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history

Beautiful American History Living Books & Sign Of The Beaver Craft

August 5, 2025 | Leave a Comment
This post may contain affiliate links. For more information, please see my full disclosure policy.

Teaching American history living books brings the past to life in a way that dry textbooks never can.

Also, you’ll love my free Native American Unit Study for Kids Who Love Hands-on Learning.

Rather than memorizing dates and facts, children encounter real people, gripping stories, and moral dilemmas.

By grounding your American history studies in living books, your homeschool will foster curiosity, empathy, and a lasting love of history.

Beautiful American History Living Books & Sign Of The Beaver Craft

Whether you choose to go in chronological order or follow your child’s interests, these titles can anchor your year in story-rich exploration.

Below I’m guiding you through the major periods of American history with recommended living books for each.

Many of these books are perfect for reading aloud or independent reading in upper elementary through high school.

Then I’m sharing a mini woven basket craft that you can make with just a few supplies as a nod to the Penobscot Indians. They were in the region where The Sign of The Beaver was set in Maine

5 PENOBSCOT INDIANS FACTS

  1. Penobscot comes from Panawahpskek, which means “the place where the rocks open out.” This was the name of an important Penobscot village.
  2. Historically, Penobscot men were the ones that hunted and waged war, while women farmed, cooked, and cared for children. Both genders took part in storytelling, art, music, and traditional medicine. While chiefs were traditionally male,  in modern tribes, women can now also be chief.
  3. The Penobscot people sustained themselves by fishing in the Penobscot River, hunting deer and moose, cultivating corn and beans, gathering berries, and producing maple syrup from tree sap.
  4. The Penobscot were part of the Wabanaki Confederacy, which was formed to protect against attack by the Iroquois, and also included the Algonquian peoples the Abenaki, Maliseet, Mi’kmaq, and Passamaquoddy.
  5. They lived in cone-shaped huts, and teepees which they moved to different locations during the different seasons.
Beautiful American History Living Books & Sign Of The Beaver Craft

A favorite resource of mine for gathering wonderful living books is Beautiful Feet Books, from gorgeous picture books to riveting chapter books.

AMERICAN HISTORY LIVING BOOKS

Pre-Colonial and Native American Cultures (before 1492)

  • The Birchbark House by Louise Erdrich
  • Children of the Longhouse by Joseph Bruchac
  • If You Lived With the Iroquois by Ellen Levine
  • Pocahontas by Ingri D’ulaire

Age of Exploration and Colonization (1492–1763)

  • Pocahontas and the Strangers by Clyde Robert Bulla
  • Blood on the River: James Town 1607 by Elisa Carbone
  • The Courage of Sarah Noble by Alice Dalgliesh
  • The Sign of The Beaver by Elizabeth George Speare

American Revolution (1763–1789)

  • Johnny Tremain by Esther Forbes
  • George Washington’s World by Genevieve Foster
  • Phoebe the Spy by Judith Griffin

The Early Republic and Westward Expansion (1789–1850)

  • Carry On, Mr. Bowditch by Jean Lee Latham
  • Bound for Oregon by Jean Van Leeuwen
  • Daniel Boone: The Opening of the Wilderness by John Mason Brown

Civil War Era (1850–1877)

  • Across Five Aprils by Irene Hunt
  • Freedom Train: The Story of Harriet Tubman by Dorothy Sterling
  • Pink and Say by Patricia Polacco

Reconstruction and the Gilded Age (1877–1900)

  • Dragon’s Gate by Laurence Yep
  • Locomotive by Brian Floca

Progressive Era and World War I (1900–1920)

  • The War to End All Wars: World War I by Russell Freedman
  • Lyddie by Katherine Paterson
  • The Wright Brothers: How They Invented the Airplane by Russell Freedman

The Roaring Twenties and the Great Depression (1920–1939)

  • Bud, Not Buddy by Christopher Paul Curtis
  • Out of the Dust by Karen Hesse
  • Bright April by Marguerite de Angeli
  • Sweet Home Alaska

World War II (1939–1945)

  • The Hiding Place by Corrie ten Boom
  • Number the Stars by Lois Lowry  
  • Snow Treasure by Marie McSwigan

Post-War America and the Cold War (1945–1980s)

  • The Watsons Go to Birmingham
  • Through My Eyes by Ruby Bridges
  • Red Scarf Girl by Ji-li Jiang

Modern America (1990s–Present)

  • Brown Girl Dreaming by Jacqueline Woodson
  • We Are the Ship by Kadir Nelson
  • March by John Lewis

In addition to beautiful American history living books, hands-on activities turn a simple book into a study whether it’s a mini unit or you decide to dig deeper.

