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How to Make a Water, Land, and Sky Animal Habitat Triorama

January 1, 2025 | Leave a Comment
This post may contain affiliate links. For more information, please see my full disclosure policy.

I have a unique project for you today, an animal habitat triorama, to showcase 3 different types. Also, look at my page Trioramas: How To Create Engaging Visual Narratives For Kids for more ideas.

Surely you know what a diorama is, but have you ever had your children make a triorama?

It is the same basic principle as a diorama, but it gives you three different sections to work in.

How to Make a Water, Land, and Sky Animal Habitat Triorama

This is a great activity to compare and contrast the differences in whatever your topic is.

Dioramas and trioramas can be adapted for preschoolers through high school teens.

And they are a wonderful hands-on activity that can be used for most subjects and topics of interest.

For today’s activity, we are doing a land, sea, and water animal triorama to learn about their various habitats.

The 8 major habitats are polar, tundra, evergreen forests, seasonal forests, grasslands, deserts, tropical rainforests, and oceans.

You can let your child choose which 3 habitats they highlight and which creature for each one.

Our animal habitat triorama consisted of ocean/coral reef for our sea turtle in the water.

The rainforest in the canopy for our cockatoo in the sky.

And woodlands for our fox on the land.

ALL ABOUT ANIMAL HABITATS

Animals live in all sorts of different places, called habitats.

Their habitat provides them with everything they need to survive, like food, water, shelter, and a place to raise their young.

Some animals live in forests, which are like big, green jungles.

 Forests are home to many kinds of animals, like deer, squirrels, bears, and owls.

Other animals live in grasslands, which are like big, open fields.

Grasslands are home to animals like lions, zebras, elephants, and giraffes.

Deserts are hot, dry places where animals like camels, snakes, and scorpions live.

Tundra is a cold, snowy place where animals like polar bears, caribou, and Arctic foxes live.

Oceans are home to all sorts of sea creatures, like fish, whales, dolphins, and sharks.

Animals have adapted to living in their specific habitats.

For example, polar bears have thick fur to keep them warm in the cold Arctic tundra.

How to Make a Water, Land, and Sky Animal Habitat Triorama

Camels have long legs and wide feet to help them walk through the desert sand.

Marine mammals like whales and seals have streamlined bodies to help them move through water efficiently.

AMAZING RESOURCES FOR YOUR ANIMAL HABITAT TRIORAMA

First watch, All About Habitats: Kids’ Guide to Tundra, Deserts, Grasslands, Forests, and More to help your child better understand the different habitats.

Water

Freshwater habitats are rivers, lakes, streams, ponds, swamps, wetlands, bogs and lagoons.

Marine Habitats include oceans, seas and coral reefs.

  • Ocean Anatomy
  • The Big Book of Blue
  • Ocean Creatures
  • Great Lakes Animals

Land

Terrestrial habitats (or where creatures live on land) include forests, deserts, grasslands, mountain, tundra and polar ice.

  • The Big Book of Beasts
  • Nature Anatomy
  • Rainforest Animals
  • Desert Creatures

Sky

An aerial habitat is a type of habitat that exists in the air, this would include birds, insects, and bats and would be within all of the other habitats.

  • The Big Book of Birds
  • An Anthology of Exquisite Birds
  • Bird Figures

MORE TRIORAMAS

  • How to Make an Easy Rainforest Triorama With Kids
  • How to Make a Water, Land, and Sky Animal Habitat Triorama
  • How to Make an Amazing Shakespeare Triorama Book Report
  • How to Make a Cool Greek Mythology Triorama With Kids
  • How to Make a Giant Triorama Project About Cherokee Culture
  • How to Make A Desert Triorama About the Gobi, Sahara, & Antarctica
  • Amazing Geography Landforms: An Engaging Triorama Tutorial for Kids
  • How to Make a Triorama Teaching the Primary Colors with Dollar Tree Supplies
  • How To Build A Water Habitat Triorama With Kids
  • How to Craft a Stunning Wolf Animal Triorama
  • How to Make a Biome Triorama That Explores Alaska’s Amazing Features
  • How to Make a Native American Triorama Highlighting Tribes in 3 Regions
  • How to Make A Pyramid Diorama For States Of Matter
  • The Wonders of the Great Barrier Reef: An Ecosystem Triorama

Next, look at these fun animal habitat activities to try.

MORE ANIMAL HABITAT ACTIVITIES TO TRY

  • Fun Arctic Habitat Diorama and Fascinating Facts About Walruses
  • Take a look at two very different habitats with the Arctic Animals & Forest Animals: Comparing Animal Habitats.
  • Awesome Serengeti African Savanna Fun Facts | Free Color By Number
  • Enjoy some Hands-on Learning on Animal Habitats for Preschool.
  • See my How To Make A Shoebox Toucan Habitat Diorama With Waterfall for a different style of display like the triorama.
  • Fun Hands-On Bee Activities for Kids Make a Mason Bee Habitat
  • Free Color By Number Penguin And Penguins Antarctica Habitat
  • Learn how animals hide within their habitat with these 8 Animal Camouflage Activities and Resources & Fun Camouflage Art
  • The Wonders of Nature: Free Color by Number Sloth Rainforest Habitat Page
  • 5 Easy Bat Stem Activities and Create a STEM Bat Habitat
  • Simplify and highlight just one habitat by following the tutorial on How to Make an Easy Wetlands Paper Plate Habitat Diorama.
How to Make a Water, Land, and Sky Animal Habitat Triorama

Finally, look at how to make this fun animal habitat triorama.

