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Science Fiction for Middle School Fun Jurassic Park Quick Unit Study (DIY Insect in Amber)

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

Today is national science fiction day and we’re doing a science fiction for middle school fun Jurassic Park unit study. You can find more about fossils on my Amber – Freezing Gold Lapbook and Unit Study and for tips on homeschool middle school.

Besides science and suspense make for a fun unit study.

And we’re science fiction lovers here whether it’s Dr. Who, Star Trek or Battlestar Galactica, remember that?

Science Fiction for Middle School Fun Jurassic Park Quick Unit Study (DIY Insect in Amber)

In addition, a science fiction unit study unlike a fantasy study delves into the possibilities of what if and may not stay in the realm of imagination like fantasy.

One more thing, most of my unit studies I create for multiple ages and still target one age group.

So, although this is targeted toward middle school, I have activities for all ages since we learn together.

Because science fiction is a mix of science and what can be possible in the future, it makes for a fun day of learning or is that bantering with middle schoolers?

First, look at the topics that can be covered in a Jurassic Park unit study and then I have some hands-ideas and resources below.

15 Jurassic Park Unit Study Topic Ideas

And whether you choose to read the book or watch the fun movies, you’ll have different topics.

For example, here are 15 topics to study while watching or reading Jurassic Park.

  • Can you clone dinosaurs from fossilized mosquitoes in amber?
  • Too, what is cloning and what are scientist so fascinated by the topic and why the controversy?
  • Understand about dinosaurs and their behavior.
  • And dive deep into understanding velociraptors and pterodactyl
  • Explain biotechnology and the pros and cons.

  • How is DNA recovered and what is DNA?
  • What is fragmented DNA?
  • How do amphibians reproduce?
  • Describe the geography of the island and the types of trees and plants on the island.
  • Learn what is amber and how it’s formed.

  • Discuss different scientific theories. For instance, chaos theory, gene theory, and Darwinian theory. This leads to a great discussion of adding your world view.
  • Investigate about Steve Spielberg and what it means to be a successful director and producer.
  • How to explain what is a fossil?
  • Focus on how organisms are classified.
  • Define what is a paleontologist and how they work.

Next, here is some information about the study of dinosaurs.

Facts and Resources about Dinosaurs

Moreover, talking about dinosaurs gives you time to share your worldview and to separate what is fact from fiction.

And that is what makes it fun to teach this unit study because some questions may just be unanswered.

  • What Color Were Dinosaurs YouTube
  • A Brief History of Geologic Time YouTube
  • Are Birds Dinosaurs YouTube
  • Dinosaurs of Antarctica Education Guide 121 page
  • Wyoming Dinosaur. Lots of great activities and printables.
  • Fossils and Dinosaurs
  • American Museum Of Natural History has fun Lessons Plans and Ideas
  • Dinosaur Lesson Plans
  • Dinosaurs are Real 4 page lesson plan from Smithsonian
  • Dinosaurs are for the Birds lesson plan
  • Dinosaur Detectives

In addition, look at some hands-on ideas about dinosaurs.

  • 8+ Super Fun Dinosaur STEM Activities for Kids
  • Fun Dinosaur Activities Printable
  • Dinosaur Printables for Kids
  • Make a GIANT dinosaur out of toilet paper rolls
  • Create Wearable Dino Feet
  • How to Make Dinosaur Fossils
  • Dinosaur Matching Puzzle
  • Homemade Dinosaur Bones

And here are some hands-on ideas for science.

Park Quick Unit Study (DIY Insect in Amber)

Or science fiction for middle school kids.

Hands-on Ideas for Science and Science Fiction for Middle School

  • Do my Amber – Freezing Gold Lapbook and Unit Study.
  • Change the climate of a planet so it can be inhabited
  • Make Dinosaur Fossils
  • How To Study Human Anatomy For Science:Build An Edible DNA Model
  • Strawberry DNA Extraction
  • Build a Dino STEM Activity
  • DIY Dino Egg Soap
  • Attack of the Killer Cabbage Clones
  • How to make a Velociraptor model from paper mache and bubble wrap.
  • 11 Best Science Fiction Books For Middle Schoolers

Further, look at these fun resources to add to your Jurassic Park Unit Study.

