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Edible Rock Cycle Fudge | Hands-on Rock Activities & Free Notebooking Pages

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This post may contain affiliate links. For more information, please see my full disclosure policy.

We really love to do rock activities that are easy. Also, look at my Free Earth Science Lapbook & Unit Study Ideas.

There are so many different hands-on activities to do when learning about rocks.

We did a Metamorphic Edible Rocks & Notebooking Pages activity a while back and today we decided to whip out an edible rock cycle fudge. (yum)

Edible Rock Cycle Fudge | Hands-on Rock Activities & Free Notebooking Pages

Your kids will love seeing the different processes of the rock cycle while making rock cycle fudge. This is great for your middle school kids to do.

Your kids will love seeing the different processes of the rock cycle while making rock cycle fudge. This is great for your middle school kids to do.

Make Edible Rock Cycle Fudge

Let the younger ones measure and stir the ingredients when they are not hot.

Edible Rock Cycle Fudge | Hands-on Rock Activities & Free Notebooking Pages

Otherwise, turn this activity over to your kids. Yes, easy activities are my style.

Let’s go. Here is what you need.

  • Microwave | two bowls (one needs to be microwave safe)
  • spatula
  • wax paper
  • thin cookie sheet
  • liquid and dry measuring cups
  • 1/2 cup silt (sweetened condensed milk)
  • 1/2 cup quartz crystals (sugar)
  • 1 T. sediment (softened butter)
  • 1 cup limestone pieces (marshmallows)
  • 1/4 cup or more sandstone pieces (we used walnuts because we love them, but pecans are fine too)
  • | 3/4 cup basalt pieces (chocolate chips)
  • 1/2 t. vanilla extract

Add the milk, sugar and softened butter in microwave safe mixing bowl and stir to mix. Set aside.

Edible Rock Cycle Fudge

In the second bowl combine the one cup of marshmallows, 1/4 cup of walnuts or pecan pieces, 3/4 cup of chocolate chips, and 1/2 teaspoon of vanilla extract.

Edible Rock Cycle Fudge | Hands-on Rock Activities & Free Notebooking Pages

Place the mixing bowl with the milk, sugar, and butter in the microwave.

Microwave it three times for 45 seconds each.

After each time, take it out, stir, and microwave again.

Edible Rock Cycle Fudge | Hands-on Rock Activities & Free Notebooking Pages

After the third time, pour the marshmallows, walnuts and chocolate chips into the bowl.

Everything should start melting.

(By the way since the mixing bowl has been microwaved 3 times, it’s hot. So your kids may want to use an oven mitten.)

If it’s not hot enough and melting, stick it in the microwave again and give it a few more seconds.

Edible Rock Cycle Fudge | Hands-on Rock Activities & Free Notebooking Pages

Pour out onto wax paper which is placed on a cookie sheet and refrigerate overnight.

Or, if you’re like us and can’t wait that long, stick it in the freezer for a while and cheat.

Here are some questions to ask about the rock cycle.

  1. What is the rock cycle? It’s how rocks are formed, it’s how rocks breakdown, and it’s how rocks form into other rocks.
  2. How is the fudge similar to the rock cycle? (Magma is chocolate, different pieces are sediment and when it cools, it’s igneous rock.)
  3. What is sediment? (Metamorphic rocks can break down and turn into sediment).
  4. What happens when we apply heat to a sedimentary rock?
  5. What is magma?

Look at some other hands-on rock activities I’ve rounded up and love.

 Rocks Unit Studies

 Rock Printables, Lesson Plans and Activities

Now, look at some rock printables, lesson plans and activities.

Living Books About Rocks

And my favorite rock living book with hands-on activities.

6 Rock Unit Study Books & Fun Resources

Whatever grade you're teaching, you'll love adding one of these books or resources to your day.

Edible Rock Cycle Fudge | Hands-on Rock Activities & Free Notebooking Pages

Media About Rocks

More Ideas for Edible Rock Activities

Free 3 Notebooking Pages

Next, use my pages below to add your child’s thoughts about rocks.

  1. 3 Types of Rock Definition Page
  2. How Are Rocks Formed, Define Weathering, & Describe the Rock Cycle
  3. The ABCs of Rocks.

How to Get the Free Notebooking Pages

Now, how to grab the freebies. They are subscriber freebies.

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

1) Sign up on my email list.
2) Grab the freebie now.
3) Last, look for all my emails in your inbox. Glad to have you following me!

Don’t forget to follow BOTH of my Pinterest accounts for AWESOME pins.

