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Easy Human Body Crafts For Elementary Featuring A Tongue Project

July 4, 2025 | Leave a Comment
This post may contain affiliate links. For more information, please see my full disclosure policy.

Forget worksheets, human body crafts for elementary students are wonderful activities to learn about anatomy in a creative way. Also, look at my page How To Homeschool Elementary Students Like A Pro.

Too, I have this Human Body Crafts page for more hands-on ideas. And this Beautiful Human Body Lapbook and Fun Unit Study.

From paper taste buds to recreating a yarn brain or discovering internal organs by mapping them on a t-shirt there are many fantastic crafts out there to help teach your child about every part of the human body.

Easy Human Body Crafts For Elementary Featuring A Tongue Project

I have a super simple tongue craft today using just a few sheets of construction paper, no special supplies, just a low-prep idea for mom and fun for the kids.

Did you know that they disproved the tongue map? While it was once believed that certain areas of the tongue had taste buds to detect sweet, sour, bitter, and salty they now say that the entire tongue has taste receptor cells to detect flavor.

But certain areas may be more sensitive to specific tastes. The tip of the tongue is particularly receptive to sweetness, while the sides are more attuned to sourness and saltiness. The back of the tongue is where bitterness is most keenly detected.

Next, look at more how to homeschool elementary students tips.

HOW TO HOMESCHOOL ELEMENTARY STUDENTS TIPS

  • Exciting Summer Learning Activities for Elementary Students Who Love Hands-On
  • How to Make a Humpback Whale & More Zoology Activities for Elementary Students
  • 3 Dinosaur Stem Activities Elementary Kids Will Love
  • Fun Mosaic Art Lesson Plans Elementary | How To Make A Tray
  • Easy Praying Mantis Craft: Awesome Insect Projects for Elementary Students
  • Easy Art And Geometry Activities For Elementary Students
  • Biology Science Curriculum For Elementary Students They Love & Tiger Craft
  • Exciting Scavenger Hunt: Beach Theme Activities Elementary Kids Will Love
  • Easy Human Body Crafts For Elementary Featuring A Tongue Project
  • Best Homeschool History Curriculum Elementary: A Focus on Albert Nobel
  • Easy Diorama About The Civil War For Elementary Students
  • How To Create Elementary Geography Curriculum Using Living Books
  • Best Reading Curriculum for Elementary And Fun Reading Pointer Craft

BOOKS ABOUT THE HUMAN BODY FOR KIDS

16 Human Body Books & Hands-on Resources

Add a few of these fun resources whether you do a couple of lesson plans about the human body or a unit study.

The Way We Work: Getting to Know the Amazing Human Body

One of the resources we used as a reference for this activity was The Way We Work, it covers a lot of interesting topics on the human body.

Medical Torso Human Body Model Anatomy

Vivid Human torso organ structure: 15 Pcs Removable Organs including: Torso, Brain (2-part), Heart, Esophagus and Aorta, Lungs (4-part), Cranial Cap, Stomach, Diaphragm, Liver, pancreas and spleen, small and large intestine. The torso structure showing the relative position, morphological features, anatomy of the head, neck and internal organs, especially the respiratory, digestive, urinary and nervous systems.

Human Organs Shape Silicone Molds 8 Pc

[HUMAN ORGANS SILICONE MOLD]: 8 Pcs Human Organs Mold With Different Shapes, Include 1 Human Heart Mold, 1 Brain Silicone Mold, 1 Liver Mold, 1 Intestinal Mold, 1 Lung Mold, 1 Stomach Mold, 1 Brain Stem Mold, 1 Kidney Mold.

Ooze Labs: Visible Human Body with Squishable Organs

This human body with squishable organs is another great way to identify the organs and become familiar with their layout in the body, it has that gross factor that so many kids love.

Human Body Model for Kids 8PCS Mini Body Parts

8PCS Human Organ Figures Set:Human organ anatomy parts display model children learning toy include small intestine, large intestine, lung, brain, stomach, heart, liver, kidney. Suitable for boys and girls over 6 years old,good for brain ability and imagination.

Anatomy (Quickstudy Academic)

Complete labeled illustrations of over 1,400 anatomical identifications. Loaded with beautifully illustrated diagrams clearly and concisely labeled for easy identification.

Basher Science: Human Body: A Book with Guts!

Basher Science: Human Body, A Book with Guts! Created & illustrated by Simon Basher, written by Dan Green

From the best-selling team that brought you The Periodic Table, Physics, Biology, and Astronomy comes a topic that's close to our hearts-literally! Meet the characters and processes that that keep the human body chugging along. From the basic building blocks like Cell, DNA, and Protein, to Bones, Muscles, and all of the fun-loving Organs, readers will cozy up with the guys on the inside. Trust us-Liver has never looked better!

Heart Anatomy Poster - LAMINATED

High-quality 3 MIL LAMINATION for added durability

Tear Resistant

Human Heart Anatomy Floor Puzzle

HUMAN ORGANS LEARNING: Marvel at the rich complexities of the human heart muscle! Every piece has a unique shape designed to outline each major part of the heart organ, making these an exciting challenge to assemble. Each puzzle includes an Anatomy Reference Guide, so you can learn as you build!

