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Free Sleuths Calendar Daily Challenge For Your Science Lover

December 31, 2025 | Leave a Comment
This post may contain affiliate links. For more information, please see my full disclosure policy.

I have a fun freebie for your science lover. It is a science sleuths’ calendar daily challenge with answers.

A daily science challenge is a nice change to laid out science curriculum. And your child can do this independently or with you.

For example, kids can learn without burnout because there is no pressure. Too, it nurtures natural curiosity.

Free Sleuths Calendar Daily Challenge For Your Science Lover

Also, everyday turns to unforced learning moments.

In addition, I provided answers so it can be self-checking. Add this printable to a student’s notebook so your student can do it anytime and take it on the go.

So this science sleuth challenge invites students to observe, ask questions and make predictions. Besides, one of the questions and answers may spark a topic that can turn unit study.

SCIENCE BOOKS FOR KIDS

Next, look at these books that you can use for multiple ages or to spark an investigation, activity or experiment.

10 Science Books for Middle School

While not an exhaustive list, here is a good start on all three types of books to fill your bookshelves and offer your 6-8th graders brain food.

Everything You Need to Ace Science in One Big Fat Notebook: The Complete Middle School Study Guide

The BIG FAT NOTEBOOK™ series is built on a simple and irresistible conceit—borrowing the notes from the smartest kid in class. There are five books in all, and each is the only book you need for each main subject taught in middle school: Math, Science, American History, English Language Arts, and World History. Inside the reader will find every subject’s key concepts, easily digested and summarized: Critical ideas highlighted in neon colors. Definitions explained. Doodles that illuminate tricky concepts in marker. Mnemonics for memorable shortcuts. And quizzes to recap it all.

The Science Chef: 100 Fun Food Experiments and Recipes for Kids

What melts in your mouth and not in your hands, plumps when youcook it, and comes in more than forty-eight scrumptious flavors?Give up? The correct answer is: Science!With The Science Chef you'll learn loads of basic science by doingfun, easy-to-perform cooking projects. And you get to eat theresults when you're finished!Why do onions make you cry? How does yeast make bread rise? Whatmakes popcorn pop, whipped cream frothy, and angel food cakefluffy? You'll discover the scientific answers to these and dozensof other tasty mysteries when you prepare kid-tested recipes foreverything from Cinnamon Toast and Basic Baked Potatoes toStromboli Pizzoli and Monkey Bread.Whether you're a beginner or an experienced cook, you can become agreat Science Chef. All 100 experiments and recipes require onlycommon ingredients and standard kitchen utensils. And The ScienceChef includes rules for kitchen safety and cleanup, plus a completenutrition guide.

The Physics of Popcorn (Curious World of Kitchen Science)

Learn how the microwave oven works, conduct experiments with static electricity, and discover the truth about toast!

The Kingfisher Science Encyclopedia

Science is vital for every inhabitant of today’s world, and being scientifically informed and literate is a crucial part of any child’s education. Science can seem daunting –- especially as scientific knowledge advances so quickly –- and this volume is the perfect purchase for any family. It will bear repeated use by all the family from 10+ through the teenage years.Fully updated for this new 4th edition with the very latest facts and data; clear text and more than 1000 photos and illustrations will inform and amaze.

How to Survive Middle School: Science: A Do-It-Yourself Study Guide

Learning is an adventure both inside and outside of the classroom with the How to Survive Middle School study guide series!These colorful, highly visual books cover all the essential info kids need to ace important middle school classes. Large topics are broken down into easy-to-digest chunks, and reflective questions help kids check understanding and become critical thinkers.Written by middle school teachers and vetted by curriculum experts, thisseries is the perfect school supplement or homeschool resource—and a great way to help create independent learners.

The Chemistry of Cola

Get ready to play (and learn) with your food! Discover the truth about the problems with plastic and recycling, learn how to read the periodic table, conduct experiments with soda rockets, and more.The Chemistry of Cola uses applied science for a fun and interactive approach to learning for the whole family.

