life science

How to Make an Easy 3D Tundra Biome Poster Project

August 7, 2023 | Leave a Comment
This post may contain affiliate links. For more information, please see my full disclosure policy.

Creating a 3d tundra biome poster project is a fun challenge if your studying biomes. Too, you’ll love my Arctic and Inuit Unit Study. Free Lapbook – Hands-on Ideas and my Arctic Region pages.

Also, it’s a great hands-on project.

This project is part art and part science.

Too, it is a great creative writing challenge and teaches your kids about advertising as well.

How to Make an Easy 3D Tundra Biome Poster Project

It is much more exciting to research the tundra biome to create a travel poster to entice visitors to come and see what it offers through images and inviting words than just fill in a worksheet.

You can use printed photos of animals found in the tundra or to make it a truly 3D poster and attach small animals throughout the scene.

Also, because we are advertising the tundra as a whole, we do have some animals from both of the different types of tundra mixed into the scene.

Facts About The Tundra Biome

Tundra comes from the Finnish word tunturi, which means- treeless plain.
The tundra covers about one fifth of the land on earth.
The tundra is the coldest of the biomes, the average temperature there is around -18 degrees F.
It is also about as dry as a desert, getting only around 10 inches of precipitation a year, and most of this is snow.
There are 2 different types of tundra biomes:
Alpine tundra, the area of land high in the mountains above the treeline.
Arctic tundra – Far north in the northern hemisphere along the Arctic Circle.
Polar bears come to the tundra in the summer, this is where they have their babies.
Most of the vegetation that grows in this inhospitable area is sedge, moss, lichen, dwarf shrub, and grass.
The growing season in the tundra is very short, it usually lasts just 6 to 10 weeks.

Then look at some of the animals in the tundra.

Animals of the Tundra

The type of animals and vegetation you find will depend on if it is Arctic, Alpine, or Antarctic tundra. Here are a few examples of each:

Arctic:

Beluga Whale
Snowy Owl
Snowshoe Hair
Walrus

Alpine:

Mountain Goat
Bighorn Sheep
Canadian Lynx
Elk

Antarctic:

Chinstrap Penguin
Leopard Seal
Arctic Tern
Spectacled Porpoise

Also, add some of these fun books to your reading day.

Books About the Tundra

Look at some of these books, resources, and fun things to add to your study of the tundra.

A Walk in the Tundra (Biomes of North America)

Take a walk on the tundra. In this cold, harsh biome on the top of the world, summer is short. How do plants and animals of the tundra live? Discover how they depend on each other for survival as you travel through this fascinating land.

Mini Arctic 10PCS Polar Animal Figurines Includes Polar Bear Seal Reindeer Wolf Rabbit Arctic Fox Igloo

Included-10 arctic animal toy set including 1 polar bear, 1 reindeer, 1 arctic hare, 1 arctic wolf, 1 walrus, 1 beluga, 1 killer whale, 1 arctic fox, 1 arctic seal , 1 igloo model.

Arctic Tundra

It’s a land of riddles, where a winter night can last for weeks and where the ground is full of water though it rarely rains or snows. Bears, hares, wolves, and foxes roam the ice-crusted earth, as flowers follow the sun as it moves across the sky. Young readers may never come to the Arctic tundra, but now it can come to them―in a book chock full of fun-to-do experiments and activities for children ages 6 and up that help them to solve some of the mysteries of this strange and forbidding world. Arctic Tundra includes a picture field guide, a glossary-index, and a resource list.

How to Make a 3D Tundra Biome Poster Project

You will need:

Trifold science board or foam board
Plastic Tundra Animals or printouts
Tacky glue or Hot Glue
Cotton balls, white tissue paper, cotton fill
Craft paint/paint brushes

First, water down a light blue craft paint and paint a very light coat over all or most of your board.

Leave a little room at the top for your information. You don’t want to saturate it too much because it is cardboard and will warp if soaked.

Allow it to dry.

Tear cotton balls into smaller wisps.

“Paint” your ground area and any hills or mountains with a thick coat of tacky glue.

Press torn cotton balls into it for snow.

Add some clouds if you like. Allow glue to dry.

Paint some ocean in your scenery to add aquatic and semi aquatic animals.

Gather up your animals.

Hot glue them in various places around the scene.

To remove the hot glue once you are done with the project, just pull them off the poster and heat the glue with a blow dryer until it softens a bit and you can pull the excess glue right off.

Use letter stickers to create an interesting and eye-catching title.

Add more details like catchy words or phrases to describe the tundra around the board.

Have your child write or type up a paragraph to play up the positives of the tundra, just like a travel agency would hype up the location they are advertising. You might also have them research and list some locations that the tundra biome is located.

Print, cut, and attach your “advertising”.

