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handson

Do Geckos Live in the Rainforest and 10 Facts About Reptiles

December 7, 2023 | Leave a Comment
This post may contain affiliate links. For more information, please see my full disclosure policy.

Do geckos live in the rainforest? Asking questions and discovering the answers are wonderful ways for kids to learn about the world around them. Too, you’ll love my Rain Forest – Animals of the Amazon page.

What is the largest reptile? Let’s answer some of those questions for them.

Reptiles are fascinating and can be found on every continent except Antarctica.

Do Geckos Live in the Rainforest and 10 Facts About Reptiles

So, wherever you are there are amazing reptiles to observe and learn about. Most kids are fascinated with this topic.

I have learned that kids get so much more out of a lesson when they do rather than just listen.

For example, today we’re creating a replica of a real lizard like the Turnip Tailed Gecko from the Amazon Rainforest.

I can tell you that years from now they will remember facts they learned about it, like how their mouth is black inside, or that they sacrifice their tail to escape predators and the funny-looking way it regenerates.

Questions and Answers About Reptiles

First, look at some facts about reptiles.

  1. What defines a reptile? Reptiles are air-breathing, cold-blooded vertebrates that have scaly bodies rather than hair or feathers; most reptile species are egg-laying (but not all).
  2. What kinds of animals are reptiles? Lizards, snakes, turtles, alligators, and crocodiles.
  3. Do Geckos live in the rainforest? Yes! You will find geckos like the Turnip Tailed Gecko, Bridled Forest Geckos, and the Amazon Lava Lizard to name a few.  In fact, geckos live on all the continents except Antarctica.
  4. What is the world’s largest reptile? That title goes to the saltwater crocodile, one was even recorded at over 20’ long.
  5. How many different types of reptiles are there? There are more than 8,200 different species of reptiles, most of these are snakes and lizards.

5 More Questions and Answers About Reptiles

  1. Do all snakes lay eggs? No only about 70% do, but snakes in colder climates have live births because the eggs would not survive the cold.
  2. What is the biggest species of lizard in the world? That would be the Komodo dragon, it can grow as big as 10 feet long.
  3. What are turtle shells made of? A turtle’s shell is made of bone and is a part of the turtle’s spine. It is made out of two pieces, the carapace (top) and the plastron (bottom), and covered in scoots that are made of keratin.
  4. How fast can alligators run? Alligators can run up to 35 mph for very brief periods, which is faster than Usain Bolt, the fastest man in the world.
  5. Do chameleons really change colors to blend in? Blending in is not the main purpose. Their natural appearance allows them to blend in well with their habitat and evade predation. Another reason is that chameleons can’t regulate their own body temperatures, they change their skin color to reflect or absorb sunlight and thereby deflect or absorb different amounts of heat. Yet another reason for the color change is that changes in the chameleon color may also signify a chameleon’s mood.
Do Geckos Live in the Rainforest and 10 Facts About Reptiles

Also, add one of these books to your lists.

Note I prefer living books more than textbooks. So, I know you’ll find some of them helpful.

Reptile Books and Resources

Add some of these books and resources about reptiles to your library.

Joan Procter, Dragon Doctor: The Woman Who Loved Reptiles

A fascinating picture book biography of a pioneering female scientist who loved reptiles!While other girls played with dolls, Joan preferred the company of reptiles. She carried her favorite lizard with her everywhere--she even brought a crocodile to school!When Joan grew older, she became the Curator of Reptiles at the British Museum. She went on to design the Reptile House at the London Zoo, including a home for the rumored-to-be-vicious komodo dragons. There, just like when she was a little girl, Joan hosted children's tea parties--with her komodo dragon as the guest of honor.

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

See the world in a whole new way! Acclaimed illustrator Julia Rothman combines art and science in this exciting and educational guide to the structure, function, and personality of the natural world. Explore the anatomy of a jellyfish, the inside of a volcano, monarch butterfly migration, how sunsets work, and much more. Rothman’s whimsical illustrations are paired with interactive activities that encourage curiosity and inspire you to look more closely at the world all around you.Nature Anatomy is the second book in Rothman's Anatomy series – you'll love Nature Anatomy Notebook, Ocean Anatomy, Food Anatomy, and Farm Anatomy, too!

The Ultimate Book of Reptiles: Your guide to the secret lives of these scaly, slithery, and spectacular creatures!

Sink your fangs into the hidden worlds of these scaly and sensational creatures with leading reptile scientist and National Geographic Explorer Dr. Ruchira Somaweera as your guide.Meet the coolest cold-blooded animals ever. From lizards to snakes, turtles to crocodiles, something called a tuatara, and even enormous prehistoric reptiles (think real-life sea monsters!), you’ll discover what makes a reptile a reptile; how these creatures live, hunt, hide, and raise their young, and the wild adaptations that make them so unique. Learn which snake is the most venomous on the planet and which are surprisingly gentle creatures, which reptile is born with a highly developed third eye in its forehead, and which one is so tiny it could balance on the tip of your finger—plus loads of super important conservation information and impactful ways to join the fight to save endangered reptile species right from home!

Professor Noggin's Reptiles and Amphibians Trivia Card Game

  • PLAY & LEARN: Professor Noggin’s series of educational card games encourages kids to learn interesting facts about their favorite subjects.
  • FUN FACTS: How about Reptiles versus Amphibians?!  That's just one of the topic cards in this kids card game.  Find out more fun facts from Eggs to the Komodo Dragon!

Reptiles do the Strangest Things

A great book that parents could read for kids and also includes fun trivia!!

Album of Reptiles

Dramatic incidents preface descriptions of reptiles ranging from crocodiles and cobras to turtles and tuataras

Additionally, I have more hands-on ideas for learning about reptiles.

Hands-On Reptile Activities

Besides our Turnip Tailed Gecko craft, grab a few more of these hands-on reptile activities to supplement your study.

  • Gila Monster Craft
  • Fun Easy Amazon Rainforest Crafts and Make a Bubble Wrap Pattern Anaconda
  • Paper Roll Frilled Neck Lizard
  • Popsicle Stick Crocodile
  • 10 Amazon Rainforest Lizards Facts and How to Make A Fun Iguana
  • A Color of His Own: Chameleon Watercolor Project
Do Geckos Live in the Rainforest and 10 Facts About Reptiles

Finally, look how to make this foam turnip tailed gecko.

Make a Turnip Tailed Gecko Craft from The Amazon Rainforest

You can copy my directions or use the general idea and choose a different lizard, adding its own unique features to your steps.