MORE AMERICAN HISTORY RESOURCES

  • Explore The Best American History Gifts For Kids And Educators
  • How to Create a Creditworthy American History Course (& resources)
  • How to Make American History Silhouette Puzzles With Kids
  • Free American History Lapbook The Old West Through the Life of Wyatt Earp
  • American History Game Fun U.S. President Go Fish Unit Study
  • 18 American History Board Games Which Brings History to Life
  • How to Teach With an Easy DIY American History Timeline
  • 4 Shortcuts to Teach Hands-on American History in Half the Time

One thing the Penobscot Indians were known for was their basket weaving.

The baskets were functional but they also used different colored materials like barks and glasses that created beautiful patterns.

PAPER BAG BASKET WEAVING

Of course, I thought a simple basket weaving craft would be perfect to go along with this book and not only make a cute craft but work on fine motor skills at the same time.

You will need:

  • 3 brown paper bags
  • Scissors
  • Glue stick
Beautiful American History Living Books & Sign Of The Beaver Craft

Cut the top half the bag off, fold it over in half and press a firm crease all the way around.

Beautiful American History Living Books & Sign Of The Beaver Craft

Continue folding and creasing until the width is roughly 1”.

Beautiful American History Living Books & Sign Of The Beaver Craft

Cut one of the loops.

Glue between each layer, this gives you a sturdy handle for the basket, set aside for now.

Beautiful American History Living Books & Sign Of The Beaver Craft

Open up the second bag and cut 1” strips from the top to just the bottom edge of the bag.

Beautiful American History Living Books & Sign Of The Beaver Craft

Lay the bottom of the bag flat and spread out the strips.

Glue the handle inside the bag.

Beautiful American History Living Books & Sign Of The Beaver Craft

The final step before weaving is to take the third bag and cut 1” strips from it, you will want at least 8.

Beautiful American History Living Books & Sign Of The Beaver Craft

When opened they are one big loop, cut on just one end to make a long strip.

Begin weaving your basket by going over and under each of the cut strips of the main bag, raising the sides as you go, secure with glue at the start and end.

Beautiful American History Living Books & Sign Of The Beaver Craft

Start your next strip in a different corner each time to make it sturdier.

Repeat these 3 to 4 times around the basket.

Cut the strips so they are 1” above where you stop, fold each one over whatever side it ends on and glue it in place to finish the edge of the basket.

Beautiful American History Living Books & Sign Of The Beaver Craft

Allow it to dry.

Beautiful American History Living Books & Sign Of The Beaver Craft

While your basket won’t hold too much weight you can put a few light things in it like flowers or leaves.

Leave a CommentFiled Under: Hands-On Activities, History Resources Tagged With: book lists, books, hands on history, hands-on, hands-on activities, handson, handsonhomeschooling, history, homeschool, livingbooks

How To Make A LEGO Map Of The Mesopotamian Civilization

July 30, 2025 | Leave a Comment
This post may contain affiliate links. For more information, please see my full disclosure policy.

A LEGO map of the Mesopotamian civilization is a fantastic use of creativity for a kid who loves building but maybe not so much history. Also, look at my page Ancient Mesopotamia Fun Facts For Kids Who Love History for more hands-on history ideas.

too, look at my Ancient Civilizations page and my page From Simple to Spectacular: Easy LEGO Ideas for Everyone for more LEGO ideas.

Combining hands-on play with history lessons is one of the best ways to make learning come alive in your homeschool. This project works well for a wide range of ages.

How To Make A LEGO Map Of The Mesopotamian Civilization

Younger kids will love simply building rivers and stacking bricks into temples.

Older kids can research major cities, recreate specific buildings (like ziggurats), or add historical labels and write-ups to go with their map.

It’s a great addition to any ancient history curriculum, or even as a stand-alone unit study.

Instead of just reading about it, your kids can build the region.

And bring it to life, and better understand the geography, culture, and innovations of the people who lived there thousands of years ago. They will probably remember building LEGO maps with you for years to come.

ANCIENT MESOPOTAMIA BOOKS FOR KIDS

Next, look at a few books I’ve rounded up for your study of Ancient Mesopotamia.

7 Books to Read About Ancient Mesopotamia

Mesopotamia is a region situated within the Tigris–Euphrates River system, in the northern part of the Fertile Crescent. Today, Mesopotamia occupies modern Iraq.  In the broader sense, the historical region included present-day Iraq and parts of present-day Iran, Kuwait, Syria, and Turkey.

Image for Gilgamesh the King (The Gilgamesh Trilogy)

Gilgamesh the King (The Gilgamesh Trilogy)

Gilgamesh, half-god and half-man, in his loneliness and isolation becomes a cruel tyrant over the citizens of Uruk. To impress them forever he orders a great wall to be built, driving his people to exhaustion and despair so that they cry to the Sun God for help.

Image for The Golden Bull: A Mesopotamian Adventure

The Golden Bull: A Mesopotamian Adventure

5,000 years ago in ancient Mesopotamia during a terrible drought, Jomar and Zefa's father must send his children away to the city of Ur because he can no longer feed them. At fourteen, Jomar is old enough to apprentice with Sidah, a master goldsmith for the temple of the moongod, but there is no place for Zefa in Sidah's household. Zefa, a talented but untrained musician, is forced to play her music and sing for alms on the streets of Ur.