How to Make Wooden Peg Easy Arctic Animal Crafts

August 6, 2023 | Leave a Comment
This post may contain affiliate links. For more information, please see my full disclosure policy.

Today, I have some fun ideas for easy Arctic animal crafts. Too, you’ll love my Arctic and Inuit Unit Study. Free Lapbook – Hands-On Ideas and my Arctic Region pages.

If you are studying the Arctic with your little one these peg doll animals are a great craft project to do together.

They can be used in sensory bins, for small-world dramatic play, or as part of a simple diorama and can be kept as simple or as elaborate as you would like.

How to Make Wooden Peg Easy Arctic Animal Crafts

You can make an entire family of polar bears. Or craft a village of all different arctic creatures to round out a nice keepsake collection using the variety of sizes and shapes that unfinished peg dolls come in.

A wonderful resource to add to your study is Ocean Anatomy, besides the gorgeous illustrations it offers a treasure trove of information on icebergs, polar bears, narwhals, seals, and more arctic animals.

Next, look at some facts about animals of the Arctic.

10 Arctic Animal Facts

Snowy owls hunt during the daytime instead of at night like other owls.
Male snowy owls are easy to distinguish from females as they are almost completely white and female snowy owls have black and brown markings.
Polar bears can smell a seal 3 feet below the snow.
An Arctic Fox’s fur is not always white, sometimes during the summer months it can be gray or brown.
Beluga whales start gray or brown when born but eventually turn white as they grow up.
A Narwhal tusk is not a horn, rather it is a large tooth that can grow up to 10 feet long.
Both the male and female walruses have large tusks that are used for things like pulling themselves out of the water onto the ice.
Polar bears are the largest living carnivores on land at about 8 feet long and nearly 800 pounds.
Arctic Hare’s eyes are set on the side of their heads so they can look forward, backward, and sideways without needing to move their head so that they can avoid predators.
Learn why there are not penguins in the Arctic.

As you make your peg dolls together you will find lots of opportunities to talk about topics like camouflage in the white snow, predator vs. prey, and different adaptations like fur-covered feet to help them survive the extreme cold.

Use some of the facts from above as conversation starters as you work on each animal.

More Easy Arctic Animal Crafts

How to Paint Peg Dolls to Look Like Farm Animals is perfect if you are learning about the farm theme and would make a great handmade gift.
Julie of the Wolves Free Hands-on Arctic Unit Study
DIY Peg Doll Woodland Animals, find out how to make adorable woodland creatures like a fox and raccoon as well as their babies.
Inuit of the Arctic: How Animals Survive Harsh Winters Fun Blubber Activity
Free Arctic Ground Squirrel Lapbook & Unit Study Resources

Also, look at these books about the Arctic.

12 Arctic Books about People & Animals of the Arctic

Studying about the region of the Arctic is a fascinating topic. Grab some of these books about life in the Arctic and animals of the Arctic.

The Story of Snow: The Science of Winter's Wonder

How do snow crystals form? What shapes can they take? Are no two snow crystals alike? These questions and more are answered inside this exploration of the science of snow, featuring photos of real snow crystals in all their beautiful diversity. Perfect for reading on winter days, this book by a nature photographer and a snow scientist will inspire wonder and curiosity about the marvels of snow. Snowflake-catching instructions are also included for aspiring young snow scientists!

In Arctic Waters

This arctic adaptation of “This is the House that Jack Built” follows polar bears, walruses, seals, narwhals and beluga whales as they chase each other around “the ice that floats in the Arctic waters.” Not only is the rhythmic, cumulative prose good for early readers; it is a pure delight to read aloud. The “For Creative Minds” section helps children learn how these animals live in the cold, icy arctic region.

Arctic Fox: Fascinating Animal Facts for Kids (This Incredible Planet)

Fascinating Animal Facts Arctic Fox Learn all about the amazing and adaptable Arctic fox. This small yet hardy creature survives in the harshest of environments!

This Incredible Planet series provides young readers with interesting information about the Earth’s most fascinating creatures.

Beautiful color photography makes each animal come to life. Learn about the Arctic fox’s habitat, diet, breeding, lifespan, behavior, threats, and so much more!

Over and Under the Snow

A wonderful winter book for kids from the author and illustrator of the beloved Over and Under series, now in paperback! Part of the acclaimed nature book series that includes Over and Under the Pond, Over and Under the Rainforest, and Up in the Garden and Down in the Dirt, this volume takes readers on a cross country ski trip through the winter woods to discover the secret world of animals living under the snow.

Animals in Winter (Let's-Read-and-Find-Out Science)

Read and find out about how animals cope with winter in this colorfully illustrated nonfiction picture book.

This is a clear and appealing book for early elementary age kids, both at home and in the classroom. Introduce kids to basic science ideas as part of discussions about the seasons and animals.

