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Renaissance Inventors: How To Make A Fascinating Da Vinci Submarine Craft

May 2, 2024 | Leave a Comment
This post may contain affiliate links. For more information, please see my full disclosure policy.

Renaissance inventors changed the world with its forward thinking and science and art were very much intertwined at this time. Also, look at my unit study and lapbook Renaissance 1300 to 1600.

Leonardo Da Vinci was an amazing artist.

Renaissance Inventors: How To Make A Fascinating Da Vinci Submarine Craft

However, he also dabbled in architecture, anatomical studies, cartography, civil engineering, chemistry, geology, geometry, hydrodynamics, mathematics, mechanical engineering, optics, physics, pyrotechnics, and zoology.

The Renaissance is credited as being the bridge between the Middle Ages and modern-day civilization.

Next, look at this list of living books about Leonardo Da Vinci.

Leonardo Da Vinci Books for Kids Who Love to Read and Be Read To

Add a few of these books to your library about Leonardo Da Vinci and his fascinating life.

Leonardo da Vinci

Based on thousands of pages from Leonardo da Vinci’s astonishing notebooks and new discoveries about his life and work, Walter Isaacson “deftly reveals an intimate Leonardo” (San Francisco Chronicle) in a narrative that connects his art to his science. He shows how Leonardo’s genius was based on skills we can improve in ourselves, such as passionate curiosity, careful observation, and an imagination so playful that it flirted with fantasy.

Amazing Leonardo da Vinci Inventions: You Can Build Yourself

Amazing Leonardo da Vinci Inventions You Can Build Yourself introduces readers to the life, world, and incredible mind of Leonardo da Vinci through hands-on building projects that explore his invention ideas. Most of Leonardo's inventions were never made in his lifetime. They remained sketches in his famous notebooks. Amazing Leonardo da Vinci Inventions. You Can Build Yourself shows you how to bring these ideas to life using common household supplies. Detailed step-by-step instructions, diagrams, and templates for creating each project combine with historical facts and anecdotes, biographies and trivia about the real-life models for each project. Together they give kids a first-hand look into the amazing mind of one the world’s greatest inventors.

Leonardo Da Vinci

Leonardo's inventions went way beyond art. Fascinating picture book.

The Art of Leonardo Da Vinci

The Art of Leonardo Da Vinci.

Leonardo's Horse

"Filled with engaging details of Leonardo and his world. . . . Illustrations which range from utterly recognizable scenes of Florence to the ghostly horses at Leonardo's deathbed. . . . An unusual biography for young people, and one well worth poring over . . . . A unique way of picturing a unique world . . . . An extraordinary tribute."

Who Was Leonardo da Vinci?

Leonardo da Vinci was a gifted painter, talented musician, and dedicated scientist and inventor, designing flying machines, submarines, and even helicopters.  Yet he had a hard time finishing things, a problem anyone can relate to.  Only thirteen paintings are known to be his; as for the illustrated encyclopedia he intended to create, all that he left were thousands of disorganized notebook pages.  Here is an accessible portrait of a fascinating man who lived at a fascinating
time—Italy during the Renaissance.

The Renaissance Inventors: With History Projects for Kids

In The Renaissance Inventors with History Projects for Kids, readers 10 through 15 explore the period of European history from the fourteenth to seventeenth centuries while focusing on the biographies of five inventors from that time and the creations they brought to the world. The lives of Leonardo da Vinci, Galileo Galilei, Leon Battista Alberti, Johannes Gutenberg, and Gerardus Mercator are brought to life as kids discover the challenges these men faced and the discoveries they made using their critical and creative thinking skills combined with their passion for science and engineering.

Imagine a world without inventors and scientists. How would people understand the environment around them? What new technologies would improve people's lives? During the Renaissance, inventors and other creative thinkers designed and constructed many new things, including a more accurate map that showed the spherical Earth on a flat paper, a printing press that brought books beyond just the realm of the rich, and a machine that measured the speed of the wind. In The Renaissance Inventors, readers learn about what it is to be an inventor, both now and in the past. They also discover how brainstorming and tinkering with everyday materials can lead to the development of great problem-solving skills, not to mention the creation of new inventions.

With 10 hands-on projects that use the engineer design process, kids create their own versions of many amazing inventions from the Renaissance. Activities such as making a parachute and creating a globe from an orange let middle schoolers stretch their inventive wings and learn what it’s like to be an inventor. Fun facts, primary source illustrations, fun STEAM activities, and links to online resources all spark an interest in the Renaissance. Even without a time machine, learners can experience the Renaissance!

The Renaissance Inventors is one of a set of four books in the Renaissance for Kids series. Books in the Renaissance for Kids series invite readers ages 10 to 15 to learn about the inventors, artists, explorers, philosophers, scientists, and politicians who lived in Europe and around the world during the Renaissance and who made contributions to the wealth of human knowledge and experience that have lasted far into the future. Primary sources, color photography, relevant quotes, and hands-on STEAM activities that promote the scientific method or engineering design process keep even the most curious kids satisfied! Titles in this series include The Renaissance Thinkers: With History Projects for Kids; The Renaissance Inventors: With History Projects for Kids; The Renaissance Artists: With History Projects for Kids; and The Renaissance Explorers: With History Projects for Kids.

Leonardo da Vinci: A Nonfiction Companion to Magic Tree House

When Jack and Annie got back from their adventure in Magic Tree House Merlin Mission #10: Monday with a Mad Genius, they had lots of questions. Why was Leonardo da Vinci interested in flight? What are some of his most famous painting? Did he really keep noteboooks just like Jack? What do scientists today think of his ideas? Find out the answers to these questions and more as Jack and Annie track the facts.

Let’s learn about some of these incredible Renaissance Inventors, what they made that changed the world.

And even make our own hands-on version of the submarine to incorporate some of our own science.

Renaissance Inventors

  • 1284- Eyeglasses were invented by Salvino D’Armate and were made of glass or crystal with a metal handle to hold them up to the eyes.
  • 1440- At this time, Johannes Gutenberg invented the printing press which is commonly believed to be the most important invention of the world because it gave us the ability to distribute information faster to a larger audience.
  • 1515– While not the inventor, Leonardo da Vinci, is credited with sketching a primitive submarine. Ironically, Leonardo did not reveal his idea for a submarine “because of the evil nature of men who practice assassination at the bottom of the sea.” It would become developed later by Dutch inventor Cornelis Drebbel.
  • 1608- The telescope was developed and patented by Hans Lippershey and gave us the ability to make very distant things seem closer.
  • 1656- With the use of the pendulum, Galileo Galilei’s invention in 1581. Mechanical clocks were greatly improved upon by increasing their accuracy and were created by Pope Sylvester II, known as Gerbert.

Additionally, look at these hands-on activities for learning about the Renaissance.

