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Frozen Nature Ice Sun Catcher for Preschool Play and Fun

November 15, 2023 | Leave a Comment
This post may contain affiliate links. For more information, please see my full disclosure policy.

Create a beautiful nature-filled ice sun catcher with your preschooler by taking a nature walk in the woods, a local park, or even your backyard. Also, look at this Simple and Easy Instant Ice Kids Activity Homeschool Science Experiments post and my page How to Homeschool Preschool.

It is a fun way to explore the outdoors and finish up with a neat nature-filled ice sun catcher to remember it (at least as long as the ice lasts).

Frozen Nature Ice Sun Catcher for Preschool Play and Fun

Fill it with colorful flowers, berries, small pinecones, interesting pebbles or twigs, and leaves.

You can use your ice sun catcher to learn about the objects that they find but also as a different science lesson talking about ice and why and how it melts.

The best part about this activity is that it can be repeated over and over with different results each time.

For example, add food coloring, different items, and different types of water and explore the various results with your preschooler.

Books About Winter

While exploring nature, don’t forget to take along a favorite resource book like Nature Anatomy and see if you can spot any of your finds in the pages.

Preschoolers really love looking through books with good illustrations to compare to.

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.

Also, look at these other fun sun catchers to do in winter.

6 Fun Sun Catchers to Do in Winter

While you may not think of sun catchers for winter there are plenty of engaging and pretty ideas for indoors and out and I have 6 more for you to check out

  1. I just love this Arctic Animal Sun Catcher Craft to go along with studying snowy animals like polar bears and penguins.
  2. These pretty Snowflake Sun Catchers are a great way to highlight how unique snowflakes are.
  3. Here is a completely different take on a sun catcher, using beads to reflect the light with this Pinecone Sun Catcher Craft.
  4. Mitten Sun catchers can launch a good discussion about what kind of clothing is needed for winter and how to protect ourselves from extreme temperatures.
  5. Make a Winter Tree Suncatcher using tear art for a lovely nature-themed craft.
  6. Snowman Sun Catcher is just too sweet and makes a simple but pretty craft to decorate your windows.
Frozen Nature Ice Sun Catcher for Preschool Play and Fun

Frozen Nature Ice Sun Catcher

You will need:

  • Nature items:  leaves, twigs, bark, pinecones, flowers, etc.
  • Shallow container
  • Water
  • Ribbon
Frozen Nature Ice Sun Catcher for Preschool Play and Fun

First, add a length of ribbon or rope to the top to hang it from.

Frozen Nature Ice Sun Catcher for Preschool Play and Fun

After gathering plenty of items for your ice sun catcher let your child lay them out however they like in your shallow container, you could even make multiple small ones by using a muffin tin.

Frozen Nature Ice Sun Catcher for Preschool Play and Fun

Once it is full of nature it is ready for the next step.

Frozen Nature Ice Sun Catcher for Preschool Play and Fun

Let your preschooler carefully fill with water.

Frozen Nature Ice Sun Catcher for Preschool Play and Fun

Place in the freezer overnight.

Carefully remove it from the container, you may need to flip it over and run warm water over the back for a minute or two to loosen it.

Frozen Nature Ice Sun Catcher for Preschool Play and Fun

Carry it outside.

Frozen Nature Ice Sun Catcher for Preschool Play and Fun

Hang from a tree and enjoy if the weather stays cold enough to keep it frozen!

Go back outside often as it melts and watch the changes.

Ask your preschooler how long does it take?

And ask your child questions like “Do you think the sun makes it melt faster?” to encourage critical thinking.

Here is how the backside looks with the sun shining through it.

Tip- for super clear ice use filtered water instead of tap water.

Frozen Nature Ice Sun Catcher for Preschool Play and Fun

Leave a CommentFiled Under: Hands-On Activities Tagged With: hands-on, hands-on activities, handson, handsonhomeschooling, homeschoolinginwinter, ice, nature, nature study, preschool, seasons, winter crafts, winter season

How to Make A Spin Drum | 10 Native American Crafts for Kids

November 13, 2023 | Leave a Comment
This post may contain affiliate links. For more information, please see my full disclosure policy.

Native American crafts for kids are a great way to learn about the history, customs, and lives of the indigenous people of North America. Also, you’ll love my page Native Americans The Plains Indians Unit Study & Lapbook.

One item that was important to tribes across the US was drums.

Drums were used for music and dancing.

However, they were also part of rituals, celebrations, and spiritual communication.

Drums were made from wooden frames or hollowed-out logs.

Then they covered them in animal hide or skin stretched tightly over the frame with sinew.

How to Make A Spin Drum | 10 Native American Crafts for Kids

Too, drums were then personalized by painting them using berries, red rocks, and other natural items to create a dye.

The images on their drums were reflections of the individual or the tribe.

Several different drums were used by various tribes- water drums, Pow Wow drums, foot drums, and hand drums like the spin drum we are going to create today.

