. The book is packed with hundreds of her charming, original illustrations, detailing the unique features of animals of the rainforest, desert, grasslands, oceans, and much more. From lions, bears, and zebras to monkeys, mongoose, bats, elephants, giraffes, hippos, and much more, Rothman's visual guide covers all the key features, right down to the anatomy of a lion's claw and a wild horse's hoof. All the illustrations are accompanied by labels, intriguing facts, and identifying details, such as: When is a Panther Not a Panther? and What Makes Aardvarks So Odd? Rothman's characteristic combination of curiosity and an artist's eye makes this wildlife treasury rich and full, and promises new discoveries every time it's opened.

Then, look at more stem inspired activities.

STEM ACTIVITIES FOR KIDS

  • Summer Cool Stem Projects For All Ages Free Printable
  • 3 Easy Penguin Activities And Penguin Slide STEM Activity
  • 3 Dinosaur Stem Activities Elementary Kids Will Love
  • Famous Stem Figures And Easy Stem Activities At Home
  • Electricity STEM: Lighting Up a Shoebox Tiny House
  • Dive Into STEM Learning With An Exciting Jello Earthquake Experiment

Also, look at more nature activities.

NATURE ACTIVITIES FOR KIDS

  • Simple Nature Study for Preschoolers: Explore Nature with Playdough Prints
  • 10 Easy Nature Tips for Reading Nature’s Signs Freebie
  • Creative Ways To Have Fun With Nature | How To Make A Dried Orange Fox Ornament
  • Nature’s Rhythms: Get Your Free Phenology Wheel Nature Tracker
  • Wonders Of Nature: How To Make A Shoebox Rainforest Diorama
  • Fall Nature Crafts & How To Make A Pumpkin Nature Collage
  • How To Make A Nature Sun Catcher Wand
  • Fun Nature Study Ideas and a Free Nature Tracker
  • Crafting with Nature: DIY Flying Squirrel Craft You’ll Love
Explore The Great Outdoors: Nature STEM Activities For Homeschool Freebie

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

HOW TO GET THE FREE PRINTABLE NATURE POWERED PROJECTS FOR LEARNING

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, hands-on activities, handson, handsonhomeschooling, homeschool, nature, science, STEM

Free Lapbook Argentina for Kids Who Love Hands-on History

February 25, 2026 | Leave a Comment
This post may contain affiliate links. For more information, please see my full disclosure policy.

I have a free lapbook Argentina. Also, look at my pages Homeschool Lapbooks – Powerful Tools For Mastery Learning for more lapbook ideas. And look at my page South America Unit Study Resources for more ideas about South America.

From the icy glaciers of Glaciar Perito Moreno to the roaring waterfalls of Iguazú Falls, it’s a country of dramatic contrasts.

Argentina is one of the largest countries in South America.

Free Lapbook Argentina for Kids Who Love Hands-on History

Also, an Argentina lapbook is a fun way to study the history of Argentina. Your children can learn about Spanish colonization and the war for freedom led by José de San Martín.

Argentina was home to Indigenous groups such as the Diaguita, Guaraní, and Mapuche peoples.

Too, adding information about landmarks like Iguazu Falls and famous cities like Buenos Aires helps your children to understand different cultures.

BOOKS ABOUT ARGENTINA FOR KIDS

Next, add some of these books about Argentina to your reading library.

5 Books Set in Argentina or About Argentina

Grab one or two of these books about Argentina to add to your reading day.

On the Pampas

An account of a little girl's idyllic summer at her grandparents' ranch on the pampas of Argentina.

The Magic Bean Tree: A Legend from Argentina

The evil bird who lives on top of the magic tree that grows in the Argentine pampas has the powr to stop the rain, so one summer, a little boy risks everything to save his village from dying of thirst by taking a stand against the powerful bird.

Our World: Argentina

Discover the vibrant sights and sounds of Argentina, from morning light to city night! Snack on medialunas, explore the bustling stalls at la feria, and ride the caballito on the carousel. Even learn words in Spanish with pronunciation guides throughout the story.

  • Part of the Barefoot Books Our World series with over 200k copies sold
  • Written by Argentinian author, Aixa Pérez-Prado and Argentinian illustrator, Mariana Ruiz Johnson
  • Extended endnotes provide more insights into life in Argentina

Abuelo (Spanish Edition)

Arthur Dorros's skillful blend of Spanish and English and Raúl Colón's poignant paintings illuminate how the special bond between an abuelo and a nieto reaches across miles.

Together, a young boy and his abuelo go camping, ride horses, and even confront a mountain lion. Soon, the boy's family moves to the city from the country, away from Abuelo, and it is the boy's memories that help him adjust to his new life.