HOW TO MAKE A WATER, LAND, AND SKY ANIMAL HABITAT TRIORAMA

You will need:

  • Three paper plates
  • Scissors
  • Land, sea, and water plastic animal figure
  • Craft paint
  • Paint brushes
  • Construction paper, rocks, twigs,
How to Make a Water, Land, and Sky Animal Habitat Triorama

First fold your paper plate in half and press across the crease to get a sharp fold.

Open the paper plate and repeat folding it in half in the opposite direction.

You’re going to want to do this three times.

How to Make a Water, Land, and Sky Animal Habitat Triorama

Along the lines cut from the edge of the paper plate to the center.

How to Make a Water, Land, and Sky Animal Habitat Triorama

Bend your paper plate so that the cut section has the two flaps laid one on top of the other, repeat with all three plates.

How to Make a Water, Land, and Sky Animal Habitat Triorama

Then, hot glue your folded plates back to back.

Do this on a hard surface so that the bottom is fairly flat and level.

How to Make a Water, Land, and Sky Animal Habitat Triorama

Now use paint or markers or crayons to color each section to resemble the water and land.

How to Make a Water, Land, and Sky Animal Habitat Triorama

Allow paint to dry.

The next step is to start adding a little more detail to each section.

You can do this by cutting or tearing shapes out of construction paper, cotton balls, for clouds, additional paint, details, small rocks, and small twigs, etc., the skies the limit.

How to Make a Water, Land, and Sky Animal Habitat Triorama

I like to use whatever we have on hand for this project so that means we gathered rocks and twigs from the yard,

How to Make a Water, Land, and Sky Animal Habitat Triorama

Once you have everything glued into place, just add your land and water animal into the proper section and your triorama is ready for display.

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

Fun And Easy Spider Craft: Insect Lessons For Elementary Students

December 29, 2024 | Leave a Comment
This post may contain affiliate links. For more information, please see my full disclosure policy.

These fun and easy insect lessons for elementary students are creepy and crawly in all the best ways. Also, look at my page Free Kids Insect Unit Study for more ideas.

And these insect lessons will have your child engaged throughout their lessons.

First let me clarify for the sake of our spider craft today, spiders are not insects.

Rather, they are a different grouping called “arachnids”.

Fun And Easy Spider Craft: Insect Lessons For Elementary Students

Most insects have 4 life stages and spiders have 3-egg, spiderling and adult.

Also, while we are comparing and contrasting, all bugs are insects.

But not all insects are bugs.

True bugs have a mouth shaped like straw or needle to suck juices, mostly from plants and have 3 life stages.

BOOKS ABOUT INSECTS FOR KIDS

Also, look at these books about insects.

When possible, we prefer to read living books.

11 Insect & Bug Books for Kids Who Love to Be Read To and Read

Add one or two of these books to your home library about insects. I love living books but love to add reference books to our day when I find them.

When Insects are Babies

Describes briefly the short infancy of such common insects as the grasshopper, praying mantis, cicada, earwig, and twelve others.

We Like Bugs

This illustrated book for children asks the Have you ever seen a doodlebug? A dragon fly? A leafhopper? Find out all about bugs in this book.

Fabre's Book of Insects

Hailed by Darwin as "The Homer of Insects," famed French entomologist Jean Henri Fabre (1823–1915) devoted hours of rapt attention to insects while they hunted, built nests, and fed their families. Working in Provence, in barren, sun-scorched fields inhabited by countless wasps and bees, he observed their intricate and fascinating world, recounting their activities in simple, beautifully written essays.This volume, based on translations of Fabre's Souvenirs Entomologiques, blends folklore and mythology with factual explanation. Fabre's absorbing account of the scarab beetle's existence, for example, begins with the ancient Egyptians' symbolic view of this busy creature, eventually leading to a careful discussion of its characteristic method of rolling a carefully sculpted ball of food to its den. Elsewhere, he discusses with infectious enthusiasm the physiologic secrets behind the luminosity of fireflies, the musical talents of the locust, the comfortable home of the field cricket, and the cannibalism of the pious-looking praying mantis, among other topics.These charmingly related stories of insect life are a rare combination of scientific study and literary classic that will delight entomologists, naturalists, and nature lovers alike.

