• 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
      • Geronimo Stilton Books
    • Middle School
    • High School
      • Science 
  • Planner
  • Lapbooks
    • Trioramas
    • History Games
    • LEGO
  • Shop
  • GET STARTED NOW!
    • Learning Styles
  • 7 Step Planner
    • Free Student Planner
    • Free Home Binder
  • Unit Studies
    • Creation to Ancients
      • Mesopotamia
    • Middle Ages to Reform
    • Exploring to Revolution
    • World Wars to Today
    • Science
  • Curriculum
    • More Unit Studies
    • Geography
    • Writing PreK to 12th
    • Free Art Curriculum
  • BootCamp
    • Resources
      • Ultimate Unit Study Planner

life science

Free Wolf Lapbook for Kids Who Love Hands-on Science

October 15, 2026 | Leave a Comment
This post may contain affiliate links. For more information, please see my full disclosure policy.

I have a free wolf lapbook and resources today for a fun study about wolves. Too, on my Homeschool Lapbooks – Powerful Tools For Mastery Learning page you can find more free homeschool lapbooks.

Wolves are some of the most fascinating animals in the wild. Studying wolves is a wonderful way to explore zoology, animal adaptations, ecosystems, food chains, and animal behavior.

Free Wolf Lapbook for Kids Who Love Hands-on Science

Whether you’re studying mammals, forest animals, North American wildlife, or ecosystems, a wolf lapbook makes a great addition to your homeschool science lessons.

They are mammals, carnivores, predators, and highly social animals. Also, he plays an important role in many ecosystems.

And one of the best ways to organize everything kids learn is by creating a wolf lapbook.

First, add these wolf books to your unit study.

BOOKS ABOUT WOLVES FOR KIDS

Reading and learning about wolves through living books is our preferred way to learn.

10 Books About Wolves

Add some of these fun books about wolves to your home library. Use them for a fun wolf unit study or just reading for the day.

Image for Look to the North: A Wolf Pup Diary

Look to the North: A Wolf Pup Diary

Newbery Medalist Jean Craighead George lovingly tells the story of three wolf pups--from the moment they open their eyes to the time they lead the hunt. Lyrical passages in her wolf pup diary describe how the pups tumble and play and when they first learn to howl and talk wolf talk. Readers are reminded of the changes in nature that are happening in the lower 48 states as they "look to the north" to watch the wolf pups grow. Jean George's words and Lucia Washburn's breathtaking paintings give the reader a rare glimpse of one of nature's noblest creatures: the wolf.

Image for Julie of the Wolves: A Newbery Award Winner

Julie of the Wolves: A Newbery Award Winner

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

Miyax tries to survive by copying the ways of a pack of wolves and soon grows to love her new wolf family. Life in the wilderness is a struggle, but when she finds her way back to civilization, Miyax is torn between her old and new lives. Is she the Miyax of her human village—or Julie of the wolves?

Image for The Incorrigible Children of Ashton Place: Book I: The Mysterious Howling

The Incorrigible Children of Ashton Place: Book I: The Mysterious Howling

Discovered in the forest of Ashton Place, the Incorrigibles are no ordinary children. Luckily, Miss Penelope Lumley is no ordinary governess. A recent graduate of the Swanburne Academy for Poor Bright Females, Penelope embraces the challenge of her new position. Though she is eager to instruct the children in Latin verbs and the proper use of globes, first she must eliminate their canine tendencies.

Image for White Fang

White Fang

From Jack London, one of the greatest American writers of all time, comes this masterpiece in adventure story telling: WHITE FANG!!!
Can White Fang the timber wolf pup ever be tamed? WHITE FANG (PART 1 of 2) examines the violent world of wild animals and the equally violent world of humans. WHITE FANG! A tale of animal heroism, survival and adventure like never before seen in American literature.

Image for The Wolves Are Back

The Wolves Are Back

Introduces young readers to the beauty and majesty of these creatures of the wild, the areas in which they live and breed today, and the way they almost came to extinction at the hands of man through intentional acts of persecution during the past one hundred years.

Image for A Wolf Called Wander (A Voice of the Wilderness Novel)

A Wolf Called Wander (A Voice of the Wilderness Novel)

This gripping novel about survival and family is based on the real story of one wolf’s incredible journey to find a safe place to call
home. Illustrated throughout, this irresistible tale by award-winning author Rosanne Parry is for fans of Sara Pennypacker’s Pax and Katherine Applegate’s The One and Only Ivan.

Swift, a young wolf cub, lives with his pack in the mountains learning to hunt, competing with his brothers and sisters for hierarchy, and watching over a new litter of cubs. Then a rival pack attacks, and Swift and his family scatter.

Alone and scared, Swift must flee and find a new home. His journey takes him a remarkable one thousand miles across the Pacific Northwest. The trip is full of peril, and Swift encounters forest fires, hunters, highways, and hunger before he finds his new home.

Image for The Moon of the Gray Wolves (The Thirteen Moons Series)

The Moon of the Gray Wolves (The Thirteen Moons Series)

Describes the experiences of a wolf pack in the Toklat Pass of Alaska during the November moon.

Image for Kavik the Wolf Dog

Kavik the Wolf Dog

When Andy Evans stumbles upon the snow-covered wreckage of a small plane, he’s shocked to find a survivor. Should he put the gravely injured dog out of his misery? The look in the animal’s eyes says he’s not ready to die. It turns out that Kävik’s a champion sled dog, and soon he makes a full recovery. When his rightful owner finds out Kävikvis alive, he wants the dog back. But Kävik has other ideas.

