I have a 4 week free watermelon unit study including many hands-on activities. Also, look at my page Best Homeschool Unit Studies for more unit studies.
Watermelons are more than just delicious; they can be used as a wonderful summer theme with plenty of uses.
For example, you can learn math, science, art, and practical life skills. There are books, games, stickers, and all kinds of watermelon theme resources to use.
Also, diving into the biology of a watermelon and the life cycle of the plant is a fun summer study.
In addition, you can learn about the watermelon in cultures around the world. Too, learn about the nutrition and health impact of watermelon.
And I have plenty of ideas and hands-on activities to try.
RESOURCES AND BOOKS ABOUT WATERMELON FOR KIDS
Next, look at these books to add to your unit study.
5 Watermelon Books & Resources
Add these fun books about seeds, gardening and watermelons. You can use them for a unit study or add to your home library.
"Watermelon, Watermelon" is a delightful sing-along book by award-winning songwriter and music therapist Stephanie Leavell. Perfect for ages 1-7, this rhythmic and catchy story is based on Stephanie's beloved children's song. The book features bright, captivating illustrations by Sarah Pilar Echeverria, making it an engaging read that young children will request again and again.
Julia Rothman 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
Crocodile loves watermelon, but what will happen when his greatest fear of swallowing a watermelon seed comes to pass? Will vines sprout out his ears? Will his skin turn pink? Only one thing is certain: his wild imagination will have kids laughing out loud and begging for another read.
When twelve-year-old Della Kelly finds her mother furiously digging black seeds from a watermelon in the middle of the night and talking to people who aren't there, Della worries that it’s happening again—that the sickness that put her mama in the hospital four years ago is back. That her mama is going to be hospitalized for months like she was last time.
With her daddy struggling to save the farm and her mama in denial about what’s happening, it’s up to Della to heal her mama for good. And she knows just how she’ll do it: with a jar of the Bee Lady’s magic honey, which has mended the wounds and woes of Maryville, North Carolina, for generations.
- WORDY-FUN: Word-a-Melon is the family-fun word search game by Bananagrams
- FLIP THOSE TILES: Take turns rolling the die, flipping the cardboard letter chips and creating words with the overturned letters
- USE YOUR MELON: Unused letters are flipped back over so players must be sure to remember where they are!
Then, look at these ideas for a 4 week watermelon themed unit study.
WATERMELON BASICS WEEK 1
6 Watermelon Facts
- Dissect a watermelon and label its parts.
- Draw the life cycle of a watermelon, from seed to fruit or put together these Free Watermelon Life Cycle Printable Puzzles.
- Research and present interesting facts about watermelons.
- Taste test different varieties of watermelon.
- Here you can learn How to Make a Watermelon Sensory Bin for Play and Learning that is fun for little learners and can incorporate math, science, language arts, and more.
- A watermelon is 92% water.
- Every part of the watermelon is edible from the rind, to the seeds, to the flesh.
- It is technically both a fruit and a vegetable.
- The world’s heaviest watermelon weighed over 350 pounds.
- There are over 1200 varieties of watermelon worldwide.
- Some Japanese farmers grow watermelon in cube-shaped containers.
Next, look at these math and science activities.
MATH & SCIENCE WEEK 2
- Practice counting and measuring with watermelons- use cloth measuring tapes for circumference, rulers for height and width, a simple scale to compare weight. Count the seeds inside.
- Explore the density and buoyancy of watermelon by floating it in a small pool or tub.
ART & LITERATURE WEEK 3
- Make Watermelon Button art for a cute decor piece that will make a sweet addition and brighten up your shelves.
- Create your own Watermelon Sponge Stamped Tea Towels
- Read and discuss “The Watermelon Seed” with younger children and “Where the Watermelons Grow” for upper elementary through early middle school.
- Write a short story or poem about a watermelon adventure.
- Play a word game like Bananagrams Word A Melon,
- Watermelon Play: How to Make a Fun Matching Letters Activity
Finally, look at some ideas about cooking.
COOKING & NUTRITION WEEK 4
- Research the nutritional benefits of watermelons, then read the packaging on watermelon juices, fruit roll ups, and other watermelon flavored items to compare the nutrition labels.
- Learn How to pick the perfect watermelon, this is a great natural step for life skills.
- Make watermelon juice or smoothies.
- Create a watermelon salsa, salad, or this Watermelon Fries recipe with a yummy coconut lime dip.
- Discuss food safety when handling fruits.