7 Subject Science Portfolio - Minecraft & The Real World: Ages 10 to 17 - Biology, Chemistry, Geology, Meteorology, Physics, Technology and Zoology ... Homeschooling Workbooks by Thinking Tree)

7 Subject Science Portfolio - Minecraft & The Real World: Ages 10 to 17 - Biology, Chemistry, Geology, Meteorology, Physics, Technology and Zoology ... Homeschooling Workbooks by Thinking Tree)

Exploring Creation with Human Anatomy and Physiology (Young Explorer Series)

Exploring Creation with Human Anatomy and Physiology (Young Explorer Series)

Science Comics: The Digestive System: A Tour Through Your Guts

Your guide to the gut is a friendly bacterium who will take you on a journey beyond imagination. Uncover how food is transformed into nutrients! Explore strange and dangerous glands! Behold the wonders of saliva, mucus, and vomit! Writer Jason Viola and illustrator Andy Ristaino provide a trip to the toilet you will never forget!Every volume of Science Comics offers a complete introduction to a particular topic―dinosaurs, the solar system, volcanoes, bats, robots, and more! Whether you're a fourth grader doing a natural science unit at school or a thirty-year-old with a secret passion for airplanes, these graphic novels are for you!

Stargazer's Guide to the Night Sky, The

The Stargazers Guide to the Night Sky offers everything you need to explore the remarkable beauty of the stars, moon, and planets. Dr. Jason Lisle, a research scientist with a masters and Ph.D. in astrophysics provides a very thorough, practical and easy to read resource to fuel the curiosity of amateur astronomers ages 10 to 100.

  • Understand how the eye works to enhance your views of the night sky
  • Study the 150 stunning, full-color star charts to learn the names and placement of constellations
  • Discover how to observe the galaxies with the naked eye
  • Learn how to choose and use a telescope
  • Investigate the celestial motions and events
  • Learn best practices for astrophotography

These simple tips and tricks from Dr. Lisle will make your stargazing sessions go from mediocre to spectacular. The Stargazers Guide to the Night Sky is the size of a hardcover textbook, boasting 240 glossy pages of education for the hobby astronomer or science student. This resource is excellent for the family, couples, or individuals who like to learn and explore

Then, look at these activities to pair with this free printable challenge.

ACTIVITIES FOR YOUR SCIENCE LOVER

  • Easy Earth Science: Create Layers Of The Earth With Playdough
  • Science Books for Middle School: An Easy Guide for Parents
  • How Cacti Drink: A Fun and Easy Desert Science Experiment
  • Backyard Science Fun and Amazing Spider Web Facts For Kids
  • Chemistry Activities & Free Printable Science Behind Everyday Compounds
  • Oreo Phases Of The Moon Kids Science They’ll Love
  • How to Choose the Right Homeschool High School Science 
  • Online High School Science Courses For Homeschoolers Who Love Choices
  • How To Create An Edible Brain Model For Fun Science
  • How To Build High School Environmental Science Homeschool Curriculum
  • Biology Science Curriculum For Elementary Students They Love & Tiger Craft
Free Sleuths Calendar Daily Challenge For Your Science Lover

This is a subscriber freebie.

HOW TO GET THE FREE SCIENCE SLEUTHS CALENDAR DAILY CHALLENGE & ANSWERS

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: 1. My FREE Learning Printables {Any Topic} Tagged With: freeprintables, hands-on, hands-on activities, handson, handsonhomeschooling, homeschool, homeschoolscience, printable, science, science challenges

Stitches Through Time: Colonial And Pioneer Quilts History & Easy Collage

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

Learning about colonial and pioneer quilts and their history gives a unique glimpse into the past.

Quilting is a handicraft that has been around for years. There is evidence that they were used in ancient times. Quilted garments were under armor to protect impact.

Quilts were not just used for warmth as we do today. Normally, a quilt is made of three layers.

Stitches Through Time: Colonial And Pioneer Quilts History & Easy Collage

There is a top layer, middle layer and a backing. Actually, the word quilt comes from a Latin word meaning “stuffed sack. ”The layers are stitched together in patterns.

And when settlers came to America, fabric was expensive. So nothing went to waste. Flour sacks, worn out clothes and scraps could be use to make a quilt.

But quilts are more than just blankets. They’re a glimpse into history through fabric.

BOOKS ABOUT QUILTS FOR KIDS

Next, look at some of these fun books about quilts.

I prefer living books when I can find them.

8 Quilts And The History of Quilts Books

Grab some of these books and resources. You can use a book as a unit study spine to learn about quilts and the history of quilts.

Quilting Now & Then

Quilting Now & Then explains how quilts are made and compares today's methods with those used in olden days. Nineteen exquisite quilts sewn exclusively for this book brighten the 36 pages of full-color illustrations.

Papa And The Pioneer Quilt

Collecting pieces of cloth along her family's long journey on the Oregon Trail, Rebecca looks forward to the day when they are finally in their new home out west and can make her special quilt that will forever remind her of this amazing experience.

The Patchwork Quilt

Tanya finds her grandmother sitting by the window one day surrounded by pieces of material. Grandma has decided to make herself a patchwork quilt to replace the old one her mother made her. This story covers the progress of the quilt.

