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handsonhomeschooling

Fun Corn Life Cycle Preschool Sensory Bin and Printable Lifecycle Foldout

August 16, 2023 | Leave a Comment
This post may contain affiliate links. For more information, please see my full disclosure policy.

Your little ones will be so excited to get their hands on this corn life cycle preschool printable and sensory bin. Also, you’ll love my page Fall Season Unit Study {Pumpkins, Leaves, Corn, & More}.

The sensory bin and foldout are both great ways to learn about corn, its life cycle, the different parts, terminology, and even the different ways we can enjoy or use corn.

My printable shows your preschooler how corn grows in all its stages from planting to harvest in a simple and fun fold-out that they can color.

Fun Corn Life Cycle Preschool Sensory Bin and Printable Lifecycle Foldout

Then the perfect hands-on activity to go along with your corn life cycle preschool printable is a fun corn-themed sensory bin that they can dig into.

Items We Get From Corn

We get a lot of products that we use every day from corn.

This is a great time to talk about that with your child while they color in their fold-out or dig into the sensory bin.

Fun Corn Life Cycle Preschool Sensory Bin and Printable Lifecycle Foldout

To get you started here is a list of some of the things that corn makes:

  • Corn on the Cob
  • Canned Corn
  • Corn meal
  • Grits
  • Corn Syrup
  • Corn Chips Cornstarch
  • Crayons
  • Toothpaste
  • Popcorn

Also, look at more preschool corn activities.

More Corn Life Cycle Preschool Activities

I grabbed one of my favorite resources and both Farm and Food Anatomy had a page on corn, including the parts of the corn plant, varieties, and fun facts.

These are great to have out while your child explores the sensory bin.

  • Food Anatomy is even great for preschoolers with its pretty illustrations and small snippets of information that will keep them interested
Fun Corn Life Cycle Preschool Sensory Bin and Printable Lifecycle Foldout
  • And Farm Anatomy is always a great reference for farm and food-related topics.
Fun Corn Life Cycle Preschool Sensory Bin and Printable Lifecycle Foldout
  • Make popcorn to enjoy together for a healthy and delicious snack that ties right into the lesson.
  • To incorporate some early math skills you can also add a die to the corn sensory bin to have your child roll a number and count out the coordinating amount of corn kernels.
  • Add 2 for older children and they can practice addition and subtraction using the kernels as a manipulative.
Fun Corn Life Cycle Preschool Sensory Bin and Printable Lifecycle Foldout
  • Explore different corn products with your child, placing some items from the list above for your child to look at and investigate.
Fun Corn Life Cycle Preschool Sensory Bin and Printable Lifecycle Foldout
  • Teach your preschooler how to shuck corn, not only is it a great idea for dinner but it helps develop your child’s fine motor skills.

Follow the directions to print and cut out the corn life cycle printable, let your child color their corn images before cutting them out.

  • This Dancing Corn Experiment is a fun science activity that requires very little prep or setup and will fascinate your child.
  • Incorporate math skills like number recognition and fine motor skills with the Preschool Corn Counting Activity.

Corn Activities to Include Older Children

In addition, here are a few activities to include about corn for older your children.

  • Popcorn Science Mini Unit Study Which Brand Pops the Best
  • Geronimo Stilton Field Trip to Niagara Falls Summary And Fun Corn Craft
  • Free Lapbook on Fall Season Unit Study {Pumpkins, Leaves, Corn, & More}.
Fun Corn Life Cycle Preschool Sensory Bin and Printable Lifecycle Foldout

Finally, look at some ideas for corn preschool sensory bin.

Corn Life Cycle Preschool Sensory Bin

For the sensory bin you will need:

  • A shallow container, preferably with a lid
  • Whole feed corn
  • Spoons and scoops
  • Small containers
  • Corn toys

Start by pouring corn into your shallow container a couple of inches deep,

 I found this perfect-sized container at my dollar tree. You can even use a baking pan or sheet to hold your sensory bin materials.

You can find whole-feed corn at your local feed store (Tractor Supply, Rural King, and even Walmart).

If you can’t find it you can use popcorn or cracked corn that is sold for feeding birds in its place.

Fun Corn Life Cycle Preschool Sensory Bin and Printable Lifecycle Foldout

Add a few scoops and spoons, as well as a container or two for filling and pouring for fine motor development and hand-eye coordination-important prewriting skills.

Fun Corn Life Cycle Preschool Sensory Bin and Printable Lifecycle Foldout

If you have a preschooler chances are that you have some pretend food in their toys, chances are also good that there is some corn in the mix.

Grab it and add it to the sensory bin, you can also get real corn shucked and unshucked but if you have a child who is very sensory and likes to taste everything you might want to skip using real corn.

We had several plastic corns on the cobs as well as a pretend can of corn and a corn from this Safari Fruits and Vegetables Toob .

Add flashcards or small photos of corn, I did a quick watercolor to put in our sensory bin.

Fun Corn Life Cycle Preschool Sensory Bin and Printable Lifecycle Foldout

You can also add letters to spell out corn using Scrabble tiles or letter beads to help your child with word and beginning letter recognition.

Finally, pop in your corn life cycle printable.

Set your bin up, you may want to put a sheet or shower curtain liner underneath to catch the mess for an easy cleanup.