Fixed Bones X-Rays, Black/White, 14 Pieces,

  • Authentic x-ray images
  • Works with any light source or light table)
  • Matching facture card
  • Detailed teaching guide

4 Pack - Anatomical Poster Set - Laminated - Muscular, Skeletal, Ligaments of the Joints, Anatomy of the Spine

  • Set of 4 Posters Made in the USA
  • Posters are 18" x 24” in size
  • High-quality 3 MIL lamination for added durability
  • Tear Resistant

My First Book About the Brain (Dover Science For Kids Coloring Books)

Discover the workings of the body's most complex organ! How does the brain control the rest of the body? How does it enable the senses to function, regulate speech, affect balance, and influence sleep and dreams? These 25 illustrations to color explain every aspect of the brain's important jobs, from communicating with the central nervous system to retaining memories. Suitable for ages 8–12.

Skull Anatomy Coloring Book: Incredibly Detailed Self-Test Human Skull Anatomy Coloring Book

Enjoy This Coloring Book with 34 Beautiful Human Skull Anatomy Coloring Pages.

The Human Skull Anatomy Coloring Book Provides A Means Of Learning About The Structure And Function Of The Human Skull Anatomy Through A Process Of Coloring-By-Directions.

Coloring The Human Skull Anatomy And Its Nerves Is The Most Effective Way To Study The Structure And Functions Of Human Skull Anatomy. You Assimilate Information And Make Visual Associations With Key Terminology When Coloring In The Human Skull Anatomy Coloring Book, All While Having Fun.

1 Pair Plastic Skeleton Hands

Fall is a great time to grab a set of hands at Dollar Tree but also here is a pair if you're doing a unit study and need one now.

Circulatory System Poster

This poster makes a great reference and can be used with older children to help them add more detail to their project.

The Circulatory System (Your Body Systems: Blastoff! Readers

Our bodies contain a super highway of blood vessels that carry nutrients, waste, and much more from our heads to our toes. This network is the circulatory system! Beginning with a deep breath in, this fact-filled title uses easy-to-follow text and diagrams to allow readers to dive inside the bodys circulatory system!

The human body is a complex being made up of systems that keep us alive and moving! In this series, readers will dive into the bodys systems though engaging, leveled text and related diagrams that follow the parts and functions of each system. Get a microscopic view inside the body with A Closer Look, and put new knowledge into action with a hands-on activity. Check out what is happening inside the body with each title!

Next, look at some facts about the taste buds.

6 FUN FACTS ABOUT TASTE BUDS

  1. The average person has between 2,000 and 10,000 taste buds.
  2.  Some people have an unusually high number of taste buds and are known as “supertasters.” They are more sensitive to bitter tastes and may find certain foods, like broccoli and coffee, overly intense.
  3. Each individual taste bud contains between 50 to 150 taste receptor cells.
  4. Taste buds have a remarkable ability to regenerate. Even if they are damaged, they can usually grow back within a few days. However, some taste buds stop being replaced as people age, which leads to a decrease in taste sensitivity.
  5. Taste buds aren’t just on your tongue, they are on the roof of your mouth, your throat, and even your esophagus.
  6. You don’t taste spicy foods, when food “ tastes” too spicy, it’s actually stimulating the pain receptors in your mouth and not the taste buds.
Easy Human Body Crafts For Elementary Featuring A Tongue Project

Then look at more human body crafts for elementary kids.

EASY HUMAN BODY CRAFTS

  • Craft a Fun Hand Straw Model to Explore Human Anatomy Muscles & Tendons from paper, straws, and string that actually move to demonstrate how the human hand works.
  • Yarn Brains are a fun way to create a colorful and textured representation of the human brain using yarn and other craft materials to visualize the brain’s complex structure and learn about its different regions and functions.
  • Learn 8 Eye Facts & Human Body Activities & Fun Eye Model while studying vision, the 5 senses, or human body in general.
  • Dig into learning about the spine and how it works by making a Spinal Cord Craft.
  • Turn a basic white t-shirt into a lesson with these 7 Human Body Facts and Kids Human Body T-Shirt Project, it really helps them understand where the organs in their body are located.
  • Make a set of simple Human Body Organ Stamps with cardboard and a free template.
  • Put together this Edible Skin Project and Free Homeschool Human Body Unit Study.
  • Teach children about the respiratory system with a Simple Lung Craft For Preschoolers To Learn About The Human Body.

The idea here with this project is to focus more on the fact that the taste buds are responsible for detecting flavor and learning what those 5 are.

KIDS HUMAN BODY CRAFTS

The 5th flavor we haven’t mentioned yet is Umami- A savory or meaty flavor found in things like mushrooms, tomatoes, aged cheeses, seaweed, and soy products.

For younger children like preschoolers you might want to focus on the original 4 to keep it simple and easier to understand.

While there are five basic tastes, our perception of flavor is much more complex than that. Flavor involves a combination of taste, smell, texture, temperature, and even our emotions and memories.

Saliva also plays a crucial role in taste perception. It dissolves food molecules, allowing them to interact with the taste receptors.

PAPER TONGUE PROJECT

Along with our paper tongue project you will want to gather up some items that fit the sweet, salty, sour, bitter, and even the umami to taste test.