Colonial Craftsmen: And the Beginnings of American Industry

The vanished ways of colonial America's skilled craftsmen are vividly reconstructed in this superb book by Edwin Tunis. With incomparable wit and learning, and in over 450 meticulous drawings, the author describes the working methods and products, houses and shops, town and country trades, and individual and group enterprises by which the early Americans forged the economy of the New World.

In the tiny coastal settlements, which usually sprang up around a mill or near a tanyard, the first craftsmen set up their trades. The blacksmith, cooper, joiner, weaver, cordwainer, and housewright, working alone or with several assistants, invented their own tools and devised their own methods. Soon they were making products that far surpassed their early models: the American ax was so popular that English ironmongers often labeled their own axes "American" to sell them more readily. In the town squares a colonist could have his bread baked to order, bring in his wig to be curled, have his eyeglasses ground, his medicine prescription filled, or buy snuff for his many pocket boxes. With the thriving trade in "bespoke" or made-to-order work, fine American styles evolved; many of these are priceless heirlooms now―the silverware of Paul Revere and John Coney, redware and Queensware pottery, Poyntell hand-blocked wallpaper, the Kentucky rifle, Conestoga wagon, and the iron grillework still seen in some parts of the South. The author discusses in detail many of the trades which have since developed into important industries, like papermaking, glassmaking, shipbuilding, printing, and metalworking, often reconstructing from his own careful research the complex equipment used in these enterprises.

Mother Earth and Her Children: A Quilted Fairy Tale

The incredibly intricate and vivid illustrations in this book are details of a modern quilt inspired by Sibylle von Olfers' classic storybook Mother Earth and Her Children. This vibrant new translation, in turn inspired by the quilt, explores the changing of the seasons and delicately touches upon the circle of life. When Mother Earth calls her children to prepare for spring, the earthly children yawn and stretch before they busy themselves with
beautification. They dust off the bumblebees, scrub the beetles, paint bright new coats on the ladybugs, and rouse the caterpillars from their cocoons. Bedecked with new blossoms, the children emerge from the earth
and become spring flowers that frolic through the summer and autumn, until the leaves begin to fall and they return to Mother Earth, bringing the weary bugs and beetles back to their winter refuge.

Early Family Home (Early Settler Life)

Describes the life of early settlers, including the construction of a home, the clearing of land, folk medicine, candle making, quilting bees, weaving, and wedding parties

Made By Hand: A Crafts Sampler

Whirr, buzz, hum. Before busy machines in factories turned out most of what we need and use, people crafted these items by hand. From a globe to a pie crimper, a butter churn to a rocking horse, this unique collection highlights fourteen one-of-a-kind objects — each one drafted, stitched, painted, or engraved by hand. Author Carole Lexa Schaefer draws inspiration from real historical artifacts to create thirteen short works of fiction, imagining the hands that might have made and used each item. Several artifacts can be traced to their origin, while others remain complete mysteries, making for a fascinating patchwork of fact, guesswork, and imagination. Illustrator Becca Stadtlander breathes color and charm into this handmade history, bringing to life the different objects, people, and times. The result is a singular glimpse of everyday objects and
treasures alike — back when such things were made by hand.

The Quiltmaker's Gift

In this enchantingly told original folktale, a wise quiltmaker makes the most beautiful quilts in the world – but she will give them only to those who have nothing. When a rich, dissatisfied king insists that she give him one of her quilts, she gives him what seems an impossible task: to give away all he owns. One by one, the king gives away his many possessions, and finds that the more he gives away, the happier he is. Finally, when the king has nothing, the quiltmaker gives him the promised quilt. But he knows that the true reward for his generosity has been the smiles of those he has helped.The Quiltmaker's Gift has touched the hearts of readers young and old, bringing it to the PW bestseller list and earning it numerous awards and commendations. The heartwarming, strongly moral tale supports important values, and the detailed illustrations, featuring dozens of lovingly rendered quilt patterns, offer hours of delight.

Sweet Clara and the Freedom Quilt (Reading Rainbow Books)

Clara, a slave and seamstress on Home Plantation, dreams of freedom—not just for herself, but for her family and friends. When she overhears a conversation about the Underground Railroad, she has a flash of inspiration. Using scraps of cloth from her work in the Big House and scraps of information gathered from other slaves, she fashions a map that the master would never even recognize. . . .From the award-winning author-illustrator team of Deborah Hopkinson and James Ransome, this fictional tale of the Underground Railroad continues to inspire young readers 25 years after its original publication.

