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How to Make Fluffy Lemonade Summer Slime With Kids

May 27, 2024 | Leave a Comment
This post may contain affiliate links. For more information, please see my full disclosure policy.

Summer slime is a great way to beat the heat by coming indoors for a craft project that turns into a fun sensory activity.

Slime poured its way into our homes years ago.

And it shows no signs of slowing down as a favored sensory activity for kids and teenagers.

How to Make Fluffy Lemonade Summer Slime With Kids

This fantastic fluffy lemonade slime is perfect for summer and smells amazing!

You can mix it up and make lemonade, strawberry lemonade, or even other flavors for sensory fun as well as a base for imaginative play with an impromptu pretend lemonade stand.

I really love to turn any kind of activity into a simple learning experience when possible.

This fluffy lemonade summer slime would be a unique way to learn about lemonade, its origins, and even inspire a recipe for a fresh batch.

Fun Lemonade Facts for Kids

I found a two-page layout in Food Anatomy that was all about lemonade including a recipe.

How to Make Fluffy Lemonade Summer Slime With Kids

Lemonade means different things depending on where you live, in the US it is a drink made of water, lemons, and sugar. 

Australia’s version is carbonated (like Sprite), while the Middle East enjoys their tangy lemonade with a bit of mint.

Send your child on a sweet and sour chase for information by having them research some facts about lemons and lemonade, take a trip to the library to find the answers or search the web.

  • When was lemonade invented? The first record of lemonade is from the 12th century in Egypt.
  • Why are lemons sour? Lemon tastes sour due to the acetic acid in their juice.
  • What country produces the most lemons? India at 17% of the world’s crop.
  • When is national Lemonade Day? August 20th
  • How many lemons grow on a lemon tree each year? One lemon tree can produce up to 500 or 600 pounds of lemons in a year.

Looking for a good read aloud that is on theme too?

The Lemonade War is a popular chapter book that is great for a family read or independent reading time.

Can your kids not get enough slime?

Look at these amazingly scented summer slimes like watermelon, beach, slime, and others to keep kids busy.

8 Sensational Summer Slime Recipes

  1. Take a look at my How to Make Fun Watermelon Seed Slime For Summer Learning.
  2. DIY Beach Sand Slime will bring the feel of sandcastles with a slippery gooey twist for a unique activity.
  3. 7 Cool Rainforest Science Activities and Create Rainforest Floor Slime.
  4. Celebrate Shark Week with Ocean Slime in a pretty blue that can be used for any ocean animal or theme.
  5. This Snow Cone Slime made me so nostalgic for childhood as soon as I saw it and I think kids will really enjoy this one.
  6. Sparkling Mermaid Slime is so fun and magical for little hands and feels just right for summer.
  7. Cool off with this Ice Cream Sundae Slime, remember not to snack on this one!
  8. This Glow in the Dark Slime Recipe will be a hit for hot summer nights as their oozing creation lights up the night!
How to Make Fluffy Lemonade Summer Slime With Kids

Also, look at these summer fun activities for kids.

Summer Ideas for Kids

  • A to Z List: 100 Fun Summer Homeschool Unit Study Ideas
  • 25 Summer Homeschool Ideas To Keep The Learning Spark Alive
  • 20 Fun Summer Learning Activities And Make A Rock Sundial
  • Fun Pineapple Candle For Fun Summer Activities for Middle Schoolers
  • Super Easy and Fun Aquarium Jar Craft For Summer Activities for Middle Schoolers
  • Fun Making Ocean Layers Soap | Summer Activities for Middle Schoolers
  • 11 Fun Summer Activities for Middle Schoolers
How to Make Fluffy Lemonade Summer Slime With Kids

Next, look at how to make fluffy lemonade summer slime.

How to Make Fluffy Lemonade Summer Slime

You will need:

  • ½ cup white school glue
  • 3-4 cups sensitive shaving cream
  • 1 packet lemonade drink mix
  • ½ teaspoon baking soda
  • 2 Tablespoons Contact solution
How to Make Fluffy Lemonade Summer Slime With Kids

Optional*

  • Yellow food coloring
  • Yellow craft foam 
  • Mason jar
  • Colorful straws
  • Lemon cookie cutters

First, mix the glue, baking soda, and lemonade packet together in a large bowl.

You can use a drink mix or Kool aid mix to give it color and scent.

 If it is not strong enough add a little lemon essential oil.

How to Make Fluffy Lemonade Summer Slime With Kids

Stir in shaving cream, as much or as little as you like to give it a fluffy texture.

Because of the acids you will see some foaming and the mixture growing right away.

How to Make Fluffy Lemonade Summer Slime With Kids

If your drink mix doesn’t give it enough color just add a few drops of yellow food coloring to brighten it up a bit.

Add in the contact solution a little at a time, mixing well between each addition.

How to Make Fluffy Lemonade Summer Slime With Kids

You want to add it just until it begins to form together and pulls away from the sides.

How to Make Fluffy Lemonade Summer Slime With Kids

To make fun little lemon slices, trace and cut circles and half circles out of yellow craft foam.

Use a fine tip pen to draw in some details like the individual segments seeds and skin.

Add your lemonade slime to a mason jar for a presentation that fits with the theme and include your craft foam lemon slices, straws, and anything else you like to add to the fun.

How to Make Fluffy Lemonade Summer Slime With Kids

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

Are Daisies Wildflowers | How to Make a Wildflower Pounding Towel

May 25, 2024 | Leave a Comment
This post may contain affiliate links. For more information, please see my full disclosure policy.

Have you wondered if daisies are wildflowers? You’ll also love my Wildflowers Unit Study.

Or do you have questions about the beautiful flowers in fields, along the road, and in your own backyard?

I’ll help you answer some of those questions.

Are Daisies Wildflowers | How to Make a Wildflower Pounding Craft

I have some wonderful resources for a wildflower study, and show you a simple and inexpensive craft that fits perfectly along with our topic.

A wildflower is a flower that grows in the wild. Wildflowers are not intentionally seeded or planted.

Common wildflowers are spread throughout the United States.

For example, there are Butterfly Weed, Black Eyed Susan, Purple Coneflower, Sage, Yarrow, Hyssop, and Phlox.

Wildflowers are found along highways, at the edge of forests, filling up fields, and in your own backyard.

They come in many different colors, sizes, and species.

For example, there are 20,000 known wildflower species in the United States.