Have you ever seen a butterfly in the snow? Probably not. Butterflies can't survive cold weather, so when winter comes, many butterflies fly to warmer places. They migrate. Woodchucks don't like cold weather either, but they don't migrate; they hibernate. Woodchucks sleep in their dens all winter long. How do these and other animals handle the cold and snow of winter?

Read and find out in the proven winner Animals in Winter!

This is a Level 1 Let's-Read-and-Find-Out, which means the book explores introductory concepts perfect for children in the primary grades.

The Inuit Thought of It: Amazing Arctic Innovations (We Thought of It)

Today’s Arctic communities have all the comforts of modern living. Yet the Inuit survived in this harsh landscape for hundreds of years with nothing but the land and their own ingenuity. Join authors Alootook Ipellie and David MacDonald as they explore the amazing innovations of traditional Inuit and how their ideas continue to echo around the world. Some inventions are still familiar to us: the one-person watercraft known as a kayak still retains its Inuit name. Other innovations have been replaced by modern technology: slitted snow goggles protected Inuit eyes long before sunglasses arrived on the scene. Andother ideas were surprisingly inspired: using human-shaped stone stacks (Inunnguat) to trick and trap caribou. Many more Inuit innovations are explored here, including: • Dog sleds • Shelter • Clothing • Kids’ stuff • Food preservation • Medicine. In all, more than 40 Inuit items and ideas are showcased through dramatic photos and captivating language. From how these objects were made, to their impact on contemporary culture, The Inuit Thought of It is a remarkable catalogue of Inuit invention.

Mini Arctic Animals Figurines Set, Polar Animals Toy for Kids Plastic Arctic Reindeer,Walrus,White Whale,Polar Bear,Arctic Fox,Wolf Figures,

Tiny Animals Figures Party: 18 PCS Package include orca, walrus, white owl, reindeer, husky, 2pcs seal, 2pcs beluga whale, 2pcs arctic wolf, 2pcs arctic fox, 2pcs arctic rabbit, 2pcs polar bear figurines and igloo model.

Who are the Eskimos? Arctic People's Traditional Way of Life

Who Are The Eskimos is perfect for early to middle elementary students and makes a great addition to your library.

North: The Amazing Story of Arctic Migration

“A treat for middle-graders of an ecological bent.” — Bulletin of the Center for Children’s Books (starred review) At the top of our world is a huge wild place called the Arctic. In the winter, it is a cold and barren land, where few animals can survive. But when spring comes, it attracts animals from every corner of the earth. This lushly illustrated picture book celebrates the resilient wildlife and barren, beautiful landscapes of the Arctic Circle, tracing the awe-inspiring spring migration of millions of creatures to the Arctic and reminding the reader of the hardships and harmony of life in the wild.Back matter includes additional information about the arctic, a glossary, and an index.

Arctic White

When you live in the Arctic in winter, everything is a shade of white. A young girl looks around her home in the Arctic and sees only white, white, white...but one day her grandfather takes her on a journey through the tundra. And at the end of their cold walk across the ice, they find something special that brings color into their world.

Farthest North: The Incredible Three-Year Voyage to the Frozen Latitudes of the North (Modern Library Exploration)

In 1893, Fridjtof Nansen set sail in the Fram, a ship specially designed and built to be frozen into the polar ice cap, withstand its crushing pressures, and travel with the sea’s drift closer to the North Pole than anyone had ever gone before. Experts said such a ship couldn't be built and that the voyage was tantamount to suicide. This brilliant first-person account, originally published in 1897, marks the beginning of the modern age of exploration. Nansen vividly describes the dangerous voyage and his 15-month-long dash to the North Pole by sledge. Farthest North is an unforgettable tale and a must-read for any armchair explorer.

This Place Is Cold: An Imagine Living Here book

Can you imaging living in a place where it's so cold your breath turns instantly into tiny ice crystals that glitter in the sun? Where temperatures can drop fifty degrees below zero and even lower and the sun only comes out for a few hours per day? In This Place Is Cold readers will learn how people and animals survive in Alaska's ferocious cold, and how because of global warming this region is now in trouble. Vicki Cobb and Barbara Lavallee travelled the world together to research this groundbreaking geography series, that is now updated and redesigned to appeal to today's readers.

More Arctic Region Unit Study Ideas

Finally, look how to make these adorable easy Arctic animal crafts.

How to Make Peg Doll Animals of the Arctic

You will need:

Peg dolls
Craft paint
Paint pens
Small wood beads
Air dry clay
Hot glue gun/sticks
Paint brushes

First, I like to add my details to the peg dolls using beads or air-dry clay.

Small wooden beads make the work go quicker as hot glue dries fast but I like the detail and shape that I can get with air dry clay.

For ears, muzzles, and wings you want to pinch off a small bit of clay and press it into the wood. Heavier pieces like ears or muzzles you want to glue in place.

I made a polar bear using beads and one with clay for ears so you can see the difference and choose for yourself.

