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Free Spring Activities For Kids And 8 Spring Scavenger Hunts

April 18, 2025 | Leave a Comment
This post may contain affiliate links. For more information, please see my full disclosure policy.

Today, I have some free spring activities for kids. Also, look at my page 4 Weeks Free Spring Unit Study & Best Hands-on Ideas for more ideas.

Spring is the time to get outside, have fun and learn at the same time. So, I have included spring activities for all ages.

Besides, spring is one of my favorite seasons and it doesn’t have to cost much to do these spring activities.

Free Spring Activities For Kids And 8 Spring Scavenger Hunts

Also, I have 8 free spring scavenger hunts.

Use them all in a day or use them to accompany the spring nature unit studies I have on my site.

Moreover, don’t forget to add a few books to your day. Whether you choose to read indoors or outdoors, you’ll love these books to add to your spring unit study.

SPRING BOOKS FOR KIDS

And we prefer to use living books.

10 Books About Spring for Multiple Ages

I’ve listed books for all ages in this list. Some you can read aloud and others be read anytime.

Image for That's What Happens When It's Spring!

That's What Happens When It's Spring!

When is it spring?" a child wonders. "Come, I'll show you," Mommy answers. Out in the flower bed tiny green knobs are peeping out of the ground. "That will be a tulip and this a crocus!" Mommy says. That's what happens when it's spring! The signs, sounds, colors, and special feelings of spring come alive as they are experienced through the eyes of a youngster.

Image for Goodbye Winter, Hello Spring

Goodbye Winter, Hello Spring

As days stretch longer, animals creep out from their warm dens, and green begins to grow again, everyone knows―spring is on its way!Join a boy and his dog as they explore nature and take a stroll through the countryside, greeting all the signs of the coming season. In a series of conversations with everything from the melting brook to chirping birds, they say goodbye to winter and welcome the lushness of spring.

Image for The Country Diary of an Edwardian Lady

The Country Diary of an Edwardian Lady

This beautifully packaged facsimile of Edith Holden’s original diary is filled with a naturalist’s masterful paintings and delightful observations chronicling the English countryside throughout 1906. As one of the few true records of the time in print, the handwritten thoughts and paintings contained in The Country Diary of an Edwardian Lady transport readers to a more refined, romantic, and simpler time. Capitalizing on the current Downton Abbey–inspired appetite for Edwardian-era ephemera, fashions, and society, this reproduction brings readers back to a time in which propriety, civility, and an appreciation for the natural world reigned. This souvenir of a bygone era serves not only as a calming touchstone, but a reminder that as long as we choose to see it, we are still surrounded by beauty and grace. Presented to retain the charm and beauty of the original volume filled with Holden’s hand-drawn illustrations of the English countryside’s flora and fauna through the changing seasons of the year, as well as handwritten notes, observations, and quotations, The Country Diary of an Edwardian Lady makes a lovely addition to any home’s library or side table.

Image for Benny's Animals and How He Put Them in Order

Benny's Animals and How He Put Them in Order

Two boys, with the help of a professor at the museum, learn to divide their animal pictures into the proper groups.

Image for The Tune is in the Tree

The Tune is in the Tree

Annie Jo was a little girl like any other little girl. She was just about as big, too, as any other little girl her age. She had pigtails and for best occasions a plaid silk dress. Her father was an aviator (so the birds had a special feeling for him), and when he was delayed one day, and her mother went to hunt for him, and Mrs. Bunch, the sitter, sprained her ankle, the birds took charge of Annie Jo.Miss Ruby, the hummingbird, who understood magic, made her two and a half inches high. She learned to fly and visited the Robins, the Warblers, and the Thrushes. The perfidious Mrs. Cowbird was causing trouble as usual, laying her eggs in other birds' nests. (Mrs. Cowbird is a notable villainness.) And Annie Jo lost her plaid silk dress in a very curious way. But she got another one in time for Mrs. Oriole's ball, which occurred on the day Annie Jo returned to her normal size and home.

Image for Springtime with Geraldine Woolkins (The Geraldine Woolkins Series)

Springtime with Geraldine Woolkins (The Geraldine Woolkins Series)

Geraldine Woolkins has at last become a middle mouse, but navigating the waters of middle-mouse life isn’t easy. Her younger brother irritates her, her sparrow friend Penelope neglects her, and an elder mouse friend is becoming forgetful, making the entire Woolkins family anxious.

Everything is changing. And when Geraldine discovers that the best treasures of spring—fragrant spring flowers, a pond created by spring rainstorms—will one day disappear, she is heartbroken. Does nothing last forever? Does everything good change or fade?

Ten more stories follow the Woolkins mouse family—Papa, Mama, Geraldine, and Button—from April, a time of blossoming, to June, the month of long days.

Image for How plants grow...

How plants grow...

A simple introduction to botany.