A spin drum is a hand-held drum mounted on a stick and has striker beads that hit the drum surface as they are played.

Make your own with items that you have on hand.

It’s a great reuse for cardboard boxes you might have lying around, and a fun instrument for kids.

Books about Native Americans

First, you’ll love adding some of these books about Native Americans to your reading day.

16 Books About Native Americans

You’ll love these books about various Native American tribes and how they lived and their rich history.

The Winter People

Saxso is fourteen when the British attack his village. It’s 1759, and war is raging in the northeast between the British and the French, with the Abenaki people Saxso’s people by their side. Without enough warriors
to defend their homes, Saxso’s village is burned to the ground. Many people are killed, but some, including Saxso’s mother and two sisters, are taken hostage. Now it’s up to Saxso, on his own, to track the raiders and bring his family back home . . . before it’s too late.

In Their Own Words: Sitting Bull

In Their Own Words: Sitting Bull tells the exciting story of Sitting Bull's life using real drawings, letters, and speeches from him and from his friends and family.A warrior I have been. / Now, it is all over. / A hard time I have.With these words, Sitting Bull surrendered to the U.S. government on July 20, 1881. Sitting Bull spent most of his life trying to protect his people. A proud father and brave warrior, Sitting Bull wanted the Lakota Sioux to continue hunting buffalo and roaming the Plains. Although he lost this battle, Sitting Bull is remembered for his brave actions and notable accomplishments.

Blackfeet Indian Stories

Here are the great stories of the Blackfeet, recorded by the famous conservationist and ethnologist, George Bird Grinnell, who became a tribal member in 1885. The Nizitapi, or Real People, as they call each other, were people of the buffalo. They originated on the plains of today’s southern Alberta, western Saskatchewan, and central Montana. Famed frontier artist George Catlin called the Blackfeet “the most
powerful tribe of Indians on the continent.” Like many native people, the Blackfeet have stories and legends that originated centuries ago, perhaps thousands of years ago, and were passed down from generation to generation through an oral tradition.

The Double Life of Pocahontas

In a story that is as gripping as it is historical, Newbery Honor-winning author Jean Fritz reveals the true life of Pocahontas. Though at first permitted to move freely between the Indian and the white worlds, Pocahontas was eventually torn between her new life and the culture that shaped her.

The Buffalo and the Indians: A Shared Destiny

Countless herds of majestic buffalo once roamed across the plains and prairies of North America. For at least 10,000 years, the native people hunted the buffalo and depended upon its meat and hide for their survival. But to the Indians, the buffalo was also considered sacred. They saw this abundant, powerful animal as another tribe, one that was closely related to them, and they treated it with great respect and admiration.

Hidden Roots

"Hidden Roots" focuses on the greater impact that the generations of Abenaki that followed had to deal with. Readers will learn about the loss of identity, history and culture;lack ofself worth and fear that Abenaki people were feeling, and still feel today. Middle grade readers love to see life as "being fair", and will totally understand that life is not fair in this story. This is a book that should be read in every middle school class, so that this history will not be forgotten, and never be repeated.

Children of the Longhouse

When Ohkwa'ri overhears a group of older boys planning a raid on a neighboring village, he immediately tells his Mohawk elders. He has done the right thing—but he has also made enemies. Grabber and his friends will do anything they can to hurt him, especially during the village-wide game of Tekwaarathon (lacrosse). Ohkwa'ri believes in the path of peace, but can peaceful ways work against Grabber's wrath?

Thunder Rolling in the Mountains

Through the eyes of a brave and in­dependent young woman, Scott O'Dell tells of the tragic defeat of the Nez Perce, a classic tale of cruelty, betrayal, and heroism.

This powerful account of the tragic defeat of the Nez Perce Indians in 1877 by the United States Army is narrated by Chief Joseph's strong and brave daughter.

When Sound of Running Feet first sees white settlers on Nez Perce land, she vows to fight them. She'll fight all the people trying to steal her people's land and to force them onto a reservation, includ­ing the soldiers with their guns.

But if to fight means only to die, never win, is the fight worth it? When will the killing stop?

Black Hawk

Before dying, Pyesa, Black Hawk’s father and chief of his people, commanded his son to defend their land from whites, who were trying to force the tribe off their land. Black Hawk, however, has no taste for killing and scalping and goes through great internal conflict. The story of this great-hearted leader shows how some whites and Native Americans were peaceful and kind, while others were not. Based on true events, this powerful book teaches about a difficult time period and shares profound, unique messages about love, faith, mercy, humility, friendship, forgiveness, and faith. Recommended for ages 13-18/Grade 7-12

Moccasin Trail (Puffin Newbery Library)

Jim Keath has lived for six years as a Crow Indian when he learns that his two younger brothers and a sister are journeying west to take up land. Although Jim finds it difficult to fit in with the family he hasn’t seen since childhood, and though they are wary and distrustful of him, Jim feels his duty is at their side. But slowly, as they survive the dangerous trek west, the perils of frontier life, and the kidnapping of their younger brother, Jim and his family realize that the only way to survive is to accept each other and truly reunite the family.