Image for When the Wolves Returned: Restoring Nature's Balance in Yellowstone

When the Wolves Returned: Restoring Nature's Balance in Yellowstone

Yellowstone National Park's majestic geologic wonders and remarkable wildlife draw millions of visitors each year. But there was a time when these natural treasures were in great danger, all because after years of unrestricted hunting, one key piece of the puzzle had been eliminated-the wolf. Now, more than a decade after scientists realized the wolves' essential role and returned them to Yellowstone, the park's natural balance is gradually being restored. The informative dual-level text and spectacular full-color photographs show the wolves in the natural habitat that was almost lost without them. Readers of all ages will be inspired by the delicate natural system that is Yellowstone.

Image for The Wolf Wilder

The Wolf Wilder

Feo’s life is extraordinary. Her mother trains domesticated wolves to be able to fend for themselves in the snowy wilderness of Russia, and Feo is following in her footsteps to become a wolf wilder. She loves taking care of the wolves, especially the three who stay at the house because they refuse to leave Feo, even though they’ve already been wilded. But not everyone is enamored with the wolves, or with the fact that Feo and her mother are turning them wild. And when her mother is taken captive, Feo must travel through the cold, harsh woods to save her—and learn from her wolves how to survive.

Begin your wolf study is by learning about different wolf species.

The gray wolf (Canis lupus) is probably the most familiar. Gray wolves are found in parts of North America, Europe, and Asia.

Despite their name, gray wolves aren’t always gray. Their coats can range from white and cream to brown, gray, and black.

Another fascinating wolf is the red wolf (Canis rufus), a critically endangered species native to the southeastern United States.

Kids can also investigate the Ethiopian wolf (Canis simensis), a rare wild canid that lives in the highlands of Ethiopia.

HANDS-ON ACTIVITIES TO ADD TO YOUR WOLF LAPBOOK

Next, look at some hands-on activities about mammals.

  • Wolf Preschool Craft And Simple Ideas For Creative Play
  • Free Wolf Fact Card
  • How to Craft a Stunning Wolf Animal Triorama
  • Julie of the Wolves Free Hands-on Arctic Unit Study
  • Free Mammals Lapbook for Kids Who Love Hands-on Science
  • Free Lapbook Wild Animals for Kids Who Love Hands-on Science

Last, look at the minibooks included in this free download.

FREE WOLF LAPBOOK MINIBOOKS INCLUDED:

  • Where do wolves live
  • Wolf Body Parts
  • Wolf Quick Facts
  • Observe the Wolf
  • Wolf Family
  • Did You Know
Free Wolf Lapbook for Kids Who Love Hands-on Science

Now, how to grab the freebie.

It’s a subscriber freebie

HOW TO GET THE FREE WOLF LAPBOOK

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

1) CLICK HERE ON THIS LINK TO SIGN UP ON MY EMAIL LIST & TO GET THIS FREEBIE

2) Grab the freebie instantly.

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

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

19 Fun Hands-on Rainforest Activities for Kindergarten

September 21, 2026 | Leave a Comment
This post may contain affiliate links. For more information, please see my full disclosure policy.

I have 19 hands-on rainforest activities for kindergarten. Too, grab more kindergarten activities on my Kindergarten Homeschool Curriculum page. Also, look at my pages Rain Forest – Animals of the Amazon, Rain Forest – Amazon, and Rainforest Activities for Kids for more ideas.

And learning about the rainforest is a fun subject to cover for any grade including kindergarten.

Too, teaching children at the kindergarten age should include hands-on activities and should be play-based.

19 Fun Hands-on Rainforest Activities for Kindergarten

Kindergarten learners can discover the rainforest through their senses. And the word “rain forest” denotes the fact that these are the some of the world’s wettest ecosystems.

While exploring nature, they learn through the sense of smell, hearing, taste, and touch.

So, you’ll want to include learning through the senses and a full immersion into the world of nature.

If you have room in your learning space, create a play-based Amazon theme area. Make the jungle come alive through music and props.

AMAZON RAINFOREST ANIMALS

First, begin with what kids this age love and that is animals.

There are many Amazon rainforest animals which your child can focus on.

A few animals which can ignite your child’s love for the wealth of the life that lives in the rainforest are:

  • Jaguars
  • Toucans
  • Iguanas
  • Giant Ant Eaters
  • Kinkajou also called honey bears
  • Harpy Eagles
  • Piranhas
  • Sloth and
  • Butterflies
  • Red and Green Macaw

And look at this ANIMALS OF THE WILD AMAZON Coloring Book for Kids & Adults: Learn about nature of the Rainforest.

Besides the animals are really what excites your kids when learning about the rainforest.

19 Fun Hands-on Rainforest Activities for Kindergarten

You’ll love the page I have here Rain Forest – Animals of the Amazon where your children can see more pictures.

RAINFOREST ACTIVITIES

Next, I have many rainforest activities for kids of all ages, but your kindergarten aged children will love putting together this fun lapbook.

Actually, my lapbooks are for multiple ages and are mix and match. Not all kids, especially kindergarten are on at the same level. That is perfectly normal.

Kids this age can be reading beginning chapter books, and some are still learning letter sounds. All of this is well within the range of normal for this age.

The point is kids love learning and this is the time for projects. And look how fun this is: Melissa & Doug Stamp-a-Scene Stamp Set: Rain Forest – 20 Wooden Stamps.

