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

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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

Explore the Magic: Easy Northern Lights Crafts for Preschoolers

December 24, 2024 | Leave a Comment
This post may contain affiliate links. For more information, please see my full disclosure policy.

I can’t wait to share some easy Northern Lights crafts for preschoolers including my own tutorial for a Northern Lights night light. Also, look at my page How to Homeschool Preschool for more ideas.

Preschoolers will enjoy designing their own night light.

Then they will love being able to turn it on every night to brighten up their nightstand or any little corner of their room

Explore the Magic: Easy Northern Lights Crafts for Preschoolers

If you have more than one child you will be amazed at how the same craft supplies can turn into such unique final results.

I will also share a few other northern lights crafts for preschoolers.

Ad as always I have lots of great information for you to use in your study.

If you are in upper Michigan, Idaho, Minnesota, or another northern state,

I have a list of tips and where to see the Northern Lights in North America.

What an experience that will be.

The Northern Lights are like a magical light show in the night sky.

Imagine colorful ribbons of light dancing and twirling high above, painting the darkness with shades of green, red, blue, and purple.

BOOKS ABOUT AWESOME THINGS IN THE SKIES

First, look at a few of these books to add to your home library.

5 Books About Awesome Things in the Skies

Whether it’s the Northern Lights or shooting stars these books bring the wonder of the skies to life!

Arctic Lights, Arctic Nights

Imagine a land where the sun rises at 1:58 a.m. in the summer and shines for less than four hours on a winter's day. The animals in the wilderness near Fairbanks, Alaska, witness some of the world's greatest temperature extremes and light variations ever year. At an average low of -16 degrees Fahrenheit, the winters may be unpleasantly frigid, but the light shows are always glorious!

The Lights That Dance in the Night

The northern lights bring wonder and joy to all the creatures who bask under their mysterious glow in this gorgeous picture book from the creator of the holiday hit The Tree That's Meant to Be.From tiny specks of dust to gleaming rays in the dark, the northern lights travel across the Arctic, uniting every creature in a celebration over land and sea.In this wonderfully wintery picture book, Yuval Zommer imagines the northern lights' fleeting journey from space to Earth and how they weave a special magic for the animals and people living in the frozen lands below.

Shooting Stars

Explains what shooting stars are, what they are made of, and what happens to them when they land on Earth.

The Mysteries of the Universe: Discover the best-kept secrets of space

Space is so much bigger than young minds can fathom and there is always more to learn. The Mysteries of the Universe is a stunning space encyclopedia for young readers to explore, with reference pages packed with fascinating information, little learners will be captivated as they journey through the vastness of the Universe. From planets and asteroids to black holes and galaxies, every page of this enthralling space book reveals the secrets behind more than 100 celestial objects, and will inspire  youngsters as they journey through the vastness of the Universe. Each celestial body is shown both photographically and illustrated, and children will love poring over the detailed close-up images.Get ready to explore fun facts and exciting new scientific discoveries as this best-selling picture book will illuminate imaginations and spark curious minds to explore the vastness of space. The engaging storybook-style descriptions and simple text shed a light on facts, myths, and key discoveries about the universe, perfect for children aged 6-8 to explore the wonders of our solar system and beyond.

Northern Lights:the award-winning, internationally bestselling, now full-colour illustrated edition

A stunning full-colour illustrated gift hardback to celebrate the 25th anniversary of NORTHERN LIGHTS, with breathtaking art throughout by Chris Wormell.

First published in 1995, and acclaimed as a modern masterpiece, this first book in the series won the UK's top awards for children's literature.

“Without this child, we shall all die.”

Lyra Belacqua and her animal daemon live half-wild and carefree among scholars of Jordan College, Oxford.

The destiny that awaits her will take her to the frozen lands of the Arctic

Where does this amazing light come from?

Well, it all starts with our sun.

FACTS ABOUT THE NORTHERN LIGHTS

The Sun sends out tiny particles called solar wind.

These particles travel through space and sometimes reach Earth. When they bump into Earth’s atmosphere, they create a beautiful display of light – the Northern Lights!

The Northern Lights can take on many shapes and forms.

Sometimes they look like shimmering curtains, other times they ripple like waves, and sometimes they even swirl like spirals!

They can be bright or faint, and their colors can change quickly, making them even more mesmerizing to watch.

The Lights are most visible during the winter months when the nights are long and dark.

 They’re also more common in places close to the North Pole, like Alaska, Canada, Greenland, Iceland, Norway, and even parts of Scotland and Russia.

