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How To Make Geography For Children Fun: Free 50 States Park Quest

February 6, 2025 | Leave a Comment
This post may contain affiliate links. For more information, please see my full disclosure policy.

To make geography for children fun, I have a free printable 50 states park symbols geography quest for kids. Too, look at my page Homeschool Geography for hands-on and simple ideas and tips.

A geography quest for kids to learn state symbols is an engaging and interactive way to help them learn the states.

Plus, my free printable or quest keeps learning hands-on instead of passively reading about each state.

How To Make Geography For Children Fun: Free 50 States Park Quest

Also, there is a reason state’s chose symbols to represent their state.

When kids spend time learning about a state’s bird, flower, and seal it motivates them to learn about each state and the culture.

For example, the printable can be enhanced by learning what food is eaten in each country.

Find a recipe and enjoy learning together as a family.

GEOGRAPHY BOOKS FOR KIDS

Next, look at these geography books.

I prefer to use living books when teaching geography instead of dry boring textbooks.

13 LIVING GEOGRAPHY BOOKS

Add some of these living geography books to your home library. All ages will love them.

Paddle-to-the-Sea: A Caldecott Honor Award Winner (Sandpiper Books)

Follow the journey of a little turtle through all the great lakes to the Atlantic Ocean, not only covering; landforms but also dipping into science, and uses figurative language to help children think and understand the story better.

Seabird: A Newbery Honor Award Winner

A carved Ivory Gull tells of oceans all over the world and three generations of sailing families in America. 

How to Make an Apple Pie and See the World

In more of a story book fashion we are led around the world to gather ingredients from all over to make an apple pie and it even includes a simple recipe for an apple pie.

Tree in the Trail

The history of the Great Plains and the Santa Fe Trail is told in text and pictures by focusing on a cottonwood tree and the events that happen around it.

Complete Book Of Marvels

Explore the wonders of the world with America's foremost adventurer, Richard Halliburton. In the Complete Book of Marvels Halliburton takes you with him on thrilling journeys to countless wonders of the world, including natural features like Gibraltar, the Grand Canyon, and Mount Fuji, and famous or forgotten temples and ancient cities, and monuments bigger than life. He follows in the footsteps of Demetrius and traverses the Great Wall.

Replete with historical facts, maps, and a treasure trove of unique restored photographs of both well-known and hidden wonders, Halliburton journeys with the reader by his side to reveal the beauty and mystery of the world's greatest sights as if for the very first time. As a youth Richard Halliburton dreamt of seeing the many mysterious lands and exotic locales beyond the horizon, and by the time he was a teenager he set out to do just that. During his life, his voyages took him to an enormous variety of truly marvelous places, from familiar American landmarks to the far reaches of the globe.

Where We Live: Mapping Neighborhoods of Kids Around the Globe

This fascinating look at 16 children’s neighborhoods around the world broadens readers’ understanding of global cultures. This unique illustrated map book explores the neighborhoods of 16 real children from around the world. Author Margriet Ruurs, who met many of these children in her travels, tells the story of each child’s neighborhood by highlighting the places that are important to them, such as where they live, go to school and play, as well as interesting facts about their lives, including the food they eat, their religious practices and the sights and smells they encounter every day. From big cities, such as Amsterdam and Beijing, to small communities, such as Salt Spring Island in Canada and the village of Komanyana in Zambia, each place is special to the children who live there.

Minn of the Mississippi: A Newbery Honor Award Winner

The history of the Mississippi River Valley is told in text and pictures through the adventures of Minn, a snapping turtle, as she travels downstream.

National Parks of the USA (Americana, 1)

Packed with maps and fascinating facts about the flora and fauna unique to each of the 21 parks portrayed, this lushly illustrated coast-to-coast journey documents in large format the nation’s most magnificent and sacred places—and shows why they should be preserved for future generations to enjoy. Explore Florida's river-laced Everglades, travel down the white water rapids of the Grand Canyon, trek across the deserts of Death Valley, and scale the soaring summits of the Rocky Mountains with this book that brings you up close to nature's greatest adventures. Divided by region (East, Central, Rocky Mountains, West, Tropics, and Alaska), a pictographic map at the start of each section shows the locations of the parks to be covered. Each park is introduced by a stunning, poster-worthy illustration of one of its scenes and a summary of its makeup, followed by individual illustrations of the animals and plants that make their homes there.

Strawberry Girl by: Lois Lenski

Strawberries -- big, ripe, and juicy. Ten-year-old Birdie Boyer can hardly wait to start picking them. But her family has just moved to the Florida backwoods, and they haven't even begun their planting. Don't count your biddies 'fore they're hatched, gal young un! her father tells her.

Wow Canada!: Exploring This Land from Coast to Coast to Coast (Wow Canada! Collection)

The multi-award-winning Wow Canada! has steadily wowed readers with its original, witty, and fabulously informative cross-country excursion. This thoroughly updated edition is filled with amazing facts, historical wonders, and descriptions, photos, and illustrations of Canada's most famous sights and hidden gems — it's the perfect accessory for that family car trip across Canada. Eleven-year-old Guy and his family travel from province to province —and even up to Canada’s territories! Guy is the ideal narrator, curious but cool and always armed with a wry comment. Incredible sidebar material offers moments of respite from the family’s high-speed travels, making Wow Canada! both the perfect car trip guidebook and a fantastic armchair travel book.

How the States Got Their Shapes

Why does Oklahoma have that panhandle? Did someone make a mistake?