Hands-on Renaissance Inventors Middle Ages Activities for Kids

  • STEM: Build a Da Vinci Parachute Activity
  • Middle Ages History: Make a Coat of Arms Activity
  • Medieval Chemistry and Homeschool History: Fun Hands-On Activity
  • Kids Free Glass Blowing Lapbook on The History Of Glass Blowing
  • Fun Dragon Unit Study Ideas and Salt Dough Dragon Craft
  • The Journey Through Time Book And Knights Armor Engraving Fun Kids Craft
  • The Inventions of Leonardo Da Vinci

In addition, look at some facts about submarines.

How Does The Submarine Craft Work

A submarine or boat floats when the mass of water that it displaces is equal to the mass of the boat.

This displaced water causes an upward force called buoyancy. Buoyancy works in the opposite direction of gravity, allowing objects to float above.

While a sailboat cannot control its buoyancy, submarines are designed so that they can.

Submarines have ballast tanks that can be filled with water to make them more dense so that they can go down below the water or they can be filled with air that pushes all the water out and makes them buoyant again. Real submarines carry compressed air tanks on board to do this.

Our bottle works in much the same way, the bottle would actually be the ballast itself.

As the bottle submarine is filled with air it is buoyant and rests on the top of the water.

When you gently squeeze to fill the bottle with water it becomes more dense than the water surrounding it and is pulled down by gravitational forces.

When your straw submarine is in the water it is buoyant, the buoyant force competes against the gravitational pull that is pulling the straw down and the difference between the two forces decides how buoyant the submarine is, more water makes it more dense, more air increases its buoyancy.

Simply put- When you allow it to fill with water it sinks, as you blow the water out and fill it with air, it rises.

  • Displace-Pushes out of the way.
  • Buoyancy-The ability to float in water or air or some other fluid.
  • Ballast-a heavy substance placed in such a way as to improve stability and control.
Renaissance Inventors: How To Make A Fascinating Da Vinci Submarine Craft

Finally, how to make a fascinating Da Vinci submarine craft.

How To Make A Fascinating Da Vinci Submarine Craft

You will need:

  • An empty water bottle
  • Bendy straw
  • Coins
  • Clay
  • Rubber bands
  • Large shallow container
  • Water
  • Sharp blade
Renaissance Inventors: How To Make A Fascinating Da Vinci Submarine Craft

First, use a sharp blade or the tip of a pen if the lid is soft enough and poke a hole just large enough for the straw to fit in.

Renaissance Inventors: How To Make A Fascinating Da Vinci Submarine Craft

Slide the short end of the bendy straw into the hole and press clay around it to seal it well.

Renaissance Inventors: How To Make A Fascinating Da Vinci Submarine Craft

Use a permanent marker to note three spots about 2” apart on one side of the bottle.

Renaissance Inventors: How To Make A Fascinating Da Vinci Submarine Craft

Then use a razor knife to cut out holes on these spots.

Renaissance Inventors: How To Make A Fascinating Da Vinci Submarine Craft

Make two stacks of quarters, a pile of 4 and a pile of 2. Tape each stack together. We are going to use these to give our submarine a bit of weight, like a ballast.

Renaissance Inventors: How To Make A Fascinating Da Vinci Submarine Craft

In between the holes you secure the quarters to the bottle with a rubber band, placing the larger stack nearer to the bottom of the bottle. Be sure not to cover the holes.

Renaissance Inventors: How To Make A Fascinating Da Vinci Submarine Craft

Now for the fun! Place your submarine into a large container of water, hole side down and allow it to fill with water until it sinks, but keep the straw above water.

What do you notice? The heavier end sinks, the end nearest to the straw with only air remains floating.

Renaissance Inventors: How To Make A Fascinating Da Vinci Submarine Craft

Blow into the straw to expel the water from the bottle and observe what happens now. The bottle, rather the submarine, rises.

Renaissance Inventors: How To Make A Fascinating Da Vinci Submarine Craft

Leave a CommentFiled Under: Uncategorized Tagged With: da Vinci, hands on history, hands-on, hands-on activities, handson, handsonhomeschooling, history, inventors, Leonardo Da Vinci, renaissance

Free Summer Unit Study For Kids and Fun Starfish Craft

May 1, 2024 | Leave a Comment
This post may contain affiliate links. For more information, please see my full disclosure policy.

I have a 4-week summer unit study because learning doesn’t have to stop while you enjoy the change in weather. Also, look at my page Best Homeschool Unit Studies for more fun unit studies.

Today, summer is about relaxation and travel.

Also, I have some fun facts about starfish and how to make this adorable starfish craft.

Free Summer Unit Study For Kids and Fun Starfish Craft

Besides, in some places where the temperature doesn’t soar too much you can get outside and explore the great outdoors.

From geography to oceans to the history of summer and the flora and fauna, a summer unit study is a great way to involve all ages.

Too, many educators talk about the summer slide but when you homeschool summer is just another season of fun learning.

Also, if you’re looking for more ideas or ways to summer learning, look at my post A to Z List: 100 Fun Summer Homeschool Unit Study Ideas.

And if you’re new to homeschooling, look at How to Use Summertime to Put a Foot in Homeschooling and 7 Advantages to Starting Your Homeschool Year in the Summer to get your year off to a great start.

SUMMER BOOKS FOR KIDS

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

Additionally, I prefer living books when I can find them and then add reference books.

13 Books About Summer to Read to Kids and For Kids to Read

Grab some of these fun books about summer to add to a summer unit study or to learn about the change in the season.

Summer: An Alphabet Acrostic

In a companion volume to Autumn: an Alphabet Acrostic and Spring: an Alphabet Acrostic, sandy beaches, juicy watermelons, and porch swings are just a few of the warm-weather delights featured in acrostic poems about summer.

The Hidden Life of Trees: What They Feel, How They Communicate―Discoveries from A Secret World

Are trees social beings? In The Hidden Life of Trees forester and author Peter Wohlleben convincingly makes the case that, yes, the forest is a social network. He draws on groundbreaking scientific discoveries to describe how trees are like human families: tree parents live together with their children, communicate with them, support them as they grow, share nutrients with those who are sick or struggling, and even warn each other of impending dangers. Wohlleben also shares his deep love of woods and forests, explaining the amazing processes of life, death, and regeneration that he has observed in his woodland.

A Frog in the Bog

There’s a small green frog on a half-sunk log in the middle of the bog. He eats one tick, two fleas, three flies, four slugs, and five snails. And the frog gets a whole lot bigger. Then a hungry gator shows up, ready to eat the big fat frog. The frog opens his mouth wide to scream and out comes everything he’s eaten! And the frog gets a whole lot smaller.

The Summer Nick Taught His Cats to Read

It's not easy to teach a cat to read, but one boy tries to anyway in this sweet and silly picture book debut that captures the challenges and rewards of learning to read.Nick loves to read books--and he loves to play with his cats, Verne and Stevenson. So naturally Nick decides it's a great idea to teach his cats to read.

