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Fun High School Science Games About Ocean Life

October 17, 2025 | Leave a Comment
This post may contain affiliate links. For more information, please see my full disclosure policy.

Ocean themed high school science games are a great way to learn more about the incredible 20% of the ocean that we have explored. And look at my page How to Choose the Right Homeschool High School Science for more fun teen ideas.

Also, look at my page Oceans Unit Study and Lapbook for more ideas.

The ocean covers more than 70% of the Earth’s surface and is home to an incredible diversity of life.

From the tiniest shrimp to the largest blue whale, oceans help regulate the planet’s climate.

Fun High School Science Games About Ocean Life

They produce much of the oxygen we breathe, and support ecosystems that scientists are still discovering.

Learning about the ocean can deepen our appreciation for nature, help us understand global environmental issues like climate change and pollution.

MORE HOW TO CHOOSE THE RIGHT HOMESCHOOL HIGH SCHOOL SCIENCE

BENEFITS OF GAMES FOR TEENS

And it can even inspire careers in marine biology, conservation, or oceanography.

But ocean science doesn’t have to be all textbooks and lab reports—it can be interactive, fun, and memorable when explored through games.

Games provide a low-stress, high-engagement way to learn more about complex science topics.

When you include them in your homeschool, they reinforce learning, build critical thinking, and encourage collaboration, all while keeping things fun and playful.

Next, look at this idea for a fun diy ocean game for teens.

I have a list of ready made games at the end of this post, but you’ll love this idea too.

HIGH SCHOOL SCIENCE GAMES -DIY OCEAN LIFE GAME PROJECT

For a fun and creative project have your student design their own ocean board game.

They can choose a goal like migrating across the Pacific, survive as a coral reef, or build a sustainable ocean park and research marine facts to create event cards, challenges, and trivia.

I am not going to give you exact instructions for this one because you want your child to stretch their imagination, engineering, and critical thinking skills for this one to put together a dice, board, or card game that is unique and on theme.

Decide what elements are required in the game. How many players, length of play, age level, etc.. before you begin.
Have your student use premade game pawns or make their own from clay or other materials. You could also use small plastic ocean figures as pawns.
Upcycle old game boards by painting and covering them with stickers in your theme for a base.
Use a broad ocean theme or narrow it down and focus on one species or just one ocean.
Store components with zip bags and label with topics for easy future use.
Have your child work on the board as an ongoing project throughout an ocean/marine biology unit as a final project.

DIY OCEAN LIFE GAME PROJECT

Here are a few theme ideas to get your student going, remember to encourage creativity and a unique theme.

Ocean Zones Adventure

Travel from the sunlit zone to the midnight zone, encountering creatures and challenges unique to each of the depths.

Collect one species or sample from each zone and return safely is the goal.

Coral Reef Survival

Play as reef species trying to survive overfishing, pollution, and climate change.

Be the last species remaining or the one that thrives the most is the goal.

Marine Predator Chase

A shark-themed strategy game where players must hunt prey while avoiding hazards like plastic pollution and fishing nets.

Achieve a survival score before being eliminated by threats is the goal.

Ocean Rescue Co-op Game

Work together to clean up an oil spill, protect endangered animals, or save a coral reef.

Goal: Restore ocean health before the damage becomes irreversible.

Whale Migration Challenge

Navigate global ocean routes, avoiding danger and stopping at feeding or birthing grounds.

Goal: Complete the full migration successfully.

Finally, look at these high school science games.

GAMES OCEAN THEMED FOR TEENS

5 Fun Ocean Themed High School Science Games

Below is a curated list of ocean-themed board games that combine science, creativity, and critical thinking and are ideal for your homeschool high school teen.

Arcane Wonders Aquatica Coral Reef Expansion Board Card Game - New Underwater Creatures Encounters

Expand Your Aquatica Adventure: Dive deeper into the oceanic world with Coral Reefs, introducing the Southern Tribes, new underwater creatures, and game-changing Manta Ray encounters.
Engage in Strategic Depth: Master new modules with additional goals, mechanics, and components like coral reef miniatures and transparent reef cards, enhancing the base game experience.
Perfectly Complements Cold Waters Expansion: Seamlessly integrates with the base Aquatica game and the Cold Waters expansion, adding layers of strategy and excitement to your underwater empire.

Late for the Sky Ocean-Opoly Board Game

For 2-6 players: Play this board game with 2 to 6 players
Gameplay style: Experience Opoly-style play with ocean life details
Playtime options: Choose between traditional play or one-hour version
Ocean-themed: Explore the deep blue sea with ocean life illustrations
Game pieces: Play as a crab, fish, shark fin, lobster, starfish, or seahorse

Blue Orange Games Planet Board Game - Award Winning Kids, Family or Adult Strategy 3D Board Game

Strategy Tabletop Board Game: Planet Is An Environmental Drafting Board Game Featuring Unique 3D Planet Cores, For Science And Nature Enthusiasts. This Best-Selling Board Game Has An Amazing Table Presence With Magnetic Globes And High-Quality Components.
Family Or Adult Strategy Game: This 2 To 4 Players Nature Inspired Game Can Be Enjoyed By Parents Playing With Their Children As Well As Adults.