Children of Summer: Henri Fabre's Insects

Henri Fabre (1823-1915) was a famous explorer yet he seldom left his own backyard. He spent his whole life discovering the secrets of the insect world. His home and its surroundings served as his laboratory, and his lab assistants were his wife and children. The entire family shared his passion for insects, especially his youngest son, Paul. Follow Paul as he assists his famous father uncover the secrets of his "children of summer"-insects. You'll meet the undertaker beetle that buries dead animals; the acorn elephant beetle, whose snout is so long that it must hold it straight out to keep from tripping over it; caterpillars that spin tents and roadways of silk; red ants that kidnap black ant babies and raise them as slaves; dancing scorpions; dung beetles that get their nourishment from animal droppings; male peacock moths that pay homage to their princess but don't eat a single meal as adults; and many other unusual creatures. On the way, you'll get to know a fascinating scientist widely regarded as the father of modern entomology. Through texts drawn from the beautiful written records that Fabre kept of everything he did and saw, and exquisite illustrations done in close, scientific detail, this enchanting book reaches far beyond the boundaries of its subject to engage even those who didn't know they were interested in bugs.

Creep and Flutter: The Secret World of Insects and Spiders

Acclaimed naturalist and illustrator Jim Arnosky brings out the beauty—and the “wow!” and the “yuck!” factors—of hundreds of insects and spiders. Eight spectacular gatefolds show moths and mosquitoes, butterflies and beetles, spiders and silverfish life-size, up close, and personal!

Insects Do the Strangest Things (Step-Up Books)

Describes insects that have peculiar and strange characteristics, such as the camouflage of the walking stick, and the driver ants that prefer people to picnics.

Insect Life

Be immersed in the fascinating world of insects as you're taken on a journey observing and learning about the world around you.

This volume teaches about what makes an insect, the parts of a caterpillar, moths, butterflies, beetles, wasps, bees, flies, crickets, grasshoppers and more!

The Big Book of Bugs (The Big Book Series)

From moths and beetles to worms and spiders, the world is crawling with fascinating bugs. The Big Book of Bugs is the first fact-filled book for children to explore the vast array of creepy-crawlies that share our Earth.

In the first pages, children learn that bugs live nearly everywhere on the planet and gain tips on how to become a young bug spotter. As the book continues, the scenic compositions on each page are dedicated to key groups of bugs, including beetles, moths, butterflies, bees, snails, crickets, grasshoppers, worms, and spiders. Some spreads approach the world of bugs thematically, such as bugs that come out at night, baby bugs, and life cycles, how bugs hide and show off, and how some bugs love to live in your home. The conversational, funny text is also full of facts that will astonish children and adults, and accompanied by Yuval Zommer’s colorful illustrations. Illustrated in color throughout.

Caterpillars, Bugs and Butterflies: Take-Along Guide (Take Along Guides)

An introduction to the world of insects, caterpillars, and butterflies including identification information, educational activities, and fun facts.Invites young naturalists to spot wildlife. Safety tips are provided and interesting activities are suggested.

The Beetle (Dimensional Nature Portfolio Series)

Features the beetle in huge, three-dimensional form. The book consists of an enormous center pop-up and two seven-page books, one bound into each cover, which are full of additional pop-ups, anatomical cutaways and photographs taken through electron microscopes.

The Girl Who Drew Butterflies: How Maria Merian's Art Changed Science

In this beautiful nonfiction biography, a Robert F. Sibert Medal winner, the Newbery Honor–winning author Joyce Sidman introduces readers to one of the first female entomologists and a woman who flouted convention in the pursuit of knowledge and her passion for insects.

One of the first naturalists to observe live insects directly, Maria Sibylla Merian was also one of the first to document the metamorphosis of the butterfly. 

Richly illustrated throughout with full-color original paintings by Merian herself, The Grew Who Drew Butterflies will enthrall young scientists.

Bugs, of all kinds, were considered to be “born of mud” and to be “beasts of the devil.” Why would anyone, let alone a girl, want to study and observe them? The Girl Who Drew Butterflies answers this question.

Then, let’s compare the similarities and differences of insects vs arachnids.

COMPARING INSECTS VS. ARACHNIDS

Both spiders and insects are arthropods, this means they have an exoskeleton and jointed legs.

Spiders have two body segments- the cephalothorax and the abdomen, while insects have three: the head, thorax, and abdomen.

Legs-Spiders have eight legs, and insects have six.

Wings- There are no spiders that have wings, but many insects do.

Antennae- Spiders do not have antennae, but insects do.

Eyes- Most spiders have six to eight simple eyes, but can have as few as two, while insects have two compound eyes.

The Big Book of Bugs is a must have oversized colorful book for reference for preschool through elementary students.

Fun And Easy Spider Craft: Insect Lessons For Elementary Students

Next, look at these insect lessons for elementary students.

INSECT LESSONS FOR ELEMENTARY STUDENTS

  1. Insect Anatomy.
  2. Let your student create their own entomology display with this Paper Insect Collection Tutorial.
  3. Bugs & Insects Printable Guessing Game takes a basic game like Guess Who and turns it into a fantastic learning game.
  4. Thinking Tree has workbooks for all the subjects on just about every theme children like that you can think of, This All About Bugs Workbook lets them study dozens and dozens of specific bugs from all over the world but also includes geography, art, and more.
  5. The Art of Flying Insects.
  6. Insect homes.
Fun And Easy Spider Craft: Insect Lessons For Elementary Students

And look at more hands-on insect activities.