For example, look at these free Amazon rainforest lapbooks.

19 Fun Hands-on Rainforest Activities for Kindergarten

Look here to read about my free Amazon Rainforest Lapbooks.

19 Fun Hands-on Rainforest Activities for Kindergarten

OTHER KINDERGARTEN RESOURCES

Look at some of these other kindergarten resources.

  • How to Create the Best Homeschool Schedule for Kindergarten (free printable)
  • 60 Favorite Top Homeschooling Materials for Kindergarten
  • 10 Affordable and Complete Homeschool Kindergarten Curriculum
  • How to Effortlessly Blend Kindergarten Homeschool Subjects & Life
  • BEST Free Kindergarten Homeschool Curriculum With A Gentle Approach (List)
  • Delightful Kindergarten Homeschool Curriculum Which Promote a Love of Learning
  • 21 Fun All-In-One Kindergarten Homeschool Curriculum

19 Fun Hands-on Rainforest Activities for Kindergarten

Look at the 19 crafts below. I know you’ll find one or two that will add some fun to your child’s learning day.

Rainforest Activities

Kindergarten learning should be about hands-on crafts, moving, singing and learning that is play- based or crafts.

These rainforest crafts can be done by all your kids but especially your kindergarten aged children.

Image for Easy Bird Finger Puppet Origami
Photo Credit: www.redtedart.com

Easy Bird Finger Puppet Origami

Well, we have a super duper special and EASY Bird Finger Puppet Origami project for you. These are so easy, and so fun to turn into doodle birds, that you will wonder **where** they have been all your life! So fun.

Image for Make an Easy Paper Plate Monkey

Make an Easy Paper Plate Monkey

Rainforest crafts for kindergarten encourages creativity, fosters imagination, and strengthens fine motor skills. Crafts are part of teaching how to homeschool kindergarten.

Image for Toilet Paper Roll Macaw Craft
Photo Credit: www.littleladoo.com

Toilet Paper Roll Macaw Craft

Looking for a fun craft project for kids with Toilet Paper Rolls? Why not make a Macaw craft!

Image for Handprint Parrot Craft For Kids
Photo Credit: www.simpleeverydaymom.com

Handprint Parrot Craft For Kids

If you need a fun craft to go with a rainforest theme try out this cute handprint parrot craft.

Image for Sloth Letter Recognition Activity
Photo Credit: abcsofliteracy.com

Sloth Letter Recognition Activity

Your kids are going to have fun naming capital and lowercase letters as they “feed” the sloth in this Sloth Letter Recognition Activity. 

Image for Rainforest Collage for Kids
Photo Credit: www.thekeeperofthememories.com

Rainforest Collage for Kids

Your preschoolers and kindergartners will have a blast with this Rainforest Collage for Kids. This process art activity is perfect for encouraging creative thinking, problem-solving, and of course fine motor skills.

Image for Butterfly Symmetry Painting
Photo Credit: www.littleladoo.com

Butterfly Symmetry Painting

Try this Fun Art Project – Butterfly Symmetry Painting. It is easy, and fun and kids will love the unique result every time.

Image for Lotus Flower Process Art for Kids
Photo Credit: www.thekeeperofthememories.com

Lotus Flower Process Art for Kids

Encourage creative thinking, problem-solving, and fine motor skills while learning about the rainforest with this Lotus Flower Process Art for preschoolers and kindergartners! You’re definitely going to want to check it out!

Image for Phonemic Awareness Activity: Rainforest Animal Slide
Photo Credit: growingbookbybook.com

Phonemic Awareness Activity: Rainforest Animal Slide

Does your child know most of his letter sounds?  Are you wondering what to work on next? If so, it’s time to play with those sounds and how they work together to make words.

Image for Cute Sloth Handprint Craft
Photo Credit: www.simpleeverydaymom.com

Cute Sloth Handprint Craft

Image for Rainforest Tree Frog Math Games
Photo Credit: thepreschooltoolboxblog.com

Rainforest Tree Frog Math Games

Come play to learn in preschool or Kindergarten with FUN Tree Frog Math Games to encourage developing skills.

Image for Rainforest Animal Letter Maze Worksheets
Photo Credit: abcsofliteracy.com

Rainforest Animal Letter Maze Worksheets

Are your kids learning about the rainforests? Then, grab these free printable Rainforest Animal Letter Maze Worksheets.

Image for Rainforest Process Art
Photo Credit: www.thekeeperofthememories.com

Rainforest Process Art

This Rainforest Process Art is a wonderful way to encourage creative thinking, problem-solving, and of course fine motor skills. You’re definitely not going to want to miss it!

Image for Make Colorful Climbing Paper Tree Frogs
Photo Credit: barleyandbirch.com

Make Colorful Climbing Paper Tree Frogs

Explore a variety of fun art-making styles with this climbing paper tree frog craft for kids that sticks to smooth surfaces using the magic of suction cups to mimic the real thing!

Image for Make a Bubble Wrap Stamped Chameleon
Photo Credit: barleyandbirch.com

Make a Bubble Wrap Stamped Chameleon

Inspired by green (the ultimate color of spring!) our cardboard chameleon craft and DIY fascinator start with an incredibly fun process your kids can try as a stand-alone chameleon art activity. 

Image for Go on a Mini Backyard Safari
Photo Credit: barleyandbirch.com

Go on a Mini Backyard Safari

Spring and summer weather is grand for heading outside to go on an exciting mini backyard safari – no jeep necessary!