We are so familiar with the map of the United States that our state
borders seem as much a part of nature as mountains and rivers. Even the oddities—the entire state of Maryland(!)—have become so ingrained that our map might as well be a giant jigsaw puzzle designed by Divine Providence. How the States Got Their Shapes is the first book to tackle why our state lines are where they are. Here are the stories behind the stories, right down to the tiny northward jog at the eastern end of Tennessee and the teeny-tiny (and little known) parts of Delaware that are not attached to Delaware but to New Jersey.

A Child's Geography of the World

A Child's Geography of the World is a general course in geography for juveniles. Hillyer was headmaster at the famed Calvert School and wrote a series of books as part of the curriculum for his students. This title was the result of many years of teaching the subject to young children and of several more years in authoring it. The books is now considered in a classic in home schooling.

Geography: An Illustrated A-Z Glossary: An Introduction To Earth's Geographical Features For Kids

Welcome to Geography: An Illustrated A-Z Glossary by B.C. Lester Books! This book takes you across the world's main landforms and biomes, each with a colorful illustration acWelcome to Geography: An Illustrated A-Z Glossary by B.C. Lester Books! This
book takes you across the world's main landforms and biomes, each with a colorful illustration accompanied with a child-friendly definition.

What is a mesa? Or an estuary? What is the difference between a swamp and a marsh?

Covering over 100 geography terms, this book has all the answers! This book is a great, concise introduction to the natural features of Earth for children and is a nice way to spark or develop an interest in
geography for kids.ompanied with a child-friendly definition.

What is a mesa? Or an estuary? What is the difference between a swamp and a marsh?

Covering over 100 geography terms, this book has all the answers! This book is a great, concise introduction to the natural features of Earth for children and is a nice way to spark or develop an interest in
geography for kids.

Also, look at these other geography activities.

MORE GEOGRAPHY FOR FUN ACTIVITIES

  • Simple and Fun Homeschool Geography Ideas for High School
  • Free My Little Book Of Landforms Images With Names
  • 5 Steps to Choosing Geography Living Books Your Children Will Love
  • Hands-on Geography: Longitude/Latitude Mapmaking Activity
  • Homemade Compass Simple Geography Project Equals Huge Wow Factor
  • 35 Hands-on Geography Activities to do in 15 Minutes or Less
  • Discovering Geography Through a Field Trip to Incan Ruins
  • How To Make A DIY Lava Lamp Lesson Plan
  • 6 Ancient Israel Fun Activities Middle School: How To Make A Topography Map
  • Professor Noggin’s Geography of The United States Trivia Card Game
  • History Makers Notebooking Pages – Famous Persons from Ancient to Modern – Set 2
  • 100 BEST Books for Kids from all 50 States (Easy Geography)
How To Make Geography For Children Fun: Free 50 States Park Quest

In addition, look at more ways to expand the free printable 50 states park symbols.

TEACHING TIPS TO EXPAND THE FREE PRINTABLE 50 STATES PARK SYMBOLS

  • Take several weeks to make this a 50 states geography unit study.
  • Grab your atlas to locate states and famous landmarks.
  • Create fun state bookmarks.
  • And of course with this printable they can visit other state parks in their state parks.
  • Too, pursue a state of just the landforms like mountains, river and the plains.
  • I addition, the history of a state or more makes for a fascinating in depth study. For example, what famous persons come from a state. For example, Martin Luther King comes from Georgia.
  • Next, some kids love history more. So study about events like the Boston Tea Part in Massachusetts.
  • If you want to focus on the agriculture of a state then study about corn in Iowa or apples from Washington.
  • Music and dance are two more topics to cover. For example think about jazz from Louisiana.

Also, look at the pages included in this free printable.

WHAT’S INCLUDED IN THE FREE STATE PARK SYMBOLS SCAVENGER HUNT

  • 74 page pdf
  • 1 page per 50 states
  • First Day Adventure Sequence Activity
  • Last Day Adventure Sequence Activity
  • Track Explorer Activities
  • Track Detective: Discovered Animal Tracks
  • Identifying the Trees of a State Park
  • State Park Leaf Collection Activity
  • Identifying trees of a State Park
  • Common U.S. Trees Leaf Word Search
  • State Park Map Activity
  • State Park Tree Age
  • Color the State Park State
  • State Park Nature Bingo
  • State Park Nature Treasure Hunt

HOW TO GRAB THE FREE PRINTABLE 50 STATES PARK SYMBOLS GEOGRAPHY QUEST

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

When you sign up to follow me, you get access to this freebie.

 1) Sign up on my email list to follow me and get this freebie and many others.
 2) Grab the printable.
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Leave a CommentFiled Under: Geography Tagged With: geography, hands-on, hands-on activities, handson, handsonhomeschooling, homeschool, homeschool geography, homeschoolgeography, state parks, United States

10 Facts About Oxygen For Kids | How To Do An Underwater Flame Experiment |Free Printable

February 1, 2025 | Leave a Comment
This post may contain affiliate links. For more information, please see my full disclosure policy.

I have some facts about oxygen for kids and a cool underwater flame experiment. Also, look at my post 4 Weeks Free Physical Science Unit Study & Best Hands-on Ideas.

Oxygen is a fascinating gas.

And without it we wouldn’t be able to live.

The ancient Greeks thought air was made of just one thing, and they called it “aether.”

10 Facts About Oxygen For Kids | How To Do An Underwater Flame Experiment

Animals, humans, and even some microorganisms need it for survival.

And it helps us breathe, move, and stay alive.

And the best part? Plants, trees, and algae make the oxygen we need to breathe.

It is truly a life-giving gas.

CHEMISTRY BOOKS FOR KIDS

First, look at these books about chemistry.