You will need:

  • Craft foam-green, pink
  • Google eyes
  • Black paint/marker
  • Scissors
  • Pencil
  • Tacky glue
Do Geckos Live in the Rainforest and 10 Facts About Reptiles

First, we found an image of the gecko we wanted to recreate on Google.

Draw your lizard onto craft foam with a pencil.

I found it easiest to draw the abdomen, head, and tail, leaving space for the legs that were a little more difficult.

Do Geckos Live in the Rainforest and 10 Facts About Reptiles

Then I drew in the legs and toes, erasing and redoing them quite a bit.

Those little feet and toes are tricky to get right.

Do Geckos Live in the Rainforest and 10 Facts About Reptiles

Cut out your outline once you are happy with your lizard shape.

Do Geckos Live in the Rainforest and 10 Facts About Reptiles

Trace and cut out the head onto another small scrap of craft foam.

Then your child can create an open mouth showing off the turnip-tailed geckos’ important feature of a black mouth interior and pink tongue.

Do Geckos Live in the Rainforest and 10 Facts About Reptiles

Color with a permanent marker or paint one side of this piece as well as the underside of the head on the main lizard shape black.

Do Geckos Live in the Rainforest and 10 Facts About Reptiles

Cut a small pink tongue from craft foam.

Once dried completely glue the mouth and tongue into place, only at the back so it can open.

Do Geckos Live in the Rainforest and 10 Facts About Reptiles

Draw slits over the googly eyes to give them a bit more of a lizard look and glue them into place.

Do Geckos Live in the Rainforest and 10 Facts About Reptiles

Finally, add the skin coloration details with markers or paint.

To give it a more subtle look I painted random squiggles and dots on a scrap of foam and stamped it on the lizard.

Do Geckos Live in the Rainforest and 10 Facts About Reptiles

Leave a CommentFiled Under: Hands-On Activities Tagged With: amazon rain forest, crafts, elementary science, geckos, hands-on, hands-on activities, handson, homeschoolscience, life science, science, spring crafts

Interesting Facts For Kids About Africa | Cute Handprint Cheetah

December 4, 2023 | Leave a Comment
This post may contain affiliate links. For more information, please see my full disclosure policy.

Sharing interesting facts for kids about Africa is a great way to introduce or refresh information on this amazing continent. Also, grab more ideas on my post Free Africa Unit Study for Kids Who Love Hands-on Learning | Free Continent & Country Reports.

There is much to be learned about Africa as a continent.

For, you want to learn about its people, customs, animals, plants, landforms, and the resources that we get from there.

It is truly one of the most diverse places on earth from the Savanna to the Congo.

Interesting Facts For Kids About Africa | Cute Handprint Cheetah

We’re focusing on the amazing African wildlife that covers it and makes its homes in all the different biomes.

Too, we’re creating a cute handprint cheetah and then digging into some interesting facts.

Whether you are just looking for a single activity or want to create a whole unit there is no shortage of ideas and information.

Books About Africa for Kids

Also, add some of these books to your reading diet.

13 Resources for Children Studying About Africa

Add one or two of these books to your study about the art of Africa.

Africa For Kids: People, Places and Cultures - Children Explore The World Books

Africa For Kids: People, Places, Culture gives children not only a peek into the land and its people but the artwork of even simple everyday items like weaving and serving plates.

Africa Coloring Book For Kids!

Here is a coloring book filled with African souvenirs to color that is soothing and a great springboard for discussion.

African Patterns Scrapbook Paper

I found this beautiful book of African Patterned Scrapbook paper that can be used for many craft projects.

Africa, Amazing Africa: Country by Country

Atinuke’s first non-fiction title is a major publishing event: a celebration of all 55 countries on the African continent! Her beautifully-written text captures Africa’s unique mix of the modern and the traditional, as she explores its geography, its peoples, its animals, its history, its resources and its cultural diversity. The book divides Africa into five sections: South, East, West, Central and North, each with its own introduction. This is followed by a page per country, containing a delightful mix of friendly, informative text and colourful illustrations.

Africa Is Not a Country

Enter into the daily life of children in the many countries of modern Africa. Countering stereotypes, Africa Is Not a Country celebrates the extraordinary diversity of this vibrant continent as experienced by children at home, at school, at work, and at play.

The Water Princess

With its wide sky and warm earth, Princess Gie Gie’s kingdom is a beautiful land. But clean drinking water is scarce in her small African village. And try as she might, Gie Gie cannot bring the water closer; she cannot make it run clearer. Every morning, she rises before the sun to make the long journey to the well. Instead of a crown, she wears a heavy pot on her head to collect the water. After the voyage home, after boiling the water to drink and clean with, Gie Gie thinks of the trip that tomorrow will bring. And she dreams. She dreams of a day when her village will have cool, crystal-clear water of its own.

Ashanti to Zulu: African Traditions (Picture Puffin Books)

Artists Leo and Diane Dillon won their second consecutive Caldecott Medal for this stunning ABC of African culture. "Another virtuoso performance. . . . Such an astute blend of aesthetics and information is admirable, the child's eye will be rewarded many times over."

When Stars Are Scattered

Omar and his brother Hassan, two Somali boys, have spent a long time in the Dadaab refugee camp. Separated from their mother, they are looked after by a friendly stranger. Life in the camp isn't always easy. The hunger is constant . . . but there's football to look forward to, and now there's a chance Omar will get to go to school . . .With a heart-wrenching fairytale ending, this incredible true story is brought to life by Victoria's stunning illustrations. This book perfectly depicts life in a refugee camp for 8-12 year olds.

The Boy Who Harnessed the Wind, Young Reader's Edition

When a terrible drought struck William Kamkwamba's tiny village in Malawi, his family lost all of the season's crops, leaving them with nothing to eat and nothing to sell. William began to explore science books in his village library, looking for a solution. There, he came up with the idea that would change his family's life forever: he could build a windmill. Made out of scrap metal and old bicycle parts, William's windmill brought electricity to his home and helped his family pump the water they needed to farm the land. Retold for a younger audience, this exciting memoir shows how, even in a desperate situation, one boy's brilliant idea can light up the world. Complete with photographs, illustrations, and an epilogue that will bring readers up to date on William's story, this is the perfect edition to read and share with the whole family.