Image for Science in Ancient Mesopotamia

Science in Ancient Mesopotamia

Describes the enormous accomplishments of the Sumerians and Babylonians of ancient Mesopotamia in every scientific area, a heritage which affects our own everyday lives

Image for Ancient Mesopotamia: The Sumerians, Babylonians, And Assyrians

Ancient Mesopotamia: The Sumerians, Babylonians, And Assyrians

Explores Sumerian, Babylonian, and Assyrian cultures, discussing social structure, lifestyles, and the military in these societies.

Image for Lugalbanda: The Boy Who Got Caught Up in a War: An Epic Tale From Ancient Iraq

Lugalbanda: The Boy Who Got Caught Up in a War: An Epic Tale From Ancient Iraq

Lugalbanda woke with a jolt. He opened his eyes and what did he see but the terrible Anzu bird beating its wings in its nest high above. . . . Did he quake? Did he quail? No. Lugalbanda the Brave sat and stared, and into his head came a brilliant idea.

Image for Mesopotamia (A True Book)

Mesopotamia (A True Book)

Presents the history of ancient Mesopotamia, describing the different groups of people who lived there, and their government, cities, everyday life, religion, and writing.

Image for You Wouldn't Want to Be a Sumerian Slave!

You Wouldn't Want to Be a Sumerian Slave!

Invites readers them to become the main character. Each book uses humorous illustrations to depict the sometimes dark and horrific side of life during important eras in history.

Now let’s jump right into this ancient history lesson. Mesopotamia, meaning “land between the rivers,” was located between the Tigris and Euphrates Rivers in what is now modern-day Iraq and parts of Syria and Turkey.

It’s where humans first formed cities, developed written language, built temples, and created legal codes.

HISTORY OF ANCIENT MESOPOTAMIA

Mesopotamia wasn’t just “the place between rivers”, it was a place of innovation, culture, and power that shaped the course of human history.

Let’s explore what made this region so important and what life might have looked like thousands of years ago.

Water was important to civilization here. The Tigris and Euphrates rivers flooded each year, depositing rich silt that made the land incredibly fertile. This allowed people to grow barley, wheat, dates, onions, and more.

But too much water, or not enough, could ruin everything. That’s why Mesopotamians invented irrigation systems with canals, ditches, and levees to control water flow.

These early engineering feats turned dry land into farmland and allowed cities to flourish.

How To Make A LEGO Map Of The Mesopotamian Civilization

Instead of one big country, Mesopotamia was made up of city-states—independent cities with their own rulers and gods. Each city-state had a ziggurat (a step-like temple), its own military, and farmland.

Some of the most famous Mesopotamian city-states include:

  • Ur – An important Sumerian city
  • Uruk – Known for the legendary King Gilgamesh
  • Lagash and Eridu – Among the earliest settlements

As cities grew, so did the need for leadership and order. Kings were seen as representatives of the gods and were responsible for keeping the gods happy through temple building and offerings.

One of the most famous rulers was Hammurabi, who created a written legal code known as Hammurabi’s Code. It included over 200 laws, many starting with, “If a man…”

LEARNING MADE EASY: ANCIENT MESOPOTAMIA UNIT STUDY OUTLINE

Additionally, grab my unit study outline to guide you in your study.

How To Make A LEGO Map Of The Mesopotamian Civilization
  • Learning Made Easy: Ancient Mesopotamia Unit Study Outline

    Learning Made Easy: Ancient Mesopotamia Unit Study Outline

    $2.75
    Add to cart

My Mesopotamia Unit Study Outline is a handy tool to help you teach or for child led learning.

There are many advantages to a unit study outline instead of a fully fleshed out study.

For example, look at the topics covered in this outline.

  • Introduction
  • Geography and Environment
  • Ancient Mesopotamian Civilizations
  • Agriculture and Irrigation
  • Writing and Communication
  • Religion and Beliefs
  • Science and Technology
  • Trade and Commerce
  • Arts and Crafts
  • Exploration and Legacy
  • Culminating Activity

Next, look at these other activities.

ANCIENT MESOPOTAMIAN ACTIVITIES

  • Ancient Mesopotamian Ziggurat Activity
  • How to Make Unleavened Bread Ancient Mesopotamia Bread Recipe
  • Some fabulous Ancient Mesopotamia STEM Ideas!
  • The creativity in this Hands-on Ancient Babylon: Hanging Gardens Fun Activity will appeal to kids who love to make things with their own hands.
  • Here are some fun and free Ancient Mesopotamian Cards you can use in many ways beyond learning facts like using it as a memory game.
  • Find out more about Ancient Mesopotamia (Hands-on History): and Cook Sebetu Rolls.
  • Create this Hands-on Ancient Mesopotamia: Easy STEM Irrigation Activity
  • Hands-on Geography Mesopotamia: Fun Salt Dough Map

HOW TO MAKE A LEGO MAP OF THE MESOPOTAMIAN CIVILIZATION

You will need:

  • LEGO baseplate -green or tan
  • Assorted LEGO bricks (greens, blues, browns, tans, grays)
  • A printed or digital map of Ancient Mesopotamia for reference
How To Make A LEGO Map Of The Mesopotamian Civilization

Start with a green baseplate for the fertile areas.

