middle school

Easy Hands on Snowflake Winter Craft for Kids Who Don’t Have Snow

September 22, 2022 | Leave a Comment
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Today, we’re making an easy hands on snowflake winter craft. Add this to my winter season unit study.

While not everyone gets to enjoy the splendor of white crystal winters, we all appreciate the beauty of that type of winter.

Even if your winters rarely reach below 70℉ you can still at least touch on all that it entails for the cold months.

This craft allows your child to bring out an artistic side while also getting in some science.

Too, this activity works great for kids in early elementary through middle school.

And can be adjusted to give more or less information.

Next, look at some research questions for kids to dig deeper into a topic.

They can either find the answers in living books or on the internet. Research skills is another component to add to this unit study.

Flake Facts

Look at these facts to get you started

What US state gets the most snow? Vermont
Approximately how many crystals make up a flake? 1-200
How big is the largest lake ever recorded? 15” wide, 8 “ thick – Guinness World Book,1887
What are the smallest flakes called? Diamond Dust Crystals
How many sides does a flake have? 6
How long does the average flake take to reach the ground? 1 hour
What temperature does it have to reach for flakes to form? 35 degrees Fahrenheit (0 degrees Celsius)

And then add some of these resources for a mini unit study.

Watch a couple of YouTube videos:

If you live in a place which gets mountainous drifts try out some of these Activities That Celebrate Snow for more fun.

Resources for a Winter Unit Study

Also, look at my How to Make Easy DIY Bird Feeders and work birds into your winter study as well.

Winter is an especially important time to give them a little extra help as food is scarcer.

If you want to continue adding activities to your mini winter unit study give your child some copywork.

Grab my Free Winter Copywork for Middle School

Or chose a writing prompt like:

The little dancing snowflake was on its way to…
We ran out into the snow and….

Finally, be sure you spend some time learning about the science of how and why borax creates these crystals on objects.

Crystals are molecules that bind together ionically. Borax crystals have a square shape.

First you heat the water and the borax dissolves into it. Warm water holds more powder and it becomes super saturated.

As the solution cools the molecules they need somewhere to grab onto. So, they cling together as well as the object that you put in the solution.

Try different amounts of borax in the different bowls. Too, try different temperatures for the water to continue the experiment.

I love how the crystals make the pipe cleaners sparkle like real flakes.

There is a double page spread in Nature Anatomy that I love to recommend as a must have science reference. It covers a little on flakes and their characteristics.

Let’s make this winter fun craft.

How to Make a Borax Fun Easy Craft

Look at this easy list of ingredients:

You will need:

2-3 colored pipe cleaners per flake
Large glass bowl or other container
2 cups water
⅓ cup borax
Pencil, skewer
String

Then look at the directions below.

For each flake you will need 3 longer pieces 3”-4” long and least 12 pieces about 1” long.

Twist the 3 long pieces together in the center and spread them out evenly to create 6 spokes.

Twist each of the small pieces around the end and center of each spoke, bend to point outward slightly.

You want your flake to be slightly smaller than you container so it doesn’t touch the sides.

Tie a piece of string around the center of each flake and then around the skewer or pencil so that it hangs down into bowl.

Heat 2 cups of water to boiling. Stir in ½ cup borax until mostly dissolved.

Pour liquid carefully into the bowl.

Let your flakes sit for 24 hours or more. Here is what mine looked like after about 5 hours.

After just about 16-18 hours.

And a little over 24 hours.

They are so fun to make you are going to want to create all kinds of shapes. Make them over and over to celebrate season and event. Try making your name or initials.

Other Winter Fun Resources

Finally, here are some other resources you may love.

Easy Winter Craft for Kids Who Don't Have Snow

Easy Fall Crafts for Middle School: DIY String Pumpkin Art

August 31, 2022 | Leave a Comment
This post may contain affiliate links. For more information, please see my full disclosure policy.

If you’re wanting fall crafts for middle school for a fall unit study you’ll love this project. And look on my page homeschool middle school for more tips.

It may not quite be fall but pumpkin season seems to already be in full swing.

The stores have already begun to release all their fabulous pumpkin and pumpkin spice flavored goodies.

And the craft stores have had their decor out since summer.

Easy Fall Crafts for Middle School: DIY String Pumpkin Art

So, it feels like a great time to begin working pumpkins into a fall unit study.

This art project adds some fun decor for the house which also works in fine motor skills and practical living skills (learning to use a hot glue gun, hammer and nails).