Fans of Dorros's Papá and Me and Abuela will delight in this bilingual and multigenerational picture book about a special family relationship.

This beautiful picture book blends Spanish and English seamlessly, all at once telling a wonderful story and introducing young readers to both languages. Perfect for bilingual families as well as teachers and families who want to expose their children to multiple languages.

Chucaro: Wild Pony of the Pampa

The world of the Argentine pampa comes to life in this humorous tale of a South American boy determined to tame and ride a wild pony.

Then, add some hands-on activities to your study.

HANDS-ON ACTIVITIES ABOUT ARGENTINA

  • DIY Gaucho Belts
  • Saltena recipe
  • Learn about Evita: The Woman Behind the Myth
  • An Argentina craft tutorial: How to make a gaucho sombrero
  • Argentina Maze
  • Colorful Buildings Paper Collages: Exploring Argentina Through Art
  • Exploring Argentina and Empanadas Recipe
  • Handprint Art: Exploring Argentina Through Art

Also, look at the minibooks included in this free lapbook.

ARGENTINA LAPBOOK MINIBOOKS

  • Exploring Argentina
  • Mate Gourds, Leather Crafts, Soccer (Football)
  • Life on the Pampas
  • Nature & Land
  • Animals of Argentina
  • Fun Facts
Free Lapbook Argentina for Kids Who Love Hands-on History

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

HOW TO GET THE FREE ARGENTINA LAPBOOK

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: Lapbook Tagged With: hands on history, hands-on activities, handson, handsonhomeschooling, homeschool, lapbook, lapbooking, lapbooks, south america

How To Make An Itsy Bitsy Spider Preschool Sensory Activity

February 24, 2026 | Leave a Comment
This post may contain affiliate links. For more information, please see my full disclosure policy.

Creating a sensory activity bin about the Itsy Bitsy spider nursery rhyme turns it into a multi-sensory learning experience. Also, look at my page How to Homeschool Preschool for more learning ideas and teaching tips.

This fun rhyme has hands-on exploration, early literacy, science concepts, and fine motor development.

For example, instead of just singing about the spider climbing the spout, your child can move a pretend spider or pour rain over it.

How To Make An Itsy Bitsy Spider Preschool Sensory Activity

And when children pretend play and act out nursery rhymes they understand the stories.

Too, sensory bins are perfect tools for strengthening little hands. Fine motor skills are essential for future writing skills.

If you’re homeschooling multiple young children, a sensory bin is equally engaging for all ages.

PRESCHOOL HOMESCHOOL RESOURCES

Next, look at these preschool resources.

13 Preschool Homeschool Curriculum Options

Look at what your homeschool preschool curriculum might look like with some suggestions for activities, books, and learning ideas.

Preschool Math at Home: Simple Activities to Build the Best Possible Foundation for Your Child

Preschool Math at Home will guide you step-by-step as you introduce your preschooler to the world of numbers. Your child will develop a thorough understanding of the numbers up to ten, including: counting comparing and ordering numbers recognizing written numerals beginning addition and subtraction.

Slow and Steady Get Me Ready For Kindergarten: 260 Activities To Do With Your Child From Age 0 to 5

Looking for quick, engaging activities to prepare your child for kindergarten? Spend a few minutes a day with your child in productive, interactive play with Slow and Steady Get Me Ready For Kindergarten!

Slow and Steady Get Me Ready For Kindergarten abounds with hands-on developmental activities that parents can do with their children between the ages of 0 and 5 years old to get them prepared for kindergarten. June R. Oberlander, a 19-year veteran kindergarten teacher in Fairfax County, Virginia, first published this book in 1988. Now her granddaughter, Hannah Oberlander, a current teacher in Loudoun County, Virginia, has updated and enhanced these classic activities for today's parents of the next generation.

Developing the Early Learner: Level 1 by Simone Bibeau

BOOK 1 of 4 (AGES 2-6) Book 1 is a pre-reading experience designed to provide your child with a complete program in perceptual readiness. Here are some of the unique qualities that you will find within these pages. We include all four major areas of perception: visual, auditory, motor, and comprehension skills. Each major category is then broken down into specific sub-skills so that you can understand just what type of learning is taking place. Every page develops only ONE sub-skill to avoid confusion when the child is working the page. A target score on each page quickly gives you a score as well as an incentive for the child to work toward a certain goal.

My First Book of Patterns: Pencil Control

A perfect fun activity book designed for early learners to develop pencil control and motor skills. By following the arrows and tracing the dotted lines, the little scholars can complete the tracing exercises and creative activities leading to development of their early writing skills. The child will also learn to identify, write and revise straight, curvy, zig zag lines and multiple patterns. The book is also an excellent first step to prepare for school.