MORE KIDS INSECT ACTIVITIES

  • Fascinating Insect Incredible Slime: A Kids’ Guide To Nature’s Goo
  • How to Make a Fun Ladybug Watercolor Labeled Picture
  • Fun and Easy Hands-on Life Cycle Butterfly Activity for Kids
  • 4 Cicada Insect Fun Facts For Kids | How to Make A Cicada Clothespin Craft
  • 8 Insect Fun Facts About Texas For Kids | Easy Dragonfly Craft
  • Blue Morpho Butterfly Adaptations In The Tropical Rainforest and Fun Symmetry Craft

Additionally, look at these facts about spiders to help your kids understand the differences.

ALL ABOUT THE SPIDER

Legs

Spiders have 8 legs that are covered with tiny hairs that pick up smells and vibrations, they have 6 joints with 7 segments, giving them 48 knees.

The different legs on a spider are used for:

  • Walking and moving around
  • Climbing surfaces
  • Spinning webs
  • Catching and holding prey
  • Sensing their environment
  • Grooming themselves
  • Defending themselves

Eyes

Spiders use their eyes to hunt, navigate, and avoid predators. They are an important part of a spider’s sensory system and help them to survive in their environment.

They have up to eight eyes, arranged in a variety of ways depending on the species. Some spiders have two large eyes at the front of their head that are used for hunting, while others have four or six smaller eyes that are used for detecting movement.

They  are made up of a lens and a retina, just like human eyes. However, spider eyes are much simpler than human eyes and do not have the ability to focus. Spiders also do not have eyelids, so they cannot blink.

The number and arrangement of spider eyes varies depending on the species. Some spiders, such as jumping spiders, have four eyes that are arranged in a square. Other spiders, such as wolf spiders, have eight eyes that are arranged in two rows.

The different types of spider eyes have different functions. The large eyes at the front of the head are used for hunting.

These eyes are very sensitive to light and can detect movement from a long distance. The smaller eyes on the sides of the head are used for detecting movement and for orientation.

FUN AND EASY SPIDER CRAFT

You will need:

  • Small styrofoam ball
  • Medium Styrofoam ball
  • 4 pipe cleaners
  • Google eyes
  • Craft felt/craft foam
  • Hot glue gun/sticks
Fun And Easy Spider Craft: Insect Lessons For Elementary Students

First paint the styrofoam balls in whatever color they like, spiders come in many colors from brown and gray to iridescent blue and green.

Fun And Easy Spider Craft: Insect Lessons For Elementary Students

Set aside to dry.

Fun And Easy Spider Craft: Insect Lessons For Elementary Students

While the paint is drying, cut the pipe cleaners in half to create 8 legs.

Fun And Easy Spider Craft: Insect Lessons For Elementary Students

Place 6 beads along each pipe cleaner to represent the joints in a spider’s leg, bend each one slightly at the joints.

Fun And Easy Spider Craft: Insect Lessons For Elementary Students

Once the paint is dry push the tip of a hot glue gun into the cephalothorax, the smaller styrofoam ball.

Fun And Easy Spider Craft: Insect Lessons For Elementary Students

And add a little glue, press a leg in and hold until the glue has hardened, repeat until all 8 legs are in place.

Fun And Easy Spider Craft: Insect Lessons For Elementary Students

Cut small fangs from the craft felt or foam and glue into place.

Fun And Easy Spider Craft: Insect Lessons For Elementary Students

Next , attach googly eyes to your spider’s head. Use two bigger eyes for

Fun And Easy Spider Craft: Insect Lessons For Elementary Students

Glue the cephalothorax to the abdomen and your spider is ready to creep and crawl.

Fun And Easy Spider Craft: Insect Lessons For Elementary Students

You can also write the parts of a spider down on pieces of paper and have your child label each part, this can be as simple or as detailed as you like.

Leave a CommentFiled Under: Hands-On Activities Tagged With: crafts, hands-on, hands-on activities, handson, insects, science, spider

Learn US Geography the Fun Way: Free States 3-Part Flashcards

December 28, 2024 | Leave a Comment
This post may contain affiliate links. For more information, please see my full disclosure policy.

To learn US geography, I have some free US State 3-part flashcards. Also, look at my Hands-On Simple And Best Homeschool Geography Ideas & Tips.

Too, I have some other activities to share how to learn all 50 states.

And I will explain what is a 3-part flashcard. They are very flexible to help learners of different ages.

Learn US Geography the Fun Way: Free States 3-Part Flashcards

Besides, learning the states should be fun.

When your child knows where each state is, they can learn about its history and culture.

And when you combine hands-on activities like games, recipes and even music your child learns information in different ways.

This helps learning stick and doesn’t reduce learning to just memorization.

KIDS GEOGRAPHY BOOKS TO LEARN THE UNITED STATES

First, look at this list of books and resources to help children learn about the U.S.

10 U.S. Geography Resources

If you're looking to teach U.S. geography in a hands-on way, you'll love adding one or two of these resources to your day or study.

The Scrambled States of America Game

Quick! Find a state that ends with the letter A. Now find one that borders Tennessee. Have fun learning about the United States in this madcap game of observation and quick reflexes. 

The 50 States: Explore the U.S.A. with 50 fact-filled maps!