How To Make A LEGO Map Of The Mesopotamian Civilization

Then, use blue bricks or pieces to create the Nile River, Tigris, and Euphrates, the Persian Gulf and Mediterranean Sea.

Use flat pieces if you have them and leave space for placing deserts, farmland,etc…

How To Make A LEGO Map Of The Mesopotamian Civilization

Use beige bricks to show the surrounding deserts. This highlights how the Fertile Crescent stood out from the dry land around it.

Layer dark brown bricks in a small mountain form to represent the Zagros Mountains.

How To Make A LEGO Map Of The Mesopotamian Civilization

Add in farmland with brown tiles and LEGO greenery.

How To Make A LEGO Map Of The Mesopotamian Civilization

Build ziggurats by stacking tan pieces, the Mesopotamia version of a pyramid.

How To Make A LEGO Map Of The Mesopotamian Civilization

Finally, use sticky notes or cardstock to create handwritten labels for the rivers, cities, and modern-day countries.

How To Make A LEGO Map Of The Mesopotamian Civilization

You can also include:

  • Boats on the rivers
  • Minifigures or plastic ancient Egypt figures
  • Farms and irrigation canals
  • Brick pyramids or ziggurats
  • Animals like sheep and goats

Leave a CommentFiled Under: Hands-On Activities Tagged With: ancient civilizations, Ancient HIstory, crafts, hands on history, hands-on, hands-on activities, handson, handsonhomeschooling, history, homeschool, homeschoolhistory, mesopotamia

How To Make A Tundra Biome Diorama With Free Printables

July 27, 2025 | 2 Comments
This post may contain affiliate links. For more information, please see my full disclosure policy.

I have a tundra biome diorama hands-on activity with free printables.Too, you’ll love my Arctic and Inuit Unit Study. Free Lapbook – Hands-on Ideas and my Arctic Region pages.

And creating a tundra diorama isn’t just a fun arts-and-crafts activity, but an educational experience.

The tundra biome is a unique ecosystem characterized by freezing temperatures.

How To Make A Tundra Biome Diorama With Free Printables

Too, doing this tundra biome diorama brings science to life. Instead of only reading about this amazing geographical area, your child learns hands-on about the animals and plants that live there.

In addition, your child can use my printables or use part of them and create the rest of the environment in a creative way.

However, before your child builds this diorama they need to learn about this area first.

Look at these books.

BOOKS ABOUT THE TUNDRA

We prefer to use living books when we can find them.

Books About the Tundra

Look at some of these books, resources, and fun things to add to your study of the tundra.

Image for A Walk in the Tundra (Biomes of North America)

A Walk in the Tundra (Biomes of North America)

Take a walk on the tundra. In this cold, harsh biome on the top of the world, summer is short. How do plants and animals of the tundra live? Discover how they depend on each other for survival as you travel through this fascinating land.

Image for Mini Arctic 10PCS Polar Animal Figurines Includes Polar Bear Seal Reindeer Wolf Rabbit Arctic Fox Igloo

Mini Arctic 10PCS Polar Animal Figurines Includes Polar Bear Seal Reindeer Wolf Rabbit Arctic Fox Igloo

Included-10 arctic animal toy set including 1 polar bear, 1 reindeer, 1 arctic hare, 1 arctic wolf, 1 walrus, 1 beluga, 1 killer whale, 1 arctic fox, 1 arctic seal , 1 igloo model.

Image for Arctic Tundra

Arctic Tundra

It’s a land of riddles, where a winter night can last for weeks and where the ground is full of water though it rarely rains or snows. Bears, hares, wolves, and foxes roam the ice-crusted earth, as flowers follow the sun as it moves across the sky. Young readers may never come to the Arctic tundra, but now it can come to them―in a book chock full of fun-to-do experiments and activities for children ages 6 and up that help them to solve some of the mysteries of this strange and forbidding world. Arctic Tundra includes a picture field guide, a glossary-index, and a resource list.

Then look at more activities about the tundra.

TUNDRA ACTIVITIES

  • How to Make an Easy 3D Tundra Biome Poster Project
  • How to Make a Biome Triorama That Explores Alaska’s Amazing Features
  • How to Craft a Stunning Wolf Animal Triorama
  • 4 Week Free Alaska Unit Study & Best Hands-on Ideas

Then, look to see what is included in the download.

