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handsonhomeschooling

Free Butterfly Lapbook For Kids Who Love Hands-On Learning

May 29, 2025 | Leave a Comment
This post may contain affiliate links. For more information, please see my full disclosure policy.

I have a free butterfly lapbook perfect for some summer fun. Also, look at my page Homeschool Lapbooks – Powerful Tools For Mastery Learning for more lapbook ideas.

Too look at my Free Kids Insect Unit Study and Free Butterfly Unit Study For Kids and Fun Sponge Stamping.

My butterfly lapbook is a great way to combine science, nature and creativity in a hands-on way.

Free Butterfly Lapbook For Kids Who Love Hands-On Learning

Besides, lapbooks are great way to include teaching all of your children together.

With premade minibooks, your kids who prefer to read and not do as much hands-on will be engaged.

Too, your children that prefer the creative slant to lapbooks can make their own minibooks.

Next, look at some of these books and resources.

RESOURCES FOR KIDS TO LEARN ABOUT BUTTERFLIES

We love living books when we can find them.

10 Butterfly Resources and Book

Fun books and resources to learn about butterflies.

It's a Butterfly's Life

What is a butterfly s life? Its full of twists and turns as butterfly glide on air currents. Its full of dips and dives as they show off for their mates. There are more than 17,000 kinds of butterflies in the world. Some of them will only live for a few days. Others will migrate thousands of miles to winter in a warmer climate. Still others will hibernate through the cold months. For all butterflies, life begins with metamorphosis. In one of nature s most amazing feats, caterpillars become creatures of beauty and grace.

The Girl Who Drew Butterflies: How Maria Merian's Art Changed Science

One of the first naturalists to observe live insects directly, Maria Sibylla Merian was also one of the first to document the metamorphosis of the butterfly. 

Richly illustrated throughout with full-color original paintings by Merian herself, The Grew Who Drew Butterflies will enthrall young scientists.

UANDME 4pcs Butterfly Life Cycle Kit Lifestyle Stages of Monarch Butterfly Teaching Tools for Kids, Students

This is a wonderful, realistic set of the life cycle of a Monarch butterfly, which contains the 4 stages, eggs, caterpillars (larva) with a leaf, a chrysalis (pupa), and a butterfly. It is a good learning toy for homeschoolers teaching.

Handle with Care: An Unusual Butterfly Journey

Some farms grow vegetables or grains, and some raise cows, sheep, chickens, or pigs. But have you ever heard of a butterfly farm? How do you raise a butterfly?On a farm in Costa Rica, workers care for these delicate, winged creatures as they change from eggs to caterpillars to pupae. Like any other crop, the butterflies will eventually leave the farm. But where will they go? And just how do you ship a butterfly?

Insect Lore - Butterfly Growing Kit - Butterfly Habitat Kit

Pop-up, reusable 11.5-inch tall mesh habitat perfect for butterfly viewing; includes feeding dropper and complete instructions

Witness one of nature's most spectacular transformations up close

Caterpillars ship separately via included Voucher (additional $8.95 for processing); packaging may vary

Monarch Butterfly (New & Updated)

Introduce young readers to the fascinating process of how caterpillars become butterflies.Follow the transformation from a tiny white egg laid on a leaf to a brilliantly colored butterfly in this kid-friendly introduction to metamorphosis.  With detailed, bright watercolors, Gail Gibbons illustrates the life cycle of the monarch butterfly, stage by stage, as it grows, changes, and takes flight.

Big Book of Bugs (The Big Book Series)

A beautifully illustrated, informative book for children introducing them to bugs that creep, crawl, bite, fly, and more

From moths and beetles to worms and spiders, the world is crawling with fascinating bugs. The Big Book of Bugs is the first fact-filled book for children to explore the vast array of creepy-crawlies that share our Earth.