Things Fall Apart

Things Fall Apart is the first of three novels in Chinua Achebe's critically acclaimed African Trilogy. It is a classic narrative about Africa's cataclysmic encounter with Europe as it establishes a colonial presence on the continent. Told through the fictional experiences of Okonkwo, a wealthy and fearless Igbo warrior of Umuofia in the late 1800s, Things Fall Apart explores one man's futile resistance to the devaluing of his Igbo traditions by British political andreligious forces and his despair as his community capitulates to the powerful new order. With more than 20 million copies sold and translated into fifty-seven languages, Things Fall Apart provides one of the most illuminating and permanent monuments to African experience. Achebe does not only capture life in a pre-colonial African village, he conveys the tragedy of the loss of that world while broadening our understanding of our contemporary realities.

Wildlife of East Africa (Princeton Pocket Guides, 3)

Those looking for a concise yet informative, visually breathtaking yet affordable East African safari need look no further than this spectacular field guide. Featuring full-color photos of 475 common species of bird, mammal, snake, lizard, insect, tree, and flower, Wildlife of East Africa takes us on an exquisite one-volume tour through the living splendor of the main national parks and game reserves of Kenya, Tanzania, and Uganda. Many of the species included--from pelicans to plovers, ostriches to elephants, from the daintiest of antelopes to cattlelike giants, from leopards to lions, baboons to gorillas, chameleons to crocodiles, acacias to aloes--also inhabit neighboring countries. The selection was based on the personal experiences of the authors, wildlife experts who have been leading safaris in the region for more than twenty years.

Facing the Lion: Growing Up Maasai on the African Savanna

Heads up: this is a great book but there is a rite of passage and has a part about circumcision.

Joseph Lemasolai Lekuton gives American kids a firsthand look at growing up in Kenya as a member of a tribe of nomads whose livelihood centers on the raising and grazing of cattle. Readers share Lekuton's first encounter with a lion, the epitome of bravery in the warrior tradition. They follow his mischievous antics as a young Maasai cattle herder, coming-of-age initiation, boarding school escapades, soccer success, and journey to America for college. Lekuton's riveting text combines exotic details of nomadic life with the universal experience and emotions of a growing boy.

The Bitter Side of Sweet

Fifteen-year-old Amadou counts the things that matter. For two years what has mattered are the number of cacao pods he and his younger brother, Seydou, can chop down in a day. The higher the number the safer they are. The higher the number the closer they are to paying off their debt and returning home. Maybe. The problem is Amadou doesn’t know how much he and Seydou owe, and the bosses won’t tell him. The boys only wanted to make money to help their impoverished family, instead they were tricked into forced labor on a plantation in the Ivory Coast. With no hope of escape, all they can do is try their best to stay alive—until Khadija comes into their lives. She’s the first girl who’s ever come to camp, and she’s a wild thing. She fights bravely every day, attempting escape again and again, reminding Amadou what it means to be free. But finally, the bosses break her, and what happens next to the brother he has always tried to protect almost breaks Amadou. The three band together as family and try just once more to escape.

Next, look at some of the interesting facts for kids about Africa.

12 Interesting Facts For Kids About Africa

  1. The 4 main biomes in Africa are Deserts (the Sahara, Kalahari) Tropical and Subtropical Grasslands, Savannas and Shrublands.
  2. The Congo rainforest is located here and is the second largest rainforest in the world and is home to over 10,000 species of animals.
  3. There are over 2,000 spoken languages here but the most widely spoken language is Arabic. 
  4. Africa is home to three of the seven species of “Big Cats”, the lion, leopard, and cheetah.
  5. Giraffes have a blue tongue; this blue color gives their tongue extra protection since they are exposed to a lot of sunlight while they feed all day long.
  6. African Lions are nocturnal animals and spend roughly 15-20 hours of every day sleeping.
  7. The same way that babies will suck their thumb for comfort the African elephant sucks on its trunk.
  8. The most abundant animal in Africa is the antelopes which cover the entire continent and have over 80 species.
  9. Africa has the tallest animal on earth, the giraffe, as well as the heaviest on earth, the elephant.
  10. Africa is the world’s hottest continent, temperatures in the Sahara often reach over 100 degrees F.
  11. The deadliest African animal is the adorable hippopotamus, they are primarily herbivores but are aggressive when it comes to protecting their territory, themselves, and their offspring.
  12. The country Nigeria sets the record for the most twins born in the world with an average of 50 sets of twins in every 1,000 births.
Interesting Facts For Kids About Africa | Cute Handprint Cheetah

You can learn more about this fascinating continent as a family by watching Africa: Destination World by Nat Geo Kids.

Also, here is some information to add to your study about the African Cheetah.

The African Cheetah

Almost all wild cheetahs can be found in sub-Saharan Africa.

And they are the fastest land animal in the world, reaching speeds of almost 70mph in short bursts.

They are very distinctive with long slender bodies and of course those spots.

African Cheetahs are unfortunately in the “vulnerable” category and are at risk of extinction in the wild.

Education and conservation are the best ways to protect these gorgeous creatures, December 4th has been marked as International Cheetah Day to call attention to them.

Interesting Facts For Kids About Africa | Cute Handprint Cheetah

So, we’re recreating one in its habitat with a cute little handprint, a classic preschool craft.

Cute Handprint Cheetah

I thought this time we could dress up the usual handprint craft by adding some layers to create a beautiful Savanna sunset and a Baobab tree.

You will need:

  • Pink construction paper
  • Orange construction paper
  • Yellow construction paper
  • Brown construction paper
  • Green construction paper
  • tan/cream construction paper
  • Yellow craft paint
  • Black craft paint
  • Black pen
  • Glue stick
Interesting Facts For Kids About Africa | Cute Handprint Cheetah

Demonstrate how to tear the pink, orange, and yellow paper into strips, you will only need about 2 of each.

Interesting Facts For Kids About Africa | Cute Handprint Cheetah

At the same time have them tear smaller strips of brown for the tree and green for the leaves. You help them tear a half circle for the sun.

Interesting Facts For Kids About Africa | Cute Handprint Cheetah

Use a glue stick to lay down your sunset-colored strips and the sun in the center on just the top half of the tan construction paper.

Interesting Facts For Kids About Africa | Cute Handprint Cheetah

Add the tree trunk, branches, and leaves.

Interesting Facts For Kids About Africa | Cute Handprint Cheetah

Paint the entire hand yellow and press down on to the paper, with the fingers pointed down toward the bottom of the page.

You can either paint on the tail with a paintbrush or repaint a single finger and press onto the back to make a tail.

Interesting Facts For Kids About Africa | Cute Handprint Cheetah

Allow the yellow paint to dry at least partially and then make spots by painting your child’s finger black and having them stamp wherever they like on the yellow.

