• Facebook
  • Pinterest
  • Instagram
  • YouTube
  • LinkedIn
  • Skip to secondary menu
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer

Tina's Dynamic Homeschool Plus

Activity, Change, Progress

  • HOME
  • How to
    • Preschool
    • Kindergarten
    • Elementary
    • Middle School
    • High School
      • Science 
  • Planner
  • Lapbooks
    • Trioramas
    • History Games
    • LEGO
  • Shop
  • GET STARTED NOW!
    • Learning Styles
  • 7 Step Planner
    • DIY Best Student Planner
    • Free & Easy DIY Home Management Binder
  • Unit Studies
    • Creation to Ancients
    • Middle Ages to Reform
    • Exploring to Revolution
    • World Wars to Today
    • Science
    • Free Art Curriculum Grades 1 – 8
  • Curriculum
    • More Unit Studies
    • Geography
    • Writing PreK to 12th
    • Geronimo Stilton
  • BootCamp
    • Resources
      • Dynamic Subscriber Freebies
      • Exclusive Subscribers Library
      • Ultimate Unit Study Planner

homeschool

How To Make A Fun Game List Of Organs In The Human Body And Their Functions

September 20, 2025 | Leave a Comment
This post may contain affiliate links. For more information, please see my full disclosure policy.

You can make a list of organs in the human body and their functions or you can turn it into a fun simple game that your kids will not forget. Also, look at these other pages Beautiful Human Body Lapbook and Fun Unit Study and Fun Human Body Crafts for Kids Who Love Hands-on Learning for more ideas and topics for hands-on learning.

When it comes to teaching science at home, hands-on learning consistently proves to be the most effective approach. Kids learn best when they can see, touch, and interact with real-life examples.

We will use Safari Ltd. Human Organs Toob as a resource to do just that. 

How To Make A Fun Game List Of Organs In The Human Body And Their Functions

This small tube of realistic organ replicas includes the heart, lungs, brain, liver, stomach, kidneys, and intestines, making anatomy accessible for all ages.

We have had them for years and have used them in several ways across different grades.

Just like this game is great for several age groups and can be used by making it more challenging or simpler for younger learners.

HUMAN BODY RESOURCES FOR MIDDLE & HIGH SCHOOL

First, look at these resources for more hands-on ideas for middle and high school.

12 Human Body Games for Middle & High School Students

Middle and high school kids need a break from reading and playing games to learn science is the perfect supplement and break.

Cytosis: A Cell Biology Board Game | A Science Accurate Strategy Board Game

This game takes place inside of a human cell, you must race to build enzymes, hormones, and receptors and play with proteins, carbohydrates, lipids and DNA. It also comes with a fact-filled booklet that explains every concept in the game.

The Awkward Yeti Organ Attack! Card Game

If they enjoy doctor/human body games this one is ideal. It’s a fun and silly game that is great for kids to adults where the main objective is to remove your opponent’s organs before they can remove yours

Pandemic Board Game (Base Game) |

A cooperative board game using your characters' strengths and skills to stop diseases and epidemics before they go global. Everyone starts at the Atlanta Center for disease control and then builds research stations all over the world. What I love about this game is that it is a good source for discussion on pandemics, diseases, symptoms, immune systems, and more.

Anatomy Fluxx Card Game - Card Games for Kids and Adult

There are many versions of Fluxx available but this one is perfect for an anatomy unit study. It is a card game for 2-6 players and was designed by an ER doctor. It contains anatomical trivia, and twists, and makes a great way to learn about the different systems of the body.

Virulence: An Infectious Virus Card Game - Educational Bidding Game for Kids

 Fast-paced and solid way to learn about virus structure and viral components like helical, icosahedral, and genomes. In this game, players take on the role of the virus trying to infect a host cell rather than trying to eradicate the virus.

Outset Media Professor Noggin's Human Body Trivia Card Game

For ages 7+, with 3 levels of play this is another game that I think is still very applicable for younger teens and preteens to play. It incorporates trivia, true or false questions, as well as multiple choice.

Dr. Dreadful Scabs and Guts Board Game

This one says 6+ but I truly think that 6th and 7th graders will still enjoy it and be able to learn from it. It is a quick play with real anatomy science facts and images.

Biology Review Curriculum Mastery Game, High School, C

 A biology game perfect for high school review. It comes with 25 sets of 30 illustrated and self-correcting review cards for use, and 12 different game boards. While it covers all of biology beyond the human body I think, though expensive, it gives you a lot of bang for your buck.

Brain Busters Card Game - Human Body - with Over 150 Trivia Questions -

While this one seems a bit young, a teen that needs a refresher in things like what two muscles do we use in our arm when lifting and down will find this a fun review. It has 150 questions and covers a wide variety of human body topics, great for car rides or waiting in lines.

Capstone Games: Clinic Deluxe - Strategy Board Game,

I think this one would be a treat for the teen who plans to go into any direction in the medical field. It is a strategy game where you work to build your own clinic just the way you like it- caring for patients and maintaining staff while you expand.

Word Game | Fast-Paced Family Board Game | Choose a Category & Race Against The Timer

Next, this one is not medical or anatomy themed but I’m adding it because it is a base game that has an open-ended theme. The object is to pull a card that gives you a theme and then take turns calling out words in that theme that begin with each letter of the alphabet. When you call it you tap that letter down and it's out of play, continue until someone can't think of one. You can play this anatomy themed in general, bones, organs, body systems, etc.… We have played this game as a compliment to multiple unit study themes.

Netter's Anatomy Art Card Deck

Simply just an anatomy-themed deck of cards but a fantastic way to familiarize your student with the human body using illustrations from Netter’s Atlas of Human Anatomy. You can pick your favorite game like solitaire, garbage, or even 52 card pick up with this.

Before we begin creating our game, here are some great facts about each of the organs contained in the Safari toob to get you started.

FACT LIST OF ORGANS IN THE HUMAN BODY AND THEIR FUNCTIONS

HEART

  • The heart is a strong muscle that pumps blood through the entire body.
  • It beats about 100,000 times every day.
  • The heart has four chambers (two atria and two ventricles) that keep oxygen-rich blood separate from oxygen-poor blood.
  • Blood carries oxygen and nutrients to the body and removes carbon dioxide and waste.