A Butterfly Is Patient: Nature Books for Kids, Children's Books

From the creators of the award-winning An Egg Is Quiet, A Seed Is Sleepy, and A Rock Is Lively comes this gorgeous and informative introduction to the world of butterflies.Part of the incredible six-book Nature Books series from the award-winning duo of Dianna Hutts Aston and Sylvia Long, A Butterfly Is Patient celebrates a dazzling variety of butterflies in all their beauty and wonder.Turn each page to explore the amazing world of these beautiful winged insects through watercolor illustrations that bring to life garden landscapes filled with flowers, vines, leaves, and sunshine. A BUTTERFLY BOOK TO TREASURE: From the tiny Western Pygmy blue butterfly to the grand Queen Alexandra’s birdwing, from the iridescent blue swallowtail to the brilliant orange monarch, curious kids will find a wealth of information and inspiration in this fascinating picture book.

National Geographic Readers: Caterpillar to Butterfly

Butterflies are all around us. It's hard to believe these majestic insects with impressive wingspans and beautifully colored and patterned wings were once creepy crawly caterpillars. How in the world does this transformation happen? This Level 1 Reader gives kids an up-close look at exactly how a caterpillar becomes a butterfly. With bonus information including different types of butterflies and poisonous caterpillars, this reader is one of a kind.

Crinkleroot's Guide to Knowing Butterflies and Moths

Crinkleroot introduces the amazing world of butterflies and moths as he tours the natural world, exposing the facts and behaviors of this fascinating insect group known as Lepidoptera.

Also, look at more homeschool lapbook ideas.

I have science and history lapbooks.

HOMESCHOOL LAPBOOK IDEAS

  • Free Ladybug Lapbook for Kids Who Love Hands-On Learning
  • Math Lapbook Ideas And Free Time And Money Lapbook
  • The World of Plants: The Educational Value of a Plant Lapbook
  • Arctic and Inuit Free Lapbook
  • Carnivorous Plants
  • Fall Unit 1 {Pumpkins, Leaves, Corn, & More}
  • Amber – Freezing Gold Lapbook
  • Coral Reef Lapbook
  • Fall Unit Study (Includes Apples, Sir Isaac Newton, Art, and Appleseed)
  • North American Robin Lapbook
  • Peregrine Falcon Unit Study and Lapbook
  • Strawberry Lapbook
  • Oceans Unit Lapbook
  • Rain Forest – Amazon
  • Human Body Lapbook
Free Butterfly Lapbook For Kids Who Love Hands-On Learning

Next, look at these other butterfly activities.

MORE BUTTERFLY ACTIVITIES FOR KIDS

  • Free Butterfly Unit Study For Kids and Fun Sponge Stamping
  • Fun and Easy Hands-on Life Cycle Butterfly Activity for Kids
  • 8 Facts About Moths and a Fun Nature Elephant Hawk Moth Craft
  • Blue Morpho Butterfly Adaptations In The Tropical Rainforest and Fun Symmetry Craft

HOW TO GET THE FREE BUTTERFLY LAPBOOK

Now, how to grab the freebie. It’s a subscriber freebie.

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

1) CLICK HERE ON THIS LINK TO SIGN UP ON MY EMAIL LIST & TO GET THIS FREEBIE

2) Grab the freebie instantly.

3) Last, look for all my emails in your inbox. Glad to have you following me

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

How To Use A Homeschool Notebook | Zoology Unit Study

May 28, 2025 | Leave a Comment
This post may contain affiliate links. For more information, please see my full disclosure policy.

A homeschool notebook is your best tool to explore zoology.

So, whether you’re learning about insects, mammals, birds, or reptiles, a zoology notebook is a fun way to keep all the information organized.

Too, a notebooking page can be done by any age. It makes a great tool for storing the information your child is learning.

How To Use A Homeschool Notebook | Zoology Unit Study

And a notebook can be anything like a spiral, file folder or 3 ring binder. Learners can add minibooks or write reports, draw or illustrate and label pictures to show what they have learned.

Basically, it’s a place where your children can keep all the things they are learning.

Additionally, it has several advantages than just doing worksheet pages. Like a fun scrapbook, each learner can make their notebook and notebooking pages unique.

It works well for learning any topic and today we’re doing one for studying zoology.

BOOKS AND RESOURCES TO USE FOR ZOOLOGY NOTEBOOK

In addition, we use living books for our notebooks.

Too, a reference book is a good science spine.

8 Resources for Multiple Ages Who Love Learning About Zoology

I have listed curriculum help to fun hands-on manipulatives for little kids to games and books which even older learners will enjoy.