Before Five in a Row: Second Edition

Designed to be used with children ages 2 through 4, Before Five in a Row is a rich treasury of creative ideas that help you gently, consistently prepare your children for the lifelong adventure of learning. Now in a revised second edition, this bestselling volume is the foundation for inspired learning through great books and future studies with the entire Five in a Row curriculum.

408 Pcs Lacing Letters Alphabet

Rich Numbers: you will get 2 buckets of lowercase letter beads, including 384 lowercase letters and 24 ropes, a total of 408 items, and the equipped storage buckets are easy to storage and protect these accessories; And the quantity is very large, which can meet the needs of daily learning and playing

A Unique Flexible and Beautiful Preschool Homeschool Planner

This unique flexible and beautiful preschool homeschool planner is the perfect homeschool planner to use for early learners. While creating this 47-page early learner planner I included flexible planning pages.

Forms like 21 thematic planning pages, a year at a glance page, and 12 months of planning your theme are a few included.

Adding in an editable lesson planning template and 4 colorful
attendance sheets helps you to easily meet record keeping guidelines if
necessary

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

Science books for your preschooler's curriculum should be simple and colorful but contain rich information in small bites. Nature Anatomy and The Big Book of series are perfect resources to keep on your shelves for preschoolers as they will grow with them for years.

The Cat in the Hat's Learning Library Favorites: There's No Place Like Space!; Oh Say Can You Say Di-no-saur?; Inside Your Outside!; Hark! A Shark!

This sturdy boxed set of four bestselling Cat in the Hat's Learning Library books includes something to pique the interest of every child! Beginning readers will learn all about our solar system in There's No Place Like Space!; all about dinosaurs in Oh Say Can You Say Di-no-saur?; all about the human body in Inside Your Outside; and all about sharks in Hark! A Shark!

Preschool Exploring Creation Together Science

At the preschool level, science is all about exposure, not memorization of facts. It’s helping the youngest explorers understand that their world is discoverable. Through guided exploration of their world, young children learn how to naturally incorporate all aspects of language (expanding vocabulary), math (counting and recording), science (observing and experimenting), and art (drawing out ideas) into their understanding of how their world works. Most importantly, children will come to understand that their world is wonder-full, peace-full, and beauty-full because God created it full of His love and wisdom. Preschool Exploring Creation Together is a spiral-bound curriculum with 2 distinct sections included

Fun-Schooling for Beginners - Do-It-Myself Journal: Letters, Numbers, Animals, Coloring, Tracing, Mazes, Logic and Drawing (Full-Sized Activity Book for Preschool & Kindergarten)

Fun-Schooling for Beginners - Do-It-Myself Journal: Letters, Numbers, Animals, Coloring, Tracing, Mazes, Logic and Drawing (Full-Sized Activity Book for Preschool & Kindergarten) (Volume 1

A1 & A2, ideal for ages 2-6 (Preschool & Kindergarten) A beginners journal full of 100 educational and fun activities. This secular journal can be used by children of any religious background Includes colors, numbers, letters, feelings, early reading & writing, and more.

Photo Credit: www.bfbooks.com

Teacher Guide Around the World Part 1 - Homeschool Teacher's Guide

This teacher guide contains gentle Socratic questions designed to prompt discussion and discovery. Beautiful drawings of indigenous animals are also included which will familiarize students with some remarkable creatures, their habitat and habits, cultivating respect and wonder for the natural world.

Photo Credit: www.bfbooks.com

Early American History K-3rd - Homeschooling History Pack

Sure to ignite curiosity about our nation's history, this Early American History Through Literature study will take you and your K-3 homeschooling students through the first Indigenous people of the Americas, the Vikings discovery of America, the exploration, colonization, settlement, and establishment of the United States. Spanning 1000 AD to the mid-1800's this course makes teaching this literature-rich curriculum easy and fun!

And one of my favorite things about this nursery rhyme is that it introduces beginning science skills.

For instance, you can introduce weather words like sun and rain and science words like spider and water spout.

MORE SENSORY BIN ACTIVITIES

  • How to Create an Engaging Strawberry Sensory Bin for Hands-On Learning
  • How To Make The Great Wall Of Ancient China Sensory Bin
  • Easy and Fun Coin Hunt Sensory Bin For Kindergarten
  • How To Make A Squirrel Nest Sensory Bin With Preschoolers
  • Explaining Thunder And Lightning To Preschoolers Easy Sensory Bin
  • How To Make A Chicka Chicka Boom Boom Sensory Bin
  • How To Make A Dynamic Herb Garden Potion Sensory Bin
  • How To Make An Ocean Currents For Kids Sensory Bin
  • How To Create An Engaging Desert Sensory Bin For Hands-On Play
How To Make An Itsy Bitsy Spider Preschool Sensory Activity

Finally, look at how to make this fun Itsy Bitsy Spider sensory bin.