This is a fantastic activity for middle schoolers to do completely on their own with a bit of instruction.

But this activity can also be done by kids in upper elementary with a little more help.

Too, I was able to get all the supplies from Dollar Tree making this project a grand total of $3.75.

And I barely put a dent in the yarn and have plenty of nails left.

If you have any of the items lying around already you can make yours cheaper or even free.

Pumpkin Unit Study Ideas

You can easily turn this into more than just an art project by giving your middle schooler a few other activities to do before or after completing their string pumpkin art.

Research the different varieties of pumpkin.
List 10 pumpkin facts.
Complete the journal prompt – One night while I was walking in the pumpkin patch . . .
Research a recipe for pumpkin pie and bake it.
Find out which state grows the most pumpkins.
Find out how Native Americans cooked pumpkin compared to the colonists.
Weigh, measure, and compare a variety of pumpkins.
Make a pumpkin catapult – large or small.

I know those ideas will get you started and use the beautiful book Farm Anatomy as a science reference to learn about pumpkins.

Here is a beautiful page from Farm Anatomy to research the different varieties of squash.

Pumpkin Art Supplies

Next, look at the easy supplies you need to make this diy string pumpkin art.

½” to ¾” nails
Orange yarn
Green yarn
Small piece of stick
Glue gun/sticks
Scrap board
Hammer

Again, some of these supplies you may already have.

Here is how you make your own pumpkin string art:

DIY Pumpkin String Art

First, choose whether to make your pumpkin art horizontal or vertical.

This depends on your piece of scrap wood.

Then lightly draw out the shape with a pencil.

This piece of wood was in the craft section at Dollar Tree and they have several sizes and shapes to choose from.

Once you are satisfied with the general shape of the pumpkin you can begin to place the nails.

You can either guesstimate the space as you go or make little dots that are roughly the same distance all the way around.

You know where you will start and end with the nails when you do it this way.

Tap the nails into place, knocking them in about halfway because you want them secure.

Continue all the way around until you have the outline of your pumpkin completed.

Knot one end of the orange yarn around one of the nails.

Then wrap it all the way around the outside of the nails to make an outline.

Your child can do this once or twice to create a thicker outline.

This next part is fun and easy.

We are going to fill in the pumpkin.

So all you have to do is crisscross vertically and horizontally around the pumpkin until you have filled it in completely.

Each nail should allow for the yarn to wrap around at least 5-6 times.

Tie the end of the yarn around a nail and cut off the excess.

Press your yarn down so that it is against the wood to show your nail heads.

This adds more texture and contrast to your art piece.

Once your pumpkin is filled in you can add your details like the vine.

Wrap green yarn once around the top center nail head.

And then twist it around the top and sides of the pumpkin.

Secure it down at the loops with a bit of hot glue.

Hot glue a small piece of a stick/limb from the yard to the top to make the stem.

You could also use a wine cork piece or another small bit of scrap wood.

To make a hanger, flip your piece over.

And hot glue a small length of yarn to either corner.

Make several of these to hang around the house for fall.

Also, this makes a great family night or co-op activity. Start with pumpkin and build your ideas out from there.

Other Fall Unit Study Resources

Look at some of these other fall unit study activities:

This was so fun to create. You’re ready to ring in the fall season.

I guarantee you and your kids are going to want to come up with more shapes to make for all the seasons and favorite themes.

Don’t forget to check at Dollar Tree. They carry a ton of yarn and wood pieces in the craft section now.

How to Make Easy Bath Bombs Back to School Craft

August 18, 2022 | 2 Comments
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Today your kids can learn how to make easy bath bombs back to school craft. Set your homeschool up for success by starting off with something fun.

Enjoy a little science, art, math, and more while you make these homemade bath bombs with your kids for a little back to school routine fun.

They aren’t just for the kids though. Toss one in your next bath and ignore the banging at the door.

How to Make Easy Bath Bombs Back to School Craft

Bath bombs are easy to make.

And you definitely save a lot of money making them yourself at home, not to mention you can customize them for the season or occasion.

Back to School Craft for Kids

The back to school themed ones we’re making today, but you will want to tuck this tutorial away and revisit it to remake them anytime for gifts.

The kids will love making them and everyone appreciates homemade thoughtful gifts.

Besides being school themed, you can also match the scents to your needs. Need more calm in your day? Add lavender.

Want to focus? Peppermint and sweet orange will help.