12 Chemistry Books & Resources for Kids of All Ages

But first here are some resources that are a great introduction and more to chemistry for kids.

Superstars of Science

Discover fun facts about the greatest scientists from history through Basher's fresh and unique illustration style.

Did you know that Marie Curie used to keep radioactive materials in her pockets? Or that Mendeleyev literally dreamed up his famous periodic table? Superstars of Science tells the stories behind the big ideas in the fields of physics, chemistry, medicine, mathematics, cosmology, earth sciences, and engineering. Read about 40 great scientists including Newton and Einstein who produced theories that explained the way in which the Universe works, Crick and Watson who uncovered the structure of DNA, and Alexander Graham Bell who had the big idea that became the telephone. Each one of these greats of science has had some vital flash of insight that has changed the way we see the world and the way we live. Come meet the superstars of science!

Basher Science: Chemistry: Getting a Big Reaction

Discover the secrets of chemistry, and learn about the properties of matter and the ways in which they interact, combine and change. Chemistry is a compelling guide to a community of characters who make up everything around us.

Crucibles: The Story of Chemistry from Ancient Alchemy to Nuclear Fission

This book is a classic in the field of popular science. Standard reading since the 1930s, it is one of the few histories of chemistry to concentrate on the lives of the great chemists. Through these dramatic and human stories, it gives an authoritative and entertaining account of the great discoveries and advances in this scientific field. After many printings in three previous editions, this book has been newly revised by the author for this fourth edition. Beginning with Trevisan and his lifelong search for the "philosopher's stone," the author narrates the lives and discoveries of such towering figures as Paracelsus and his chemical treatment of disease; Priestley looking for phlogiston and finding oxygen and carbon dioxide, Lavoisier creating a new language of chemistry; Dalton and his Atomic Theory; Avogadro and the idea of molecules, Mendeleeff arranging the table of elements under his Periodic Law; the Curies isolating radium; Thomson discovering the electron; Moseley and his Law of Atomic Numbers; Lawrence and the construction of the cyclotron; and more. Probably the most dramatic chapter in the book, the account of the development of nuclear fission, ends the story of chemistry at its most monumental achievement.

The Chemistry of Cola

You’ll be amazed at all you can learn from this favorite drink – what’s in it, why it fizzes, what you can do with it, the containers it’s in, and more!

Napoleon's Buttons: How 17 Molecules Changed History

Napoleon's Buttons is the fascinating account of seventeen groups of molecules that have greatly influenced the course of history. These molecules provided the impetus for early exploration, and made possible the voyages of discovery that ensued. The molecules resulted in grand feats of engineering and spurred advances in medicine and law; they determined what we now eat, drink, and wear. A change as small as the position of an atom can lead to enormous alterations in the properties of a substance-which, in turn, can result in great historical shifts.

52 Extreme Kids Chemistry Experiments Set - STEM Activities & Science Kits

If you want your child to be able to explore and complete some simple chemistry experiments without running around grabbing all the items an all in on kit is just the thing to add to your chemistry studies.

The Disappearing Spoon: And Other True Tales of Madness, Love, and the History of the World from the Periodic Table of the Elements

Why did Gandhi hate iodine (I, 53)? How did radium (Ra, 88) nearly ruin Marie Curie's reputation? And why is gallium (Ga, 31) the go-to element for laboratory pranksters? The Periodic Table is a crowning scientific achievement, but it's also a treasure trove of adventure, betrayal, and obsession. These fascinating tales follow every element on the table as they play out their parts in human history, and in the lives of the (frequently) mad scientists who discovered them. The Disappearing Spoon masterfully fuses science with the classic lore of invention, investigation, and discovery -- from the Big Bang through the end of time.

Chemistry Fluxx Card Game - Science Games Card Games for Kids

 Chemistry EditionChemistry Fluxx is the perfect compound of chance, skill and strategy-use atoms and laboratory tools to match the current goal of the game and win! The rules are always changing in Fluxx. The Keepers, Goals, Rules and Action cards determine how the game will be played.

Illustrated Guide to Home Chemistry Experiments: All Lab, No Lecture (DIY Science)

For students, DIY hobbyists, and science buffs, who can no longer get real chemistry sets, this one-of-a-kind guide explains how to set up and use a home chemistry lab, with step-by-step instructions for conducting experiments in basic chemistry -- not just to make pretty colors and stinky smells, but to learn how to do real lab work:

  • Purify alcohol by distillation
  • Produce hydrogen and oxygen gas by electrolysis
  • Smelt metallic copper from copper ore you make yourself
  • Analyze the makeup of seawater, bone, and other common substances
  • Synthesize oil of wintergreen from aspirin and rayon fiber from paper
  • Perform forensics tests for fingerprints, blood, drugs, and poisons
  • and much more

The Joy of Chemistry: The Amazing Science of Familiar Things

Written for lay readers, provides an introduction to the principles of chemistry and includes quotations from popular literature to show how chemistry and everyday life intertwine.

The Cartoon Guide to Chemistry (Cartoon Guide Series)

If you have ever suspected that "heavy water" is the title of a bootleg Pink Floyd album, believed that surface tension is an anxiety disorder, or imagined that a noble gas is the result of a heavy meal at Buckingham Palace, then you need The Cartoon Guide to Chemistry to set you on the road to chemical literacy.

You don't need to be a scientist to grasp these and many other complex ideas, because The Cartoon Guide to Chemistry explains them all: the history and basics of chemistry, atomic theory, combustion, solubility, reaction stoichiometry, the mole, entropy, and much more—all explained in simple, clear, and yes, funny illustrations. Chemistry will never be the same!

Air Is Not Oxygen: Essential Science You Should Have Learned ... But Probably Didn't!