ITSY BITSY SPIDER SENSORY BIN

First, look at this easy list of supplies you should have in the house.

  • 3–5 cups dried pinto beans
  • Fresh grass clippings
  • 2–3 toilet paper rolls
  • Toy spiders
  • Small spray bottle filled with water
  • Craft foam sun (yellow foam cut into a simple sun shape)
  • Optional: small scoop or measuring cup

First, create the base.
Pour dried pinto beans into the bin to form the main filler. Spread them evenly across the bottom.

How To Make An Itsy Bitsy Spider Preschool Sensory Activity

Then, add the “outside” texture. Sprinkle grass clippings over the beans. This adds texture, scent, and a realistic outdoor feel.

How To Make An Itsy Bitsy Spider Preschool Sensory Activity

Next, build the waterspouts.
Stand toilet paper rolls upright in the beans. These become the “water spouts” for the spiders to climb.

How To Make An Itsy Bitsy Spider Preschool Sensory Activity

Then, place the spiders on top. Set the toy spiders right on top of the beans and grass. Keep them visible and easy to grab so kids can immediately start the rhyme play.

How To Make An Itsy Bitsy Spider Preschool Sensory Activity

Bring in the weather.
Place the craft foam sun in one corner of the bin.

Add the rain tool.Fill a spray bottle with water and add it to the bin.

HOW KIDS PLAY

Climb the waterspout.

Kids move the spiders up the cardboard tubes while reciting the rhyme.

Make It rain

Children spray water onto the spiders, pretending the rain is washing the spider out.

The light mist changes the texture slightly and adds a new sensory experience.

Out Came the Sun

After the “rain,” children can move the sun over the bin and help the spiders climb back up again.

Spider Hunt

Hide spiders under beans and grass. Kids dig and search, strengthening hand muscles while exploring textures.

Benefits of This Sensory Bin

Fine Motor Development
Spraying, scooping, pinching grass, and picking up spiders strengthen hand muscles needed for writing.

Sensory Exploration
Dry beans feel smooth and cool. Grass is soft and slightly tickly. Light mist from the spray bottle adds a new dimension without soaking everything.

Language Development
Reciting Itsy Bitsy Spider encourages rhythm, memory, and sequencing.

Imaginative Play
Children become storytellers, weather makers, and spider rescuers all at once.

Cause and Effect Learning
Spray the water. The beans darken. The spiders shift. The environment changes.

Leave a CommentFiled Under: Teach Homeschool Preschool Tagged With: hands-on, hands-on activities, handson, handsonhomeschooling, homeschool, homeschool preschool, preschool, preschool skills, rhymes

Learning Through Art: The Life Cycle Of A Sea Star Stages & Survival

February 23, 2026 | Leave a Comment
This post may contain affiliate links. For more information, please see my full disclosure policy.

How fun would it be if your child could be Learning Through Art: The Life Cycle Of A Sea Star? And isn’t it wonderful that they can? Also, look at my page Oceans Unit Study and Lapbook for more hands-on ideas. And look at my page Free Summer Unit Study For Kids and Fun Starfish Craft.

Brittle starfish are some of the most fascinating creatures living beneath the ocean’s surface. With their long, flexible arms and quick, wriggling movements, they look quite different from the classic five-armed sea stars most people imagine.

Creating a clay brittle starfish is a wonderful hands-on way to explore marine life, learn new science facts, and spark interest in the hidden world of the sea.

Learning Through Art: The Life Cycle Of A Sea Star Stages & Survival

Despite the name “starfish,” brittle stars are not actually fish. They belong to a group of marine animals called echinoderms, which also includes sea stars, sea urchins, and sand dollars. Brittle stars are closely related to sea stars but have important differences that make them unique.

The most noticeable feature of a brittle star is its body shape. Instead of having thick arms that blend into the central body like a sea star, brittle stars have:

  • A small, round central disk
  • Five long, thin, snake-like arms
  • Flexible joints that allow fast movement

These arms are what give brittle stars their name. They can break off easily when attacked by predators, but the amazing part is that brittle stars can regrow lost arms over time.

BOOKS ABOUT ECHINODERMS FOR KIDS

First, look at some books about this group of echinoderms.

We prefer living books when we can find them then add reference books.

11 Books About Fascinating Echinoderms Marine Animals

This group of animals sea stars, sea urchins, sea cucumbers, brittle stars, star fish and crinoids. All of these are marine animals with radial symmetry in their body shapes.

What's in the Tide Pool?