LUNGS

  • The lungs bring oxygen into the body and release carbon dioxide when we breathe out.
  • Each lung is filled with tiny air sacs called alveoli (about 300 million of them) where oxygen is exchanged with blood.
  • The right lung has three lobes; the left lung has two lobes (to make room for the heart).
  • Oxygen from the air helps cells make energy.

STOMACH

  • The stomach helps digest food by mixing it with acid and enzymes.
  • Food enters the stomach after being chewed and swallowed.
  • Strong stomach acid (hydrochloric acid) breaks food down into smaller pieces.
  • The stomach lining has special cells that protect it from the acid.
  • After 2–4 hours, food turns into a thick liquid called chyme.

SMALL INTESTINE

  • The small intestine absorbs nutrients from food.
  • It’s about 20 feet long in adults, but it coils up tightly in the abdomen.
  • Tiny finger-like shapes called villi and microvilli line the walls to grab nutrients.
  • Nutrients (like vitamins, sugars, proteins, and fats) move into the bloodstream here.

LARGE INTESTINE (COLON)

  • The large intestine absorbs water and gets waste ready to leave the body.
  • It’s about 5 feet long but much wider than the small intestine.
  • Friendly bacteria live here and help break down leftovers.
  • It compacts waste into stool before it exits the body.
  • About 60% of stool is made of helpful bacteria.

KIDNEYS

  • The kidneys clean the blood and remove waste by making urine.
  • You have two kidneys, shaped like beans, located in your lower back.
  • Each kidney contains about 1 million tiny filters called nephrons.
  • They also help balance water, salt, and minerals in the body.
  • Every day, your kidneys filter about 50 gallons of blood.

LIVER

  • The liver has many roles—cleaning toxins, helping digestion, and storing nutrients.
  • It’s the largest internal organ in the human body.
  • Produces bile, a greenish liquid that helps digest fats in the small intestine.
  • Stores extra glucose (sugar) as glycogen and releases it when the body needs energy.
  • Breaks down alcohol, drugs, and other harmful substances.
  • The liver can regenerate itself—if part is damaged, it can grow back.
How To Make A Fun Game List Of Organs In The Human Body And Their Functions

 BRAIN

  • The brainstem manages automatic functions like breathing and heartbeat.
  • The brain is the control center of the body.
  • It’s made of billions of nerve cells called neurons that send messages throughout the body.
  • The cerebrum controls thinking, memory, speech, and voluntary movement.
  • The cerebellum controls balance and coordination.

HOW TO MAKE A FUN GAME TO LIST OF ORGANS IN THE HUMAN BODY AND THEIR FUNCTIONS

You will need:

  • Safari Ltd. Human Organs Toob
  • Markers or printed body outlines
  • Cardstock, notecards
  • Tray, optional but it makes it so appealing
How To Make A Fun Game List Of Organs In The Human Body And Their Functions

Directions:

Start by making a large body outline.

You can either…

  • Draw your own simple torso-and-head outline on a poster board or large sheet of cardstock with pencil.
How To Make A Fun Game List Of Organs In The Human Body And Their Functions

Then trace with a black marker to make it stand out.

How To Make A Fun Game List Of Organs In The Human Body And Their Functions
  • Use felt for a reusable version—cut out a felt silhouette and add Velcro to the organs so kids can stick them on.

This body board will act as the central game board where organs are placed.

Have each child take a turn drawing an organ from the pile.

They must place the organ in the correct spot of the body outline.

How To Make A Fun Game List Of Organs In The Human Body And Their Functions

If they get it right, they earn a point.

  • Beginner– Match the organ by shape and spot only.
  • Intermediate– Name the organ while placing it.

To deepen learning, create question cards that pair with each organ. Write one question per index card. Look up facts on them and then form them into a question, just check out the list above.

How To Make A Fun Game List Of Organs In The Human Body And Their Functions

Flip your cardstock over to the other side that is blank and spread out your toob organs.

How To Make A Fun Game List Of Organs In The Human Body And Their Functions

Have your child match the cards to the correct organ.

How To Make A Fun Game List Of Organs In The Human Body And Their Functions

Before a player can place the organ, they must answer a trivia question correctly.

This encourages recall and reinforces facts

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

Fun Facts About Tailors In Colonial Times | How To Sew Basic Stitches

September 18, 2025 | Leave a Comment
This post may contain affiliate links. For more information, please see my full disclosure policy.

Not only do I have fun facts about tailors in colonial times, but if you are not a sewer yourself, I am going to give both you and your child a lesson in basic stitches.

When we think of colonial America we might think of farmers, blacksmiths, and shopkeepers. And while those were very important jobs, another important figure in every community was the tailor.

Tailors were the people who made, repaired, and altered clothing. In a time before fast fashion or even department stores, tailors provided an essential service that helped families stay clothed and respectable.

Fun Facts About Tailors In Colonial Times | How To Sew Basic Stitches

At the same time, many families, especially women, learned to sew at home, practicing the most basic stitches for everyday needs.

First, we’ll explore some fun facts about tailors in colonial times and then give you a simple beginner’s guide to sewing a few basic stitches you can try at home.

By learning the same stitches they used like the running stitch, backstitch, overcast stitch, and cross stitch, you can connect with history in a hands-on way.

It’s a reminder that history isn’t just something to read about it’s something you can try with your own two hands.

BOOKS ABOUT THE COLONIAL PERIOD FOR KIDS

First, look at adding some of these books about the colonial period for your home library.

19 Colonial America Books to Read and to Be Read To

Grab some of these books and resources. You can use a book as a unit study spine to learn about Life During the Colonial Times.

Blood on the River: James Town, 1607

Twelve-year-old Samuel Collier is a lowly commoner on the streets of London. So when he becomes the page of Captain John Smith and boards the Susan Constant, bound for the New World, he can’t believe his good fortune. He’s heard that gold washes ashore with every tide. But beginning with the stormy journey and his first contact with the native people, he realizes that the New World is nothing like he imagined. The lush Virginia shore where they establish the colony of James Town is both beautiful and forbidding, and it’s hard to know who’s a friend or foe. As he learns the language of the Algonquian Indians and observes Captain Smith’s wise diplomacy, Samuel begins to see that he can be whomever he wants to be in this new land.