Dig into the refrigerator and pantry to find limes, sugar, salt, vinegar, and whatever else.

Try blindfolding your child and see if they can tell you what each flavor is.

Easy Human Body Crafts For Elementary Featuring A Tongue Project

You will need:

  • Colored construction paper
  • Scissors
  • Glue stick
  • Marker
Easy Human Body Crafts For Elementary Featuring A Tongue Project

First, cut a sheet of pink construction paper into a general tongue shape.

Easy Human Body Crafts For Elementary Featuring A Tongue Project

Trace the tip and back of the tongue to create a taste bud “patch” for the front and back of the tongue.

Easy Human Body Crafts For Elementary Featuring A Tongue Project

Cut out 2 different colors into an oval shape with a flat end like this to add to the sides.

Easy Human Body Crafts For Elementary Featuring A Tongue Project

Label each one with a marker, be sure to turn them the way they will be placed so they don’t end up with upside-down lettering.

Easy Human Body Crafts For Elementary Featuring A Tongue Project

Glue each piece down into place.

Easy Human Body Crafts For Elementary Featuring A Tongue Project

Now you can have your child place different food items near what taste receptors( taste buds).

Leave a CommentFiled Under: Hands-On Activities Tagged With: hands-on, hands-on activities, handson, handsonhomeschooling, homeschool, human body, human body crafts, life science, science, tongue

Exciting Scavenger Hunt: Beach Theme Activities Elementary Kids Will Love

July 2, 2025 | Leave a Comment
This post may contain affiliate links. For more information, please see my full disclosure policy.

A visit to the beach can inspire many fun beach themed activities elementary aged learners will enjoy. Also, look at my page How To Homeschool Elementary Students Like A Pro.

Also, look at my page Oceans Unit Study and Lapbook for more hands-on ideas.

From science experiments to beach themed letter matching and even scavenger hunts there are plenty of ideas to challenge their body and mind.

Exciting Scavenger Hunt: Beach Theme Activities Elementary Kids Will Love

Some of this learning can take place on the beach, collecting and discovering the names of seashells with a field guide and observing tide patterns.

Then, some of these activities can be done before or after a beach visit to extend the learning experience.

For example, you can make sand slime or edible seashells, play a math game or do STEM experiments.

I have a fun scavenger hunt idea you can make to surprise your child with, or you can make it together and take it on your next trip to the beach.

But first I’m breaking down some of these other great beach learning ideas into all of the categories you might want to incorporate for your elementary child, pull a few from each and embark on a wonderful mini unit together.

Next, look at more how to homeschool elementary students tips.

HOW TO HOMESCHOOL ELEMENTARY STUDENTS TIPS

  • Exciting Summer Learning Activities for Elementary Students Who Love Hands-On
  • How to Make a Humpback Whale & More Zoology Activities for Elementary Students
  • 3 Dinosaur Stem Activities Elementary Kids Will Love
  • Fun Mosaic Art Lesson Plans Elementary | How To Make A Tray
  • Easy Praying Mantis Craft: Awesome Insect Projects for Elementary Students
  • Easy Art And Geometry Activities For Elementary Students
  • Biology Science Curriculum For Elementary Students They Love & Tiger Craft
  • Exciting Scavenger Hunt: Beach Theme Activities Elementary Kids Will Love
  • Easy Human Body Crafts For Elementary Featuring A Tongue Project
  • Best Homeschool History Curriculum Elementary: A Focus on Albert Nobel
  • Easy Diorama About The Civil War For Elementary Students
  • How To Create Elementary Geography Curriculum Using Living Books
  • Best Reading Curriculum for Elementary And Fun Reading Pointer Craft

BEACH THEME ACTIVITIES ELEMENTARY KIDS WILL LOVE

If I could tell you to purchase any book to supplement your beach themed learning it would have to be Ocean Anatomy, it is perfect for learning about animals, tides, shells, sand, and so much more.

Exciting Scavenger Hunt: Beach Theme Activities Elementary Kids Will Love

SCIENCE

  • Summer Science Melting Sandcastle Experiment and Activity for Kids
  • Seashore Beach Watching Unit Study and Seashore Lapbook–science and more!
  • Identify shells and classify them.
  • Observe and document tidal patterns.
  • Quick Sunscreen Painting Experiment
  • Study different types of seaweed and their ecosystems.
  • Learn about local marine life and their habitats.
  • Examine sand under a magnifying glass and note its composition.
  • Making Waves:Explaining How Ocean Waves Work
  • Learn about  the process of erosion by water and wind.
  • Learn about the formation of beaches and coastlines.

MATH

  • Dry Erase Addition Practice with a Beach Theme
  • Calculate the distance between points on the beach.
  • Estimate the volume of sand needed to fill a bucket.
  • Measure the depth of the water at different points.
  • Beach Ball Math
  • Observe and draw geometric shapes found in nature (e.g., shells, waves).
  • Calculate the area of a sandcastle base.
  • Measure the angles of shadows cast by objects on the beach.

LANGUAGE ARTS

  • Describe the sensory details of the beach experience (sight, sound, smell, touch).
  • Write a story about a day at the beach.
  • Compose a poem inspired by the ocean.
  • Keep a journal of observations and experiences.
  • Learn and use new words related to the ocean and beach environment.