Visit Tina Robertson’s profile on Pinterest.


Visit Tinas Dynamic Homeschool ‘s profile on Pinterest.

Your kids will love seeing the different processes of the rock cycle while making rock cycle fudge. This is great for your middle school kids to do. And grab some free hands-on homeschool ideas for studying about the fascinating topic of rocks. Click here to make this delicious and fun activity!

How to Make a Watermelon Sensory Bin for Play and Learning

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This post may contain affiliate links. For more information, please see my full disclosure policy.

Today I’m showing you how easy it is to make a summer theme watermelon sensory bin that is perfect for play and learning. Also, look at my page How to Homeschool Preschool for more ideas.

What may seem just like a fun container of rice is so much more than just play!

There are many benefits to sensory bins for preschoolers.

How to Make a Watermelon Sensory Bin for Play and Learning

And they can introduce a fun standalone theme like watermelon or be used as a springboard for a small unit study.

If you have not introduced sensory bins yet this is a perfect easy starter one that can be made into any size

You can spend a little time learning about how watermelons grow, planting your own seeds and watching them develop, and even taste testing different varieties to fill it out even more.

Make the entire week wildly watermelon themed with these additional sensory ideas which I have below.

Too, learn why sensory bins are such a wonderful part of preschool development.

Wild Watermelon Sensory Ideas

Grab Food Anatomy from the Julia Rothman series and learn a little bit more about different varieties of this delicious summer treat.

Include a taste test before or after the sensory bin to include even more of your child’s senses.

How to Make a Watermelon Sensory Bin for Play and Learning

We have also learned How to Make Fun Watermelon Seed Slime For Summer Learning, another great activity to involve several of the 5 senses and build hand muscles.

Make a Watermelon Squish Bag for a sensory treat that doesn’t make a mess.

I love that everything is contained in a tidy gallon zip top bag.

While slices of watermelon are fantastic on their own try putting a twist on it and get your kids in the kitchen learning all about following directions, measuring, and kitchen safely with a Kid Friendly Watermelon Slush.

These tempera paint sticks make for great painting projects and keep the mess to a minimum,

How to Make a Watermelon Sensory Bin for Play and Learning

They worked fantastically for a quick W is for watermelon picture.

Watermelon Moon Sand is a unique texture that kids love to play with (messy warning, this stuff sticks and spreads).

8 Benefits of Using Sensory Bins

Next look at the benefits of using sensory bins in your homeschool.

  1. Sensory bins are a calming activity where children can play independently or with others.
  2. Scooping with cups or spoons builds fine motor skills.
  3. Picking up items with fingers or tweezers develops grasp important for prewriting.
  4. Prompt cognitive development as children sort,
  5. Talking about what they find or are doing in the bin builds language development and vocabulary.
  6. Adding letters introduces literacy skills like letter identification, sounds, and building words.
  7. Counting and measuring objects in the sensory bin introduces early math concepts like counting, sorting, and volume.
  8. When playing with others it teaches children to share through cooperative play.
How to Make a Watermelon Sensory Bin for Play and Learning

Finally, look at how to make a watermelon sensory bin.

How to Make a Watermelon Sensory Bin

You will need:

  • Uncooked rice
  • red/pink food coloring
  • Hand sanitizer
  • Black beans or sunflower seeds
  • Containers and spoons
  • Optional-watermelon scent
How to Make a Watermelon Sensory Bin for Play and Learning

First, measure out enough uncooked rice to fill about 2” depth in whatever container you have chosen.

Stir in either liquid or gel food color along with enough hand sanitizer to help spread the color all around until you have reached your desired color.

Mix it up well and then spread out the rice as flat as you can, using a baking sheet if you like.

How to Make a Watermelon Sensory Bin for Play and Learning

Stir in scent at this time if you are going to use it as well.

How to Make a Watermelon Sensory Bin for Play and Learning

Lay your rice out in the sun to dry and stir every so often, the alcohol in the hand sanitizer helps it to dry fast.

Transfer rice to a shallow container for your sensory bin.

Sprinkle on some black beans or sunflower seeds for watermelon seeds

These are great for counting and sorting.

I happened to have sunflower seeds on hand and loved the way they looked as watermelon seeds.

Add in fun items for exploring like spoons, cups, bowls, mason jar rings, measuring cups and spoons.

You want items that can be used for filling, pouring, scooping, investigating volume, etc.

Next, include some letters to hide like W’s or even those to spell out w-a-t-e-r-m-e-l-o-n for a quick language lesson.