Wildflower Books For Kids

10 Wildflower Books & Resources For Kids Who Love to Read and Be Read To

Spring is especially a good time to learn about wildflowers but you can learn about them anytime. Add a few of these hands-on resources and books and you'll have a fun multiple ages unit study for your homeschooled kids.

Botanicum: Welcome to the Museum

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

National Geographic Pocket Guide to Wildflowers of North America

With this basic beginner's field guide to North American wildflowers, all who enjoy nature and the outdoors can identify common wildflowers, from backyard weeds to dainty forest blossoms. In a logical, user-friendly, highly visual format, this new title offers key facts about 160 of the most common wildflowers and weeds, coast to coast, including Canada and Alaska.

Wildcraft! an Herbal Adventure Game for Kids

Unlike many kids games 4 and up that turn out to be too confusing for children, Wildcraft! An Herbal Adventure Game, is a fun, strategic challenge that’s also easy to follow– NO READING REQUIRED. Because our learning board games feature clear illustrations and matching icons, even younger kids will learn what the different plants look like and can be used for. It’s the perfect fun game for family game night with kids, and ideal for beginners – no prior plant knowledge necessary!

Wildflower Seeds: Bulk Mix of 21 Varieties

Wide Variety Of Flower Seeds: Our wildflower seeds will provide you with a vibrant selection of flowers in your garden. You will get 21 different varieties of annual seeds including Black Eyed Susans, California Bluebells, African Daisies and more.

Wildflower Bingo Game

Do you know which flower got its name from its resemblance to the sombrero? What is the species of the bluebonnet? Lot of facts about North American wildflowers in this game.

Wildflowers, Blooms & Blossoms (Take Along Guides)

An introduction to the world of insects, caterpillars, and butterflies including identification information, educational activities, and fun facts.Invites young naturalists to spot wildlife. Safety tips are provided and interesting activities are suggested. 

Ultimate Explorer Field Guide: Wildflowers

What do you call a garden filled with lots of flowers? A polli-nation! Nat Geo Kids is back with the newest fact- and photo-filled Ultimate Explorer Field Guide, and this one packs some real flower power! This guide to wildflowers will make kids stop and look for all kinds of blossoms blooming right under their noses. From buttercups to bladderworts, primroses to pitcher plants, kids will learn how, where, and when to spot these wildflowers in their backyard, down the street, or all over town! Jam-packed with tons of info, interactive prompts, tips for budding botanists, super stats, and jokes--it's the perfect companion for exploring the backyard or field trips, camping, or vacation. Durable and portable, it's just right for your pocket or backpack!

Wild Flowers of North America (Science Nature Guides)

Did you know that wild plants are still used for food, for medicines, and as dyes? Many of the plants growing in urban areas, in woods and by the side of roads are useful as well as being pretty. Other plants have small and less obvious how many have you seen and not realized that they were flowers? This book will show you the most common wild flowers and where you are most likely to find them. A nature guide designed for elementary grades 2-3, the book includes more than 20 easy-to-do science projects.

Miss Lady Bird's Wildflowers: How a First Lady Changed America

In this warm, engaging look at the life of a great First Lady, Kathi Appelt tells the story behind Lady Bird Johnson's environmental vision. Joy Fisher Hein's colorful wildflowers burst from every page, inviting us to share in Lady Bird's love for natural beauty. 

From a lonely childhood in the Piney Woods of East Texas to an exciting life in the White House, Lady Bird Johnson loved wildflowers with all her heart. They were her companions in her youth, greeting her everywhere as she explored wild forests, bayous, and hills. 

Wild Flowers of North America: Botanical Illustrations by Mary Vaux Walcott

Published in association with the Smithsonian Institution. What does it take to paint a wildflower that blooms for a single day in a deep forest? For Mary Vaux Walcott, it involved spending up to seventeen hours a day out of doors with her paintbox to capture the shape, movement, and colors of delicate petals and leaves.

Next, look at some of these other questions and answers about wildflowers.

Are Daisies Wildflowers And Other Questions

Are Daisies Wildflowers? Yes, daisies are wildflowers and they come in a variety of colors and species.

Do wildflowers grow everywhere?  Yes, wildflowers can grow pretty much anywhere but they do need at least 6 hours of sunlight and well drained soil. You will not find them on Antarctica.

How do you use wildflowers? Wildflowers are used as food, medicine, bug repellant, and for making essential oils.

Why are wildflowers so important? Besides the fact that they are so pretty to look at, wildflowers impact the environment in big ways from improving the health of the soil to pollination which helps our food supply.

What is the difference between annual and perennial wildflowers? Annuals last for the season they’re planted. But perennials come back every year.

Are Daisies Wildflowers | How to Make a Wildflower Pounding Craft

In addition, add more of these hands-on wildflower activities.

More Wildflowers Crafts

  • Fun Kids Activity How to Make Wildflower Seed Bombs
  • California Landmarks With Naturalist John Muir | How To Make A Poppy Craft
  • Facts About Wildflowers And a Fun Felt Texas Bluebonnet Craft
  • Learn How to Easily Make a Simple and Fun Kids DIY Flower Press to preserve all the beautiful wildflowers you find on your nature walks.
Are Daisies Wildflowers | How to Make a Wildflower Pounding Craft

Finally, look at how to make this adorable wildflower pounding towel craft.

How to Make a Wildflower Pounding Craft

You will need:

  • Lots of colorful fresh flowers/greenery
  • PFD fabric or cotton tea towel
  • Cardboard or a large board
  • Waxed paper
  • Hammer
Are Daisies Wildflowers | How to Make a Wildflower Pounding Craft

First, gather up a nice variety of colorful wildflowers.

Scout out your yard, an empty field, or even use a store-bought bouquet before it begins to dry out.

You want to make sure your flowers or plants have plenty of pigment and moisture for a good transfer.

Are Daisies Wildflowers | How to Make a Wildflower Pounding Craft

If you use PFD fabric it is already prepared to accept dye well.

If not, you want to treat your tea towels with alum using the following steps:

  • Wash the fabric in cold water (no detergents or fabric softeners.
  • Dissolve 2 teaspoons of alum powder in 1 gallon of water that is warm.
  • Soak the fabric in the bath for about 20–30 minutes.
  • Wring it out and allow it to dry naturally.

Spread and smooth your towel out flat on top of cardboard or scrap wood.

Then place your flowers and greenery how you like it.

You will get a better impression if you lay them face down.

Are Daisies Wildflowers | How to Make a Wildflower Pounding Craft

Cover flowers and towel with wax paper.

Pound all over the paper, hitting the flowers until you have completely crushed them up into the cloth.