LOCAL HISTORY

  • Research the history of the local beach area.
  • Learn about the people who lived in the area in the past.
  • Understand the significance of the coastline to the community.

GEOGRAPHY

  • Map the coastline and identify geographical features.
  • Learn about ocean currents and their impact.

COOKING

  • 10 Edible Beach Crafts  and Make Edible Beach Glass
  • How To Make Your Own Edible Beach Sand And Shells: A Creative And Delicious Recipe

ARTS & CRAFTS

  • Salt Dough Starfish Craft
  • Take turns drawing in the sand with a stick.
  • Create Beach Sand Art Bottles.
  • Create a sandcastle with molds or just your hands.
  • How to Make an Ocean-Inspired SeaShell Necklace | 8 Summer Beach Crafts

SENSORY FUN

  • Day at the Beach Sensory Bin
  • Beach Sand Slime
  • How To Make DIY Ocean Sensory Bottles

GAMES

  • Have a beach scavenger hunt, see below for a quick and easy idea to craft your own.
  • Beach Themed Bingo
  • Beach Tic Tac Toe
  • Have a water bucket relay race.
  • Lots of Beach Ball Games

Just look at one of the wonderful topics inside Ocean Anatomy.

Exciting Scavenger Hunt: Beach Theme Activities Elementary Kids Will Love

BEACH THEME SCAVENGER HUNT

You will need:

  • Popsicle sticks
  • Fine tipped paint markers
  • Sealant spray
  • Small bucket
Exciting Scavenger Hunt: Beach Theme Activities Elementary Kids Will Love

First, you want to brainstorm a lot of items you might see at the beach.

For toddlers you want to keep it very simple and you can increase the difficulty for older kids to make it  more challenging objects.

Or make the challenge to use less common colors, for instance a pink polka dot bikini as opposed to just a bikini.

A few items to get you started for some fun beach theme activities elementary kids.

  • Sailboats
  • Sand buckets
  • Dolphins
  • Beach umbrellas
  • Jet skis
  • Swimsuits
  • Sunscreen
  • football
  • Pickleball
  • Volleyball
  • Sunhat
  • Sand Dollar
  • Beach wagon
  • Kites

You don’t need super drawing skills, just make a very simple drawing of whatever the object is and then write it as well onto one end of a wooden craft stick, allowing it to dry.

Try drawing with a pencil first until you are happy with your drawing.

Exciting Scavenger Hunt: Beach Theme Activities Elementary Kids Will Love

You could also print pictures out, laminate and glue to the sticks if you really don’t want to draw them on.

Once your drawings are dry, coat both sides of the popsicle stick well with 2-3 coats of a sealing spray, with a little care your scavenger hunt pieces will last you long past the season.

Exciting Scavenger Hunt: Beach Theme Activities Elementary Kids Will Love

Store in a sand bucket or a seashell bag so that it can do double duty at the beach.

Exciting Scavenger Hunt: Beach Theme Activities Elementary Kids Will Love

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

Create Your Own Easy Sand Dollar Edible Beach Inspired Cookies

June 30, 2025 | Leave a Comment
This post may contain affiliate links. For more information, please see my full disclosure policy.

Creating your own sand dollar edible beach inspired cookies is so easy. And they make for a great summer treat or as part of a marine biology unit. Too, look at my page Seashore Beach Watching Unit Study and Seashore Lapbook for more fun ideas.

Sand dollars make a great starting point for learning about marine biology, beach ecosystems, and ocean conservation.

You can turn your cookie-making into a whole mini-unit study. Read books about ocean life, watch documentaries, or even plan a trip to a local aquarium or beach.

Create Your Own Easy Sand Dollar Edible Beach Inspired Cookies

Kids will enjoy drawing or labeling the parts of a sand dollar, comparing them to other sea creatures like sea stars or sea urchins, playing with them in a sensory bin, and more.

Pair your sand dollar cookies with a fun craft, such as making sand dollars out of salt dough or white clay for display.

This hands-on approach helps make learning memorable!

ECHINODERMS BOOKS FOR KIDS

Next, look at these books about echinoderms, the group sand dollars are part of.

11 Books About Fascinating Echinoderms Marine Animals

This group of animals sea stars, sea urchins, sea cucumbers, brittle stars, star fish and crinoids. All of these are marine animals with radial symmetry in their body shapes.

What's in the Tide Pool?

What would you see if you sat at the edge of a tidepool, looked into the water and watched the changes taking place in this little world? What life would you discover there? In a charming hand-sized book, Anne Hunter illustrates the creatures that live in and around a tidepool, and describes each animal's characteristics and habits. The gorgeous artwork and simple sense of wonder will inspire children to explore their environment. Fans of Hunter’s two books, WHAT'S IN THE POND? and WHAT'S UNDER THE LOG? will want to add this new title to their collection.

Sand Dollars by the Seashore

Sand Dollars by the Seashore is a charming and educational poem for children about the wonders of the beach and the importance of respecting nature. It encourages young readers to explore the shoreline and discover its beauty while learning the difference between living sand dollars and cherishing their shell souvenirs as a special gift from the sea. Perfect for a day at the beach or a bedtime read, Sand Dollars by the Seashore is sure to delight and inspire young imaginations.