Explore every state of the USA from Alabama to Wyoming with these 51 charmingly illustrated infographic maps! Includes an expansive guide to the state flags and US presidents.Discover more than 2,000 facts about the people, cities, nature and historic events that have helped make America what it is today. Ghost towns, swamp tours, the center of the universe… bacon donuts, brainy berries, salmon jerky… The French Fry King, The Mother of Oregon, The Queen of Blues… be inspired by the inventiveness, beauty and diversity of our great nation in this curious collection of fact-filled maps.

National Geographic Kids U.S. Atlas

 Kids will have fun learning about each and every U.S. state in this amazing 6th edition atlas, packed with maps, stats, facts, and pictures

The U.S. History Cookbook: Delicious Recipes and Exciting Events from the Past

Who knew history could be so delicious? In The U.S. History Cookbook, you'll discover how Americans have lived and dined over the centuries. This scrumptious survey of periods and events in U.S. history mixes together a delectable batter of food timelines, kid-friendly recipes, and fun food facts.

The United States in 100 Words

How do you sum up a whole country in just 100 words? This striking book takes on the challenge! From amendment to Vegas, each of the carefully chosen 100 words has its own 100-word-long description and beautiful illustration, providing a snapshot of what the USA means to people today: its roots, its values, its culture, and customs. Basically, everything you need to know in a nut shell.

Supertoob: USA,Figure Playsets

This Toob includes figurines of the Lincoln Memorial, Hoover Dam, Liberty Bell, Alamo, Mount Rushmore, Statue of Liberty, Gateway Arch, U.S. Capital, Empire State Building, White House, as well as a flag and an eagle.

Geographic USA Scrunch Map

Easy Storage: Unfold and spread flat when you need it or scrunch it up and store away when you're done. The USA map makes a wonderful addition to your home, office, library, kid's room, classroom or playroom.

States & Capitals Flash Cards for Kids – 50 American State Cards

LEARN STATES & CAPITALS IN A FLASH: Get to know each of the 50 states! How well do you know your home state and neighbors? Perfect for all ages

50 FLASH CARDS: Includes 50 educational flash cards for studying important school subjects such as US Geography and History!

9 LEARNING GAMES: Teach and participate in 9 specially made enrichment activities: Name Games, What's the Motto, Heads Up, Region Round-up, State Trivia and more! Fun symbols

1000-piece USA Map Jigsaw Puzzle & Poster 50 States | Illustrated American Landmarks

Test your geography knowledge with Talking Tables beautifully illustrated 1000-piece USA 50 States Map Jigsaw Puzzle & Poster. This USA Map Puzzle features landmarks from across America! Our Jigsaw Puzzles For Adults make for Fun Indoor Activities and can be framed as Wall Art

Geography from A to Z: A Picture Glossary

Have you ever wondered what a badland is? What about a gulch?
Do you know what an isthmus is? Or a seamount? What about the difference between a plateau and a plain, or a knob and a knoll? Well look no further. This broad introduction to the fascinating world around us explores our planet’s physical features from the highest mountain peak to the deepest ocean trench. The team behind Maps & Globes proves that geography can indeed be an adventure.

Also, look at these reasons to use flash cards.

HOW TO USE THE FLASH CARDS FOR LEARNING

First, flash cards make learning active.

Especially, if a child learns independently, self-pacing is a huge motivating factor.

For example, if you have a reader the name of the state can be paired with the state.

Use the set of flashcards with the state name on it to self-check the answers.

Too, when a child uses flash cards regularly they learn through memory.

When memory recall is accompanied by dynamic play you increase your child’s retention of the information.

Next, look at these ways to use the cards.

  • Flash the cards with the state name and shape to introduce the state.
  • Cut the two-part cards on the line to match the name and state.
  • Also, non-readers can match states to state and learn the shape.
  • Use the state cards with younger learners by placing native animals of the state on the state.
  • Encourage your older children to memorize the state capitals.
  • Too encourage your older learner to organize the states by region. For example, group the northeastern states together and the southern states.
  • Also, have your child place the states on the floor and organize them into a “map”. This helps them to learn the geography of the state.
Learn US Geography the Fun Way: Free States 3-Part Flashcards

Next, add more activities to learn about the states.

MORE ACTIVITIES TO LEARN US GEOGRAPHY

Also, look at these fun activities.

  • 100 BEST Books for Kids from all 50 States (Easy Geography)
  • The Benefits Of Using Games That Teach Geography | Review Of Scrambled States
  • Professor Noggin’s Geography of The United States Trivia Card Game
  • American History Game Fun U.S. President Go Fish Unit Study
  • 18 American History Board Games Which Brings History to Life
Learn US Geography the Fun Way: Free States 3-Part Flashcards

Finally, grab the freebie.

HOW TO GET THE FREE PRINTABLE US STATES FLASH CARDS

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

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

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

2) Grab the freebie now.

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: flash cards, geography, hands-on, hands-on activities, handson, handsonhomeschooling, homeschool, U.S., United States

5 Usborne Knights And Castles Books | How To Make A Medieval Toilet Roll Castle

December 26, 2024 | Leave a Comment
This post may contain affiliate links. For more information, please see my full disclosure policy.