For the snowy owl, we just smoothed some clay over the sides for wings.

To make a narwhal roll out a little piece of clay into the horn shape and twist gently, hot glue to the top of the peg doll head.

Allow it to dry for 24 hours.

Animals of the Arctic Craft Ideas

Then paint all your peg dolls white, including any clay you added.

Even though some of our animals aren’t white or at least not all white it gives you a good prep base to work from and it will be the majority of your animal’s fur color.

Now, here is where those paint pens will come in handy.

You can do the details with a tiny brush dipped in paint, but it is so much easier to get crisp lines and details with a fine-tipped paint brush.

Use the paintbrush to draw on some basic details like eyes, noses, and outlines.

Allow to dry, these dry quickly faster than a coat of brushed-on paint.

Now layer on more detailing like whiskers, spots, etc. to make your creatures a little more realistic.

If you want to give them a little bit more life and durability you can either seal them with a clear coat or give them a mod podge seal coat or two.

Add some fake snow or even cotton batting to your animals to spark your child’s imagination.

Learn About Indigenous Animal Geography Fun Activity for Preschool to Elementary

August 2, 2023 | Leave a Comment
This post may contain affiliate links. For more information, please see my full disclosure policy.

I have a fun animal geography hands-on activity for your younger kids. Also, you’ll love First Grade Homeschool Curriculum for History and Geography.

One of the first things we intentionally teach our children is the names and sounds of animals.

I have an animal geography activity for you that builds on those basic skills to teach preschoolers through upper elementary students all about animals and where they come from.

Learning where animals are indigenous to throughout the 7 continents is a fun activity that can be covered over a long period of time or just touched on.

Learn About Indigenous Animal Geography Fun Activity for Preschool to Elementary

This activity lets your child play while they learn. It is a great way to introduce them to geography, zoology, research skills, biomes, and more all at once.

This will bring up some great discussions.

For example, discuss animals which are found in more than one place, such as elephants and tigers, and what their differences are.

You can talk about animals being indigenous or introduced to different places by early explorers.

What seems like such a simple learning experience can turn into a delightful rabbit trail to enjoy with your child. I have a few facts and a list of some common animals for each continent to get you started.

Animal Geography Books

First, look at some of our favorite books about animals which help to serve as a guide.

7 Animal Geography Resources

We refer to Wildlife Anatomy quite a bit for zoology, it is worth adding to your collection.

Wildlife Anatomy: The Curious Lives & Features of Wild Animals around the World

Bestselling author/illustrator Julia Rothman shares a delightfully illustrated guide to all the beasts of the wild, from lions, tigers, and bears to musk oxen, monkeys, elephants, giraffes, foxes, badgers, bats, crocodiles, owls, flying squirrels and much, much more.

Waypoint Geographic World ScrunchMap - Up-to-Date & Easy

Wall Maps: These world wall maps feature bright colors for easy identification of places of interest. This map of the world can be easily folded or "scrunched" Into the included storage pouch. Lasts longer than paper maps.

The Big Book of Beasts (The Big Book Series)

In The Big Book of Beasts, Yuval Zommer’s wonderful illustrations bring to whimsical life some of the grizzliest, hairiest, bravest, wiliest, and most fearsome beasts in the animal kingdom. Brimming with interesting facts from beast consultant Barbara Taylor, this charming picture book is a beautiful way for parents to introduce young children to the animal world―and for older children to learn by themselves.

Photo Credit: www.bfbooks.com

Around the World with Picture Books Part II (Download) - by Read Berg - Beautiful Feet Books

Each country visited features a selection of animals indigenous to those regions. These beautiful drawings will familiarize students with some remarkable creatures, their habitat and habits, cultivating respect and wonder for the natural world. Part Two covers Europe and South America. In Europe we cover France, Spain, Italy, Holland, Denmark, Sweden, and Great Britain! In South America we cover Ecuador, Chile, Peru, and Brazil!

Rand McNally Junior Classroom Atlas of the World

Our colorful, engaging atlas is ideal for students in second through fourth grades and was developed from our award-winning Classroom Atlas, just simplified for younger students. Completely redesigned with a new layout,eye-catching pictures, informative graphics, and fully updated map content. Teaches map and globe skills to younger students. Features photos, graphs, interesting facts, and thought-provoking questions that reinforce map concepts.Includes 15 physical, political, and thematic maps.

A Child's Introduction to the World: Geography, Cultures, and People--From the Grand Canyon to the Great Wall of China (A Child's Introduction Series)

Explore all the fascinating things that make Planet Earth such an exciting place to live with this lively introduction to our world, its geography, culture, and people. Get ready for an incredible journey, one in which you’ll visit far-off places, meet interesting people, and learn all about continents, countries, climates, and more. This book is also full of fun facts about animals, sports, foods, inventions, and holidays from all over the world.