Have headache that just won’t go away? Lavender, rosemary, and peppermint will help. Or, need a mood boost? Add lemongrass and sandalwood to your mix.

DIY Molds for Bath Bombs

In addition, you don’t have to make them in a special mold. Use whatever you have on hand like a cupcake pan or any silicone mold will do.

Just choose some of the oils I mentioned above for whatever you want to achieve relaxation, focus, calm, etc.

We are going to make fun paper themed ones.

Bath Bomb Ingredients

But first, look at these ingredients.

1 cup baking soda
½ cup cornstarch
½ cup Epsom salt
¼ cup citric acid
3 teaspoons coconut oil
25 drops essential oil
Food Coloring Markers or Washable Markers
Molds or cupcake tins
Small spray bottle with water

Throughout making these bath bombs ask lots of questions to draw out your child’s curiosity and practice some practical living skills.

For example, we only have a ¼ measuring cup clean, how can we get ½ cup of cornstarch? What happens when the water combines with the citric acid? What is that called?

Research what each ingredient adds to the bath bomb and what are the properties of each one? Which are acids, which are alkaline? We are learning everyday, craft time is no exception.

Begin by mixing together well the dry ingredients which are Epsom salt, baking soda, cornstarch, and citric acid.

Stir in coconut oil and make sure all dry ingredients are coated completely.

How to Make DIY Bath Bombs

Add your essential oils and stir. Then stir a little more to be sure its evenly disbursed.

Now spritz your mixture lightly with water. You want to go slowly here because water will set your reaction of the citric acid off before you are ready, spritz a bit, stir mixture, spritz, stir, repeat until it is just barely damp.

What you want here is for it to stick together when you squeeze it but not dripping wet.

If you don’t have a spray bottle on hand, you can add water with a teaspoon, dribbling a small amount at a time.

Press the mixture firmly into your mold. Because my rectangle molds are very large and meant for big bars of soap I only filled them halfway but made sure to press the mixture in well.

Allow to harden, overnight is best to be sure it is dry completely through

Once firm, remove carefully from mold and turn it over. With smooth side up, make blue horizontal lines and a single pink vertical line down the left side to emulate the look of notebook paper.

You could also write messages on the paper too if you want to take it a step further.

Store bath bombs in a cool dry place until ready to use.

Don’t stop with just making these bath bombs. Gift them to friends, fellow homeschoolers, co-op teachers, and you could even make them in a co-op session for a fun activity.

This is a great group activity for a large or small gathering. Bag them up individually for a really cute gift

Other Back to School Crafts:

Fun Upcycled T Shirt Library Tote Back to School Kids Craft

August 13, 2022 | Leave a Comment
This post may contain affiliate links. For more information, please see my full disclosure policy.

This upcycled t shirt library tote back to school kids craft is so fun and sassy. And learning how to homeschool means we love visiting the library.

It is almost time for public school to ring back into session and for homeschoolers to come out of hiding.

If you are like most homeschooling moms, you make weekly runs to the library for chapter books ,reference books, read aloud books, audio books, and maybe even DVDS.

Fun Upcycled T Shirt Library Tote Back to School Kids Craft

A good way to deal with that is to let everyone carry their own pile, but we aren’t going to run out and buy a bunch of tote bags are we?

Nope, not today. Today we are going to upcycle something you already have around the house.

Not only is this school craft idea inexpensive and easy but it’s cute and washable too.

When it gets dirty just toss it in the wash along with your next load and it’s ready to work again.

23 Favorite Read Aloud Books for Our Library Tote

From t-shirt to upcycled library tote makes a great co-op activity too.

Invite everyone to bring a favorite old t-shirt, supply some scissors, the directions, and everyone ends up with a great school craft idea to take home.

First, I’m sharing 23 favorite read aloud books for your newly created upcycled t-shirt turned library tote. I know you’ll find a favorite or two for your family.

23 Favorite Read Aloud Stories

You'll love adding some of these favorite read aloud stories to your homeschool day.

The Wild Robot

When robot Roz opens her eyes for the first time, she discovers that she is all alone on a remote, wild island

Stuart Little

Stuart Little is no ordinary mouse. Born to a family of humans, he lives in New York City with his parents, his older brother George, and Snowbell the cat.

The Green Ember

Heather and Picket are extraordinary rabbits with ordinary lives until calamitous events overtake them, spilling them into a cauldron of misadventures.

The One and Only Ivan

Having spent twenty-seven years behind the glass walls of his enclosure in a shopping mall, Ivan has grown accustomed to humans watching him.