Realistic Mini Zoo Animal Figurines

This jungle animal figures set was made by hand painted with high realistically detailed appearance, cute face and childish eyes. Their uniquely molded textures and richly painted details make the animals vivid. Children would like to spend more time to observe and play with them.

Safari Ltd. Nature TOOB

THE BEST OF NATURE: Bring the wonder of the great outdoors into your home with the Nature Toob! Including a rabbit, beaver, doe, cardinal, gray wolf, fox, raccoon, black bear, moose, mountain lion, bald eagle, and a bison, this Toob has all kinds of unique animals that fly, hop and saunter!

Professor Noggin's Wildlife of North America Trivia Card Game

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.

Professor Noggin's World of Pets Trivia Card Game

Use Professor Noggin Pets card game as a fun way to learn about animals and as an opportunity to discuss the responsibility of owning a pet.

Books and

Photo Credit: campfirecurriculums.com

Through the Eyes of | A Zoologist

A unit study done really well if you want something put together.

All About Oceans - Marine Biology Handbook: 350 Activities - A Creative Unit Study Science, Research, Geography, Drawing & Language Arts

For kids interested in Marine Biologist and learning about interesting sea creatures like the Brittle Stars and aquatic mammals like the Fur Seal.

Endangered, Extinct & Legendary Animals | A Science & Research Handbook: Zoology & Cryptozoology

This is a creative research handbook for students ages 8-17 and up who love earning about extinct, endangered, and mysterious animals. This curriculum handbook is designed to help students study each animal using books, videos, internet, encyclopedias, and any other parent-approved learning tool.

The 100 Series: Biology Workbook—Grades 6-12 Science, Matter, Atoms, Cells, Genetics, Elements, Bonds,

Give your students the reinforcement they need with the 128-page comprehensive Biology Workbook for grades 6–12. Designed to aid in the review and practice of biology topics such as matter and atoms, cells, classifying animals, genetics, plant and animal structures, human body systems, and ecological relationships, this book includes realistic diagrams and engaging activities to support practice in all areas of
biology.

Also, look at more zoology activities to add to your zoology homeschool notebook.

MORE ZOOLOGY ACTIVITIES

  • How to Create a Homeschool Zoology Unit Without a Curriculum and Cute Fox Craft (notebooking pages)
  • How Animals Survive Harsh Winters Fun Blubber Activity
  • Easy Hands-on Science: Animal Camouflage Activity Hunt
  • Bird Unit Study and Lapbook And Fun Edible Bird Nests
  • How Animals Cope With the Cold 
  • Animals of the Galapagos Islands
  • 6 World Wildlife Day Activities to Learn About African Lions
  • Egg to Sea Turtle Lesson Plans & Lapbook
  • Horse Unit Study for Your Horse Loving Kids
  • Deer Unit Study & Notebooking Pages
  • Black Bear Unit Study and Fun Edible Bear Poop
  • Free North American Robin Bird Lapbook and Fun Homeschool Unit Study Ideas
  • Toad and Frog Lapbook and Fun Homeschool Unit Study Ideas
  • Ocean Lapbook and Fun Homeschool Unit Study Ideas
  • Beautiful Bald Eagle Fun Facts And Torn Paper Bird Craft
How To Use A Homeschool Notebook | Zoology Unit Study

Also, look at these homeschool notebooking pages.

I cover history, science and even geography with some of our notebooking pages.

HOMESCHOOL NOTEBOOKING PAGES

  • Edible Rock Cycle Fudge | Hands-on Rock Activities & Free Notebooking Pages
  • History Makers Notebooking Pages – Famous Persons from Ancient to Modern – Set 2
  • Free Printable Strawberry Notebooking Pages
  • How To Make Puffy Paint Planets And Free Notebooking Pages
  • 2 Fun Chemistry for Kids Experiments & John Dalton Notebooking Pages
  • Fun Kids Dandelion Flower Unit Study and Easy Tea Recipe & Notebooking Pages
  • 9 Free South America Country Reports for Kids Notebooking Pages
  • Grades 1 to 8 Free Homeschool Art Curriculum and Printable Notebooking Pages
  • How Do Sharks Float STEM Activity Free Shark Unit Study & Notebooking Pages
  • Learn About Daniel Boone Hunting With a Fun Deer Unit Study & Notebooking Pages
  • George Washington Carver Fun Peanut Quick Unit Study & Notebooking Pages
  • Easy and Fun Who Is Geronimo Stilton Rodent Notebooking Page
  • 22 Famous Texans Notebooking Pages (editable) For a Fun History Study

Finally, look at how easy it is to get started.

