• Facebook
  • Pinterest
  • Instagram
  • YouTube
  • LinkedIn
  • Skip to secondary menu
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer

Tina's Dynamic Homeschool Plus

Activity, Change, Progress

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

science

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.

Image for What's in the Tide Pool?

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.

Image for Sand Dollars by the Seashore

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.

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

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!

Image for Sea Urchins (Ocean Life Up Close)

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!

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

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.

Image for The Sand Dollar

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.

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

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.

Image for Oceanarium: Welcome to the Museum

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.

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

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. 

Image for The Master of Tides

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?

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

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.

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

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.

Image for Medical Torso Human Body Model Anatomy

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.

Image for Human Organs Shape Silicone Molds 8 Pc

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.

Image for Ooze Labs: Visible Human Body with Squishable Organs

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.

Image for Human Body Model for Kids 8PCS Mini Body Parts

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.

Image for Anatomy (Quickstudy Academic)

Anatomy (Quickstudy Academic)

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

Image for Basher Science: Human Body: A Book with Guts!

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!

Image for Heart Anatomy Poster - LAMINATED

Heart Anatomy Poster - LAMINATED

High-quality 3 MIL LAMINATION for added durability

Tear Resistant

Image for Human Heart Anatomy Floor Puzzle

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!

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

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

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

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.

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

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.

Image for 1 Pair  Plastic Skeleton Hands

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.

Image for Circulatory System Poster

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.

Image for The Circulatory System (Your Body Systems: Blastoff! Readers

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.

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

Ant Cities (Lets Read and Find Out Books)

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

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

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

Image for The Life and Times of the Ant

The Life and Times of the Ant

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

Image for Wonders of the Anthill

Wonders of the Anthill

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

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

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

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

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

Life Cycle of an Ant Set - Realistic Ant Development Stages

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

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

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

Image for The City Under the Back Steps

The City Under the Back Steps

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

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

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

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

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

Image for Those Amazing Ants

Those Amazing Ants

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

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

Why Mendel Chose Peas | How to Make a Peas in a Pod Keychain

June 17, 2025 | Leave a Comment
This post may contain affiliate links. For more information, please see my full disclosure policy.

Have you ever wondered why Mendel chose peas to study genetics?

And have you ever wondered about cool things like how traits are passed from parent to child, whether we’re talking about the color of your eyes or the shape of a flower petal?

Gregor Mendel was a 19th-century Austrian monk who is often called the Father of Modern Genetics.

His experiments growing and cross-pollinating pea plants paved the way for the amazing field of genetics we have today.

Why Mendel Chose Peas | How to Make a Peas in a Pod Keychain

This peas in a pod keychain is more than just a cute souvenir — it’s a wonderful opportunity to connect hands-on creativity with a key moment in science.

It’s a small, charming symbol of how much we owe to a little garden pea and the curiosity of a 19th-century monk.

Make it even more special by matching the number of peas to those in your family or friend group.

BOOKS ABOUT GENETICS FOR KIDS

Next, look at some of these fun books to include with your study.

4 Books About DNA & Mendel - The Father of Genetics

He was a monk and scientist who studied genetics. He was first to trace characteristics of successive generations.

Image for Gregor Mendel: The Friar Who Grew Peas

Gregor Mendel: The Friar Who Grew Peas

How do mothers and fathers—whether they are apple trees, sheep, or humans—pass down traits to their children? This question fascinated Gregor Mendel throughout his life. Regarded as the world’s first geneticist, Mendel overcame poverty and obscurity to discover one of the fundamental aspects of genetic science: animals, plants, and people all inherit and pass down traits through the same process, following the same rules. Living the slow-paced, contemplative life of a friar, Gregor Mendel was able to conceive and put into practice his great experiment: growing multiple generations of peas. From observing yellow peas, green peas, smooth peas, and wrinkled peas, Mendel crafted his theory of heredity—years before scientists had any notion of genes.

Image for Grow: Secrets of Our DNA

Grow: Secrets of Our DNA

Earth is full of life! All living things grow—plants, animals, and human beings. The way they grow, whether it be fast or slow, enormous or not so big, helps them survive. But growing is also about change: when people grow, they become more complicated and able to do more things, and they don’t have to think about it, because bodies come with instructions, or DNA. With simple, engaging language and expressive, child-friendly illustrations, Nicola Davies and Emily Sutton, the award-winning creators of Tiny Creatures: The World of Microbes and Many: The Diversity of Life on Earth, provide an introduction to genetic code and how it relates to families to make us all both wonderfully unique and wholly connected to every living thing on Earth.

Image for The Secret Code Inside You: All About Your DNA

The Secret Code Inside You: All About Your DNA

Learn about the secret code that is DNA in this vibrant and informative picture book!There's a secret code inside you, a code called DNA.A code that tells your body's cells what they should do each day. It looks like twisted ladders, or tiny, twirling noodles.It makes us into people, instead of into poodles.Why can't humans breathe underwater? Why are some people tall and others short? Why do we resemble our parents and grandparents? This book explores all this and more in flowing, rhyming text, explaining cells, DNA, and genetics in a way that is simple and easy for children to understand. Colorful and brilliantly illustrated, The Secret Code Inside You illustrates that while DNA may be the blueprint for how a person looks, what you choose to do with your body is entirely up to you!