What would you see if you sat at the edge of a tidepool, looked into the water and watched the changes taking place in this little world? What life would you discover there? In a charming hand-sized book, Anne Hunter illustrates the creatures that live in and around a tidepool, and describes each animal's characteristics and habits. The gorgeous artwork and simple sense of wonder will inspire children to explore their environment. Fans of Hunter’s two books, WHAT'S IN THE POND? and WHAT'S UNDER THE LOG? will want to add this new title to their collection.

Sand Dollars by the Seashore

Sand Dollars by the Seashore is a charming and educational poem for children about the wonders of the beach and the importance of respecting nature. It encourages young readers to explore the shoreline and discover its beauty while learning the difference between living sand dollars and cherishing their shell souvenirs as a special gift from the sea. Perfect for a day at the beach or a bedtime read, Sand Dollars by the Seashore is sure to delight and inspire young imaginations.

Sea Stars (Ocean Life Up Close: Blastoff Readers, Level 3)

Did you know that sea stars pump water instead of blood through their systems? Although commonly called starfish, these life forms are not fish! Instead, they are part of a group containing other animals like sea urchins and sand dollars. Sea stars are hardy animals that can grow new limbs and open clam shells. In this interesting title, students will enjoy learning more about these shining ocean stars!

Sea Urchins (Ocean Life Up Close)

Sea urchins look like fireworks exploding underwater. The spines that create their unusual appearance do have a purpose: they protect the tiny animals from dangerous predators. In this title, sea urchins of all shapes, sizes, and colors are on display for early readers!

The Burgess Seashore Book for Children (Dover Children's Classics)

Familiar burgess characters Danny Meadow Mouse, Jimmy Skunk, and Reddy Fox explore every nook and cranny of the shoreline and learn first hand about the habits and habitats of spider crabs, sea cucumbers, sand eels, and that strangest of little fishes — the sea horse.Veteran storyteller and nature lover Thornton W. Burgess provides fascinating information to young readers as he describes coastal areas along the Atlantic Ocean. Along the way he weaves the area's many life forms into an entertaining tale that's also an illustrated guide to the seashore's natural history.

The Sand Dollar

While walking on the shore of the Sea of Cortez a man has a remarkable dialog with the sea. Using the naturally occurring dove like structures found in sand dollars, the sea relates its past wars with the sun, the wind, the mountains, and the moon and addresses its ongoing war with man. The sea's explanation of the need for the fifth dove is guaranteed to leave a lasting impression with readers of all ages.

The Big Book of the Blue (The Big Book Series)

Following the wild success of The Big Book of Bugs and The Big Book of Beasts, The Big Book of the Blue is the third installment in Yuval Zommer’s beloved series. Alongside everything the young oceanographer needs to know, Zommer’s charming illustrations bring to life some of the slipperiest, scaliest, strangest, and most monstrous underwater animals.

The book opens by explaining how different types of animals are able to breathe and survive underwater, and the different families to which they belong. Subsequent pages are dedicated to specific creatures, including sea turtles, whales, sharks, stingrays, and seahorses, and show varied life in specific habitats, such as a coral reef or deep sea bed. The Big Book of the Blue also explores the underwater world thematically, looking at animals in danger, learning how to spot creatures at the beach, and discovering how to do our part to save sea life. Beautiful and filled with fascinating facts, young, curious readers won’t be able to tear their eyes away from the page.

Oceanarium: Welcome to the Museum

This stunning new offering from the Welcome to the Museum series guides readers around the world's oceans, from sandy shorelines to the darkest depths. Learn about the ocean’s most fascinating animals, including giant whale sharks, tiny tropical fish, and majestic manatees, among many others. With expert text by marine biologist Loveday Trinick and stunning illustrations by Teagan White, travel the world from frozen Arctic seas to shimmering coral reefs, and learn why it is so important that we protect our oceans.

Ocean Anatomy: The Curious Parts & Pieces of the World under the Sea

Follow Rothman’s inquisitive mind and perceptive eye along shorelines, across the open ocean, and below the waves for an artistic exploration of the watery universe. Through her drawings, discover how the world’s oceans formed, why the sea is salty, and the forces behind oceanic phenomena such as rogue waves. Colorful anatomical profiles of sea creatures from crustacean to cetacean, surveys of seafaring vessels and lighthouses, and the impact of plastic and warming water temperatures are just part of this compendium of curiosities that will entertain and educate readers of all ages. 

The Master of Tides

In the city of Tarian, where mastery over the tides is essential for the city’s very existence, an unforeseen and unthinkable thing has happened. The Master of Tides—Tarian’s guardian for over seven hundred years—has died, and the Sand Coin, the object that gives the Master his power, has vanished into the shadows.

With the Sand Coin missing and Tarian under threat from an impending cataclysmic event, Cora, a spirited orphan girl laboring in the city’s Water Works, embarks on a desperate quest to save her city.