Paul Revere's Ride

 Longfellow's tribute to the famous revolutionary hero begins with the stirring cadence that American schoolchildren have committed to memory for over a century. Now illustrator Ted Rand brings these vivid and beautiful lines to life as dramatically as the poet's immortal message inspires."The clatter of hooves seems to echo in Rand's evocative paintings of that famed midnight ride...."

Daughter of Liberty (The American Patriot Series, Book 1)

The thrilling saga of a nation's founding begins...Eastertide, April 1775. In the blockaded port of Boston the conflict between the British Regulars and the Sons of Liberty rapidly escalates toward a fateful confrontation. Caught in the deepening rift that divides Whig and Tory, Elizabeth Howard is torn between her love for her prominent parents, who have strong ties to the British establishment, and her secret adherence to the cause of liberty. By night she plays a dangerous game as the infamous courier Oriole, hunted by the British for smuggling intelligence and munitions to the patriot leaders. And by day she treads increasingly perilous ground as she flirts ever more boldly with British officers close to her parents to gain access to information the rebels desperately need.Elizabeth’s assignment is to pin down the exact time the Redcoats will march to capture the patriots’ hoarded munitions. But she hasn’t counted on the arrival of Jonathan Carleton, an officer in the Seventeenth Light Dragoons. To her dismay, the attraction between them is immediate, powerful--and fought on both sides in a war of wits and words. When Carleton wins the assignment to ferret out Oriole, Elizabeth can no longer deny that he is her most dangerous foe--and the possessor of her heart.

Founding Mothers: The Women Who Raised Our Nation

While much has been written about the men who signed the Declaration of Independence, battled the British, and framed the Constitution, the wives, mothers, sisters and daughters they left behind have been little noticed by history. The late #1 New York Times bestselling author Cokie Roberts brings us women who fought the Revolution as valiantly as the men, often defending their very doorsteps.

Drawing upon personal correspondence, private journals, and even favored recipes, Roberts reveals the often surprising stories of these fascinating women, bringing to life the everyday trials and extraordinary triumphs of individuals like Abigail Adams, Mercy Otis Warren, Deborah Read Franklin, Eliza Pinckney Catherine Littlefield Green, Esther DeBerdt Reed, and Martha Washington—proving that without our exemplary women, the new country might have never survived.

Betsy Ross

 Folk-art style paintings and a simple text mark a retelling of the life story of Betsy Ross, including her work running an upholstery business and, according to legend, her designing of the first American flag at the request of George Washington.

Carry On, Mr. Bowditch:

Readers today are still fascinated by “Nat, an eighteenth-century nautical wonder and mathematical wizard. Nathaniel Bowditch grew up in a sailor's world—Salem in the early days, when tall-masted ships from foreign ports crowded the wharves. But Nat didn't promise to have the makings of a sailor; he was too physically small. Nat may have been slight of build, but no one guessed that he had the persistence and determination to master sea navigation in the days when men sailed only by “log, lead, and lookout. Nat's long hours of study and observation, collected in his famous work, The American Practical Navigator (also known as the “Sailors Bible"), stunned the sailing community and made him a New England hero.

A Lion to Guard Us

Featuring a heroine with faith, courage, and a great deal of grit, this acclaimed historical fiction novel portrays the realities faced by three children hoping to find a new home in an unknown land.

Amanda Freebold doesn't know what to do. Her father left three years ago for the new colony of Jamestown in America, thousands of miles away. But now that her mother has died, Amanda is left to take care of her younger brother and sister all alone back in England.

As the new head of the family, Amanda finally decides to take her brother and sister to America to find Father. The ocean crossing is long and hard, and the children don't know whom to trust. But with her father's little brass lion's head to guard them, Amanda knows that somehow everything will work out.

Colonial Craftsmen: And the Beginnings of American Industry

The vanished ways of colonial America's skilled craftsmen are vividly reconstructed in this superb book by Edwin Tunis. With incomparable wit and learning, and in over 450 meticulous drawings, the author describes the working methods and products, houses and shops, town and country trades, and individual and group enterprises by which the early Americans forged the economy of the New World.

In the tiny coastal settlements, which usually sprang up around a mill or near a tanyard, the first craftsmen set up their trades. The blacksmith, cooper, joiner, weaver, cordwainer, and housewright, working alone or with several assistants, invented their own tools and devised their own methods. Soon they were making products that far surpassed their early models: the American ax was so popular that English ironmongers often labeled their own axes "American" to sell them more readily. In the town squares a colonist could have his bread baked to order, bring in his wig to be curled, have his eyeglasses ground, his medicine prescription filled, or buy snuff for his many pocket boxes. With the thriving trade in "bespoke" or made-to-order work, fine American styles evolved; many of these are priceless heirlooms now―the silverware of Paul Revere and John Coney, redware and Queensware pottery, Poyntell hand-blocked wallpaper, the Kentucky rifle, Conestoga wagon, and the iron grillework still seen in some parts of the South. The author discusses in detail many of the trades which have since developed into important industries, like papermaking, glassmaking, shipbuilding, printing, and metalworking, often reconstructing from his own careful research the complex equipment used in these enterprises.

African-Americans in the Thirteen Colonies

Using many photographs, this is a simple overview of the part played by African Americans during the formative years of the colonial period. The freedom sought by so many Europeans who came to America was not shared with many Africans & their descendants. The brief descriptions in this book tell of slavery as well as the limited freedoms of free blacks. Phillis Wheatley, Jean Baptiste Pointe du Sable, & Benjamin Banneker are among those briefly profiled. Index. Part of the Cornerstones of Freedom series.Bowker Authored Title code. Using many photographs, this is a simple overview of the part played by African Americans during the formative years of the colonial period. Presents a brief history of Afro-Americans and of slavery in seventeenth and eighteenth century America.