Fun Corn Life Cycle Preschool Sensory Bin and Printable Lifecycle Foldout

Finally, look below to see how to download the corn life cycle foldout.

Free Corn Life Cycle Printable Foldout

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: corn, fall, foldout, hands-on, hands-on activities, handson, handsonhomeschooling, homeschool preschool, preschool, preschool skills, sensory bin

Free Life Cycle of a Mushroom Worksheet & Fun Meringue Mushrooms

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

I have a free life cycle of a mushroom worksheet and a fun edible meringue mushrooms activity. Also, you’ll love this Fun Hands-on Free Mushroom Unit Study and Kids Learning Activities.

Because the growth of mushrooms can be hard for students to understand, illustrating a mushroom life cycle is best.

For example, mushrooms are not plants because they don’t have chlorophyll and can’t use the sun for energy.

Free Life Cycle of a Mushroom Worksheet & Fun Meringue Mushrooms

Too, mushrooms don’t have seeds.

Instead of seeds, mushrooms have spores which drop from their gills.

Mushrooms are a type of fungus. There are many kinds of fungi like molds and crusts.

And mycelium is similar to the roots of plants.

Free Life Cycle of a Mushroom Worksheet & Fun Meringue Mushrooms

Grab a few fun activities below, share some of the fascinating facts, and enjoy nibbling on your own delicious meringue mushrooms to “cap” off your study.

Also, look at more mushroom facts.

5 Mushroom Facts

  1. Mushrooms produce Vitamin D when exposed to ultraviolet light, but they don’t need the light to grow.
  2. Mushrooms grow in all 50 states, even Alaska.
  3. Fungi are the largest life form on earth, the mycelium grows underground for miles.
  4. Mushrooms are actually the fruit of a fungus; they are a product of the fungi growing underground and are a very small part of the plant.
  5. Some mushrooms glow in the dark, they have light-emitting compounds called luciferins that glow and attract insects.

Also, look at some of these mushroom resources and books.

9 Mushroom Unit Study Books

Grab some of these fun books to learn about mushrooms, the part of a mushroom and the life cycle.

Image for Mushrooms: How to Identify and Gather Wild Mushrooms and Other Fungi

Mushrooms: How to Identify and Gather Wild Mushrooms and Other Fungi

This mushroom foraging book is packed with vital information that will help you identify the exact types of mushrooms you are looking for when you’re out foraging. You’ll learn how to identify the caps, stems and gills, which all have different physical characteristics like shape and texture, and color.From the Neobulgaria pura and the Mitrula paludosa, discover newly-found fungi species and complex ones which can only be viewed microscopically. The detailed illustrations and identification charts will help you name the mushrooms you find or hope to search for. 

Image for Back to the Roots Organic Mini Mushroom Grow Kit

Back to the Roots Organic Mini Mushroom Grow Kit

GROW YOUR PLANT ALL YEAR-ROUND: This organic mushroom indoor kit allows you to grow your own crop all-year round; Just place the box near a window with indirect light, mist twice a day, and you'll see delicious, beautiful mushrooms growing within a week; Included in this kit is an organic plant-based soil infused with mushroom spawn and a booklet with instructions

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

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

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

Image for National Audubon Society Field Guide to North American Mushrooms (National Audubon Society Field Guides)

National Audubon Society Field Guide to North American Mushrooms (National Audubon Society Field Guides)

Featuring a durable vinyl binding and over 700 full-color identification photographs organized visually by color and shape, the National Audubon Society Field Guide to North American Mushrooms is the perfect companion for any mushroom hunting expedition. Each species is accompanied by a detailed physical description, information on edibility, season, habitat, range, look-alikes, alternative names, and facts on edible and poisonous species, uses, and folklore. A supplementary section on cooking and eating wild mushrooms, and illustrations identifying the parts of a mushroom, round out this essential guide.

Image for The Mushroom Fan Club

The Mushroom Fan Club

Elise Gravel is back with a whimsical look at one of her family’s most beloved pastimes: mushroom hunting! Combining her love of exploring nature with her talent for anthropomorphizing everything, she takes us on a magical tour of the forest floor and examines a handful of her favorite alien specimens up close. While the beautiful coral mushroom looks like it belongs under the sea, the peculiar Lactarius indigo may be better suited for outer space. From the fun-to-stomp puffballs to the prince of the stinkers―the stinkhorn mushroom―and the musically inclined chanterelles, Gravel shares her knowledge of this fascinating kingdom by bringing each species to life in full felt-tip-marker glory.

Image for Botanicum: Welcome to the Museum

Botanicum: Welcome to the Museum

The 2017 offering from Big Picture Press's Welcome to the Museum series, Botanicum, is a brilliantly curated guide to plant life. With artwork from Katie Scott of Animalium fame, Botanicum gives readers the experience of a fascinating exhibition from the pages of a beautiful book. From perennials to bulbs to tropical exotica, Botanicum is a wonderful feast of botanical knowledge complete with superb cross sections of how plants work.

Image for Ridley's Funky Fungi

Ridley's Funky Fungi

FUN FAMILY GAME: See if you have what it takes to be the mushroom master in Funky Fungi from Ridley's Games! In this card-collecting game that will definitely grow on you, forage for the best fungi to be the first player to reach ten points and win the game.