10 Jurassic Park Unit Study Resources

Add one or more of these fun resources to your study to bring it to life.

1. Jurassic World: The Ultimate Pop-Up Book

Featuring explosive, pop-off-the-page depictions of the Tyrannosaurus rex, Velociraptor, and other prehistoric favorites, this deluxe pop-up book traces the evolution of the Jurassic Park and Jurassic World sagas across three decades of major motion pictures. Presented in a dynamic 360-degree format that allows fans to view and participate in the action from all sides, Jurassic World: The Ultimate Pop-Up Book also includes interactive pull-tabs and hidden surprises.

2. Jurassic Park

HD. Steven Spielberg brings dinosaurs to stunning life in this thriller about an island theme park where the star attractions go on a rampage.

3. Jurassic World Magnetic Activity Book Set

Jurassic World Magnetic Activity Book Set - Jurassic World Bundle with Interactive Reference Book and Jurassic Park Stickers for Kids, Boys, Girls (T-Rex Dinosaur Activity Book). This activity book bundle comes with 1 Jurassic World: Fallen Kingdom Meet the Dinosaurs magnetic fun activity book with 10 pages and magnetic dinosaur figures. Each page of this Jurassic World dinosaur reference book contains fun facts about all your favorite dinosaurs and features magnetic play scenes, perfect for placing your dinosaur magnets on the page to create fun scenarios

4. Jurassic World Adult Coloring Book

This book features forty-five original, line-art images depicting the lush environments and heart-racing action from the hit film, including all of your favorite dinosaurs, the Indoraptor, Baryonyx,
Stygimoloch, and fan favorites T. Rex, Mosasaurus, and Blue, for you to color however you wish!

.5. Dinosaur Blanket for Boys Girls

Throw Blanket with Dinosaur Pattern Gifts for Dinosaur Fans, Lightweight Flannel Fleece Blanket for Bed Sofa Couch

6. Jurassic World Dinosaur Field Guide

Dinosaur Field Guide, written by two noted paleontologists and illustrated in big bold colors, is a
kid-friendly nonfiction guide that uses simple text to describe over 100 dinosaurs! Kids will learn tons of awesome facts about the most well-known dinosaurs and some of the newest discoveries.

7. Jurassic World: The Official Cookbook

Designed to look like an in-world souvenir sold at the park, this colorful cookbook features approachable at-home recipes for treats and dishes that celebrate the different regions of the iconic park and the miraculous dinosaurs that live there

8. Dinosaurs in the Wild! (Jurassic World Dominion) (Step into Reading)

Step 3 readers feature engaging characters in easy-to-follow plots about popular topics for children who are ready to read on their own.

9. Dinosaur Fossil Digging Kit for Kids, Dinosaur Eggs Excavation Kit

3 KINDS OF DIFFERENT DIGGING FUN: 1. Dinosaur head fossil: Child can excavate 5 real dinosaur fossils including 2 tyrannosaurus tooth, 1 tyrannosaurus claw & 2 lava stones! 2. The dinosaur bones inside Brick can assemble 3D T-rex skeleton. 3. 6 pieces Dino Eggs Dig Kit & discover 6 unique dinosaur designs. Feel like a real paleontologist excavating up unique toy dinosaurs from 3 digging
styles.

10. Six Piece Jumbo Dinosaur Toys for Kids

13-17 Inches 6 Pcs Jumbo Dinosaur Set includes the following mighty dinosaurs: T-Rex, Pterodactyl,
Triceratops, Brachiosaurus,Giganotosaurus and Velociraptor Blue . This jumbo dinosaur set includes realistic, colorful dinosaur figures that are durable and made from high-quality material.

EDUCATIONAL DINOSAUR FIGURES:Kids will Enjoy Hours of Imaginative Play with These Jumbo Realistic-looking Dinosaurs!Fun and Educational for Both Boys and Girls Alike.Just Right for a School / Dinosaur Science Project or Report.

Now let’s try creating our own insect in amber for an amazing hands-on activity and keepsake from this exciting unit study.

DIY Insect In Amber Activity

You can make a pendant to be worn or a ball of amber to display.

Park Quick Unit Study (DIY Insect in Amber)

This is a very fun activity that will interest older kids who may have done fossil impressions one too many times and would like something that is more of a challenge and not babyish.