Seventh and Walnut: Life in Colonial Philadelphia (Adventures in Colonial America)

A native of colonial Philadelphia describes the famous citizens, landmarks, and daily life of his town

The Farm: Life in Colonial Pennsylvania (Adventures in Colonial America)

An indentured servant looks back on his five years of service on the farm of a Pennsylvania German family in the 1760's.

The Dish on Food and Farming in Colonial America (Life in the American Colonies)

Travel back to a time when: People believed vegetables made you sick. Slaves were forced to grow and harvest crops for masters. Step into the lives of the colonists, and get the dish on food and farming in Colonial America.

Early Family Home (Early Settler Life)

Describes the life of early settlers, including the construction of a home, the clearing of land, folk medicine, candle making, quilting bees, weaving, and wedding parties

An Algonquian Year : The Year According to the Full Moon

Brings to life the seasonal cycles of work, play, and survival as experienced by the Northern Algonquians of pre-colonial America, from the icy cold of January's Hard Times Moon through the fertile autumn harvest moons.

The Witch of Blackbird Pond

Sixteen-year-old Kit Tyler is marked by suspicion and disapproval from the moment she arrives on the unfamiliar shores of colonial Connecticut in 1687. Alone and desperate, she has been forced to leave her beloved home on the island of Barbados and join a family she has never met. Torn between her quest for belonging and her desire to be true to herself, Kit struggles to survive in a hostile place. Just when it seems she must give up, she finds a kindred spirit. But Kit’s friendship with Hannah Tupper, believed by the colonists to be a witch, proves more taboo than she could have imagined and ultimately forces Kit to choose between her heart and her duty.

Almost Home: A Story Based on the Life of the Mayflower's Young Mary Chilton

Several of the characters in the story—Mary Chilton, Constance Hopkins, and Elizabeth Tilley—were actual passengers on the Mayflower. Mary Chilton was a young girl when she left her home in Holland and traveled to America onboard the Mayflower with her parents. The journey was filled with trials, joys, and some surprises, but when she reached the New World, she experienced a new life, new freedom, and new home.

Wendy Lawton has taken the facts of the pilgrims’ journey to the New World, and from this information filled in personal details to create a genuine and heart-warming story.

Constance: A Story of Early Plymouth

Runner-up for the National Book Award for Children's Literature in 1969, Constance is a classic of historical young adult fiction, recounting the daily life, hardships, romances, and marriage of a young girl during the early years of the Pilgrim settlement at Plymouth.

Sarah Morton's Day: A Day in the Life of a Pilgrim Girl (Scholastic Bookshelf)

At sunup when the cockerel crows, young Sarah Morton's day begins. Come and join her as she goes about her work and play in an early American settlement in the year 1627.There's a fire to build, breakfast to cook, chickens to feed, goats to milk, and letters and scripture to learn. Between the chores, there is her best friend, Elizabeth, with whom she shares her hopes and dreams. But Sarah is worried about her new stepfather. Will she ever earn his love and learn to call him father?

If You Were a Kid on the Mayflower (If You Were a Kid)

Learn what living conditions were like aboard The Mayflower, what dangers the Pilgrims faced at sea, and much more.

In 1620, a group of Pilgrims left Europe aboard a ship called the Mayflower. They sailed toward North America, hoping to make a new home where they could practice their religion freely. Readers (Ages 7-9) will join Hope and Theodore as their set sail on a 66-day journey across the Atlantic Ocean.

Next, look at some facts about colonial time tailors.

FUN FACTS ABOUT TAILORS IN COLONIAL TIMES

Tailors Were Highly Respected Craftsmen – In colonial America, tailors were more than just clothing makers, they were considered skilled artisans. Creating clothing from fabric required not only careful measurement and cutting but also knowledge of how different fabrics behaved. 

Most Men Wore Clothes Made by Tailors – Unlike today, where clothing is mass-produced, colonial men relied on tailors for most of their garments. Breeches, coats, waistcoats, and shirts often came from a tailor’s skilled hand. Wealthier men ordered custom pieces made with imported fabrics, while farmers and working men might have plainer garments made from homespun cloth.

Women Usually Made Family Clothing at Home – Tailors mostly served men, while women did the bulk of sewing for their households. Mothers, daughters, and wives made dresses, aprons, and children’s clothing. But families sometimes had special garments like men’s coats or uniforms made by a professional tailor.

Apprenticeships Lasted for Years – Young men who wanted to become tailors often started as apprentices around the age of 12 or 13 and might last seven years or more. They learned to measure, cut patterns, sew stitches, and handle fabrics.

Tailors Used Handmade Tools – Colonial tailors didn’t have sewing machine, they worked entirely by hand. Their tool kits included- needles, pins, scissors, thimbles, and beeswax (to strengthen thread).

Fun Facts About Tailors In Colonial Times | How To Sew Basic Stitches

Also, look at more activities about the colonial period for kids.

COLONIAL PERIOD ACTIVITIES FOR KIDS

  • Colonial Life After the Mayflower Voyage & Fun and Simple Candle New England Craft
  • Daniel Boone Facts For Kids About Colonial Life and Fun Kids’ Games (DIY Button Whirligig)
  • Beautiful American History Living Books & Sign Of The Beaver Craft
  • 6 Kids Movies About Paul Revere | How To Make A Lantern

Now that we’ve looked at tailors in colonial times, let’s step into their shoes (or rather, their needles) and learn how to sew a few basic stitches. 

LEARNING FROM THE PAST: HOW TO SEW BASIC STITCHES

In a time without machines, every piece of clothing was the result of hours of careful hand sewing.

Trying these stitches yourself can help you appreciate their skill and patience. Plus, these simple sewing skills are practical to know for mending clothes, making costumes, or even starting larger sewing projects.