Image for Wicked Plants: The Weed That Killed Lincoln's Mother and Other Botanical Atrocities

Wicked Plants: The Weed That Killed Lincoln's Mother and Other Botanical Atrocities

A tree that sheds poison daggers; a glistening red seed that stops the heart; a shrub that causes paralysis; a vine that strangles; and a leaf that triggered a war. In Wicked Plants, Stewart takes on over two hundred of Mother Nature’s most appalling creations. It’s an A to Z of plants that kill, maim, intoxicate, and otherwise offend. You’ll learn which plants to avoid (like exploding shrubs), which plants make themselves exceedingly unwelcome (like the vine that ate the South), and which ones have been killing for centuries (like the weed that killed Abraham Lincoln's mother). Menacing botanical illustrations and splendidly ghastly drawings create a fascinating portrait of the evildoers that may be lurking in your own backyard. Drawing on history, medicine, science, and legend, this compendium of bloodcurdling botany will entertain, alarm, and enlighten even the most intrepid gardeners and nature lovers.

Image for Trees, Leaves, Flowers and Seeds: A Visual Encyclopedia of the Plant Kingdom (DK Our World in Pictures)

Trees, Leaves, Flowers and Seeds: A Visual Encyclopedia of the Plant Kingdom (DK Our World in Pictures)

Have you ever wondered which plants eat insects? Or how cacti store water? How about which flowers look like bees? Or where is the tallest tree in the world? If you find yourself seeking the answers to these quirky questions and so many more, then Trees, Leaves, Flowers & Seeds may be the book for you! Explore the incredible world of plants, from the smallest seeds to the tallest trees, whilst you discover all about the weirdest, smelliest and deadliest flowers on our planet, with this engaging encyclopedia for children aged 9-12. 

Image for Flower Fairies of the Spring

Flower Fairies of the Spring

First published in the 1920s, Cicely Mary Barker’s original Flower Fairies books have been loved for generations. Like the pre-Raphaelite painters whom she so admired, Barker believed in re-creating the beauty of nature in art and drawing from life. Her Flower Fairies watercolors have a unique combination of naturalism and fantasy that no imitators have matched. Now newly rejacketed in the style of bestseller Fairyopolis, this new edition makes a perfect gift for a new generation of Flower Fairy fans. The book features poems and full-color illustrations of over 20 flowers and their guardian fairies.

Next, look at some of these free spring activities for kids.

FREE SPRING ACTIVITIES FOR KIDS

  • Simple Flower Dissection & Awesome Spring Science Experiments Middle School
  • How to do a Spring Watercolor Tutorial: Explore Holland’s Beautiful Tulips
  • Free Find And Count Printable & Spring Activities Preschoolers Love
  • 4 Weeks Free Spring Unit Study & Best Hands-on Ideas
  • Easy Spring Activities For Preschoolers Science And Fun Busy Book
  • Dynamic Simple Spring Busy Book For Kids Who Love Learning
  • The Tale of Peter Rabbit Printables for a Fun Spring Unit Study
  • 10 More Spring Study Free Resources for Middle and High School Kids
  • John Muir Spring Unit Study (and Hands-on Geography Ideas)
  • Middle School Homeschool Science 50 Free Spring Activities

In addition, there are many themes to incorporate into your day.

For example, look at these themed spring unit studies.

  1. Above & Below: Pond Unit Study, Hands-on Ideas, & Lapbook.
  2. Free Bird Unit Study and Lapbook And Fun Edible Bird Nests
  3. Free North American Robin Bird Lapbook and Fun Homeschool Unit Study Ideas
  4. Toads – Amphibians for a free Loads of Toads and Frogs lapbook and unit study
  5. Famous and Historic Trees Fun Nature and History Homeschool Unit Study
Free Spring Activities For Kids And 8 Spring Scavenger Hunts

Finally, look at these free printable scavenger hunts.

HOW TO DOWNLOAD THE FREE SCAVENGER HUNT

Look at the 8 scavenger hunts this free printable includes.

  • spring showers theme
  • nighttime spring theme
  • treats theme
  • sounds of spring
  • ponds and wetlands
  • backyard and garden
  • bird watching
  • adventures

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

That means when you sign up to follow me, you get my emails in your inbox and you get this 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: biology, flowers, hands-on, hands-on activities, handson, handsonhomeschooling, homeschool, life science, science

Colorful Chemistry: Exciting M&M Science Experiment To Try At Home

March 27, 2025 | Leave a Comment
This post may contain affiliate links. For more information, please see my full disclosure policy.

While it is a very simple one, this M&M science experiment is a fun one that demonstrates colors, color mixing, and even the effect of warm water on sugar.

Not only do they get to see the colors run through the water, but they can watch the M itself lift and move off the candy.

You have two great experiments in one.

Colorful Chemistry: Exciting M&M Science Experiment To Try At Home

What I love is that it is easy enough for kids to run completely on their own.

And it takes just a couple of supplies and is so quick to set up making it an easy one for mom as well.

This would be a fabulous activity to add to a preschool letter M unit, because a candy-filled study is sure to be a memorable one.

BOOKS ABOUT CHEMISTRY FOR KIDS

12 Chemistry Books & Resources for Kids of All Ages

But first here are some resources that are a great introduction and more to chemistry for kids.