And Then Comes Summer

When the days stretch out like a slow yawn, and the cheerful faces of Johnny-jump-ups jump up . . . then it’s time to get ready for summer! From flip-flops and hide-and-seek to fireworks and ice-cream trucks, from lemonade stands and late bedtimes to swimming in the lake and toasting marshmallows, there’s something for everyone in this bright and buoyant celebration of the sunny season.

The Lorax (Classic Seuss)

Dr. Seuss’s beloved story teaches kids to treat the planet with kindness and stand up and speak up for others. Experience the beauty of the Truffula Trees and the danger of taking our earth for granted in a story that is timely, playful, and hopeful. The book’s final pages teach us that just one small seed, or one small child, can make a difference. 

Summer Story: Introduce children to the seasons in the gorgeously illustrated classics of Brambly Hedge!

It was such a hot summer. The sky was deep blue and the sun never faltered. All along Brambly Hedge, the mice did their best to keep cool. Poppy Eyebright sought refuge in the mossy shadows of the mill wheel; Dusty Dogwood took to walking by the banks of the cooling stream. Dusty and Poppy spent more and more time together, so no one was at all surprised when they announced their engagement. They decided on a very unusual setting for the wedding ceremony, but even they didn't realise just how unusual it was prove to be!Also look out for Spring Story, Autumn Story and Winter Story!

The Raft

Nicky is convinced that his summer with his grandmother in the Wisconsin woods is going to be the worst summer ever. She cooks food that he doesn’t like, there’s an art studio where her living room should be, and he’s expected to do chores—including fishing, the most boring chore ever.

But one afternoon, while Nicky is trying to catch their dinner, a raft drifts down the river towards him. The raft has a calming magic about it, affecting both Nicky and the wildlife of the river and woods. Through the raft and the adventures it brings him on, Nicky finds new common ground with his grandmother, a fellow river rat, who encourages him to explore his newfound talent for art.

Summertime in the Big Woods (Little House Picture Book)

The winter is finally over, and now it is summertime. Laura and Mary are busy all day helping Ma in the garden and playing outside.

We Were Tired of Living in a House: 55th Anniversary Edition

"We were tired of living in a house.

So we packed a bag with

sweaters and socks and scarves

and mittens and woolen caps.

And we moved to a tree...."

So begins this whimsical tale of four small children, a dog and a cat who decided they were tired of living in a house. They try a tree, a pond, a cave and the seashore, but in each place something unusual happens to make them move on to the next place-and finally home.

Blueberries for Sal

Sal and her mother a picking blueberries to can for the winter. But when Sal wanders to the other side of Blueberry Hill, she discovers a mama bear preparing for her own long winter.  Meanwhile Sal's mother is being followed by a small bear with a big appetite for berries! Will each mother go home with the right little one?With its expressive line drawings and charming story, Blueberries for Sal has won readers' hearts since its first publication in 1948."The adventures of a little girl and a baby bear while hunting for blueberries with their mothers one bright summer day. All the color and flavor of the sea and pine-covered Maine countryside.

Over and Under the Canyon

Over and Under the Canyon takes young readers on a thrilling tour of a desert canyon ecosystem. Over the canyon, the sun scalds the air, baking desert mud to stone. But under the shade of the cliffs hides another world, where bighorn sheep bound from rock to rock on the hillside, roadrunners make their nests in sturdy cacti, and banded geckos tuck themselves into the shelter of the sand. Discover the wonders concealed in the curves of the canyon, the magic of a desert wildflower bloom, and all the unexpected creatures that bring the desert to life.DISCOVER AMAZING ANIMALS: Kids are endlessly curious about the natural world and the wildly varied animals living in it—and the desert is FULL of amazing and surprising animals!

Over and Under the Waves

Award-winning duo Kate Messner and Christopher Silas Neal return in this latest addition to the Over and Under picture book series, this time exploring the rich, interconnected ecosystem of the ocean!Over the waves, the sea lions bark and seagulls wheel and call. The bay is smooth and bright in the sun. But under the waves, there's a whole hidden forest, full of whales and wolf eels, sardines and sea bass, leopard sharks and luminous jellies, as well as the waving kelp that shelters them all. Discover the magical depths of the kelp forest, and all the fascinating creatures living just a paddle's length away—over and under the waves.SO MANY FASCINATING FACTS: Kids are endlessly curious about the natural world and the wildly varied animals and plants living in it—and the ocean is FULL of amazing and surprising life!ENVIRONMENTAL AWARENESS MADE WONDERFUL: Preservation of our wilderness—and of our oceans in particular—is essential, and this book makes such a great, upbeat jumping-off point for discussions of the importance and wonder of our world's natural habitats and ecosystems.

Next, look at ideas for how to add each subject to this summer unit study.

Keep in mind that not all school subjects may fit naturally into a unit study. Don’t force a fit with a subject.

However, it is a chance to tie concepts in and fit as many ideas as you can in a fun way.

HISTORY & GEOGRAPHY SUMMER UNIT STUDY IDEAS WEEK 1

For example, talk about the early origins of summer.

Summertime has been a time of focus on agriculture for thousands of years.

Besides, the Mesopotamians and Egyptians relied on the sun to grow crops.

In addition, other countries celebrate summer through festivals. Like the Swedes during the Middle Ages.

They began raising midsummer poles decorated with flowers and danced around it.

Research about how different countries celebrated the beginning of summer.

Ancient countries like Rome and Celts celebrated the day to honor the sun for a good harvest.

Then here are some history topics/ideas to learn about.

  • summer festivals
  • countries to visit during the summer
  • Titanic
  • create a summer geography travel journal
  • history of baseball
  • history of lighthouses and why they were needed
  • history of solstice

Here are some posts with hands-on ideas.

  • How to Make Celtic Cakes -Recipe for Hands-on History
  • 5 Cool Lighthouse Facts and Make a Chip Can Lighthouse
  • Hands-on Ancient Babylon: Hanging Gardens Fun Activity

In addition, the idea of a summer vacation is a relatively new concept in the 19th century.

A summer break allowed children to help with farming during the busy summer months.

Free Summer Unit Study For Kids and Fun Starfish Craft

As you can see public school then built their schedule or school year around the harvest time.

Because of that public schools started in the fall to allow the children to help their parents in the field.

NATURE & SCIENCE SUMMER UNIT STUDY IDEAS WEEK 2

Additionally, the topic summer study makes for a heavy on the nature and science topics.

Next, here are some nature/science topics/ideas to learn about.

  • camping
  • nature study
  • seeds
  • berries
  • ice cream
  • tadpoles to frog and toads to amphibians
  • study animals found on an island
  • coral reefs
  • weather patterns
  • gardening
  • seashores, oceans, marine animals and ponds
  • tide pools
  • watermelon
  • butterflies
  • dandelions
  • farming
  • summer sensory bins
  • organize cooking classes

Then, look at some of these hands-on ideas to teach about the topics above.