Image for Let's learn about mushrooms

Let's learn about mushrooms

Introduces the characteristics and uses of a variety of mushrooms and discusses some of the beliefs and customs connected with this plant family.

Image for Katya's Book of Mushrooms

Katya's Book of Mushrooms

Mushrooms are exciting to find, beautiful to look at, fascinating to identify, and delicious to eat. When you know what to look for, a mushroom hunt is as safe and enjoyable as a treasure hunt. Katya Arnold ranges through the world to find hundreds of varieties of mushrooms, as well as fascinating anecdotes and fun facts that make these wonders of nature exciting and immediate. A walk in the woods will never be the same!

Next, look at more hands-ion mushroom activities.

More Mushroom Activities

  • Grow your own mushrooms at home to get a close look at the process from start to finish.
  • Color the mushroom with colored pencils or crayons, older children can fill out the blank one to label the anatomy.
Free Life Cycle of a Mushroom Worksheet & Fun Meringue Mushrooms
  • Take a walk and see what mushrooms you can spot; they love dark damp pasture or woodland areas.
  • Nature Anatomy has several lovely, illustrated pages on mushrooms’ names, their lifecycle, and interesting facts about them.
Free Life Cycle of a Mushroom Worksheet & Fun Meringue Mushrooms
  • Painting a watercolor of a favorite mushroom or one that you found in the wild is a great learning activity. Carry watercolors and paper on your next nature walk and see what you can discover and recreate through art.
Free Life Cycle of a Mushroom Worksheet & Fun Meringue Mushrooms
  • I love to add beautiful art to our walls that also has an educational use to it like this vintage mushroom print.
  • Fun Hands-on Free Mushroom Unit Study and Kids Learning Activities

Life Cycle of a Mushroom Worksheet Meringue Mushroom Activity

You will need:

  • 3 large eggs
  • ¾ cup granulated sugar
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 2 Tbsp. semi-sweet chocolate chips
  • Cinnamon or cocoa powder
  • ¼ teaspoon cream of tartar
  • Oreos-optional
Free Life Cycle of a Mushroom Worksheet & Fun Meringue Mushrooms

First, preheat the oven to 200 degrees.

Line the baking sheet with a silicone mat or parchment paper.

Separate eggs, adding only the whites to a medium-sized mixing bowl.

Free Life Cycle of a Mushroom Worksheet & Fun Meringue Mushrooms

Add in cream of tartar and mix on high until foamy and soft peaks have formed.

Incorporate sugar a little at a time until it is all mixed in.

Free Life Cycle of a Mushroom Worksheet & Fun Meringue Mushrooms

Continue to whip on high for 4-5 minutes until the mixture becomes thick, and shiny, and forms stiff peaks.

This just means that when you lift the beater up or scoop it with a spoon it holds its shape well without dripping.

Free Life Cycle of a Mushroom Worksheet & Fun Meringue Mushrooms

Add just a bit of cocoa powder or cinnamon and mix quickly to add a little color to your mushrooms.

Take a quart-sized sandwich bag and place it in a cup with the top rolled open over the sides.

Free Life Cycle of a Mushroom Worksheet & Fun Meringue Mushrooms

Scoop the meringue mixture into the bag until about ⅗ of the way full and squeeze the mixture down into one corner.

How to Make a Fun Meringue Mushroom Activity

If you have and are familiar with using a piping bag you can just use your favorite bag and tip.

Free Life Cycle of a Mushroom Worksheet & Fun Meringue Mushrooms

Snip off a small corner of the bag with scissors.

Free Life Cycle of a Mushroom Worksheet & Fun Meringue Mushrooms

Hold above the filling and squeeze the mixture out the hole you cut into little round mushroom caps.

Free Life Cycle of a Mushroom Worksheet & Fun Meringue Mushrooms

Then make some strips for the stalk. Don’t worry about making them perfect, they are natural and unique, and we are going to trim them a bit later.

Free Life Cycle of a Mushroom Worksheet & Fun Meringue Mushrooms

Be sure you make an equal number of each, so you have a complete mushroom.

Wet your finger and smooth ridges and points on them.

Free Life Cycle of a Mushroom Worksheet & Fun Meringue Mushrooms

Bake in the oven for 1 hour. Turn off the oven and allow them to sit for another 30 minutes.

Remove and allow them to cool completely.

While waiting for them to cool you can crush some Oreos up in a bag with a rolling pin or toss them in your food processor to create a dirt bed for the mushrooms.

Free Life Cycle of a Mushroom Worksheet & Fun Meringue Mushrooms

Sprinkle on your plate.

Dust the mushroom caps with cinnamon or cocoa powder for a little texture and color.

Cut one end of the mushroom stalk to leave a flat even surface to attach to the cap.

Melt chocolate chips in the microwave until smooth.

Dip mushroom cap bottoms into the chocolate and press the stalk into them.

Free Life Cycle of a Mushroom Worksheet & Fun Meringue Mushrooms

Pop in the fridge to harden for a few minutes.

Free Life Cycle of a Mushroom Worksheet & Fun Meringue Mushrooms

Add the mushrooms to the dirt and enjoy a tasty and educational snack while you learn about the fascinating life cycle and anatomy of this fungus.