Are Daisies Wildflowers | How to Make a Wildflower Pounding Craft

Carefully peel up a little bit of the flowers to make sure that the color and shape has transferred.

If there is not enough color lay them back down and repeat, pounding them out.

Are Daisies Wildflowers | How to Make a Wildflower Pounding Craft

Continue until the color has transferred to your liking. I went back out and gathered more after the first attempt because it wasn’t enough.

Shake off all the flower residue and either place in a hot dryer for 20 minutes or press well with an iron to seal in the color.

Are Daisies Wildflowers | How to Make a Wildflower Pounding Craft

This type of tea towel is purely decorative, the colors will not hold up to repeated use and washing. It makes a lovely gift to wrap another gift in or tuck into a pretty basket.

Are Daisies Wildflowers | How to Make a Wildflower Pounding Craft

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

How To Make Your Own Edible Beach Sand And Shells: A Creative And Delicious Recipe

May 23, 2024 | Leave a Comment
This post may contain affiliate links. For more information, please see my full disclosure policy.

We’re making edible beach sand and shells. Also, you’ll love more ideas on my Oceans Unit Study and Lapbook and free Seashore Watching Unit Study and Beach Lapbook.

It’s a fun snack that is a great way to end or even begin a beach unit.

It is almost as fun to make it as it is to eat it, but not quite.

You can do this project just for a fun beach theme.

How To Make Your Own Edible Beach Sand And Shells: A Creative And Delicious Recipe

Also, it makes a great starter for discussions on different colors of ocean water, the different colors and types of sand and what creates that sand.

In addition, you can learn about all the different varieties of seashells.

If you are lucky enough to live near a beach, you can incorporate a field trip to study beach sand up close.

Sigh, it’s a tough job but someone must do it.

Next, look at some of these books about the beach and ocean.

Books About the Beach and Ocean

16 Ocean Books for Kids Who Love to Read and Be Read To

Choose a few of these ocean themed books to go along with your study of the Oceans. Whether you're looking for a spine for a unit study or literature, you'll love this roundup.

The Burgess Seashore Book for Children in color

Join Danny Meadow Mouse, Jimmy Skunk, and Reddy Fox as they explore the seashore and take a closer look at the habits and habitats of the creatures they find. Discover the Seahorse, Shrimp, Crab, Anemone, Gull, and so many more.

The Burgess Seashore Book for Children is a wonderful way to introduce young ones to the fascinating world beneath us and is a perfect compliment to earlier books in this series, the Bird, Animal, and Flower books.

This edition is complete and unabridged with all of the beautiful illustrations by W.H. Southwick and George Sutton

Seaside Naturalist: Seaside Naturalist

Seaside Naturalist is an illustrated guide to marine plants and animals includes the characteristics of protozoa, arthropods, sponges, mollusks, reptiles, birds, fish, and mammals.

The Big Book of the Blue (The Big Book Series)

The book opens by explaining how different types of animals are able to breathe and survive underwater, and the different families to which they belong. Subsequent pages are dedicated to specific creatures, including sea turtles, whales, sharks, stingrays, and seahorses, and show varied life in specific habitats, such as a coral reef or deep sea bed. The Big Book of the Blue also explores the underwater world thematically, looking at animals in danger, learning how to spot creatures at the beach, and discovering how to do our part to save sea life. Beautiful and filled with fascinating facts, young, curious readers won’t be able to tear their eyes away from the page.

Scott O'Dell Set: Island of the Blue Dolphins + Zia

Island of the Blue Dolphins begins with a young girl named Karana who is living on the Island of the Blue Dolphins (fancy name, right?) with her younger brother, Ramo, and sister, Ulape. One day, a group of Russian hunters (Aleutians) land on the island to hunt for otter. This is when the trouble really begins.

Manfish: A Story of Jacques Cousteau (Underwater Picture Book for Kids)

Once upon a time in France, a baby was born under the summer sun. His parents named him Jacques. As he grew, Jacques fell in love with the sea. He dreamed of breathing beneath the waves and swimming as gracefully as a fish. In fact, he longed to become a manfish. Jacques Cousteau grew up to become a champion of the seas and one of the best-known oceanographers in the world. In this lovely biography, now in paperback, poetic text and gorgeous paintings come together to create a portrait of Cousteau that is as magical as it is inspiring.

Twenty Thousand Leagues Under the Seas (Illustrated 1875 Edition):

A beautiful edition with 110 images from the 1875 English edition. Use Amazon's Look inside feature to compare this edition with others. You'll be impressed by the differences. Don't be fooled by other versions that have no illustrations or contain very small print. Reading our edition will make you feel that you are traveling the seas with Captain Nemo himself.

Swiss Family Robinson (Illustrated Classic): 200th Anniversary Collection

More than 100 original illustrations by Louis Rhead. You want to read this book with illustrations.

An introduction by W. D. Howells.

Nicely formatted text in an easy-to-read font.

A beautiful cover from the 1891 edition.

Ocean: A Visual Encyclopedia

Embark on a captivating tour of the waters that cover 70 percent of our planet! See our oceans come to life in mind-blowing detail. This is the ultimate children’s visual encyclopedia about the awe-inspiring blue planet! 

Secrets of the Sea: The Story of Jeanne Power, Revolutionary Marine Scientist

How did a nineteenth-century dressmaker revolutionize science? Jeanne Power was creative: she wanted to learn about the creatures that swim beneath the ocean waves, so she built glass tanks and changed the way we study underwater life forever. Jeanne Power was groundbreaking: she solved mysteries of sea animals and published her findings at a time when few of women’s contributions to science were acknowledged. Jeanne Power was persistent: when records of her research were lost, she set to work repeating her studies. And when men tried to take credit for her achievements, she stood firm and insisted on the recognition due to her.

Ocean Anatomy: The Curious Parts & Pieces of the World under the Sea

Follow Rothman’s inquisitive mind and perceptive eye along shorelines, across the open ocean, and below the waves for an artistic exploration of the watery universe. Through her drawings, discover how the world’s oceans formed, why the sea is salty, and the forces behind oceanic phenomena such as rogue waves. Colorful anatomical profiles of sea creatures from crustacean to cetacean, surveys of seafaring vessels and lighthouses, and the impact of plastic and warming water temperatures are just part of this compendium of curiosities that will entertain and educate readers of all ages. 

The Fascinating Ocean Book for Kids: 500 Incredible Facts!

Do you know a kid who’s captivated by what goes on beneath the ocean’s surface? This amazing entry into ocean books for kids is packed with hundreds of incredible facts for hours of underwater exploration. Pages of full-color pictures feature life in and around the sea including fish, dolphins, and shipwrecks!