I have some Usborne knights and castles books to share and a fun tutorial for a medieval castle. Also, look at my 4 Week Free Middle Ages Unit Study & Best Hands-on Ideas.

The Usborne Knights and Castles books are a popular series.

Our preference is always to use living books but some of the Usborne books are our favorites over the years.

5 Usborne Knights And Castles Books | How To Make A Medieval Toilet Roll Castle

I find the series is great for history projects.

Too, many of the books have lift flaps and tabs to pull so the books are interactive.

In addition, another favorite of the books are the illustrations.

Kids, not just young ones, have a hard time visualizing a time in the Middle Ages.

So, the pictures in the books are vivid and detailed.

BOOKS ABOUT CASTLES FOR KIDS

Before we create this adorable craft to go with our series of books, look at some other books about castles.

8 Castle Books for Kids

Add some of these fun books about castles to your unit study or learning day.

Castle: How It Works

Every part of the castle has a function. Walls keep the enemy out. Towers protect the lord and the soldiers. From the moat and portcullis to the great hall and dungeon, see how a castle works as an enemy army tries to storm the walls.

The Door in the Wall:

Ever since he can remember, Robin, child of Sir John de Bureford, has been told what is expected of him as the son of a nobleman. He must learn the ways of knighthood. But Robin’s destiny is changed suddenly when he falls ill and loses the use of his legs. Fearing a plague, his servants abandon him, and Robin is left alone.   A monk named Brother Luke rescues Robin and takes him to the hospice of St. Mark’s, where he is taught woodcarving and patience and strength. Says Brother Luke, “Thou hast only to follow the wall far enough and there will be a door in it.”   Robin learns soon enough what Brother Luke means. When the great castle of Lindsay is in danger, Robin discovers that there is more than one way to serve his king.

Knights and Castles and Feudal Life

Knights and Castles and Feudal Life

The Minstrel in the Tower (Stepping Stone)

An adventurous rescue set in the time of medieval knights, castles, bandits, and music. Before their father returns to France from the Crusades, daring Alice and
musical Roger set off on their own journey: to find their long-lost uncle. But on the way, the siblings are kidnapped and locked in an ancient hidden tower. To finish their quest, they need to escape—and fast! Can Alice use her courage to slip away and find help? And can Roger use his musical talents to guide her back before it’s too late?

Look Inside a Castle (Usborne Look Inside)

This is an innovative flap book offering a fascinating glimpse into the world of sports. Lift the flaps to peek behind the scenes at all sorts of exciting sports-thrilling cycling races, athletic events, swimming and diving competitions and soccer matches at a busy sports stadium. 60 flaps to lift!

Make This Medieval Castle

Printed on stiff card, this book contains templates to cut out and construct a superb model of a 14th century castle crammed with authentic detail. The model includes miniature characters for re-creating castle life, including market stalls and jousting knights as well as a portcullis that lifts and falls.

Raise the Drawbridge: Stories and Legends of Welsh Castles

This charming book was originally published in 1938 in Wales. Its main virtue is its historical accuracy; these epic stories are very well researched and are all based on historical evidence. The eighteen stories cover all areas of Wales and deal with some of its most famous castles. From ""The Blind Knight of Whitecastle"" to ""When Harlech Castle was Besieged"", these tales will appeal to all children whose imaginations are drawn to the great castles and knights of old.

Stephen Biesty's Cross-Sections Castle

History comes alive in this incredible children's illustrated book about castles.Slicing through different areas of a medieval fortress, extraordinary views reveal the people busy inside, preparing for battle as an enemy army approaches. Packed with facts, you'll find out what it takes to build a massive 14th-century castle, dress a knight in armor, or prepare a feast fit for a king or queen. From the drawbridge to the dungeon, Cross-Sections Castle swarms with the people who keep the castle going--the workers, craftsmen, and servants. And, as you pore over every page, look out for the villainous spy. Is he in the well... the keep... the moat? No? Keep looking, he's there somewhere!

Then, look at these Usborne knights and castles books to add to your homeschool projects.

Grab one or two to add to read along with your living books.

5 USBORNE KNIGHTS AND CASTLES BOOKS

A few I listed above, but here are some more.

  1. Knights and Castles. Takes readers back in time to illustrate the exciting happenings of daily life.
  2. Knights and Castles. (Usborne First Reading. Level Four).
  3. Stories of Knights & Castles. Presents nine stories about brave knights, dangerous quests, enchantments, and epic battles.
  4. Knights and Castles Things to Make and Do (Usborne Activities). Provides instructions for creating knight- and castle-themed crafts, including jousting puppets, a cardboard sword, and a three-dimensional castle card.
  5. 1001 knights & castle things to spot sticker book.1001 Knights & Castles Things to Spot Sticker Book is an interactive sticker book full of busy, detailed illustrations of various scenes from the Middle Ages. Items to spot within the main picture are shown in the border as silhouettes and each has a corresponding sticker which children can find, match and add in the correct place. With over a thousand things for children to find, count and talk about, scenes include a village fair, a fantastic feast, a Spring jousting tournament and a school for young knights.
5 Usborne Knights And Castles Books | How To Make A Medieval Toilet Roll Castle

Next, look at these hands-on middle ages activities.