Sea Stars (Ocean Life Up Close: Blastoff Readers, Level 3)

Did you know that sea stars pump water instead of blood through their systems? Although commonly called starfish, these life forms are not fish! Instead, they are part of a group containing other animals like sea urchins and sand dollars. Sea stars are hardy animals that can grow new limbs and open clam shells. In this interesting title, students will enjoy learning more about these shining ocean stars!

Sea Urchins (Ocean Life Up Close)

Sea urchins look like fireworks exploding underwater. The spines that create their unusual appearance do have a purpose: they protect the tiny animals from dangerous predators. In this title, sea urchins of all shapes, sizes, and colors are on display for early readers!

The Burgess Seashore Book for Children (Dover Children's Classics)

Familiar burgess characters Danny Meadow Mouse, Jimmy Skunk, and Reddy Fox explore every nook and cranny of the shoreline and learn first hand about the habits and habitats of spider crabs, sea cucumbers, sand eels, and that strangest of little fishes — the sea horse.Veteran storyteller and nature lover Thornton W. Burgess provides fascinating information to young readers as he describes coastal areas along the Atlantic Ocean. Along the way he weaves the area's many life forms into an entertaining tale that's also an illustrated guide to the seashore's natural history.

The Sand Dollar

While walking on the shore of the Sea of Cortez a man has a remarkable dialog with the sea. Using the naturally occurring dove like structures found in sand dollars, the sea relates its past wars with the sun, the wind, the mountains, and the moon and addresses its ongoing war with man. The sea's explanation of the need for the fifth dove is guaranteed to leave a lasting impression with readers of all ages.

The Big Book of the Blue (The Big Book Series)

Following the wild success of The Big Book of Bugs and The Big Book of Beasts, The Big Book of the Blue is the third installment in Yuval Zommer’s beloved series. Alongside everything the young oceanographer needs to know, Zommer’s charming illustrations bring to life some of the slipperiest, scaliest, strangest, and most monstrous underwater animals.

The book opens by explaining how different types of animals are able to breathe and survive underwater, and the different families to which they belong. Subsequent pages are dedicated to specific creatures, including sea turtles, whales, sharks, stingrays, and seahorses, and show varied life in specific habitats, such as a coral reef or deep sea bed. The Big Book of the Blue also explores the underwater world thematically, looking at animals in danger, learning how to spot creatures at the beach, and discovering how to do our part to save sea life. Beautiful and filled with fascinating facts, young, curious readers won’t be able to tear their eyes away from the page.

Oceanarium: Welcome to the Museum

This stunning new offering from the Welcome to the Museum series guides readers around the world's oceans, from sandy shorelines to the darkest depths. Learn about the ocean’s most fascinating animals, including giant whale sharks, tiny tropical fish, and majestic manatees, among many others. With expert text by marine biologist Loveday Trinick and stunning illustrations by Teagan White, travel the world from frozen Arctic seas to shimmering coral reefs, and learn why it is so important that we protect our oceans.

Ocean Anatomy: The Curious Parts & Pieces of the World under the Sea

Follow Rothman’s inquisitive mind and perceptive eye along shorelines, across the open ocean, and below the waves for an artistic exploration of the watery universe. Through her drawings, discover how the world’s oceans formed, why the sea is salty, and the forces behind oceanic phenomena such as rogue waves. Colorful anatomical profiles of sea creatures from crustacean to cetacean, surveys of seafaring vessels and lighthouses, and the impact of plastic and warming water temperatures are just part of this compendium of curiosities that will entertain and educate readers of all ages. 

The Master of Tides

In the city of Tarian, where mastery over the tides is essential for the city’s very existence, an unforeseen and unthinkable thing has happened. The Master of Tides—Tarian’s guardian for over seven hundred years—has died, and the Sand Coin, the object that gives the Master his power, has vanished into the shadows.

With the Sand Coin missing and Tarian under threat from an impending cataclysmic event, Cora, a spirited orphan girl laboring in the city’s Water Works, embarks on a desperate quest to save her city.

Along with Will, her charming yet unwelcome companion, Cora discovers that to find the Sand Coin, she must join the magical Wandering Circus. But who in this mysterious and dangerous troupe of young performers can she trust? And how far will Cora have to travel with the circus in order to bring the Sand Coin home?

Starfish (Let's-Read-and-Find-Out Science)

Starfish have arms, but no legs. They have feet, but no toes. Starfish aren't fish, but they are living animals. In this Let's-Read-and-Find-Out classic, learn how starfish move, eat, and grow. 

This is a clear and appealing science book for early elementary age kids, both at home and in the classroom. It's a Level 1 Let's-Read-and-Find-Out, which means the book explores introductory concepts perfect for children in the primary grades. The 100+ titles in this leading nonfiction series are:

  • hands-on and visual

Sand dollars are a wonderful blend of nature’s artistry and wonder. If you’ve ever walked on a beach and stumbled across a sand dollar, you know just how delicate and magical these little creatures can be.

Next, look at a few facts about sand dollars.