Aqua Board Game

TILE LAYING BOARD GAME: AQUA offers strategic tile-laying gameplay, with multiple ways to score and endless replayability for 1-4 players.
BEAUTIFUL OCEAN THEME: Stunning oceanic artwork adorns the box, tiles, and components, making AQUA a visually appealing and immersive marine-themed board game.
EASY TO LEARN, HARD TO MASTER: Simple rules allow for a 15 minute learning time, while clever scoring mechanics keep the game challenging and engaging for all skill levels.

Genius Games Ecosystem: Coral Reef - A Mensa Recommended Family Card Game

MARINE BIOLOGY GAME - Learn about underwater creatures and their habitats in this nature card game! Players use aquatic animals such as sea turtles, sharks, and clownfish in a grid formation in this ecosystem building game; Earn points by aligning ocean life with the habitats and food sources where they most flourish
GREAT BARRIER REEF - Based on the animals found in the real Great Barrier Reef, players pick and pass eleven different card types, arranging them in a grid to form their unique ecosystem; Cards are categorized as predators, prey, and producers; Diversify your food web to maximize bonus points

How To Combine High School Homeschool Marine Biology Curriculum & Notebooking

October 16, 2025 | Leave a Comment
This post may contain affiliate links. For more information, please see my full disclosure policy.

We’re combining homeschool marine biology curriculum spine like MasterBooks’ “Oceans: Wonders of the Earth’s Waters” with the flexible, creative method of notebooking. And look at my page How to Choose the Right Homeschool High School Science for more fun teen ideas. Too, my page Oceans Unit Study and Lapbook has more marine animal life ideas.

This method of pairing homeschool marine biology curriculum with notebooking encourages a deeper understanding of the topic.

Also it helps your student create a personalized record of their learning journey.

How To Combine High School Homeschool Marine Biology Curriculum & Notebooking

Whether your teen is a budding marine biologist or just fascinated by ocean life, this approach works beautifully for both science credit and long-term retention.

We are going to “dive” into Masterbooks Oceans, why notebooking works so well alongside of it, and look into some great hands-on activities to use as well.

MORE HOW TO CHOOSE THE RIGHT HOMESCHOOL HIGH SCHOOL SCIENCE

MARINE BIOLOGY BOOKS FOR TEENS

Next, here are a few books your teen will love.

8 Marine Biology Books for Teens

Choose a few of these ocean themed books to go along with your study of the Oceans. Whether you're looking for a spine for a unit study or literature, you'll love this roundup.

New Ocean Book, the (Wonders of Creation)

For Grade Level 7-12. The oceans may well be Earth’s final frontier. These dark and sometimes mysterious waters cover 71 percent of the surface area of the globe and have yet to be fully explored. Under the waves, a watery world of frail splendor, foreboding creatures, vast mountains, and sights beyond imagination awaits. Now this powerful resource has been developed for three educational levels!

Scott O'Dell Set: Island of the Blue Dolphins + Zia

Island of the Blue Dolphins begins with a young girl named Karana who is living on the Island of the Blue Dolphins (fancy name, right?) with her younger brother, Ramo, and sister, Ulape. One day, a group of Russian hunters (Aleutians) land on the island to hunt for otter. This is when the trouble really begins.

Twenty Thousand Leagues Under the Seas (Illustrated 1875 Edition):

A beautiful edition with 110 images from the 1875 English edition. Use Amazon's Look inside feature to compare this edition with others. You'll be impressed by the differences. Don't be fooled by other versions that have no illustrations or contain very small print. Reading our edition will make you feel that you are traveling the seas with Captain Nemo himself.

The Soul of an Octopus: A Surprising Exploration into the Wonder of Consciousness

In pursuit of the wild, solitary, predatory octopus, popular naturalist Sy Montgomery has practiced true immersion journalism. From New England aquarium tanks to the reefs of French Polynesia and the Gulf of Mexico, she has befriended octopuses with strikingly different personalities—gentle Athena, assertive Octavia, curious Kali, and joyful Karma. Each creature shows her cleverness in myriad ways: escaping enclosures like an orangutan; jetting water to bounce balls; and endlessly tricking companions with multiple “sleights of hand” to get food.Scientists have only recently accepted the intelligence of dogs, birds, and chimpanzees but now are watching octopuses solve problems and are trying to decipher the meaning of the animal’s color-changing techniques. With her “joyful passion for these intelligent and fascinating creatures” (Library Journal Editors’ Spring Pick), Montgomery chronicles the growing appreciation of this mollusk as she tells a unique love story. By turns funny, entertaining, touching, and profound, The Soul of an Octopus reveals what octopuses can teach us about the meeting of two very different minds.

Swiss Family Robinson (Illustrated Classic): 200th Anniversary Collection

More than 100 original illustrations by Louis Rhead. You want to read this book with illustrations.

An introduction by W. D. Howells.

Nicely formatted text in an easy-to-read font.

A beautiful cover from the 1891 edition.

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.