You will need:

  • Embroidery hoop
  • Embroidery floss
  • Large blunt needles
  • Muslin fabric
Fun Facts About Tailors In Colonial Times | How To Sew Basic Stitches

Tips For beginners

  • You may want to draw the stitches onto the fabric lightly with a pencil first.
  • Use a bigger safety needle and embroidery thread for ease in handling and to make the stiches more visible.
  • Do not make the entire length of the thread longer than 20” or it becomes easily tangled. Start by slipping the thread through the eye of needle, doubling it over, then tie the end in a knot.
  • Use an embroidery hoop to hold the fabric tightly in place.
Fun Facts About Tailors In Colonial Times | How To Sew Basic Stitches

Running Stitch– The running stitch is the simplest of all stitches and one of the most widely used in colonial households. It’s perfect for sewing seams that don’t need to be very strong or for gathering fabric.

Fun Facts About Tailors In Colonial Times | How To Sew Basic Stitches
  1. Thread your needle and knot the end.
  2. Insert the needle up through the fabric.
  3. Push the needle in and out in small, even stitches along a straight line.
  4. Pull the thread through, leaving evenly spaced stitches that look like a dashed line.

Backstitch- The backstitch was a favorite for strong seams in colonial times. It’s much sturdier than the running stitch and is still used today in hand-sewn garments.

Fun Facts About Tailors In Colonial Times | How To Sew Basic Stitches
  1. Start with a running stitch.
  2. Instead of moving forward each time, bring the needle back into the end of the last stitch, then come up ahead of it.
  3. This creates a solid line of stitches that overlap slightly.

Whipstitch- This stitch was commonly used in colonial sewing to finish the raw edges of fabric so they wouldn’t fray.

Fun Facts About Tailors In Colonial Times | How To Sew Basic Stitches
  1. Bring the needle up through the fabric near the edge.
  2. Loop the needle over the edge and insert it again from the underside.
  3. Continue making diagonal stitches along the fabric edge.

Cross Stitch- While not always used for practical sewing, the cross stitch was popular in colonial times for decorative embroidery. Many young girls learned it as part of their needlework education, often creating samplers to show their skill.

Fun Facts About Tailors In Colonial Times | How To Sew Basic Stitches
  1. Make a diagonal stitch across the fabric.
  2. Cross it with another diagonal stitch in the opposite direction.
  3. Repeat to form an “X” pattern in rows.

Encourage your child as they go to make the back as neat as the front by pulling stitches tightly and trimming off the long knotted ends.

Fun Facts About Tailors In Colonial Times | How To Sew Basic Stitches

Remember that their first attempt will be far from perfect but how fun and empowering to learn new things. Don’t worry about an imperfect backstitch or crooked lines.

Muslin fabric and embroidery thread are inexpensive.

And while you start out just learning to make the simple stitches eventually they can move on to “writing” words and making pictures with these basic stitching techniques.

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

Fall Nature Crafts & How To Make A Pumpkin Nature Collage

September 10, 2025 | Leave a Comment
This post may contain affiliate links. For more information, please see my full disclosure policy.

Fall nature crafts gives your child a chance to connect with nature when the leaves change colors and the weather is crisp. Also, you’ll love my page Fall Season Unit Study {Pumpkins, Leaves, Corn, & More}.

Also, look at How to Turn a Pumpkin Lapbook into a Fun Unit Study.

And one of the best reasons I love doing fall nature crafts is that abstract ideas like leaves changing your child can see. Nature crafts make ideas concrete for younger learners.

Fall Nature Crafts & How To Make A Pumpkin Nature Collage

Even older children love to take a break and be creative when the weather is crisp.

Did I mention when you have multiple ages you’re teaching that nature crafts are budget friendly?

Step into your backyard and if you have a park where you’re allowed to take a few leaves that have fallen you have budget friendly materials.

Fall Nature Crafts & How To Make A Pumpkin Nature Collage

One of my favorite parts of doing this seasonal is that you can create seasonal memories.

HOW TO MAKE A PUMPKIN NATURE COLLAGE

Next, here is another idea to add to your nature crafts and it is a pumpkin nature collage.

First, look at this easy list of supplies.

  • Cardboard base
  • Sticks (to form the pumpkin outline)
  • Leaves, helicopter seeds, or other natural items for filling in the pumpkin
  • Acorns, bark, or other brown nature items for the stem
  • A green leaf for beside the stem
Fall Nature Crafts & How To Make A Pumpkin Nature Collage

Collect nature items.

Go on a nature walk and gather nature items like sticks, leaves, helicopter seeds, acorns, bark, and a green leaf.

Make the pumpkin outline – Arrange sticks on the cardboard in the shape of a pumpkin.

Fall Nature Crafts & How To Make A Pumpkin Nature Collage

Fill the pumpkin.

Fall Nature Crafts & How To Make A Pumpkin Nature Collage

Place colorful leaves, helicopter seeds, and other nature treasures inside the outline to fill the pumpkin shape.

Add the stem – Use acorns, bark, or other brown items to create the stem at the top of the pumpkin.

Finish the look – Place a green leaf beside the stem to complete the pumpkin design.

Fall Nature Crafts & How To Make A Pumpkin Nature Collage

Display & play – Leave the collage on display as a temporary art piece, or take a photo before the items get returned to nature.

FALL NATURE CRAFTS

Finally, look at these fun nature crafts.

I included activities for multiple ages.

10 Fall Nature Crafts

The cooler air, changing leaves, and abundance of natural materials make autumn the perfect time to step outside.

Fun and Easy Leaf Hedgehog Craft for Autumn Days

We’re making an adorable leaf hedgehog craft that is worthy of display on any wall, amid family pictures and other decor. Also, you’ll love my page Fall Season Unit Study {Pumpkins, Leaves, Corn, & More}.

Photo Credit: littlepinelearners.com

Adorable Bat Nature Craft

Here is a cute and unique bat craft for fall! You just need some sticks, leaves, scissors, and glue for this simple nature bat. Head outside and start collecting pieces of nature for this adorable activity!

How To Make Confetti Fall Leaves Crafts For Preschoolers

I have some fun fall leaves crafts for preschoolers. Of course, this is a great activity for kindergarten too. Also, you’ll love my Fall Season Unit Study and Free Lapbook. Too, look at my page How to Homeschool Preschool.

Photo Credit: littlecooksreadingbooks.com

Simple DIY Garland With Dried Fruit

Nature mobile crafts and dried fruit garlands are beautiful to hang any time of year.