AIR IS NOT OXYGEN is a fun way to brush up on essential science concepts you missed in school. (Admit it. You probably thought you had better things to do than study!) Clear, short chapters focus on mastering key concepts instead of memorizing facts. Dozens of optional hands-on activities make science come alive! In a style described as “Dave Barry meets Bill Nye with a touch of the Mythbusters,” award-winning author, Bill Morelan, debunks common misconceptions about basic science. Reflecting both the National Science Content Standards and the Next Generation Science Standards, AIR IS NOT OXYGEN covers Life Science, Earth Science, Physical Science, and Science Methods.A fun, informative read, AIR IS NOT OXYGEN helps fill the gaps in your science education. (Never be humiliated by science geeks again!) Perfect for sharing, or as a handy basic reference tool. Makes a great book for kids, too.

Then, look at these 10 facts about oxygen for kids.

10 FACTS ABOUT OXYGEN FOR KIDS

  1. Joseph Priestley discovered the gas we now know as oxygen in 1774.
  2. Oxygen is the third most abundant element in the universe.
  3. It comes from a Greek word that means “acid-former”.
  4. The air around us is made up of about 21% oxygen.
  5. It’s a colorless, odorless gas.
  6. Oxygen is important for fires to burn. Without oxygen, a fire can’t keep going.
  7. The air contains other gases, like nitrogen (about 78%) and small amounts of carbon dioxide. But oxygen is the one we need most to survive.
  8. Oxygen is also in water (H2O), which is why we need it to survive.
  9. Animals, humans, and even some microorganisms rely on it for survival.
  10. Oxygen is what makes fires burn and without it, fire can’t keep going.

Next, look at some of these hands-on activities.

MORE HANDS-ON CHEMISTRY ACTIVITIES

  • How To Make A Fun Periodic Table Notes Game With Kids
  • Easy Atom Model Project: How To Create A Fun Lego Version
  • 2 Fun Chemistry for Kids Experiments & John Dalton Notebooking Pages
  • 21 Fun Chemistry Homeschool Ideas for Kids
  • 10 Popular High School Chemistry Homeschool Curriculum
  • Easy Hands-On Science: Label the Atom Playdough Activity
  • Medieval Chemistry and Homeschool History – Fun Hands-On Activity
  • Air Is Not Oxygen: Essential Science You Should Have Learned … But Probably Didn’t!
10 Facts About Oxygen For Kids | How To Do An Underwater Flame Experiment

Finally, look at how to do an underwater flame experiment to learn about oxygen.

HOW TO DO AN UNDERWATER FLAME EXPERIMENT & FREE PRINTABLE

Look at this list of supplies.

Supplies:

  • Large bowl (glass preferred for better visibility)
  • Tea light
  • Lighter
  • Water
  • Glass
  • Adult supervision required

First, gather all the supplies need.

Fill a large glass bowl with water.

10 Facts About Oxygen For Kids | How To Do An Underwater Flame Experiment

Carefully place an unlit tea light in the water.

10 Facts About Oxygen For Kids | How To Do An Underwater Flame Experiment

Light the tea light.

10 Facts About Oxygen For Kids | How To Do An Underwater Flame Experiment

Invert the glass over the lit tea light.

10 Facts About Oxygen For Kids | How To Do An Underwater Flame Experiment

Slowly and carefully push the cup to the bottom of the bowl. Wait a few seconds.

10 Facts About Oxygen For Kids | How To Do An Underwater Flame Experiment

Then slowly bring the glass back up and notice the tea light is still lit!

How is this possible?! Because of oxygen or air!

The air in the glass takes up spaces preventing water from entering the cup, allowing the flame to stay lit!

Will the flame go out?

Eventually, if the tea light stays under the water the flame will be extinguished because the oxygen in the glass will run out.

HOW TO GET THE FREE UNDERWATER FLAME EXPERIMENT PRINTABLE

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

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

The Ultimate Winter Crafts For Teens & DIY Snowman Spa Kit

January 31, 2025 | Leave a Comment
This post may contain affiliate links. For more information, please see my full disclosure policy.

Come walk through these winter crafts for teens wonderland that I have put together for you. Also, grab more ideas and a free lapbook for winter fun on my page Winter Season Unit Study.

Also, I have a fun DIY snowman spa kit sure to relax away any stress.

First, layer a couple of homemade spa treats like body scrub and bath soak.

The Ultimate Winter Crafts For Teens & DIY Snowman Spa Kit

Then create a cute little snowman stack to give to friends, family, or even a co-op teacher to brighten up a dreary winter day.

Winter crafts are a wonderful way to break up the writing, research, math, and science of winter unit studies but can be incorporated as just a fun activity.

Winter can lead to increased screen time, family stress, isolation, and boredom but it doesn’t have to do with a little planning and a few great ideas.

Create a balance for them and yourself of down time as well as crafts, activities, and lesson plans that highlight the season.

Instead of letting them spend hours in front of the TV or on tech on long winter days, give them a few options for some cozy winter crafts to keep hands and mind occupied.

BOOKS FOR KIDS TO READ IN THE WINTER

First, add some of these winter reading books for kids.

7 Books for Middle School Students to Read in the Winter

These books also make for a great read aloud, even older kids would enjoy piling up on the couch in the morning for a good story together.

Julie of the Wolves (HarperClassics)

Julie of the Wolves is a staple in the canon of children’s literature and the first in the Julie trilogy. The survival theme makes it a good pick for readers of wilderness adventures such as My Side of the Mountain, Hatchet, or Island of the Blue Dolphins.