Image for DIY Sloth Bookmark Corner - Red Ted Art - Easy Kids Crafts
Photo Credit: www.redtedart.com

DIY Sloth Bookmark Corner - Red Ted Art - Easy Kids Crafts

We never tire of Origami Corner Bookmarks – they are so fun and easy to make and are a great easy STEAM project to get kids started on origami – looking at angles and symmetry and the great things you can make. Then learn how to decorate your origami bookmark and turn it into a fun DIY Sloth Bookmark Corner! And who doesn’t LOVE a Sloth Craft?!

Image for Toilet Paper Roll FROG Craft
Photo Credit: www.redtedart.com

Toilet Paper Roll FROG Craft

So as our love affair with this humble craft material continues, we share with you today the Toilet Paper Roll Frog Craft! A perfect little TP Roll Craft for Spring.

Image for Cardboard Tube Parrot Craft
Photo Credit: kidscraftroom.com

Cardboard Tube Parrot Craft

Squawk! This Cardboard Tube Parrot Craft is a fabulous Summer bird craft for kids. 

Leave a CommentFiled Under: Hands-On Activities Tagged With: amazon rain forest, crafts, earthscience, hands-on, hands-on activities, handsonhomeschooling, homeschoolscience, kindergarten, life science, rainforest, science

Horse Anatomy For Kids: How to Make Hoof Layers Craft

August 21, 2026 | Leave a Comment
This post may contain affiliate links. For more information, please see my full disclosure policy.

Horse anatomy for kids is wonderful for the horse-crazy learner, and hoof anatomy is one of the most satisfying topics to dig into. Also, look at my page Free Horse Unit Study for Your Horse Loving Kids.

A hoof looks like a solid block from the outside, but it’s actually built in layers, each with its own job, like protecting bone, absorbing shock, and helping a 1,000-pound animal move quietly across almost any terrain.

Horse Anatomy For Kids: How to Make Hoof Layers Craft

This felt hoof craft turns those hidden layers into something kids can see, touch, and stack together with their own hands.

Horses are prey animals built for speed, and everything about the hoof supports that.

It’s often summed up as “no hoof, no horse”, a phrase farriers and vets use because a horse’s whole body depends on healthy feet.

Making a model helps kids grasp why each layer exists instead of just memorizing these labels.

BOOKS ABOUT HORSES FOR KIDS

Also, look at some of these books about horses for kids.

9 Books and Resources for Horse Loving Kids

Whether you add a book or two to use as a spine for your study or just for fun, your horse loving kids will enjoy them.

Image for Homeschooling With Horses

Homeschooling With Horses

A Homeschooling Journal for Horse Lovers! 365 Lessons and Activities. This Journal has a special focus on learning through logic and creativity!! It also covers every required subject! Perfect for 2nd to 4th grade, but fun for all ages.

This is the perfect Fun-Schooling Journal for students who love horses!

There are 365 activities in this book, and you can require your student to use 1, 5 or 10 pages per day, along with 6 library books, and your favorite math, history and science curriculum. You are free to use it any way you wish. That is the joy of fun-schooling with Thinking Tree Books.

Image for Knowing Horses: Q&As to Boost Your Equine IQ

Knowing Horses: Q&As to Boost Your Equine IQ

Did you know that a miniature horse weighs just a few pounds, while a giant draft horse can weigh well over a ton? Or that from a standstill a mule can jump, kangaroo-like, more than five feet high?  With answers to hundreds of questions about behavior, physiology, training, and special breed characteristics, Knowing Horses has all your horse quandaries covered.

Image for Horses: The Clearest Recognition Guide Available

Horses: The Clearest Recognition Guide Available

This book is designed for all those who love horses. Tracing the evolution of equines, this guide also explains the difference between horses and ponies, looks at how different breeds evolved or were selectively developed, and examines equine anatomy and behavior. Packed with 250 vivid full-color photographs of more than 100 horse-breeds, it uses a systematic approach from Dorling Kindersley and the Smithsonian Institution to train readers of all experience levels to identify and appreciate the wide variety of horses in the world.

Image for Farm Anatomy: The Curious Parts and Pieces of Country Life

Farm Anatomy: The Curious Parts and Pieces of Country Life

Learn the difference between a farrow and a barrow, and what distinguishes a weanling from a yearling. Country and city mice alike will delight in Julia Rothman’s charming illustrated guide to the curious parts and pieces of rural living. Dissecting everything from the shapes of squash varieties to how a barn is constructed and what makes up a beehive to crop rotation patterns, Rothman gives a richly entertaining tour of the quirky details of country life. 

Image for Horse Life: The Ultimate Guide to Caring for and Riding Horses for Kids

Horse Life: The Ultimate Guide to Caring for and Riding Horses for Kids

The complete beginner’s guide to horses and riding for kids 8 to 12

This ultimate guide to horses for kids teaches you all about the basics of equine care―from anatomy to housing to bathing and feeding. Whether you’re just starting out or already have a horse of your own, you’ll learn how to ride, how to stay safe around horses, and how to develop a healthy and friendly relationship with them.