Interesting Facts For Kids About Africa | Cute Handprint Cheetah

Once everything has dried you can use a small black fine point pen to add face details.

Interesting Facts For Kids About Africa | Cute Handprint Cheetah

Leave a CommentFiled Under: Hands-On Activities Tagged With: Africa, cheetah, handprint, hands-on, hands-on activities, handson, handsonhomeschooling, life science, science

8 The Water Princess STEM Activity Ideas and African Clay Pot Craft

December 3, 2023 | Leave a Comment
This post may contain affiliate links. For more information, please see my full disclosure policy.

I have 8 The Water Princess STEM activity ideas and my African clay pot craft. Also, look at my page Free Africa Unit Study for Kids Who Love Hands-on Learning | Free Continent & Country Reports for more ideas.

National Princess Day is November 18th.

But I’m highlighting a different kind of princess entirely – The Water Princess.

The Water Princess is a lovely book based on the childhood experience of Georgie Badiel.

It takes place in Africa.

And is the story of the long trek that many women and children in villages must make daily for water.

The water is needed for drinking, cooking, and washing.

8 The Water Princess STEM Activity Ideas and African Clay Pot Craft

It is a wonderful opportunity to talk about life without water from the kitchen tap we take for granted.

There are nearly one billion people around the world who don’t have access to clean water.

The reality of this is what inspired African Model Georgie Badiel to try and make a difference in the lives of those in need.

She works with Ryan’s Well to help provide access to water for hydration, food preparation, sanitation services, and proper hygiene.

Your child may become inspired to help by raising money for the foundation, or even to become one of the scientists or engineers who come up with ideas to give clean water to people everywhere.

5 Facts About Water in Africa

Next, look at some of these facts about water in Africa.

  1.  A shocking 40 Percent of Sub-Saharan Africa is Without Access to Clean Water, and 1 in 10 people on the planet do not have access to clean water.
  2. Women and girls spend an estimated 200 million hours carrying water back and forth every day.
  3. The average woman and child in rural Africa walk about 3.7 miles every day and haul around 40 pounds or more of water back to their homes.
  4. There are 677 Lakes throughout Africa, which makes Africa the continent with the largest volume of non-frozen water. The problem is not due to the lack of water, but rather the lack of CLEAN drinking water.
  5. Sadly 115 people in Africa die every hour from diseases that are due to poor sanitation, poor hygiene, and contaminated water.
8 The Water Princess STEM Activity Ideas and African Clay Pot Craft

Next, look at some of these books about Africa if you’re looking to create a unit study.

13 Resources for Children Studying About Africa

Add one or two of these books to your study about the art of Africa.

Africa For Kids: People, Places and Cultures - Children Explore The World Books

Africa For Kids: People, Places, Culture gives children not only a peek into the land and its people but the artwork of even simple everyday items like weaving and serving plates.

Africa Coloring Book For Kids!

Here is a coloring book filled with African souvenirs to color that is soothing and a great springboard for discussion.

African Patterns Scrapbook Paper

I found this beautiful book of African Patterned Scrapbook paper that can be used for many craft projects.

Africa, Amazing Africa: Country by Country

Atinuke’s first non-fiction title is a major publishing event: a celebration of all 55 countries on the African continent! Her beautifully-written text captures Africa’s unique mix of the modern and the traditional, as she explores its geography, its peoples, its animals, its history, its resources and its cultural diversity. The book divides Africa into five sections: South, East, West, Central and North, each with its own introduction. This is followed by a page per country, containing a delightful mix of friendly, informative text and colourful illustrations.

Africa Is Not a Country

Enter into the daily life of children in the many countries of modern Africa. Countering stereotypes, Africa Is Not a Country celebrates the extraordinary diversity of this vibrant continent as experienced by children at home, at school, at work, and at play.

The Water Princess

With its wide sky and warm earth, Princess Gie Gie’s kingdom is a beautiful land. But clean drinking water is scarce in her small African village. And try as she might, Gie Gie cannot bring the water closer; she cannot make it run clearer. Every morning, she rises before the sun to make the long journey to the well. Instead of a crown, she wears a heavy pot on her head to collect the water. After the voyage home, after boiling the water to drink and clean with, Gie Gie thinks of the trip that tomorrow will bring. And she dreams. She dreams of a day when her village will have cool, crystal-clear water of its own.

Ashanti to Zulu: African Traditions (Picture Puffin Books)

Artists Leo and Diane Dillon won their second consecutive Caldecott Medal for this stunning ABC of African culture. "Another virtuoso performance. . . . Such an astute blend of aesthetics and information is admirable, the child's eye will be rewarded many times over."

When Stars Are Scattered

Omar and his brother Hassan, two Somali boys, have spent a long time in the Dadaab refugee camp. Separated from their mother, they are looked after by a friendly stranger. Life in the camp isn't always easy. The hunger is constant . . . but there's football to look forward to, and now there's a chance Omar will get to go to school . . .With a heart-wrenching fairytale ending, this incredible true story is brought to life by Victoria's stunning illustrations. This book perfectly depicts life in a refugee camp for 8-12 year olds.

The Boy Who Harnessed the Wind, Young Reader's Edition

When a terrible drought struck William Kamkwamba's tiny village in Malawi, his family lost all of the season's crops, leaving them with nothing to eat and nothing to sell. William began to explore science books in his village library, looking for a solution. There, he came up with the idea that would change his family's life forever: he could build a windmill. Made out of scrap metal and old bicycle parts, William's windmill brought electricity to his home and helped his family pump the water they needed to farm the land. Retold for a younger audience, this exciting memoir shows how, even in a desperate situation, one boy's brilliant idea can light up the world. Complete with photographs, illustrations, and an epilogue that will bring readers up to date on William's story, this is the perfect edition to read and share with the whole family.

Things Fall Apart

Things Fall Apart is the first of three novels in Chinua Achebe's critically acclaimed African Trilogy. It is a classic narrative about Africa's cataclysmic encounter with Europe as it establishes a colonial presence on the continent. Told through the fictional experiences of Okonkwo, a wealthy and fearless Igbo warrior of Umuofia in the late 1800s, Things Fall Apart explores one man's futile resistance to the devaluing of his Igbo traditions by British political andreligious forces and his despair as his community capitulates to the powerful new order. With more than 20 million copies sold and translated into fifty-seven languages, Things Fall Apart provides one of the most illuminating and permanent monuments to African experience. Achebe does not only capture life in a pre-colonial African village, he conveys the tragedy of the loss of that world while broadening our understanding of our contemporary realities.