SAND DOLLAR FACTS

  • Sand dollars are flat, disk-shaped creatures that typically range from 2–4 inches across and are a kind of echinoderm, related to sea urchins and starfish.
  • They come in a few varieties, but the most commonly recognized sand dollar has a petal-like pattern on its upper surface, but it’s not a flower, it’s a set of pores that help it move and breathe.
  • They live on the ocean floor, often burrowing into sand in shallow coastal waters.
  • When alive, sand dollars are a rich purple or greenish color and covered in tiny, short spines.
  • Once the sand dollar dies and its spines fall off, its exoskeleton (called a “test”) is left to bleach in the sun, turning a soft white. Inside, a sand dollar has tiny “doves”, small, jaw-like structures which you can sometimes find when the sand dollar breaks.
Create Your Own Easy Sand Dollar Edible Beach Inspired Cookies

Ocean Anatomy by Julia Rothman is the perfect reference book for all things ocean, I just love the beautiful illustrations.

SAND DOLLAR ACTIVITIES AND RESOURCES

  • Perfect for preschoolers and inexpensive, these Paper Plate Sand Dollars will be a hit.
  • Fascinating Life Cycle Of A Sand Dollar & Hydro Dipped Craft is a colorful twist on creating art with your beach finds.
  • If all you have is sand dollar pieces you can still create this awesome Broken Sand Dollar Project
  • Learn How To Make A Simple Sea Urchin Craft: Echinoderms For Kids to learn about a completely different species.
  • Grab a cold drink and let someone else handle the read aloud for a few minutes with this reading of Sand Dollars By The Seashore on YouTube.
  • Small sand dollars you can use for science shelf exploration, sensory bins, ocean dioramas, and more.
Create Your Own Easy Sand Dollar Edible Beach Inspired Cookies

Bring a bit of the beach into your home with these simple and sweet sand dollar cookies.

They’re a wonderful activity to do with kids,  perfect for a summer afternoon or a beach-unit study.

MAKE SAND DOLLAR EDIBLE COOKIES FROM COOKIE MIX

Ingredients:

  • 1 package sugar cookie mix
  • Sliced almonds
  • Graham crackers or brown sugar

First, preheat oven: to 350°F

Prepare cookie dough according to package instructions.

Roll dough into golf ball–sized balls and place them 2 inches apart on a greased or parchment-lined cookie sheet.

Create Your Own Easy Sand Dollar Edible Beach Inspired Cookies

Gently press each ball into a disk about 1/4 inch thick.

Bake for 10–12 minutes or until the edges are firm and the bottoms are light golden brown.

One trick I have discovered for cookies that come out flattened or lopsided is to place a glass jar or cup over them while they are warm and gently swirl the cup this creates perfect circles.

Create Your Own Easy Sand Dollar Edible Beach Inspired Cookies

Press 5 almonds into the center of each cookie in a flower-like pattern to resemble a sand dollar. The sand dollar’s unique, flower-like pattern on its back is a big part of its look and this is a tasty way to recreate.

Create Your Own Easy Sand Dollar Edible Beach Inspired Cookies

Remove from the oven and let cookies cool for 5 minutes on the sheet, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.

Crush vanilla wafers up by hand in a plastic baggy or in a food processor to create sand, a perfect serving bed for your sand dollar cookies.

Create Your Own Easy Sand Dollar Edible Beach Inspired Cookies

Or to simplify this activity even further you can use brown sugar sprinkled on your plate to give it the look of sand.

Create Your Own Easy Sand Dollar Edible Beach Inspired Cookies

How fun are these cookies?

Leave a CommentFiled Under: Hands-On Activities Tagged With: beach, elementary science, hands-on, hands-on activities, handson, handsonhomeschooling, homeschool, ocean, sand dollar, science

Best Urinary System Project Ideas And Free Activity Pages

June 22, 2025 | Leave a Comment
This post may contain affiliate links. For more information, please see my full disclosure policy.

I have some hands-on urinary system project ideas and free urinary system activities pages.  Also, I have this Human Body Crafts page for more hands-on ideas. And this Beautiful Human Body Lapbook and Fun Unit Study.

Besides talking about what happens in your body after you drink water or juice, teaching about the urinary system should be hands-on.

So, I have rounded up some urinary system project ideas and you can download the free activity pages at the bottom.

Best Urinary System Project Ideas And Free Activity Pages

The urinary system is your body’s cleaning system.

It’s a group of organs that work together to get rid of the waste like extra water and tiny waste chemicals that your body doesn’t need.

And the group of organs that make up the urinary system are two kidneys, two ureters, 1 bladder, and one urethra.

BOOKS ABOUT THE HUMAN BODY FOR KIDS

16 Human Body Books & Hands-on Resources

Add a few of these fun resources whether you do a couple of lesson plans about the human body or a unit study.

The Way We Work: Getting to Know the Amazing Human Body

One of the resources we used as a reference for this activity was The Way We Work, it covers a lot of interesting topics on the human body.

Medical Torso Human Body Model Anatomy

Vivid Human torso organ structure: 15 Pcs Removable Organs including: Torso, Brain (2-part), Heart, Esophagus and Aorta, Lungs (4-part), Cranial Cap, Stomach, Diaphragm, Liver, pancreas and spleen, small and large intestine. The torso structure showing the relative position, morphological features, anatomy of the head, neck and internal organs, especially the respiratory, digestive, urinary and nervous systems.