The Pueblo Indians,: Farmers of the Rio Grande

Young hawk lived over 400 years ago, but the civilization of the pueblo indians, already well advanced before any white settlers came into their land, has changed very little since his day.

Sacajawea

Captured by her enemies, married to a foreigner, and a mother at age sixteen, Sacajawea lived a life of turmoil and change. Then, in 1804, the mysterious young Shoshone woman met Meriwether Lewis and William Clark. Acting as interpreter, peacemaker, and guide, Sacajawea bravely embarked on an epic journey that altered history forever. Hear her extraordinary story, in the voices of Sacajawea and William Clark in alternating chapters, with selections from Clark’s original diaries.

The Birchbark House (Birchbark House, 1)

She was named Omakakiins, or Little Frog, because her first step was a hop.

Omakakiins and her family live on an island in Lake Superior. Though there are growing numbers of white people encroaching on their land, life continues much as it always has.

But the satisfying rhythms of their life are shattered when a visitor comes to their lodge one winter night, bringing with him an invisible enemy that will change things forever—but that will eventually lead Omakakiins to discover her calling.

Naya Nuki: Shoshoni Girl Who Ran (Amazing Indian Children Series)

After being taken prisoner by an enemy tribe, a Shoshoni girl escapes and makes a thousand-mile journey through the wilderness to find her own people

Squanto, Friend Of The Pilgrims

Tells of the adventurous life of the Wampanoag Indian,Squanto.

Plains Indians (First Nations of North America)

This title teaches readers about the first people to live in the Plains region of North America. It discusses their culture, customs, ways of life, interactions with other settlers, and their lives today.

Next, look at these facts about spin drums.

4 Cool Native American Drum Facts

  1. Drums are used for celebrations, rituals of death, healing, and to communicate with tribal ancestors and spirits.
  2. Tribes believed that the sound of a drum is like a human’s heartbeat and resembles Mother Earth’s heartbeat.
  3. Most Native Americans made their drums using a combination of cow, elk, or deer hide and logs.
  4. Drum circles symbolized unity and harmony and were an expression of Native Americans’ heritage and beliefs.
How to Make A Spin Drum | 10 Native American Crafts for Kids

Additionally, look at these Native American crafts for kids.

10 Native American Crafts for Kids

  1. How to Make a Wigwam Craft for a Fun Native American Unit Study is a great hands-on activity to do when learning about Powhatan and other tribes that used them.
  2. Here are 13 Easy Native American Crafts for Kids & Make a Cool Arrowhead from clay that makes a really cool keepsake especially if you can’t get your hands on the real deal.
  3. This Step-by-Step Native American Diorama is an amazingly detailed and creative example of a diorama.
  4. Learn How To Make A Feather And Beaded Necklace Craft For Kids using simple craft supplies.
  5. Make a Super Cute DIY Native American Headband Craft for Kids to wear as they learn about different tribes.
  6. Try these Native American Activities For Kindergarten and Create A Fun Cradleboard Craft.
  7. Find some great Native American Crafts for Kindergarten and also How to Make a Kids Pinch Pot as tribes like Pueblo, Navajo, and Cherokee might have crafted.
  8. Celebrate National Native American Heritage Day and Make a Fun Kids Iroquois Bracelet from wood beads.
  9. Learn How to Make a Felt Teepee to add to a diorama or just to display on your shelf.
  10. Get some Daniel Boone Explorer Facts And Make a Fun Birch Bark Canoe Craft like the Shawnee would have made.
How to Make A Spin Drum | 10 Native American Crafts for Kids

Finally, look how to make this Native American spin drum.

Spin Drum Native American Crafts for Kids

You will need:

  • Corrugated cardboard
  • Scissors
  • Craft paint
  • String
  • beads
  • Tissue paper
  • markers
  • Hot glue gun/glue sticks
How to Make A Spin Drum | 10 Native American Crafts for Kids

First, trace a small round object 2 times, about 3”-4” diameter is perfect.

Use a ruler to trace a 1” wide long strip, how long will depend on the size of your round circles.

Make it longer than you think you will need and then cut it down later.

How to Make A Spin Drum | 10 Native American Crafts for Kids

Cut all your pieces out.

How to Make A Spin Drum | 10 Native American Crafts for Kids

Use the edge of your scissors to make cuts every ⅛” on one side of your cardboard strip, only cutting through the top layer of paper.

This gives it flexibility and makes it much easier to create curves.

How to Make A Spin Drum | 10 Native American Crafts for Kids

Run a thick line of hot glue 2’3” long around the edge of one of the circles.

Quickly press and hold the strip onto the glue and hold it in place until the glue hardens.

How to Make A Spin Drum | 10 Native American Crafts for Kids

Continue around like this, trim the strip to fit, and glue the end in place.

I left mine just shy of the ends touching the other side so that I could get hot glue inside to hold the handle in place.