Wildlife of East Africa (Princeton Pocket Guides, 3)

Those looking for a concise yet informative, visually breathtaking yet affordable East African safari need look no further than this spectacular field guide. Featuring full-color photos of 475 common species of bird, mammal, snake, lizard, insect, tree, and flower, Wildlife of East Africa takes us on an exquisite one-volume tour through the living splendor of the main national parks and game reserves of Kenya, Tanzania, and Uganda. Many of the species included--from pelicans to plovers, ostriches to elephants, from the daintiest of antelopes to cattlelike giants, from leopards to lions, baboons to gorillas, chameleons to crocodiles, acacias to aloes--also inhabit neighboring countries. The selection was based on the personal experiences of the authors, wildlife experts who have been leading safaris in the region for more than twenty years.

Facing the Lion: Growing Up Maasai on the African Savanna

Heads up: this is a great book but there is a rite of passage and has a part about circumcision.

Joseph Lemasolai Lekuton gives American kids a firsthand look at growing up in Kenya as a member of a tribe of nomads whose livelihood centers on the raising and grazing of cattle. Readers share Lekuton's first encounter with a lion, the epitome of bravery in the warrior tradition. They follow his mischievous antics as a young Maasai cattle herder, coming-of-age initiation, boarding school escapades, soccer success, and journey to America for college. Lekuton's riveting text combines exotic details of nomadic life with the universal experience and emotions of a growing boy.

The Bitter Side of Sweet

Fifteen-year-old Amadou counts the things that matter. For two years what has mattered are the number of cacao pods he and his younger brother, Seydou, can chop down in a day. The higher the number the safer they are. The higher the number the closer they are to paying off their debt and returning home. Maybe. The problem is Amadou doesn’t know how much he and Seydou owe, and the bosses won’t tell him. The boys only wanted to make money to help their impoverished family, instead they were tricked into forced labor on a plantation in the Ivory Coast. With no hope of escape, all they can do is try their best to stay alive—until Khadija comes into their lives. She’s the first girl who’s ever come to camp, and she’s a wild thing. She fights bravely every day, attempting escape again and again, reminding Amadou what it means to be free. But finally, the bosses break her, and what happens next to the brother he has always tried to protect almost breaks Amadou. The three band together as family and try just once more to escape.

Then, add some of these water activities.

8 The Water Princess Stem Activity Ideas

  1. This DIY Water Filter is a great way to explain how much it takes to create good clean drinking water and one way that people can make it usable.
  2. Besides purifying water, there is a problem with making it more accessible to people over a wide expanse. Try this Water Pipelines An Amazing Real Life Challenge to see how it can be moved from one place to another.
  3. Have your child collect water from various areas, the tap, hose, a local pond and conduct a Water Lab – A STEM Experiment Exploring Safe Drinking Water.
  4. Here is one that is great for a summer day and is another demonstration of how water can be moved from one place to another- Water Science: Water Pump Sprinkler.
  5.  How to Make a Waterwheel is a different approach to water, showing how we can harness water and use it as a renewable energy source.
  6. One of the great problems with water is pollution and the solutions to fix it. This Earth Day Water Pollution Activity is a great challenge to come up with creative and inexpensive fixes.
  7. This Milk Carton Well is a wonderful demonstration for a child who has never seen water drawn this way.
  8. Finally, Build an Aqueduct like the ancient Romans did to move water along. This stem experiment uses inexpensive supplies and teaches motion and forces.
8 The Water Princess STEM Activity Ideas and African Clay Pot Craft

Now, we are going to make our own unique little water pot to remember the story.

So, we have included reading, science, and art into one little book study!

Water Pot Craft

You will need:

  • Air dry clay
  • Craft paint
  • Paintbrush
  • Jar for a mold.
  • Plastic wrap
  • string/yarn/twine
8 The Water Princess STEM Activity Ideas and African Clay Pot Craft

First, you want to cover your pot mold with plastic wrap, a standard mason jar bottom is a good size but you can make it any size you like.

8 The Water Princess STEM Activity Ideas and African Clay Pot Craft

Roll out your air-dry clay to 1/8 inch thickness.

8 The Water Princess STEM Activity Ideas and African Clay Pot Craft

Lay the thin clay over the plastic wrap and Mason jar shaping it around it.

8 The Water Princess STEM Activity Ideas and African Clay Pot Craft

Use a clay knife or even just a plastic knife or wooden craft stick to cut off the excess.

8 The Water Princess STEM Activity Ideas and African Clay Pot Craft

To smooth any rough edges, you can simply wet your fingertip and rub it over and it will smooth the clay nicely.

Roll a length of clay into a thin snake as long as the diameter of your pot.

8 The Water Princess STEM Activity Ideas and African Clay Pot Craft

Attach it around the opening of the pot using just a little bit of water to smooth it on to create the lip.

8 The Water Princess STEM Activity Ideas and African Clay Pot Craft

Flip your jar over and carefully remove the clay, poking two holes on each side with a skewer or pencil for the handles.

8 The Water Princess STEM Activity Ideas and African Clay Pot Craft

Place clay back on the pot and leave it jar side up to be sure that your pot has a flat bottom and let it dry for 24 to 48 hours or until dried completely throughout.

8 The Water Princess STEM Activity Ideas and African Clay Pot Craft

Carefully remove from the jar peel off plastic wrap and paint however you like, I tried to get mine to resemble the one that the water princess uses.

8 The Water Princess STEM Activity Ideas and African Clay Pot Craft

After the base layer is dry you can add decorative paint details.

Once your paint is dry you can run twine or yarn through each side to create the handles. new line.

 This version will not hold water but can be used in other ways like holding trinkets, crayons or other small objects and serves as a great reminder of the story.

8 The Water Princess STEM Activity Ideas and African Clay Pot Craft

Leave a CommentFiled Under: Hands-On Activities Tagged With: Africa, clay pot, earth science, earthscience, elementary science, hands on history, hands-on, hands-on activities, handson, handsonhomeschooling, homeschoolscience, science

Welcome December Weather By Making an Easy Mitten Wreath With Kids

November 30, 2023 | Leave a Comment
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Welcome in those chilly winter temperatures with an indoor project, an easy mitten wreath that is perfect for preschoolers and kids through lower elementary. Also, look at my page Winter Season Unit Study and Free Lapbook, for more winter fun ideas.

When we think of winter, we think of winter animals, snow, ice, snowflakes, and of course, how we bundle up for the cold weather.