They’re called the Northern Lights because they’re most often seen in the northern part of the world.

But they can also be seen in the southern part of the world, where they’re called the Southern Lights or Aurora Australis

They also have a scientific name- Aurora Borealis! Aurora means “dawn” and Borealis means “north” in Latin.

Some people believe that the Northern Lights make sounds, like crackling or whistling, but scientists are still studying this.

The Northern Lights are a natural phenomenon, and we can’t control when or where they appear. That’s part of what makes them so special.

Explore the Magic: Easy Northern Lights Crafts for Preschoolers

Before you get into the craft projects watch The Northern Lights| Science for kids gives a simple but thorough explanation into the how and why.

NORTHERN LIGHTS CRAFTS FOR PRESCHOOLERS

  • Preschoolers will love exploring this bonus activity Make the Northern Lights! Sensory Tray + Science Experiment.
  • Try making the Northern Lights With Watercolors for another fun but simple craft.
  • Learn about Exploring Northern Lights With Kids Through Art And Music .
  • Northern Lights Art For Kids
  • How cute would these Northern Lights Sugar Cookies be to bake and enjoy with your preschooler for this unit?
  • This Paint Splat Northern Lights project is simple but amazes kids in the way that it creates mirrored images on both sides of the paper by pressing it.
Explore the Magic: Easy Northern Lights Crafts for Preschoolers

Finally, look at how to make this fun nightlight to lean about the Northern Lights.

NORTHERN LIGHTS CRAFT FOR PRESCHOOLERS – NIGHTLIGHT

You will need:

  • Mason or other jar
  • Tissue paper
  • School glue
  • Foam brush
  • Small battery operated light
Explore the Magic: Easy Northern Lights Crafts for Preschoolers

First, you want to do is make a mixture of half school glue and half water, stir It up well.

Explore the Magic: Easy Northern Lights Crafts for Preschoolers

Your child rip thin long strips of a multitude of colors.

The most seen in the northern lights are green, blue, purple, and pink.

You can also shred up some black tissue paper if you like in order to create a shadow of the mountains, hillsides, or trees.

Explore the Magic: Easy Northern Lights Crafts for Preschoolers

Turn your jar on its side and spread a thin layer of the glue mixture on a small portion of the jar. We started at the bottom with our black silhouette shapes.

 After you’ve pressed the tissue paper onto the glue tap over top of it with the brush to add glue.

Explore the Magic: Easy Northern Lights Crafts for Preschoolers

Continue covering the remainder of the jar, adding a little glue at a time, pressing tissue paper into it and then covering with another layer of glue.

Explore the Magic: Easy Northern Lights Crafts for Preschoolers

Set aside and allow to dry completely.

Explore the Magic: Easy Northern Lights Crafts for Preschoolers

Add a small battery-operated light to your jar like a tealight or a tap light.

I linked one above that we really like, it comes with a remote control as well.

Explore the Magic: Easy Northern Lights Crafts for Preschoolers

If you are using a mason jar you can replace the lid and ring or just the ring to let more light out, or place whatever cap you have back on it.

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

How to Make a Toilet Roll Owl & Elf Owl Facts

December 22, 2024 | Leave a Comment
This post may contain affiliate links. For more information, please see my full disclosure policy.

Today, I’m showing you how to make a toilet roll owl and sharing some fun elf owl facts. Also, look at more ideas on my pages Free Kids Owl Unit Study Ideas | How to Dissect Pellets.

Too, I have a free owl template you can download which makes this toilet roll owl easy peazy.

This easy craft turns an ordinary household item into an adorable little bird.

How to Make a Toilet Roll Owl & Elf Owl Facts

And it’s a fantastic way to recycle materials while making something both cute and useful learning manipulative.

Too, while you’re studying about owls with your older kids, include your little kids by doing this craft.

It’s a way to include your littles in a fun owl unit study.

First, look at these owl books.

FUN OWL BOOKS FOR KIDS

We prefer living books in our reading diet.

They bring any subject to life in a fun narrative form.

Look at some of the ones I’ve rounded up.

13 Books for Kids Who Love to Read and Be Read to About Owls

Add some of these books about owls to your home library or for your unit study.

Owls in the Family

Every child needs to have a pet. No one could argue with that.   But what happens when your pet is an owl, and your owl is terrorizing the neighbourhood?  