  • 5 Tide Pool Facts and Create An Edible Tide Pool Diorama Ideas
  • Galapagos Islands Animals Fun and Simple Watercolor Flamingo Tutorial
  • Shark and Oceans for Kindergarten Fun Sight Word Activity
  • Free Carnivorous Plants Lapbook and Fun Homeschool Unit Study Ideas
  • How to Create Homeschool Farming Curriculum and Adorable Clothespin Sheep Craft
  • 10 Edible Beach Crafts For Teens and Make Edible Beach Glass
  • How to Make Fluffy Lemonade Summer Slime With Kids
  • 5 Facts About Ice Cream | How to Make Ice Cream In A Bag Science
  • Exciting Summer Learning Activities for Elementary Students Who Love Hands-On
  • Fun Hands-on Coral Reef Activities and Play Dough Invitation to Play
  • Coral Reef Unit Study and Lapbook
  • The Geronimo Stilton Series: Make a Fun Edible Coral Reef
  • Celebrate World Reef Day with a Blow Painting Coral Reef Hands-On Activity
  • How Do Sharks Float STEM Activity Free Shark Unit Study & Notebooking Pages
  • From Egg to Sea Turtle Nature Unit Study & Lapbook
  • Cutest Ever Egg Carton Sea Turtle Craft and Learning Activities for Kids
  • How to Make a Watermelon Sensory Bin for Play and Learning
  • How to Make Fun Watermelon Seed Slime For Summer Learning
  • How to Make a Strawberry Lemonade Summer Sensory Bin
  • Explore the Outdoors: Top Summer Ideas and Free Scavenger Hunt
Free Summer Unit Study For Kids and Fun Starfish Craft
  • Weather In A Bottle | How To Make An Amazing Tornado In A Jar. 
  • 5 Simple Wind Energy Activities For Kids & Fun DIY Anemometer.
  • Hands-on Weather Activities for Kids and Awesome Weather Sensory Tray 
  • How to Plan And Start an Easy Gardening Unit Study for Kids
  • Seed and Gardening Unit Study 
  • Gardening Projects For Homeschool Easy Composting With the Amazing Dr. George Carver (Free Printable About Compost

MATH & LANGUAGE ARTS SUMMER UNIT STUDY IDEAS WEEK 3

In addition, there are some fun hands-on ideas to add for fun math and language arts summer unit study ideas.

  • track daily temperatures during the summer. Older kids can create line graphs
  • look for geometry in nature and patterns in nature
  • Use Swiss Family Robinson book to do a whole unit study about living on an island Swiss Family Robinson Unit Study.
  • Read The Lost Art of Reading Nature’s Signs: Use Outdoor Clues to Find Your Way, Predict the Weather, Locate Water, Track Animals – and Other Forgotten Skills.
  • younger children can keep an easy weather journal
  • use summer themed counters like mini starfish, ocean animals or seashells
  • keep a nature journal
  • do storytelling by creating art on stones
  • have older children choose a country and focus on learning its summer celebrations.
  • do a math scavenger hunt
  • create a summer reading challenge
  • 20 Fun Summer Learning Activities And Make A Rock Sundial
  • Fun Felt Weather Chart & Free The Magic School Bus Kicks Up A Storm Worksheet
  • 20 Nature-Inspired Kids’ Novels to Nurture Interest In the Outdoors
  • How to Make a Cool Fibonacci Lemonade and 8 Things to Learn about Fibonacci
  • Free Weather Unit Study for Kids Who Love Hands-on Learning

ELECTIVES & CRAFTS FOR A SUMMER UNIT STUDY WEEK 4

Finally, summer is the perfect time to pursue electives or crafts that we just couldn’t squeeze into our regular schedule.

Too, look at some of these ideas.

  • 30+ Summer Activities for Middle School Kids
  • Fun Pineapple Candle For Fun Summer Activities for Middle Schoolers
  • 20 Fun Summer Ideas for a Teen
  • Homeschooling Through the Summer with My Highschooler
  • 25 Summer Homeschool Ideas To Keep The Learning Spark Alive
  • How to Make an Ocean-Inspired Sea Shell Necklace | 8 Summer Beach Crafts
  • Free Summer Unit Study For Kids and Fun Starfish Craft
  • Super Easy and Fun Aquarium Jar Craft For Summer Activities for Middle Schoolers
  • Fun Making Ocean Layers Soap | Summer Activities for Middle Schoolers
  • 11 Fun Summer Activities for Middle Schoolers
  • 10 Sea Shell Activities for Kids and Make Crystal Sea Shells
  • Summer Wood Crafts: How to Make a Teen Bikini Box
Free Summer Unit Study For Kids and Fun Starfish Craft

Finally, look at some fun starfish facts and how to make this giant starfish.

7 STARFISH FACTS

  1. Starfish are predators and eat a variety of animals, including mollusks, crustaceans, and worms.
  2. Starfish are not actually fish! They are echinoderms, which are a group of marine animals that also include sea urchins and sand dollars.
  3. Starfish have five arms, but some species can have up to 40 arms!
  4. Starfish have a water vascular system that helps them move around and capture prey.
  5. Starfish can regenerate their arms if they are lost or damaged.
  6. Starfish have tiny tube feet on the underside of their arms that help them grip surfaces and move around.
  7. Starfish can change their color to camouflage themselves with their surroundings.

GIANT PAPER MACHE STARFISH

Now, look at how to make this giant fun starfish. Most starfish have 5 legs.

But they can have anywhere from 5 to 40 legs, and we had so much fun creating the armature of the legs we ended up with a 6 legger.

You will need:

  • Roll of toilet paper
  • Aluminum foil
  • Duct tape
  • Water
  • School glue
  • Craft paints
  • Paintbrush
Free Summer Unit Study For Kids and Fun Starfish Craft

First, use aluminum foil to create the body and arms of the starfish.

Next, make it any size you would like, squeeze it together tightly.

Free Summer Unit Study For Kids and Fun Starfish Craft

Then, connect each leg to the body with duct tape. Set aside while you work on the paper mache pulp.

Free Summer Unit Study For Kids and Fun Starfish Craft

Shred most of the roll of toilet paper into small pieces, put into a saucepan.

Free Summer Unit Study For Kids and Fun Starfish Craft

Add just enough water to cover the paper.

Free Summer Unit Study For Kids and Fun Starfish Craft

Bring to a boil and stir.

STARFISH CRAFT FOR KIDS

Turn off heat and use an immersion blender or transfer to a blender to puree the mixture.

Free Summer Unit Study For Kids and Fun Starfish Craft

Allow to soak for a couple of hours.

Place mixture in a strainer and let it drip until a good portion of the moisture has drained off, 15-20 minutes.

Free Summer Unit Study For Kids and Fun Starfish Craft

Give it a few squeezes to help remove more excess water.

Put pulp back into the pan and add half a bottle of white school glue, mix well.

Free Summer Unit Study For Kids and Fun Starfish Craft

Add a couple teaspoons of table salt.