Image for Black Beauty

Black Beauty

Black Beauty by Anna Sewell. Black Beauty is a perennial children's favourite, one which has never been out of print since its publication in 1877. It is a moralistic tale of the life of the horse related in the form of an autobiography, describing the world through the eyes of the creature. In taking this anthropomorphic approach, the author Anna Sewell broke new literary ground and her effective storytelling ability makes it very easy for the reader to accept the premise that a horse is recounting the exploits in the narrative. The gentle thoroughbred, Black Beauty, is raised with care and is treated well until a vicious groom injures him. The damaged horse is then sold to various masters at whose hands he experiences cruelty and neglect. After many unpleasant episodes, including one where he becomes a painfully overworked cab horse in London, Black Beauty finally canters towards a happy ending

Image for Misty of Chincoteague

Misty of Chincoteague

Marguerite Henry’s beloved story of a wild horse’s gentle colt—winner of a Newbery Honor!On the island of Chincoteague, off the coasts of Virginia and Maryland, lives a centuries-old band of wild ponies. Among them is the most mysterious of all, Phantom, a rarely-seen mare that eludes all efforts to capture her—that is, until a young boy and girl lay eyes on her and determine that they can’t live without her.

Image for Breyer Freedom Series National Velvet Horse and Book Set

Breyer Freedom Series National Velvet Horse and Book Set

Horse and book set: National velvet is Enid Bagnold's unforgettable tale of a horse-loving girl with aspirations of jumping Glory. A story about perusing dreams and taking chances, National velvet follows the adventures of 14-year-old velvet Brown.

Image for The Complete Horse Anatomy Colouring Workbook- Master Equine Anatomy By Colouring and Labeling

The Complete Horse Anatomy Colouring Workbook- Master Equine Anatomy By Colouring and Labeling

Whether you are a veterinary nurse or student preparing for an exam or just an ordinary horse lover seeking to learn more about this amazing domestic animal called ‘horse’ this colouring workbook is for YOU!

This book has been designed and structured to make you learn horse A&P easily and effortlessly. By colouring the images contained in this book, you will easily make visual associations with key terminologies and concepts.

Before we get to the craft, let’s look at some facts and get some more horse themed ideas to round out a fun, interest-based unit.

HORSE ANATOMY & LEARNING ACTIVITIES

  • Check out my Free Horse Unit Study for Your Horse-Loving Kids
  • Trace and label a full horse skeleton on butcher paper
  • Compare hoof prints to human footprints in a nature journal
  • Horse String Art – The Joy of Sharing
  • Visit a stable or ask a local farrier if kids can watch a trim
  • Daily Life Of A Blacksmith In Colonial Times And How To Make A Horseshoe Craft
  • Make a horse height chart using the “hands” measurement system
  • American History That Starts With K For Kentucky & Easy Derby Craft
  • Build a horse anatomy lapbook with foldable flaps for skeleton, muscles, and hooves
  • Horse Anatomy Coloring Book

ABOUT HORSE HOOF LAYERS

  • Hoof wall- The hard, curved outer shell, made of the same material as our fingernails (keratin). It extends from the coronary band and bears most of the horse’s weight.
  • Coronary band- The soft band right where hair meets hoof, where new hoof wall constantly grows from, similar to the base of a human nail.
  • White line- A thin, pale ring on the underside where the wall meets the sole. It’s a helpful landmark farriers use when trimming or shoeing.
  • Sole- The slightly curved underside of the hoof. It protects the sensitive inner structures but isn’t meant to bear much weight on its own.
  • Frog- The soft, V-shaped rubbery pad in the center of the underside. It helps the hoof grip the ground and cushions each step.
  • Digital cushion- A springy pad tucked inside, above the frog, that absorbs shock every time the hoof hits the ground.
Horse Anatomy For Kids: How to Make Hoof Layers Craft

This felt hoof layers craft is a perfect craft to learn the structure packed into one foot.

FELT HOOF LAYERS CRAFT

You can go as simple or as detailed as you like on this depending on your child’s age and ability.

They can just the labels for wall, white line, sole, and frog, or go deeper and have them create and label the toe, bulb, heel, digital cushion, collateral groove, central sulcus, etc.

You will need:

  • Felt sheets in several colors – black, cream, white, pink, brown, tan
  • Scissors
  • Fabric glue or a hot glue gun 
  • A pencil and paper to sketch a hoof outline
Horse Anatomy For Kids: How to Make Hoof Layers Craft

Sketch and cut the base shape. Draw a rounded, slightly oval hoof outline (view from underneath) about the size of your child’s palm out of black felt. Cut this shape from the felt; this becomes the hoof wall layer.

Horse Anatomy For Kids: How to Make Hoof Layers Craft

Add the white line. Cut a thin ring of white slightly smaller than the wall shape and lay it inside the wall’s edge, so a sliver of it peeks out all around.

Horse Anatomy For Kids: How to Make Hoof Layers Craft

Layer the sole. Cut a cream-colored oval, a bit smaller than the white line ring, lay it on top,  leaving the white line visible around the edge.

Cut the frog. Using pink or gray felt, cut a “V” or wedge shape and glue it in the center-back of the sole, pointing toward the front of the hoof.

Horse Anatomy For Kids: How to Make Hoof Layers Craft

Get all your pieces ready to assemble.

Glue each layer together if you wish; I prefer to leave it loose so it can be built and rebuilt over and over.

Horse Anatomy For Kids: How to Make Hoof Layers Craft

Label it. Have kids write the name of each part on a small paper flag or sticky note, turning the finished craft into a working diagram.

Horse Anatomy For Kids: How to Make Hoof Layers Craft

While it is optional, it is fun to add a piece to the horse’s leg using a brown piece of felt to give the impression that you are a farrier standing behind the horse, lifting its foot up toward you.