This edition, perfect for classroom or home use, includes John Schoenherr’s original scratchboard illustrations throughout, as well as bonus materials such as an introduction written by Jean Craighead George’s children, the author’s Newbery acceptance speech, selections from her field notebooks, a discussion guide, and a further reading guide.

To her small village, she is known as Miyax; to her friend in San Francisco, she is Julie. When her life in the village becomes dangerous, Miyax runs away, only to find herself lost in the Alaskan wilderness.

The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe

Four adventurous siblings—Peter, Susan, Edmund, and Lucy Pevensie—step through a wardrobe door and into the land of Narnia, a land frozen in eternal winter and enslaved by the power of the White Witch. But when almost all hope is lost, the return of the Great Lion, Aslan, signals a great change . . . and a great sacrifice.

The Call of the Wild (Reader's Library Classics)

The domesticated life of a powerful St. Bernard-Shepherd mix named Buck is quickly turned on end when he is stolen away from his master and put to work as a sled dog in Alaska. His once life of luxury turns into a life of survival and adaptation as he learns the ways of the wilderness.

Sweet Home Alaska

    It's 1934, and times are tough for Trip's family after the mill in their small Wisconsin town closes, leaving her father unemployed. Determined to provide for his family, he moves them all to Alaska to become pioneers as part of President Roosevelt's Palmer Colony project. Trip and her family are settling in, except her mom, who balks at the lack of civilization. But Trip feels like she's following in Laura Ingalls Wilder's footsteps, and she hatches a plan to raise enough money for a piano to convince her musical mother that Alaska is a wonderful and cultured home. Her sights set on the cash prize at the upcoming Palmer Colony Fair, but can Trip grow the largest pumpkin possible--using all the love, energy, and Farmer Boy expertise she can muster?

The Winter King

Ever since Cora's father disappeared through the ice, whispers about her family's "curse" have grown increasingly louder. Desperate to help her mother and siblings survive another bleak season in the Winter King's frozen grasp, Cora begins to bend (and even break) the rules she has kept since she was a little girl. But when she discovers a secret that's much bigger than herself, she realizes too late that she has put herself--and those she loves--in even greater peril.

Winterhouse (Winterhouse, 1)

Orphan Elizabeth Somers’s malevolent aunt and uncle ship her off to the ominous Winterhouse Hotel, owned by the peculiar Norbridge Falls. Upon arrival, Elizabeth quickly discovers that Winterhouse has many charms―most notably its massive library. It’s not long before she locates a magical book of puzzles that will unlock a mystery involving Norbridge and his sinister family. But the deeper she delves into the hotel’s secrets, the more Elizabeth starts to realize that she is somehow connected to Winterhouse. As fate would have it, Elizabeth is the only person who can break the hotel’s curse and solve the mystery. But will it be at the cost of losing the people she has come to care for, and even Winterhouse itself?

Northwind

When a deadly plague reaches the small fish camp where he lives, an orphan named Leif is forced to take to the water in a cedar canoe. He flees northward, following a wild, fjord-riven shore, navigating from one danger to the next, unsure of his destination. Yet the deeper into his journey he paddles, the closer he comes to his truest self as he connects to “the heartbeat of the ocean . . . the pulse of the sea.” With hints of Nordic mythology and an irresistible narrative pull, Northwind is Gary Paulsen at his captivating, adventuresome best.

Next, look at these ultimate crafts for teens.

8 ULTIMATE WINTER CRAFTS FOR TEENS

  1. Here are 10 Middle School Winter Crafts and Make a Sweet Smelling Hot Cocoa Candle to keep or gift.
  2. Easy DIY Fun Salt Winter Watercolor Art Project for Kids
  3. How long has it been since your teen has made paper snowflakes? Make it even more epic by showing them how to create these Giant Paper Snowflakes.
  4. A Snowy Mountain Corkboard DIY is a beautiful way to display notes, pictures, and other light trinkets on the walls.
  5. These Easy Homemade Trivets with Pipe Cleaners and Yarn are a great craft for long winter days, creating a cozy spot for hot tea or coffee to rest while it warms you up.
  6. 12 Middle School Winter Crafts & 5 Facts About Icicles | Beautiful Icicle Swag Craft
  7. These Snowflake Mason Jar Vases are a wonderful way to start herbs or other plants indoors when the weather outside is till too chilly. How cheery and bright would they look in a sunny window?
  8. Teens will love not only crafting these DIY Solid Sugar Scrub Snowballs Gifts & Winter Skin Care but using them in the shower as part of a little healthy self care routine.
The Ultimate Winter Crafts For Teens & DIY Snowman Spa Kit

Also, look at this bucket list winter activities.

BUCKET LIST WINTER ACTIVITIES FOR TEENS

Now let’s look at some activities that will get teens up and moving, exploring, getting fresh air and more to keep the winter doldrums at bay.

  • Build a snowman, you are never too old for this fun activity.
  • Check out winter books from the library.
  • Go ice skating with friends or family.
  • Have a winter themed movie marathon in warm fuzzy pajamas.
  • Write a poem or song about winter.
  • Create a vision board for spring.
  • Get in the kitchen and make a cold weather recipe like soup or banana bread.
  • Have a bonfire, a great opportunity to learn how to build and start a fire.
  • Invite friends over for a board game bonanza.
  • Forage for winter medicinal plants and fungi.
  • Make and enjoy hot cocoa bombs.
  • Find somewhere local to volunteer- retirement home, pet shelter, church, etc…
  • Go shopping at the thrift store for the ugliest sweater or prettiest sweater and wear it to an event.
  • Have a winter picnic outdoors with hot food like soup, tea, and other cozy treats.