Paper mache pulp takes a while to dry and if it takes too long to dry it might mold. Adding salt to the mixture helps keep away mold and mildew.

Lay your starfish base on a silicone mat, alternatively you could use another piece of aluminum foil.

Begin pressing paper mache pulp onto the structure, squeezing to form it to the body and legs of the starfish.

Free Summer Unit Study For Kids and Fun Starfish Craft

Continue until it is covered in a ¼ thick layer on both sides.

Free Summer Unit Study For Kids and Fun Starfish Craft

Leave it to dry for 2-3 days until completely dried out.

Paint in the style of any starfish you like.

Free Summer Unit Study For Kids and Fun Starfish Craft

We went with the coloring of a Cushion Sea Star.

Free Summer Unit Study For Kids and Fun Starfish Craft

Paint the underside as well

Let the paint dry.

Free Summer Unit Study For Kids and Fun Starfish Craft

Last, add any more details you would like to the top or underside with a small brush or a paint pen.

Leave a CommentFiled Under: Hands-On Activities Tagged With: hands-on, hands-on activities, handson, handsonhomeschooling, starfish, summer, summer crafts, summerideas, summerschool

Simple Homemade Sushi: Hands on Japan Activity for Kids

April 30, 2024 | Leave a Comment
This post may contain affiliate links. For more information, please see my full disclosure policy.

You’ll love this fun (and delicious) hands on Japan activity for older kids. Also, look at more ideas on my page Medieval Japan Unit Study and Lapbook 1185 – 1600 A.D.

I have two simple sushi recipes for you today using just a little variation on ingredients.

It can be hard to find cool hands-on ideas for older kids.

One of my standby ideas, especially when studying other countries, is cooking.

Simple Homemade Sushi: Hands on Japan Activity for Kids

Since Sushi is such a huge part of the way of life in Japan, I thought it would make a perfect activity for our study.

Our favorite sushi rolls are California roll and the vegetarian sweet potato roll so that is what I wanted to share.

They are also very simple, which makes them great for beginners, be they older or younger kids so everyone in the family can join in.

Sushi is vinegared rice topped with other ingredients and there are several ways to prepare it.

Maki Rolls are rice, veggies, and fish rolled up in seaweed and is what most people think of when they think of sushi.

Japan is rich in culture, art, contributions, history, and complex traditions.

Books About Japan For Kids

11 Books and Resources for Studying About Japan

You'll love these resources and books for studying about Japan. Add them to my Medieval Japan Unit Study or just fun for the day.

Samurai: An Illustrated History

This Japanese history book traces the story of a unique historical phenomenon: a period of 700 years--equivalent to the entire stretch of Western history between the reigns of the Crusader king Richard the Lionhearted and of Queen Victoria at the height of the British Empire--during which an enclosed civilization was dominated by a single warrior caste.

The historical narrative of samurai history is supported by explanations of samurai armor, weapons, fortifications, tactics, and customs, and illustrated with nearly 800 fascinating color photographs, maps, and sketches, including ancient scroll paintings and surviving suits of armor preserved for centuries in Japanese shrines.

Samurai Arms, Armour & the Tactics of Warfare

Part of the acclaimed Book of Samurai series, which presents for the first time the translated scrolls of the historical Natori-Ry samurai school of war, this volume offers an exceptional insight into the weaponry and armour of the samurai era, as well as tactical advice for use on and off the battlefield.

Life in Old Japan Coloring Book

More than 40 handsome, ready-to-color illustrations depict samurai warriors, the imperial villa at Kyoto, a Shinto shrine, a tea ceremony, a Noh play, a typical city street, a restaurant, music makers, more. Introduction and detailed captions describe Japanese culture and provide detailed information on art, government, costume, and daily life.

Japanese Picture Dictionary Coloring Book: Over 1500 Japanese Words and Phrases for Creative & Visual Learners of All Ages

Learning a new language is a new way of meeting new people, opening doors in your professional career and attracting fresh opportunities when traveling around the world, as you may know. The great thing is - whether you want to learn Japanese to visit Japan’s precious historic landmarks, watch anime and movies or simply meet wonderful Japanese people - we’ve got you covered!

All About Japan: Stories, Songs, Crafts and Games for Kids

A cultural adventure for kids, All About Japan offers a journey to a new place--and ways to bring it to life! Dive into stories, play some games from Japan, and learn some Japanese songs.

The Inch-High Samurai

The brave little boy who sailed to the Capital in a teacup and fought a demon with a needle to win the love of a Lady is a Japanese cousin to Tom Thumb.

The Crane Girl

In this magical retelling of a Japanese folktale, a mysterious girl weaves silk to help repay the kindness of a boy and his father until the father's greed finally exposes her secret.

While gathering firewood, Yasuhiro comes upon an injured crane hidden in the snow. He rescues and comforts the bird, then watches as it flies away over the wintry hills.

The next night, a mysterious young girl arrives at Yasuhiro's home seeking shelter from the cold. The boy and his father welcome the girl, named Hiroko, to stay with them. When Hiroko notices that Yasuhiro's father is struggling to earn money, she offers to weave silk for him to sell. After the fabric fetches a good price, the boy's father becomes impatient for more silk, and his greed has a life-changing effect on them all.

Lyrical storytelling deftly interwoven with original haiku create a magical adaptation of a popular Japanese folktale--an inspirational story of friendship and the power of kindness to transform lives.

Commodore Perry the Opening of Japan (Landmark Series, #56)

For more than 200 years Japan had isolated herself from the world - now Commodore Perry, representing the US government had arrived on the shore of Japan. Perry's mission was to open a door into Japan so US ships might stop for fuel & water on their route to China.

3D Puzzle Wooden Craft Kits DIY Model Building Kit

This 3D wooden Puzzle is the oldest tower in Japan and one of the iconic buildings, ancient and elegant.

Japan Tokyo Skyline Famous Architecture Model Block Set

The iconic landmark you love,Build this detailed Japan skyline model!Features an elaborate façade with Tokyo Tower,Tokyo SKYTREE, Mount Fuji,Sensoji Temple,Osaka Castle and more.

Japanese Flower Pavilion Cherry Blossom Bonsai Tree Bricks Kit

Japan Sakura Tree House Building Set consists of 1810pcs + mini-blocks. It includes detailed step-by-step color instructions, and exquisite details of various sizes and color componentsand.

Whether you are studying Ancient or more modern Japan, homemade sushi fits perfectly as it is strongly associated with Japanese Culture.

Originally, around the Yayoi period (early Neolithic–early Iron Age 300 BC) the earliest form of sushi, today referred to as narezushi, was fish fermented with vinegar, salt and rice.

Then the rice was discarded. 

People began to eat the rice as well as the fish during the Muromachi period (1336–1573).

In addition to sushi making, you can find other hands on resources.

For example, a books, games, and crafts to add to your Japan Unit.

Enjoy your journey to “The Land of The Rising Sun” and  linger as long as you like, no passport or return date needed.