Life Between the Tides

In Life Between the Tides, Adam Nicolson investigates one of the most revelatory habitats on earth. Under his microscope, we see a prawn’s head become a medieval helmet and a group of “winkles” transform into a Dickensian social scene, with mollusks munching on Stilton and glancing at their pocket watches. Or, rather, is a winkle more like Achilles, an ancient hero, throwing himself toward death for the sake of glory? For Nicolson, who writes “with scientific rigor and a poet’s sense of wonder” (The American Scholar), the world of the rock pools is infinite and as intricate as our own.As Nicolson journeys between the tides, both in the pools he builds along the coast of Scotland and through the timeline of scientific discovery, he is accompanied by great thinkers―no one can escape the pull of the sea. We meet Virginia Woolf and her Waves; a young T. S. Eliot peering into his own rock pool in Massachusetts; even Nicolson’s father-in-law, a classical scholar who would hunt for amethysts along the shoreline, his mind on Heraclitus and the other philosophers of ancient Greece. And, of course, scientists populate the pages; not only their discoveries, but also their doubts and errors, their moments of quiet observation and their thrilling realizations.Everything is within the rock pools, where you can look beyond your own reflection and find the miraculous an inch beneath your nose. “The soul wants to be wet,” Heraclitus said in Ephesus twenty-five hundred years ago. This marvelous book demonstrates why it is so.

The Sea Around Us

The Sea Around Us remains as fresh today as when it first appeared over six decades ago. Carson's genius for evoking the power and primacy of the world's bodies of water, combining the cosmic and the intimate, remains almost unmatched: the newly formed Earth cooling beneath an endlessly overcast sky; the centuries of nonstop rain that created the oceans; giant squids battling sperm whales hundreds of fathoms below the surface; the power of the tides moving 100 billion tons of water daily in one bay alone; the seismic waves known as tsunamis that periodically remind us of the oceans' overwhelmingly destructive power. The seas sustain human life and imperil it. Today, with the oceans endangered by the dumping of medical waste and ecological disasters such as the Exxon oil spill in Alaska, the gradual death of the Great Barrier Reef, and the melting of the polar ice caps, Carson's book provides a timely reminder of both the fragility and the centrality of the ocean and the life that abounds within it. Anyone who loves the sea, or who is concerned about our natural environment, will want to read, or re-read, this classic work.

Next, look at a few facts about our marine biology spine.

WHY CHOOSE OCEANS BY MASTERBOOKS

First, a bit about MasterBooks’ Oceans, it is a beautifully designed, marine biology course suitable for high school students.

Topics Include:

Ocean currents and tides
Marine ecosystems
Marine animal classifications
Coral reefs
Deep sea exploration

It’s a full-credit science course with a built-in schedule, comprehension questions, and quizzes.

It is ideal for homeschoolers who appreciate structure but still want the freedom to go deeper.

The teacher’s manual includes premade worksheets that cover questions, vocabulary, and more.

Then look at why we paired this spine with notebooking.

WHY USE NOTEBOOKING WITH MARINE BIOLOGY CURRICULUM

Notebooking is an open-ended, student-created method of recording learning through written narration.

But also it can include illustrations, diagrams, maps, charts, and more.

It encourages critical thinking, research, and creative expression.

While it is a great curriculum, it did not delve as in-depth into marine animals as I had hoped.

To round out this study, I assigned twice-a-week notebooking pages on the animal of their choice in addition to their suggested format.

This could include printed photos from the internet, drawings, watercolors and information like food sources, fun facts, and more.

Grab a 3-ring binder and assign categories for the dividers to keep throughout your study to expand on Masterbooks Oceans.

Let your student design a cover for it by hand or by creating one online and printing it out.

Next, look at these marine biology homeschool resources.

HOMESCHOOL MARINE BIOLOGY CURRICULUM RESOURCES

Include some marine biology dissection specimens into the mix to expand and dig even deeper into ocean creatures.
Assign a few videos such as Marine Environmental Science on YouTube to see it from a different perspective.
3 ring binder and Dividers for your 3 ring binder.
Beautiful marine artwork to put in your space blends in while providing a visual resource for studies.

While you may think its just for younger kids, Ocean Anatomy is a wonderful resource for images and information all through the school years.

It is the perfect inspiration for ocean animal drawings.

HOW A TEEN SETS UP A MARINE BIOLOGY NOTEBOOK

Combining Oceans by MasterBooks with notebooking brings depth, creativity, and flexibility to your homeschool marine biology study.

You’ll cover all the necessary science content while also encouraging independent thinking, artistic expression, and faith integration.

Here’s a step-by-step guide to merge the MasterBooks curriculum with notebooking for a rich, meaningful study of marine biology…

1. Set Up a Marine Biology Notebook

Start with a 3-ring binder, disc-bound notebook, or composition book.

Divide it into sections such as:

Vocabulary & Terminology
Marine Creatures
Ecosystems & Habitats
Experiments & Observations
Maps & Diagrams
Extra Research

You can also use printable notebooking pages, blank paper, or graphic organizers, depending on your student’s learning style.

There are plenty of great add-on activities, worksheets, and more for this topic on the web.

We included the worksheets that came with the teacher’s manual as one of our notebook sections.

2. Follow the Schedule in the Spine then expand on it.

Each week, follow the MasterBooks schedule for reading and assignments. After your student completes the reading:

MARINE BIOLOGY NOTEBOOKING WITH A TEEN

Have them narrate or summarize what they learned in their own words.
Encourage illustrations (like labeling parts of a jellyfish or drawing the ocean zones).
Use diagrams, charts, or even infographics to represent data.

3. Add Research-Based Notebooking Projects

Let your teen dive deeper into topics of interest through independent research. Encourage them to create full notebooking pages on:

A specific marine animal (e.g., cuttlefish, humpback whale)

Bioluminescence in deep-sea creatures
Coral bleaching and conservation
The physics of sonar and whale communication
Biblical references to oceans (like Genesis, Job 38, or Psalm 104)

These can be added weekly or monthly, and you can turn one of them into a final presentation or project.