How to Get the Free Life Cycle of a Mushroom Worksheets

Lastly, I have four mushroom notebooking pages or worksheet.

The first two pages are the mushroom life cycle. One page is labeled (or with the answers) and the other page is unlabeled.

And the second set of pages is the mushroom anatomy. The same for it too, one page is labeled (or with the answers) and the other page is unlabeled.

Free Life Cycle of a Mushroom Worksheet & Fun Meringue Mushrooms

Now, how to grab the free mushroom notebooking pages. This is a subscriber freebie.

That means when you sign up to follow me, you get access to my subscribers library and this freebie.

 1) Sign up on my list.
2) Grab the freebie.
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: earth science, earthscience, hands-on, hands-on activities, handson, handsonhomeschooling, homeschoolscience, life science, mushroom, notebooking, science

Fun Renaissance Unit Study Ideas for Kids and Lapbook Renaissance

August 12, 2023 | 2 Comments
This post may contain affiliate links. For more information, please see my full disclosure policy.

I have some fun renaissance unit study ideas and a lapbook renaissance. Also, you’ll love my page Renaissance 1300 to 1600 unit study and look at the co-op pictures of the Renaissance too for more ideas.

The Renaissance period was a cultural movement that began in Italy and swept through Europe.

Many important and exciting changes were taking place in 16th century England.

Fun Renaissance Unit Study Ideas for Kid and Lapbook Renaissance

There were great advances in the arts and sciences.

The lower classes were becoming more educated, and the entire world was beginning to see England as a real power.

Next, look at these other facts about life during the Renaissance.

Facts about Life During the Renaissance

Traveling. Each knight or justice of the peace was responsible for keeping the roads in good order.
However, it was a very difficult job. The roads were not good, and people traveled only when necessary.

Life as a child. Children were sent to work at an early age. They had a lot of games to play and toys to play with, but illness claimed one in every three or four before the age of 10.

Shopping. There were four ways to shop: markets, fairs, in-town shops, and at home (from traveling peddlers). Members of the upper classes had private tutors, while children in villages and towns were taught at the new grammar schools being started all over the country.

Crafs of the Renaissance. Glass is a material that has been known to humankind for over 5,000 years.

The art of working glass is believed to have begun around 3500 BC in Iran or Iraq.

For example, during the reign of the Egyptian pharaohs, glass was the most precious of all materials. The blowpipe, a Roman invention of around 400 BC, made glass more available and affordable.

Moreover, the hand-blown techniques we use today were developed between 400 BC and the birth of Christ. Glassblowing has never been a “lost art.”

Its history is rich and consistent with centers in Persia, the Islamic countries, Italy, Northern Europe, and France.

Fun Renaissance Unit Study Ideas for Kid and Lapbook Renaissance

Then, the main English contribution was of a truly clear glass during the English Renaissance.

With the recent advent of the “studio art glass movement,” the United States has become a true center of contemporary glass. You’ll love my free Glass Blowing lapbook and unit study.

16th Century Language. Renaissance language was very specific. Elizabethans loved the language. It was both their entertainment and their weapon.

A quick wit was highly prized. Elizabethans would never say in two words what could be said in six or seven. There were different greetings depending on the time of day. Also, etiquette might call for one to ask permission before leaving.

Renaissance Insults and Compliments for Your Lapbook Renaissance

Further, here are some expressions that your children may find funny, and they make for fun copywork.

1.You’re thick-skulled.

2. You’re a coward.

3. You do not ever want to see this person again.

4. You look pretty today.

5. Your voice is beautiful.

6. You are dazzlingly beautiful.

1.Thou knotty-pated fool

2. Thou art lily-livered.

3. Direct thy feet where thou and I henceforth may never meet.

4. Thou art most beauteous this day.

5. Thy voice is sweeter than that of an angel.

6. Thy beauty eclipses the sun.

Also, look at some expressions or words used if you want to have a renaissance feast or co-op.

Fun Renaissance Unit Study Ideas for Kid and Lapbook Renaissance

Have your children practice them

1.Amazing

2.Perhaps

3.Please

4. Come here

5.Where are you going?

6.Where are you from?

7.What is your name?

1.Wonderous

2.Perchance

3.Prithee

4. Corne thee hither

5. Wither geest thou?

6.From whence hail ye?

7.What be thy name?

Music and Clothing of the Renaissance

Of all English Renaissance tunes, Greensleeves which may have been written by King Henry VIII of England
is the most familiar.

However, it was a wildly popular tune in its own day, and was arranged in endless different ways.

Give this one version of Greensleeves a listen – it’s beautiful.

Additionally, clothing made a huge part of life.

Elizabethan women wanted their clothing’ to look much like the men’s with broad shoulders, wide hips, and slim waists.

Women’s dresses were not made all in one piece as they usually are today. Instead, women wore two or more garments as one “dress.”

In Elizabeth’s time men’s clothing was as colorful as the ladies’, but men wanted to look manly, so they wore clothing in the shape of armor, with broad shoulders, broad hips, and narrow waists.

More Ideas For the Lapbook Renaissance

Fun Renaissance Unit Study Ideas for Kid and Lapbook Renaissance

(Our children singing Greensleeves)

Add more of my printables and activities below.