Human Organs Shape Silicone Molds 8 Pc

[HUMAN ORGANS SILICONE MOLD]: 8 Pcs Human Organs Mold With Different Shapes, Include 1 Human Heart Mold, 1 Brain Silicone Mold, 1 Liver Mold, 1 Intestinal Mold, 1 Lung Mold, 1 Stomach Mold, 1 Brain Stem Mold, 1 Kidney Mold.

Ooze Labs: Visible Human Body with Squishable Organs

This human body with squishable organs is another great way to identify the organs and become familiar with their layout in the body, it has that gross factor that so many kids love.

Human Body Model for Kids 8PCS Mini Body Parts

8PCS Human Organ Figures Set:Human organ anatomy parts display model children learning toy include small intestine, large intestine, lung, brain, stomach, heart, liver, kidney. Suitable for boys and girls over 6 years old,good for brain ability and imagination.

Anatomy (Quickstudy Academic)

Complete labeled illustrations of over 1,400 anatomical identifications. Loaded with beautifully illustrated diagrams clearly and concisely labeled for easy identification.

Basher Science: Human Body: A Book with Guts!

Basher Science: Human Body, A Book with Guts! Created & illustrated by Simon Basher, written by Dan Green

From the best-selling team that brought you The Periodic Table, Physics, Biology, and Astronomy comes a topic that's close to our hearts-literally! Meet the characters and processes that that keep the human body chugging along. From the basic building blocks like Cell, DNA, and Protein, to Bones, Muscles, and all of the fun-loving Organs, readers will cozy up with the guys on the inside. Trust us-Liver has never looked better!

Heart Anatomy Poster - LAMINATED

High-quality 3 MIL LAMINATION for added durability

Tear Resistant

Human Heart Anatomy Floor Puzzle

HUMAN ORGANS LEARNING: Marvel at the rich complexities of the human heart muscle! Every piece has a unique shape designed to outline each major part of the heart organ, making these an exciting challenge to assemble. Each puzzle includes an Anatomy Reference Guide, so you can learn as you build!

Fixed Bones X-Rays, Black/White, 14 Pieces,

  • Authentic x-ray images
  • Works with any light source or light table)
  • Matching facture card
  • Detailed teaching guide

4 Pack - Anatomical Poster Set - Laminated - Muscular, Skeletal, Ligaments of the Joints, Anatomy of the Spine

  • Set of 4 Posters Made in the USA
  • Posters are 18" x 24” in size
  • High-quality 3 MIL lamination for added durability
  • Tear Resistant

My First Book About the Brain (Dover Science For Kids Coloring Books)

Discover the workings of the body's most complex organ! How does the brain control the rest of the body? How does it enable the senses to function, regulate speech, affect balance, and influence sleep and dreams? These 25 illustrations to color explain every aspect of the brain's important jobs, from communicating with the central nervous system to retaining memories. Suitable for ages 8–12.

Skull Anatomy Coloring Book: Incredibly Detailed Self-Test Human Skull Anatomy Coloring Book

Enjoy This Coloring Book with 34 Beautiful Human Skull Anatomy Coloring Pages.

The Human Skull Anatomy Coloring Book Provides A Means Of Learning About The Structure And Function Of The Human Skull Anatomy Through A Process Of Coloring-By-Directions.

Coloring The Human Skull Anatomy And Its Nerves Is The Most Effective Way To Study The Structure And Functions Of Human Skull Anatomy. You Assimilate Information And Make Visual Associations With Key Terminology When Coloring In The Human Skull Anatomy Coloring Book, All While Having Fun.

1 Pair Plastic Skeleton Hands

Fall is a great time to grab a set of hands at Dollar Tree but also here is a pair if you're doing a unit study and need one now.

Circulatory System Poster

This poster makes a great reference and can be used with older children to help them add more detail to their project.

The Circulatory System (Your Body Systems: Blastoff! Readers

Our bodies contain a super highway of blood vessels that carry nutrients, waste, and much more from our heads to our toes. This network is the circulatory system! Beginning with a deep breath in, this fact-filled title uses easy-to-follow text and diagrams to allow readers to dive inside the bodys circulatory system!

The human body is a complex being made up of systems that keep us alive and moving! In this series, readers will dive into the bodys systems though engaging, leveled text and related diagrams that follow the parts and functions of each system. Get a microscopic view inside the body with A Closer Look, and put new knowledge into action with a hands-on activity. Check out what is happening inside the body with each title!

And look at these other human body activities for kids who love hands-on learning.

HANDS-ON HUMAN BODY ACTIVITIES FOR KIDS

  • Fun Brain Crafts and Free Brain Activity Pages
  • Respiratory System Fun Facts For Kids And Free Worksheets
  • Make Science Exciting: Free Human Body Homeschool Unit Study
  • 9 Free Major Organs Of The Human Body Printables
  • Label the Bones of the Arm X-Ray Simple Activity
  • Simple and Easy Circulatory System Hands-on Activity for Kids
  • How to Turn a Pizza Into a Fun Edible Human Cell Model
  • 7 Human Skull Facts and Cool Human Skull Anatomy Activity
Best Urinary System Project Ideas And Free Activity Pages

Next, look at some hands-on ideas.