How to Make a Watermelon Sensory Bin for Play and Learning

I also included 4 wooden craft sticks to play with and these can also be used to form a w.

How to Make a Watermelon Sensory Bin for Play and Learning

Have your child sort out the watermelon “seeds” for counting.

How to Make a Watermelon Sensory Bin for Play and Learning

10 Geography Childrens Books | Easy Me On The Map Project

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Colorful engaging geography childrens books are a fun and memorable way to teach them all about locations and their characteristics. Look at my page Hands-On Simple And Best Homeschool Geography Ideas & Tips for more ideas.

But don’t think only preschoolers can benefit from picture books.

And be sure to show the younger ones more complex maps, mix it up and provide them with a mix of books to learn all about geography from.

10 Geography Childrens Books | Easy Me On The Map Project

The word Geography comes from the Greek word geo which means earth and graphy which means a writing or description.

It is the study of the physical features of the Earth.

Also, it’s a study of the atmosphere, and water.

Teaching Geography to Multiple Ages

It is learning about the 50 states and their capitals, the oceans, and what an island or physical map is.

Typically, upper elementary is when you begin more formal geography lessons starting with US geography and then moving onto the world in middle school.

However, I am a big believer in at least introducing the concept to your child from preschool years on through exploration, beautiful picture books, globes, games, and more.

With a great selection of maps, globes, games, apps and of course most importantly books you can teach geography without even using a curriculum.

Children can learn more than just how to read a map, immersing them in learning about languages, landforms, government, and cultures.

Early on kids desire to learn about their place in the world and how they fit into it.

10 Geography Childrens Books | Easy Me On The Map Project

This easy me on the map project helps make that wonder a little more tangible by showing how a smaller (but complete unto itself) object fits into a larger one.

For example, your neighborhood is in a city, that city is within a state, and that state is part of a country, that is part of a continent, and that continent is on planet earth.

You can leave your book with just the location labels or let your child get creative by writing words or drawing pictures that represent each one.

Geography Activities for Kids

First, look at more homeschool geography activities for kids.

10 Geography Childrens Books | Easy Me On The Map Project

10 Geography Children’s Books

Next, look at these fun geography children’s books which bring geography to life.

Add one or two your home library.

10 Geography Children's Books

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

Now that you have a big selection of books to choose from, grab some construction paper and let’s get going with today’s activity.

This project, while very simple, introduces not only the concept of me in the world or on the map but also demonstrates other skills.

For example, how to use a compass to create circles of different sizes, build fine motor skills through that as well as cutting, and allows your child to be creative with what they are learning.

Easy Me On The Map Project

You will need:

  • 6 colors of construction paper
  • Compass with pencil
  • Scissors
  • Markers or Crayons
  • Hole punch
  • Brad
10 Geography Childrens Books | Easy Me On The Map Project

First, begin making circles by using a compass to draw one on each color of construction paper, making them ½” larger each time.

If you don’t have a compass at hand, you can use bowls and cups of varying sizes to trace.

10 Geography Childrens Books | Easy Me On The Map Project

When you have all your circles lay them on top of each other, with all the excess at the bottom and holes punch through all of them at the top at the same time so it lines up nicely.

10 Geography Childrens Books | Easy Me On The Map Project

Write along the bottom edge in order from smallest to largest.

  • My neighborhood,
  • my city,
  • my state,
  • my country,
  • my continent, and
  • my planet.
10 Geography Childrens Books | Easy Me On The Map Project

Now, the fun part, let your child draw or write things about each place on the corresponding circle. Challenge older kids to do more, let younger kids draw simple pictures.

10 Geography Childrens Books | Easy Me On The Map Project

Finally, place your brand through the holes of your “book” and open the tabs, the book can now lie stacked or spread out to see everything.

10 Geography Childrens Books | Easy Me On The Map Project

Art of Foraging | How to Make A Dandelion Kids Activity Soap

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This post may contain affiliate links. For more information, please see my full disclosure policy.

Have you ever considered foraging for a dandelion kids activity? Also, look at my Foraging and Feasting Nature Unit Study and Lapbook.

I highly recommend foraging as an elective as well as part of your science/nature studies for everyone from preschool to high school.

Art of Foraging | How to Make A Dandelion Kids Activity Soap

You don’t have to go far to find a treasure trove of plants and flowers to forage, even as close as your own backyard. 

Weeds and flowers can be used for everything from topical creams to tummy, soothing teas and soaps.

It puts a whole new spin on picking flowers for mom.