Image for Superstars of Science

Superstars of Science

Discover fun facts about the greatest scientists from history through Basher's fresh and unique illustration style.

Did you know that Marie Curie used to keep radioactive materials in her pockets? Or that Mendeleyev literally dreamed up his famous periodic table? Superstars of Science tells the stories behind the big ideas in the fields of physics, chemistry, medicine, mathematics, cosmology, earth sciences, and engineering. Read about 40 great scientists including Newton and Einstein who produced theories that explained the way in which the Universe works, Crick and Watson who uncovered the structure of DNA, and Alexander Graham Bell who had the big idea that became the telephone. Each one of these greats of science has had some vital flash of insight that has changed the way we see the world and the way we live. Come meet the superstars of science!

Image for Basher Science: Chemistry: Getting a Big Reaction

Basher Science: Chemistry: Getting a Big Reaction

Discover the secrets of chemistry, and learn about the properties of matter and the ways in which they interact, combine and change. Chemistry is a compelling guide to a community of characters who make up everything around us.

Image for Crucibles: The Story of Chemistry from Ancient Alchemy to Nuclear Fission

Crucibles: The Story of Chemistry from Ancient Alchemy to Nuclear Fission

This book is a classic in the field of popular science. Standard reading since the 1930s, it is one of the few histories of chemistry to concentrate on the lives of the great chemists. Through these dramatic and human stories, it gives an authoritative and entertaining account of the great discoveries and advances in this scientific field. After many printings in three previous editions, this book has been newly revised by the author for this fourth edition. Beginning with Trevisan and his lifelong search for the "philosopher's stone," the author narrates the lives and discoveries of such towering figures as Paracelsus and his chemical treatment of disease; Priestley looking for phlogiston and finding oxygen and carbon dioxide, Lavoisier creating a new language of chemistry; Dalton and his Atomic Theory; Avogadro and the idea of molecules, Mendeleeff arranging the table of elements under his Periodic Law; the Curies isolating radium; Thomson discovering the electron; Moseley and his Law of Atomic Numbers; Lawrence and the construction of the cyclotron; and more. Probably the most dramatic chapter in the book, the account of the development of nuclear fission, ends the story of chemistry at its most monumental achievement.

Image for The Chemistry of Cola

The Chemistry of Cola

You’ll be amazed at all you can learn from this favorite drink – what’s in it, why it fizzes, what you can do with it, the containers it’s in, and more!

Image for Napoleon's Buttons: How 17 Molecules Changed History

Napoleon's Buttons: How 17 Molecules Changed History

Napoleon's Buttons is the fascinating account of seventeen groups of molecules that have greatly influenced the course of history. These molecules provided the impetus for early exploration, and made possible the voyages of discovery that ensued. The molecules resulted in grand feats of engineering and spurred advances in medicine and law; they determined what we now eat, drink, and wear. A change as small as the position of an atom can lead to enormous alterations in the properties of a substance-which, in turn, can result in great historical shifts.

Image for 52 Extreme Kids Chemistry Experiments Set - STEM Activities & Science Kits

52 Extreme Kids Chemistry Experiments Set - STEM Activities & Science Kits

If you want your child to be able to explore and complete some simple chemistry experiments without running around grabbing all the items an all in on kit is just the thing to add to your chemistry studies.

Image for The Disappearing Spoon: And Other True Tales of Madness, Love, and the History of the World from the Periodic Table of the Elements

The Disappearing Spoon: And Other True Tales of Madness, Love, and the History of the World from the Periodic Table of the Elements

Why did Gandhi hate iodine (I, 53)? How did radium (Ra, 88) nearly ruin Marie Curie's reputation? And why is gallium (Ga, 31) the go-to element for laboratory pranksters? The Periodic Table is a crowning scientific achievement, but it's also a treasure trove of adventure, betrayal, and obsession. These fascinating tales follow every element on the table as they play out their parts in human history, and in the lives of the (frequently) mad scientists who discovered them. The Disappearing Spoon masterfully fuses science with the classic lore of invention, investigation, and discovery -- from the Big Bang through the end of time.

Image for Chemistry Fluxx Card Game - Science Games Card Games for Kids

Chemistry Fluxx Card Game - Science Games Card Games for Kids

 Chemistry EditionChemistry Fluxx is the perfect compound of chance, skill and strategy-use atoms and laboratory tools to match the current goal of the game and win! The rules are always changing in Fluxx. The Keepers, Goals, Rules and Action cards determine how the game will be played.

Image for Illustrated Guide to Home Chemistry Experiments: All Lab, No Lecture (DIY Science)

Illustrated Guide to Home Chemistry Experiments: All Lab, No Lecture (DIY Science)

For students, DIY hobbyists, and science buffs, who can no longer get real chemistry sets, this one-of-a-kind guide explains how to set up and use a home chemistry lab, with step-by-step instructions for conducting experiments in basic chemistry -- not just to make pretty colors and stinky smells, but to learn how to do real lab work:

  • Purify alcohol by distillation
  • Produce hydrogen and oxygen gas by electrolysis
  • Smelt metallic copper from copper ore you make yourself
  • Analyze the makeup of seawater, bone, and other common substances
  • Synthesize oil of wintergreen from aspirin and rayon fiber from paper
  • Perform forensics tests for fingerprints, blood, drugs, and poisons
  • and much more
Image for The Joy of Chemistry: The Amazing Science of Familiar Things

The Joy of Chemistry: The Amazing Science of Familiar Things

Written for lay readers, provides an introduction to the principles of chemistry and includes quotations from popular literature to show how chemistry and everyday life intertwine.