All About Bioluminescence: Deep Sea Animals

Dive into the mesmerizing world of bioluminescence with "All About Bioluminescence." In this captivating book, readers embark on a journey through the depths of the ocean to discover the extraordinary glow-in-the-dark creatures that inhabit its mysterious realm. From the enchanting sea angel to the infamous anglerfish, each page is filled with stunning illustrations and fascinating facts about these luminous beings.With a focus on deep-sea dwellers, readers will uncover the secrets behind bioluminescence and learn how these creatures use light to communicate, camouflage, and lure prey. But the adventure doesn't stop there! "All About Bioluminescence" also includes hands-on activities like a glow stick experiment, allowing readers to experience the magic of bioluminescence firsthand.

Treasure Island (Dover Thrift Editions: Classic Novels)

One of the most enduringly popular adventure tales, Treasure Island began in 1881 as a serialized adventure entitled "The Sea-Cook"in the periodical Young Folks. Completed during a stay at Davos, Switzerland, where Stevenson had gone for his health, it was published in 1883 in the form we know today.Set in the eighteenth century, Treasure Island spins a heady tale of piracy, a mysterious treasure map, and a host of sinister characters charged with diabolical intentions. Seen through the eyes of Jim Hawkins, the cabin boy of the Hispaniola, the action-packed adventure tells of a perilous sea journey across the Spanish Main, a mutiny led by the infamous Long John Silver, and a lethal scramble for buried treasure on an exotic isle.

Oceans and Seas!: With 25 Science Projects for Kids

In Oceans and Seas! With 25 Science Projects for Kids readers ages 7 though 10 dive into the underwater world of some of the most amazing landscapes on Earth. On this amazing underwater adventure, kids experience the ocean’s tropical reefs and spot crabs, sea sponges, and thousands of kinds of fish darting in its crags and folds. They’ll meet a giant squid with eyes the size of dinner plates and an mbrella-like bioluminescent jellyfish.

Discover the Oceans: The World's Largest Ecosystem (Discover Your World)

From both a historical and scientific point of view, above and below the surface, this engaging guide brings the world’s oceans to life through fun facts, illustrations, and in-depth information. Interactive activities appear throughout, ranging from making solar stills and simple fishing spears to experimenting with a homemade diving bell and figuring out how much water it really takes to survive. With the oceans being the least explored environment on Earth, this reference illuminates some of the most incredible and surprising plants and animals as well as how to survive and navigate these vast expanses.

Pagoo

An intricate study of tide pool life is presented in text and pictures through the story of Pagoo, a her-mit crab.

Next, look at these facts about beach sand.

Colors of Ocean Water

Because most white pudding still has a yellow tint it is going to make your ocean more green than blue.

This is a great opportunity to understand why oceans run the gamut from blue to green and all shades in between.

  • The oceans are often blue because water absorbs those colors in the red part of the light spectrum. Much as a filter does this leaves behind colors in the blue part of the light spectrum for us to see, showing them as light to brilliant shades of jewel blue.
  • Some oceans appear greener due to the presence of algae and plant life. Photosynthetic organisms contain chlorophyll which looks green. Depending on the type of phytoplankton the ocean may look anywhere from blue green to emerald green.

Also, look at these facts about beach sand.

5 Fascinating Facts about Beach Sand 

  1. Sand is often made from silica but is not a single mineral, rather it is made up of multiple minerals like quartz, feldspar, mica, magnetite, etc. This composition of minerals varies with the region that it is found in.
  2. Sand comes in a rainbow of colors. The variety of colors is because of the composition of minerals and ph levels with other components. Black sand is rich in volcanic ash, white is full of quartz, pink is due to the single-celled organisms called foraminifera.
  3. It takes thousands of years for a single grain of sand to form as larger minerals like quartz go through decomposition and erosion into small fragments.
  4. The Sand Sea, located in the heart of the rich Sahara Desert, is the oldest desert in the world.
  5. The World’s Tallest Sandcastle was Made in Germany and stood almost 70 feet tall.
How To Make Your Own Edible Beach Sand And Shells: A Creative And Delicious Recipe

Next, look at these other beach activities.

Hands-on Beach, Ocean and Sea Shells Activities

  • 5 Tide Pool Facts and Create An Edible Tide Pool Diorama Ideas
  • How do Fish Breathe Underwater Fun Activity & Animal Science Homeschool Curriculum
  • 22 Hands-on Fun Ocean Sea Shell Activities For Teens
  • Celebrate World Reef Day with a Blow Painting Coral Reef Hands-On Activity
  • 10 Edible Beach Crafts For Teens and Make Edible Beach Glass
  • How to Dissolve a Seashell – Beach Hands-on Fun Activity
  • Oceans Unit Study and Lapbook
  • Edible Ocean Layers
  • Egg to Sea Turtle Lesson Plans & Lapbook
  • Quick Unit Study & Easy Salt water Density Ocean Science Experiment
How To Make Your Own Edible Beach Sand And Shells: A Creative And Delicious Recipe

Finally, look at how to make your own edible beach sand and shells.

How To Make Your Own Edible Beach Sand And Shells

You will need:

  • White melting chocolate
  • Seashell silicone mold
  • One package of graham crackers
  • Vanilla pudding
  • Blue raspberry drink packet
  • 1/4 cup brown sugar
  • Food coloring – optional
  • Small paintbrush
How To Make Your Own Edible Beach Sand And Shells: A Creative And Delicious Recipe

First, prepare pudding according to package directions and then stir in as much or little flavoring/color you like.

Now, even though the vanilla pudding is white it does have a bit of a yellow tint to it so when you add the blue, it’s going to turn it a pretty green/teal.

How To Make Your Own Edible Beach Sand And Shells: A Creative And Delicious Recipe

It’s just another discussion on how bodies of water are colored differently and why.

Remember that mistakes or near misses are just great opportunities for discussion.

This gave us an intro to talk about how the ocean water in different parts of the world are very different colors.

Place pudding in the refrigerator to set.

Add graham crackers and brown sugar to either a powerful blender or a food processor.

How To Make Your Own Edible Beach Sand And Shells: A Creative And Delicious Recipe

Pulse until very fine, like beach sand then set aside.

How To Make Your Own Edible Beach Sand And Shells: A Creative And Delicious Recipe

Finally, on to the seashells- you can leave them white or you can buy various colors of chocolate melts, we decided to give them a little bit of color by brushing a small amount of food coloring onto the mold.