While not entirely authentic this is close to the real thing with just a few modifications to make it a little simpler for first timers.

But before we begin the sushi tutorial let me show you a few more fun hands on resources to use for your unit.

Simple Homemade Sushi: Hands on Japan Activity for Kids

Next, look at more hands-on ideas for kids learning about Japan.

Hands on Japan Activity Ideas

  • If you are a game loving family like we are you have to try Sushi Go!
  • Give this Ancient Japan for Kids: Fun and Simple Handwriting Activity a go to learn how to create your own ancient text.
  • LEGO is an extraordinary way to incorporate themes. Their variety is so good that you can usually find a set to fit any topic like this Bonsai Tree.
  • Check out these Origami Koi Fish for another activity to keep hands busy.
  • Celebrate Arbor Day With A Fun Flowering Cherry Tree Activity.
Simple Homemade Sushi: Hands on Japan Activity for Kids
  • Make this super easy hand fan,. Besides being used in summer to cool down, they are a fashionable accessory. They are paired with a kimono and yukata at bon odori dances,at firework displays, and of course summer matsuri (festivals).
  • Learn Japanese by tucking these learning notes all over the house to reinforce some basic words.
  • Grab this inexpensive sushi making kit to make quick work of those rolls.
Simple Homemade Sushi: Hands on Japan Activity for Kids

Finally, look how to make this simple homemade sushi.

How to Make Simple Homemade Sushi

You will need:

  • Sushi rolling mat
  • Nori (seaweed for sushi)
  • 1 cup uncooked white sushi rice
  • 2 cups of water or follow instructions on rice
  • 1 tablespoon of rice vinegar
  • 1 large, sweet potato
  • 1 avocado 
  • 1 cucumber
  • Crabmeat
  • Soy sauce
  • Finger Bowl of water
Simple Homemade Sushi: Hands on Japan Activity for Kids

First, cook rice according to package directions.

Combine rice vinegar and sugar until dissolved.

Stir the sugar and rice vinegar mixture into rice.

Slice vegetables into strips about 2” long – avocado, cucumber, and sweet potato.

Simple Homemade Sushi: Hands on Japan Activity for Kids

Toss in oil and then bake the sweet potato strips in the oven at 350 or in the air fryer until softened.

Lay out all your ingredients including thin slices of crabmeat, rice, and vegetable strips.

Place Nori sheet on a sushi rolling mat rough side up with the lines going in the same direction as those on the mat, horizontal to you.

Simple Homemade Sushi: Hands on Japan Activity for Kids

Cover the bottom ⅓ of the Nori with a thin layer of rice. Wet fingertips to spread the rice without it sticking to you.

Simple Homemade Sushi: Hands on Japan Activity for Kids

Add strips of your desired fillings to the bottom half of the rice.

Simple Homemade Sushi: Hands on Japan Activity for Kids

Grab the mat at the bottom and roll it from the bottom up, tucking veggies in as you go.

But for the right technique you do not want to roll the bamboo inside the sushi roll, just pull it along over it.

Simple Homemade Sushi: Hands on Japan Activity for Kids

Stop ½” from the edge and run water along the exposed portion, continue rolling, the water will help seal your roll.

Simple Homemade Sushi: Hands on Japan Activity for Kids

Use a sharp knife to cut the roll into ½” pieces.

Simple Homemade Sushi: Hands on Japan Activity for Kids

California Roll- Use crab, cucumber, and avocado.

Sweet Potato roll-Use sweet potato, cucumber and avocado.

Experiment with sauces like Yum Yum, Soy, Ponzu, Sriracha, or wasabi.

Simple Homemade Sushi: Hands on Japan Activity for Kids

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California Landmarks With Naturalist John Muir | How To Make A Poppy Craft

April 28, 2024 | Leave a Comment
This post may contain affiliate links. For more information, please see my full disclosure policy.

Naturalist John Muir was not only a naturalist but conservation advocate. You’ll also love the John Muir Spring Unit Study (and Hands-on Geography Ideas).

He dedicated his life to recording and preserving the beauty he saw, so much so that he is called “The Father Of The National Parks”.

Muir was born in Scotland in 1838 but migrated to the States in 1849 with his family.

California Landmarks With Naturalist John Muir | How To Make A Poppy Craft

Though still a traveler with a fierce love for nature, at 30, he decided that California would be his home wherever he went.

He spent much of his time there writing, sketching, and creating landscapes of sights like the peaks of the Sierra Nevada and other places around the globe.

Too, he was at the forefront of developing many national parks like Yosemite, Sequoia, Mount Rainier, and Grand Canyon and fought to maintain their majestic views.

 Today we are focusing on his beloved California and the landmarks there.

Because he claimed California as his home, we are diving into some of the landmarks around the state. 

Next, look at some of these resources.

Books for Kids about John Muir

Add these living books and reference books to your study about John Muir.

11 John Muir Resources

The mountains are calling, and I must go -John Muir

In observance of National Park Service Founders Day and the care and work John Muir put into helping it become a reality, put together a unit study with a book or two, a video, a game, and a few hands-on activities like visiting the closest national park to you. There is plenty to choose from below.

John Muir Wilderness Box Set

A collection of John Muir’s best-selling writings and essays collected in 1 set.

Part of John Muir's appeal to modern readers is that he not only explored the American West and wrote about its beauties but also fought for their preservation. His successes dot the landscape and are evident in all the natural features that bear his name: forests, lakes, trails, and glaciers. Collected here in 1 set are some of Muir's finest wilderness essays, national park observations, travels throughout Alaska, and writings about working in the Yosemite Valley. 

A Thousand Mile Walk to the Gulf

John Muir, one of America’s great environmentalists, has inspired nature lovers for generations with his writings.

A Thousand Mile Walk to the Gulf by John Muir is the adventure that started it all.

Walk with John from Indiana through Kentucky, Tennessee, North Carolina, Georgia, and Florida. A story that is sure to inspire your own adventures and love for nature and the off beaten path.

John Muir: Candlewick Biographies: America's First Environmentalist

John Muir loved the land. Born in 1838, he was a writer, a scholar, an inventor, a shepherd, a farmer, and an explorer. But above all, he was a naturalist. John Muir was particularly devoted to the high cliffs, waterfalls, and ancient giant sequoia trees that, through his careful influence, were set aside as Yosemite, one of the first national parks in America. Here is the life story of the man who, moved by a commitment to wilderness everywhere, founded the Sierra Club in 1892, a conservation group that carries on his crucial work to this day. Back matter includes an epilogue, a bibliography, and information about the Sierra Club.