In Farley Mowat’s exciting children’s story, a young boy’s pet menagerie—which includes crows, magpies, gophers and a dog—grows out of control with the addition of two cantankerous pet owls. The story of how Wol and Weeps turn the whole town upside down s warm, funny, and bursting with adventure and suspense.

An owl and three pussycats

A baby owl and three kittens receive a bit of extra help in growing up on Maple Hill Farm.

Owl Moon

Late one winter night a little girl and her father go owling. The trees stand still as statues and the world is silent as a dream. Whoo-whoo-whoo, the father calls to the mysterious nighttime bird. But there is no answer.Wordlessly the two companions walk along, for when you go owling you don't need words. You don't need anything but hope. Sometimes there isn't an owl, but sometimes there is. Distinguished author Jane Yolen has created a gentle, poetic story that lovingly depicts the special companionship of a young child and her father as well as humankind's close relationship to the natural world. Wonderfully complemented by John Schoenherr's soft, exquisite watercolor illustrations, this is a verbal and visual treasure, perfect for reading around and sharing at bedtime.

The Owl Who Was Afraid of the Dark

Plop, the baby barn owl, is like every barn owl there ever was, except for one thing—he is afraid of the dark! Mrs. Barn Owl sends him down from the nest-hole to find out more about the dark, and it's not long before Plop finds out that DARK IS SUPER! This comforting story filled with gentle humor and warm and soothing illustrations has been enjoyed for decades by parents and children who want to snuggle down with a good read.

Little Owl's Night

Little Owl enjoys a lovely night in the forest visiting his friend the raccoon, listening to the frogs croak and the crickets chirp, and watching the fog that hovers overhead.

Owls

On silent wings a bird sweeps down in the moonlight...   With their striking appearance and distinctive hoot, hoot, owls are one of the most recognizable birds in the world.  But did you know there are more than 140 types of owls living in the world?   Gail Gibbons' Owls celebrates the similarities and differences in the many species of owls, from large to small, living in diverse environments and making many different kinds of nests.  The book covers basics of owl behavior, information on how they hunt, and the many factors that have led some types of owls to become endangered.   The boldly colored illustrations feature clear labeling, and all new words are defined and reinforced with clear, simple language, appropriate for young readers.  The book also features a page of intriguing owl trivia.

Barn Owl (Science I Can Read Book)

Easy-to-read text and illustrations trace the life of a barn owl from his birth until he leaves the nest and finds a mate of his own.

The Book of North American Owls

Everything you ever wanted to know about owls on the North American continent. Features the twenty-one species of owls and all their vital statistics. Includes a detailed, illustrated glossary with maps showing residence and breeding ranges.

There's an Owl in the Shower

It’s people versus owls in this laugh-out-loud story about one family’s love for a special little owl, from bestselling nature writer and Newbery Medal winner Jean Craighead George!

Borden Watson’s father is out of job, and it’s all the spotted owls’ fault. The birds are endangered, which means loggers, like Mr. Watson, are no longer allowed to cut down trees.

It doesn’t make sense to Borden. Why are owls being put first over the citizens?

But when Borden finds an owlet in the forest who needs his care, he brings it back home—much to Mr. Watson’s displeasure. Hilarious chaos soon ensues, as the tiny owl makes big changes in this logging family’s home, and makes his way into their hearts.

This heartwarming story is a great way for young readers to learn about important topics, like endangered species, conservation, and environmentalism.

Knight Owl (Caldecott Honor Book) (The Knight Owl Series, 1)

A determined Owl builds strength and confidence in this medieval picture book about the real mettle of a hero: wits, humor, and heart.  Since the day he hatched, Owl dreamed of becoming a real knight. He may not be the biggest or the strongest, but his sharp nocturnal instincts can help protect the castle, especially since many knights have recently gone missing. While holding guard during Knight Night Watch, Owl is faced with the ultimate trial—a frightening intruder. It’s a daunting duel by any measure. But what Owl lacks in size, he makes up for in good ideas. Full of wordplay and optimism, this surprising display of bravery proves that cleverness (and friendship) can rule over brawn. 

A Snowy Owl Story (Wildlife on the Move)

One winter, as food gets scarce, a snowy owl finds himself forced to look in new and unfamiliar spots in order to find food and a place to call home. Based on a true story, A Snowy Owl Story describes, through the tale of one particular owl, the recent irruption of snowy owls all across the United States. Through this simple narrative, youngsters will learn about migration, adaptation, and respectful human interaction with nature. This unique title (first in a projected series of four board books) is written and designed specifically for a preschool market; few board books exist that tell conservation stories for this age range. Published in cooperation with Maine Audubon.