Spin Drum Native American Crafts for Kids

This hole will be the very bottom of your drum.

How to Make A Spin Drum | 10 Native American Crafts for Kids

Use a skewer to poke a hole from one side and straight out the other and wiggle the skewer around a bit to enlarge the hole.

How to Make A Spin Drum | 10 Native American Crafts for Kids

Push the string through the hole and make a couple of knots on the inside, pull the string out to the knots and hot glue in place, do this through both holes.

You want your string long enough so that the bead on the end will hit roughly the center of the drum as you rotate it.

On the opposite side run hot glue just inside the lip and press your second circle inside, use the hole you left to press it upward with the skewer if you push it down too far.

How to Make A Spin Drum | 10 Native American Crafts for Kids

Paint thinned-out glue all over the surface area and sides of the drum, working in sections.

How to Make A Spin Drum | 10 Native American Crafts for Kids

Press tissue paper into the glue all around and tear the tissue around the string so it can move freely.

Continue to “paint” with glue and cover the entire drum, painting over top of the tissue as well to create an animal skin look.

How to Make A Spin Drum | 10 Native American Crafts for Kids

Put some hot glue in the hole you left in the bottom, be generous, and slide the skewer in over the hot glue, allowing it to harden.

Prop the drum up in a cup and allow the glue to dry.

While waiting for the glue to dry you can paint your wooden beads. Let these dry.

How to Make A Spin Drum | 10 Native American Crafts for Kids

Once everything is dehydrated, add beads to the string and knot the thread, add a dab of hot glue if needed to be sure they are secure.

Use a marker to draw whatever designs you like; just as native Americans might have done.

How to Make A Spin Drum | 10 Native American Crafts for Kids

Leave a CommentFiled Under: Hands-On Activities Tagged With: drum, hands on history, hands-on, hands-on activities, handson, handsonhomeschooling, Native Americans, nativeamerican, nativeamericans

How to Make a Fun Mad Hatter Headband Craft in Literature

November 5, 2023 | Leave a Comment
This post may contain affiliate links. For more information, please see my full disclosure policy.

I have a fun mad hatter headband craft in literature. Also, you’ll love this post Hands-On Literature: Make Alice in Wonderland Easy Cupcakes.

Did you know that National Mad Hatter Day is November 6th?

It is the perfect excuse to try my craft in literature idea, a fun mad hatter headband.

How to Make a Fun Mad Hatter Headband Craft in Literature

I created this tutorial out of common craft objects that most of us would have around the house already to make it easy and inexpensive.

You will also find a collection of ideas on how to create a craft in literature for several popular books that we all know and love.

Alice in Wonderland Facts

  • The character of Alice was based on a real-life little girl named Alice Liddell who was the daughter of Carroll’s boss, Henry Liddell, the dean of Christ Church College at Oxford.
  • Lewis Carroll’s real name was Charles Lutwidge Dodgson
  • The book was originally titled Alice’s Adventures Under Ground on the handwritten manuscript. A few more possible titles were Alice’s Hour in Elf Land and Alice Among the Fairies.
  • The phrase “mad as a hatter” started being used because hat makers often got dementia from the mercury used in curing felt. However, Carroll popularized and licensed the phrase.
  • Lewis Carroll suffered from a rare neurological disorder that caused him to have strange hallucinations and affected the size of visual objects, making the objects seem bigger or smaller than they were. Which of course you will see featured throughout the book.

Of course, you want to make sure you have a copy of Lewis Carrol’s classic, Alice In Wonderland.

How to Make a Fun Mad Hatter Headband Craft in Literature

Next, look at these other literature crafts.

Ideas for Crafts in Literature

9 Crafts in Literature Ideas

Here are another 9 great ideas for craft in literature projects to go along with any of your units or just as a fun activity on its own.

Photo Credit: www.cindyderosier.com

Paper Plate Cheshire Cat

To me, there is only one acceptable movie version of Alice in Wonderland, and that is the 1951 Disney cartoon. I'm sure there's merit to the versions that have come after it, but this will forever be the Cheshire Cat to me.

How to Make a Hobbit Door Craft

I have a fun The Hobbit unit study and a hobbit door craft. Also, grab more ideas on my Best Homeschool Unit Studies page.
Photo Credit: www.ruralmom.com

Secret Garden Shadow Box Craft Rural Mom

It’s lovely to see celebrated stories from our childhood come to life. Perhaps you read “The Secret Garden” by Frances Hodgson Burnett as a school assignment. Or like me, maybe you saw the 1987 Hallmark film, fell in love with the story and then discovered the book. Maybe you are brand-new to learning about the story because just recently heard about film that will be released later this year.

Free Swiss Family Robinson Unit Study And Easy DIY Water Filter

When I think of how I can create a Swiss Family Robinson unit study that is more than just a literature study the first thing that comes to mind is survival.