Books About Foraging for Kids

Also, add some of these books to your learning day.

They make for great unit studies.

9 Foraging & Feasting Books & Resources For Kids Who Love to Read and Be Read To

Add one or two of these books and resources to your learning day. Foraging and feasting covers many unit study topics from science and history to geography and nature study. Bring your day to life with these fun books and resources.

And you can’t convince me that a bouquet of wildflowers isn’t just as beautiful as one made up of roses.

Today we’re learning about one simple flower that is typically looked at as a weed.

Art of Foraging | How to Make A Dandelion Kids Activity Soap

It can be turned into a moisturizing soap with many benefits.

The humble dandelion. 

Did you know that the entire dandelion is edible?

From petals to roots, every part of this wonderful flower can be eaten.

Additionally, it can be used in everything from jelly to lotions and soaps.

We are going to use it to create a dandelion infused oil first.

Then use that oil to create a rich moisturizing soap that is great for detoxing skin, clearing up acne, cleaning out pores, and is ultra moisturizing.

Need an educational benefit for this activity?

How about life skills, math, science and nature study, and possibly even entrepreneurial experience?

Homemade soap after all is a great homemade item for homeschoolers to create and sell.

Besides that, it’s fun to do a simple project like this with your kids just for the pure fun and joy of working side by side with them.

Art of Foraging | How to Make A Dandelion Kids Activity Soap

Next, look at some facts about foraging.

What is Foraging

Foraging is the act of gathering wild food.

This is in the form of flowers, mushrooms, leaves, wild growing fruits, seeds, nuts, truffles, and herbs.

Your collection can be used for eating, creating beauty, self-care products and medicinally.

You should always take care when foraging, especially if you plan on eating what you find you want to make 100% sure that you have identified the correct plant.

 A fantastic app to help identify plants is iNaturalist, just snap a pic and search.

Too, you want to collect from an area that has not been sprayed with any pesticides. Rinse your treasures when you bring them home.

Art of Foraging | How to Make A Dandelion Kids Activity Soap

Foraging Activities for Kids

Art of Foraging | How to Make A Dandelion Kids Activity Soap

Finally, look at how to make this fun dandelion soap.

Dandelion Soap

You will need:

To make dandelion infused oil:

  • Dandelions
  • Extra virgin olive oil or coconut oil
Art of Foraging | How to Make A Dandelion Kids Activity Soap

First, make dandelion infused oil.

Later, it will be added to the soap. And you can also use it for other creams or on its own.

Dry 1 ½ cups of fresh dandelions either with a dehydrator or you can lay them on a paper towel on a sunny counter or windowsill for a few days.

Art of Foraging | How to Make A Dandelion Kids Activity Soap

Add the dried flowers to a mason jar.

Start with the mild unscented oil like fractionated, coconut oil, castor, oil, or light olive oil.

Art of Foraging | How to Make A Dandelion Kids Activity Soap

Let it sit for a week at minimum, shaking several times throughout the week.

After one or two weeks strain the oil through a fine mesh sieve or cheesecloth to keep all the

solid flower parts out.

Directions:

I don’t measure my pour soap precisely. I just eyeballed it.

Cut up the pieces into 1-inch cubes.

Place them in whatever mold you use to be sure that it will mostly fill.

Also, you will add a little oil to this as well.

Once you have your cubes chopped up, place them, shea butter, and beeswax in a microwave safe container.

We used a glass measuring jar.

Heat it up for one minute.

Stir and then heat in 30 second increments.

Heat in 30 second increments until the soap is completely melted.

Whisk to combine everything.

Art of Foraging | How to Make A Dandelion Kids Activity Soap

Once melted, stir in dandelion oil and essential oil if you are using it.

Art of Foraging | How to Make A Dandelion Kids Activity Soap

Carefully pour the mixture into your molds, filling, not quite to the top rim.

Art of Foraging | How to Make A Dandelion Kids Activity Soap

To remove bubbles, you can spritz it with a little spray bottle filled with rubbing alcohol. This will help the back of the bar have a smoother finished look.

Let your soap sit overnight to harden and dry out, then carefully remove it from the mold.

Store soap in a cool dry place wrapped loosely in waxed paper.

Art of Foraging | How to Make A Dandelion Kids Activity Soap

How to Make Fluffy Lemonade Summer Slime With Kids

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This post may contain affiliate links. For more information, please see my full disclosure policy.

Summer slime is a great way to beat the heat by coming indoors for a craft project that turns into a fun sensory activity.