Animal Atlas

Lift the flaps in this quirky 3D atlas as illustrator Ingela P. Arrhenius takes the youngest of readers around the globe, introducing an enchanting selection of animals. Did you know that flamingos hide their heads while they sleep? That a Galápagos tortoise can live for a hundred years? That baboons have pink bottoms? Or that a peacock’s tail is used to impress potential mates? With interactive flaps and a central pop on each colorful spread, this is a stand-up gift for small children who love animals of all stripes.

Now, look at some of these lists of animals from each continent.

Africa – Animals from the continent of Africa

The world’s second-largest continent, Africa, has a wide range of habitats from tropical rainforest to the desert.

Here you will find a wide variety of well-known animals, as a matter of fact, Africa is home to the most varied wildlife and the most species in the world.

Lion
Leopard
Elephant
Rhinoceros
Zebra
Hippopotamus
Ostriches
Giraffe
Pangolin
Black Mamba

MORE AFRICAN GEOGRAPHY ACTIVITIES

How to Make An Embroidered African Map Fun Geography Craft

Next, look at these animals from Antarctica.

Antarctica – Animals from the continent of Antarctica

Antarctica is a large frozen continent that is located in the far south of the world in the Southern Ocean. Covered by a thick layer of ice, it is nearly uninhabitable except by a few species that make their home here.

Emperor Penguins
Orca
Wandering Albatross
Leopard Seal
Gentoo Penguin
Antarctic Krill
Tardigrade
Blue Whale
Spectacled Porpoise
Southern Elephant Seal

Asia – Animals from the continent of Asia

Asia is the world’s most populated and is the biggest continent in the Northern and Eastern hemispheres.

It is also the place with the world’s longest coastline and the highest and lowest points on the Earth’s surface.

With a mostly dry climate, it does have extreme weather like monsoons. It encompasses China, Korea, Japan, Siberia, India, and parts of the middle east. The habitats here range from deserts, mountains, forests, and tropical jungles to urban areas.

Asian Elephant
Asiatic Lion
Tiger
Giant Panda
Snow Leopard
Proboscis Monkey
Indian Cobra
Malayan Tapir
Indian Peafowl
Orangutan

Australia – Animals from the continent of Australia

Australia is a country and a continent, and it holds the title of the continent with the most diverse marine life and the highest number of fish species.

It is also the world’s smallest of the continents. Australia not only has a lot of endemic animal species – species that can only be found in Australia (4 out of 5 animals) but it is also the home of two monotremes, which are mammals that lay eggs- the echidna and the platypus.

Finally, they have about 140 species of marsupials.

Kangaroo
Tasmanian Devil
Kookaburra
Dingo
Platypus
Koala
Wallaby
Frill Neck Lizard
Sugar Glider
Echidna

Europe – Animals from the continent of Europe

Europe is home to a wide range of habitats like the Taiga Forest, tundra, broadleaf forest, steppe, the Alps, Pyrenees, the Atlantic and Arctic Oceans, and the Mediterranean Sea which means there are a wide diversity of animals.

Many animals in Europe have been brought from other parts of the world, but several species are native to the continent, the first 5 listed below are native.

European Bison
Eurasian Lynx
Polar Bear
Moose
Wolf
Alpine Ibex
Golden Eagle
Old World Swallowtail
Red Squirrel
Wild Boar
Chamois

North America – Animals from the continent of North America

Made up of Mexico, the United States, and Canada this is the third largest continent in the world and is surrounded by the Pacific and Atlantic Oceans.

Pretty much every ecosystem on Earth can be found here- from snowy tundra to the tropics.

The United States has the most biodiversity in North America, Canada has snowier tundra and animals like the polar bear, while Mexico is made up of lush rainforests to arid deserts.

American Bison
Monarch Butterfly
Bobcat
Polar Bear
Bighorn Sheep
Chipmunk
Coyote
North American Porcupine
American Alligator
Kit Fox

South America – Animals from the continent of South America

Finally, exotic South America with some of the world’s most dangerous and some of the most unique.

It has 4 major climatic regions- tropical, temperate, arid, and cold. You will find most animals in South America can be found either in the Amazon Rainforest or in the Andes mountains.

Unfortunately, more than 30% of species on the content are now endangered or nearly extinct.

Llama
Anaconda
Blue Morpho Butterfly
Anteater
Capybara
Giant Otter
Harpy Eagle
Jaguar
Red-Eyed Tree Frog
Sloth

Moreover, look at some of these other fun animal and geography activities.

Finally, look at this fun interactive way to learn about geography and animals.

Animal Geography Activity

You can do as much or as little of this activity to get your child started as you like.

The younger child will obviously need more help while a more advanced child can do everything from cutting out the maps of each continent to tracing and labeling.