Photo Credit: tablelifeblog.com

Quick & Easy Stained Glass Suncatcher Craft Inspired by The Green Ember

This Green Ember suncatcher came to be as my daughter and I finished reading S.D. Smith’s The Green Ember with our FaceTime Book Club friends. We wanted to create something to document our time reading it, but that would also capture the spirit of story

Today in 1884 The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn was published and was banned quickly. And because reading should be fun, I have a fun stem raft craft to go along with The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn homeschool literature.

Photo Credit: www.forgetfulmomma.com

Charlotte's Web - Watercolor Web

We’re just finished with Charlotte’s Web, a favorite of mine from growing up. To add a little more Charlotte’s Web to our day, we did this watercolor web as an art project.

Photo Credit: countrydesignstyle.com

1 Cool book page project

How to make tassels using book pages

Hands-On Literature Nature Study: Simple Tree Craft

Spring is here, and that means most of us homeschooling mamas are getting out all our nature study materials, making notes, and organizing some fun educational activities to get our kids outside and learning some science (without them even realizing they are learning science).

Finally, how to make this mad hatter head band.

How to Make a Fun Mad Hatter Headband

Create your own mad hatter headband with things that are probably already in your craft supplies to wear to an afternoon tea party, co-op, book club, or just for fun.

You will need:

  • Black craft foam
  • Headband
  • Ribbon
  • Craft feathers
  • Pipe cleaner
  • Playing card
  • Hot glue gun/sticks
How to Make a Fun Mad Hatter Headband Craft in Literature

You could also add flowers or other little trinkets to make it your own.

First, use a circular object to trace a circle somewhere between 3 ½” -5” across.

How to Make a Fun Mad Hatter Headband Craft in Literature

Cut an 11”x 5” rectangle out of black foam.

How to Make a Fun Mad Hatter Headband

Roll the black rectangle so that one end is narrower than the other, the smaller end should fit on your circle with at least 1” all the way around.

How to Make a Fun Mad Hatter Headband Craft in Literature

Hot glue into place and cut off the ends so they are straight.

How to Make a Fun Mad Hatter Headband Craft in Literature

Wrap the rolled piece of craft foam in ribbon at the smaller end, and line up the seams with the ones on the craft foam, we are going to cover those up in a bit.

How to Make a Fun Mad Hatter Headband Craft in Literature

Trace the wide end on craft foam and cut out the circle to create the top of the hat.

Slip just inside the top of the hat and hot glue a little bit at a time all the way around.

How to Make a Fun Mad Hatter Headband Craft in Literature

Run a thick bead of hot glue around the smaller end with the ribbon and press it into place on the circle that will form the brim, hold it in place until the glue hardens.

How to Make a Fun Mad Hatter Headband Craft in Literature

Create a fun fanciful twist by wrapping a pipe cleaner around your finger.

How to Make a Fun Mad Hatter Headband Craft in Literature

Tuck the twist, and a little white piece of craft foam with 10/6 (the Mad Hatter’s hat size) inside the ribbon, place over the seam, and secure with hot glue.

How to Make a Fun Mad Hatter Headband Craft in Literature

Cut a Queen of Hearts card in half and slip into the ribbon, covering a little more of the seam.

Finish disguising the seam with colorful feathers glued into place over it.

How to Make a Fun Mad Hatter Headband Craft in Literature

Apply a thick puddle of hot glue to the center of the underside of the hat, and allow it to cool slightly, press the headband into glue and hold until dried.

How to Make a Fun Mad Hatter Headband Craft in Literature

Cut a small piece of foam and cover the hot glue puddle if you like.

How to Make a Fun Mad Hatter Headband Craft in Literature

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

How to Make An Embroidered African Map Fun Geography Craft

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

Creating a geography craft is a fantastic way to teach geography in a hands-on way that won’t soon be forgotten. Also, look at my pages Homeschool Geography , Free Africa Unit Study for Kids Who Love Hands-on Learning | Free Continent & Country Reports and Learn About Indigenous Animal Geography Fun Activity for Preschool to Elementary for more ideas and tips.

When you think of geography most likely you think of map skills, states, countries, mountain ranges, etc.

But it is so much more than that.

Geography is the study of Earth and the forces that shape it, both physical and human.

Specifically, it is the study of Earth’s landscapes, its people, places, and the environment.

I am going to show you how to make an embroidered map.

We made Africa but you can apply the same technique to any map you like.

How to Make An Embroidered African Map Fun Geography Craft

You also don’t need to be an embroidery expert.

I am fairly new to it myself. If you know how to sew a basic stitch, you can create this pretty keepsake map.

Not only is sewing your embroidery map a fantastic way for kids to learn geography but they also are learning a beautiful handiwork skill that will translate into hobbies or maybe even a career later in life.

It is great practice in fine motor skills, patience, planning, spatial recognition, and of course art!

6 Facts About The Continent of Africa

First, look at these facts about Africa.