MEDIEVAL ACTIVITIES TO PAIR WITH USBORNE KNIGHTS AND CASTLE BOOKS

  • Middle Ages History: Make a Coat of Arms Activity
  • How to Make a Knight Templar Helmet for Fun Medieval Times Crafts
  • Look at my post Medieval Chemistry and Homeschool History – Fun Hands-On Activity.
  • Fun Kindergarten History Activities: How to Create Royal Peg Dolls
  • Paint a Jester 
  • How To Make A Kids Easy Medieval Stained Glass Window
  • Medieval Period: How To Make A Quill Pen
  • The Journey Through Time Book And Knights Armor Engraving Fun Kids Craft.
  • Geronimo Stilton Time Travel How to Make a Medieval-Stained Glass Craft
  • And because the Middle Ages and the Renaissance over lap look at how to make this fun goblet.
5 Usborne Knights And Castles Books | How To Make A Medieval Toilet Roll Castle

Finally, look at how to make this medieval toilet roll paper castles.

HOW TO MAKE A MEDIEVAL TOILET ROLL CASTLE

Supplies:

  • Ruler.
  • Toilet Paper Roll.
  • Construction Papers.
  • Pencil.
  • Scissors.
  • Glue.


Step 1:
To make the toilet paper roll castle craft, first you will need to take 3-4 toilet paper rolls or paper towel rolls.

5 Usborne Knights And Castles Books | How To Make A Medieval Toilet Roll Castle

STEP 2

We will be taking 2 toilet paper rolls, and then we will cut the paper towel roll into three pieces.

Two pieces should be slightly smaller (shorter) than the toilet paper rolls and the third piece should be smaller than the second one.

Use the template to cut the top part of the three smaller rolls.

5 Usborne Knights And Castles Books | How To Make A Medieval Toilet Roll Castle

STEP 3

Then, use the templates to cut out the windows, doors and roofs.

5 Usborne Knights And Castles Books | How To Make A Medieval Toilet Roll Castle

STEP 4

Use colorful marker pens to draw outlines and details to the windows and doors.

5 Usborne Knights And Castles Books | How To Make A Medieval Toilet Roll Castle

STEP 5

Take one of the toilet paper rolls and glue the window on the top and door at the bottom.

5 Usborne Knights And Castles Books | How To Make A Medieval Toilet Roll Castle

STEP 6

Similarly, glue the door and window on the other piece.

Glue only one window on the taller toilet paper rolls each and glue only a door on the smallest piece.

5 Usborne Knights And Castles Books | How To Make A Medieval Toilet Roll Castle

STEP 7

Now, glue the smallest one with one of the medium sized ones. Allow the glue to dry.

5 Usborne Knights And Castles Books | How To Make A Medieval Toilet Roll Castle

STEP 8

Then glue the other medium sized one in the other side of the small one.

5 Usborne Knights And Castles Books | How To Make A Medieval Toilet Roll Castle

STEP 9

Glue the two larger ones in the back slightly towards the center.

5 Usborne Knights And Castles Books | How To Make A Medieval Toilet Roll Castle

STEP 10

Cut the round paper cut out according to the templates

5 Usborne Knights And Castles Books | How To Make A Medieval Toilet Roll Castle

STEP 11

Glue the two ends to make a cone-like shape.

5 Usborne Knights And Castles Books | How To Make A Medieval Toilet Roll Castle

Then, glue the paper cones on the top of the two toilet paper rolls that are in the back (tallest
ones).

And your toilet paper roll castle is ready.

GRAB THE FREE TEMPLATE FOR THE MEDIEVAL TOILET ROLL CASTLE

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Leave a CommentFiled Under: Hands-On Activities Tagged With: castles, hands on history, hands-on, hands-on activities, handson, handsonhomeschooling, history, homeschool, medieval Europe, medieval homeschool history, Middle Ages, middle ages history

How to Create a Fun Einstein Bottle Biography Project

December 25, 2024 | Leave a Comment
This post may contain affiliate links. For more information, please see my full disclosure policy.

A bottle biography project is a fun hands-on way for your child to represent whoever they are learning more about.

We are learning about Albert Einstein who was born in Germany in 1879 and wasn’t always seen as a genius. In fact, he struggled in school and some teachers even thought he was slow.

But young Albert had a secret weapon, he had an insatiable curiosity about the world around him.

How to Create a Fun Einstein Bottle Biography Project

He loved to tinker with things, build models, and ask “why” about everything.

This curiosity would eventually lead him to become one of the most famous scientists of all time.

His most famous discovery is the theory of relativity. It’s an idea that changed the way we understand space, time, and gravity.

Imagine space and time as a stretchy fabric, and massive objects like planets and stars create curves in this fabric. That’s gravity!

Einstein also showed that time isn’t the same for everyone – it can speed up or slow down depending on how fast you’re moving!

BOOK SERIES TO USE WITH BOTTLE BIOGRAPHY PROJECTS

Too, look at some of these series.

They make creating a bottle biography project easy.