Supplies Needed: You will need epoxy resin and supplies.

After quite a bit of research this kit seemed to offer the best combination of variety, price, and reviews.

It was very easy to work with and included everything a beginner needs to get started with epoxy including gloves and a silicone mat to protect your surfaces.

Science Fiction for Middle School Fun Jurassic Park Quick Unit Study (DIY Insect in Amber)

First, create a small insect from craft clay, we attempted a mosquito.

But it came out looking a bit more like a fly and that’s okay.

DIY Insect In Amber Activity

We are not going for perfection with our kiddos. If you prefer you can grab some small plastic insects to use.

Science Fiction for Middle School Fun Jurassic Park Quick Unit Study (DIY Insect in Amber)

Mix epoxy resin parts A and B according to directions.

From what I can tell they pretty much all call for equal parts A and B but from a lot of comments and research the general buzz is to add slightly more B (hardener) to get better results.

Add a small amount of the mica powder to the mixed resin. 

Then, use a toothpick to add a tiny dot or two of yellow and maybe a bit of a rusty red color to get close to an amber shade.

You will be able to see from the final images that we went a little too dark on our first attempt.

So, you want it to be mostly translucent and remember you can always add more color but not subtract it.

Science Fiction for Middle School Fun Jurassic Park Quick Unit Study (DIY Insect in Amber)

Pour a very thin layer of resin in the bottom of your silicone mold and then place your insect in the bottom.

Carefully pour resin mixture over it to fill it to the top of mold.

The kit I linked is self-leveling and the air bubbles will come out on their own.

However, if you are using a different type, follow manufacturer directions.

Science Fiction for Middle School Fun Jurassic Park Quick Unit Study (DIY Insect in Amber)

Place the mold on a hard flat surface and leave it undisturbed for 24 hours until completely hardened.

Gently unmold your creations and marvel at how perfectly preserved your “specimen” is.

Science Fiction for Middle School Fun Jurassic Park Quick Unit Study (DIY Insect in Amber)

If you made a pendant now is the time to make a necklace by stringing elastic cord, fishing wire, or other thin fiber through the hole.

Science Fiction for Middle School Fun Jurassic Park Quick Unit Study (DIY Insect in Amber)

Otherwise, your insect in amber is ready to put on display.

We may have gotten a little carried away, making pendants preserving feathers and dried flowers as well.

Science Fiction for Middle School Fun Jurassic Park Quick Unit Study (DIY Insect in Amber)

Leave a CommentFiled Under: Middle School Homeschool Tagged With: crafts, Jurassic Park, middle school, middleschool, science fiction, unit studies, unit study, unit study approach

Two Fun Candy Cane Hands-on Science Winter Experiments

December 26, 2022 | Leave a Comment
This post may contain affiliate links. For more information, please see my full disclosure policy.

I have two fun candy cane hands-on winter experiments today. Be sure you grab more ideas for winter fun on my page winter season unit study.

Candy canes are plentiful right now and did you know that they make for a tasty, easy, and inexpensive item for science experiments? 

Your kids will love tasting and exploring the world of science with these two simple hands on science experiments in honor of National Candy Cane Day on December 26. 

Two Fun Candy Cane Hands-on Science Winter Experiments

These experiments are a great way to introduce all sorts of scientific terms like hypothesis and bonds.

You can encourage them to make educated guesses (hypothesis) document results, make observations, and learn about how experiments work in general.

Don’t forget to save some to munch on while you learn about them.

Cool Candy Cane Facts

  • They were first made in 1670 but didn’t make their way to American until 1847.
  • Candy canes were once white, no one is sure when the red stripe was added but looking at images prior 1900, they were always white.
  • The world’s largest candy cane was 63 feet tall and was created in 2011.
  • Candy canes have no fat or cholesterol.
  • Two billion candy canes are made each year.
  • The hooks were created by hand until 1921 when a machine was invented to do it.
  • The original candy cane flavor was originally used as a medicine for indigestion and nausea and then the oil was also used to help cover up the flavor of more unpleasant medicinal concoctions.

Furthermore, add some other hands-on candy cane activities.