Finally, look at how to make this snowman spa kit.

DIY SNOWMAN SPA KIT

Body Scrub:

  • 1 cup granulated sugar
  • ⅓  cup oil-olive, coconut, almond
  • 10-12 drops essential oil

Bath Soak:

  • 1 cup epsom Salts
  • ⅓ cup baking soda
  • 1 teaspoon oil-coconut, olive oil, almond
  • 10-12 drops essential oil

Snowman jars:

You will need:

  • Small glass jars
  • Fuzzy sock
  • Paint pens
  • Scissors
  • Double sided tape/glue
The Ultimate Winter Crafts For Teens & DIY Snowman Spa Kit

First, mix up a batch of ingredients for both the soak and sugar scrub separately in bowls.

The Ultimate Winter Crafts For Teens & DIY Snowman Spa Kit

Add essential oil to your preference, peppermint is a great scent for this project but you can use any scent you like.

The Ultimate Winter Crafts For Teens & DIY Snowman Spa Kit

Once everything is well mixed, transfer to one of the glass jars with a spoon.

The Ultimate Winter Crafts For Teens & DIY Snowman Spa Kit

Cut about 3” off the toe of a sock to make a little winter hat and then cut a long strip of fabric from the remaining part of the sock.

The Ultimate Winter Crafts For Teens & DIY Snowman Spa Kit

Use paint markers to draw a snowman face on the jar, alternatively you can cut out felt shapes and glue them on.

The Ultimate Winter Crafts For Teens & DIY Snowman Spa Kit

Hot glue the hat to the top jar.

The Ultimate Winter Crafts For Teens & DIY Snowman Spa Kit

Add some hot glue or a double-sided tape to the top of the jar that will be on the bottom and place the two jars together to hold it into place.

The Ultimate Winter Crafts For Teens & DIY Snowman Spa Kit

Tie on the scarf around the two jars to finish it off.

The Ultimate Winter Crafts For Teens & DIY Snowman Spa Kit

We went back and added felt stick arms to give it a little more whimsical detail.

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

Color Your World: Fun and Easy Dragon Stained Glass Project

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

All you need for this easy dragon stained glass project is an 8×10 photo frame from Dollar Tree. Also, look at my pages Fun Dragon Unit Study Ideas and Salt Dough Dragon Craft and 4 Week Free Middle Ages Unit Study & Best Hands-on Ideas for more ideas.

Also, add a few craft supplies that are already in your stash and you have a fun hands-on activity for your dragon lover.

Dragons have long been fascinating creatures throughout history and kids as well as adults love them.

Color Your World: Fun and Easy Dragon Stained Glass Project

Stained glass was a very popular art in medieval times.

So it just seems to go hand in hand with dragons, making this a great project for your child.

I recommend it for upper elementary through high school.

From books to 8 more amazing dragon projects there is plenty to unpack here for a dragon unit study or just for a fun break from typical studies.

RESOURCES & DRAGON BOOKS FOR KIDS

6 Fun Dragon Unit Study Resources

Whether you're wanting an idea or two enhance your dragon unit study or just want a fun lead into a fairy tale or medieval times, grab one or two of these resources.

Dracopedia Field Guide

Have you ever stumbled upon a dragon egg and thought to yourself, "I wonder which type of scaly beast will burst forth from this delicate and dappled shell?" Well, wonder no more. This fantasy field guide is required reading--and required packing--for both budding and expert dragon enthusiasts. Don’t leave home without it.This comprehensive and elucidating manual identifies the dragons of the world from Amphipteridae through Wyvernae. Each genus of dragon is meticulously chronicled--from winged Coatyls and Sea Orcs to itty, bitty Feydragons to fire-breathing Great Dragons--then broken down into additional subsets to help you discover what sets these magnificent creatures apart. Uncover the biology, history, behavior and habitat of each stunning and primeval beast through written and illustrated descriptions.

How To Draw Dragons: Simple Inking and Sketching Lessons with Step By Step Instructions

Let's use your drawing skills to bring dragons to life!

Are you a beginner who wants to take your drawing skills to the next level? Are you fascinated with dragons and looking for a book that helps you draw them with ease? Then Erik Barrett's How to Draw Dragons is perfect for you!

Drawing dragons has never been easier now that you have this book, which will guide you through sketching these majestic creatures from their wings, heads, bodies to other features that make them legendary. These guides are elaborate in the form of step-by-step written instructions and vivid illustrations to make your drawing experience as enjoyable as possible. And there are not only one but eleven species of dragons, from Amphiptere to Drake to the fabled Oriental Dragon, all of which are for you to improve and enhance your drawing skills.

Dragons TOOB, 6 Count

Excellent "carry-along" for any excursion since the figures are neatly packed in a reusable acetate tube

Dragonology: The Complete Book of Dragons (Ologies)

For true believers only, a lavishly illustrated reproduction of a legendary volume by the world’s most distinguished dragonologist. Don’t let it fall into the wrong hands!Do you believe in dragons? Now, for the first time, the long-lost research of renowned nineteenth century dragonologist Dr. Ernest Drake is presented in all its eccentric glory, happily bridging the gap between dragon legend and fact. The meticulous Dr. Drake assigns Latin names to various dragon species, ruminates on why dragons are able to speak, speculates on how they could fly, and explains the true purpose of their notorious hoarding habits. Here are just a few of DRAGONOLOGY'S fascinating features:

Knights & Dragon Fantasy Figures

SET OF 11 WILD FIGURINES – You can almost hear the clank of armor and clash of swords in our Knights and Dragons TOOB! Sure to excite boys and girls alike, this medieval fantasy includes 4 Knights of the Red Kingdom (Knight with Pike, Knight with Great Sword, Knight with Battle-Axe, and a Knight on Warhorse), 4 Knights of the Blue Kingdom (Knight with Lance, Knight with Halbred, Knight with 2-Handed Sword, and Knight with Pennon on War Horse), as well as a Catapult and a fierce Green Dragon.