HOW TO MAKE A HOMESCHOOL NOTEBOOK FOR YOUR ZOOLOGY UNIT STUDY

First, you will need these following supplies.

  • A notebook- lined, unlined, whatever
  • Reference books and our favorite at the moment, Anthology of Intriguing Animals
  • Pencils,crayons, colored pencils etc.
  • Stickers, magazine pictures, photographs

Next, let your child decorate their notebook on the outside, giving it a title, drawing pictures, using stickers, magazine cut outs or prints of their favorite animals from the web.

This gives them ownership over their notebook and infuses it with their personality.

How To Use A Homeschool Notebook | Zoology Unit Study

Then, grab your reference book and then use the internet to find whatever other facts you need.

Now the rest is up to you, decide what your child puts in their notebook based on their age and ability but I am going to give you a lot of ideas to help you get started.

Actually, I recommend creating a baseline of information you would like them to include and have them repeat the same format for every animal.

  • Write the animals name.
  • Draw the animal.
  • Draw its footprint.
  • Kingdom, phylum, class, order, genus, family, and species.
  • Food chain/web
  • Habitat
  • Lifespan
  • Endangered, vulnerable, extinct
  • Is it predator, prey, or both? 

Furthermore, include photos you take on field trips, printed images of the animals, you can type your required headers and let your child fill it out and then glue it in.

How To Use A Homeschool Notebook | Zoology Unit Study

This is just a starting point; it can be as simple or as involved as you like.

Encourage your child to get creative and use color, make sections for different information, and include lots of details.

This will go far in helping your learner remember all the information they are taking in.

Further, if you are using markers make sure your notebook has a thicker paper or keep a thick piece of paper between the page you are working on and the one behind it so it doesn’t bleed through.

The Anthology of Intriguing Animals was such a lovely resource, we enjoyed the realistic photos and the vintage feel of the book.

Leave a CommentFiled Under: Hands-On Activities Tagged With: hands on history, hands-on, hands-on activities, handsonhomeschooling, life science, notebooking, science

4 Week Free Watermelon Unit Study & Best Hands-on Ideas

May 27, 2025 | Leave a Comment
This post may contain affiliate links. For more information, please see my full disclosure policy.

I have a 4 week free watermelon unit study including many hands-on activities. Also, look at my page Best Homeschool Unit Studies for more unit studies.

Watermelons are more than just delicious; they can be used as a wonderful summer theme with plenty of uses.

For example, you can learn math, science, art, and practical life skills. There are books, games, stickers, and all kinds of watermelon theme resources to use.

4 Week Free Watermelon Unit Study & Best Hands-on Ideas

Also, diving into the biology of a watermelon and the life cycle of the plant is a fun summer study.

In addition, you can learn about the watermelon in cultures around the world. Too, learn about the nutrition and health impact of watermelon.

And I have plenty of ideas and hands-on activities to try.

RESOURCES AND BOOKS ABOUT WATERMELON FOR KIDS

Next, look at these books to add to your unit study.

5 Watermelon Books & Resources

Add these fun books about seeds, gardening and watermelons. You can use them for a unit study or add to your home library.

Watermelon, Watermelon

"Watermelon, Watermelon" is a delightful sing-along book by award-winning songwriter and music therapist Stephanie Leavell. Perfect for ages 1-7, this rhythmic and catchy story is based on Stephanie's beloved children's song. The book features bright, captivating illustrations by Sarah Pilar Echeverria, making it an engaging read that young children will request again and again.