You will need:

  • Free Printable Diorama (add your email to the link at the end of this post and get the freebie instantly. no waiting)
  • Glue
  • Scissors
  • Crayons, markers, or colored pencils

Print out all of the diorama pages onto thick sturdy cardstock.

Encourage your child to color the pieces or leave them as they are.

I included a photo in the download to show you were to place the pieces.

Also, here are more diorama ideas.

MORE DIORAMA IDEAS

  • Easy Diorama About The Civil War For Elementary Students
  • How To Make A Desert Diorama With Free Printables
  • How To Make A Shoebox Water Cycle Diorama With Free Printables
  • Free Printable Colorful Frog Diorama: Cool Frog Life Cycle Facts
  • Step-by-Step: Building a Colorful Pond Diorama with Free Printables
  • Rocky Mountains Oregon Trail Fun Large Diorama Craft for Kids
  • How To Make A Shoebox Toucan Habitat Diorama With Waterfall
  • How to Make An Everglades Diorama: Explore the Wild Wetlands
  • How to Make an Easy Antarctica Diorama With Your Kids
  • 6 Facts About Mountain Lions and How to Make a Fun Mountain Lion Diorama
  • 5 Tide Pool Facts and Create An Edible Tide Pool Diorama Ideas
  • How to Make an Easy Wetlands Paper Plate Habitat Diorama
  • How to Make A Pyramid Diorama For States Of Matter
  • Fun Arctic Habitat Diorama and Fascinating Facts About Walruses
How To Make A Tundra Biome Diorama With Free Printables

Finally, look at how to get this fun tundra printable diorama.

HOW TO GET THE FREE PRINTABLE TUNDRA BIOME DIORAMA

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!

2 CommentsFiled Under: Hands-On Activities Tagged With: hands on history, hands-on, hands-on activities, handson, handsonhomeschooling, history

Paper Crafts For Kindergarten | How To Make A Zebra Papercraft

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

Paper crafts for kindergarten are a great and inexpensive way to have fun while learning. Also, look at my page Kindergarten Homeschool Curriculum for more ideas.

Too, I’m sharing a fun zebra papercraft with a free template that you download at the bottom. Also, look at my Free Africa Unit Study for more hands-on ideas.

Paper crafts encourage kids to think outside the box.

Paper Crafts For Kindergarten | How To Make A Zebra Papercraft

And one of my favorite things about paper crafts for kindergarten is that fine motor skills are strengthened in a fun way.

So any paper or paper scrap can be turned into beautiful artwork that stirs the imagination. In addition, kids learn to follow steps and paper crafts build confidence.

Besides, paper crafts can create lasting keepsakes.

KIDS BOOKS ABOUT ZEBRAS

Next, look at these books about zebras which may become your children’s favorites too.

5 Zebra Books

Zebras can be fun to learn about. Add one of these books to your reading day.

Image for Shanti the Zebra

Shanti the Zebra

When a herd of zebras flees from a hungry lioness, Shanti can't keep up with the others and is soon left behind. Desperately looking for her friends, she asks the other animals for help. But a mysterious old snake makes a strange prediction.

Image for Zella, Zack, and Zodiac

Zella, Zack, and Zodiac

Zella the zebra helps Zack the ostrich when he is young and helpless. When he grows up Zack returns the favor by saving Zella's young offspring from a lion.

Image for A Zebra's Day (National Geographic Kids Readers, Pre-Reader)

A Zebra's Day (National Geographic Kids Readers, Pre-Reader)

Zebras are one of Africa's most interesting animals, and in this pre-reader, young readers will learn all about here they live, what they eat, and how they survive in the herd. Perfect for beginning and young readers, National Geographic Pre-readers include simple, expert-vetted text and large, engaging photos on every page. A vocabulary tree at the beginning of the book introduces kids to key words in concept groups, helping them make connections between words. Plus, a wrap-up activity gives kids a chance to use what they've learned, while expanding their knowledge of the world.

Image for Zee

Zee

Zee brews a pot of coffee to wake his parents so he can climb into bed with them, but after spilling two full mugs he has too little coffee left to do the job unless he can think of a new plan.

Image for The Zebra's Stripes: And Other African Animal Tales

The Zebra's Stripes: And Other African Animal Tales

The craft I’m showing you today is an adorable zebra but first look at these other paper crafts.

PAPER CRAFTS FOR KINDERGARTEN

  • Fun and Easy Tissue Paper Crafts for Kindergarten
  • Kindergarten Paper Crafts and a Fun Tissue Paper Painting
  • How to Make a Paper Cone Fairy | Fairy DIY Crafts | Free Template
  • Easy Human Body Crafts For Elementary Featuring A Tongue Project
  • How To Make A Kids Origami Easy And Fun Whale
  • Facts About Japan | How To Make Kids Easy Origami Fish
  • How to Make A Fun Origami Frog Amazon Rainforest Craft
Paper Crafts For Kindergarten | How To Make A Zebra Papercraft

Next, look at how to make this adorable papercraft zebra.