4. Include Hands-On Learning & Fieldwork

Virtual field trips (Monterey Bay Aquarium, NOAA deep sea dives)
Local aquarium visits or tide pool exploration
Ocean-themed experiments (density layering, salinity tests, ocean current models)
Journaling observations from a trip to the beach or a documentary viewing
All of this can be recorded in the notebook with photos, drawings, and written reflections.

5. Use the Notebook for Review and Assessment

Notebooking pages make a great informal review tool. Before a quiz or test, have your student do one or more of the following…

Flip through their notebook
Highlight key terms
Create a “review summary” page with bullet points or diagrams

This reinforces memory and builds study skills without requiring rereading the entire text.

Awesome U.S. States Book for Kids & Easy Michigan Craft

October 15, 2025 | Leave a Comment
This post may contain affiliate links. For more information, please see my full disclosure policy.

The U.S. States Book for Kids is one of my favorite resources for teaching geography to younger children. Too, look at my page Hands-On Simple And Best Homeschool Geography Ideas & Tips for hands-on and simple ideas and tips.

It is a fun, colorful, oversized book full of maps and fantastic information for learning about each of our 50 states.

If you’re studying the 50 states in your homeschool or classroom, combining a fun book with a hands-on craft is a great way to make the lesson come alive

Awesome U.S. States Book for Kids & Easy Michigan Craft

Just look at all the wonderful information each double-page spread includes for teaching every state from Alabama to Wyoming.

Each map includes:

A moment to remember box with a list of significant dates and their events in the state’s history
A welcome box with a short introduction to the state
Key facts, including the capital, state bird, flower, and tree, and statehood order
State icons celebrating the state’s people, places, and history
Six inspiring people who have a connection to the state
Region spotlight bubbles to allow you to discover more about one particular place

First, look at these other geography books for kids.

GEOGRAPHY BOOKS FOR KIDS

10 Geography Children's Books

I have a list of some of my favorite books for different ages, locations, and styles to help you choose a few to add to your library.

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

In 51 charmingly illustrated infographic maps, explore every state of the USA from Alabama to Wyoming and the nation’s capital to discover more than 2,000 facts that celebrate the people, cities, nature, and historic events that have helped make America what it is today. You'll also get an expansive guide to the state flags and US presidents. 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 the United States in this curious collection of fact-filled maps.

The Atlas Obscura Explorer’s Guide for the World’s Most Adventurous Kid

For curious kids, this is the chance to embark on the journey of a lifetime—and see how faraway countries have more in common than you might expect! Hopscotch from country to country in a chain of connecting attractions: Explore Mexico’s glittering cave of crystals, then visit the world’s largest cave in Vietnam. Peer over a 355-foot waterfall in Zambia, then learn how Antarctica’s Blood Falls got their mysterious color. Or see mysterious mummies in Japan and France, then majestic ice caves in both Argentina and Austria.

National Geographic Student World Atlas, 6th Edition

From the map experts at National Geographic comes the sixth edition of the award-winning Student World Atlas―the best resource ever for middle and high school students to become informed global citizens.This latest edition, created with the help of a geography educator, has everything kids want and need to know about our changing world. Dynamic, user-friendly content includes stunning photos, fascinating facts, charts, graphics, and full-color political, physical, and thematic maps on important topics. This edition includes:

•New thematic maps for every continent

•New and updated infographics

•Updated maps and statistics

Maps

Travel the world without leaving your living room.

This book of maps is a visual feast for readers of all ages, with lavishly drawn illustrations from the incomparable Mizielinskis. It features not only borders, cities, rivers, and peaks, but also places of historical and cultural interest, eminent personalities, iconic animals and plants, cultural events, and many more fascinating facts associated with every region of our planet.

The Everything Kids' Geography Book: From the Grand Canyon to the Great Barrier Reef - explore the world!

From North America's mountains to Africa's deserts, this book will help kids learn the locations of states, countries, and continents around the world. They will also learn about the features that make up each region, including:

What's growing in the Amazon Rainforest;
The longest river in the world - the Nile in Africa;
The "frozen Ts" of Asia - the tundra and the taiga;
Shelves of ice in Antarctica;
The uniqueness of the Australian Outback;
And more!

With exciting puzzles and activities, this book is a great tool for teachers and parents who want to make learning fun for kids. Before long, young readers will be reading maps and navigating tough terrain like bona fide geographers!

Geography: An Illustrated A-Z Glossary: An Introduction To Earth's Geographical Features For Kids

Welcome to Geography: An Illustrated A-Z Glossary by B.C. Lester Books! This book takes you across the world's main landforms and biomes, each with a colorful illustration accompanied with a child-friendly definition.

What is a mesa? Or an estuary? What is the difference between a swamp and a marsh?

Covering over 100 geography terms, this book has all the answers! This book is a great, concise introduction to the natural features of Earth for children and is a nice way to spark or develop an interest in geography for kids.

World Geography: Activity And Coloring Book

Exciting World Travel activities for kids with continents, flags, animals, landmarks, cities and more.