Also, look at some of the other activities about colonial and pioneer quilts.

MORE COLONIAL AND PIONEER QUILT CRAFTS

  • Post It Note Paper Quilt Art
  • Paper Quilts
  • Colonial Quilt
  • A Brief History of Quilting in America
  • Make a Pioneer Quilt Craft
  • Kirsten Pioneer Craft – Crazy Quilt

Finally, look how to make this easy paper quilt.

QUILTING SQUARE COLLAGE

This paper collage activity introduces kids to the look and layout of traditional colonial quilts using simple shapes and patterns.

By arranging colorful paper squares into repeating designs, kids explore symmetry, patterning, and early American history in a hands-on way.

Stitches Through Time: Colonial And Pioneer Quilts History & Easy Collage

Supply List

  • Construction paper in a variety of colors
  • Scissors
  • Optional: Glue
Stitches Through Time: Colonial And Pioneer Quilts History & Easy Collage

First, cut construction paper into small, evenly sized squares.

Invite kids to arrange the paper squares into a quilt-style pattern.

Stitches Through Time: Colonial And Pioneer Quilts History & Easy Collage

Encourage rows, repeating colors, or mirrored designs inspired by traditional quilts.

Optional: Once the design is complete, glue each square down one at a time on a piece of paper.

Stitches Through Time: Colonial And Pioneer Quilts History & Easy Collage

Benefits

  • Supports creativity while working within simple design rules
  • Builds pattern recognition and early math skills
  • Strengthens fine motor skills through cutting and gluing
  • Encourages planning, sequencing, and visual organization
  • Introduces children to colonial history and traditional textile art

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

How To Make The Great Wall Of Ancient China Sensory Bin

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

How to make the great wall of Ancient China sensory bin with preschoolers is a way to include them in a unit study. Also, look at my post Free Ancient China Lapbook for Kids Who Love Hands-on History.

And look at my page How to Homeschool Preschool for more ideas for your littles.

Sensory play is a simple and fun way to introduce topics to your preschoolers. While they play with the sensory bin to build the Great Wall of Ancient China, you can read aloud.

How To Make The Great Wall Of Ancient China Sensory Bin

If you have older children, you can include your preschoolers as you teach history, geography, and science.

However, even older children have a hard time grasping the huge feat of hundreds of years of building. Too, the sensory bin can make for a fun visual to incorporate narration to your day.

In addition you can make your sensory bin as full or as simple as you want. For example, if you have older learners you can incorporate wooden pegs for the workers. And include other materials since many natural materials were used.

BOOKS ABOUT ANCIENT CHINA FOR KIDS

Next, look at these books about Ancient China for kids.

We prefer living books when we can find them.

12 Ancient China Books & Resources For Kids Who Love Reading and Being Read To

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

Zheng He, The Great Chinese Explorer: A Bilingual Story of Adventure and Discovery

In the West, legendary explorers like Christopher Columbus, Ernest Shackleton and Sir Edmund Hillary are a recognized part of our history. But in China, that legend belongs to the great explorer Zheng He (1371–1433), who lived during China's renowned Ming Dynasty. Zheng He, the Great Chinese Explorer is a bilingual (English and Chinese) tale of his adventures.

When he was a child, Zheng He dreamed of foreign lands, his imagination was inspired by the travels of his father and grandfather and the wonderful items they brought back from trading trips to the West. A simple but exotic porcelain vase in cobalt, a color not found in China at the time, drove Zheng He to discover the origins of this unique color—and become one of the most famous explorers in China's history.

Chee-Lin: A Giraffe's Journey

Eighty years before Columbus, China sent ships to explore the world.The Chinese discovered many marvelous things, but one discovery stood out above the others: the chee-lin.This chee-lin was just a giraffe, but to the Chinese it was an omen of good fortune so rare that it had appeared only once before—at the birth of Confucius.

Where the Mountain Meets the Moon

A Time Magazine 100 Best Fantasy Books of All Time selection!​A Reader’s Digest Best Children’s Book of All Time​!This stunning fantasy inspired by Chinese folklore is a companion novel to Starry River of the Sky and the New York Times bestselling and National Book Award finalist When the Sea Turned to SilverIn the valley of Fruitless mountain, a young girl named Minli lives in a ramshackle hut with her parents. In the evenings, her father regales her with old folktales of the Jade Dragon and the Old Man on the Moon, who knows the answers to all of life's questions. Inspired by these stories, Minli sets off on an extraordinary journey to find the Old Man on the Moon to ask him how she can change her family's fortune. She encounters an assorted cast of characters and magical creatures along the way, including a dragon who accompanies her on her quest for the ultimate answer.Grace Lin, author of the beloved Year of the Dog and Year of the Rat returns with a wondrous story of adventure, faith, and friendship. A fantasy crossed with Chinese folklore, Where the Mountain Meets the Moon is a timeless story reminiscent of The Wizard of Oz and Kelly Barnhill's The Girl Who Drank the Moon. Her beautiful illustrations, printed in full-color, accompany the text throughout. Once again, she has created a charming, engaging book for young readers.