Slime poured its way into our homes years ago.

And it shows no signs of slowing down as a favored sensory activity for kids and teenagers.

How to Make Fluffy Lemonade Summer Slime With Kids

This fantastic fluffy lemonade slime is perfect for summer and smells amazing!

You can mix it up and make lemonade, strawberry lemonade, or even other flavors for sensory fun as well as a base for imaginative play with an impromptu pretend lemonade stand.

I really love to turn any kind of activity into a simple learning experience when possible.

This fluffy lemonade summer slime would be a unique way to learn about lemonade, its origins, and even inspire a recipe for a fresh batch.

Fun Lemonade Facts for Kids

I found a two-page layout in Food Anatomy that was all about lemonade including a recipe.

How to Make Fluffy Lemonade Summer Slime With Kids

Lemonade means different things depending on where you live, in the US it is a drink made of water, lemons, and sugar. 

Australia’s version is carbonated (like Sprite), while the Middle East enjoys their tangy lemonade with a bit of mint.

Send your child on a sweet and sour chase for information by having them research some facts about lemons and lemonade, take a trip to the library to find the answers or search the web.

  • When was lemonade invented? The first record of lemonade is from the 12th century in Egypt.
  • Why are lemons sour? Lemon tastes sour due to the acetic acid in their juice.
  • What country produces the most lemons? India at 17% of the world’s crop.
  • When is national Lemonade Day? August 20th
  • How many lemons grow on a lemon tree each year? One lemon tree can produce up to 500 or 600 pounds of lemons in a year.

Looking for a good read aloud that is on theme too?

The Lemonade War is a popular chapter book that is great for a family read or independent reading time.

Can your kids not get enough slime?

Look at these amazingly scented summer slimes like watermelon, beach, slime, and others to keep kids busy.

8 Sensational Summer Slime Recipes

  1. Take a look at my How to Make Fun Watermelon Seed Slime For Summer Learning.
  2. DIY Beach Sand Slime will bring the feel of sandcastles with a slippery gooey twist for a unique activity.
  3. 7 Cool Rainforest Science Activities and Create Rainforest Floor Slime.
  4. Celebrate Shark Week with Ocean Slime in a pretty blue that can be used for any ocean animal or theme.
  5. This Snow Cone Slime made me so nostalgic for childhood as soon as I saw it and I think kids will really enjoy this one.
  6. Sparkling Mermaid Slime is so fun and magical for little hands and feels just right for summer.
  7. Cool off with this Ice Cream Sundae Slime, remember not to snack on this one!
  8. This Glow in the Dark Slime Recipe will be a hit for hot summer nights as their oozing creation lights up the night!
How to Make Fluffy Lemonade Summer Slime With Kids

Also, look at these summer fun activities for kids.

Summer Ideas for Kids

How to Make Fluffy Lemonade Summer Slime With Kids

Next, look at how to make fluffy lemonade summer slime.

How to Make Fluffy Lemonade Summer Slime

You will need:

  • ½ cup white school glue
  • 3-4 cups sensitive shaving cream
  • 1 packet lemonade drink mix
  • ½ teaspoon baking soda
  • 2 Tablespoons Contact solution
How to Make Fluffy Lemonade Summer Slime With Kids

Optional*

  • Yellow food coloring
  • Yellow craft foam 
  • Mason jar
  • Colorful straws
  • Lemon cookie cutters

First, mix the glue, baking soda, and lemonade packet together in a large bowl.

You can use a drink mix or Kool aid mix to give it color and scent.

 If it is not strong enough add a little lemon essential oil.

How to Make Fluffy Lemonade Summer Slime With Kids

Stir in shaving cream, as much or as little as you like to give it a fluffy texture.

Because of the acids you will see some foaming and the mixture growing right away.

How to Make Fluffy Lemonade Summer Slime With Kids

If your drink mix doesn’t give it enough color just add a few drops of yellow food coloring to brighten it up a bit.

Add in the contact solution a little at a time, mixing well between each addition.

How to Make Fluffy Lemonade Summer Slime With Kids

You want to add it just until it begins to form together and pulls away from the sides.

How to Make Fluffy Lemonade Summer Slime With Kids

To make fun little lemon slices, trace and cut circles and half circles out of yellow craft foam.

Use a fine tip pen to draw in some details like the individual segments seeds and skin.

Add your lemonade slime to a mason jar for a presentation that fits with the theme and include your craft foam lemon slices, straws, and anything else you like to add to the fun.

How to Make Fluffy Lemonade Summer Slime With Kids