Horse Anatomy For Kids: How to Make Hoof Layers Craft

I also really like to present these activities on a nice tray with a supporting book, images, models, etc.

Leave a CommentFiled Under: Hands-On Activities Tagged With: elementary science, hands-on, hands-on activities, handson, handsonhomeschooling, homeschool, homeschoolscience, horse, horse hoof, life science, science

K Is For Kiwi Craft & New Zealand Bird Study

June 15, 2026 | Leave a Comment
This post may contain affiliate links. For more information, please see my full disclosure policy.

Enjoy a fun and simple K is for Kiwi Craft with your preschooler through elementary-aged kids using supplies you already have on hand. Also, look at my pages How to Homeschool Preschool, Free Bird Unit Study and Lapbook/ Fun Edible Bird Nests and Homeschool Geography for more learning ideas and teaching tips.

K Is For Kiwi Craft & New Zealand Bird Study

New Zealand is one of the most fascinating places in the world, especially when it comes to its birds. Because the islands are separated from other land masses, many unique bird species are found there that cannot be found anywhere else on Earth.

Learning about New Zealand birds is a wonderful way to explore geography, science, and nature in one lesson.

Today, we’re taking a closer look at some of the country’s most interesting, feathered residents and creating a simple kiwi bird craft to celebrate New Zealand’s national symbol.

BOOKS ABOUT NEW ZEALAND FOR KIDS WHO LOVE TO READ AND BE READ TO

Next, look at some living books to add to your unit study or home library.

6 New Zealand Books

Books about New Zealand or set in New Zealand to add to your home library or use for a unit study.

Image for Where Lions Roar at Night: The fun and adventures of a 'pioneering' New Zealand family

Where Lions Roar at Night: The fun and adventures of a 'pioneering' New Zealand family

Ten-year-old Milly had always dreamed of living in thecountry and owning all sorts of animals. So when her parents buya piece of land and move their six children into a ninety-year-oldbarn, Milly can't believe her luck.But she never imagined that living the simple life wouldinclude mucking out a filthy water tank, gathering endlesssupplies of firewood, clearing the land, and rescuing animals in a'hundred year' storm.Nor did she expect to hear deep groanings in the night...

Image for New Zealand Geography Workbook for Ages 8–10:

New Zealand Geography Workbook for Ages 8–10:

Take your child on an exciting journey through New Zealand — a land of towering mountains, sparkling lakes, rich Māori culture, and fascinating history.

In this engaging workbook, children will explore:

Famous landmarks like Aoraki / Mount Cook and Milford Sound Geothermal wonders in Rotorua Forests, coastlines, glaciers, and natural features.

Image for Pelorus Jack the Dolphin Guide

Pelorus Jack the Dolphin Guide

A true New Zealand story of a dolphin that captured the hearts of passengers in the 1880s.This is the heart-warming tale of Pelorus Jack, a rare white Risso’s dolphin who delighted passengers over 100 years ago as he guided steamships through the rough waters of French Pass into the calm waters of the Marlborough Sounds. Passengers from around the world, even royalty, came to see him and it is believed he became the first sea creature to be protected by law in anycountry.A life-size bronze statue of Pelorus Jack stands at Collinet Point, overlooking French Pass.

Image for The Hand Guide to the Birds of New Zealand

The Hand Guide to the Birds of New Zealand

A bestseller revised: the new edition of this essential reference for identifying New Zealand birds features its biggest update ever.

Image for The New Zealand Bird Book

The New Zealand Bird Book

The New Zealand Bird Books continues the tradition of the Burgess books, as Peter Rapeti takes his travels through the Islands of New Zealand discovering the fascinating bird life along the way.

Image for Children of the Rush

Children of the Rush

Weng Wai Chan, author of A Lizard's Tale, winner of the New Zealand Book Award

Children of the Rush is the winner of a Notable Book Award from the Storylines Trust and a currently finalist of the New Zealand Book Awards for Children and Young Adults (winner announced August 10, 2023).

Book One It’s 1861, and gold fever is sweeping the world. Otherwise sensible adults have gone mad and will do anything to get their hands on the precious metal. But two children have been caught up in the rush. Michael and Atarangi couldn’t be more different, but they share one thing: each has a remarkable and magical talent. Circumstances conspire to bring the children together in the remote and inhospitable goldfields, and they’re thrust into a world where lawlessness, greed, and cruelty reign. When the children find out that a cut-throat gang stalks the goldfields, preying upon the innocent, they have a choice to make: turn a blind eye, or fight back?

First, learn a bit of geography and history.

GEOGRAPHY AND HISTORY OF NEW ZEALAND

New Zealand sits isolated in the southwestern Pacific Ocean to the right of Australia.

The town of Taumatawhakatangihangakoauauotamateapokaiwhenuakitanatahu holds the Guinness World Record for having the longest name. I wouldn’t want to have to say that every day!

New Zealand was one of the last sizable territories on Earth to be settled by Polynesian explorers who became the Maori.

Because it is a narrow strip, no location on the island of New Zealand is more than 80 miles from the sea but 932 miles from the closest land, Australia.

Because of this isolation, many birds evolved in unusual ways.

Some lost the ability to fly because they had few natural predators.

Others developed special feeding habits and adaptations that helped them survive in New Zealand’s forests, mountains, and wetlands.

K Is For Kiwi Craft & New Zealand Bird Study

New Zealand’s birds are unlike those found anywhere else in the world.