Anne of Green Gables

Eleven-year-old Anne Shirley has never known a real home.

Little House on the Prairie

Classic tales by Laura Ingalls Wilder about life on the frontier and Americas best-loved pioneer family.

My Side of the Mountain Trilogy

This coming-of-age story about a boy and his falcon went on to win a Newbery Honor, and for the past forty years has enthralled and entertained generations of would-be Sam Gribleys.

The Hobbit: Illustrated Edition

In The Hobbit, Bilbo Baggins enjoys a comfortable, unambitious life, rarely traveling farther than the pantry of his hobbit-hole in Bag End.

The Indian in the Cupboard

Trying to hide his disappointment, Omri puts the Indian in a metal cupboard and locks the door with a mysterious skeleton key that once belonged to his great-grandmother

Summer of the Monkeys

The last thing fourteen-year-old Jay Berry Lee expects to find while trekking through the Ozark Mountains of Oklahoma is a tree full of monkeys

The Borrowers Afield

Driven from their home in the big house, Pod, Homily, and Arrietty take up life in a boot.

The Penderwicks: A Summer Tale of Four Sisters, Two Rabbits, and a Very Interesting Boy

Soon they are busy discovering the summertime magic of Arundel’s sprawling gardens, treasure-filled attic, tame rabbits, and the cook who makes the best gingerbread in Massachusetts.

Charlotte's Web

Some Pig. Humble. Radiant. These are the words in Charlotte's Web, high up in Zuckerman's barn.

The Sign of the Beaver

Although he faces responsibility bravely, thirteen-year-old Matt is more than a little apprehensive when his father leaves him alone to guard their new cabin in the wilderness

The Chronicles of Narnia

Fantastic creatures, heroic deeds, epic battles in the war between good and evil.

Mr. Popper's Penguins

It tells the story of a poor house painter named Mr. Popper and his family, who live in the small town of Stillwater in the 1930s.

The Courage of Sarah Noble

In 1707, young Sarah Noble and her father traveled through the wilderness to build a new home for their family.

The Tale of Despereaux: Being the Story of a Mouse, a Princess, Some Soup, and a Spool of Thread

A brave mouse, a covetous rat, a wishful serving girl, and a princess named Pea come together,

Frindle

A quirky, imaginative tale about creative thought and the power of words that will have readers inventing their own words.

The Lemonade War

Here is a clever blend of humor, math wizardry, and business know-how. As it captures the one-of-a-kind bond between brother and sister.

Where the Sidewalk Ends

This special edition contains 12 extra poems.

Because of Winn-Dixie

One summer’s day, ten-year-old India Opal Buloni goes down to the local supermarket for some groceries—and comes home with a dog. But Winn-Dixie is no ordinary dog.

The Boxcar Children Fully Illustrated Edition

The classic story of four orphaned siblings, Henry, Jessie, Violet, and Benny, who find an abandoned boxcar in the forest and decide to make it their home.

Read aloud books are such a fun way to bond as a family.

Reading together improves comprehension and vocabulary in children.

Also, they can improve processing skills, increases their attention span, reduces stress, builds listening, communication skills and visualization.

How to Upcycle a T-Shirt

Now, let’s make this adorable library tote and you only need a few things to make this.

a t-shirt
fabric scissors
a bowl to use as a pattern for cutting
fabric chalk

Yes, just things that you already have in your house.

Grab your t-shirt and start by cutting off the sleeves, just inside the seam.

And try to cut as evenly as you can but it’s handmade so if the edges are a bit rough it’s okay.

If younger children are helping or making their own, you will definitely have some uneven cuts and knots but that is the charm of their very own DIY project.

Next, use a large bowl to draw a half circle around the neckline to make the opening larger.

You want the shoulder area to be somewhere between 3”-5” on each side to make it sturdy and comfortable handles.

The handles can be held with hands or looped over your shoulder.

Cut this circle out of both sides of the shirt.

Too, you want to make sure you have a good pair of fabric scissors.

I like these, for most of our crafts because they work well, are comfortable, and are not too expensive.

Measure a line up about 3” from the bottom all the way across and mark it with chalk. The chalk line disappears with just a bit of wiping.

Now cut strips on both sides of the fabric up to this line all the way across the bottom of the shirt.

Make the strips about ¾” wide.

Then, grab your first set of fringes and knot it, repeat with the second set of fringes. Continue all the way across the bottom.