From Forest to Fun: Unique Crafts With Tree Bark

Set up an open invitation to play and encourage your child to create crafts with tree bark and a few other nature items. Also, look at my page Famous and Historic Trees Fun Nature and History Homeschool Unit Study for more ideas

Photo Credit: woojr.com

Acorn People Fall Nature Craft

I’m sharing this Acorn People Fall Nature Craft with you. This is a great way to use some of the acorns in your yard that the squirrels don’t tuck away for winter. Here’s what you’ll need!

How To Make A Nature Sun Catcher Wand

A nature sun catcher wand is a translucent frame filled with pressed or dried natural materials, such as leaves, petals, or seeds.

This adorable craft captures the beauty of natural elements. For example, your child can add leaves, flowers, and feathers. It preserves them in a way that allows sunlight to illuminate all the details inside.

Photo Credit: homesteadlady.com

The Ultimate Nature Upcycle.

Learn to make simple and quick plant pots and baskets from fresh and foraged vines – this tutorial is the best of basket weaving for beginners.

Photo Credit: littlepinelearners.com

Stunning Leaf Lanterns

These stunning leaf lanterns will bring light into your home during the darker days of fall.

Photo Credit: montessorifromtheheart.com

Twisted Autumn Tree Craft

Process art is a very modern art.

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

How to Make a George Washington DIY Founding Father Costume

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

We’re making a fantastic DIY founding father costume for under $10 in supplies.

This simple DIY is great for elementary and middle school but can easily be adapted and made more challenging for high school students.

And besides being the first president, there are many reasons to learn about George Washington. Besides being the leader who led the colonies to victory in the Revolutionary War, he was a great leader.

How to Make a George Washington DIY Founding Father Costume

But he was also a reluctant leader because he never really chased power.

I’m giving you a few ideas for each day to do a quick mini unit study on George Washington.

You can make the most out of your time learning about our first president with books, videos, and crafts.

BOOKS ABOUT GEORGE WASHINGTON FOR KIDS

First, look at some of these books.

We prefer living books when we can find them. Add some to your home library.

7 George Washington Books

When you think of the founding of the United States, one name stands out above the rest and that is George Washington.

George Washington's World

The period measured by the life of George Washington, 1732 to 1799, was one of revolution and change in many parts of the world as Enlightenment thinking took hold in the minds of men. Prolifically illustrated with intriguing line drawings and detailed timelines, Foster's telling of the life story of George Washington does justice to the man it celebrates.

George Washington and the Founding of a Nation

A full account of George Washington's role in building the early U.S. republic explores his life, focusing on the assets he brought to public life.

Farmer George Plants a Nation

George Washington was the first leader of our country—but he was also an inventor, scientist, and the most forward-thinking farmer of his time.  As he worked to make the new country independent, he also struggled to create a self-sufficient farm at Mount Vernon, Virginia. Excerpts from Washington's writings are featured throughout this nonfiction picture book, which also includes a timeline, resource section, as well as essays on Washington at Mount Vernon and his thoughts on slavery. Both the author and illustrator worked closely with the staff of Mount Vernon Estate & Gardens to render an accurate portrait of Farmer George at work.

Stories of George Washington

Abraham Lincoln often referred to a favorite book he read as a young boy: "The Life of Washington" by Mason Weems. The impression made deep in his heart was that there was something very uncommon and rare
about America and that holding the Union together was worth any cost. This same book was also the #1 book the citizens of our young Republic were reading. After you get past the flowery language and the over-the-top hero worship, you find a book filled with nuggets of wisdom, including the idea that private virtue exceeds public virtue, which was the secret of Washington's greatness. If you want to read what Lincoln read, now you'll be able to.

George Washington: His Legacy of Faith, Character, and Courage

In this beautifully illustrated book, children will learn the epic story of George Washington, the father of our country, and be inspired by his strong faith, character, and courage. They will discover that the animating force of his heroic life was a deep, abiding faith and trust in God.

Captivatingly illustrated with lovely water colors, this book begins with interesting facts about Washington's ancestors, who had been involved with important key moments in British history, and the story of his forefathers who then came to the United States.

We learn about the life of young George growing up in Virginia and how he developed the skills needed for farming, hunting, horse riding and self-defense. It shows how he was devoutly religious from the time of his youth.

George Washington's Breakfast

A fun take on history from Newbery Honor-winning author, Jean Fritz!George Washington Allen, a boy who never gives up until he finds out what he wants to know, is determined to learn all there is to know about his
namesake, including what the first president ate for breakfast!

George Washington's Teeth

From battling toothaches while fighting the British, to having rotten teeth removed by his dentists, the Father of His Country suffered all his life with tooth problems. Yet, contrary to popular belief, he never had a set of wooden teeth. Starting at the age of twenty-four, George Washington lost on average a tooth a year, and by the time he was elected president, he had only two left!

Next, look at these ideas for a quick 5 day unit study about George Washington.

QUICK GEORGE WASHINGTON UNIT STUDY

Now, begin with a bit about his life on day 1.

WHO WAS GEORGE WASHINGTON – DAY 1

Learn about his early life and character.

  • Who Was George Washington? by Roberta Edwards (Who Was… series).
  • Watch a short kid-friendly video biography-Liberty’s Kids episode on YouTube works well).
  • Play U.S President Go Fish to learn more about Washington and other presidents.
  • George Washington’s Teeth – Deborah Chandra -funny and historical.
  • Ask…
  • Where was George born?
  • What did he do before the war?
  • Why do you think he was respected as a leader?
How to Make a George Washington DIY Founding Father Costume

WASHINGTON & THE REVOLUTION – DAY 2

Understand Washington’s role in the Revolutionary War.

  • Crash Course U.S. History for older kids/teens
  • Read about Washington crossing the Delaware (picture books like George Washington’s Crossing by David Hackett Fischer for older kids, or simpler retellings for younger kids).
  • Map Work-Mark major battle sites (Trenton, Yorktown, Valley Forge) on a 13 colonies map.
  • Recreate the “crossing of the Delaware” using toy soldiers or LEGO figures in a box lid “boat.”