PAPERCRAFT ZEBRA FOR KIDS

List of Supplies

  • Colored craft papers
  • Scissors
  • Pencil
  • Craft glue
  • Sharpies
  • Zebra template (download below by adding your email and you get it instantly)

Instructions:

Step 1:

Select black, grey, white and pink colored craft papers for the zebra craft. Print and prepare the template patterns.

The template includes patterns for the head, lower body, inner ear parts, and mouth part, tail, tail tip, mane strips and mane base.

Use a pencil to trace the template patterns on the selected colored craft papers and use scissors to cut the traced patterns neatly.

Paper Crafts For Kindergarten | How To Make A Zebra Papercraft

Step 2:

Glue the tail tip to an open end of the tail cutout. Glue the inner ear parts to the ear parts and the mouth part to the front part of the head cutout.

Paper Crafts For Kindergarten | How To Make A Zebra Papercraft

Step 3:

Glue the tail pattern to the backside of the lower body cutout.

Paper Crafts For Kindergarten | How To Make A Zebra Papercraft

Step 4:

Take the mane base cutout and glue the mane strips to the base along the top side.

Paper Crafts For Kindergarten | How To Make A Zebra Papercraft

Step 5:

Glue the open end of a strip to its inner end, on the base. Do not make any fold in the middle of the strip, simple draw the strip to its other end and glue them.

Paper Crafts For Kindergarten | How To Make A Zebra Papercraft

Step 6:

Join all the strips similarly.

Paper Crafts For Kindergarten | How To Make A Zebra Papercraft

Step 7:

Glue the mane base to the backside of the head pattern, keeping the mane part placed along the top side of the head.

Paper Crafts For Kindergarten | How To Make A Zebra Papercraft

Step 8:

Glue the head pattern to the top, front side of the lower body base (opposite side of the tail).

Paper Crafts For Kindergarten | How To Make A Zebra Papercraft

Step 9:

Use a pencil to draw the face and strip outlines on the papercraft zebra.

Paper Crafts For Kindergarten | How To Make A Zebra Papercraft

Step 10:

Use a black sharpie to fill the traced outlines neatly and allow the ink to dry completely.

Paper Crafts For Kindergarten | How To Make A Zebra Papercraft

HOW TO GRAB THE FREE ZEBRA PAPER CRAFT TEMPLATE

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

Paper Crafts For Kindergarten | How To Make A Zebra Papercraft

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: Africa, crafts, hands on history, hands-on, hands-on activities, handson, handsonhomeschooling, history, zebra

Easy Peru Crafts For Kids And Unit Study Outline

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

I have some fun and easy Peru crafts for kids. Also, look at my page South America Unit Study Resources for more ideas about South America.

Too, I have a Ancient Peru Unit Study outline that you can grab at the bottom.

Peru is a beautiful country with at least three geographical regions and much history to explore.

Easy Peru Crafts For Kids And Unit Study Outline

For example, the ruins of Machu Picchu, an ancient city built by the Inca people are still standing.

Too, Peru has part of the amazing Amazon rainforest which is filled with an abundance of flora and fauna to learn about.

But too from the sky you can see the mysterious Nasca drawings which are patterns and some shaped like animals.

BOOKS FOR KIDS ABOUT SOUTH AMERICA

Next, look at some of these books to add to your study of Peru and South America.

13 Resources for a Study of South America

Add some of these fun books and resources to your study of South America.

Image for South America (Rookie Read-About Geography: Continents)

South America (Rookie Read-About Geography: Continents)

An incredible variety of climates and biomes span the territory of South America. As a result, the continent contains some of the greatest biodiversity on Earth.

Rookie Read-About: Continents series gives the youngest reader (Ages 3-6) an introduction to the components that make each continent distinctive and exceptional. Readers will get to know each continents' geography, history, and wildlife. In this book readers learn about the continent of South America, including the geography, native animals, people and more.

Image for Ancient Civilizations: Aztecs, Maya, Incas!: With 25 Social Studies Projects for Kids (Explore Your World)

Ancient Civilizations: Aztecs, Maya, Incas!: With 25 Social Studies Projects for Kids (Explore Your World)

A full-color, compelling book for ages 7 to 10 offers a deep dive into the three sophisticated ancient civilizations of Mesoamerica―the Aztecs, Maya, and Incas― through hands-on STEAM projects, essential questions, and loads of fascinating facts!

Why were there more than 3,000 steps built at Machu Picchu? Why did the Aztecs roam Mexico for nearly 200 years before finding a place to settle? How did the Maya study the movements of the stars and the planets? Ancient Civilizations: Aztecs, Maya, Incas! With 25 Social Studies Projects for Kids takes kids ages 7 to 10 on a guided tour to experience the history, culture, economics, and daily life of the Aztecs, Maya, and Incas.