URINARY SYSTEM PROJECT IDEAS

  • Look at this cute idea for those who love to get crafty. Draw the urinary system on an apron using markers and paint.
  • So cool. Kidneys and bladder made from funnels, tube and paper.
  • Kidney working model YouTube.
  • Hands-on Activity Kidney Filtering
  • Kidneys and Bladder experiment
  • Make pee
  • Renal System Activities

Then look at some of what is included in these printable activities.

  • The urinary system labeling
  • Kidney anatomy
  • Adrenal gland anatomy
  • Urinary bladder anatomy
  • The urinary system fill in the blanks
  • I can build a urinary system

Finally, look at how to grab your free urinary system activities pages.

HOW TO GET THE FREE HUMAN BODY URINARY SYSTEM ACTIVITIES PAGES

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

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

2) Grab the freebie instantly.

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

Leave a CommentFiled Under: Hands-On Activities Tagged With: elementary science, hands-on, hands-on activities, handson, handsonhomeschooling, homeschoolscience, human body, human body crafts, life science, science, urinary system, worksheets

How To Make A Fun Ant Farm : Mason Jar Craft

June 19, 2025 | Leave a Comment
This post may contain affiliate links. For more information, please see my full disclosure policy.

We’re using our jars to make a mason jar craft which is a fun ant farm. Also, look at this Free Ant Unit Study for more fun ideas.

Using a simple mason jar your kids can spend hours watching the fascinating life of an ant. Besides, your kids can peek at the way they dig tunnels and build their little city all in your home.

And you can use a clean and clear plastic filled container or clear glass jar, whatever you have on hand.

How To Make A Fun Ant Farm : Mason Jar Craft

Once you fill your container your can see the ants go to work.

Inside the ant farm you can see how they work, how they build and how they live.

They work together and even problem solve. If you have a science journal, take notes and do drawings to see how the ant farm changes.

BOOKS ABOUT ANTS FOR KIDS

Then add some of these fun books about ants to your reading day.

9 Ant Books & Resources For Kids

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

Ant Cities (Lets Read and Find Out Books)

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

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

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

The Life and Times of the Ant

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

Wonders of the Anthill

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

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

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

Life Cycle of an Ant Set - Realistic Ant Development Stages

  • Educational Journey: The Life Cycle of an Ant Set takes children on an enlightening journey from the tiny white eggs to the industrious adult ants. The set includes figurines depicting four stages: egg, larvae, pupae, and adult ant.
  • Realistic Representation: The set accurately mirrors the development stages and colors of ants, making it a powerful educational tool that blends learning and play.

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

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

The City Under the Back Steps

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

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

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

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

Those Amazing Ants

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

Next, look at more mason jar crafts for fun hands-on projects.

MORE MASON JAR CRAFTS

  • 10 Creative Mason Jar Crafts | How to Make a Winnie the Pooh Craft
  • Super Easy and Fun Aquarium Jar Craft For Summer Activities for Middle Schoolers,
  • Back to School Crafts & Fun Calming Apple Jar Craft 
  • Easy Fall Crafts To Make And Sell By Kids & Scarecrow Candy Jar
How To Make A Fun Ant Farm : Mason Jar Craft

Finally look at how to build this fun ant farm.

MASON JAR ANT FARM

First, look at this short list of supplies:

  • 1 clean mason jar
  • 1 empty toilet paper roll
  • Dirt from outside
  • A spoon or toy shovel
  • Ants (safely collected from your yard)
  • Small piece of mesh or breathable fabric
  • Rubber band
  • Optional: sugar water or tiny crumbs for feeding
How To Make A Fun Ant Farm : Mason Jar Craft

Prepare the Jar:
 Start with a clean, empty mason jar.

How To Make A Fun Ant Farm : Mason Jar Craft

Add the Toilet Paper Roll:
 Stand the empty toilet paper roll upright in the center of the jar.

This helps direct the ants to tunnel near the glass, so kids can easily observe their digging behavior.

How To Make A Fun Ant Farm : Mason Jar Craft

Fill with Dirt:
 Carefully scoop dirt into the space between the toilet paper roll and the glass. Lightly press it down as you go, but don’t pack it too tightly.

Most importantly, leave some space at the top of the jar.

This gives ants room to crawl around above ground and makes it easier for kids to watch their movement before they start tunneling.

Add the Ants:
 Gently collect ants from your yard using a spoon or toy shovel.

How To Make A Fun Ant Farm : Mason Jar Craft

Try to gather ants from the same colony, and avoid any that bite or sting. Carefully place them on top of the dirt inside the jar.

Seal the Jar Safely:
 Cover the top of the jar with a piece of breathable mesh or fabric and secure it with a rubber band. This allows air to flow in while keeping curious ants from escaping.

How To Make A Fun Ant Farm : Mason Jar Craft

Feed and Observe:
 Place the jar in a cool, shaded spot out of direct sunlight. Every few days, add a drop of sugar water or a small crumb for the ants. Mist the soil lightly with water if it begins to dry out.

Watch as the ants explore the top and eventually start building tunnels along the glass.

Release After Observation:
 After a few days to a week, gently return the ants to the spot where you found them.

Leave a CommentFiled Under: Hands-On Activities Tagged With: ant, hands-on, hands-on activities, handson, handsonhomeschooling, mason jars, science

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