Food Anatomy: The Curious Parts & Pieces of Our Edible World

Julia Rothman starts with an illustrated history of food and ends with a global tour of street eats. Along the way, Rothman serves up a hilarious primer on short-order egg lingo and a mouthwatering menu of how people around the planet serve fried potatoes–and what we dip them in.Award-winning food journalist Rachel Wharton lends her expertise to this light-hearted exploration of everything food that bursts with little-known facts and delightful drawings

The Watermelon Seed

Crocodile loves watermelon, but what will happen when his greatest fear of swallowing a watermelon seed comes to pass? Will vines sprout out his ears? Will his skin turn pink? Only one thing is certain: his wild imagination will have kids laughing out loud and begging for another read.

Where the Watermelons Grow

When twelve-year-old Della Kelly finds her mother furiously digging black seeds from a watermelon in the middle of the night and talking to people who aren't there, Della worries that it’s happening again—that the sickness that put her mama in the hospital four years ago is back. That her mama is going to be hospitalized for months like she was last time.

With her daddy struggling to save the farm and her mama in denial about what’s happening, it’s up to Della to heal her mama for good. And she knows just how she’ll do it: with a jar of the Bee Lady’s magic honey, which has mended the wounds and woes of Maryville, North Carolina, for generations.

Bananagrams Word-a-Melon: Family-Fun Word Search Game for Kids Age 6+

  • WORDY-FUN: Word-a-Melon is the family-fun word search game by Bananagrams
  • FLIP THOSE TILES: Take turns rolling the die, flipping the cardboard letter chips and creating words with the overturned letters
  • USE YOUR MELON: Unused letters are flipped back over so players must be sure to remember where they are!

Then, look at these ideas for a 4 week watermelon themed unit study.

WATERMELON BASICS WEEK 1

6 Watermelon Facts

  • Dissect a watermelon and label its parts.
  • Draw the life cycle of a watermelon, from seed to fruit or put together these Free Watermelon Life Cycle Printable Puzzles.
  • Research and present interesting facts about watermelons.
  • Taste test different varieties of watermelon.
  • Here you can learn How to Make a Watermelon Sensory Bin for Play and Learning that is fun for little learners and can incorporate math, science, language arts, and more.
  • A watermelon is 92% water.
  • Every part of the watermelon is edible from the rind, to the seeds, to the flesh.
  • It is technically both a fruit and a vegetable.
  • The world’s heaviest watermelon weighed over 350 pounds.
  • There are over 1200 varieties of watermelon worldwide.
  • Some Japanese farmers grow watermelon in cube-shaped containers.

Next, look at these math and science activities.

4 Week Free Watermelon Unit Study & Best Hands-on Ideas

MATH & SCIENCE WEEK 2

  • Practice counting and measuring with watermelons- use cloth measuring tapes for circumference, rulers for height and width, a simple scale to compare weight. Count the seeds inside.
  • Explore the density and buoyancy of watermelon by floating it in a small pool or tub.
  • How to Conduct an Exploding Watermelon Theme Experiment
  • Conduct a watermelon seed germination experiment.
  • How to Make Fun Watermelon Seed Slime For Summer Learning

ART & LITERATURE WEEK 3

  • Make Watermelon Button art for a cute decor piece that will make a sweet addition and brighten up your shelves.
  • Create your own Watermelon Sponge Stamped Tea Towels
  • Read and discuss “The Watermelon Seed” with younger children and “Where the Watermelons Grow” for upper elementary through early middle school.
  • Write a short story or poem about a watermelon adventure.
  • Play a word game like Bananagrams Word A Melon,

Finally, look at some ideas about cooking.

COOKING & NUTRITION WEEK 4

  • Research the nutritional benefits of watermelons, then read the packaging on watermelon juices, fruit roll ups, and other watermelon flavored items to compare the nutrition labels.
  • Learn How to pick the perfect watermelon, this is a great natural step for life skills.
  • Make watermelon juice or smoothies.
  • Create a watermelon salsa, salad, or this Watermelon Fries recipe with a yummy coconut lime dip.
  • Discuss food safety when handling fruits.

Leave a CommentFiled Under: Hands-On Activities Tagged With: hands-on, hands-on activities, handsonhomeschooling, homeschool, science, unit studies, unit study, watermelon

Summer Learning Ideas For The Littles & Free Backyard Brainiacs Printable

May 26, 2025 | Leave a Comment
This post may contain affiliate links. For more information, please see my full disclosure policy.