Welcome to World Geography: The Activity Book For Kids Aged 4-8 by B.C. Lester Books! Our activity book is perfect for kids who love geography or travel! This book features a range of drawings including maps, flags animals, landscapes, landmarks, cities, animals over a range of activities that includes coloring pages, color by number, mazes, wordsearches, dot-to-dot and spot the difference. Let their creativity run wild!

Help Your Kids with Geography: A Unique Step-by-Step Visual Guide (DK Help Your Kids)

Help your kids to be the best in their geography class. This book will help you to understand what they’re being taught so you can answer all their geography questions. This book is what every frustrated parent needs. Its innovative approach combines colorful diagrams and illustrations with step-by-step explanations, making geography easier to understand than ever before.

National Parks of the USA (Americana, 1)

Take a tour of America's great outdoors and discover the beauty and diversity of its most iconic and majestic national parks. *A 2019 Outstanding Science Trade Book for Students: K–12 (National Science Teachers Association and the Children's Book Council)* Packed with maps and fascinating facts about the flora and fauna unique to each of the 21 parks portrayed, this lushly illustrated coast-to-coast journey documents in large format the nation’s most magnificent and sacred places—and shows why they should be preserved for future generations to enjoy.

Where on Earth?: Geography As You've Never Seen It Before (DK Where on Earth? Atlases)

Pack your bags and let’s go on an action-packed tour around the world with this geography book for kids!

On the adventure, you’ll travel back in time to see how the continents have evolved, marvel at incredible geographical features, see the world's cities and landmarks, and admire incredible wildlife. The unique children’s atlas brings the Earth into your living room:

• Each map brings an instant understanding of both the subject and its spatial distribution.

• Every spread features a key that supports the main map to give a richer understanding of the topic.

• Extra panels develop the map’s subject, offering new angles into the topic or providing background information.

Then, look at a few more facts about the book.

ABOUT THE U.S. STATES BOOK FOR KIDS

It saves you a lot of time pulling all this neat info together and is so much more engaging than a dry textbook.

You will be surprised how much your child will retain from this more relaxed approach to geography.

Each state’s map also contains information about which states it neighbors, its bodies of water, and its borders, as well as where it is situated in the country.

Did you know that while Hawaii shares its border with no one, both Missouri and Tennessee border eight other states? Many state parks, battlefields, national forests, and reservations are also included to

Today, we are going to explore the U.S. states book for kids and focus on one in particular as we create an easy Michigan handprint map craft that helps children remember “The Mitten State.”

Also, look how to use it as a geography spine.

HOW TO USE THE U.S. STATES BOOK FOR KIDS AS A GEOGRAPHY SPINE

Take one state per week to focus on, dig deep.
Mark each state on a map as you read.
Talk about symbols like Michigan’s state bird (the American Robin) or state flower (the apple blossom).
Study famous people and landmarks from each state.
Add in hands-on learning, like crafts, recipes, or state reports.
Draw or print pictures of each state’s symbols.
Write a few sentences about what makes each state unique.
Challenge older kids to learn the state capitals.
Check out videos on landmarks, flora, and fauna from each one.

Next, look at more activities.

RESOURCES TO USE WITH THE U.S. STATES BOOK FOR KIDS

Finally, look at how to make this fun map of Michigan.

EASY MICHIGAN HANDPRINT MAP CRAFT

This simple craft is a creative way to help kids remember Michigan’s shape and location.

You will need:

Fun background paper
Green cardstock or construction paper
Blue cardstock or construction paper
Glue stick
scissors

First, trace your child’s left hand onto a piece of green cardstock, but rather than tracing each finger, draw around it in a mitten shape, grouping the 4 fingers and the thumb.

It should basically look like this.

Cut out the mitten shape as well as the general shape of the upper peninsula.

For the Great Lakes tear pieces of blue paper into each of the 5.

Label- Lake Michigan, Lake Huron, Lake Superior, and Lake Erie around your mitten.

Let your child glue the upper and lower peninsula into place on a fun background.

We chose a patterned paper with snowflakes because it created a great opportunity to talk about the climate of a state so different than our own.

Add the lakes in their correct spots around Michigan.

How Big Is Scotland & How To Make A Kilt Craft

October 14, 2025 | Leave a Comment
This post may contain affiliate links. For more information, please see my full disclosure policy.

How big is Scotland? Today, we are going to find out a whole lot more about this amazing country. Also, look at my post Free Scotland Lapbook For Kids Who Love Hands-On Learning.

Scotland is a beautiful country located in the northern part of the United Kingdom.

And Scotland is actually quite large compared to what most people think.

How Big Is Scotland & How To Make A Kilt Craft

Scotland covers about 30,000 square miles, which is roughly the same size as the U.S. state of South Carolina.

And Scotland is smaller than England, which is its neighbor to the south.

Too, it takes about 8 hours to drive from the top to the bottom so it’s not really too big or too small of a country.

BOOKS ABOUT SCOTLAND FOR KIDS

Next, look at these books about Scotland.

I prefer to use living books when we can find them.

6 Books About Scotland

Add books about Scotland to your homeschool unit study. I have books for multiple ages.

Scotland's Story

I wish you would write Scotland's Story for littler children like me, ' asked a young friend of H.E. Marshall, causing the celebrated author to give Scotland the same treatment as previously dedicated to the England in Our Island Story.

Starting with the legend of Prince Gathelus and ending with King George the IV this book features many tales, including those of Macbeth, William Wallace, Robert the Bruce and the Stewart kings.