From the curious kea and musical tui to the rare kakapo and national bird, the kiwi, these remarkable creatures tell the story of a land shaped by isolation.

K Is For Kiwi Craft & New Zealand Bird Study

If you want an amazing book for your study that you will reach for time and again, we found a wonderful map full of information in MAPS, just look at that oversized spread!

FACTS ABOUT BIRDS OF NEW ZEALAND

KIWI FACTS

The kiwi is probably the most famous bird in New Zealand. It is so important to the country’s identity that people from New Zealand are often nicknamed “Kiwis.”

  • It is New Zealand’s National Bird.
  • They cannot fly and have tiny wings hidden beneath their feathers.
  • Kiwis use their long beaks to search for worms and insects underground.
  • Their nostrils are located at the tip of their beaks, and this gives them an excellent sense of smell.
  • Kiwi eggs are huge compared to the size of the mother bird.
  • The kiwi is found nowhere else in the wild.

KEA FACTS

  •   Kea parrots are considered to be one of the smartest birds on Earth.
  • The kea is the world’s only alpine parrot and lives high in the mountains of New Zealand’s South Island.
  • They are known for being intelligent and curious creatures.
  • They have bright orange feathers hidden under their wings of olive green, which help them blend into their environment but show off a beautiful splash of color when they fly.

TUI FACTS

  • Tuibirds have shiny black feathers with blue and green iridescence on them.
  • They are known for their complex songs and calls; they have two voice boxes, which allow them to produce two notes at once.
  • A tui can mimic sounds, including human speech and even ringtones.

KAKAPO FACTS

  • Kakapos can live for more than 60 years.
  • The kakapo is the world’s heaviest parrot.
  • It is nocturnal and spends most of its time on the ground.
  • Kakapo cannot fly, but they are excellent climbers.
  • Their green feathers help them blend into forest vegetation.
  • They are among the rarest birds in the world.

Today, conservationists carefully monitor every remaining kakapo. Due to their efforts, the population has slowly increased, making the kakapo one of the world’s greatest conservation success stories.

NEW ZEALAND CRAFTS AND ACTIVITIES

  • New Zealand Volcano Science Experiments!
  • Poi Spinning: Easy Crafts for Kids – SpinPoi
  • Travel To New Zealand From Home
  • Where is New Zealand Video
  • Kids’ Clay Koru Necklace

K IS FOR KIWI CRAFT

Homemade puffy paint gives your Kiwi bird a softer feather-like texture, and using a plastic fork as a paintbrush is just downright fun.

You will need:

  • Brown construction paper
  • Cream or yellow construction paper
  • Google eyes
  • Glue stick
  • Plastic fork
  • Scissors
K Is For Kiwi Craft & New Zealand Bird Study

First, use brown construction paper to cut out an oval body and a small head.

K Is For Kiwi Craft & New Zealand Bird Study

Cut a long tapering beak and 3-toed bird feet from the yellow or tan paper.

K Is For Kiwi Craft & New Zealand Bird Study

Mix foaming shave gel and brown paint.

K Is For Kiwi Craft & New Zealand Bird Study

Use a fork to apply it all over the head and body.

K Is For Kiwi Craft & New Zealand Bird Study

Allow to dry and go back over the dry paint with a fork, scraping in different directions to give it some texture that resembles the feathers.

K Is For Kiwi Craft & New Zealand Bird Study

Glue the head to the body and add googly eyes, the long, narrow beak, and feet with a glue stick.

Leave a CommentFiled Under: Hands-On Activities Tagged With: bird, geography, hands-on, hands-on activities, handson, handsonhomeschooling, homeschool, life science, New Zealand, science

Ant Insect Facts & The Secret Life Of Ants Free Printable

May 18, 2026 | Leave a Comment
This post may contain affiliate links. For more information, please see my full disclosure policy.

I have some fun ant insect facts and a free exploring the secret life of ant printable you can download at the bottom. Also, look at my pages Free Kids Insect Unit Study and Free Ant Unit Study for more fun ideas.

Ants may be tiny, but they are some of the busiest and strongest creatures on Earth!

There are more than 12,000 kinds of ants around the world. Some ants are red, some are black, and some can even be green!

Ant Insect Facts & The Secret Life Of Ants Free Printable

Did you know ants can carry things much heavier than themselves? Some ants can lift up to 50 times their own body weight!

Ants do not talk with words like people do. Instead, they use smells called pheromones. They leave scent trails to help other ants find food.

BOOKS & RESOURCES ABOUT ANTS FOR KIDS

Next, look at these fun books and resources for kids about ants.

9 Ant Books & Resources For Kids

Add some of these fun books about ants to your home library.

Image for Ant Cities (Lets Read and Find Out Books)

Ant Cities (Lets Read and Find Out Books)

Did you ever wonder where an ant goes when it disappears into an anthill? Underneath the hill, there are miles of tunnels and hundreds of rooms!

In this Outstanding Science Trade Books for Children (NSTA/CBC), Arthur Dorros uses simple, easy-to-understand words and colorful illustrations to guide early readers on the life of a harvester ant—and even shows readers how to build their own ant farms.