Along with Will, her charming yet unwelcome companion, Cora discovers that to find the Sand Coin, she must join the magical Wandering Circus. But who in this mysterious and dangerous troupe of young performers can she trust? And how far will Cora have to travel with the circus in order to bring the Sand Coin home?

Starfish (Let's-Read-and-Find-Out Science)

Starfish have arms, but no legs. They have feet, but no toes. Starfish aren't fish, but they are living animals. In this Let's-Read-and-Find-Out classic, learn how starfish move, eat, and grow. 

This is a clear and appealing science book for early elementary age kids, both at home and in the classroom. It's a Level 1 Let's-Read-and-Find-Out, which means the book explores introductory concepts perfect for children in the primary grades. The 100+ titles in this leading nonfiction series are:

  • hands-on and visual

Here are some fun and surprising facts to include in your lesson or activity.

AMAZING BRITTLE STARFISH FACTS FOR KIDS

  • There are over 2,000 known species of brittle stars.
  • Some species can glow in the dark using bioluminescence to confuse predators.
  • Brittle stars do not have brains or eyes, but they can still sense light and movement.
  • Their mouths are located on the underside of the central disk.
  • They use tiny tube feet mainly for sensing and feeding, not walking.
  • A few species can reproduce by splitting in half and regrowing the missing parts.
Learning Through Art: The Life Cycle Of A Sea Star Stages & Survival

finally, I like to finish this section with a few words of spacing before moving to the next H2

THE LIFE CYCLE OF A BRITTLE STAR

One of the most interesting parts of studying brittle stars is learning how they grow and reproduce.

Most brittle stars reproduce by spawning, which means males and females release eggs and sperm into the water. Fertilized eggs develop into tiny floating larvae that drift in the ocean currents. During this stage, they look nothing like adult brittle stars.

After a period of growth, the larvae settle onto the sea floor and begin transforming into their familiar five-armed shape. As they mature, their arms lengthen, and their central disk becomes more defined.

Eventually, they grow into fully developed adult brittle stars capable of reproducing on their own.

Some species use an additional method called fission, where the brittle star splits its body in half. Each half then regrows the missing parts, creating two complete animals.

This unusual ability makes brittle stars especially fascinating for learning about animal life cycles and regeneration.

THE LIFE OF THE BRITTLE SEA STAR

Brittle stars live in oceans all over the world, from shallow coastal waters to the deep sea floor. Many species hide under rocks, inside coral reefs, or buried in sand and mud.

They usually stay hidden during the day and come out at night to search for food.

And they are widespread and brittle stars play an important role in ocean ecosystems. They help clean the sea floor by eating leftover organic material, tiny plankton, and even small animals. In this way, they act like the ocean’s recyclers.

Unlike sea stars, which use tiny tube feet to crawl slowly, brittle stars move by swinging their arms in a rowing motion. This allows them to travel surprisingly fast across the sea floor.

Watching videos of brittle stars in motion can be inspiring when making a clay model. Their arms twist, curl, and bend in graceful curves, which you can try to capture in your sculpture.

Encouraging kids to shape each arm differently helps make the craft feel more lifelike.

Kids are often amazed that an animal without a brain can still move, sense danger, and regrow body parts. These facts make brittle stars a perfect topic for combining science and creativity.

Making a clay brittle starfish turns abstract science into something children can see and touch.

As you shape the central disk and roll out thin arms, talk about how real brittle stars use those arms to move and survive.

HANDS-ON STARFISH & ECHINODERM ACTIVITIES

  • Label the parts of the brittle star once the clay dries.
  • In this Free Summer Unit Study For Kids and Fun Starfish Craft you can craft a papier-mache common starfish.
  • Another version is this Salt Dough Starfish Kids Craft.
  • Write a short story from the perspective of a brittle star hiding on the sea floor.
  • Turn learning time into even more fun with themed games like this Escape from The Aquarium – Escape Room Game,
  • Spectacular Starfish Body Parts For Kids & Free Activity Set
  • Marine Science Experiments For High School Made Easy
  • Create Your Own Easy Sand Dollar Edible Beach Inspired Cookies
  • How To Make A Simple Sea Urchin Craft: Echinoderms For Kids
  • Fascinating Life Cycle Of A Sand Dollar & Hydro Dipped Craft

LEARNING THROUGH ART: BRITTLE SEA STAR

Look at some unique Brittle Sea Stars to decide on your design. We were inspired by the Serpent Starfish seen here. This type has longer, thinner arms than most Brittle Sea Stars and less pronounced tube feet.

You will need:

  • Air-dry clay
  • Craft paint
  • Paintbrush
  • Glass, tile or silicone mat to work on
Learning Through Art: The Life Cycle Of A Sea Star Stages & Survival

First, roll clay into 5 small balls. You will want to work it for a few minutes first to soften the clay; this will not only make it easier to work with but will help it adhere to itself better as you connect the pieces.