The George MacDonald Scottish Collection: Four Tales From His Homeland by the Grandfather of Modern Fantasy

George MacDonald was a Scottish author who never forgot his roots. All his best writing recalls his beloved homeland, and demonstrates, through myth or realism, the beauties of the place that reared him. In this collection, four of these Caledonian tales (two fairy tales and two "realistic" ones) open the door to MacDonald's Scotland, and show him, like Burns, Scott, and Stevenson, to be one of his country's true national treasures.

A Short History of Scotland: A Classic (Annotated) Edition of Andrew Lang Novel

This 1911 work by one of the most well-known newspapermen and writers of the time is a lyrical and engrossing account of the peoples and places of the Sceptered Isle's northern reaches, from its Celtic and Pictish tribal origins through Roman occupation and the Jacobite uprising of the 18th century. Author Andrew Lang delves into the decadence and corruption of medieval kings, bringing to life the intrigues and conspiracies that have shaped the true history of a much-fabled nation with a sly, dry wit that will enthrall today's readers.This book includes an author biography as well as a table of contents that is linked to each chapter (Kindle edition). We are republishing these classic works in affordable, high-quality, modern editions, using the original text and artwork.

We Met Our Cousins (The Cousins Series)

John and Antonia live in London. They are clean. They are tidy. They have firm ideas on how to behave. Then they are sent to spend the holidays with their cousins at Roid House in the Scottish Highlands. Angus and Morag do not keep clean. They are not tidy, and they run wild. After initial horror on both sides, the cousins start to like each other, and they spend their time riding and sailing, and solving the odd mystery on the side.Joanna Cannan was an astute observer of children, and the reactions of the children to each other and the world about them are brilliantly observed.

An Illustrated Treasury of Scottish Folk and Fairy Tales

Slithering stoorworms, mischievious brownies, fierce kelpies and magical selkies -- these are the creatures of Scottish folklore.

Award-winning children's author Theresa Breslin has collected the best-loved tales from all over Scotland. Retelling each in its own individual style, she presents funny tales, moving tales and enchanting fairy tales. Soar with the goshawk, dive with selkies and battle with the stoorworm, as each story is brought to life with exquisite illustrations by Scottish fine artist Kate Leiper, which brim with otherworldly beauty.

A wonderful gift, this is a truly stunning book to be treasured for a lifetime and will be enjoyed by parents and grandparents as well as children.

The Illustrated Encyclopedia of Kings & Queens: The Most Comprehensive Visual Encyclopedia of Every King and Queen of Britain, from Saxon Times through the Tudors and Stuarts to Today

In this beautifully illustrated and fully updated edition, Charles Phillips charts the complete history of the royal families of Britain. Beginning in the earliest times with the legend of King Arthur, Eric Bloodaxe and the real-life history of Macbeth, he describes the lives and legends of the kings and queens of Britain, their consorts and children, and the pretenders, usurpers and regents who played a role in the making of the United Kingdom. Fact boxes highlight the essential events of each reign, as well as maps, charts and family trees. Over 500 fine art paintings, sculptures, engravings, artefacts, photographs, maps and illustrations reveal the heritage and pageantry of royal Britain. A valuable reference book for any historian, this guide will fascinate every reader interested in one of the longest-running monarchies in the world.

Also, here are more fun facts about the geography and history of Scotland.

Language- English is the main language, but many Scots also celebrate their historic languages- Scottish Gaelic and Scots.
National Symbol- The thistle, a prickly purple flower, is Scotland’s national emblem.
National Animal- Believe it or not, it’s the unicorn. The unicorn was chosen as a symbol of purity, strength, and pride.
Famous Landmarks- Edinburgh Castle, the Isle of Skye, the Highlands, and Stirling Castle are among the most visited places.
Inventions – Scots have contributed greatly to science and technology, including the invention of the telephone (Alexander Graham Bell), penicillin (Alexander Fleming), and even television (John Logie Baird).
Culture- Scotland is known for its traditional Highland Games. Also for bagpipe music, ceilidh dancing, and, of course, its famous patterned fabric, tartan.

Also, we learned about tartan.

Tartan is one of Scotland’s most recognizable symbols. It’s a patterned cloth made of crisscrossed horizontal and vertical bands in multiple colors.

THE HISTORY OF TARTAN

Today, tartan is often associated with kilts, scarves, and blankets, but its history goes back thousands of years. The earliest known tartan in Scotland was around 3,000 years ago. It was found preserved in peat bogs.

By the 1600s and 1700s, tartan had become more than just clothing; it was a symbol of clan identity.

Each Scottish clan (family group) developed its own distinctive tartan pattern. Wearing your clan’s tartan showed loyalty and pride in your heritage.

After the Battle of Culloden in 1746, the British government banned tartan and other Highland clothing as a way to control the clans.

For nearly 40 years, it was illegal to wear tartan in Scotland! When the law was finally lifted, tartan came back stronger than ever. It is an important symbol of Scottish pride and unity.

Tartan is worn all over the world, not just by Scots. People of Scottish ancestry often find their family tartan and use it in weddings, home décor, or crafts like our paper-folding tartan kilt.

There are over 7,000 official tartan patterns registered today. There are ones for families, regions, military units, and even modern creations like the Scottish Parliament tartan or the Balmoral tartan worn by the royal family.