Candy Cane Hands-on Activities

  • Before you begin investigating watch How Candy Canes Are Made on YouTube.
  • Here is another fun experiment you can do with candy canes Fizzing Candy Canes.
  • Make some Candy Cane Paint to add some art.
  • Use candy canes as counters and manipulatives for math, measure the length, grab various sizes and let your younger child arrange them in size order.

More Winter Unit Study Resources

Look at these other winter unit study resources.

  • Cardinal Birds in Winter and Birch Trees Easy Watercolor Kids Activity
  • Cute and Simple Snowman Story Stones Winter Art Activities
  • Winter Craft Ideas How to Make Fun Pinecone Flowers
  • How to Make an Adorable Toilet Roll Snowman for Winter Crafts
  • Easy and Fun Pinecone Snowy Owl Winter Craft for Kindergarten
  • Free Amazing Winter Unit Study and Winter Lapbook for Kids
  • Easy Hands on Snowflake Winter Craft for Kids Who Don’t Have Snow
  • Winter Nature Craft: How to Make Easy DIY Bird Feeders
  • 3 Fun Cocoa Winter Hands on Science Activities
  • How to Make an Easy Build a Snowman Kid’s Game (free printable cube)

Now, let’s have some candy cane fun.

For these two winter science activities, you’ll want to grab the supplies below.

Two Candy Cane Science Activities

Here are all the supplies you will need to gather so that you can complete both experiments:

Two Fun Candy Cane Hands-on Science Winter Experiments
  • Mini Candy Canes
  • Clear bowls or cups
  • 3-5 liquids-water, sprite, milk, vinegar, etc
  • Baking sheet
  • Parchment paper
  • paper/pen

Now, let’s make this first one which is bending candy canes.

1. Bending Candy Canes Science Activity

For the first experiment we are first going to let your child attempt to bend a candy cane fresh out of the package, it just breaks right? Ask them why they think that is? How were candy makers able to bend it in the first place?

Preheat oven to 250 degrees.

Line baking sheet with parchment paper.

Spread out several candy canes on parchment lined sheet.

Two Fun Candy Cane Hands-on Science Winter Experiments

Bake for 7-10 minutes. Start checking at 7 minutes because you want to pull them out before they begin to distort and melt.

Two Fun Candy Cane Hands-on Science Winter Experiments

Immediately remove parchment paper from pan and place on a flat surface away from the hot pan.

Your child can immediately pick them up and begin bending them into shapes.

Two Fun Candy Cane Hands-on Science Winter Experiments

You can make letters, shapes like hearts or knots, or even a cute little candy can make like this one.

Two Fun Candy Cane Hands-on Science Winter Experiments

You’re just a couple of minutes the candy cane will harden again into its new shape.

You can repeat the process in the oven with candy canes after they’ve hardened or with fresh ones to continue experimenting with what you can do.

2. Melting Candy Canes

Now we are going to test and see which liquid melts candy canes the fastest.

So, you will want to check this one often. We put ours in the bowls and forgot for about 45 minutes and came back to this.

Two Fun Candy Cane Hands-on Science Winter Experiments

First, choose your liquids, I would suggest no less than 3 to get a good reading and probably not more than 6 to keep it manageable.

Whatever number you choose to test, place that many clear bowls or cups on a surface where they will not be disturbed. Add a mini candy cane to each.

Two Fun Candy Cane Hands-on Science Winter Experiments

Measure exact amounts of each of the liquids and pour over the candy cane.

This is a good time to explain that when conduction an experiment like this you want to keep everything the same except for the one variable that you are testing, in this case the type of liquid.

Two Fun Candy Cane Hands-on Science Winter Experiments

Write each of the liquids onto a small slip of paper and place it in front of each container to keep track.

Check after 5 minutes to see how much they have dissolved; these ones were noticeably smaller.

Two Fun Candy Cane Hands-on Science Winter Experiments

After the first 5 minutes you want to change to every minute or two because it seems to go so much faster after that.

At less than the 10-minute mark we had a clear winner when we came back, and the vinegar had completely dissolved it.

Two Fun Candy Cane Hands-on Science Winter Experiments

Be sure to have your child record their guesses (hypothesis), then list the types of liquids (variables), and finally their results.