Science and Scientists (True Stories From Ancient China)

Ancient China has a long history of scientific excellence. Learn more about some of China’s greatest scientific wonders and the scientists who studied them. Features stories about astronomy, seismology, mathematics, calendar-making, and geography.

The Warlord's Beads (Warlord's Series)

Clever Chuan devises a simple way for his father to quickly and accurately count all the warlord's treasure.

The Five Chinese Brothers (Paperstar)

The classic picture book about five clever brothers, each with a different extraordinary ability, has been in print for almost 80 years."An original nonsense tale told with...spirit and gusto." -- The Horn Book

The Great Wall Of China (Aladdin Picture Books)

Angela FIsher's The Great Wall is an "awe-inspiring, impressive, black and gray illustrations set the tone for this history of the building of the Great Wall of China." (School Library Journal)

The Story about Ping

No one can deny the appeal of the book's hero, Ping, the spirited little duck who lives on a boat on the Yangtze River. Ping's misadventures one night while exploring the world around his home form the basis of this timeless classic, which is brought to life by Kurt Wiese's warm and poignant illustrations.

In the Forbidden City (We All Live in the Forbidden City)

Serving as the seat of imperial power for six centuries, the Forbidden City is one of China's most famous and enigmatic landmarks. Accompanied by a mischievous cat, readers will tour this colossal architectural structure, discovering the secrets hidden inside the palace walls. They will encounter the people who have walked through its halls and gardens, including emperors, empresses, and rebel leaders, and hear exciting tales about the power struggles and intrigues of everyday life.This large format book conveys the grandeur of the Forbidden City through highly detailed line drawings of its buildings, gardens, and courtyards with numerous fold-out spreads. Each page is populated by a large variety of characters and peppered with entertaining anecdotes. Every book includes a plastic magnifying glass for looking at the drawings more closely."Readers receive a lavish tour of the Forbidden City, once home to Chinese emperors and now a museum, courtesy of Chiu and the Design and Cultural Studies Workshop, which he founded. Delicate line drawings highlight the architectural intricacies of the nearly 178-acre complex (several foldout spreads emphasize its size) while Chiu examines the Ming and Qing dynasties in thorough detail, along with major events in the palace's history. (In one foldout scene, 24 emperors offer pithy, even brusque notes on their reigns — "I was entirely unaccomplished," says Emperor Longqing.) A magnifying glass is wisely included to help readers appreciate the wealth of visual detail." — Publishers Weekly

The Emperor Who Built The Great Wall

DID YOU KNOW that China was named after its first emperor – the brilliant, all-powerful emperor who built The Great Wall? In this book, discover why he started building the Wall, how he made China the biggest country on earth, and what treasures he hid in his secret tomb. Find out how he became one of the most important people in the history of China. Read all about the first emperor’s fascinating life in The Emperor Who Built The Great Wall.The simple language and beautiful illustrations make this book a wonderful reader or bedtime story. It is suitable for all ages, but children aged six to twelve years will especially enjoy reading this book.~ About the ONCE UPON A TIME IN CHINA… Series ~China has a long history, but its many stories are often too complex for children. In this series, Jillian Lin retells China’s best historical tales so they are easy and fun to read. Children will embark on a journey through time where they will get a glimpse inside the colorful lives of famous Chinese figures. Beautiful illustrations, gripping stories, and fascinating facts make these books wonderful readers or bedtime stories for ages six and above. Other titles in this series include:The King Without A Throne (Confucius)The Mountain Man Of Music (Zhu Zaiyu)The Miracle Doctor (Hua Tuo)The Girl Who Became Emperor (Wu Zetian)The Dreamer Of Stars (Zhang Heng)The Greatest Explorer In The World (Zheng He)The Pirate King (Koxinga/Zheng Chenggong)

Where Is the Great Wall?