How To Make Your Own Edible Beach Sand And Shells: A Creative And Delicious Recipe

Next place your desired amount of melted chocolate in a microwave safe container and heat for one minute ,stir, and then heat in 30 second increments each time until it is completely melted.

How To Make Your Own Edible Beach Sand And Shells: A Creative And Delicious Recipe

Carefully spoon melted chocolate into the seashell molds. You can pop it in the refrigerator if you like to harden it quicker.

How To Make Your Own Edible Beach Sand And Shells: A Creative And Delicious Recipe

Carefully remove each from the mold.

How To Make Your Own Edible Beach Sand And Shells: A Creative And Delicious Recipe

Now all that’s left is assembling your edible beach, grab a shallow bowl and spoon half of your ocean water/pudding on it.

 Sprinkle your graham cracker mixture on the other half for beach sand, slightly overlapping area and then with your edible seashells.

How To Make Your Own Edible Beach Sand And Shells: A Creative And Delicious Recipe

Leave a CommentFiled Under: Hands-On Activities Tagged With: beach, earth science, earthscience, edible, hands-on, hands-on activities, handson, handsonhomeschooling, homeschool, life science, ocean, science, sea shells

Spectacular Lewis And Clark Plants Drawings | 7 Quick Botany Art Lessons

May 19, 2024 | Leave a Comment
This post may contain affiliate links. For more information, please see my full disclosure policy.

Have you ever looked at the Lewis and Clark plants drawings? And wondered how it must have been to stumble across strange and wonderful plants no one had seen before? Also, look at my Lewis and Clark Fun Homeschool Unit Study and Lapbook.

One of the great contributions that Lewis and Clark made during their expedition across the unexplored Louisiana Purchase and the Pacific Northwest was their journals.

Spectacular Lewis And Clark Plants Drawings | 7 Quick Botany Art Lessons

The journals contained notes, maps, and of course drawings of plants and animals never seen before.

One fantastic way to learn is to incorporate science into a history lesson.

You do this by spinning off one of the subtopics. Today we’re doing botany.

From May 1804 to September 1806 they recorded observations, mapped out routes, sketched plants, and traded with Native American Tribes.

Some of their discoveries included: Bitterroot, Lewis Flax, Cottonwood, Purple Prairie Clover, Golden Currant, Osage Orange, Prickly Pear, and Camas, just to name a few of the more well-known species.

I have a quick and easy challenge with a bit of a chalk pastel lesson to get you going on your journey.

The Expedition of Lewis and Clark Books For Kids

In addition, look at some of these living books to add to your unit study.

Besides living books, add reference books to your learning day.

15 Lewis and Clark | Sacagawea Exploration Unit Study Resources

Lewis and Clark is one of the most significant periods in American history and you can spend weeks exploring the lands and people west of the Mississippi with these fun books and resources.

How We Crossed The West: The Adventures Of Lewis And Clark

Appealing art and descriptive text bring Lewis and Clark alive for young adventurers. Carefully chosen text from Lewis and Clark's actual journals opens a fascinating window into this country's exciting history.

National Geographic Readers: Sacagawea

Explore one of the most recognized figures in American history with this biography of Sacagawea. Kids will learn about her crucial role in the Lewis and Clark expedition and her influential legacy.  The level 3 text provides accessible, yet wide-ranging, information for independent readers.

Of Courage Undaunted: Across the Continent with Lewis & Clark

Commissioned in 1803 by President Thomas Jefferson to explore and open up this vast territory, Lewis and Clark felt it was the realization of a lifelong dream. Against the hardships of the wilderness, possible attack by hostile Indians, sudden blizzards and terrifying natural obstacles, these two men led the Corps of Discovery ably and nobly to complete their mission. Their Corps included American Indians from the Sioux, Mandan, Shoshone, Clatsop and Chopunnish tribes. Sacajawea, the only woman on the trip, was a Shoshone woman who contributed invaluable service as interpreter and guide. Daugherty's evocative sepia and black ink illustrations depict individuals of humor, vitality, passion, and strength.

Undaunted Courage: Meriwether Lewis, Thomas Jefferson, and the Opening of the American West

From the New York Times bestselling author the definitive book on Lewis and Clark’s exploration of the Louisiana Purchase, the most momentous expedition in American history and one of the great adventure stories of all time.

The Truth About Sacajawea (Lewis & Clark Expedition)

The only book ever written that tells the eyewitness truth about this famous teenage Indian mother who was indispensable to the Lewis and Clark Expedition.

The Journals of Lewis and Clark: 1805: Volume II

On May 14, 1804, the Corps of Discovery set out from Camp Dubois, Illinois, heading westward under the command of Captain Meriwether Lewis and his Second Lieutenant, William Clark. While Lewis led the group in terms of rank, the two men became de facto equals, giving their names jointly to a journey that would shape the future of the fledgling United States — the Lewis and Clark Expedition. This book presents journal entries taken directly from the expedition.

Sacagawea: American Pathfinder

Describes how Sacagawea found adventure guiding Lewis and Clark to the Oregon coast.

Along the Trail with Lewis and Clark (Third Edition): A Guide to the Trail Today

Take Your Own Journey through History on the Lewis & Clark Trail! Follow the journey of the Corps of Discovery from Thomas Jefferson’s Monticello through the Midwest and the Rockies, to the Pacific Ocean and back with this detailed chronicle of the Lewis & Clark Expedition. This third edition of the classic guidebook features accessible text that combines the historical sites and color maps that merge the past and present in a user-friendly and entertaining way.

What Was the Lewis and Clark Expedition?

When Meriwether Lewis, William Clark, and the "Corp of Discovery" left St. Louis, Missouri, on May 1, 1804, their mission was to explore the vast, unknown territory acquired a year earlier in the Louisiana Purchase. The travelers hoped to find a waterway that crossed the western half of the United States. They didn't. However, young readers will love this true-life adventure tale of the two-year journey that finally brought the explorers to the Pacific Ocean.

The Lewis and Clark Expedition (Graphic History)

In this epic graphic novel, follow the dramatic story of  the Lewis and Clark expedition. In 1804, these two explorers, along with their "Corps of Discovery," traversed the unmapped American West, leading to scientific discoveries, interactions with Native nations, and route to the Pacific Ocean. Dramatic illustrations and fast-paced text provide a "you-are-there" experience. With extensive back matter, including a bibliography, extended reading list, glossary, and further Internet sources, young readers will gobble up this action-packed comic book about one of history's most compelling moments.