Leave a CommentFiled Under: Hands-On Activities Tagged With: elementary science, hands-on, hands-on activities, handson, handsonhomeschooling, homeschoolinginwinter, homeschoolscience, middle school, middleschool, physical science, science, sciencecurriculum, winter crafts, winter season

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

September 22, 2022 | Leave a Comment
This post may contain affiliate links. For more information, please see my full disclosure policy.

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.

Easy Winter Craft for Kids Who Don't Have Snow

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:

  • Where do flakes Come From?,
  •  The Science of Snowflakes, and
  • Dr Binocs

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

Easy Winter Craft for Kids

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.

Easy Winter Craft for Kids

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.

Easy  Winter Craft for Kids

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

Easy Winter Craft for Kids

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

Easy Winter Craft for Kids

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.

Easy Winter Craft for Kids

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

Easy Winter Craft for Kids

Pour liquid carefully into the bowl.

Easy Winter Craft for Kids

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

Easy  Winter Craft for Kids

After just about 16-18 hours.

Easy Winter Craft for Kids

And a little over 24 hours.

Easy Winter Craft for Kids

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.

  • 16 Ways to Make Homeschool Memorable During Winter
  • 21 Homeschooling Ideas to Keep the Winter Chill Off {Activities for Tots to Teens}
  • Fun Winter Craft Ideas for Middle School Homeschool
  • 50 Keep Me Homeschooling Activities During the Long Cold Winter Days
  • Colorful Winter Bird: Northern Cardinal Lapbook & Unit Study
Easy Snowflake Winter Craft

Leave a CommentFiled Under: Hands-On Activities Tagged With: crafts, hands-on, hands-on activities, handsonhomeschooling, homeschoolinginwinter, middle school, middleschool, seasons, snow, winter crafts, winter season

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.
Easy Fall Crafts for Middle School: DIY String Pumpkin Art

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

Easy Fall Crafts for Middle School: DIY String Pumpkin Art

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.

Easy Fall Crafts for Middle School: DIY String Pumpkin Art

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.

Easy Fall Crafts for Middle School: DIY String Pumpkin Art

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.

Easy Fall Crafts for Middle School: DIY String Pumpkin Art

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.

Easy Fall Crafts for Middle School: DIY String Pumpkin Art

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.

Easy Fall Crafts for Middle School: DIY String Pumpkin Art

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.

Easy Fall Crafts for Middle School: DIY String Pumpkin Art

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.

Easy Fall Crafts for Middle School: DIY String Pumpkin Art

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.

Easy Fall Crafts for Middle School: DIY String Pumpkin Art

To make a hanger, flip your piece over.

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

Easy Fall Crafts for Middle School: DIY String Pumpkin Art

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:

  • Kids Fun Glue and Watercolor Fall Pumpkin Unit Study
  • Kids Fun Pumpkin Catapult Stem Challenge for Medieval Unit Study
  • Fall Y’all: Pumpkin Pie in a Bag (Easy Homeschool Co-op Idea)

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.

Easy Fall Crafts for Middle School: DIY String Pumpkin Art

Leave a CommentFiled Under: Hands-On Activities Tagged With: art, fall, hands-on, hands-on activities, handson, handsonhomeschooling, middle school, middleschool, pumpkin, science

How to Make Easy Bath Bombs Back to School Craft

August 18, 2022 | 2 Comments
This post may contain affiliate links. For more information, please see my full disclosure policy.

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.

How to Make Easy Bath Bombs Back to School Craft

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.

How to Make Easy Bath Bombs Back to School Craft

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.

How to Make Easy Bath Bombs Back to School Craft

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.

How to Make Easy Bath Bombs Back to School Craft

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.

How to Make Easy Bath Bombs Back to School Craft

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

How to Make Easy Bath Bombs Back to School Craft

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

How to Make Easy Bath Bombs Back to School Craft

Other Back to School Crafts:

  • Cute Clay Pencil Earrings for Back to School Crafts For Kids
  • DIY Easy Duct Tape Pencil Pouch Back to School Kids Craft
  • Clever DIY Dollar Tree Desk Organizer Back to School Craft

2 CommentsFiled Under: Hands-On Activities Tagged With: back to school crafts, hands-on, hands-on activities, handsonhomeschooling, middle school, middleschool

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