5 Amazing Book Series for Biography Projects

Add these fun books to your home library if you’re wanting to read biographies.

Jane Goodall: A Little Golden Book Biography

A classic series that has been beloved for ages has moved into stories about famous people in the Little Golden Book Biographies.

The Story of Albert Einstein: An Inspiring Biography for Young Readers (The Story of Biographies)

 From Frida Kahlo to Jane Goodall you will find many interesting famous people in The Story of Biographies.

Ordinary People Change the World Collection 10 books

Learn about the "ordinary people" who have done big things to change the world in this exclusive, collectible boxed set! Dive into these 10 books to explore everything from George Washington to Martin Luther King Jr. to Gandhi and more. The perfect gift to introduce young readers to key figures or for educational family reading .

Davy Crockett: Young Rifleman (Childhood of Famous Americans)

Check out The Childhood of Famous Americans for inspirational stories that encourage children to strive for greatness even at a young age

Who Was...? Children’s Biography Series

This set includes the following 12 books: Who Was Albert Einstein? Who Was King Tut? Who Was Sacagawea? Who Was Claude Monet?, Who Was Walt Disney?, Who Was Amelia Earhart?, Who Was Neil Armstrong?, Who Was Marco Polo?, Who Was William Shakespeare?, Who Was Abraham Lincoln? Who Was Mark Twain?, and Who Was Ronald Reagan? This is a series of illustrated biographies for young readers featuring significant historical figures, including artists, scientists, and world leaders.

And look at a few more fun facts about Einstein.

FUN FACTS ABOUT ALBERT EINSTEIN

E=mc²– It’s the world’s most famous equation, and you’ve probably seen this equation before, even if you don’t know what it means.

This little equation has had a huge impact on everything from nuclear power to our understanding of the universe.

Einstein didn’t just think about big things like the universe; he also studied tiny things like light.

He discovered that light behaves like both a wave and a particle, which was a revolutionary idea at the time.

This discovery, called the photoelectric effect, earned him the Nobel Prize in Physics in 1921.

But he wasn’t just a brilliant scientist; he was also a passionate humanitarian-he spoke out against war and violence.

He believed in the importance of education and social justice. He was also a talented musician and loved to play the violin.

Einstein had dyslexia, which can cause problems with reading out loud, retrieving language, and getting thoughts down.

He was famous for his wild hair and his rumpled clothes and he loved to sail, but he wasn’t very good at it and often needed to be rescued.

How to Create a Fun Einstein Bottle Biography Project

He was offered the presidency of Israel, but he turned it down and he had a pet parrot named Polly who he taught to say “relativity.”

Finally, look at how to make this Einstein bottle biography project.

HOW TO CREATE AN EINSTEIN BOTTLE BIOGRAPHY PROJECT

First, you can take this same idea and turn it into anyone.

For example, look at the one I shared How to Make a Fun Bottle Buddy of the Trailblazing Pilot Amelia Earhart Craft.

How to Create a Fun Einstein Bottle Biography Project

You will need:

  • Empty 2-liter bottle
  • Black, blue, white, tan craft felt
  • Craft fur
  • Google eyes
  • 4” half round foam or a foam ball
  • Flesh colored craft paint
  • White paint
  • glue
How to Create a Fun Einstein Bottle Biography Project

First remove the label off your 2-liter bottle and rinse it out, drain well.

Press your half round foam into the bottle cap to get an idea of the size, you can then take a knife or scissors and dig it out to make it fit on top.

How to Create a Fun Einstein Bottle Biography Project

Secure the foam on top with hot glue and then paint the foam with a flesh-colored paint and down the neck of the bottle.

You only need to go about a third of the way down, beyond that his felt clothes will cover everything up.

How to Create a Fun Einstein Bottle Biography Project

Cut a vest from blue felt by cutting a notch in the top and cutting it down to approximately 6”x 8”.

Cut out a small piece of white to be his shirt beneath the vest, a black tie, and some slacks about 4”x 8”.

How to Create a Fun Einstein Bottle Biography Project

Now make arms from strips of white felt with a bit of flesh color at the end for hands.

How to Create a Fun Einstein Bottle Biography Project

Begin gluing and layering the pieces onto the bottle, put the hot glue on the felt rather than the bottle to keep it from melting.

Press into place.

How to Create a Fun Einstein Bottle Biography Project

To create his lab coat fold back two corners and secure it into place with glue for lapels.

How to Create a Fun Einstein Bottle Biography Project

Glue and attach around the body.

How to Create a Fun Einstein Bottle Biography Project

Glue on googly eyes and use white paint to draw on bushy eyebrows and a mustache, add craft fur to create his famous wild mop of hair.

How to Create a Fun Einstein Bottle Biography Project

Finally attach the arms to the side.

You can leave them hanging down or put them forward like we did here.

How to Create a Fun Einstein Bottle Biography Project

We couldn’t resist giving him a ‘chalkboard’ made out of cardstock and a white gel pen with his famous equation.

Leave a CommentFiled Under: Hands-On Activities Tagged With: biography, einstein, hands-on, hands-on activities, handson, handsonhomeschooling, homeschool, plastic bottle

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