A Passion for Nature: The Life of John Muir

"I am hopelessly and forever a mountaineer," John Muir wrote. "Civilization and fever and all the morbidness that has been hooted at me has not dimmed my glacial eye, and I care to live only to entice people to look at Nature's loveliness. My own special self is nothing."In Donald Worster's magisterial biography, John Muir's "special self" is fully explored as is his extraordinary ability, then and now, to get others to see the sacred beauty of the natural world. A Passion for Nature is the most complete account of the great conservationist and founder of the Sierra Club ever written. It is the first to be based on Muir's full private correspondence and to meet modern scholarly standards. Yet it is also full of rich detail and personal anecdote, uncovering the complex inner life behind the legend of the solitary mountain man. It traces Muir from his boyhood in Scotland and frontier Wisconsin to his adult life in California right after the Civil War up to his death on the eve of World War I. It explores his marriage and family life, his relationship with his abusive father, his many friendships with the humble and famous (including Theodore Roosevelt and Ralph Waldo Emerson), and his role in founding the modern American conservation movement.

National Geographic Complete National Parks of the United States, 400+ Parks, Monuments, Battlefields, Historic Sites, Scenic Trails, Recreation Areas, and Seashores

National Geographic’s wide-ranging travel guide to recreation areas, trails, historic sites, nature hikes, seashores, camping, and campgrounds is geared to everyone who loves outdoor recreation. This 544-page reference is the ultimate travel planner for all things national parks, filled with full-color photos, detailed maps, historical background, and practical facts on the location of the park system properties, as well as the best times to visit and top-rated activities.

Our National Parks

ohn Muir (1838–1914) ranks among America's most important and influential environmentalists and nature writers. Devoted to the preservation of wilderness areas, Muir founded the Sierra Club and was active in the establishment of Yosemite National Park. Our National Parks, originally published in 1901, includes ten articles that previously appeared in The Atlantic Monthly. Muir wrote them in hopes of exciting interest in the parks, certain that visitors would fall in love with the scenic grandeur as he had—and that their enthusiasm would ensure the parks' preservation.

National Parks Scratch Off Map of United States Poster, ALL 63 Parks

UNIQUE DESIGN…ARROWHEAD SHAPES: Scratch off each beautifully designed US National Park as you visit them, like Acadia, Zion, Yellowstone, Yosemite, Olympic, Grand Canyon, Arches and others!

National Parks Trivia: A Card Game: 400 Questions

Get to know America's 63 national parks with 390 wide-ranging trivia questions that cover their iconic geography, ecology, geology, history, wildlife, and botany—from the authors of Scenic Science of the National Parks.

Professor Noggin's Wildlife of North America 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: Journey through the Wildlife of North America discovering facts about our continent’s most interesting animals. From Polar Bears to Pronghorns, from Alligators to Bald Eagles, this game is perfect for young nature lovers.

Our National Treasures Matching Game USA National Parks Memory Game for Kids. Yosemite, Yellowstone, Arches, Denali and More

What you get – Our National Treasures Matching Card Game comes with 52 tiles (26 pairs) and instructions

Clear instructions – Easy to learn memory card game. Learn to play in less than five minutes!

Develops critical skills – card games for kids help preschoolers practice their focus, memory, & matching skills.

Trekking The National Parks -The Perfect Board Game for National Park Lovers

Wildly Popular National Parks Game - Winner Of The Mensa And Parent's Choice Award

Created By National Parks Enthusiasts - This couple traveled to every single national park and then worked with their son to make the game.

Fun + Educational - It’s the perfect recipe for a family game night! Appeals to a wide range of people: outdoor lovers, board game players, and gift givers. A great board games for kids!

You are going to want to add this post to your bookmarks for either a California unit or a John Muir unit or combine both for a wonderfully multifaceted study.

John Muir, as he ascended the Pacheco pass wrote:

“At the top of the Pass I obtained my first view of the San Joaquin plain and the glorious Sierra Nevada.

Looking down from a height of fifteen hundred feet, there, extending north and south as far as I could see lay a vast level flower garden, smooch, and level like a lake of gold—the floweriest part of the world I had yet seen.”

Those bright orange California Poppies must have been an incredible sight to behold from above!

Let’s make a bouquet of our own while we learn about their homeland, Muir, and the flowers themselves.

If you want to learn to capture the beautiful landscape, plants, or animals wherever you may live, a copy of The Laws Guide to Nature Drawing and Journaling is a must have.

California Landmarks With Naturalist John Muir

  • There are many recognizable California landmarks, some were highlighted in his art and the topic of his books. Yosemite National Park- The land here is made up of waterfalls, cliffs, meadows, Sequoia trees, and abundant wildlife.
  • Muir Woods Has been a Federally protected National Monument since 1908. It is full of stately old Redwoods from 400 to 800 years old and was named in honor of the naturalist John Muir.
  • Joshua Tree– Here the landscape is studded with Yucca (Joshua Trees), it has two very distinct deserts the Mojave Desert and the lower Colorado Desert, and at night time there’s very little light pollution making the view of the nighttime sky other worldly.
  • Sequoia National Park– 404,064 acres of forested mountain terrain. The park is known for its giant sequoia trees, including the General Sherman tree, the largest tree on Earth by its volume. These mighty trees can reach 350 ft  tall and 24 ft in diameter, living up to 2,000 years.
California Landmarks With Naturalist John Muir | How To Make A Poppy Craft

Then, look at a few more resources.

Kids Activities to Learn About John Muir

  • Grab this fun book Our National Parks.
  • You can also try to grow some of your own California Poppies at home. They are supposed to be pretty easy to grow and like hot, dry spots with even poor soil.
  • 7 John Muir Environmentalist Facts and Fun Teaching Ideas
  • John Muir Spring Unit Study (and Hands-on Geography Ideas)
California Landmarks With Naturalist John Muir | How To Make A Poppy Craft

Finally, look at how to make this fun California poppy craft.

How To Make A Poppy Craft

You will need:

  • Coffee filters
  • Yellow and orange buttons
  • Liquid watercolors
  • paintbrush
  • Green pipe cleaners
California Landmarks With Naturalist John Muir | How To Make A Poppy Craft

First, fold 3 coffee filters in half, then in half again.

Cut the corners to round them off and create a more distinct 4 petal shape.

California Landmarks With Naturalist John Muir | How To Make A Poppy Craft

Combine half a cup of water with 25 drops of yellow and 15 drops of orange, you can make several different cups to get variations on your shading.

California Landmarks With Naturalist John Muir | How To Make A Poppy Craft

Lay coffee filters on a tray or cookie sheet and paint them until fully saturated. 

You can also take straight liquid watercolor and paint or drop onto the coffee filters to create natural shading and patterns.

California Landmarks With Naturalist John Muir | How To Make A Poppy Craft

Set them aside to dry, I laid them on our tray outside with a small rock holding each in place until they dried, which only took about 15 minutes in the hot sun.

Once they’re dry, stack three together and scrunch them up to wrinkle it and make your petals look more natural and ruffled, then press them flat.

California Landmarks With Naturalist John Muir | How To Make A Poppy Craft

Fold the stack in half then in half again, cut a slit ¼” up. Unfold one time and then slip several inches of pipe cleaner all the way through the holes.

Bend and twist it on itself to make the stem.