Be sure to tie each knot tightly and securely to make sure that the bottom of your bag is sturdy enough to carry a pile of books.

Other Back to School Craft Ideas

Alternatively, if you don’t want to have your knots showing you can turn the shirt inside out first and make your knots and then turn it inside right so they are hidden inside.

I like the fringe and didn’t want the bulk inside the bag taking up precious book space.

That’s it, your old t-shirt is ready to go live its best new life as a library tote.

This bag is also great to tote whatever you need at a farmers markets, on nature walks, to the beach, co-op meetings, grocery shopping, or on road trips.

Finally, look at more fun activities.

More Back to School Craft Ideas

Fun Pineapple Candle For Fun Summer Activities for Middle Schoolers

July 27, 2022 | Leave a Comment
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Squeeze in more fun summer activities for middle schoolers by making this fun pineapple candle. Plus, there is more to homeschool middle school than just academic subjects.

Middle school kids love to do crafts year-round or do we call them activities.

Besides, this fun pineapple candle can be used in several ways.

Add it to a homeschool area, to your tween or teen’s room, or do it along with my huge Amazon Rain Forest Unit Study.

Fun Pineapple Candle For Fun Summer Activities for Middle Schoolers

Too, pineapples are bromeliads and bromeliads grow in tropical areas. So, add this summer craft as another easy activity to your unit studies.

Fun Facts About Pineapples

Pineapple is neither a pine or an apple but are made up of lots of berries that have grown together.
Pineapples take 18-20 months to be ready for harvest.
Pineapple plants produce only one pineapple at a time.
Hawaii produces ⅓ of the pineapples in the world.
Pineapples actually originated in South America not in Hawaii like many think.
The pineapple is a symbol of hospitality.
The largest pineapple on record weighed a whopping 17.76 pounds.
The top of a pineapple can be replanted to grow a new pineapple plant.
Pineapple juice makes a great meat tenderizer.
Pineapple is a member of the Bromelioideae family and Ananas genus.
Pineapple plants grown between 3.3 feet and 4.9 feet in height.

Because summer isn’t over yet and there is still plenty of time for fun as well as learning before the temps start to cool a bit, let’s make this cute pineapple craft.

Summer Craft for Homeschool Middle School

This project is fairly easy and kid friendly with a few safety warnings and maybe a hand pouring of the hot wax for young children.

Too, if you love crafts, you may have several of these things on hand.

If not, add to your growing list of supplies by using the list below.

List of pineapple craft supplies.

Small Glass jar
Fake Succulent (Dollar Tree)
Soy Wax Beads
Yellow Candle Wax Colorant
Candle Wicks
Pineapple Fragrance Oil
Sharpie or Paint Pen
Glass microwavable container
Green paint

I like to use wax beads for a few reasons rather than cutting up a big slab of wax.

First, they melt faster and more evenly and second, they make it easy to measure the amount needed for irregular shaped containers like this one!

Also, you can buy an individual scent for your candle.

But when you purchase the variety pack it was a better deal than just getting one.

Plus, you will have plenty of wax beads left over from your bag to make other candles throughout the seasons.

How to Make a DIY Summer Pineapple Candle

Begin by taking a sharpie or paint pen and draw upside down V’s to create the spikes of a pineapple. Then let it dry.

Next, use green craft paint or spray paint to make the screw on the lid green, set aside to dry.

Fill your glass jar with beads where you want the top to be.

And add a few more tablespoons worth because as your beads melt they will fill in the spaces in between and you will have less than you did while they are whole.

Afterwards, place the wick down inside the jar and curl the excess around a pencil to keep it straight in the jar.

Then, pour your measured amount of wax beads and a small piece of yellow colorant into a microwave safe glass container.

Heat in 30 second increments until completely melted.

Shave off just a bit of your candle colorant and mix it. Continue to do this until your desired yellow shade is reached.

Stir in fragrance oil, again just keep adding and stirring until the scent strength you like is reached.

Carefully pour melted wax into your jar and let it cool completely.

Trim the wick with scissors to slightly shorter than the jar.

Finally, grab your jar lid and hot glue the plastic succulent to the top to create the crown.

Other Pineapple Themed Summer Fun Ideas

We really enjoyed this pineapple summer craft to help us finish up our summer and now we have a lovely home decor item that the kids have pride in creating and they beg for us to light.

Pineapples are delicious and they smell amazing, making them a great subject for this summer craft don’t you think?