MORE SCOTTISH CRAFTS TO MAKE

How to Draw The Loch Ness Monster
DIY Thistle: Scotland’s National Flower
Bonnie Bagpipes Craft
How to Make a Celtic Knot
Tartan Scotty Dog Craft

Finally, look at this fun tartan kilt craft.

HOW TO MAKE A KILT CRAFT

If you want to make this craft simpler, you can pick up tartan prints of cardstock at your local craft store or on Amazon. I thought it would be really fun to design our own tartan pattern.

Classic tartan is made up of a combination of blues, greens, reds, yellows, blacks, and whites. It has a palette of 3 to 5 of these colors. But this is YOUR tartan pattern, have fun with it.

You will need:

Cardstock
Colored pencils, markers
A ruler
Brown cardstock
Scissors

First, you can start with any size you like. We began from a 12×12 piece of cardboard but found a shorter height looked better, so we cut it down to 8”.

Choose a base color cardstock, or you can even start with white and color that in.

Once you have your base, begin drawing lines of varying thickness using a ruler and a colored pencil or marker in one direction. For white lines go over heavy with a white colored pencil or paint marker so that it shows well

Add a 2nd, 3rd, and so on color in lines.

Flip the paper and begin making your pattern in the other direction.

When your pattern is done, take a brown piece of cardstock and draw a belt and a large oval to create a Sporran, this is what was used to hold personal belongings since kilts don’t have pockets.

Cut out the belt and sporran, draw lines for fur/fringe on the bottom half of the oval, fold it over and glue in place.

Add a button to the folded portion.

Find the center of your page and mark it, begin making ¼” accordion pleats from the outside in.

Repeat on both sides until you have left about ⅓ unfolded in the center.

Gather the pleats at the top and tape or staple to the center flat piece.

Finally, glue the belt and sporran into place.

The World Of Slimy Insects: Snails Versus Slugs Unique Comparison

October 12, 2025 | Leave a Comment
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Most kids love slimy insects like snails, slugs, worms and grubs. They find them endlessly fascinating to observe, poke, capture in jars, sometimes in pockets, and squeal in delight to. Also, look at my page Free Kids Insect Unit Study for more ideas.

If you’ve ever walked outside after a rainy day, you may have spotted slimy little creatures crawling on the ground or across a leaf.

Sometimes it’s a snail carrying its spiral shell, and sometimes it’s a slug, which looks a lot like a snail but without the shell.

The World Of Slimy Insects: Snails Versus Slugs Unique Comparison

First, let’s explore what makes slugs and snails the same and then what makes them different, and of course, why both are fascinating creatures.

After that, we are going to design our own adorable little snails from an egg carton that turns a science lesson into an art lesson.

BOOKS ABOUT MOLLUSKS FOR KIDS

8 Books About Mollusks

Add some of these books to your home library or to your unit study for the day.

About Mollusks: A Guide for Children

The book uses simple, easy-to-understand language to teach children what mollusks are, how they look, how they move, what they eat, and where they live. The beautifully detailed, realistic paintings of noted wildlife illustrator John Sill introduce readers to a variety of mollusks—from the small garden snail to the giant Pacific octopus. An afterword provides more details about the animals in the book.

Giant Squid (Robert F. Sibert Informational Book Honor (Awards))

The giant squid is one of the most elusive creatures in the world. As large as whales, they hide beyond reach deep within the sea, forcing scientists to piece together their story from those clues they leave behind.An injured whale's ring-shaped scars indicate an encounter with a giant squid. A piece of beak broken off in the whale's belly; a flash of ink dispersed as a blinding defense to allow the squid to escape-- these fragments of proof were all we had . . . until a giant squid was finally filmed in its natural habitat only two years ago.In this beautiful and clever nonfiction picture book about the giant squid, Candace Fleming and Eric Rohmann explore, both visually and poetically, this hidden creature's mysterious life.

Matisse's Magical Trail

A young snail's artistic trail inspires a whole class of children to be creative too!

The snail's spell

"Brilliant illustrations and a short text invite an unnamed sleeping, pajama-clad child into a garden teeming with wildlife. The boy gradually shrinks until he is so small he experiences things as a snail would. The incredibly detailed drawings and the idea of shrinking to enter another world should capture children's imaginations

Escargot

Escargot is an adorable French snail who only wants two things: 1) To be your favorite animal, and 2) To eat the delicious salad at the end of this book. Except this delicious salad has a carrot in it. And Escargot hates carrots. But when he finally tries one―with a little help from you!―he realizes that it’s not so bad after all.

The Snail House

Here is the story Grandma tells one evening on her wide veranda steps. It has Michael and Hannah and the disappearing baby in it, a tigerish bird, raindrops like sacks of water, and the hugest apple you ever saw. Oh yes . . . and the Snail House. So gather round, climb up now into Grandma’s lap. Darkness is falling, the air is still, and the story is just about to begin.

Snail in the woods (A Nature I can read book)

A snail's life from the time it is hatched to the time it lays its own eggs.

The Biggest House in the World

A young snail dreams of having the biggest house—or shell—in the world. Then one day, his wise father tells him the story of another snail with the same dream. He grew and grew, adding bright colors and beautiful designs, until he found that his house came at a terrible cost. The young snail decides that a small, easy-to-carry shell might be best for a life of adventure and exploration.

Next, look at these facts about slimy insects.