The Oregon Trail: The Journey Across the Country From Lewis and Clark to the Transcontinental Railroad With 25 Projects

In The Oregon Trail: The Journey Across the Country from Lewis and Clark to the Transcontinental Railroad, readers ages 9 to 12 can delve into the explorations of Meriwether Lewis and William Clark and other explorers. They can learn about the more than half a million people who followed during the nineteenth century. What challenges did these pioneers face on the 2,170-mile journey? How were Native American tribes and nations affected by this mass migration? Primary sources allow readers to feel like a part of the Oregon Trail experience while biographical sidebars will introduce the compelling people who were part of this time in U.S. history. Investigative, hands-on projects and critical thinking activities such as writing a treaty and researching artistic impressions of the Oregon Trail invite readers to further their understanding of life on the trail, early towns and forts, and the Transcontinental Railroad that followed the wagons into new lands and territories that would eventually become states.

Seaman's Journal

A trade paperback edition of the award-winning tale of the journey of Lewis and Clark. When Seaman, a Newfoundland dog, met his new master in August of 1803, he didn't know that he would spend the next three years on an adventure of more than 8,000 miles to the Pacific Ocean and back. Seaman's Journal is based on actual entries in Meriwether Lewis s journal describing Seaman, and it presents an account of the Lewis and Clark expedition as seen from the viewpoint of Lewis s dog. Join Seaman before the trip as preparations take place. Meet the Native American guides and friends they encountered along the way. And read of Seaman s love for Sacajawea, the Shoshone woman whose husband acted as interpreter and guide. Ages 5-8.

The Lewis & Clark Expedition: Join the Corps of Discovery to Explore Uncharted Territory

Describes the expedition led by Lewis and Clark to explore the unknown western regions of America at the beginning of the nineteenth century.

Lewis and Clark for Kids: Their Journey of Discovery with 21 Activities

Following Meriwether Lewis and William Clark’s Corps of Discovery as they navigate the muddy Missouri River and begin a great adventure, this activity book is set against the background of the vast North American continent. It takes children from President Jefferson’s vision of an exploratory mission across a continent full of unique plants and animals through their dangerous and challenging journey into the unknown to the expedition’s triumphant return to the frontier town of St. Louis. Twenty-one activities bring to life the Native American tribes they encountered, the plants and animals they discovered, and the camping and navigating techniques they used. A glossary of terms and listings of Lewis and Clark sites, museums, and related websites round out this comprehensive activity book.

It's Her Story Sacajawea A Graphic Novel

Sacajawea was a brilliant, multilingual Shoshone girl who was torn from her home at a young age. In 1804, she set out with the Lewis and Clark Expedition, acting as an interpreter and guide across hundreds of miles of unmapped land to reach the Pacific Ocean. Almost 200 years later, she became the first Indigenous woman to appear on a US coin. This is her story.

Too, there are 7 more botany art lessons ideas, and everything you need to get started on your own journey creating your own plants drawings.

Besides chalk pastels, explore with oil pastels as well as watercolor, charcoal, colored pencils, and artists markers to not only learn about plants but incorporate some new art techniques as well.

7 Quick Botany Art Lessons

  1. Happy sunflowers make a great subject in the case of this Easy Sunflower Nature Study.
  2. Try a Hands-On Mixed Media Flower Art Fun Nature Study using real flowers and art supplies.
  3. This is a great tutorial for teens-Art Tutorial: Painting a Philodendron Plant with Gouache.
  4. Learn What Plants And Animals Did Lewis And Clark Discover on their Famous Trek & Bitterroot Craft for a more dimensional project.
  5. Not just one but  Two Nature Inspired Art Activities for Kids using their powers of observation to create art.
  6. Not all plants are friendly, Carnivorous Plants For Kids and Make a Fun Paper Plate Venus Flytrap Craft is a great way to learn about more aggressive plants.
  7. For younger kids a Q-Tip Painted Lavender Plant Craft is an easy and fun way to create a frameable piece of plant art.
Spectacular Lewis And Clark Plants Drawings | 7 Quick Botany Art Lessons

Also, look at a few botany art resources.

Must Have Resources for Botany Art Lessons

For a deep dive into botany turned art lessons there are a few things you will need to have on hand packed up in a fun little tote to take into the field.

  • Look at this Shoulder Handbag Everything Tote Bag with Compartments.
Spectacular Lewis And Clark Plants Drawings | 7 Quick Botany Art Lessons
  • If you want a really good solid app for identifying plants and animals grab iNaturalist, you can also use it to record your discoveries digitally.
Spectacular Lewis And Clark Plants Drawings | 7 Quick Botany Art Lessons
  • Have a look at the Lewis and Clark Journals for yourself.
  • Nature Anatomy– If you are going out into the field to study and draw plants and animals you need a couple of great books to act as field guides. I find myself reaching for this one every time I have nature study.
  • You will need a good sketch journal as well for your drawings.
  • Chalk Pastels too.
Spectacular Lewis And Clark Plants Drawings | 7 Quick Botany Art Lessons

Additionally, you’ll love more Lewis and Clark hands-on history activities.

Lewis And Clark Hands-on History Activities for Kids

  • 7 Fun Sacagawea Facts For Kids | How To Make Lewis & Clark & Sacagawea Peg Dolls
  • Fun Homeschool Unit Study Ideas | Lewis and Clark Exploration Lapbook
  • 22 Free Lewis & Clark Activity Posters (You Don’t Want to Miss These)
  • Lewis & Clark – Mighty Mississippi book & Sediment Activity
  • Lewis and Clark:Cooking on the Trail
  • Lewis and Clark Expedition – The Ultimate Guide
  • Lewis and Clark Louisiana Purchase Edible Map
  • Reliving The Past: Lewis And Clark’s Hands-on Experience With Simple Char Cloth

Finally, look at how to make these Lewis and Clark plants drawings.

Lewis And Clark Plants Drawings with Chalk Pastels

You will need:

  • Heavy textured paper
  • Chalk Pastels
  • Pencil
  • Blending Stumps

First, head out to your favorite state or national park.

Wander through a field or forest, near a pond, or even in your own backyard to create a nature journal filled with all kinds of botany themed art.

Once you have found your subject, for us it was an Arrowhead Elephant Ear in the backyard, find it in your field guide.

Or use the iNatural app I listed above to discover what your plants name is.

Spectacular Lewis And Clark Plants Drawings | 7 Quick Botany Art Lessons

Lightly draw the outline of your plant with a pencil, erase any areas that are too dark, so they won’t show through your chalk pastel.