I have summer learning ideas for your littles. Too, I have a free backyard brainiacs space themed printable. Also, look at my post Free Summer Unit Study For Kids for more activities.

Anytime is really a good time to get your little learners outside with these fun summer learning ideas. Especially with hands-on ideas and room for free exploration, try one or two of these activities.

Teaching your elementary school children doesn’t have to stop in summer. A lot of homeschoolers school year round and summer is not any different than any other season.

Summer Learning Ideas For The Littles & Free Backyard Brainiacs Printable

We homeschool, we learn and take time off as needed. Repeat as necessary.

And young children learn best through play, exploration, and meaningful conversations with you. So, turn your backyard into a lab or make it a nature story time place.

First, look at some of these books for summer reading.

SUMMER THEMED BOOKS FOR ELEMENTARY CHILDREN

I prefer living books first.

As I find them, I add to our list then add reference books.

8 Summer Books for Elementary Aged Children

Add these summer books to your little learner’s reading list. Use for read aloud or to add to a fun unit study.

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.

This is an imagination-sparking story about appreciating the simple, natural joys of the world and the people in it, and about discovering and exploring one’s own talents.

Miss Rumphius

Barbara Cooney's story of Alice Rumphius, who longed to travel the world, live in a house by the sea, and do something to make the world more beautiful, has a timeless quality that resonates with each new generation. The countless lupines that bloom along the coast of Maine are the legacy of the real Miss Rumphius, the Lupine Lady, who scattered lupine seeds everywhere she went. Miss Rumphius received the American Book Award in the year of publication.

Andrew Henry's Meadow

Andrew Henry has two younger brothers, who are always together, and two older sisters, who are always together. But Andrew Henry is in the middle--and he's always with himself. He doesn't mind this very much, because he's an inventor. But when Andrew Henry's family doesn't appreciate him or his inventions, he decides it's time to run away. Many children in the neighborhood feel the same way and follow him to his meadow, where he builds each of his friends a unique house of their very own. But in town the families miss their children and do everything they can to find them. And the kids realize that it feels a little lonely out in the meadow without their parents.

Summer Story (Brambly Hedge)

Follows the activities of the Brambley Hedge community of field mice in summer.

Blueberries for Sal

Kuplink, kuplank, kuplunk! 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?

Jamberry

A small boy and a big friendly bear embark on a berry-picking extravaganza, looking for blueberries, blackberries, and strawberries. Their fun adventure comes to a razzamatazz finale under a starberry sky.

Pond

When Matt is out for a late winter hike he sees a trickle of water in the old deserted and junk filled dirt pit at the edge of his
neighborhood. With quiet appreciation, Matt can imagine the pond that must once have been there, shining in the early spring light, freezing in the winter for skating and the perfect place for swimming in the summer. Can Matt’s discovery transform a forgotten pond to its natural wonder? With his idea of making the pond whole again, Matt rallies his friends, Katie and Pablo, and together they work through the spring, clearing debris, moving rocks to hold the water, and looking for leaks. But would there be enough water to fill the pond? Can they bring the pond back?

The Sun Egg

A mysterious orange egg has fallen into the woods. "It's a sun egg!" declares the elf who finds it nestled on the forest floor. Soon
she and her friends discover what it really is; but not before the sun egg is lost and little elf begins a wonderful adventure.

This is a delightful story for young children about imagination and discovery from the world-renowned Swedish author–illustrator Elsa Beskow.

Next, look at some of these summer learning ideas.

SUMMER LEARNING IDEAS FOR THE LITTLE LEARNERS

  • Explore the Outdoors: Top Summer Ideas and Free Scavenger Hunt
  • Backyard Mud Cafe: An Easy Outdoor Imaginative Play Idea for Kids
  • 10 Kindergarten Sensory Bin Ideas | How To Make A Summer Sensory Bin
  • The Best Summer Activity: Shower Curtain Painting
  • 8 Best Summer Unit Studies For Kindergarten | Free Ant Study
  • Alphabet Letter Fishing
  • How to Make a Watermelon Sensory Bin for Play and Learning
  • Sidewalk Chalk Outdoor Math Game
  • How to Make Fun Watermelon Seed Slime For Summer Learning
  • Summer Fun Science Activity – Sand Volcano at Home
  • Bioluminescence For Kids: How To Make A Fun Firefly Craft

Summer Learning Ideas For The Littles & Free Backyard Brainiacs Printable

Finally, look at what is included in this backyard brainiacs printable for ages 7 to 11 with space theme.