Learning Through Art: The Life Cycle Of A Sea Star Stages & Survival

Take one of the pieces and flatten it out, pinching around the sides to give it 5 rounded points.

Learning Through Art: The Life Cycle Of A Sea Star Stages & Survival

Now roll out each of the other balls into long, thin arms, with a rounded point at each end.

Learning Through Art: The Life Cycle Of A Sea Star Stages & Survival

Repeat until you have done all 5.

Learning Through Art: The Life Cycle Of A Sea Star Stages & Survival

If they are too long, trim off the excess.

Lay your pieces on your surface-make sure it’s movable so you can set it aside while it dries. I like to use a glass cutting board.

Now, attach each arm to the points you made on the body and smooth them together so they are seamless by using a little water on the tip of your finger.

Learning Through Art: The Life Cycle Of A Sea Star Stages & Survival

Run water with your finger over the entire thing if needed to smooth, shape, and join the parts together.

Learning Through Art: The Life Cycle Of A Sea Star Stages & Survival

Allow to dry overnight, and if fully dry, paint on your first layer, let this dry completely.

Learning Through Art: The Life Cycle Of A Sea Star Stages & Survival

Add detailed colors with a small brush.

Learning Through Art: The Life Cycle Of A Sea Star Stages & Survival

Allow to dry and it’s ready for display.

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

5 Fun Facts About Earth Day & How To Do A Simple Fizzy Experiment

February 22, 2026 | Leave a Comment
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I have some fun facts about Earth Day and we’re doing a simply fizzy Earth Day experiment you can add to your teaching day. Also, look at my page Free Earth Science Lapbook & Unit Study Ideas.

Earth Day is a special day to appreciate our planet and learn how to take better care of it.

Every time you recycle, save water, or plant something green, you’re helping protect Earth. For example, when you add plants, they help prevent erosion or when you plant flowers they help bees pollinate.

5 Fun Facts About Earth Day & How To Do A Simple Fizzy Experiment

Too, Earth Day is a fun excuse to be outside normally in spring like weather to appreciate nature.

Additionally, it gives us chance to introduce children to topics like climate, recycling, conservation and how we’re all affected by global issues.

For instance, doing simple activities together connects kids to others like them who live on the other side of the world. Children understand that all humans need to be caretakers of the Earth.

BOOKS ABOUT EARTH SCIENCE

Next, add some of these books about earth science to your reading day.

9 Books for Kids Who Love to Read About Earth Science Topics

Add these books to your learning day to learn about various earth science topics.

The Story Book of Science (Yesterday's Classics)

The wonders of plant and animal life told with rare literary charm by Uncle Paul in conversations with three children. Besides such stories as the ants' subterranean city, the spider's suspension bridge, and the caterpillars' processing, he unlocks the mystery behind thunder and lightning, clouds and rain, the year and its seasons, and volcanoes and earthquakes. Suitable for ages 9 to 12.

Earthquakes (Let's-Read-and-Find-Out Science 2)

Some earthquakes are so small that you don’t even feel them, while others can make even big buildings shake. Learn why earthquakes happen, where they are most likely to occur, and what to do if one happens near you. 

Now with updated text and art, this classic picture book describes the causes and effects of earthquakes (including a tsunami). This book features rich vocabulary and fascinating cross-sections of mountains, volcanoes, and faults in the earth’s moving crust.

This is a clear and appealing science book for early elementary age kids, both at home and in the classroom. The text and art were vetted by Dr. Roland Burgmann, Professor of the Department of Earth and Planetary Science at the University of California, Berkeley.

The First Book of the Earth

A republication of the 1958 book by Irene Sevrey with illustrations by Mildred Waltrip, The First Book of the Earth is an elementary level natural history book that was written during a time when children's books held a student's interest and imagination because they were "living" rather than simply based on factoids and vivid pictures. It is a wonderful introduction to the subject of geology and covers the earth as a planet in the solar system and the physics of how it circles the sun, thereby defining our days and years. It then moves on to describing the earth's origin as scientists understand it and takes up the topics of the earth's composition, its structure, molecular makeup, rock families, minerals, volcanoes and earthquakes, mountains and their formation, and how glaciers and rivers affect the shaping of the earth's surface. The book ends by briefly discussing dinosaurs and the possible aging techniques used to date the earth's age in terms of epochs or periods.