More than two thousand years ago, with his land under constant attack from nomads, the First Emperor of China came up with a simple solution: build a wall to keep out enemies. It was a wall that kept growing and growing. But its construction came at a huge cost: it is believed that more than a million Chinese died building it, earning the wall its nickname--the longest cemetery on earth. Through the story of the wall, Patricia Brennan Demuth is able to tell the story of China itself, the rise and fall of dynasties, the greatness of its culture, and its present-day status as a Communist world power.

DK Eyewitness Books: Ancient China: Discover the History of Imperial China―from the Great Wall to the Days of the La

A spectacular and informative guide to the history of the great Chinese empire and the customs and traditions of its people.  Stunning real-life photographs and lifelike models offer a unique "eyewitness" view of life in imperial China, from its earliest beginnings in the Bronze Age to its final years in the early 20th century. See the stunning bronze work of the ancient Chinese and the beautiful techniques used for Chinese calligraphy. Learn why the First Emperor created the Terracotta Army, what kinds of goods were carried along the Silk Route, who invented paper, and much, much more. 

Too, look at these other activities to pair with the Great Wall of Ancient China activity.

ACTIVITIES TO PAIR WITH THE GREAT WALL OF ANCIENT CHINA

  • How To Make The Great Wall Of China Out Of Paper
  • Learn the Quick and Easy Ancient Chinese Paper making for Kids and practice writing characters to spell out names or spelling words.
  • The Great Wall of China is made of play dough.
  • Virtual Tour of the Great Wall of China
How To Make The Great Wall Of Ancient China Sensory Bin

Finally, look how easy you can assemble a hands-on activity for your little history learner.

GREAT WALL SENSORY BIN

Supplies

  • Brown kinetic sand
  • Cardboard cut into rectangles (vary the sizes for interest)
  • Greenery (real leaves, faux plants, or small branches)

We kept ours very easy. However, you can add a variety of natural materials like rocks, stones and mud. And add some people using wooden pegs to represent various workers.

For example, The Great Wall was built by soldiers, farmers, craftsmen, and laborers, not just trained builders.

How To Make The Great Wall Of Ancient China Sensory Bin

Fill the sensory bin with brown kinetic sand, spreading it evenly to create a solid base.

How To Make The Great Wall Of Ancient China Sensory Bin

Scatter greenery around the edges.

Place the cardboard rectangles so kids can easily grab and experiment with them.

How To Make The Great Wall Of Ancient China Sensory Bin

Encourage kids to stand the cardboard pieces upright in the sand, pressing them down gently so they stay in place.

Kids can line the pieces up to form long walls.

Allow plenty of time for rebuilding, knocking walls down, and trying new designs.

HOW KIDS PLAY

Kids push, press, and balance the cardboard pieces in the kinetic sand to construct their own version of the Great Wall.

They experiment with spacing, height, and stability while arranging greenery around the wall to create a surrounding landscape. The open-ended setup encourages rebuilding again and again.

BENEFITS

  • Strengthens fine motor skills through pressing and positioning materials
  • Encourages problem-solving and early engineering concepts
  • Supports spatial awareness and planning
  • Provides rich sensory input through texture and resistance
  • Inspires imaginative and historical play connections

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

Ocean Mystery of the Bermuda Triangle: Download Your Free Printable

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

The Bermuda Triangle of the Atlantic Ocean is a history ocean mystery. Also, look at my page Oceans Unit Study and Lapbook for more ocean ideas.

Let’s dive into a study of one of the world’s most famous unsolved puzzles: the Bermuda Triangle.

The Bermuda Triangle is an area in the Atlantic Region forming a triangle between Miami, Florida, Bermuda and Puerto Rica.

Ocean Mystery of the Bermuda Triangle: Download Your Free Printable

A simple geography lesson can become an exploration filled with maps, science, history, and lots of thoughtful discussion.

Begin with learning about historical ships and plane incidents.

Also, learn about compasses and weather patterns like hurricanes and sudden storms.

BOOKS ABOUT THE BERMUDA TRIANGLE AND OCEAN MYSTERIES

Next, look at a few of these fun books.

5 Ocean Mysteries and Bermuda Triangle Books For Kids

Add some of these books for a unit study or just as a lesson for the day.

The Bermuda Triangle (Solving Mysteries With Science)

Does the patch of stormy sea between the tip of Florida, Puerto Rico and Bermuda hide a dark and frightening secret? For decades, there have been cases of ships and aircraft that seem to vanish in this part of the Atlantic Ocean. Others who have survived flying or sailing through, have reported strange occurrences, such as clocks and navigational instruments failing. Are all of these reports true? Is there a mystery lurking? Using the scientific method and available data, this book attempts to find out!