5 SLIMY INSECT FACTS

Some snails can live on land, while others live in water-there are more than 40,000 species of snails in the world.
Slugs and snails have thousands of tiny teeth. They don’t chew like people do. Instead, they use a special tongue called a radula, which works like a rough file to scrape or cut up food.
The biggest land snail, the Giant African Land Snail, can grow as long as a loaf of bread!
Slugs and snails both have tentacles on their heads. The longer pair has eyes at the tips, while the shorter pair helps them smell and feel.
Their slime isn’t just gross—it’s useful! It helps them stick to surfaces and even crawl upside down.

Also, look at the similarities and differences between slugs and snails.

SIMILARITIES BETWEEN SLUGS AND SNAILS

They have a family connection– Slugs and snails are both gastropods, which is a fancy word that means “stomach-foot.” That’s because they crawl using a big, muscular foot located on the underside of their body.

They both leave slime trails– Both leave behind a trail of slime or mucus. This helps them move smoothly over rough surfaces and keeps their bodies from drying out.

They are moisture lovers– They both need damp places to survive because their skin can dry out easily. That’s why you usually see them after rain or in shady gardens.

They share favorite foods– Slugs and snails both munch on plants, fruits, vegetables, and even decaying leaves. Gardeners often have to watch out for them, because they can nibble on lettuce and strawberries.

DIFFERENCES BETWEEN SLUGS AND SNAILS

Shell or No Shell- Snails carry a coiled shell on their back. They use it as a home and protection from predators. If danger comes, a snail can pull its body inside the shell. Slugs don’t have a visible shell. Without one, they have to hide under rocks, soil, or leaves to keep safe and stay moist.

Size and Shape- Snails often look bulkier because of their shell. Slugs are slimmer and can squeeze into smaller spaces, like under bark or into tiny garden cracks.

Speed- Neither slugs nor snails are very fast (there’s a reason we say something is moving “at a snail’s pace”). But without a shell to carry, slugs can sometimes move a little quicker.

Protection- Snails have their shells as natural armor. Slugs rely on camouflage and staying hidden. Their soft bodies make them more vulnerable.

MORE SLIMY INSECT CRAFTS & ACTIVITIES

How Do Mollusks Breathe | Easy Pipe Cleaner Snail Craft
Slug Printable Craft
Preschoolers and toddlers will adore this cute Polka Dot Snail Craft Idea for Spring.
Make Air Dry Clay Sea Slugs – Colorful Art Project for Kids to learn about aquatic slugs
Get hands-on with some science in the Slimy Slug Races- Why Do Slugs Have Slime?
Craft a colorful Cereal Box Snail Puppet to play with.
This Snail Sock Craft is a fun way to use up mismatched socks.

Finally, look at how to make this an egg carton craft of a snail.

COLORFUL EGG CARTON SNAIL

You will need:

Cardboard egg carton
Pipe cleaners
Watercolor paints
Paint brushes
Google eyes
Hot glue or tack glue

First, cut out as much of the “cup” of the egg carton as you can, trim it so the bottom is smooth and even.

Let your child use their imagination to paint their snail natural or fanciful colors with watercolor paints and brushes. You can also use regular craft paints. We just love the wash of watercolor on the cardboard.

Set aside to dry.

Bend a pipe cleaner in half, leaving a loop at one end and twisting it from the loop to about ½” to 1” from the end.

Bend the loop end and hot glue it to the underside of the snail shell.

Now glue googly eyes in place on each of the antennae.

That’s it, you now have the cutest little snail or two to play with as you learn all about them.

handson

MORE HOW TO CHOOSE THE RIGHT HOMESCHOOL HIGH SCHOOL SCIENCE

BENEFITS OF GAMES FOR TEENS

HIGH SCHOOL SCIENCE GAMES -DIY OCEAN LIFE GAME PROJECT

DIY OCEAN LIFE GAME PROJECT

GAMES OCEAN THEMED FOR TEENS

MORE HOW TO CHOOSE THE RIGHT HOMESCHOOL HIGH SCHOOL SCIENCE

MARINE BIOLOGY BOOKS FOR TEENS

WHY CHOOSE OCEANS BY MASTERBOOKS

WHY USE NOTEBOOKING WITH MARINE BIOLOGY CURRICULUM

HOMESCHOOL MARINE BIOLOGY CURRICULUM RESOURCES

HOW A TEEN SETS UP A MARINE BIOLOGY NOTEBOOK

MARINE BIOLOGY NOTEBOOKING WITH A TEEN

GEOGRAPHY BOOKS FOR KIDS

ABOUT THE U.S. STATES BOOK FOR KIDS

HOW TO USE THE U.S. STATES BOOK FOR KIDS AS A GEOGRAPHY SPINE

RESOURCES TO USE WITH THE U.S. STATES BOOK FOR KIDS

EASY MICHIGAN HANDPRINT MAP CRAFT

BOOKS ABOUT SCOTLAND FOR KIDS

THE HISTORY OF TARTAN

MORE SCOTTISH CRAFTS TO MAKE

HOW TO MAKE A KILT CRAFT

BOOKS ABOUT MOLLUSKS FOR KIDS

5 SLIMY INSECT FACTS

SIMILARITIES BETWEEN SLUGS AND SNAILS

DIFFERENCES BETWEEN SLUGS AND SNAILS

MORE SLIMY INSECT CRAFTS & ACTIVITIES

COLORFUL EGG CARTON SNAIL

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