Image for Biblioburro: A True Story from Colombia

Biblioburro: A True Story from Colombia

A man, his burros, and his books bring joy to children in remote Colombian villages in this inspiring book based on a true story by celebrated picture book creator Jeanette Winter.Luis loves to read, but soon his house in Colombia is so full of books there’s barely room for the family. What to do? Then he comes up with the perfect solution—a traveling library! He buys two donkeys—Alfa and Beto—and travels with them throughout the land, bringing books and reading to the children in faraway villages.

Image for Secret of the Andes (Puffin Newberry Library)

Secret of the Andes (Puffin Newberry Library)

An Incan boy who tends llamas in a hidden valley in Peru learns the traditions and secrets of his ancestors. 

Image for My Mama's Little Ranch on the Pampas

My Mama's Little Ranch on the Pampas

In the sequel to On the Pampas, the author recalls her first year on the small Argentinian ranch purchased and managed by her mother, in an account that includes a visual dictionary of the Spanish words and geographical terms used in the text.

Image for Tales from Silver Lands

Tales from Silver Lands

Atmospheric woodcuts illustrate this Newbery Award–winning collection of 19 South American folktales. Charles J. Finger heard the tales firsthand from native storytellers, whose fables of talking animals, witches, giants, and ordinary people in supernatural settings provide remarkable insights into regional values and culture. The first of the stories, "A Tale of Three Tails," tells of an age when the rat had a tail like a horse, the rabbit had a tail like a cat, and the deer's tail was plumed like the tail of a dog. "The Magic Dog" recounts an act of kindness to a stray animal that helps overcome a witch's curse. In "The Calabash Man," the creatures of the jungle assist a suitor in winning his bride, and in "El Enano," a greedy troll's insatiable appetite leads to his downfall. Packed with adventure and full of surprises, these and other stories emphasize the importance of hard work, courage, and loyalty.

Image for Turn Right at Machu Picchu: Rediscovering the Lost City One Step at a Time

Turn Right at Machu Picchu: Rediscovering the Lost City One Step at a Time

In 1911, Hiram Bingham III climbed into the Andes Mountains of Peru and “discovered” Machu Picchu. While history has recast Bingham as a villain who stole both priceless artifacts and credit for finding the great archeological site, Mark Adams set out to retrace the explorer’s perilous path in search of the truth—except he’d written about adventure far more than he’d actually lived it. In fact, he’d never even slept in a tent.

Image for Journey to the River Sea

Journey to the River Sea

With the memorable characters and plot twists she brings to her best-selling fantasies, acclaimed author Eva Ibbotson has written a hair-raising novel, set in turn-of-the-last-century Brazil.Accompanied by Miss Minton, a fierce-looking, no-nonsense governess, Maia, a young orphan, sets off for the wilderness of the Amazon, expecting curtains of orchids, brightly colored macaws, and a loving family. But what she finds is an evil-tempered aunt and uncle and their spoiled daughters. It is only when she is swept up in a mystery involving a young Indian boy, a homesick child actor, and a missing inheritance that Maia lands in the middle of the Amazon adventure she's dreamed of. Readers of every generation will treasure Ibbotson's lush historical adventure that harkens back to the beloved classics of Frances Hodgson Burnett and Louisa May Alco

Image for This Place Is Wet

This Place Is Wet

Can you imagine living in a place where there is so much water some houses need to be built on stilts to protect them when the river rises? Or where it is so wet that some plants can grow on the sides of trees with their roots gathering water from the air? In This Place Is Wet, you'll find out all sorts of things about what it's like to live in the rain forest of Brazil. Try to imagine living there!

Image for Bolivar: American Liberator

Bolivar: American Liberator

It is astonishing that Simón Bolívar, the great Liberator of South America, is not better known in the United States. He freed six countries from Spanish rule, traveled more than 75,000 miles on horseback to do so, and became the greatest figure in Latin American history. His life is epic, heroic, straight out of Hollywood: he fought battle after battle in punishing terrain, forged uncertain coalitions of competing forces and races, lost his beautiful wife soon after they married and never remarried (although he did have a succession of mistresses, including one who held up the revolution and another who saved his life), and he died relatively young, uncertain whether his
achievements would endure.