That brings to mind adorable little knitted mittens to cover tiny fingers.

Welcome December Weather By Making an Easy Mitten Wreath With Kids

This is a slightly different take on the classic hand print craft.

However, it still makes a lovely keepsake when it is finished, and you can see through the years how much their little hands have grown.

Make this mitten wreath with your preschooler.

As you do, talk about winter weather and all the fun things they can still do while bundled up in hats, coats, mittens, and boots.

But in case just one mitten craft is not enough I have a list of 7 more creative and fun winter hat and mitten crafts.

Also, I have some interesting facts that you might not have known about finger-warming mittens.

4 Marvelous Facts About The Mitten

Grab a copy of The Mitten by Jan Brett to go along with your mitten craft, it is a sweet story that revolves around a mitten of course.

  1. The earliest mittens found are believed to date back to 1000 A.D. in Latvia, and mittens are still part of Latvian national costume today.
  2. Mittens are warmer than gloves because your fingers generate more heat when bundled together rather than individually.
  3. Surprisingly, mittens were very common in medieval Europe. But, since they were difficult to make, they were usually only worn by the wealthy for fashion. 
  4. Sources say that the word ‘mittens’ comes from ‘medietana’, which means “divided in the middle” in Vulgar Latin.
Welcome December Weather By Making an Easy Mitten Wreath With Kids

Next, look at some of these books about the winter season that I know you’ll love.

You’re sure to find one for a fun read aloud or just as literature.

29 Winter Books to Read to Kids and For Kids Who Love to Read

Add in a few books to make your winter unit study complete. Add books for all ages.

Winter Is Coming

Day after day, a girl goes to her favorite place in the woods and quietly watches from her tree house as the chipmunks, the doe, the rabbits prepare for the winter.

As the temperature drops, sunset comes earlier and a new season begins.

Hanna's Cold Winter

Hanna was a hippopotamus in the Budapest Zoo. Hanna and the other hippos thrived in the warm springs which flowed from the ground. One winter, however, it was so cold that the river froze.

Over and Under the Snow

Part of the acclaimed nature book series that includes Over and Under the Pond, Over and Under the Rainforest, and Up in the Garden and Down in the Dirt, this volume takes readers on a cross country ski trip through the winter woods to discover the secret world of animals living under the snow.

Over the snow, the world is hushed and white. But under the snow lies a secret world of squirrels and snow hares, bears and bullfrogs, and many other animals making their winter home under the snow. This beloved nonfiction picture book reveals the tunnels and caves formed beneath the snow but over the ground, where many kinds of animals live through the winter, safe and warm, awake and busy, but hidden beneath the snow. 

ENCHANTING AND EDUCATIONAL: A charming story and beautifully rendered illustrations invite readers of all ages to explore and learn about the "subnivean zone" (the space between the colder snow and the warmer ground) where many animals live in the winter, opening a fascinating window into the natural world.

The Snow Day

A young rabbit wakes up to wonderful news: A snow day! School is canceled, and the day that follows is rich with the magic and delight of the falling snow.

Animals in Winter

This is a clear and appealing book for early elementary age kids, both at home and in the classroom. Introduce kids to basic science ideas as part of discussions about the seasons and animals.

Miss Maple's Seeds

What happens to seeds that don't sprout? Fortunately, they have Miss Maple to look after them.

Every year, she rescues orphan seeds, taking them to her cozy maple tree house. All winter long, she nurtures them and teaches them the ways of seeds and the paths.

Breadcrumbs

Once upon a time, Hazel and Jack were best friends. But that was before he stopped talking to her and disappeared into a forest with a mysterious woman made of ice. Now it's up to Hazel to go in after him. Inspired by Hans Christian Andersen's "The Snow Queen,"

Brave Irene: A Picture Book

This winning heroine will inspire every child to cheer her on as she ventures through a bitter cold snowstorm in William Steig's classic Brave Irene.

Icefall

Trapped in a hidden fortress tucked between towering mountains and a frozen sea, Solveig, along with her brother the crown prince, their older sister, and an army of restless warriors, anxiously awaits news of her father's victory at battle.

Poetree

The poem is indeed about the yearly cycle in the life of a tree. But it is also an intriguing poetic concoction.

The initial letters of each line in each stanza spell out a word that pertains to that tree's life cycle - SEED, GERMINATE, SHOOT, ROOTS, LEAVES, FLOWERS. It's a kids' acrostic.

Moominland Midwinter

Everyone knows the Moomins sleep through the winter. But this year, Moomintroll has woken up early.

So while the rest of the family slumber, he decides to visit his favorite summer haunts. But all he finds is this strange white stuff. Even the sun is gone! Moomintroll is angry: whoever Winter is, she has some nerve.

Sun and Moon, Ice and Snow

Blessed--or cursed--with an ability to understand animals, the Lass (as she's known to her family) has always been seen as strange.

And when an isbjorn (polar bear) seeks her out, and promises that her family will become rich if only the Lass will accompany him to his castle, she doesn't hesitate. But the bear is not what he seems, nor is his castle, which is made of ice and inhabited by a silent staff of servants

If Polar Bears Disappeared

The freezing ecosystem in the far north of the globe is home to many different kinds of animals.

They can be Strong, like a walrus Tough, like a lemming Resilient, like an arctic fox.

But no arctic animal is as iconic as the polar bear.

The Very, Very Far North

An inquisitive polar bear named Duane befriends an array of animals as he discovers where he belongs in this charming classic-in-the making

The Longest Night

It is the longest night of the year, and the snow lies deep. All through the forest, animals long for dawn's warmth.

Strong and clever creatures boast that only they can bring back the sun. But the wind knows better.

The Adventures of a South Pole Pig: A novel of snow and courage

Flora the pig was born for adventure: “If it’s unexplored and needs to get dug up, call me. I’m your pig,” she says.

The day Flora spots a team of sled dogs is the day she sets her heart on becoming a sled pig.

Before she knows it, she’s on board a ship to Antarctica for the most exhilarating—and dangerous—adventure of her life.

Wolf in the Snow

A girl is lost in a snowstorm. A wolf cub is lost, too. How will they find their way home?

The Snowflake Sisters

Crystal and Ivory snowflake take full advantage of this beautiful snowy evening in New York City as they travel to the park, fly through Time Square, journey past the Statue of Liberty, and more before coming in for their final landing of the day.

Mr. Popper's Penguins

A classic of American humor, the adventures of a house painter and his brood of high-stepping penguins have delighted children for generations.

One Snowy Night (Percy the Park Keeper)

Percy the Park Keeper always feeds the animals in the park where he lives.