THE FIRST PRESIDENT – DAY 3

Learn about Washington’s presidency.

  • A Picture Book of George Washington by David Adler 
  • George Washington Ingri d’Aulaire
  • Ask…
  • What did Washington do as the first president?
  • Why is it important he stepped down after two terms?
  • Write (or trace) this Washington quote-“It is better to be alone than in bad company.”

WASHINGTON AT HOME (MOUNT VERNON) – DAY 4 

See Washington as a farmer and person.

  • Short video tour of Mount Vernon (official Mount Vernon site has free kid resources).
  • Ask…
  • What crops did Washington grow?
  • Why do you think he loved farming after the war?
  • Start a small garden activity (plant a seed in a cup).
  • Create a mini Mount Vernon with cardboard, popsicle sticks, or printable cutouts.

CELEBRATE WASHINGTON – DAY 5

Review and present learning through a project or presentation.

  • Timeline Notebooking Page– Create a page with Washington’s life events in order.
  • Recite a quote, the Preamble to the Constitution, or a summary of Washington’s life.
  • Draw George Washington on a dollar bill,  quarter, or just his face.
  • Write 3–5 sentences (or more for older kids) about why he is called the “Father of Our Country.”
  • Bake a simple “Washington cake” (colonial-era recipe, or just decorate cupcakes with little American flags).
  • Roleplay Debate: Pretend to be George Washington explaining why America needs independence. Use your costume, see the tutorial below.

MORE AMERICAN HISTORY ACTIVITIES

  • Beautiful American History Living Books & Sign Of The Beaver Craft
  • How to Build a Fun White House Sugar Cube George Washington Craft
  • Explore The Best American History Gifts For Kids And Educators
  • How to Create a Creditworthy American History Course (& resources)
  • 7 National Landmarks USA | How To Make A Fun Statue Of Liberty Torch Craft
  • 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

Finally, look at how to make this cute as it can be founding fathers costume.

HOW TO MAKE A GEORGE WASHINGTON DIY FOUNDING FATHER COSTUME

You will need:

  • Blue long-sleeve t-shirt
  • White craft felt
  • Yellow craft felt
  • Cotton balls
  • Toddlers pull up, pantyhose, or a shower cap
  • Black ribbon
  • Scissors
  • Hot glue gun/glue sticks
How to Make a George Washington DIY Founding Father Costume

JACKET

Fold the shirt down the center, creating a nice crease that makes it easy to cut a straight line by pressing it in with an iron.

How to Make a George Washington DIY Founding Father Costume

Cut an oval from yellow felt, adjust to your child’s size.

You want it big enough to cover the top of the shoulder and hang off the end for epaulettes.

Repeat with a second piece.

How to Make a George Washington DIY Founding Father Costume

Cut fringe around 3 sides.

How to Make a George Washington DIY Founding Father Costume

Place on the shoulders of the shirt, smoothing out the wrinkles and making sure of the size.

How to Make a George Washington DIY Founding Father Costume

Hot glue along the shoulder, and across the arm seam so that it hangs down.

How to Make a George Washington DIY Founding Father Costume

From the remaining scraps of yellow, cut circles about the size of a quarter.

FOUNDING FATHER COSTUME

How to Make a George Washington DIY Founding Father Costume

Use hot glue to attach down either side of the “coat” opening.

How to Make a George Washington DIY Founding Father Costume

I had a white scrap of velvety fabric that I cut long strips on either side to tie around the neck.

How to Make a George Washington DIY Founding Father Costume

If you use felt you can cut out a ruffled shape or two and either hot glue string to tie around the neck or attach to the coat with glue.

HAT

Cut a simple tricorn shape out of the full length of two pieces of black felt and trace them with a gold paint pen or hot glue yellow or gold ribbon along the edge.

How to Make a George Washington DIY Founding Father Costume

For most kids, especially over the wig, this will not be wide enough to fit.

Cut a couple of black strips and hot glue to each end of the hat to join them and make the opening wider.

How to Make a George Washington DIY Founding Father Costume

Cut most of the front portion of a pull-up (stretchy toddler diaper) away to create room for the face.

This works really well for smaller elementary students, but you can use all the next steps on it, a shower cap, or pantyhose stretched over a dummy head to create a wig cap.

How to Make a George Washington DIY Founding Father Costume

Apply hot glue to cotton balls and completely cover the back side.

How to Make a George Washington DIY Founding Father Costume

Add a strip of material at the bottom to create his little pony tail (they do not still well to each other) to give the cotton ball something to stick to.

How to Make a George Washington DIY Founding Father Costume

Flip it over and cover the rest, squeezing them in tightly so there are no gaps when it stretches over the head.

How to Make a George Washington DIY Founding Father Costume

Finally, tie off the little ponytail with a scrap of ribbon.

How to Make a George Washington DIY Founding Father Costume

How cute is this?

Now not only read about history but your child can bring his history lessons to life through this fun dress up.

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

Easy Apple Crafts and How to Make a Fun Apple Sailboat

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

I have rounded up some easy apple crafts. Too, you’ll love this fun and easy apple sailboat to keep your little one having fun. Too, you’ll love the other ideas I have on my page Apple Lapbook and Apple Unit Study.

No glue and no glitter. And no paint-stained fingers. It’s a low-mess, low-stress activity that can be done in under 15 minutes, using things you probably already have at home.

In addition, while having fun, you can naturally introduce science terms such as buoyancy, and balance and symmetry.

Easy Apple Crafts and How to Make a Fun Apple Sailboat

And your little ones are learning foundational STEM principles through play.

Too, kids are learning how to think, create, problem-solve, and play all through an easy apple craft.

In addition, not every sailboat floats perfectly on the first try so your kids learn patience.

BOOKS ABOUT APPLES FOR KIDS

Next, I’ve rounded up some fun books about apples to make this a full unit study.

8 Fun Learning About Apples Books and Resources

You will of course need a few great books that not only teach but that your kids will enjoy, a fun game or two, and maybe a few other items to make a fun apple unit.