Gently unfold the petals of each of the layers until you get the look that you like.

To create the center of the poppy glue a yellow or orange button to the middle.

California Landmarks With Naturalist John Muir | How To Make A Poppy Craft

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7 Time-Telling Fun Hands-On Time Activities | Simple Watch Craft

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

Hands-on time activities are the way to go when it comes to teaching your child how to read an analog clock.

Another thing I like to do is apply learning to real life situations as much as possible.

When a child is learning time, it helps to attach it to things like 12:00 for lunch, 8:00 for bedtime, etc.

7 Time-Telling Fun Hands-On Time Activities | Simple Watch Craft

It’s a simple but effective way to begin teaching your child about AM and PM.

Today to give your child an activity that they can use to learn this new skill, I have a cute little tutorial.

It’s a simple watch craft your child can design and then use to practice telling time on as they go about their day.

But that’s not all, there are 7 more fun hands-on time activities to try.

They will get your child moving, thinking, and eventually telling time all day long as they move from meals to playtime to bedtime.

Books For Kids About Telling Time and Clocks

Next, look at some of these hands-on resources for learning about telling time.

Also, include older learners by reading some of these living books about clock and time.

9 Time Telling Books for Kids Who Love to Read and Be Read To

Add some of these resources to your day for telling time.Your kids will love hands-on games and ideas.

Clocks and How They Go

Describes the weight clock and the spring clock and how they work.

Turn & Tell Wooden Clock

Educational Details: The clock face has large red numbers to match the hour hand, small blue numbers to match the minute hand, and a segmented color disk to help kids visualize "quarter
past" and "half past

The Secret Clocks: Time Senses of Living Things

Why do some plants blossom only during the day? How do certain birds know when and where to migrate? Why are some people "early birds" and others "night owls"? In this easy-to-read volume, Seymour Simon examines the inner biological clocks of people, animals, and plants and explains what makes them tick.

Perfect Timing Game

TIMES UP: Learn to tell time in this fast paced, fun and cooperative game. The goal of this Perfect Timing card game is to get the clock to the right place just in time.

Time Dice Pair

Jumbo 12-sided dice/manipulative to reinforce basic time-telling skills. Contains 2 dice: (1) yellow with blue numbers 1-12 to designate hours. (1) yellow with red numbers: 00 -: 55 to designate minutes.

The 13 Clocks

The hands of all thirteen clocks stand still in the gloomy castle on a lonely hill where a wicked Duke lives with his niece, the beautiful Princess Saralinda. The Duke fancies he has frozen time, for he is afraid that one day a Prince may come and win away the hand of the Princess—the only warm hand in the castle. To thwart that fate, he sets impossible tasks for Saralinda’s suitors. But when the bold Prince Zorn of Zorna arrives, disguised as a wandering minstrel, and helped by the enigmatic Golux, the cold Duke may at last have met his match.

The Invention of Hugo Cabret

Orphan, clock keeper, and thief, Hugo lives in the walls of a busy Paris train station, where his survival depends on secrets and anonymity. But when his world suddenly interlocks with an eccentric, bookish girl and a bitter old man who runs a toy booth in the station, Hugo's undercover life, and his most precious secret, are put in jeopardy. A cryptic drawing, a treasured notebook, a stolen key, a mechanical man, and a hidden message from Hugo's dead father form the backbone of this intricate, tender, and spellbinding mystery.

Clocks Tell the Time

Man has always found a great need for measuring time. This book begins with very early time-keeping, and goes through water-clocks, sundials and early clocks to modern ones. At the end is the Atomichron, which may be the accurate time-keeper that will go with rockets into space.Early mechanical clocks were worked by heavy weights, and had only an hour hand, as seen in the old clockmaker's shop used on page 4. At that time people did not feel the need to know the exact time, nor had they made a clock accurate enough to tell it. In this age of science, time must be measured exactly. The Atomichron should lose only one second in three thousand years.

Clock Learning for Kids

  • Unlock the joy of learning time with our practical and functional Montessori toys for babies. Enhance kids' clock learning to tell time with our toy clock.

Here are a few suggestions for games and other resources that will have them calling out the time on analog clocks all day long.

7 Time-Telling Fun Hands-On Time Activities

  1. Check out this rock sundial that will help your child learn small numbers and tell time using the sun to the hour.
  2. Find out how Teaching Time Made Fun works kids gross motor skills while teaching them time.
  3. These Telling Time Clock Playdough Mats are a fun way to incorporate sensory learning in a simple lesson.
  4. Using a basic learning clock you can play Rush Hour Game – How to TEACH Kids How to Tell Time! In a really entertaining way.
  5. Make use of the free resources in the yard like rocks by creating a Rock Clock and teach kids how to tell time with a creative twist.
  6. Use up those leftover eggs by creating the Telling Time Match Up game, what a great way to get familiar with matching numbers and clock faces.
  7. This Easy Telling Time  Craft For Kids shows examples of both analog and digital clocks for practice.
7 Time-Telling Fun Hands-On Time Activities | Simple Watch Craft

Finally, look how to make this simple watch craft.

Simple Watch Craft

For young children practice identifying the numbers on the watch face.

After they are very familiar with them you can move on to telling time to the hour, half hour, quarter hour, in five minute increments, and finally down to the minute.

You will need:

  • sturdy cardstock
  • A metal brad
  • Scissors
  • Hook and loop tape
  • Small round object to trace
  • Laminating machine/sheets
7 Time-Telling Fun Hands-On Time Activities | Simple Watch Craft

First, to make it easy to read and wear if you want to find a small round object larger than your child’s wrist, I used a little bowl to trace the watch face.

Measure their wrist and trace then cut a strip of paper about 1 ½ to 2” longer and  2” wide.

7 Time-Telling Fun Hands-On Time Activities | Simple Watch Craft

Measure the space from the center of the watch face to a little shorter than the edges and cut out two arrows, one shorter than the other.

Cut out each piece and let your child color it then write 1-12 on the watch face around the outside.

7 Time-Telling Fun Hands-On Time Activities | Simple Watch Craft

Place each piece in laminating sheets and seal to make them sturdier.

You don’t have to do this step but the practice watch will last a lot longer

7 Time-Telling Fun Hands-On Time Activities | Simple Watch Craft

Cut the laminated pieces leaving just a small border.

Poke a hole through the arrows and in the center of the watch face.

7 Time-Telling Fun Hands-On Time Activities | Simple Watch Craft

Push a brad through the arrows and watch, open into place.

7 Time-Telling Fun Hands-On Time Activities | Simple Watch Craft

Hot glue the watch face to the center of the “strap”

7 Time-Telling Fun Hands-On Time Activities | Simple Watch Craft

Now place each side of velcro on either ends of the strap so that it can be put together and pulled apart. (one half goes on the inside uncolored portion, the opposite piece should go on the colored side.)

7 Time-Telling Fun Hands-On Time Activities | Simple Watch Craft

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