But one cold winter’s night Percy discovers that his little friends need more than food and he must find a way to help them find a warm place to sleep for the night.

Dog Driven

From the author of Ice Dogs comes a riveting adventure about a musher who sets out to prove her impaired vision won't hold her back from competing in a rigorous sled race through the Canadian wilderness. Perfect for fans of Gary Paulsen.

Stopping by Woods on a Snowy Evening

There are more animals to find among the trees, and the kindly figure with his "promises to keep" exudes warmth as he stops to appreciate the quiet delights of winter.

Stranger in the Woods: A Photographic Fantasy (Nature)

Forest animals, awakened by the birds' warning that there is a stranger in the woods, set out to discover if there is danger and find, instead, a wonderful surprise.

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.

Here Comes Jack Frost

One cold morning a lonely boy wishes for something to do. His animal friends are hibernating, and he has nobody to play with―even all the birds have flown south.

When he meets Jack Frost, the last thing he expects is to make a new friend . . . or to discover how enchanting winter can be!

Twelve Kinds of Ice

With the first ice—a skim on a sheep pail so thin it breaks when touched—one family’s winter begins in earnest. Next comes ice like panes of glass. And eventually, skating ice! Take a literary skate over field ice and streambed, through sleeping orchards and beyond.

Blizzard

With accounts from the survivors and period photos, a tale by the author of the Newbery Honor book, The Great Fire tells what is was like to live through the Great Blizzard of 1888 that crippled New York City with its fierce winds and blinding snow.

Grandmother Winter

Grandmother Winter lives all alone with her snow-white flock of geese. All through the spring, summer, and fall, Grandmother Winter tends her geese and gathers their feathers. Why?

To bring snowfall as soft as feathers and bright as a winter moon. To the woodland and all of its creatures, the arrival of winter is a gift.

Wild Child

Lynn Plourde's text snaps and crackles like the leaves of fall as Mother Earth gently gets her daughter ready for bed.

And Greg Couch's extraordinary illustrations take readers from the soft greens of late summer through the fiery oranges of a fall sunset to the peaceful blues of early winter's eve.

Then, look at some more crafts about mittens.

7 Winter Hat and Mitten Crafts

  1. This type of hands-off art project is fun and especially nice for children who don’t like getting their hands too messy –Marble Painted Mitten Craft.
  2. These pompoms popping off the Kids Winter Hat Art Project With DIY Pom Poms are just too adorable.
  3. Turn a basic paper plate into an Easy Paper Plate Winter Hat Craft for Kids, or maybe a bunch of fun and colorful hats strung together to create a swag.
  4. The Symmetrical Mitten Craft for Preschoolers is a simple art lesson but also one in symmetry.
  5. This Winter Hat Color Sort is a great fine motor and color sorting activity that is loads of fun. I love inexpensive crafts and activities that are great for development.
  6. Make a Mitten-Inspired DIY Lacing Card to develop hand-eye coordination and fine motor skills.
  7. I remember making scratch art years ago as a child, this Make  A Colorful Winter Hat Craft With Scratch Art feels so retro but fresh at the same time.
Welcome December Weather By Making an Easy Mitten Wreath With Kids

Finally, look at how to make this adorable mitten wreath craft.

Making an Easy Mitten Wreath With Kids

Other than the tracing and cutting out the wreath form this is a very simple craft that even 2 and 3-year-olds can do mostly on their own.

Older children can even cut out the mittens for their younger siblings.

You will need:

  • A cute little hand to trace
  • 3-4 colors of construction paper
  • Markers or crayons
  • Small piece of yarn
  • White paint
  • Paintbrush
  • Scissors
  • Glue stick
Welcome December Weather By Making an Easy Mitten Wreath With Kids

First, trace your child’s hand four or five times on one piece of construction paper.

Welcome December Weather By Making an Easy Mitten Wreath With Kids

You will want to trace around the thumb but all around the four fingers as one unit to make it look like a mitten.

Welcome December Weather By Making an Easy Mitten Wreath With Kids

Lay the page with traced mittens on top of a couple more sheets of colored construction paper.

And cut out the mittens all at once. This gives your child plenty to work with.

Welcome December Weather By Making an Easy Mitten Wreath With Kids

Trace a sturdy piece of cardboard with two circular objects.

Don’t make the wreath form to be wider than 2”- 3” so that the mitten will completely cover it.


Otherwise, they can make 2 or 3 rows of mittens to create a fuller wreath.

Welcome December Weather By Making an Easy Mitten Wreath With Kids

Cut out the cardboard wreath form.

Welcome December Weather By Making an Easy Mitten Wreath With Kids

Allow your child to paint white all over the wreath on one side, in case it peeks out from behind the mitten.

Welcome December Weather By Making an Easy Mitten Wreath With Kids

While you’re waiting for the paint to dry, your child can decorate their mittens with markers, paint, or crayons.

Encourage them to create whatever designs they want all over them or you can just leave them plain.

Welcome December Weather By Making an Easy Mitten Wreath With Kids

Once the paint on the wreath form is dry give your child a glue stick and let them add their mittens around the wreath, help only as needed.

If you’d like, for the next step, they can paint on some “snow” with white paint in a paintbrush.

Welcome December Weather By Making an Easy Mitten Wreath With Kids

Allow this paint to dry as well.

Flip over the wreath form and hot glue on a loop of yarn or twine for a hanger.

Don’t forget to add your child’s name and date to the back.

I can’t tell you how many times I have forgotten to do this and was not sure where the project came from.

Welcome December Weather By Making an Easy Mitten Wreath With Kids

Leave a CommentFiled Under: Hands-On Activities Tagged With: crafts, december, hands-on, hands-on activities, handson, handsonhomeschooling, homeschoolinginwinter, winter crafts, winter season, wreath

How to Create a Paper Bag Corn Craft | 10 Corn Lesson Plans For Preschoolers

November 22, 2023 | Leave a Comment
This post may contain affiliate links. For more information, please see my full disclosure policy.

If you are looking for corn lesson plans for preschoolers, I have a plethora of corn-y ideas for all the subjects to share with you. Also, you’ll love my pages How to Homeschool Preschool and Fall Season Unit Study {Pumpkins, Leaves, Corn, & More}.

Choose the lesson plans and activities that you like from the list.

Then put them together to create your custom unit study as short or as long as you like.

There are options for science, math, history, and language arts ideas.