You will need:

Roll of paper
Printed outlines of the 7 continents
Masking tape
Permanent marker
Plastic animals

You could also print pictures of various animals and use them to be sure you have enough for each continent instead of using small plastic animals, or better yet a combination of both.

First, find a basic outline for the seven continents on Google or trace them out of your favorite Atlas.

Next, roll out a large piece of paper from a roll. It can be the solid back of wrapping paper, bulletin board paper, or the brown kraft paper used for shipping. Tape it to the floor or table using masking tape or painter’s tape.

Then cut out the seven continent outlines you printed and arrange them on the rolled-out paper using an atlas or a master printout as a guide.

Use a marker to trace around each of the continents.

Remove your templates and write the name of each continent in the center.

Give your child some books for reference, atlases and of course zoology books, and a basket of a good variety of animals from around the world.

Help them find where each animal belongs. If you have the space, you can add to it each day or week as you learn about each continent and its wonderful animals.

For an older child it would be a great assignment for them to find “x” number of animals for each continent.

8 Facts About Moths and a Fun Nature Elephant Hawk Moth Craft

July 30, 2023 | Leave a Comment
This post may contain affiliate links. For more information, please see my full disclosure policy.

I’m sharing 8 facts about moths and a fun contact paper nature elephant hawk moth craft. Also, you may love Fun and Easy Hands-on Life Cycle Butterfly Activity for Kids.

Typically, we think of moths as dull nighttime flyers and butterflies as beautiful bright creatures, but many moths are colorful and beautiful like the Hawk Moth.

The Garden Tiger Moth, the False Tiger Moth, the Oleander Hawk Moth, the Luna Moth, and the Comet Moth, to name a few, rival the most colorful butterflies in their beauty.

8 Facts About Moths and a Fun Nature Elephant Hawk Moth Craft

There is much more to moths than what you see flitting around your porch light in the evening.

They are just as fascinating as butterflies.

Moths are very important in food webs as a food item for songbirds, mammals, and other insects.

Too, moths are also crucial pollinators, especially those that are active after dark when other pollinators are sleeping.

In honor of the poor unappreciated moth, we are making a fun and pretty giant moth to decorate the window.

We get to combine two activities for this piece, a lovely relaxing nature walk with an indoor art project to preserve some finds and recreate a moth that stays put.

This craft is typically one that is done with preschoolers or toddlers.

But I am sure an artistic or nature-loving older child would also love this and could be challenged to make an even more intricate design than a younger sibling.

8 Fascinating Moth and Hawk Moth Facts

Next look at these facts about moths.

Moths far outnumber butterflies. For every butterfly that you see flying around, there are over nine times as many moths.
Hawk Moths are from the Sphingidae family of moths, also known as Sphynx moths.
Many of their caterpillars are known as “hornworms” and are a nuisance to tomato plants.
Hawk moths have the longest tongues of any other moth or butterfly, some of them are as long as 14”.
Moths range from small, like the tiny Stigmella Maya with its forewing measuring just .04 inches to large specimens bigger than a human hand, like the largest moth, Hercules Moth at 14”.
They have an amazing sense of smell. A male emperor moth can smell a female from about seven miles away.
Smithsonian’s National Museum of Natural History has over 25,000 different specimens of Hawk Moths, which are closely related to butterflies.
Not all moths fly only at night, some moths are nocturnal, but others are diurnal.

Next, look at some of the books to add to your unit study or learning day.

Books and Resources For Learning About Moths

Add a few of these books about moths to your unit study or for hands-on activities.

Moths: A Complete Guide to Biology and Behavior

Moths are a crucial insect group encompassing more than 160,000 species, and they are among the most ancient of Earth's inhabitants, with some fossils believed to be 190 million years old. This richly illustrated guide to their biology, evolution, and history demonstrates the incredible diversity of these winged insects and reveals the ruthless survival tactics used by some--including blood-sucking moths, cannibalism in the cocoon, and carnivorous caterpillars. The book also explores their extraordinary life cycle, charting development from egg to larva to cocoon to airborne adult, as well as the surprising variations of color and wing patterns that moths have evolved. Engaging narrative and specially commissioned photographs of moth specimens make Moths: A Complete Guide to Biology and Behavior a perfect gift book for scientists and science enthusiasts alike.

Peterson First Guide To Butterflies And Moths

Peterson First Guides are the first books the beginning naturalist needs. Condensed versions of the famous Peterson Field Guides, the First Guides focus on the animals, plants, and other natural things you are most likely to see. They make it fun to get into the field and easy to progress to the full-fledged Peterson Guides.

BicBugs Actias luna REAL FRAMED LUNA MOTH GREEN USA

REAL framed luna moth!