  • Look at our Renaissance Unit Study
  • Kids Free Glass Blowing Lapbook on The History Of Glass Blowing
  • STEM: Build a Da Vinci Parachute Activity
  • Fun Dragon Unit Study Ideas and Salt Dough Dragon Craft
  • The Race Against Time Geronimo Stilton Activity Craft Fun Dragon Eggs
  • The Journey Through Time Book And Knights Armor Engraving Fun Kids Craft
  • Geronimo Stilton Time Travel How to Make a Medieval Stained Glass Craft

Finally, my Renaissance lapbook is HUGE. It is a 49 page download and the minibooks cover many topics from the Renaissance to some on the Reformation.

For instance, look at the topics of the minibooks so you can include them in your unit study.

Topics of the Minibooks for the Lapbook Renaissance

Last, look at the minibooks included in this download.

  1. About Shakespeare. Two minibooks of the same. One for younger children to trace and one for older kids to write facts.
  2. Mona Lisa coloring
  3. King Henry VIII Six Wives trifold book
  4. Leonardo Da Vinci Renaissance Man
  5. Two Pages to Decorate the Outside of Your Lapbook
  6. Important Events of the Renaissance and Reformation
  7. What is the Renaissance layered book – 1 page
  8. Sign triple fold for wheel wright, boot and shoe maker, and nail maker.
  9. What happened to the Castles
  10. Who am I? Major Literary Figures
  11. Leonardo’s Art & Pocket for each piece of art
  12. 4 minibooks of Leonardo’s Invention & Designs
  13. Life of Leonardo Da Vinci Flip Open Book & Timeline
  14. Leonardo Da Vinci and Invention & Designs Text Art Titles
  15. Mirror Writing trifold book
  16. Renaissance King and Queen Flipbook – Add information about your favorite one.
  17. 1 Not Labeled and 1 Labeled Map of Renaissance Europe
  18. Renaissance clip art to decorate outside flaps of lapbook
  19. Blank scroll mini pages to add to any minbook.
  20. Quotes by Shakespeare – blank pages so your child can research and find ones to add
  21. Shakespeare Plays – Blank pages so you child can research and add ones under the correct categories of Comedies, Tragedies, and Histories.
  22. Thy Words – vocabulary words

How to Get the Renaissance Lapbook

Fun Renaissance Unit Study Ideas for Kid and Lapbook Renaissance
  • Dynamic Renaissance Lapbook for Multiple Ages

    Dynamic Renaissance Lapbook for Multiple Ages

    $4.00
    Add to cart

2 CommentsFiled Under: Lapbooks Tagged With: hands on history, hands-on, hands-on activities, handson, handsonhomeschooling, history, history resources, homeschoolhistory, lapbook, lapbooking, lapbookresources, lapbooks, renaissance

How to Make a Knight Templar Helmet for Fun Medieval Times Crafts

August 11, 2023 | Leave a Comment
This post may contain affiliate links. For more information, please see my full disclosure policy.

If you’re looking for fun medieval times crafts, you’ll love this knight Templar helmet. Also, look at my page 4 Week Free Middle Ages Unit Study & Best Hands-on Ideas and How To Upcycle A Monopoly Game History to A Medieval Theme & Free Printables.

Do you have a kid that loves the Middle Ages and medieval times crafts? They are going to absolutely love this one.

We are building a medieval knight helmet.

How to Make a Knight Templar Helmet for Fun Medieval Times Crafts

This style is a crusader helmet/bucket helmet but can be adjusted and you can add more detail as you become comfortable with using cardboard for costumes.

This activity takes any Middle Ages lesson to the next level through research, building creativity, and problem-solving, then ends with a fantastic craft project.

Before you enter into battle with your knight Templar helmet here are 5 mind-blowing facts about knights and their armor to share.

5 Facts about Knights and their Armor

  1. There were two main kinds of armor: chain mail, made up of thousands of little metal rings, and plate armor which was sheets of metal worked together.
  2. The Knights Templar was an order of military monks that provided protection for pilgrims traveling in the Holy Land during the Crusades.
  3. Chivalry was a code of conduct that all knights swore and adhered to.
  4. The boys who trained to be knights were generally the sons of knights or lords.
  5. Some two-handed swords that knights carried were over 5 feet long.
How to Make a Knight Templar Helmet for Fun Medieval Times Crafts

Also, look at some of these resources.

9 Medieval History Books & Resources For Kids Who Love Reading and Being Read To

Add a few of these books to your Middle Ages or Medieval unit study.

Image for King Arthur and His Knights of the Round Table (Puffin Classics)

King Arthur and His Knights of the Round Table (Puffin Classics)

King Arthur is one of the greatest legends of all time. From the magical moment when Arthur releases the sword in the stone to the quest for the Holy Grail and the final tragedy of the Last Battle, Roger Lancelyn Green brings the enchanting world of King Arthur stunningly to life. One of the greatest legends of all time, with an inspiring introduction by David Almond, award-winning author of Clay, Skellig, Kit's Wilderness and The Fire-Eaters.

Image for A Castle with Many Rooms: The Story of the Middle Ages

A Castle with Many Rooms: The Story of the Middle Ages

This covers people and events and covers a larger period of time.