Rocks, Gems and Minerals: A Fully Illustrated, Authoritative and Easy-to-Use Guide (A Golden Guide from St. Martin's Press)

This handy identification guide to the most common kinds of rocks and minerals offers concise and fascinating information on:- Physical and chemical properties- Origins and geologic significance- Gems and semiprecious stones- How to find and collect specimens

Earth: An Intimate History

Beginning with Mt. Vesuvius, whose eruption in Roman times helped spark the science of geology, and ending in a lab in the West of England where mathematical models and lab experiments replace direct observation, Richard Fortey tells us what the present says about ancient geologic processes. He shows how plate tectonics came to rule the geophysical landscape and how the evidence is written in the hills and in the stones. And in the process, he takes us on a wonderful journey around the globe to visit some of the most fascinating and intriguing spots on the planet.

The First Book of Caves

A book about caves with drawings for young readers with a vocabulary list and definition at the end.

Rocks and Minerals: A Guide of Familiar Minerals, Gems, Ores, and Rocks (A Golden Nature Guide)

A guide to familiar minerals, gems, ores, and rocks enhanced by 400 full color illustrations. Provides much geological knowledge in how to look for surface forms, rocks, minerals etc. Includes information for the searcher and an useful list of clubs and organizations. Excellent bibliography and index.

A Whale of the Wild (A Voice of the Wilderness Novel)

For Vega and her family, salmon is life. And Vega is learning to be a salmon finder, preparing for the day when she will be her family’s matriarch. But then she and her brother Deneb are separated from their pod when a devastating earthquake and tsunami render the seascape unrecognizable. Vega must use every skill she has to lead her brother back to their family. The young orcas face a shark attack, hunger, the deep ocean, and polluted waters on their journey. Will Vega become the leader she’s destined to be?

Rocks, Rivers, and the Changing Earth: A first book about geology

A living book on the living earth. Told in a conversational style, the book discusses the topics of geology and provides ideas for investigations and demonstrations of the scientific principles. Illustrated throughout, this book is a favorite as an introduction to geology for young readers. This edition includes updated science information on plate tectonics and the structure of the earth.

Also, I have a few more activities to help you plan a fun Earth day study.

HANDS-ON EARTH DAY ACTIVITIES

  • Easy Kids Earth Day Activity & More Water Density Experiments
  • 8 Earth Day Facts | How to Make a Recycled Robot
  • How To Upcycle A Monopoly Game History to A Medieval Theme & Free Printables
  • How to Make a Civil War Style Upcycled Necklace | 7 Little Women Book Facts
  • Hands-on Geography Wool Earth Craft to Celebrate Earth Day
  • Cookie Sheet Activities Make Earth Day Cookies & Fascinating Earth Facts
5 Fun Facts About Earth Day & How To Do A Simple Fizzy Experiment

Next, look at these 5 fun facts about Earth Day.

5 FUN FACTS ABOUT EARTH DAY

  • Earth is the only known planet with life.
  • A single tree can absorb about 48 pounds of carbon dioxide per year.
  • The Amazon Rainforest produces about 20% of the world’s oxygen.
  • Earth Day was designed as a “teach-in,” where students learned about environmental problems.
  • Earth Day is celebrated worldwide.

Finally, look at how to do this fun Earth Day fizzy science experiment.

FIZZY EARTH DAY EXPERIMENT

First, look at this list of supplies.

  • Baking soda
  • Water
  • White vinegar
  • Green food coloring
  • Blue food coloring
  • 2 small bowls
  • Spoon
  • Round tray
  • Dropper, pipette, or small spoon

First, make the baking soda paste.

5 Fun Facts About Earth Day & How To Do A Simple Fizzy Experiment

In a bowl, mix baking soda with a small amount of water. Add water slowly and stir until it forms a thick paste. It should feel like soft frosting, not runny.

Then, divide the paste.

Split the baking soda mixture evenly into two bowls.

Add the colors.

  • Add green food coloring to one bowl and mix well.
  • Add blue food coloring to the second bowl and stir until evenly tinted.
5 Fun Facts About Earth Day & How To Do A Simple Fizzy Experiment

Now you have your “land” and “ocean.”

Also, create the Earth.

Spread the blue paste into a round tray to form a circle. This will be your ocean base.

Next, place sections of the green paste on top to resemble continents.

Finally, make a fizzy reaction.

5 Fun Facts About Earth Day & How To Do A Simple Fizzy Experiment

Give your child a dropper or spoon filled with vinegar. Slowly drip vinegar onto the colored baking soda Earth.

The vinegar reacts with the baking soda and creates bubbles and fizzing foam. The Earth will start to bubble and erupt in tiny colorful bursts.

Encourage them to:

  • Add vinegar slowly and observe
  • Predict what will happen next
  • Notice how the colors blend
  • Listen to the fizzing sound

Benefits:

  • Opens the door to conversations about caring for the Earth, oceans, and land
  • Fine motor skills when using droppers
  • Color recognition
  • Early science concepts
  • Cause and effect understanding
  • Sensory exploration

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

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