How to Create a Paper Bag Corn Craft | 10 Corn Lesson Plans For Preschoolers

Corn has a long history from when it was first domesticated by native peoples in southern Mexico about 10,000 years ago.

Then the native Americans passed it on to newcomers and throughout modern history.

Today, it is used in a wide variety of applications.

For example, corn meal, corn starch, corn syrup, tortillas, hominy, cooking oil, ethanol, adhesives, and much more.

We are much more dependent on corn than we realize.

Corn has become the most widely grown crop in the western hemisphere.

History and Uses of Flint Corn

You know the beautiful multicolored ears of corn you find in the fall?

That is Flint Corn or Indian corn. 

Flint corn is used for ornamental purposes, but it is also used for semolina flour, popcorn, and as a high-quality feed grain.

The flint corn plant grows wild.

Thousands of years ago it was domesticated so that its ears were larger.

And it became important to the diet of the natives of that area. 

How to Create a Paper Bag Corn Craft | 10 Corn Lesson Plans For Preschoolers

It looked much different back then than it does now.

Explorers took corn back with them and spread it throughout the world and it now grows primarily in Central and South America.

Before you dig into lesson plans, pick up a few books to pore over.

Learning About Corn Books

6 Books About Corn and Resources for Multiple Ages

Books for kids who want to learn about corn.

Corn Is Maize: The Gift of the Indians

With simple prose and beautiful illustrations, award-winning author-illustrator Aliki tells the story of how Native American farmers thousands of years ago found and nourished a wild grass plant and made corn an important part of their lives. They learned the best ways to grow and store and use its fat yellow kernels. And then they shared this knowledge with the new settlers of America.

Corn

Find out everything about this versatile and important grain—its history as a crop, the four main types, and how we grow and use it to make everything from food to paper to medicine!

From Kernel to Corn (Start to Finish, Second Series)

How does a corn seed become corn on the cob? Follow each step in nature's cycle―from planting to picking and eating―in this fascinating book!

Glass Gem Cherokee Indian Corn, Flint Corn 100 Seeds

GROW. For the best results, it's essential to cover your seeds with about one inch of soil and tamp down firmly before watering lightly.You can plant your seeds in either rows or hills. If you are planting them in rows, plant one seed every 4 inches in rows that are 18 to 24 inches apart.

Farm Anatomy: The Curious Parts and Pieces of Country Life

Learn the difference between a farrow and a barrow, and what distinguishes a weanling from a yearling. Country and city mice alike will delight in Julia Rothman’s charming illustrated guide to the curious parts and pieces of rural living. Dissecting everything from the shapes of squash varieties to how a barn is constructed and what makes up a beehive to crop rotation patterns, Rothman gives a richly entertaining tour of the quirky details of country life. 

The Story of Corn: It Starts with a Seed

How does a seed become a yummy ear of corn? A farmer plants seeds. The seeds change into plants. Plants grow. Soon cobs grow on the plants. Learn about the life cycle of corn step by step.

Next, look at these corn lesson plans for preschoolers.

10 Corn Lesson Plans For Preschoolers

  1. Check out this Fun Corn Life Cycle Preschool Sensory Bin and Printable Life Cycle Foldout for a lesson plan that is truly hands-on and enjoyable.
  2. This Sprouting Indian Corn is a wonderful activity to observe and record over a few weeks as it sprouts and can even be planted to grow your own and observe the life cycle firsthand.
  3. Try my Popcorn Science Mini Unit Study Which Brand Pops the Best as a fun-at-home idea but it also works for science fairs or co-op presentations as well.
  4. Investigate an ear of corn while Learning About the Parts of Corn Using Montessori Printables.
  5. This Corn And Popcorn Fall Science & Sensory Play For Kids comes with a free printable and a whole host of activity ideas for completing it from weighing and measuring to counting and density tests.
  6. Grab an inexpensive bag of candy corn and do this Fun Candy Corn Stem Activity Which Liquid Dissolves Candy Corn Faster, don’t forget to snack on some while you are conducting your experiment.
  7. This Geronimo Stilton Field Trip to Niagara Falls Summary And Fun Corn Craft is a great way to learn about Native Americans who lived along Niagara Falls for a fantastic history slant.
  8. With this DIY Native American Corn Meal activity, you can grind your own cornmeal and then use it in a recipe, this gives kids a small idea of how much work went into grinding corn by hand.
  9. If you want to focus on Indian/Flint corn don’t forget to include a tasty snack like these Mini Indian Corn Treats.
  10. This Corn Maze Numbers Math activity is a wonderfully creative idea for incorporating some math skills into your lesson plans.

How to Create a Paper Bag Corn Craft

This craft idea is inexpensive and quite easy, making it a great preschool craft.

You will need:

  • A paper bag
  • Paper plate
  • Craft paint- green craft paint
  • Round sponge stamper
  • Something to stuff the bag- newspaper, construction paper, tissue paper, etc.
  • Rubber band
How to Create a Paper Bag Corn Craft | 10 Corn Lesson Plans For Preschoolers

First, cut strips ⅓ of the way down from the top opening of the bag, you can make them as thin or thick as you like this will create the top husk.

How to Create a Paper Bag Corn Craft | 10 Corn Lesson Plans For Preschoolers

Paint the husks and a border all around the bag green.

You can either lay it flat or open it over you hand and paint it so that you can get the sides and the opposite side of the bag as well.

How to Create a Paper Bag Corn Craft | 10 Corn Lesson Plans For Preschoolers

Use a paper plate so it’s easier to clean up the mess later and make it like a paint palette with dabs of paint in whatever colors you like.

I went with a colorful flint/Indian corn variety.

How to Create a Paper Bag Corn Craft | 10 Corn Lesson Plans For Preschoolers

Stamp all over the bag on the inside of the green husk you painted with your colors. If you don’t have the round stampers, you can use fingerprints pressed into the paint, q tips, or a pencil eraser to make dots.

How to Create a Paper Bag Corn Craft | 10 Corn Lesson Plans For Preschoolers

Let the bag dry completely and stuff the inside with napkins, tissue paper, or whatever you are using.

How to Create a Paper Bag Corn Craft | 10 Corn Lesson Plans For Preschoolers

Gather the top just below the green husk and close it by wrapping a rubber band around it a few times.

Squeeze and move the bag around to give it more of a corn shape.

How to Create a Paper Bag Corn Craft | 10 Corn Lesson Plans For Preschoolers

Leave a CommentFiled Under: Hands-On Activities Tagged With: corn, fall, fall crafts, hands on history, hands-on, hands-on activities, handson, handsonhomeschooling, preschool

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