Image for Days of Knights and Damsels: An Activity Guide

Days of Knights and Damsels: An Activity Guide

Kids can re-create a long-ago world of kings, castles, jousts, jesters, damsels, magic fairies, and Robin Hood—all they need are their imaginations, materials they can find at home, and the activities in this book. Dressing up in a coat of armor made from plastic milk jugs, whipping up a batch of curds and whey, writing secret messages in invisible ink, and telling time with a sand glass made from soda bottles are just some of the fun projects. Every activity is illustrated, and sidebars highlight colorful facts about life hundreds of years ago.

Image for The Usborne Encyclopedia of World History

The Usborne Encyclopedia of World History

This newly updated book will introduce you to world history, from prehistoric times to the start of the 21st century. Find out about dinosaurs, the first humans, Ancient Egypt, the Aztec Empire, Medieval Europe, the First World War and many more fascinating subjects.

Image for The Door in the Wall

The Door in the Wall

Set in the fourteenth century, the classic story of one boy's personal heroism when he loses the use of his legs.

Image for The Kitchen Knight: A Tale of King Arthur

The Kitchen Knight: A Tale of King Arthur

The Knights of the Round Table were in their glory. When an unknown stranger visits the castle and asks Kin Arthur's favor, he is allowed to serve in the kitchen for his meat and bread. Little does anyone suspect that he is of noble blood and will soon be knighted by the famous Sir Lancelot. Lush illustrations bring the reader into the book, as Sir Gareth meets adventures and battles to free a princess from the fearsome Red Knight of the Plain.

Image for Castle: A Caldecott Honor Award Winner

Castle: A Caldecott Honor Award Winner

In this 1978 Caldecott Honor Book, award-winning author and illustrator David Macaulay explores the history and construction of castles in a richly illustrated resource for curious young readers. The word itself conjures up mystery, romance, intrigue, and grandeur. What could be more perfect for an author/illustrator who has continually stripped away the mystique of architectural structures that have long fascinated modern man? With typical zest and wry sense of humor punctuating his drawings, David Macaulay traces the step-by-step planning and construction of both castle and town.

Image for The Middle Ages: An Interactive History Adventure

The Middle Ages: An Interactive History Adventure

I like to incorporate a wonderful and informational book to support our topic while making it fun and engaging. The Middle Ages, choose your own adventure style book is fantastic for middle elementary.

Image for The Merry Adventures of Robin Hood (First Edition): Illustrated Classics

The Merry Adventures of Robin Hood (First Edition): Illustrated Classics

The Merry Adventures of Robin Hood was written and illustrated by Howard Pyle and published in 1883. It is the best known version of the story of Robin Hood which had been popular throughout the previous century. Pyle popularized Robin Hood, his adventures, and his band of merry men in a way that influenced most later depictions in writing, drawing, and film. The book consists of a series of episodes pitting the outlaw Robin Hood, Little John, Friar Tuck and the rest of his band against corrupt authorities epitomized by the evil Sheriff of Nottingham.

The Middle Ages were dark and often violent but there were many amazing inventions that came out of them, gallant knights, and beautiful architecture.

It is a beautiful and fascinating time to study deeper.

More Medieval Times Crafts

Next, look at more Medieval times crafts.

  • Try this Stick Weaving Tutorial to make a cute and useful medieval bag.
  • For sweet girly royalty you can follow this Medieval Princess Hat tutorial.
  • Medieval History for Homeschool Middle School
  • Free Glass Blowing Lapbook on The History Of Glass Blowing
  • Make an Easy Shield Craft before you send them into battle.
  • Build a Cardboard Medieval Castle for epic adventures.
  • Make a Coat of Arms Activity (Middle Ages History)
  • How To Upcycle A Monopoly Game History to A Medieval Theme & Free Printables
  • How to Make a Medieval Stained Glass Craft
  • Medieval Chemistry and Homeschool History – Fun Hands-On Activity
  • Knights Armor Engraving Fun Kids Craft
  • Middle Ages Hands-on History: Make a Codex Activity
How to Make a Knight Templar Helmet for Fun Medieval Times Crafts

Finally, look at this fun knight Templar helmet.

How to Make a Knight Templar Helmet Craft for Kids

If you are anything like me, you have boxes coming to your house filled with goodies on a regular basis.  So, grab the next large one you get for this really fun project.

You will need:

  • Large cardboard box
  • Silver spray paint
  • Scissors or box cutter blade
  • Hot glue gun/ glue sticks
  • Marker

First, cut your box so that it is one long straight rectangle.

Trim it down to about 8”-10” tall and around 32” long.

Turn the better side of the cardboard down. This is going to be the inside of the helmet; you want the cleaner side to be outside.

Take a straight edge or an open scissor blade and score through the top layer of cardboard only, not all the way through.

Do this from the top to the bottom about ½” apart all the way across.

The purpose of this is to allow your cardboard to bend wonderfully into any shape without creasing it.

How to Make a Knight Templar Helmet for Fun Medieval Times Crafts

The next thing you want to do is decide where the eyeholes should be.

To do that I just rolled the cardboard around the head and made a mark on the inside where the eyes were. Shape and color in your eyes so you know where to cut.