This is a clear and appealing science book for early elementary age kids, both at home and in the classroom. It's a Level 2 Let's-Read-and-Find-Out, which means the book explores more challenging concepts for children in the primary grades. The 100+ titles in this leading nonfiction series are:

Image for The Life and Times of the Ant

The Life and Times of the Ant

Not mighty in size, but mighty in resourcefulness and industry, the ant has crawled the earth since prehistoric times. It has dwelt in rainforest tree trunks and acorns of oak trees, beneath logs, and under sidewalks. It has protected forests by capturing insects, cleared weeds away from acacia trees, and by growing gardens has released important nutrients into the soil. Seed lifters, dirt diggers, social beings, ants have the most advanced brain of all insects! So watch where you step, especially on a warm day: a small but mighty ant may be underfoot.

Image for Wonders of the Anthill

Wonders of the Anthill

Exactly as the title implies. A description of the daily routine of an ant's life cycle.

Image for Amazing Ants. A Kid's Book of Cool Facts and Pictures of Ants

Amazing Ants. A Kid's Book of Cool Facts and Pictures of Ants

Please note that this book is not for toddlers. It is better for children ages 8 and up.This engaging and informative book introduces kids to the world of ants.This fun book is packed with cool facts, illustrations, and pictures of ants.It's perfect for inspiring kids to learn more about these amazing creatures. Whether it's a science fair project, a report, or for pure enjoyment, this book is a great source of information for the ant enthusiast.

Image for Life Cycle of an Ant Set - Realistic Ant Development Stages

Life Cycle of an Ant Set - Realistic Ant Development Stages

  • Educational Journey: The Life Cycle of an Ant Set takes children on an enlightening journey from the tiny white eggs to the industrious adult ants. The set includes figurines depicting four stages: egg, larvae, pupae, and adult ant.
  • Realistic Representation: The set accurately mirrors the development stages and colors of ants, making it a powerful educational tool that blends learning and play.
Image for Ants for Kids: A Junior Scientist's Guide to Queens, Drones, and the Hidden World of Ants

Ants for Kids: A Junior Scientist's Guide to Queens, Drones, and the Hidden World of Ants

Ants are scurrying, social creatures with unique abilities to carry huge loads, work as a team, and fiercely protect their colony. This book gives you a microscopic look into the hidden world of ants, answering all your big questions about our small, hardworking neighbors. Learn fun facts about flat headed Turtle Ants, wide-eyed Gigantiops, and many more. Explore colorful photos and cool profiles on how big each ant is, what they eat, where they're found, and more!

Image for The City Under the Back Steps

The City Under the Back Steps

Down beneath the ground they are herded, to the city under the back steps and the complex world of the ant colony. Here where the haughty Queen rules with an iron hand, each of her subjects has a vital role to perform, and Jill and Craig are put to work. But no sooner had they become involved in the daily routine of the colony when an army of red ants sweeps down, threatening the destruction of the city and its
inhabitants, including Jill and Craig!

Evelyn Sibley Lampman's exciting fantasy, sure to ignite an interest in nature, accurately explores the fascinating hierarchy of the ant world.

Image for The End of the Beginning: Being the Adventures of a Small Snail (and an Even Smaller Ant)

The End of the Beginning: Being the Adventures of a Small Snail (and an Even Smaller Ant)

Avon the snail has never had an adventure. And adventure, he has heard, is the key to a happy life. So with his new friend Edward the ant, Avon sets out on a journey to find the excitement his life has been missing.This modern fable is filled with funny--and profound--insights about the meaning of things . . . great and small.

Image for Those Amazing Ants

Those Amazing Ants

A clear, simple text and full-color, richly detailed artwork journey inside an ant colony to provide a close-up look at the lives, behavior, and life cycle of this fascinating insect.

Also, look at these hands-on insect activities.

MORE HANDS-ON FUN ANT AND INSECT ACTIVITIES

  • How To Make A Fun Ant Farm : Mason Jar Craft
  • The World Of Slimy Insects: Snails Versus Slugs Unique Comparison
  • Free Kids Insect Unit Study┃How to Make Clay Insects 
  • Easy Praying Mantis Craft: Awesome Insect Projects for Elementary Students
  • 8 Insect Fun Facts About Texas For Kids | Easy Dragonfly Craft 
  • 4 Cicada Insect Fun Facts For Kids | How to Make A Cicada Clothespin Craft
  • Fascinating Insect Incredible Slime: A Kids’ Guide To Nature’s Goo
  • How to Make a Fun Ladybug Watercolor Labeled Picture
  • Fun and Easy Hands-on Life Cycle Butterfly Activity for Kids
  • 8 Insect Fun Facts About Texas For Kids | Easy Dragonfly Craft

And look what is included in this mini unit.

ABOUT ANT MINI UNIT FREE PRINTABLE

  • Lesson 1 What are ants?
  • Lesson 2 Ant life cycle?
  • Lesson 3 Inside an ant colony.
  • Lesson 4 How ants communicate & work together
  • Lesson 5 Why ants matter (ecosystem and impact)
Ant Insect Facts & The Secret Life Of Ants Free Printable

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

HOW TO GET THE FREE EXPLORING THE SECRET LIFE OF ANTS PRINTABLE

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

1) CLICK HERE ON THIS LINK TO SIGN UP ON MY EMAIL LIST & TO GET THIS FREEBIE.

2) Grab the freebie instantly.

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

Leave a CommentFiled Under: 1. My FREE Learning Printables {Any Topic} Tagged With: ants, hands-on, hands-on activities, handson, handsonhomeschooling, homeschool, life science, science

  • Page 1
  • Page 2
  • Page 3
  • Interim pages omitted …
  • Page 53
  • 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