Peterson Field Guide To Moths Of Southeastern North America

Southeastern North America is home to an incredible variety of moths, from drab browns to bright yellows and pinks, the small and simple to the flashy or bizarrely shaped. Just a few are common house and garden pests; thousands more harmless species live hidden in woods and meadows. This comprehensive guide of more than 1,800 common species is the best tool for identifying and appreciating these ubiquitous insects.

The World Encyclopedia of Butterflies & Moths: A Natural History And Identification Guide To Over 565 Varieties Around The Globe

Butterflies and moths captivate nature enthusiasts with their beauty and variety, but in addition to being attractive they are also of huge biological importance. This superb book, in a sumptuous new edition, covers the lifecycle of these creatures, with information on anatomy, feeding, flight and breeding. It then profiles some of the world’s best-loved and intriguing butterflies, moths and skippers, with a geographically-split directory of detailed entries, each containing useful identification summaries and quick-reference panels on distribution, habitat, food and wingspan.

Nature Anatomy: The Curious Parts and Pieces of the Natural World

See the world in a whole new way! Acclaimed illustrator Julia Rothman combines art and science in this exciting and educational guide to the structure, function, and personality of the natural world. Explore the anatomy of a jellyfish, the inside of a volcano, monarch butterfly migration, how sunsets work, and much more. Rothman’s whimsical illustrations are paired with interactive activities that encourage curiosity and inspire you to look more closely at the world all around you.

Peterson Field Guide To Moths Of Northeastern North America

There are thousands of moth species in the northeast of North America, and while it might seem that they are all drab grays and browns, there is actually a startling variety. They come in a rainbow of colors, from brilliant oranges and pinks to soft greens and violets. There are moths with colorful leopard-like spots, and ones that look more like B-movie aliens; some that are as large as your hand, and others the size of a grain of rice. With helpful tips on how to attract and identify moths, range maps and season graphs showing when and where to find each species, and clear photographs that use the unique Peterson arrow system for easy identification, this guide provides everything an amateur or experienced moth-watcher needs. Sponsored by the National Wildlife Federation and the Roger Tory Peterson Institute.

Also, add some more hands on ideas about moths.

More Moth Resources

Here are a few more beautiful moth crafts, resources, and activities to help you learn more about these mysterious creatures.

Sweet little Pinecone Moths are pretty enough to leave all around your home.
Make the pretty bright Luna Moth Craft.
These Paper Moths would be a great project for middle and high schoolers.
I just love these DIY Moth Wings for dramatic play and a unique art project.
A young artist will enjoy learning How to Draw a Moth.
Have your child research the differences between butterflies and moths.
A budding lepidopterist (an entomologist who specializes in studying butterflies and moths) might enjoy a moth specimen to begin or celebrate finishing up a moth study

Finally, look how to make this fun contact paper hawk moth.

How to Make A Contact Paper Nature Elephant Hawk Moth

This is a fun simple activity that can also be used to teach your child about the anatomy of a moth, colorations, and simple vocabulary.

You will need:

Clear contact paper
Painters tape
Permanent marker
Flowers and leaves

First, find and print out a picture of the moth you would like to create. We chose the Elephant Hawk Moth knowing we had pretty pink flowers in the yard to create some of its lines.

Then head outside for a nature walk, gathering fresh or dried leaves, flower petals, and other lightweight nature items.

Next, cut a piece of clear contact paper out as large as you would like to make it and tape it down to your work surface with low tack tape like painter’s tape, backing side down (do not peel it off yet).

Use a permanent marker to draw the outlines of the moth.

Peel off the tape and move to the window you want to use, slowly peel off the contact paper backing and tape the contact paper to the window, sticky side facing outward.

Set their nature walk finds nearby and have them press them into the sticky side of the contact paper.

For younger children, you can let them get creative and cover their moth in whatever pattern and gathered materials they like.

For older children, challenge them to try to recreate the colors and patterns of their chosen moth.

Tips:

Add a moth photo or two to your window as inspiration.
Be sure that they press firmly to be sure their items are attached.
Small light pieces will adhere the best.
If you want to preserve their picture just lay another piece of contact paper over it, sticky side to sticky side, and cut out around your moth.
They don’t have to complete this activity in one sitting, you can leave it up and let them come back and forth.

6 Facts About Mountain Lions and How to Make a Fun Mountain Lion Diorama

July 28, 2023 | Leave a Comment
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I have 6 facts about mountain lions and a fun mountain lion diorama. Also, you may love the ideas on my post 6 World Wildlife Day Activities to Learn About African Lions.

Today, we’re making an upcycled mountain lion diorama that pairs perfectly with a mountain lion unit study.

Mountain lions have 40 different names. For example, look at these names.

Cougar
Mountain Lion
Puma
Panther
Catamount
Colorado Cougar
Texas Lion, and
Patagonian Puma to name a few.

6 Facts About Mountain Lions and How to Make a Fun Mountain Lion Diorama

They have the widest range amongst all the wild cats in the western hemisphere, covering parts of Canada, the United States, and most of the South American countries.