How to Make a Knight Templar Helmet for Fun Medieval Times Crafts

Cut out each eye hole and make adjustments as needed. You could also cut a slit all the way across if you prefer.

How to Make a Knight Templar Helmet for Fun Medieval Times Crafts

Here is where I am going to tell you to learn from my mistake.

We did not cut our mouth area out until after it was all glued together.

 It would have been much easier and much cleaner to cut it out at this point while it is flat.

 So, we are just going to pretend that is what I did okay? Depending on the style you have chosen to make there are different shapes and directions for them.

How to Make a Knight Templar Helmet for Fun Medieval Times Crafts

Now to create the top of the helmet you are going to try the helmet on the noble knight by rolling it into a cylinder, cutting off anything more than 1” excess and tape it to the size you want.

Then trace a second piece of cardboard around your circle.

How to Make a Knight Templar Helmet for Fun Medieval Times Crafts

Start in the center and run a bead of hot glue right at the edge of your helmet several inches long, put the round in place on the hot glue and hold for a minute or two until the hot glue sets.

How to Make a Knight Templar Helmet for Fun Medieval Times Crafts

You can then continue around adding hot glue and rolling it around the circle you cut out until it is done. At the very end overlap your pieces slightly and secure with hot glue from top to bottom.

How to Make a Knight Templar Helmet for Fun Medieval Times Crafts

If you want to be sure it is secure add another bead of hot glue all the way around the top.

How to Make a Knight Templar Helmet for Fun Medieval Times Crafts

Make what looks like welding dots along the edges of your helmet wherever you would like by making little puddles of hot glue, allowing it to harden before you turn it to work on the next section.

These are little rivets that were used to join pieces of metal together.

How to Make a Knight Templar Helmet for Fun Medieval Times Crafts

Trim any rough edges and put on any other design you like with hot glue before the next step.

Finally, take your helmet outside with lots of ventilation and give it a light coat of silver spray paint.

Allow it to dry for 15 minutes and give it another coat.

Let the paint dry completely before using it, here is what we used, it’s hammered silver and we loved the final look.

How to Make a Knight Templar Helmet for Fun Medieval Times Crafts

Leave a CommentFiled Under: Hands-On Activities Tagged With: hands on history, hands-on, hands-on activities, handsonhomeschooling, history, history resources, homeschoolhistory, knight, medieval homeschool history, middle ages history

10 Amazon Rainforest Lizards Facts and How to Make A Fun Iguana

August 10, 2023 | Leave a Comment
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There are more than 100 different Amazon Rainforest lizards. Too, you’ll love my Rain Forest – Animals of the Amazon page.

Today we are focusing on 10 of the more well-known ones.

There are fierce hunters, those with beautiful changing skin, swimmers, stalkers, night creepers, and fascinating.

10 Amazon Rainforest Lizards Facts and How to Make A Fun Iguana

One thing you know about the Amazon rainforest is that it is going to have the most beautiful and amazing creatures in its lush greenery.

We are doing a super fun craft as well, taking a few discarded items and turning them into a cute replica of the beautiful and fascinating green iguana found in the Amazon Rainforest.

I highly suggest taking a field trip to a larger pet store and seeing just how many of the Amazon lizards below you can spot. 

5 Amazon Rainforest Lizards Facts

  1. Green Iguana – Iguana can grow as large as 6 feet long and weigh almost 18 pounds, with an average of around 9-12 pounds. They are the largest of all the lizards in the Amazon. They can be brownish, orange, gray, lighter or dark green, or even black.
  2. Amazon Bark Anole  – Ambush predators that feed on insects found on the trunks and large limbs of large trees like ants, wasps, beetles, and roaches. Their skin closely resembles the markings of tree bark and can change color on top to help blend in more, this is their main defense mechanism.
  3. Crocodile Tegu- A semi aquatic lizard that has a flattened, paddle-like tail and is found in the Amazon Basin. This lizard feeds on arthropods, amphibians, reptiles, and fish.
  4. Bridled Forest Gecko- Scurry around the base of trees and in the tree litter. They can be diurnal if they have artificial lighting at night.
  5. Collared Tree Runner- AKA Plica umbra, AKA Jewel of the Amazon is a beautiful species of lizard that looks very chameleon-like, with its array of green, tan, and brown scales. Males have a bright yellow throat, and they are found on branches and tree trunks.

5 More Amazon Rainforest Lizards Facts

  1. Basilisk Lizard-These amazing Amazon dwellers can run at speeds of up to 15 mph and can run on the surface of the water without sinking.
  2. Chameleons- These famous reptiles are known for their ability to change their skin color. They have prehensile tails and feet that split at nearly a 180-degree angle which allows them to have a superior grip on the branches where they live.  
  3. Caiman Lizard- Can grow to2 to 4 feet and up to 10 pounds. They are a semiaquatic species and spend part of their time in the water, an interesting adaptation is a third, clear eyelid that acts like a goggle when submerged.
  4. Banded Tree Anole- These lizards are found at the tops of the tallest Amazon trees and are strictly arboreal and have excellent skin camouflage.
  5. Turnip Tailed Gecko- At not quite 5 inches these lizards are one of only 2 nocturnal lizards. It has flaps of skin that act as a parachute when they jump from trees.
10 Amazon Rainforest Lizards Facts and How to Make A Fun Iguana

Then, look at some of these resources for a fun study about lizards.