Image for The Man Who Found Out Why The Story of Gregor Mendel

The Man Who Found Out Why The Story of Gregor Mendel

Father Gregor Mendel, with his great curiosity about nature and his passion of numbers, experimented with plants and wrote down his observations. Although few people knew about his work during his lifetime, the world now recognizes Gregor Mendel as the founder of the science of genetics.

Next, let’s learn why Mendel chose peas.

WHY DID MENDEL CHOOSE PEAS

Mendel chose the garden pea (Pisum sativum) for a few very clever reasons:

Peas have a short growing season- This allowed Mendel to observe numerous generations in a short amount of time, helping him to piece together how traits were inherited across generations.

Peas are easy to grow- Pea plants are hardy and they grow quickly. They do not require a huge amount of space or special conditions, which made them a convenient subject for extensive breeding experiments.

Peas have easily distinguishable traits- Mendel chose seven traits to observe in his experiments — flower color, flower position, seed color, seed shape, pod color, pod shape, and plant height. Each of these traits fell into two distinctly different varieties (such as purple or white flowers), which made it simpler for him to track and compare across generations.

Peas normally self-pollinate-Pea flowers typically pollinate themselves, which meant Mendel could control their breeding when necessary by manually removing the male parts and adding pollen from another plant — a process called cross-pollination.

Peas produce large numbers of offspring- Every pod contains numerous peas (seeds), yielding large sample sizes for each cross. Large sample sizes meant more reliable data and more confidence in his results.

MENDEL’S TWO KEY PRINCIPLES

Using pea plants, Mendel made careful crosses, and he kept detailed notes about which traits appeared in the following generations. His results challenged the popular view of the day that traits blended together. Instead, he demonstrated that traits are inherited as separate, particulate factors — what we now know as genes.

Mendel’s two key principles — the law of segregation and the law of independent assortment — form the basis of classical genetics today.

The Law of Segregation- This means each parent has two copies of a trait (like purple or white flowers), but it only passes on one of those to its baby (seed).

Example- Each parent has 2 socks, a purple and a white, but when it’s time to put a sock into a bag (the seed), it picks just 1 sock. The baby might get a purple or a white — you don’t know which — it’s a bit of a surprise!

The Law of Independent Assortment- This means different traits, like flower color and pea shape, are passed on independently of each other.

Example- Your socks (flower color) and your hat (pea shape) are tossed into separate bags. So choosing a purple sock doesn’t affect which hat you grab — you might grab a smooth hat or a wrinkly hat — it’s all a bit random!

Because of Mendel’s two laws we know…

Each trait is given independently, making for lots of wonderful variation.

Babies get half their traits from their mom and half from their dad.

Why Mendel Chose Peas | How to Make a Peas in a Pod Keychain

GENETICS RESOURCES TO CELEBRATE MENDEL

  • How To Study Human Anatomy For Science:Build An Edible DNA Model
  • Teach Genetics With Jelly Beans with this simple lesson.
  • I found this quick read on What is the Difference Between Genetics and Heredity?

PEAS IN A POD KEYCHAIN CRAFT

You will need:

  • Polymer clay in a medium green (pod)
  • Lighter yellow green(peas)
  • Small keychain rings or keychain hooks
  • Jewelry wire
  • Toothpicks or clay sculpting tool
  • Small plastic knife
  • Baking sheet (to bake clay)
Why Mendel Chose Peas | How to Make a Peas in a Pod Keychain


First, work your clay by kneading it between your hands until it’s soft and pliable.


 Break off small, equal-sized balls of the lighter clay,  these will be your “peas.” Roll them into smooth, round balls.

Why Mendel Chose Peas | How to Make a Peas in a Pod Keychain

Using the darker green clay, roll a small piece into a short tube, about 2-3 inches in length.

Why Mendel Chose Peas | How to Make a Peas in a Pod Keychain

Using your thumb, press a groove down the center of the tube to create a shallow “pod.”You can use a roller to get it flat, smooth, and pliable.

Why Mendel Chose Peas | How to Make a Peas in a Pod Keychain

Place a length of wire bent in the center at the top of the pea pod.

Why Mendel Chose Peas | How to Make a Peas in a Pod Keychain

Gently press your small clay peas into the groove in a row.

Why Mendel Chose Peas | How to Make a Peas in a Pod Keychain

Fold the clay pod slightly upward to surround the peas, but leave them visible. Pinch the two points at the end of the pod closed.

Why Mendel Chose Peas | How to Make a Peas in a Pod Keychain

Using a toothpick or clay tool, add texture to the pod. Small lines can help it look more realistic.

Why Mendel Chose Peas | How to Make a Peas in a Pod Keychain

Bake the clay pod on a parchment-lined sheet according to the clay’s instructions (typically 275°F for 15-30 minutes, depending on thickness).

Why Mendel Chose Peas | How to Make a Peas in a Pod Keychain

Once cooled If you wish, you can brush it with a clear acrylic seal to give it a nice finish.

Why Mendel Chose Peas | How to Make a Peas in a Pod Keychain

Attach a keychain loop to the metal insert, twisting the wire around and trimming off the ends.

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

  • « Go to Previous Page
  • Page 1
  • Interim pages omitted …
  • Page 13
  • Page 14
  • Page 15
  • Page 16
  • Page 17
  • Interim pages omitted …
  • Page 92
  • Go to Next Page »

Primary Sidebar

Footer

Privacy Policy | About Me | Reviews | Contact | Advertise

Categories

Archives

Tina Robertson is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to amazon.com. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.

Copyright © 2026 · 5 TNT LLC · Log in · Privacy Policy