  1. There are 54 different countries in Africa and 9 dependent territories with more than 1.3 billion people living on the continent.
  2. More than half of the African continent is covered by grassland or savannah.
  3. Northern Africa is made up mostly of the vast Sahara Desert and the semi-arid Sahel zone which also includes fertile land in the Nile delta.
  4. Central Africa has rainforests and coastal plains. It is also home to the continent’s highest mountains and lakes.
  5. Southern Africa is mainly on a high plateau.
  6. The southernmost city on the African continent is Cape Town in South Africa. It has about 5 million inhabitants and is one of the most populous cities in the world.
How to Make An Embroidered African Map Fun Geography Craft

Next, look at some of these books to add to your collection about Africa.

Books About Africa

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 more geography crafts.

More Geography Craft Ideas

  • How to Make a Paper Mache Planet Earth is a simple classic craft idea to familiarize your child with the landforms and bodies of water of the planet.
  • Make a Fun and Easy Salt Dough Daniel Boone Wilderness Road Map
  • Paper Art Landforms are beautiful and interesting, helping to cement the different landforms in their mind.
  • Hands-on Geography Mesopotamia: Fun Salt Dough Map
  • As a big fan of LEGO I of course agree– Is There Anything You Can’t Do With Lego? This demonstrates a simple map of Australia. Crafts don’t have to be consumable items, a reusable resource like LEGO gives you endless use.
  • Hands-on Geography: Longitude/Latitude Mapmaking Activity
  • Lewis and Clark Louisiana Purchase Edible Map
  • Another delicious map idea is How to Make a Rice Krispies Edible Map.
  • Marco Polo Unit Study – Salt Dough Map + Free Printable Map Flags

Finally, look at how to learn a handwork skill and geography too.

Embroidered Map Fun Geography Craft

Depending on skill, age, ability, and how often it is worked on this will probably take about 2-4 hours total.

It is a lot for one day, especially for a child who is new to the craft and should be broken up over several days.

Also, know that the marker fades after several days.

You will need:

  • Embroidery fabric 
  • Embroidery needles
  • Embroidery thread
  • Embroidery loom
  • Water erasable pen 
  • Map outline of Africa

Print a physical map of Africa (or whatever continent or country you like).

How to Make An Embroidered African Map Fun Geography Craft

I highly recommend reducing the size by 25% or 50% before printing.

I printed my full size, and it was too big for my hoop.

If this is the case for you just move the fabric around until you can embroider the whole piece.

Cut a piece of thin embroidery fabric to a few inches larger than the map all the way around.

Tape the printout to a window and then tape the fabric over it.

Use the fabric marker to trace the outline of the map.

How to Make An Embroidered African Map Fun Geography Craft

Then any important characteristics like mountains, rivers, etc.

How to Make An Embroidered African Map Fun Geography Craft

Place your fabric on your embroidery hoop, pull it tight, and tighten down the screw.

How to Make An Embroidered African Map Fun Geography Craft

Cut off a piece of black thread about as long as your arm.

You can use the full thickness of the embroidery thread or carefully pull off 3 or 4 of the strings to use if you would like a thinner line. 

How to Make An Embroidered African Map Fun Geography Craft

Run the thread through the needle, leaving about 3 inches of a tail coming out the eye of the needle. On the other end knot as close to the end as you can and then trim excess.

How to Make An Embroidered African Map Fun Geography Craft

Come through the back side with the needle, pinching the tail of the thread with the needle.  Start at one end of the outline and stitch in and out, starting a new stitch very close to the last one. 

Continue until you have filled in the complete outline.

When you’re finished with the outline, tie a knot in the end of the thread, as close as you can to the fabric.

Use different colors to mark off each of the topographical features like mountains and rivers.

Fill in each area with a different type of stitch if you like to create interest and make it more obvious that the land is different.

How to Make An Embroidered African Map Fun Geography Craft

Flip your fabric over and cut any loose threads to clean up the back. It’s okay if your back is messy from big knots or thread running all the way across, you won’t see it on the final product!

How to Make An Embroidered African Map Fun Geography Craft

You can either wait for the purple fabric marker to fade to invisible or use a wet paintbrush to brush away the marker, it will just fade out.

To display, you can either mount it in a hoop, place it in a frame behind glass, or back it with felt to make it stiff for tabletop use.

How to Make An Embroidered African Map Fun Geography Craft

Leave a CommentFiled Under: Hands-On Activities Tagged With: Africa, crafts, geography, handicraft, hands on history, hands-on, hands-on activities, handson, handsonhomeschooling, homeschool geography, homeschoolgeography, map

Fun Styrofoam Snowman Art Activity & 5 Facts About The Wonders of Winter

November 2, 2023 | Leave a Comment
This post may contain affiliate links. For more information, please see my full disclosure policy.

We’re making a fun styrofoam snowman art activity to celebrate the wonders of winter. Be sure you grab more ideas for winter fun on my page Winter Season Unit Study.

Even if you don’t have much or any snow on the ground where you live you can still enjoy a sweet little indoor snowman that never melts as part of your unit study.

When studying winter, frigid temperatures, snow, snowflakes, and all that comes with it you will want a great hands-on activity or two to go along with it.