Amazon Rainforest Lizards Resources

Grab a reference book like Lizards of the World to find out more about Amazon Rainforest Lizards and others.

Image for Lizards of the World: A Guide to Every Family (A Guide to Every Family, 1)

Lizards of the World: A Guide to Every Family (A Guide to Every Family, 1)

A lavishly illustrated overview of the world’s lizards. Lizards are one of nature’s great success stories: survivors from the time of the dinosaurs, they have taken advantage of almost every habitat on earth, from tropical rainforest to Arctic tundra and even our homes. From chameleons and skinks to geckos and iguanas, there are close to 7,000 species of lizards around the world. This expert guide explores their extraordinary diversity and adaptations.Lizards of the World features an in-depth introduction covering the evolution, anatomy, and lifestyle of lizards, followed by profiles of species from every family, accompanied by stunning color photographs. This invaluable guide highlights the enormous range of habitats, appearance, and activity among lizards. Many thrive in extreme conditions, and have adapted to keep cool, warm, or hydrated. Some can protect themselves by changing color to blend in with their surroundings, while others have fringed toes enabling them to run across sand, or can parachute out of a predator’s reach. Covering diet and reproduction as well as defense strategies and conservation, Lizards of the World showcases the unique natural history and beauty of these remarkable creatures.

Image for Iguana M Reptile Collection

Iguana M Reptile Collection

Check out this gorgeous Iguana statue for the garden.

Image for Plastic Lizard Toys

Plastic Lizard Toys

MULTIPLE SHAPES: These wild reptile lizard toys come in 12 styles and colors and measure 3.1-5.2 inches.

GET TO KNOW NATURE: Each toy lizard toy has a detailed texture and unique pattern, the lifelike shape can well let children feel the magic and beauty of nature.

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

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

Nature Anatomy and Wildlife Anatomy are wonderful resources for many nature topics, I did find lovely illustrations with chameleons and anoles included as well as a bit on the rainforest itself.

Amazon Rainforest Animal Activities

Also, look at more Amazon Rainforest animal activities.

  • How to Make A Fun Origami Frog Amazon Rainforest Craft
  • Fun Easy Amazon Rainforest Crafts and Make a Bubble Wrap Pattern Anaconda
  • Learn About Mammals In The Amazon Rainforest & Make an Adorable Sloth Craft
  • Blue Morpho Butterfly Adaptations In The Tropical Rainforest and Fun Symmetry Craft
  • Amazon Rainforest Predators and Make a Fun Pasta Emerald Tree Boa
  • Beautiful And Colorful Amazonian Rainforest Animals Lapbook For Kids
  • Wildlife in the Amazon Rainforest – Create Fun Macaw and Toucan Crafts
10 Amazon Rainforest Lizards Facts and How to Make A Fun Iguana

Finally, look at this fun Amazon Rainforest lizards iguana craft.

How to Make an Iguana Lizard Craft

We are making an iguana with some beautiful orange and green coloring, but you can opt for any of the iguana colors that you wish for your craft.

You will need:

  • One paper towel roll.
  • Two toilet paper rolls.
  • Orange craft foam
  • Green paint
  • Paintbrush
  • Scissors
  • 2 craft sticks
10 Amazon Rainforest Lizards Facts and How to Make A Fun Iguana

Cut up the center of one end of the paper towel roll about five or 6 inches and wrap it around itself to create a tapered end.  Use hot glue to secure the taper in place.

10 Amazon Rainforest Lizards Facts and How to Make A Fun Iguana

Hot glue the tail by inserting the intact end of your paper towel roll inside the first toilet paper roll. Repeat, adding the second toilet paper roll.

Squeeze together the end of the toilet paper roll and glue it to create a mouth. 

10 Amazon Rainforest Lizards Facts and How to Make A Fun Iguana

Cut two popsicle sticks into three equal pieces. Hot glue, the rounded ends onto the sides of your iguana for legs.

Paint the entire thing green and set it aside to dry.

10 Amazon Rainforest Lizards Facts and How to Make A Fun Iguana

While you’re waiting for your paint to dry, cut an orange fringe the length of the paper towel roll (dorsal crests) out of orange craft foam, four orange feet, and the dewlap hanging under its neck.

10 Amazon Rainforest Lizards Facts and How to Make A Fun Iguana

Once the paint has dried you can hot glue the fringe on the back.

10 Amazon Rainforest Lizards Facts and How to Make A Fun Iguana

Glue the dewlap under the neck portion into place.

10 Amazon Rainforest Lizards Facts and How to Make A Fun Iguana

Add the orange feet that you cut onto the bottom of the green craft stick legs and glue.

10 Amazon Rainforest Lizards Facts and How to Make A Fun Iguana

Use a black marker or paint to add more details like eyes, nostrils, stripes, etc.

You can take your iguana on adventures outdoors or display him in the house as you learn about Amazon Rainforest lizards.

10 Amazon Rainforest Lizards Facts and How to Make A Fun Iguana

Leave a CommentFiled Under: Hands-On Activities Tagged With: amazon rain forest, animals, crafts, hands-on, hands-on activities, handsonhomeschooling, life science, lizards, rainforest, science

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