Ocean Mysteries for Curious Kids: Explore Amazing Tales of Shipwrecks, Sea Creatures, and Underwater Wonders!

Not every kid loves textbooks—but every curious kid will love this.

If your child is fascinated by glowing sea creatures, lost cities beneath the waves, or tales of shipwrecks and treasure—this is the book you’ve been looking for.Ocean Mysteries for Curious Kids isn’t just a fact book—it’s a launchpad into Earth’s most mysterious frontier: the deep ocean.

Designed for ages 7–12, it blends thrilling short stories with true science to make reading feel like exploration.

Inside this book, your child will discover

  • Shipwreck stories that read like real-life treasure hunts
  • Weird sea creatures that glow, vanish, and even mimic other animals
  • Underwater volcanoes, coral cities, and trenches deeper than Everest is tall
  • Short, high-interest stories that keep kids turning the page

The Bermuda Triangle: Pathway to Atlantis

The Atlantians started to experience instability in the umbilical cord or worm hole that connected them to earth. Human species and their vehicles (boats, planes, etc); were slipping through these unstable portals into the Universe of Atlantis. On Mother Earth, the area where these occurrences were happening was designated as the "Bermuda Triangle" The Atlantians watched in horror as the entire Earth began to suffer from the effects of the exploration and removal of fossil fuels. The Earth's crust had become very unstable and underwater earthquakes were on the increase.

The Bermuda Triangle

Discusses the ships, small boats, and airplanes that have mysteriously vanished in the area between Florida, Bermuda, and Puerto Rico, offering possible natural and supernatural reasons for the disappearances

The Bermuda Triangle (Torque Books: The Unexplained)

Spanning an area in the Atlantic Ocean between Bermuda, Puerto Rico, and the southern tip of Florida, the Bermuda Triangle has been a mystery for over a hundred years. Many ships and aircraft have been lost
in its waters. Readers will learn about the many disappearances and the possible explanations for them, ranging from piracy to paranormal activity.

Then, look at these other ocean mystery ideas.

MORE ACTIVITIES TO PAIR WITH OCEAN MYSTERY

  • Free Titanic Activity | Unlocking The Mystery Of Iceberg Science
  • 15 Unsolved Ocean Mysteries That’ll Keep You Up At Night
  • Ocean Mysteries for Curious Kids: Explore Amazing Tales of Shipwrecks, Sea Creatures, and Underwater Wonders!
  • Under the Sea Science Activities With Amazing Disappearing Octopus Ink
  • Investigating The Formation Of Underwater Mountains
  • Deep Sea Secrets
  • How To Mix Glow In The Dark Slime Ingredients To Make Awesome Ocean Slime
Ocean Mystery of the Bermuda Triangle: Download Your Free Printable

Grab this free 8 page freebie which has questions to promote conversations and a place for your child to write down his thoughts.

Like a historical detective your child will love working through the clues and theories.

Finally, look at how to get this free printable.

HOW TO GET THE FREE THE MYSTERY OF THE BERMUDA TRIANGLE WORKSHEET PAGES

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: Bermuda Triangle, hands-on, hands-on activities, handson, handsonhomeschooling, ocean

Creative Ways To Have Fun With Nature | How To Make A Dried Orange Fox Ornament

December 27, 2025 | Leave a Comment
This post may contain affiliate links. For more information, please see my full disclosure policy.

Having fun with nature is a natural way to educate children.

And this fun dried orange fox ornament is hands-on way to blend crafts, science, nature and art. Kids love working with real, natural materials,

Too, drying orange slices and turning them into ornaments is a lovely way to slow down and enjoy the season. Also, you can make this fun activity to be part of a fox, winter, animal or fall unit study.

Creative Ways To Have Fun With Nature | How To Make A Dried Orange Fox Ornament

Besides, foxes are often seen in snowy forests and winter landscapes.

Look at my post How to Create a Homeschool Zoology Unit Without a Curriculum and Cute Fox Craft (notebooking pages).

Making a fox ornament is a great way to talk about how animals live in winter and how they adapt to the cold.

NATURE BOOKS FOR KIDS

First, look at these nature books for kids.

6 Nature Study Books and Resources

Add one of these resources or books to your study about nature. They all give you a starting point or use one or two of them as a nature spine.

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.

Handbook of Nature Study

The Handbook of Nature Study is a classic Charlotte Mason text. A big book full of information on pretty much every area of nature study from tools to birds, weather, and rocks.