Image for The Cartoon Guide to Chemistry (Cartoon Guide Series)

The Cartoon Guide to Chemistry (Cartoon Guide Series)

If you have ever suspected that "heavy water" is the title of a bootleg Pink Floyd album, believed that surface tension is an anxiety disorder, or imagined that a noble gas is the result of a heavy meal at Buckingham Palace, then you need The Cartoon Guide to Chemistry to set you on the road to chemical literacy.

You don't need to be a scientist to grasp these and many other complex ideas, because The Cartoon Guide to Chemistry explains them all: the history and basics of chemistry, atomic theory, combustion, solubility, reaction stoichiometry, the mole, entropy, and much more—all explained in simple, clear, and yes, funny illustrations. Chemistry will never be the same!

Image for Air Is Not Oxygen: Essential Science You Should Have Learned ... But Probably Didn't!

Air Is Not Oxygen: Essential Science You Should Have Learned ... But Probably Didn't!

AIR IS NOT OXYGEN is a fun way to brush up on essential science concepts you missed in school. (Admit it. You probably thought you had better things to do than study!) Clear, short chapters focus on mastering key concepts instead of memorizing facts. Dozens of optional hands-on activities make science come alive! In a style described as “Dave Barry meets Bill Nye with a touch of the Mythbusters,” award-winning author, Bill Morelan, debunks common misconceptions about basic science. Reflecting both the National Science Content Standards and the Next Generation Science Standards, AIR IS NOT OXYGEN covers Life Science, Earth Science, Physical Science, and Science Methods.A fun, informative read, AIR IS NOT OXYGEN helps fill the gaps in your science education. (Never be humiliated by science geeks again!) Perfect for sharing, or as a handy basic reference tool. Makes a great book for kids, too.

While it is an easy activity it introduces some more complex science

THE SCIENCE OF THE M&M EXPERIMENT

Dissolving: Because the colored coating of M&Ms is made of sugar and colored dye when it is put into water the water molecules pull on the sugar and dye molecules and cause them to dissolve.

Diffusion: When the sugar and dye dissolve, they move from areas of high concentration (covering the M&M) to areas of low concentration (the water around it). This movement of the molecules is called diffusion.

Rainbow Effect: Immediately after the water covers the candy you see distinct lines of color as the dye diffuses into the water, creating a “rainbow” effect before they mix.

Water-Soluble Vs. Insoluble: The Floating M part of the experiment introduces the ideas of water-soluble and insoluble properties.

The M part of the candy is printed onto special edible paper that is water-insoluble so instead of just fading away quickly like the dye on the candy it separates as the other layers break down and just…floats away.

Colorful Chemistry: Exciting M&M Science Experiment To Try At Home

We of course aren’t just going to try the one M&M science experiment,

Grab a big bag of M&M’s for all the other cool experiments and activities using these tasty little treats that I found for you.

M&M SCIENCE EXPERIMENT AND OTHER M&M ACTIVITIES

  • Give this painting with M&M Chocolate Candy as a new art medium a try for your next art project.
  • Try this colorful Printable Letter A M&M Color Sorting Activity to develop letter recognition in a unique edible way.
  • Here are 10+ ideas to show that M&M’s are Marvelous & Magical indeed, for counting, art, and more!
  • How cute are these M&M Flower Pretzels? What a yummy way to do some basic cooking and explore colors together.
  • Watch Unwrapped’s How M&M’s are made in a 12-hour process. From start to packaging there is so much to learn in these videos.
  • Make some M&M’s Pixel Art  for fine motor skills, creativity, and just for the fun of it.
  • Change things up and take a break from sweets by recreating them with a M&M Painted Rock Tutorial, a great garden addition.
  • The Fast-Moving M&M Game That Everyone Will Love sounds like a great idea for a family or co-op activity.

Finally, look at how to do this fun experiment.

EXCITING M&M SCIENCE EXPERIMENT

You will need:

  • M&M’s
  • Dish or shallow bowl with a flat bottom
  • Warm water
Colorful Chemistry: Exciting M&M Science Experiment To Try At Home

First, gather up your supplies and have them ready so your child can begin immediately, nothing turns a quick and easy experiment into a frustrating one faster than scrambling around for supplies while your child waits.

Place the dish where you will be completing the experiment, you don’t want to move it once you begin.

Have them place M&Ms around the outer edge of the dish in any pattern they like.

Colorful Chemistry: Exciting M&M Science Experiment To Try At Home

Slowly pour warm (just from the tap) water into the center of the dish until the candy is completely covered with water.