Wings of Fire Boxset, Books 1-5 (Wings of Fire)

Perfect advanced stories for children from middle elementary through middle school.

A war has been raging between the dragon tribes of Pyrrhia for years. According to a prophecy, five dragonets will end the bloodshed and choose a new queen. But not every dragonet wants a destiny. And when Clay, Tsunami, Glory, Starflight, and Sunny discover the truth about their unusual, secret upbringing, they might choose freedom over fate --

Then look at more activities to pair with this easy stained glass dragon.

MORE ACTIVITIES TO PAIR WITH THE EASY STAINED GLASS DRAGON

  • The Race Against Time Geronimo Stilton Activity Craft Fun Dragon Eggs
  • Learn How to Make Colorful and Fun Paper Plate Dragons! While you are using the most basic of craft supplies, these look anything but basic.
  • Fun Dragon Unit Study Ideas and Salt Dough Dragon Craft
  • If they enjoy the movie or book How to Train Your Dragon Craft – They will really like recreating them with Felt and Pipe Cleaner Dragons.
  • Easy Paper Dragon Puppet Craft for Kids is a fantastic art project that also teaches kids a new skill, marionette puppetry.
  • You can create Dragon Eyes : A Dragon Craft for Adults & Kids Alike!
  • These beautiful Dragon Wings SunCatcher are wonderful for preschoolers but I think even middle schoolers would enjoy recreating these for a cosplay project.
Color Your World: Fun and Easy Dragon Stained Glass Project

Watch this slow step by step tutorial to make your own Origami Dragon.

EASY DRAGON STAINED GLASS PROJECT

You will need:

  • 8 x 10 frame ( dollar tree)
  • Black puffy/fabric paint
  • Craft paint
  • School glue
  • Small paint brushes
  • Aluminum foil
  • Dry erase marker
  • Dragon coloring page or free hand your own
Color Your World: Fun and Easy Dragon Stained Glass Project

The first thing you want to do is find a nice dark outlined dragon coloring page or graphic off google or you can freehand your own as well. 

I found a lot on Iheartcraftythings.com from cutesy dragons to fierce one and all levels of detail.

Remove the backing from the frame and tape your dragon picture inside the frame as if it were on display.

DRAGON STAINED GLASS CRAFT

Then flip it back over so that the glass is facing up.

Color Your World: Fun and Easy Dragon Stained Glass Project

Now you are going to use the tip of the black puffy paint to trace the outline, as well as any of the details that you want to include.

Color Your World: Fun and Easy Dragon Stained Glass Project

Set aside and allow this to dry completely.

Once the “lead” lines have dried completely you can mix up your stained-glass colors,

Use a mixture of 50% craft paint 50% school glue and a teaspoon or so of water to make it a little thinner.

Color Your World: Fun and Easy Dragon Stained Glass Project

The thinner you make your paint the more translucent it will be once dried.

Brush your paint mixture onto the various sections and  allow to dry completely.

If you have a very fluid mixture you will notice that it is easy to work with, you can touch it to each section and it will almost fill it in on its own.

Color Your World: Fun and Easy Dragon Stained Glass Project

I like to start with the outside and work my way into the smaller details but you can do it whatever way feels right to you.

Continue filling in section by section.

If you find that the paint mixture blurred the edges of the black lines you can go back over it with the black puffy paint again to neaten everything up, this is a very forgiving project.

Color Your World: Fun and Easy Dragon Stained Glass Project

Let your touch ups dry and then replace the backing and frame or you can leave the backing out to place it in a window to catch the light.

Now you can hang your drain glass on the wall or if your frame has an easel stand you can put it anywhere that you like to add a little medieval touch.

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

5 Mexico Crafts For Preschoolers And Free Activity Pages

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

I have some Mexico crafts for preschoolers ideas and some free Mexico activity pages which can you use with both your preschool and kindergarten kids. Also, look at my pages Mexico Unit Study and How to Homeschool Preschool for more ideas.

Mexico is a country in North America and just south of us here in the United States.

Not only does it have beautiful beaches but delicious food and beautiful vibrant art.

It makes for an especially fun topic for your littles since the traditions of Mexico includes lively music too.

5 Mexico Crafts For Preschoolers And Free Activity Pages

I have a few easy crafts for your child and some activity pages.

Besides, the beautiful beaches it has deserts and jungles.

Too, the amazing Monarch butterflies migrate by the millions from Canada and United States to Mexico every year.

BOOKS ABOUT MEXICO FOR KIDS

Next, look at some of these resources about Mexico.

We love living books so we prefer those first when I can find them.

Also, at times we like reference books when learning about countries.

Picture books are great for any age.

10 Mexico Books & Resources For Kids Who Love Reading and Being Read To

Add some of these books to your home library about Mexico. Also, use them for a homeschool unit study.

The Underdogs: A Novel of the Mexican Revolution (Penguin Classics)

The Underdogs is the first great novel about the first great revolution of the twentieth century. Demetrio Macias, a poor, illiterate Indian, must join the rebels to save his family. Courageous and charismatic, he earns a generalship in Pancho Villa’s army, only to become discouraged with the cause after it becomes hopelessly factionalized. At once a spare, moving depiction of the limits of political idealism, an authentic representation of Mexico’s peasant life, and a timeless portrait of revolution, The Underdogs is an iconic novel of the Latin American experience and a powerful novel about the disillusionment of war.