HOW TO DOWNLOAD THE FREE BACKYARD BRAINIACS SPACE THEMED PRINTABLE FOR THE LITTLE LEARNERS

Now, how to grab the freebie. It’s a subscriber freebie.

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

1) CLICK HERE ON THIS LINK TO SIGN UP ON MY EMAIL LIST & TO GET THIS FREEBIE

2) Grab the freebie instantly.

3) Last, look for all my emails in your inbox. Glad to have you following me!

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

How to Conduct an Exploding Watermelon Theme Experiment

May 25, 2025 | Leave a Comment
This post may contain affiliate links. For more information, please see my full disclosure policy.

Nothing screams summer more than an exploding watermelon theme experiment. Also, see my 4 Week Free Watermelon Unit Study & Best Hands-on Ideas.

The exploding melon experiment is a perfect example of physics and engineering in action.

Just so you know this is one of the coolest and messiest science activity we’ve done. Be sure to do this outside for a fun summer day.

How to Conduct an Exploding Watermelon Theme Experiment

The idea is simple: you stretch rubber bands around the middle of the melon, one at a time.

Eventually, the melon explodes, shooting juice and pieces everywhere.

However, there is a lot of science to learn from this simple experiment.

KIDS BOOKS & RESOURCES ABOUT WATERMELON

First, add some of these books and fun resources.

5 Watermelon Books & Resources

Add these fun books about seeds, gardening and watermelons. You can use them for a unit study or add to your home library.

Watermelon, Watermelon

"Watermelon, Watermelon" is a delightful sing-along book by award-winning songwriter and music therapist Stephanie Leavell. Perfect for ages 1-7, this rhythmic and catchy story is based on Stephanie's beloved children's song. The book features bright, captivating illustrations by Sarah Pilar Echeverria, making it an engaging read that young children will request again and again.

Food Anatomy: The Curious Parts & Pieces of Our Edible World

Julia Rothman starts with an illustrated history of food and ends with a global tour of street eats. Along the way, Rothman serves up a hilarious primer on short-order egg lingo and a mouthwatering menu of how people around the planet serve fried potatoes–and what we dip them in.Award-winning food journalist Rachel Wharton lends her expertise to this light-hearted exploration of everything food that bursts with little-known facts and delightful drawings

The Watermelon Seed

Crocodile loves watermelon, but what will happen when his greatest fear of swallowing a watermelon seed comes to pass? Will vines sprout out his ears? Will his skin turn pink? Only one thing is certain: his wild imagination will have kids laughing out loud and begging for another read.

Where the Watermelons Grow

When twelve-year-old Della Kelly finds her mother furiously digging black seeds from a watermelon in the middle of the night and talking to people who aren't there, Della worries that it’s happening again—that the sickness that put her mama in the hospital four years ago is back. That her mama is going to be hospitalized for months like she was last time.

With her daddy struggling to save the farm and her mama in denial about what’s happening, it’s up to Della to heal her mama for good. And she knows just how she’ll do it: with a jar of the Bee Lady’s magic honey, which has mended the wounds and woes of Maryville, North Carolina, for generations.

Bananagrams Word-a-Melon: Family-Fun Word Search Game for Kids Age 6+

  • WORDY-FUN: Word-a-Melon is the family-fun word search game by Bananagrams
  • FLIP THOSE TILES: Take turns rolling the die, flipping the cardboard letter chips and creating words with the overturned letters
  • USE YOUR MELON: Unused letters are flipped back over so players must be sure to remember where they are!

Next, look at more fun summer themed activities.

MORE WATERMELON THEME ACTIVITIES

  • How to Make a Watermelon Sensory Bin for Play and Learning
  • Math Game: Roll & Cover
  • How to Make Fun Watermelon Seed Slime For Summer Learning
  • Seed spitting measurement
  • Quilled Pendant
  • Sponge Painting

How to Conduct an Exploding Watermelon Theme Experiment

Finally, look at how to do this experiment.