Colorful Chemistry: Exciting M&M Science Experiment To Try At Home

Watch as the colors begin to dissolve off the candy shell and begin to spread throughout the water.

Colorful Chemistry: Exciting M&M Science Experiment To Try At Home

After just a couple minutes the colors begin to mix and muddy.

Colorful Chemistry: Exciting M&M Science Experiment To Try At Home

Look closely and you can see the M’s lift and float away too.

Colorful Chemistry: Exciting M&M Science Experiment To Try At Home

To take this experiment to the next level and introduce your child to scientific terms like hypothesis, variable, analyzing data, and drawing conclusions (all parts of the scientific method) you can try different things.

For instance, use different types of candies. Too, use different types of liquids to see which melts the fastest. For example, use water, salt water, milk,etc

Leave a CommentFiled Under: Hands-On Activities Tagged With: chemistry, elementary science, hands-on, hands-on activities, handson, handsonhomeschooling, homeschool, homeschoolscience, m&m, science

Bugs Facts For Kids And Free Paper Bug Bracelets

March 26, 2025 | Leave a Comment
This post may contain affiliate links. For more information, please see my full disclosure policy.

I have some fun bugs facts for kids. Also, look at my page Free Kids Insect Unit Study for more ideas.

While all bugs are insects, not all insects are bugs.

True bugs are a smaller category of insects that have specific features:

Bugs Facts For Kids And Free Paper Bug Bracelets

For example, some bugs are mosquitos, aphids, stink bugs, and bedbugs.

Insects are a group of animals with unique features. If you see a creature with three main body parts, six legs, and usually wings, then it’s probably an insect.

Some common insects are ladybugs, bees, ants, and grasshoppers.

Too, I have a free 8 page printable with bug bracelets.

The bug bracelets are ladybug, butterfly, bee, spider, dragonfly, moth, firefly, and beetle.

BOOKS ABOUT INSECTS AND BUGS FOR KIDS

Next, look at these books about insects and bugs for kids.

11 Insect & Bug Books for Kids Who Love to Be Read To and Read

Add one or two of these books to your home library about insects. I love living books but love to add reference books to our day when I find them.

Image for When Insects are Babies

When Insects are Babies

Describes briefly the short infancy of such common insects as the grasshopper, praying mantis, cicada, earwig, and twelve others.

Image for We Like Bugs

We Like Bugs

This illustrated book for children asks the Have you ever seen a doodlebug? A dragon fly? A leafhopper? Find out all about bugs in this book.

Image for Fabre's Book of Insects

Fabre's Book of Insects

Hailed by Darwin as "The Homer of Insects," famed French entomologist Jean Henri Fabre (1823–1915) devoted hours of rapt attention to insects while they hunted, built nests, and fed their families. Working in Provence, in barren, sun-scorched fields inhabited by countless wasps and bees, he observed their intricate and fascinating world, recounting their activities in simple, beautifully written essays.This volume, based on translations of Fabre's Souvenirs Entomologiques, blends folklore and mythology with factual explanation. Fabre's absorbing account of the scarab beetle's existence, for example, begins with the ancient Egyptians' symbolic view of this busy creature, eventually leading to a careful discussion of its characteristic method of rolling a carefully sculpted ball of food to its den. Elsewhere, he discusses with infectious enthusiasm the physiologic secrets behind the luminosity of fireflies, the musical talents of the locust, the comfortable home of the field cricket, and the cannibalism of the pious-looking praying mantis, among other topics.These charmingly related stories of insect life are a rare combination of scientific study and literary classic that will delight entomologists, naturalists, and nature lovers alike.

Image for Children of Summer: Henri Fabre's Insects

Children of Summer: Henri Fabre's Insects

Henri Fabre (1823-1915) was a famous explorer yet he seldom left his own backyard. He spent his whole life discovering the secrets of the insect world. His home and its surroundings served as his laboratory, and his lab assistants were his wife and children. The entire family shared his passion for insects, especially his youngest son, Paul. Follow Paul as he assists his famous father uncover the secrets of his "children of summer"-insects. You'll meet the undertaker beetle that buries dead animals; the acorn elephant beetle, whose snout is so long that it must hold it straight out to keep from tripping over it; caterpillars that spin tents and roadways of silk; red ants that kidnap black ant babies and raise them as slaves; dancing scorpions; dung beetles that get their nourishment from animal droppings; male peacock moths that pay homage to their princess but don't eat a single meal as adults; and many other unusual creatures. On the way, you'll get to know a fascinating scientist widely regarded as the father of modern entomology. Through texts drawn from the beautiful written records that Fabre kept of everything he did and saw, and exquisite illustrations done in close, scientific detail, this enchanting book reaches far beyond the boundaries of its subject to engage even those who didn't know they were interested in bugs.

Image for Creep and Flutter: The Secret World of Insects and Spiders

Creep and Flutter: The Secret World of Insects and Spiders

Acclaimed naturalist and illustrator Jim Arnosky brings out the beauty—and the “wow!” and the “yuck!” factors—of hundreds of insects and spiders. Eight spectacular gatefolds show moths and mosquitoes, butterflies and beetles, spiders and silverfish life-size, up close, and personal!