Sketch it until you are satisfied with the design.

Spectacular Lewis And Clark Plants Drawings | 7 Quick Botany Art Lessons

Take the lightest shade of colors in your plant and draw the outline and stems.

Spectacular Lewis And Clark Plants Drawings | 7 Quick Botany Art Lessons

Fill in the center and blend the color out with your fingers or use a blending stump.

Layer on darker shades progressively to deepen the color, shade, and add more detail like the ribbing on the leaves.

Write the common name as well as the scientific name for your plant.

You now have a great start for your botany art journal.

Spectacular Lewis And Clark Plants Drawings | 7 Quick Botany Art Lessons

Leave a CommentFiled Under: Hands-On Activities Tagged With: botany, chalk pastel, hands on history, hands-on, hands-on activities, handson, handsonhomeschooling, history, homeschool, lewis and clark, lewisandclark

8 Ancient China Activities For Kids | How To Make An Abacus

May 17, 2024 | Leave a Comment
This post may contain affiliate links. For more information, please see my full disclosure policy.

Hands-on ancient China activities are a great way to get kids interested in learning about the ancient dynasties that once ruled China. Also, look at my post Free Ancient China Lapbook for Kids Who Love Hands-on History.

I have an inexpensive and fun activity today.

It not only acts as a physical example of a tool created by the Han Dynasty but can also be used to practice simple math.

8 Ancient China Activities For Kids | How To Make An Abacus

You can get all the items at your local Dollar Tree.

And it makes this project cost less than $5 and if they are items that you already have on hand, even better it is a free lesson.

Even young children can benefit from the cognitive benefits of sorting and counting the simplest of numbers on an abacus.

But as you will see below there are many ways that older kids can use this simple learning tool.

Move over calculator.

An abacus is an ancient tool that is used for counting.

Made of a framed set of rods with beads or balls, the beads are moved across the rods to make calculations.

This amazing tool was invented in China during the second century BCE (Han Dynasty).

It was used for addition, subtraction, multiplication, division, and even more complicated equations.

The abacus is just one of the many amazing inventions that the Ancient Chinese gave to the world.

Among other invention by Ancient China are silk, the compass, acupuncture, tea, paper, gunpowder, porcelain, moveable type printing, and tea.

That is just the short list.

There is much more, and these are still used very much in today’s world. I for one am thankful for hot cups of herbal tea and pretty porcelain cups to sip it out of.

Ancient China Books

First, look at some of these living books.

We try to add living books first then add reference books to round out our study of Ancient China.

12 Books & Resources For Kids Who Love Reading and Being Read to About Ancient China

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

Zheng He, The Great Chinese Explorer: A Bilingual Story of Adventure and Discovery

In the West, legendary explorers like Christopher Columbus, Ernest Shackleton and Sir Edmund Hillary are a recognized part of our history. But in China, that legend belongs to the great explorer Zheng He (1371–1433), who lived during China's renowned Ming Dynasty. Zheng He, the Great Chinese Explorer is a bilingual (English and Chinese) tale of his adventures.

When he was a child, Zheng He dreamed of foreign lands, his imagination was inspired by the travels of his father and grandfather and the wonderful items they brought back from trading trips to the West. A simple but exotic porcelain vase in cobalt, a color not found in China at the time, drove Zheng He to discover the origins of this unique color—and become one of the most famous explorers in China's history.

Chee-Lin: A Giraffe's Journey

Eighty years before Columbus, China sent ships to explore the world.The Chinese discovered many marvelous things, but one discovery stood out above the others: the chee-lin.This chee-lin was just a giraffe, but to the Chinese it was an omen of good fortune so rare that it had appeared only once before—at the birth of Confucius.

Where the Mountain Meets the Moon

A Time Magazine 100 Best Fantasy Books of All Time selection!​A Reader’s Digest Best Children’s Book of All Time​!This stunning fantasy inspired by Chinese folklore is a companion novel to Starry River of the Sky and the New York Times bestselling and National Book Award finalist When the Sea Turned to SilverIn the valley of Fruitless mountain, a young girl named Minli lives in a ramshackle hut with her parents. In the evenings, her father regales her with old folktales of the Jade Dragon and the Old Man on the Moon, who knows the answers to all of life's questions. Inspired by these stories, Minli sets off on an extraordinary journey to find the Old Man on the Moon to ask him how she can change her family's fortune. She encounters an assorted cast of characters and magical creatures along the way, including a dragon who accompanies her on her quest for the ultimate answer.Grace Lin, author of the beloved Year of the Dog and Year of the Rat returns with a wondrous story of adventure, faith, and friendship. A fantasy crossed with Chinese folklore, Where the Mountain Meets the Moon is a timeless story reminiscent of The Wizard of Oz and Kelly Barnhill's The Girl Who Drank the Moon. Her beautiful illustrations, printed in full-color, accompany the text throughout. Once again, she has created a charming, engaging book for young readers.

Science and Scientists (True Stories From Ancient China)

Ancient China has a long history of scientific excellence. Learn more about some of China’s greatest scientific wonders and the scientists who studied them. Features stories about astronomy, seismology, mathematics, calendar-making, and geography.

The Warlord's Beads (Warlord's Series)

Clever Chuan devises a simple way for his father to quickly and accurately count all the warlord's treasure.

The Five Chinese Brothers (Paperstar)

The classic picture book about five clever brothers, each with a different extraordinary ability, has been in print for almost 80 years."An original nonsense tale told with...spirit and gusto." -- The Horn Book

The Great Wall Of China (Aladdin Picture Books)

Angela FIsher's The Great Wall is an "awe-inspiring, impressive, black and gray illustrations set the tone for this history of the building of the Great Wall of China." (School Library Journal)

The Story about Ping

No one can deny the appeal of the book's hero, Ping, the spirited little duck who lives on a boat on the Yangtze River. Ping's misadventures one night while exploring the world around his home form the basis of this timeless classic, which is brought to life by Kurt Wiese's warm and poignant illustrations.