This is a great snowman art activity for teens but can be adapted to a simpler technique for any age with some help from you.

Fun Styrofoam Snowman Art Activity & 5 Facts About The Wonders of Winter

I got the main pieces that I used in the activity from Dollar Tree, so it is super inexpensive.

I also bought 2 floral foam packs and Epsom salts for $3.75 with plenty of Epsom salts left over to use for crafts or soaking.

Add a few books like Nature Anatomy to study snowflakes, some winter facts, and another snowman craft or two and you have the makings of a fantastic winter study for the whole family to enjoy.

Fun Styrofoam Snowman Art Activity & 5 Facts About The Wonders of Winter

Don’t forget to include a yummy cup of hot cocoa loaded with marshmallows to make your lesson even more special.

5 Facts About The Wonders of Winter

  1. Snow occasionally falls in unexpected places like Hawaii or the Sahara Desert. In 2011 the Atacama Desert in Chile got almost 32 inches of snow due to a rare cold front from Antarctica.
  2. When rain reaches the freezing point, which is 32 degrees Fahrenheit, it turns into snow.
  3. Chionophobia is the persistent fear of snow, especially the fear of becoming trapped by snow.
  4. The highest snowfall ever recorded in 24 hours in the United States was 6.3 feet of snow and occurred in 1921 in Silver Lake, Colorado.
  5. There are an average of 105 snow-producing storms in the United States in a typical year, they typically last about 2 to 5 days.
Fun Styrofoam Snowman Art Activity & 5 Facts About The Wonders of Winter

Too, you’ll love these books about the winter season.

I always lean toward living books when I can find them then add in non-fiction books for reference.

13 Snow, Snowman, Animals, and Winter Books

Add one or more of these books to your learning day if you're learning about snow, snowflakes, winter or just for fun.

Winter Cottage

Immerse Yourself in This Story of Love and Companionship Amidst Deprivation

It is the fall of 1930, and America has plunged into the Great Depression. On a remote dirt road deep in the snowy woods of northern Wisconsin, misfortune forces the impoverished Sparkes family to take desperate measures.

A wayfaring quartet consisting of thirteen-year-old Araminta (nicknamed Minty), her recently unemployed father-a poetry-quoting widower called Pops-and her younger sister, Eglantine (known as Eggs-a dreamer like Pops), and their dog, Buster, are on their way to Minneapolis to live with the curmudgeonly Aunt Amy. When their car breaks down and they are unable to fix it, the homeless four stumble upon a vacant summer cottage by a lake. In desperate straits, they decide to settle in.

1. The Story of Snow: The Science of Winter's Wonder

How do snow crystals form? What shapes can they take? Are no two snow crystals alike? These questions and more are answered inside this exploration of the science of snow, featuring photos of real snow crystals in all their beautiful diversity. Perfect for reading on winter days, this book by a nature photographer and a snow scientist will inspire wonder and curiosity about the marvels of snow. 

2. Sneezy the Snowman

B-R-R-R-R! AH-CHOO! Sneezy the Snowman is cold, cold, cold. To warm up, he drinks cocoa, sits in a hot tub, stands near a warm fire–and melts! But the children know just what to do to build him up again–and make him feel “just right”.

3. Snowmen at Night

Have you ever built a snowman and discovered the next day that his grin has gotten a little crooked, or his tree-branch arms have moved? And you've wondered . . . what do snowmen do at night? This delightful wintertime tale reveals all!

4. The Biggest Snowman Ever

When the mayor of Mouseville announces the town snowman contest, Clayton and Desmond claim that they will each make the biggest snowman ever. But building a huge snowman alone is hard! They work and work, but their snowmen just aren't big enough. Soon they have an idea. As the day of the contest approaches, Clayton and Desmond join forces to build the biggest snowman ever.

5. Over and 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 exploring the subnivean zone 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.

A Hat for Minerva Louise

"Stoeke's second book about that intrepid screwball, Minerva Louise, is a rare find."—The Horn Book, starred review. The other chickens hate snowy mornings. But not Minerva Louise! To her a snowy day—like everything else—is an adventure. But this chilly, chipper hen needs something to keep her warm. What she finds—and how she finds it—will keep young readers cackling.

6. How to Catch a Snowman

Our heroes' entry for the snowman contest has magically come to life―and ran away! Can YOU help catch it? Get ready for snow much fun as you travel through a winter wonderland with running, skating, and bouncing through trap after trap to catch the snowman and claim the winning prize. Will the snowman teach our heroes a lesson they'll never forget?

The Big Snow

When the geese begin to fly south, the leaves flutter down from the trees and the cold winds begin to blow from the north, the animals of the woods and meadows, big and small, prepare for the long, cold winter ahead when the countryside is hidden under a deep blanket of snow. They gather food and look for warm, snug places in the ground, trees, caves or thickets, where they can find protection against the icy winds.It might have been hard for the birds and animals of the hillside to survive when the Big Snow came if their good friends, who lived in the little stone house, had not remembered to put food out for them.Here, in many beautiful pictures, the Haders show how winter comes to the woodland as the busy animals make their preparations.