Image for Insects Do the Strangest Things (Step-Up Books)

Insects Do the Strangest Things (Step-Up Books)

Describes insects that have peculiar and strange characteristics, such as the camouflage of the walking stick, and the driver ants that prefer people to picnics.

Image for Insect Life

Insect Life

Be immersed in the fascinating world of insects as you're taken on a journey observing and learning about the world around you.

This volume teaches about what makes an insect, the parts of a caterpillar, moths, butterflies, beetles, wasps, bees, flies, crickets, grasshoppers and more!

Image for The Big Book of Bugs (The Big Book Series)

The Big Book of Bugs (The Big Book Series)

From moths and beetles to worms and spiders, the world is crawling with fascinating bugs. The Big Book of Bugs is the first fact-filled book for children to explore the vast array of creepy-crawlies that share our Earth.

In the first pages, children learn that bugs live nearly everywhere on the planet and gain tips on how to become a young bug spotter. As the book continues, the scenic compositions on each page are dedicated to key groups of bugs, including beetles, moths, butterflies, bees, snails, crickets, grasshoppers, worms, and spiders. Some spreads approach the world of bugs thematically, such as bugs that come out at night, baby bugs, and life cycles, how bugs hide and show off, and how some bugs love to live in your home. The conversational, funny text is also full of facts that will astonish children and adults, and accompanied by Yuval Zommer’s colorful illustrations. Illustrated in color throughout.

Image for Caterpillars, Bugs and Butterflies: Take-Along Guide (Take Along Guides)

Caterpillars, Bugs and Butterflies: Take-Along Guide (Take Along Guides)

An introduction to the world of insects, caterpillars, and butterflies including identification information, educational activities, and fun facts.Invites young naturalists to spot wildlife. Safety tips are provided and interesting activities are suggested.

Image for The Beetle (Dimensional Nature Portfolio Series)

The Beetle (Dimensional Nature Portfolio Series)

Features the beetle in huge, three-dimensional form. The book consists of an enormous center pop-up and two seven-page books, one bound into each cover, which are full of additional pop-ups, anatomical cutaways and photographs taken through electron microscopes.

Image for The Girl Who Drew Butterflies: How Maria Merian's Art Changed Science

The Girl Who Drew Butterflies: How Maria Merian's Art Changed Science

In this beautiful nonfiction biography, a Robert F. Sibert Medal winner, the Newbery Honor–winning author Joyce Sidman introduces readers to one of the first female entomologists and a woman who flouted convention in the pursuit of knowledge and her passion for insects.

One of the first naturalists to observe live insects directly, Maria Sibylla Merian was also one of the first to document the metamorphosis of the butterfly. 

Richly illustrated throughout with full-color original paintings by Merian herself, The Grew Who Drew Butterflies will enthrall young scientists.

Bugs, of all kinds, were considered to be “born of mud” and to be “beasts of the devil.” Why would anyone, let alone a girl, want to study and observe them? The Girl Who Drew Butterflies answers this question.

Next, look at these bug facts for kids.

BUG FACTS FOR KIDS

  • Ants can carry objects that are 50 times heavier than their own body weight.
  • Ladybugs can eat up to 5,000 aphids.
  • Cockroaches can survive for a few days without their heads. ewww yuck!
  • Fireflies use their glowing light to communicate with other fireflies.
  • The dragonfly is the fastest insect, flying up to 35 miles per hour.
  • Cicadas have 10 eyes: three small ones on top of their heads and two large ones on each side.
  • Bugs don’t have bones inside; instead, they have a hard outer shell to protect their bodies, called an exoskeleton.

HANDS-ON ACTIVITIES WITH BUG FACTS FOR KIDS

  • Free Ant Study
  • Fascinating and Fun Honey Bees Unit Study and Lapbook for Kids
  • 4 Cicada Insect Fun Facts For Kids | How to Make A Cicada Clothespin Craft
  • Free Kids Insect Unit Study
  • How to Make a Fun Ladybug Watercolor Labeled Picture
  • Free Butterfly Unit Study For Kids and Fun Sponge Stamping
  • Fun and Easy Hands-on Life Cycle Butterfly Activity for Kids
  • 8 Insect Fun Facts About Texas For Kids | Easy Dragonfly Craft
Bugs Facts For Kids And Free Paper Bug Bracelets

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

Sir Isaac Newton’s First Law Of Motion Simple Experiment

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

This easy Sir Isaac Newton’s first law of motion experiment is one kids love. Also, look at my post 4 Weeks Free Physical Science Unit Study & Best Hands-on Ideas for more activities.

Sir Isaac Newton was famous for his work with gravity and motion.

He was born on December 25, 1642 in England and he spent his day looking at things closely and asking questions why they happened that way.

Sir Isaac Newton's First Law Of Motion Simple Experiment

He’s the reason we understand so much about how things move.

Newton’s First Law of Motion is sometimes called the Law of Inertia.