Image for Ada's Violin: The Story of the Recycled Orchestra of Paraguay

Ada's Violin: The Story of the Recycled Orchestra of Paraguay

Ada Ríos grew up in Cateura, a small town in Paraguay built on a landfill. She dreamed of playing the violin, but with little money for anything but the bare essentials, it was never an option...until a music teacher named Favio Chávez arrived. He wanted to give the children of Cateura something special, so he made them instruments out of materials found in the trash

Image for Mayans Aztecs Incas Coloring Book: Coloring Pages of Ancient Mexico Civilizations for Adults and Teens

Mayans Aztecs Incas Coloring Book: Coloring Pages of Ancient Mexico Civilizations for Adults and Teens

Mayans Aztecs Incas Coloring Book – Fun And Education For Adults and TeensMake the perfect gift for anyone who loves coloring! Enjoy this Mayans Aztecs Incas Coloring Book for Adults and Teens. Click the cover to reveal what’s inside!About this book:

  • 40 original pages drawings of Symbols, Warriors, Masks and Mandalas.
Image for The Inca Empire (A True Book: Ancient Civilizations) (A True Book (Relaunch))

The Inca Empire (A True Book: Ancient Civilizations) (A True Book (Relaunch))

Explore the Inca empire, including how the Incas survived in the mountains, how the empire was built, and why it disappeared.

A True Book: Ancient Civilizations series allows readers to experience what makes each ancient civilization distinctive and exceptional as well look at its influence on the some of the practices of the modern world. This series includes an age appropriate (grades 3-5) introduction to curriculum-relevant subjects and a robust resource section that encourages independent study.

Also, look at more activities about the continent of South America.

MORE SOUTH AMERICA ACTIVITIES FOR KIDS

  • 9 Free South America Country Reports for Kids Notebooking Pages
  • Geography Salt Dough Map + Printable Pennants
  • South America Unit Study resources
  • How to Memorize the Countries of South America & Mountain Climate Zones Minibooks
  • Appreciating the Culture of South America Through Dance

Next look at these Peruvian crafts for kids.

10 PERU CRAFTS FOR KIDS

  1. Llama Love And Creative Machu Picchu Crafts for Kids
  2. Easy Llama Mini Piñata Craft
  3. Trek back to ancient Meso-American and Make Stunning Salt Dough Incan Jewelry | Incan Crafts for Kids.
  4. Llamas with Peruvian Textiles
  5. Check out these great free Peru color pages.
  6. Create your own colorful felt landscape with my How to Make a Felt Mountain Craft | 7 Andes Mountain Facts For Kids.
  7. Easy Nazca Lines Craft for Kids
  8. Peru crafts: Weaving
  9. Peru – Bird Gourd Craft
  10. Traditional Gourd Carving

Finally, look at this homeschool Ancient Peru unit study outline.

ANCIENT PERU UNIT STUDY OUTLINE

My Ancient Peru Unit Study Outline is a handy tool to help you teach or for child led learning.

There are many advantages to a unit study outline instead of a fully fleshed out study.

For example, look at these ways an outline guides your study.

  • Outlines give you a clear structure.
  • They help break down big tasks into manageable steps.
  • Extensive lessons plans can make some kids lose focus.
  • And outline keeps the main topics to be learned on topic.
  • In addition, you can go down rabbit trails IF you want to. However, for some kids it can be overwhelming. You have the option to go deep or stay on topic with an outline.
  • Looking at the outline at a glance is a super roadmap. Again, you can go straight to your destination or facts or stay longer on an objective.
  • By listing an objective it guides you as the teacher to add your own slant.
Easy Peru Crafts For Kids And Unit Study Outline

Also, look at the topics covered in this outline.

  • Introduction
  • Geography and Environment
  • Ancient Peruvian Civilizations
  • Agriculture and Food
  • Arts and Crafts
  • Religion and Beliefs
  • Communication and Writing
  • Exploration and Discovery
  • Culminating Activity
  • Resources and References

HOW TO USE THE OUTLINE

Each topic has two or three topics or objectives for the subject. You decide which ones to use.

And if you stay on 1 topic per week and cover all 9 topics it would equal a 9 week unit study.

Additionally, only use the objectives on the topic your child is interested in and move on to other unit studies. This would make a shorter unit study.

For example, cover the introduction and perhaps the Peruvian culture for younger children.

Then save the other topics for when your children are older.

You will like this unit study outline if:

  • you want the freedom to flesh out topics and not be tied to day to day lesson plans
  • you prefer to flesh out day to day lesson plans or do not prefer them at all and
  • you want a guide for topics to study so you have a sweeping overview of the unit.

You will not like this unit study outline if:

  • you want to day to day lesson plans guiding each day and worksheets and
  • you don’t want to teach all your kids together.

HOW TO GET THE ANCIENT PERU UNIT STUDY OUTLINE

You can download the printable Peru Unit Study Outline now!

All my products are digital. You will not receive a physical product for anything in my store.

Downloads are INSTANT. When you pay, you will receive an email with a download link INSTANTLY. Depending on your internet connection, the email could be just 30 seconds or so, or a bit longer. The point is it will be soon, not a week later,etc.

Easy Peru Crafts For Kids And Unit Study Outline
  • Learning Made Easy: Ancient Peru Unit Study Outline

    Learning Made Easy: Ancient Peru Unit Study Outline

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Leave a CommentFiled Under: Hands-On Activities Tagged With: ancient, ancient civilizations, hands-on activities, handson, handsonhomeschooling, history, homeschool, Peru, south america

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