The Country Diary of an Edwardian Lady

This beautifully packaged facsimile of Edith Holden’s original diary is filled with a naturalist’s masterful paintings and delightful observations chronicling the English countryside throughout 1906. As one of the few true records of the time in print, the handwritten thoughts and paintings contained in The Country Diary of an Edwardian Lady transport readers to a more refined, romantic, and simpler time.

Botanicum

Filled with both recognisable, and tropical flora, Botanicum is the ultimate companion guide to the variety of plants, and how they have evolved and grow.

Curiositree: Natural World: A Visual Compendium of Wonders from Nature - Jacket unfolds into a huge wall poster!

Discover the interconnectedness of the natural world and learn why living things look and behave the way they do in a series of visually compelling information charts, maps, and cutaways, all illustrated in a nostalgic, vintage style. Packed with incredible facts about the natural world and the animals that populate it, the whole family will enjoy the full-page spreads grouped into the categories of habitats, species, and adaptations.

Nature Study & Outdoor Science Journal: The Thinking Tree Presents: A Creative Book of Observation, Drawing, Coloring, Writing & Discovery

The Thinking Tree presents: A Creative Book of Observation, Drawing, Coloring, Writing & Discovery Through Nature, ideal for all ages (even adults!)

Creativity and discovery at its best, this journal is a bestseller among The Thinking Tree publications! Your nature-loving student will treasure this journal designed to ignite their wonder of the outdoors. With more than 180 lessons and beautiful illustrations, the Nature Study Journal invites the student to read, write, draw, color, explore and appreciate the outdoors while covering a variety of subjects such as science, poetry, observation instructions, and more.

Also, look at more fun with nature activities.

MORE FUN WITH NATURE EDUCATIONAL ACTIVITIES

  • Nature’s Rhythms: Get Your Free Phenology Wheel Nature Tracker
  • 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
  • The Wonders of Nature: Free Color by Number Sloth Rainforest Habitat Page
  • Fascinating Insect Incredible Slime: A Kids’ Guide To Nature’s Goo
  • Fun Ice For Kids Inexpensive & Easy Nature Sensory Activity
  • Hands-On Literature Nature Study: Simple Tree Craft
  • Famous and Historic Trees Fun Nature and History Homeschool Unit Study
  • Frozen Nature Ice Sun Catcher for Preschool Play and Fun
  • 10 Egg Carton Crafts For 2 Year Olds and Fun Nature Color Match Activity
  • 15 Hands-On Nature Math Ideas to Make Learning Come to Life
  • 8 Facts About Moths and a Fun Nature Elephant Hawk Moth Craft
  • How to Put Together a Middle School Nature Study With Book List
  • Fun Outdoor Activities For Middle Schoolers Geocaching and Nature Study
Creative Ways To Have Fun With Nature | How To Make A Dried Orange Fox Ornament

Finally, look at how to make a dried orange fox ornament.

DRIED ORANGE FOX ORNAMENT

Grab these easy supplies which you probably already have in your home.

Supplies

  • Oranges
  • Sharp knife (adult use)
  • Baking sheet
  • Parchment paper or drying rack
  • White acrylic paint
  • Small paintbrush
  • Whole cloves
  • Craft glue or hot glue (adult use)
  • String, yarn, or twine
Creative Ways To Have Fun With Nature | How To Make A Dried Orange Fox Ornament

HOW TO DRY ORANGE SLICES

First, look at how to dry orange slices.

  1. Preheat the oven to 200°F.
  2. Slice oranges into thin, even rounds (about ¼ inch thick).
  3. Place slices on a parchment-lined baking sheet.
  4. Bake for 2–3 hours, flipping every 30 minutes, until fully dried.
  5. Let the slices cool completely before crafting.

Optional air-dry method: Lay slices on a drying rack and allow them to dry for several days, turning occasionally.

FOX ORNAMENT INSTRUCTIONS

Choose one dried orange slice for the fox face.

Paint the lower half white to create the fox’s muzzle.

Creative Ways To Have Fun With Nature | How To Make A Dried Orange Fox Ornament

Press two cloves into the slice for eyes and one clove for the nose.

Creative Ways To Have Fun With Nature | How To Make A Dried Orange Fox Ornament

Cut another dried orange slice into small triangles to make ears.

Creative Ways To Have Fun With Nature | How To Make A Dried Orange Fox Ornament

Glue the ears to the back top of the fox face and let dry completely.

Creative Ways To Have Fun With Nature | How To Make A Dried Orange Fox Ornament

Use a skewer or toothpick to make a small hole near the top of the slice.

Creative Ways To Have Fun With Nature | How To Make A Dried Orange Fox Ornament

Thread string or yarn through the hole and tie a knot to create a hanger.

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

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