The law is “An object at rest will stay at rest, and an object in motion will stay in motion, unless acted upon by an external force.”

It may sound easy to understand, but we’re doing an experiment to visualize it.

However, you can explain to your children that an object will stay still unless it is pushed or pulled.

That is an external force.

BOOKS FOR KIDS ABOUT SIR ISAAC NEWTON

Before we do this easy experiment, look at these fun books I’ve rounded up to add to your day of learning.

7 Books For Kids Who Love Learning About Sir Isaac Newton

He was one of the most important scientists of his times. Your children will love adding some of these books to their reading day.

Image for Newton's Rainbow: The Revolutionary Discoveries of a Young Scientist

Newton's Rainbow: The Revolutionary Discoveries of a Young Scientist

Famed for his supposed encounter with a falling apple that inspired his theory of gravity, Isaac Newton (1642–1727) grew from a quiet and curious boy into one of the most influential scientists of all time. Newton's Rainbow tells the story of young Isaac―always reading, questioning, observing, and inventing―and how he eventually made his way to Cambridge University, where he studied the work of earlier scientists and began building on their accomplishments. This colorful picture book biography celebrates Newton's discoveries that illuminated the mysteries of gravity, motion, and even rainbows, discoveries that gave mankind a new understanding of the natural world, discoveries that changed science forever.

Image for Isaac Newton

Isaac Newton

A biography of Isaac Newton.

Image for Isaac Newton: Greatest Genius of Science (Genius Scientists and Their Genius Ideas)

Isaac Newton: Greatest Genius of Science (Genius Scientists and Their Genius Ideas)

A biography of the seventeenth-century English scientist who formulated the theory of gravity.

Image for World History Biographies: Isaac Newton: The Scientist Who Changed Everything

World History Biographies: Isaac Newton: The Scientist Who Changed Everything

Born in England in 1643, Isaac Newton grew up in the age when Renaissance thinkers were challenging accepted ideas throughout Europe. Fascinated by all earthly science, Newton developed laws of motion and universal gravitation which also furthered our understanding of the movement of celestial bodies. This vibrant biography profiles the famed physicist as an acclaimed mathematician, astronomer, alchemist, philosopher, and inventor as well. Readers will discover the genius who inspired Alexander Pope to write.

Image for The Ocean Of Truth: The Story Of Sir Isaac Newton

The Ocean Of Truth: The Story Of Sir Isaac Newton

Sir Isaac Newton is one of history's most renowned scientists. He independently developed the mathematical technique known as Calculus, wrote a treatise on the properties of light and color that is still consulted by scientists, and worked out the mathematical details of the law of gravity. What is less well known is the depth of his Christian faith, and the amount of writing, speaking, and research he devoted to defenses of the tenets of Biblical belief. This book makes Newton come alive for readers.

Image for Isaac the Alchemist: Secrets of Isaac Newton, Reveal'd

Isaac the Alchemist: Secrets of Isaac Newton, Reveal'd

A surprising true story of Isaac Newton’s boyhood suggests an intellectual development owing as much to magic as science. Before Isaac Newton became the father of physics, an accomplished mathematician, or a leader of the scientific revolution, he was a boy living in an apothecary’s house, observing and experimenting, recording his observations of the world in a tiny notebook. As a young genius living in a time before science as we know it existed, Isaac studied the few books he could get his hands on, built handmade machines, and experimented with alchemy—a process of chemical reactions that seemed, at the time, to be magical. Mary Losure’s riveting narrative nonfiction account of Isaac’s early life traces his development as a thinker from his childhood, in friendly prose that will capture the attention of today’s budding scientists—as if by magic. Back matter includes an afterword, an author’s note, source notes, a bibliography, and an index.

Image for Isaac Newton and Physics for Kids: His Life and Ideas with 21 Activities (30) (For Kids series)

Isaac Newton and Physics for Kids: His Life and Ideas with 21 Activities (30) (For Kids series)

Isaac Newton and Physics for Kids paints a rich portrait of this brilliant and complex man, including 21 hands-on projects that explore the scientific concepts Newton developed and the times in which he lived. Readers will build a simple waterwheel, create a 17thcentury plague mask, track the phases of the moon, and test Newton’s Three Laws of Motion using coins, a skateboard, and a
model boat they construct themselves. The text includes a time line, online resources, and reading list for further study. And through it all, readers will learn how the son of a Woolsthorpe sheep farmer grew to become the most influential physicist in history.

Next, look more hands-on activities about Sir Isaac Newton.

MORE ACTIVITIES TO PAIR WITH SIR ISAAC NEWTON’S FIRST LAW OF MOTION

  • How To Make A Newton’s Cradle With Popsicle Sticks | 5 Sir Isaac Newton Facts.
  • Gravity experiments for kids.
  • Then grab some minibooks About Sir Isaac Newton and His Apple on my Apple Unit Study and Lapbook page.
  • Newton’s egg
  • 5 Facts About Inertia And Easy Coin Drop Inertia Experiment
  • Egg Drop Experiment (Newton’s First Law of Motion)
  • 20 Lessons on Forces and Newton’s Laws Your Students Will Thank You For
  • Newton’s Laws of Motion Project
Sir Isaac Newton's First Law Of Motion Simple Experiment

Finally, look at how to do this easy Sir Isaac Newton’s First Law Of Motion experiment.