Reggie The Burrowing Owl: The True Story Of How A Family Found And Raised A Burrowing Owl

This is the true story about how one, little orphaned burrowing owl brought five children and their parents together on a mission to care for him as best they could back in 1967. While taking care of, Reggie, we learned that—there’s no such thing as an ordinary day with a burrowing owl around. This is not just a story for children, but the whole family and though our days revolved around Reggie, it was the unique way Reggie impacted ours and those around us ordinary lives which makes this story so special. We hope you will find it so as well."Populations of burrowing owls are declining in some areas due to pesticide use, poisoning of prairie dog colonies, and automobile collisions. Conservation concerns differ by region, and in various states they are listed as endangered, threatened, or as a species of concern.

Owl at Home (I Can Read Level 2)

Owl lives by himself in a warm little house. But whether Owl is inviting Winter in on a snowy night or welcoming a new friend he meets while on a stroll, Owl always has room for visitors!

Arnold Lobel's beloved Level 2 I Can Read classic was created for kids who read on their own but still need a little help. Whether shared at home or in a classroom, the engaging stories, longer sentences, and language play of Level Two books are proven to help kids take their next steps toward reading success.

Also, look at these hands on owl activities.

MORE OWL ACTIVITIES FOR KIDS

  • Free Kids Owl Unit Study Ideas | How to Dissect Pellets
  • Owl and Mouse Food Chain Worksheet
  • Letter O is for Owl Preschool Craft | Fun Great Horned Owl Study
  • OWL VISION – Recycled paper roll OWL binocular STEM Craft!
  • 6 Facts About the Snowy Owl & Stuffed Heat Pack Winter Owl Craft
  • Paper Weaving Owl Craft
How to Make a Toilet Roll Owl & Elf Owl Facts

Also, look at these fun facts about the elf owl.

Have you ever heard of it?

FACTS ABOUT ELF OWLS

The elf owl is the smallest owl in the world.

It’s only about 5 or 6 inches.

  • Although small in stature, it’s a skilled hunter.
  • And it weighs only about one ounce.
  • Listen to the puppylike call.
  • The are nocturnal.
  • They live in the deserts of the United States and Mexico.
  • They eat insects like moths, grasshoppers, and beetles.
  • And they have huge eyes.
  • Baby Elf owls stay with their parents for a while. They’re family oriented.
  • Because of their incredible camouflage with tree trunks and cactus they are protected from predators like hawks.
  • And they have very sharp hearing ability.

Finally, look at how to make this toilet roll owl.

HOW TO MAKE A TOILET ROLL OWL

Look at this list of supplies.

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

Step 1:

How to Make a Toilet Roll Owl & Elf Owl Facts

Select the toilet paper roll you want to use for your toilet paper roll boat craft.

Step 2:

How to Make a Toilet Roll Owl & Elf Owl Facts

Slightly press down the toilet paper roll and use the templates to trace and cut the toilet paper roll to shape it.

Step 3:

How to Make a Toilet Roll Owl & Elf Owl Facts

Press the top part of the toilet paper roll inwards. This will create two pointed edges on two corners.

Step 4:

How to Make a Toilet Roll Owl & Elf Owl Facts

Now once again use the templates and colorful craft papers to cut out the rest of the patterns for the owl. 

Step 5:

How to Make a Toilet Roll Owl & Elf Owl Facts

Use a brown marker pen to draw wavy patterns on the half oval-shaped pattern.

Step 6:

How to Make a Toilet Roll Owl & Elf Owl Facts

Glue the half oval-shaped pattern on the bottom middle part of the toilet paper roll owl base.

Step 7:

How to Make a Toilet Roll Owl & Elf Owl Facts

Glue the two wings on two sides of the toilet paper roll base.

Step 8:

How to Make a Toilet Roll Owl & Elf Owl Facts

Then glue the two paper eye cutouts on the top part of the toilet paper roll owl base.

Step 9:

How to Make a Toilet Roll Owl & Elf Owl Facts

Glue the beak right bow the two eyes.

Step 10:

How to Make a Toilet Roll Owl & Elf Owl Facts

Now glue the cheeks on two sides of the beak.

Step 11:

How to Make a Toilet Roll Owl & Elf Owl Facts

Finally, glue both feet on the bottom part of the toilet paper roll owl base to finish making your toilet paper roll owl craft. 

GRAB THE FREE OWL TEMPLATE FOR THE CRAFT

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

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