7. Curious About Snow (Smithsonian)

The Smithsonian does things right and this Curious About Snow book is a
great introduction for curious kiddos with real images and simple explanations.

8. 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.

9. Arctic Figurines, Including A Harp Seal, Husky, Caribou, Arctic Rabbit, Killer Whale, Walrus, Arctic Fox, Beluga Whale, Igloo, And Polar Bear

SET OF 10 FUN AND FRIGID FIGURES – It’s hard to stay warm at the North Pole, but you can discover its wonders in your home with these frigid friends. This TOOB includes a Harp Seal, Husky, Caribou, Arctic Rabbit, Killer Whale, Walrus, Arctic Fox, Beluga Whale, Igloo, and Polar Bear.

10. 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.

More Snowman Crafts for Winter

  • Here are Snow and Snowflake Facts for Kids and a Fun Hands-on Exploding Snowman activity.
  • Winter Craft Ideas for Kids Animals in Winter Fun Snow Slime.
  • Crafts for Winter An Easy and Fun Polar Bear Fork Painting.
  • Let me show you How to Make an Adorable Toilet Roll Snowman for Winter Crafts.
  • Two Fun Candy Cane Hands-on Science Winter Experiments.
  • Cardinal Birds in Winter and Birch Trees Easy Watercolor Kids Activity.
  • These Cute and Simple Snowman Story Stones Winter Art Activities For Preschoolers are a great tool for open-ended play but also can encourage your child to develop their imagination and storytelling skills.
  • Julie of the Wolves Free Hands-on Arctic Unit Study.
  • Winter Craft Ideas How to Make Fun Pinecone Flowers.
  • Easy and Fun Pine Cone Snowy Owl Winter Craft for Kindergarten.
  • Fun Selfie Salt Dough Gingerbread Kids Activity for Long Winter Nights.
  • Easy DIY Fun Salt Winter Watercolor Art Project for Kids.

Finally, look at this snowman art activity.

Snowman Art Activity

You can have everyone in the family create a unique snowman to put a whole grouping on display.

You will need:

  • Styrofoam balls
  • Foam disk
  • Felt or fabric scraps
  • Skewer or dowel
  • Sticks
  • Buttons, beads, or beans
  • Epsom salt
  • Glitter-optional
  • Tacky glue, craft or School glue
Fun Styrofoam Snowman Art Activity & 5 Facts About The Wonders of Winter

First, pour Epsom salts and some glitter to give it a little extra shimmer into a large shallow container and set aside.

Cover 3 styrofoam balls and the styrofoam disc in glue.

You can use school glue but I really like the tacky glue that I linked above.

It is nice and thick and holds very well.

To use the glue, squeeze some out into a container and use a paintbrush to coat the entire surface thickly.

Fun Styrofoam Snowman Art Activity & 5 Facts About The Wonders of Winter

Roll the balls in the Epsom salts until completely covered, gently tap off excess, and repeat to make sure all the glue is covered.

Fun Styrofoam Snowman Art Activity & 5 Facts About The Wonders of Winter

Do the same thing with the disc but leave the underside without glue or Epsom.

How to Make A Snowman Art Activity

Set aside and allow it to dry for several hours or overnight.

Fun Styrofoam Snowman Art Activity & 5 Facts About The Wonders of Winter

While waiting for the glue to dry you can cut a long scrap of fabric or felt for a scarf, fringe the edge by making close little cuts in the end.

Fun Styrofoam Snowman Art Activity & 5 Facts About The Wonders of Winter

I didn’t measure for the hat and your styrofoam balls may be a different size than mine so just eyeball it by wrapping felt around it to make sure it will fit.

Fun Styrofoam Snowman Art Activity & 5 Facts About The Wonders of Winter

Then bunch the top, tie it off with string, and make a little fringe, fold up the bottom edge once or twice, and then hot glue it.

Fun Styrofoam Snowman Art Activity & 5 Facts About The Wonders of Winter

Paint a small piece of stick orange to use as a carrot.

Fun Styrofoam Snowman Art Activity & 5 Facts About The Wonders of Winter

You may at this point want to add a coat or two of either clear spray sealer or some Mod Podge to the covered styrofoam pieces to help everything stick together for long-term storage.

Push small sticks into the sides for arms.

Fun Styrofoam Snowman Art Activity & 5 Facts About The Wonders of Winter

Hot glue buttons down the front.

Fun Styrofoam Snowman Art Activity & 5 Facts About The Wonders of Winter

Push in buttons or beads for eyes and a smile.

Assemble the balls on top of your styrofoam disc using a short skewer or dowel roll pushed down through the base. Then push each layer down on top of that.

Press in the nose and hot glue the hat on top.

Fun Styrofoam Snowman Art Activity & 5 Facts About The Wonders of Winter

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

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