Apples (New & Updated Edition)

Discover the well-loved tradition of growing and picking apples - a fruit that has been in existence for about two million years. Explore the history of the apple but also the way that families and farmers grow and care for apple trees today, from planting to selling, to turning them into delicious treats and using them for classic games like "bobbing for apples" .

How Do Apples Grow?

This is a clear and appealing environmental science book for early elementary age kids, both at home and in the classroom.

Questions addressed in this book include:

  • Did you know that when you bite into an apple, you're eating part of a flower?
  • Why do apple trees need bees to make apples?
  • How does the tree feed the growing apples and make them ready to eat?

Read and find out in the proven winner How Do Apples Grow!

My Little Golden Book About Johnny Appleseed

In this simple yet lively book, preschoolers will be introduced to John Chapman, better known as Johnny Appleseed. Lyrical text and bright, appealing artwork capture the essence of this important American and early conservationist who traveled the country planting apple trees. Little ones will enjoy engaging anecdotes about Johnny Appleseed, beginning with the young John, who liked to walk barefoot in the cool, quiet woods.

Ten Apples Up On Top!

Don't let the apples drop! Three animal friends practice balancing apples on their heads in this hilarious introduction to counting, illustrated by Roy Mckie. The sturdy board book teaches all about numbers, with a dose of signature Seuss charm. Kids will learn to count to ten--and want to start all over again!

SmartGames Apple Twist Travel Puzzle Game with 60 Challenges

  • An "apple" game board with five twisting levels to create different puzzles!
  • Includes 60 challenges and is great for on the go fun.
  • Helps develop Spatial Insight, Problem Solving, Planning and Logic Skills
  • All SmartGames are made with the highest quality materials to ensure long product life
  • Set Includes twisting apple game board, 3 caterpillar puzzle pieces and challenge booklet

How to Make an Apple Pie and See the World (Dragonfly Books)

Bake a delicious apple pie--and take a trip with this culinary global adventure!An apple pie is easy to make...if the market is open. But if the market is closed, the world becomes your grocery store. This picture book takes readers around the globe to gather ingredients for a delicious apple pie. First hop a steamboat to Italy for the finest semolina wheat. Then hitch a ride to England and hijack a cow for the freshest possible milk. And, oh yes! Don't forget to go apple picking in Vermont! A simple recipe for apple pie is included.

LeapFrog Tad's Fridge Phonics Magnetic Letter Set

Choose a level and push the letter tiles into the letter slot to reinforce letter names, phonics and word skills
Magnetic back makes it great for fridge play in the kitchen
26 magnetic letter tiles stick to the fridge and help kids learn the shape of each letter
Three photo tiles can be customized with your own photos for a unique, personalized play experience.

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

Get your recommended daily allowance of facts and fun with Food Anatomy, the third book in Julia Rothman’s best-selling Anatomy series. She starts with an illustrated history of food and ends with a global tour of street eats. Along the way, Rothman serves up a hilarious primer on short-order egg lingo and a mouthwatering menu of how people around the planet serve fried potatoes — and what we dip them in. Award-winning food journalist Rachel Wharton lends her expertise to this light-hearted exploration of everything food that bursts with little-known facts and delightful drawings. Everyday diners and seasoned foodies alike are sure to eat it up. 

Then, look at some easy apple crafts for all ages.

EASY APPLE CRAFTS

Next, look at these easy apple crafts for kids of all ages.

  • Apples Unit How to Make a Fall Kids Garland Apple Craft
  • Alphabet Letter A is for Apple Craft for Preschool | Fun Apple Study
  • Apple Lapbook and Apple Unit Study.
  • Kids Fun Hands-on Apple Unit Make Dried Apple Slices
  • 8 Facts About Johnny Appleseed and Sweet Johnny Appleseed Cookies
  • Dried Apple Crafts: Hands-on Fun Shrunken Head Apple Craft for Kids
  • 10 Fall Apple Crafts and Make a Caramel Apple Craft on a Stick
  • Apple Themed Back to School Crafts & Fun Calming Apple Jar Craft
  • Fun Apple Crafts And How To Make Apple Butter & Pretzel Truffles
Easy Apple Crafts and How to Make a Fun Apple Sailboat

Finally, look at how to make this fun apple sailboat.

HOW TO MAKE AN APPLE SAILBOAT

First, look at this easy list of supplies.

  • Large plastic bin
  • Water
  • Apples (cut in half)
  • Toothpicks
  • Small pieces of paper (for sails)
  • Child-safe scissors (to cut sails)
  • Straws (for blowing boats across the water)
Easy Apple Crafts and How to Make a Fun Apple Sailboat

Prepare the bin – Fill a large bin with water. Make the sailboats – Cut apples in half.

Easy Apple Crafts and How to Make a Fun Apple Sailboat

Cut small paper sails and poke them onto the toothpicks.

Easy Apple Crafts and How to Make a Fun Apple Sailboat

Push a toothpick into each apple half.

Easy Apple Crafts and How to Make a Fun Apple Sailboat

Launch the boats – Place the apple sailboats into the bin of water.

Race the boats – Give kids straws and let them gently blow air toward the sails to make their boats glide across the water.

Experiment & play – Try different sizes of sails, blow from different directions, or see how many boats can move at once.

Benefits for Kids:

  • Social Skills – Promotes cooperation and friendly competition when racing boats together.
  • STEM Exploration – Introduces concepts of buoyancy, wind power, and cause-and-effect.
  • Fine Motor Skills – Strengthens hand-eye coordination while building and sailing the boats.
  • Creativity & Imagination – Encourages playful storytelling as kids race or “sail” their apple boats.
  • Sensory Play – Water play is soothing, engaging multiple senses at once.

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

  • « Go to Previous Page
  • Page 1
  • Interim pages omitted …
  • Page 21
  • Page 22
  • Page 23
  • Page 24
  • Page 25
  • Interim pages omitted …
  • Page 118
  • Go to Next Page »

Primary Sidebar

Footer

Privacy Policy | About Me | Reviews | Contact | Advertise

Categories

Archives

Tina Robertson is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to amazon.com. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.

Copyright © 2026 · 5 TNT LLC · Log in · Privacy Policy