EXPLODING WATERMELON EXPERIMENT

You will need:

  • A medium-sized watermelon
  • 400-600 rubber bands
  • Safety goggles

The very first step is to put on your safety goggles. 

Ensure that all observers also have their eye protection in place. This cannot be stressed enough – flying watermelon pieces can cause serious eye injury.

Choose a flat outdoor surface and set down the watermelon. 

If you are using protective sheeting, lay it down before placing the watermelon. 

Have your camera or phone ready to record the event. Consider the lighting and the angle that will best capture the explosion.

Apply the first layer, carefully placing rubber bands around the circumference of the watermelon. 

Ensure that they are distributed somewhat evenly around the widest part of the fruit.

There’s no specific pattern required, just aim for relatively uniform coverage.

How to Conduct an Exploding Watermelon Theme Experiment

Layer by layer, continue adding rubber bands, one at a time. 

As you add more, you will start to feel the tension increasing. The rubber bands will begin to bunch together and press firmly against the watermelon’s rind. 

Try to weave the new rubber bands in among the existing ones to distribute the pressure as evenly as possible. 

Using a mix of rubber band sizes can help achieve better coverage and prevent too much stress on a single point.

How to Conduct an Exploding Watermelon Theme Experiment

Once you have applied a significant number of rubber bands, pause and observe the watermelon closely. 

MELON EXPERIMENT

You may start to hear subtle cracking or popping sounds emanating from the rind.

These are indicators that the pressure is building and the watermelon’s structural integrity is being challenged. 

Be patient; the explosion won’t happen instantaneously.

Keep adding rubber bands. As the pressure intensifies, the watermelon will likely begin to deform slightly. The area around the equator will appear compressed, and the rubber bands will be tightly stretched. 

The cracking and popping sounds may become more frequent and pronounced. 

This is the exciting phase where the internal forces are nearing their limit, you can see how one end of the watermelon is bulging and catch where it was just beginning to burst.

How to Conduct an Exploding Watermelon Theme Experiment

Eventually, the cumulative pressure from the rubber bands will exceed the tensile strength of the watermelon rind. This will result in a sudden and often surprisingly powerful explosion.

The watermelon will rupture, sending chunks of rind and flesh flying outwards. Be prepared for a loud noise and a shower of watermelon debris. Maintain a safe distance during this stage.

How to Conduct an Exploding Watermelon Theme Experiment

Almost as cool as the explosion was that the rubber bands formed a tight rubber band ball when the watermelon pushed through them.

How to Conduct an Exploding Watermelon Theme Experiment

The exploding watermelon experiment  illustrates several key scientific concepts:

SCIENTIFIC CONCEPTS MELON EXPERIMENT

Energy Release: The potential energy stored in the stretched rubber bands and the compressed watermelon is suddenly released during the explosion, propelling the fragments outwards.

External Pressure: The rubber bands exert an external compressive force on the watermelon. Each rubber band contributes a small amount of tension, and the cumulative effect of hundreds of these bands creates significant pressure directed inwards towards the watermelon’s core.

Internal Pressure: Watermelons, like many fruits, have a high water content, which contributes to internal turgor pressure. This internal pressure pushes outwards against the rind, helping the fruit maintain its shape.

Tensile Strength: The watermelon rind possesses a certain amount of tensile strength, which is its ability to withstand being pulled apart or stretched. The rind can endure a certain level of external pressure before its structural integrity is compromised.

Accumulation of Force: Individually, a single rubber band exerts a relatively small force. However, by applying a large number of rubber bands, these small forces add up to create a substantial overall pressure. This demonstrates how multiple small forces can combine to overcome a greater resistance.

Material Failure: The explosion occurs when the total external pressure exerted by the rubber bands exceeds the tensile strength of the watermelon rind plus its internal pressure. At this point, the rind can no longer withstand the forces acting upon it, and it ruptures catastrophically.

Leave a CommentFiled Under: Hands-On Activities Tagged With: elementary science, hands-on, hands-on activities, handson, handsonhomeschooling, science, watermelon

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