They make a beautiful and interesting subject for our latest diorama.

One thing I really love is a craft that uses recycled materials that we’re going to end up in the trash bin.

They’re likely to end up there eventually anyway but this gives a little bit longer life and saves a lot of money because we had to buy almost nothing for this project.

I used a science board I already had on hand from Dollar Tree but you can just use leftover cardboard from a delivery box.

You might need some small plastic animals if you don’t have any. I have a suggestion below that can be used for many things.

Before we jump in let’s learn a few facts about the mountain lion and what sets them apart from other cats in the wild.

Mountain Lion Diorama – 6 Facts To Pounce On

Because their larynxes are different from those of other big cats, they never roar. Rather they sound more like a person whistling, a bird chirping, or even a woman screaming. You can listen to that eerie scream here. How eerie!
The young look very different from mature cats, mountain lion cubs have blue eyes and dark spots when they are born.
When you think of mountain lions you may think of slow, slinking creatures but they can run up to 50 mph.
A mountain lion’s preference for prey is deer but as opportunistic predators, they will eat raccoons, elk, moose, antelope, mountain goats, horses, and bighorn sheep.
They are amazing jumpers; they can jump as high as 18 feet off the ground.
Mountain lions are not considered “big cats”, but they are the largest of the “small cats” at 90 to 175 pounds and standing 2’-3’ tall at the shoulder.

First, I like to grab my handy dandy anatomy books.

I was able to find information on panthers and mountain lions for comparison in our Wildlife Anatomy book.

In Nature Anatomy you can see a small excerpt on the mountain Lion but also information on mountains, some of its prey animals, and more.

Next, look at some more ideas for lion activities.

More Mountain Lion Activities

Mountain Lion Printable Craft.
How to Handle a Mountain Lion Encounter
How to Draw Cougars, Mountain Lion
Mountain Lion Coloring Craft
Mountain Lion Mask
Bobcat vs Mountain Lion: How to Tell the Difference
Here is a great National Geographic documentary on The Secret Lives of the Mountain Lion Family.

Finally, look how to make this mountain lion diorama.

How to Make a Mountain Lion Diorama

You will need:

Trifold science board
Brown paper bag/brown shipping paper
Styrofoam packaging
Green construction paper
Small pebbles and twigs with leaves
Green, blue, and tan craft paints
Hot glue gun
Small plastic animals

Once you have decided where your mountain lion is living, cougars like dense forests, coastal swamps, rocky cliffs, and mountain ranges as their habitat you can begin building.

I am walking you through creating a mountain diorama.

First, cut a trifold science board into half and then cut off half of that so you have just half of one flap and half of the center.

Next, cut off the other half of the centerpiece. We will use that for the base.

Paint the top blue like the sky and the bottom third a tan like your mountain color, tan for this model. Allow it to dry.

Grab the piece of cardboard you are going to use for your base and cover it in glue.

Crinkle up the green paper, smooth it, and press it into the adhesive on your board.

Crinkling gives your “grass” some nice texture.

Add additional color and texture with dabs of green paint if you like.

Once your background is dry, bend it so that it creates an L shape and adhere it to the base with a generous line of hot glue. Hold it in place until it sets.

Now, cut up your styrofoam to resemble mountain shapes.

Glue to the board.

Crinkle up a big piece of brown paper and then smooth it out as you did with the green.

Press all over the styrofoam to cover, glue in place, and add more as needed, trim off the excess.

Gather up the stones, moss, and twigs you have collected and glue them on the ground as well as up the mountain.

Add a water source coming down the mountain across the land, animals always like to stay near a good water source.

Place your mountain lion and a prey animal or two.

I think our mountain lion is stalking the thirsty raccoon who stopped for a drink.

life science

Facts About The Tundra Biome

Animals of the Tundra

More Ideas for a Tundra Biome Poster Project

How to Make a 3D Tundra Biome Poster Project

10 Arctic Animal Facts

More Easy Arctic Animal Crafts

More Arctic Region Unit Study Ideas

How to Make Peg Doll Animals of the Arctic

Animals of the Arctic Craft Ideas

Animal Geography Books

Africa – Animals from the continent of Africa

MORE AFRICAN GEOGRAPHY ACTIVITIES

Antarctica – Animals from the continent of Antarctica

Asia – Animals from the continent of Asia

Australia – Animals from the continent of Australia

Europe – Animals from the continent of Europe

North America – Animals from the continent of North America

South America – Animals from the continent of South America

Animal Geography Activity

8 Fascinating Moth and Hawk Moth Facts

More Moth Resources

How to Make A Contact Paper Nature Elephant Hawk Moth

Mountain Lion Diorama – 6 Facts To Pounce On

More Mountain Lion Activities

How to Make a Mountain Lion Diorama

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