Stories from Mexico

Tales from Mexican folklore including The Palace of Canela, In Through the Window, The Coyote and the Sheep, The Cu Bird, and SenÄor Coyote and Juan's Maguey.

Adelita

Hace mucho tiempo—a long time ago—there lived a beautiful young woman named Adelita. So begins the age-old tale of a kindhearted young woman, her jealous stepmother, two hateful stepsisters, and a young man in search of a wife. The young man, Javier, falls madly in love with beautiful Adelita, but she disappears from his fiesta at midnight, leaving him with only one clue to her hidden identity: a beautiful rebozo—shawl. With the rebozo in place of a glass slipper, this favorite fairy tale takes a delightful twist. Tomie dePaola's exquisite paintings, filled with the folk art of Mexico, make this a Cinderella story like no other.

Hill Of Fire (I Can Read, Book 3) (I Can Read Level 3)

Every day is the same for Pablo's father. Then one afternoon the ground growls, hisses smoke, and swallows up his plow. A volcano is erupting in the middle of his cornfield!

Mexico in Story and Pictures

Imagine

Have you ever imagined what you might be when you grow up? When he was very young, Juan Felipe Herrera picked chamomile flowers in windy fields and let tadpoles swim across his hands in a creek. He slept outside and learned to say good-bye to his amiguitoseach time his family moved to a new town. He went to school and taught himself to read and write English and filled paper pads with rivers of ink as he walked down the street after school. And when he grew up, he became the United States Poet Laureate and read his poems aloud on the steps of the Library of Congress. If he could do all of that . . . what could you do? With this illustrated poem of endless possibility, Juan Felipe Herrera and Lauren Castillo breathe magic into the hopes and dreams of readers searching
for their place in life.

Old Ramon

Fun novel combining Mexico and California cultures where a young boy learns about life and growing up.

The Princess and the Warrior: A Tale of Two Volcanoes

In the picture book Princess and the Warrior: A Tale of Two Volcanoes, award-winning author and illustrator Duncan Tonatiuh brings a cherished Mexican legend to life.A Pura Belpré Illustrator Honor BookALA/ALSC Notable Children’s Book! “A palette of earthy, evocative colors .

. . A genuine triumph.” ―Kirkus Reviews (Starred Review)“Use this Aztec legend to inspire readers while teaching a bit about dramatic irony.” —School Library Journal Izta was the most beautiful princess in the land, and suitors traveled from far and wide to woo her. Even though she was the daughter of the emperor, Izta had no desire to marry a man of wealth and power. Instead, she fell in love with Popoca, a brave warrior who fought in her father’s army—and a man who did not offer her riches but a promise to stay by her side forever. The emperor did not want his daughter to marry a mere warrior, but he recognized Popoca’s bravery. He offered Popoca a deal: If the warrior could defeat their enemy, Jaguar Claw, then the emperor would permit Popoca and Izta to wed. But Jaguar Claw had a plan to thwart the warrior. Would all be lost? Today two majestic volcanoes—Popocatépetl and Iztaccíhuatl—stand overlooking Mexico City. They have been admired and revered for countless generations and have formed the basis of many origin and creation myths.

Growing Up In Aztec Times (Growing Up In series)

Describes the daily life of the Aztecs, discussing life in the city, life in the country, education, food and drink, and other aspects.

The Tale of Rabbit and Coyote

Poor Coyote! What’s he doing, hanging upside down in the farmer’s house, next to a pot of boiling water? How’d he wind up underneath the jicara tree, getting bonked by rock-hard fruit? Who tricked him into whacking a wasps’ nest with a stick? And why is he always howling at the moon? Because of Rabbit, that’s why! Longtime collaborators Tony Johnston and Tomie dePaola look to the folklore of Oaxaca, Mexico, for this nutty, naughty tale of trickery and hijinks. Written with sly humor and illustrated in the vibrant golds, blues, and reds of the Southwest, this is a story with a flavor as distinctive as chile peppers.

Also, look at these Mexico crafts for preschoolers and Mexico crafts for other ages.

MEXICO CRAFTS FOR PRESCHOOLERS AND ACTIVITIES

  • Sombrero & Poncho craft
  • Make Your Own Maracas
  • Free Butterfly Unit Study For Kids and Fun Sponge Stamping
  • Paper Plate Taco Craft for Kids
  • Blue Morpho Butterfly Adaptations In The Tropical Rainforest
  • Fun Chocolate Unit Study and DIY Chocolate Candy Bar Activity
  • How to make paper rosettes and Señoritas
  • Frida Kahlo Art Made Simple: Free Easy Art Printable
  • Mexican Cuff Bracelet

Additionally, look at these facts about Mexican food.

FOOD FROM MEXICO

  • Churros: Sweet fried dough, dusted with cinnamon sugar.
  • Guacamole: A creamy and delicious dip made from avocados. Eaten with chips.
  • Enchiladas: Soft tortillas rolled up with fillings like cheese, chicken, or beans, topped with a spicy sauce.
  • Tamales: Corn dough wrapped in a husk stuffed with meat.
5 Mexico Crafts For Preschoolers And Free Activity Pages

Finally, look at how to get these fun Mexico activity pages for your littles.

HOW TO GET THE FREE MEXICO ACTIVITY PAGES

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 now.

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

Leave a CommentFiled Under: 1. My FREE Learning Printables {Any Topic} Tagged With: geography, hands on history, hands-on, hands-on activities, handson, handsonhomeschooling, history, homeschool, Mexico, preschool

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