In the Forbidden City (We All Live in the Forbidden City)

Serving as the seat of imperial power for six centuries, the Forbidden City is one of China's most famous and enigmatic landmarks. Accompanied by a mischievous cat, readers will tour this colossal architectural structure, discovering the secrets hidden inside the palace walls. They will encounter the people who have walked through its halls and gardens, including emperors, empresses, and rebel leaders, and hear exciting tales about the power struggles and intrigues of everyday life.This large format book conveys the grandeur of the Forbidden City through highly detailed line drawings of its buildings, gardens, and courtyards with numerous fold-out spreads. Each page is populated by a large variety of characters and peppered with entertaining anecdotes. Every book includes a plastic magnifying glass for looking at the drawings more closely."Readers receive a lavish tour of the Forbidden City, once home to Chinese emperors and now a museum, courtesy of Chiu and the Design and Cultural Studies Workshop, which he founded. Delicate line drawings highlight the architectural intricacies of the nearly 178-acre complex (several foldout spreads emphasize its size) while Chiu examines the Ming and Qing dynasties in thorough detail, along with major events in the palace's history. (In one foldout scene, 24 emperors offer pithy, even brusque notes on their reigns — "I was entirely unaccomplished," says Emperor Longqing.) A magnifying glass is wisely included to help readers appreciate the wealth of visual detail." — Publishers Weekly

The Emperor Who Built The Great Wall

DID YOU KNOW that China was named after its first emperor – the brilliant, all-powerful emperor who built The Great Wall? In this book, discover why he started building the Wall, how he made China the biggest country on earth, and what treasures he hid in his secret tomb. Find out how he became one of the most important people in the history of China. Read all about the first emperor’s fascinating life in The Emperor Who Built The Great Wall.The simple language and beautiful illustrations make this book a wonderful reader or bedtime story. It is suitable for all ages, but children aged six to twelve years will especially enjoy reading this book.~ About the ONCE UPON A TIME IN CHINA… Series ~China has a long history, but its many stories are often too complex for children. In this series, Jillian Lin retells China’s best historical tales so they are easy and fun to read. Children will embark on a journey through time where they will get a glimpse inside the colorful lives of famous Chinese figures. Beautiful illustrations, gripping stories, and fascinating facts make these books wonderful readers or bedtime stories for ages six and above. Other titles in this series include:The King Without A Throne (Confucius)The Mountain Man Of Music (Zhu Zaiyu)The Miracle Doctor (Hua Tuo)The Girl Who Became Emperor (Wu Zetian)The Dreamer Of Stars (Zhang Heng)The Greatest Explorer In The World (Zheng He)The Pirate King (Koxinga/Zheng Chenggong)

Where Is the Great Wall?

More than two thousand years ago, with his land under constant attack from nomads, the First Emperor of China came up with a simple solution: build a wall to keep out enemies. It was a wall that kept growing and growing. But its construction came at a huge cost: it is believed that more than a million Chinese died building it, earning the wall its nickname--the longest cemetery on earth. Through the story of the wall, Patricia Brennan Demuth is able to tell the story of China itself, the rise and fall of dynasties, the greatness of its culture, and its present-day status as a Communist world power.

DK Eyewitness Books: Ancient China: Discover the History of Imperial China―from the Great Wall to the Days of the La

A spectacular and informative guide to the history of the great Chinese empire and the customs and traditions of its people.  Stunning real-life photographs and lifelike models offer a unique "eyewitness" view of life in imperial China, from its earliest beginnings in the Bronze Age to its final years in the early 20th century. See the stunning bronze work of the ancient Chinese and the beautiful techniques used for Chinese calligraphy. Learn why the First Emperor created the Terracotta Army, what kinds of goods were carried along the Silk Route, who invented paper, and much, much more. 

Additionally, look a few ways to use an abacus.

5 Ways to Use An Abacus

  • Count to 10.
  • Practice simple addition and subtraction.
  • Divide and multiply within 10 or higher.
  • Count by 2’s ,5’s, or 10’s.
  • Demonstrate fractions.

Here is a more definitive explanation of how to use the compass to perform these operations- Best Way to Use an Abacus For Basic Math Operations.

Next, look at these ancient China activities.

8 Ancient China Activities

  1. Grab a white plate from Dollar Tree and some permanent markers to recreate this Kids Ancient China Activity | How To Make a Simple Ming Dynasty Craft plate, a wonderful keepsake of your study.
  2. Fashion ancient Chinese Bamboo Scrolls with string and wooden craft sticks, use them to write names, silly phrases, and more.
  3. For the kid who loves a fun deep dive on a subject check out my Free Ancient China Lapbook for Kids Who Love Hands-on History it includes a great list of books for reference as well.
  4. Build a Sugar Cube Great Wall of China and talk about the different parts of and the purpose of the wall as you put a length of it together.
  5. Quick and Easy Ancient Chinese Paper making for Kids
  6. Ancient China Mini-Theme Unit.
  7. This idea stands well on its own or is a great way to decorate the outside of a DIY lapbook for the Great Wall- How To Make The Great Wall Of China Out Of Paper.
  8. The History Unboxed -Ancient China Unboxed is affordable and includes some really neat information as well as hands on activities like -Coloring the Great Wall, excavate your own ancient Chinese replica artifact, taste an ancient preparation of tea, decorate and fly an ancient style of kite, and making a magnetic compass.
8 Ancient China Activities For Kids | How To Make An Abacus

Finally, look at how to make an abacus.

How To Make An Abacus

You will need:

  • 8×10 frame
  • 10 wooden skewers
  • 100 colorful beads
  • Hot glue gun/glue sticks
8 Ancient China Activities For Kids | How To Make An Abacus

First, remove the glass in the backing from your frame.

You can just throw them away or set them aside for another project.

8 Ancient China Activities For Kids | How To Make An Abacus

Cut a skewer to just shy of 8” (about 7 15/16”) to fit it inside the border of the frame.

It needs to fit snug but not bent so that the beads slide freely.

8 Ancient China Activities For Kids | How To Make An Abacus

Use it as a template to cut out 9 more to the same length.

8 Ancient China Activities For Kids | How To Make An Abacus

Space skewers in the frame and mark the spot on each side so that they are each just a little less than 1” apart and level across.

8 Ancient China Activities For Kids | How To Make An Abacus

Remove the skewers.

Then add 10 beads to each skewer.

Too, you can mix colors but I prefer the method of using one color for each line.

8 Ancient China Activities For Kids | How To Make An Abacus

Replace the beaded skewers into their spot in the frame and hot glue each end into place securely.

Allow glue to harden completely before moving and using the abacus.

If you want to finish the back you could take a second frame with the back and glass removed and hot glue back-to-back. This will also make it sturdier for extended use.

8 Ancient China Activities For Kids | How To Make An Abacus

Leave a CommentFiled Under: Hands-On Activities Tagged With: Ancient China, ancient civilizations, hands on history, hands-on, hands-on activities, handson, handsonhomeschooling, history, homeschool, math

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