NEWTON’S FIRST LAW EXPERIMENT

First, look at this easy list of supplies.

  • Sweet potato
  • Knife *Adult help required
  • Mallet
  • Flat surface Adult supervision and help are required
Sir Isaac Newton's First Law Of Motion Simple Experiment

On a flat surface, insert the knife tip into the sweet potato. (make sure to point the blade away from your body)

Sir Isaac Newton's First Law Of Motion Simple Experiment


Lift the knife and sweet potato off the flat surface.


Using the mallet tap the handle of the knife.

Sir Isaac Newton's First Law Of Motion Simple Experiment


Watch as the knife moves through the sweet potato.

Sir Isaac Newton's First Law Of Motion Simple Experiment

Why does this happen? Newton’s First Law of Motion!

This states that objects at rest stay at rest.

An object in motion stays in motion until an object acts upon it. A force (knife) is acting and the object (sweet potato) is at rest.

Substitution for the sweet potato:
● Russet potato, apple, beet or parsnip

Leave a CommentFiled Under: Hands-On Activities Tagged With: elementary science, first law of motion, hands-on, hands-on activities, handson, handsonhomeschooling, homeschoolscience, inertia, science, Sir Isaac Newton

Easy Study Of Photosynthesis & Plant Cell Activities For Kids

March 21, 2025 | Leave a Comment
This post may contain affiliate links. For more information, please see my full disclosure policy.

I have some fun plant cell activities for kids who love hands-on learning. Also, look at my post 4 Weeks Free Plant Unit Study And Best Hands-On Ideas for more activities.

Teaching kids about photosynthesis and plant cells doesn’t have to be boring.

So, I have a quick and easy study packet for learning what is photosynthesis.

Easy Study Of Photosynthesis & Plant Cell Activities For Kids

And photosynthesis is the process that plants use to make food.

Understanding the structure of a plant cell is another way to help kids grasp photosynthesis.

With these easy activities and the quick and easy study of photosynthesis, kids will understand how plants make food.

PLANT BOOKS FOR KIDS

9 Plant Books for Kids Who Read and Love to Be Read To

 Add a few of these books about plants to your home library or to your unit study.

Image for Living Sunlight: How Plants Bring The Earth To Life

Living Sunlight: How Plants Bring The Earth To Life

Living Sunlight shows children, teachers, and parents the remarkable magic of what makes us human.This informative yet dramatic book will mesmerize readers and help further a child's understanding of the energy we share with all living things in nature. We are all dancing sunlight. The book is co-authored by award-winning M.I.T. professor Penny Chisholm, a leading expert on ocean science. A perfect addition to any library!

Image for Rooting for Plants: The Unstoppable Charles S. Parker, Black Botanist and Collector

Rooting for Plants: The Unstoppable Charles S. Parker, Black Botanist and Collector

In 1882, Black botanist and mycologist Charles S. Parker sprouted up in the lush, green Pacific Northwest. From the beginning, Charles’s passion was plants, and he trudged through forests, climbed mountains, and waded into lakes to find them. When he was drafted to fight in World War I, Charles experienced prejudice against Black soldiers and witnessed the massive ecological devastation that war caused. Those experiences made him even more determined to follow his dreams, whatever the difficulties, and to have a career making things grow, not destroying them.As a botanist and teacher, Charles traveled the United States, searching for new species of plants and fungi. After discovering the source of the disease killing peach and apricot trees, Charles was offered a job at Howard University, the famed historically Black college where he taught the next generation of Black scientists—men and women—to love plants and fungi as much as he did.

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.

Image for Out of School and Into Nature: The Anna Comstock Story

Out of School and Into Nature: The Anna Comstock Story

This picture book biography examines the life and career of naturalist and artist Anna Comstock (1854-1930), who defied social conventions and pursued the study of science. From the time she was a young girl, Anna Comstock was fascinated by the natural world. She loved exploring outdoors, examining wildlife and learning nature's secrets. From watching the teamwork of marching ants to following the constellations in the sky, Anna observed it all. And her interest only increased as she grew older and went to college at Cornell University. There she continued her studies, pushing back against those social conventions that implied science was a man's pursuit. Eventually Anna became known as a nature expert, pioneering a movement to encourage schools to conduct science and nature classes for children outdoors, thereby increasing students' interest in nature. In following her passion, this remarkable woman blazed a trail for female scientists today.

Image for In the Garden with Dr. Carver

In the Garden with Dr. Carver

Sally is a young girl living in rural Alabama in the early 1900s, a time when people were struggling to grow food in soil that had been depleted by years of cotton production. One day, Dr. George Washington Carver shows up to help the grown-ups with their farms and the children with their school garden. He teaches them how to restore the soil and respect the balance of nature. He even prepares a delicious lunch made of plants, including "chicken" made from peanuts. And Sally never forgets the lessons this wise man leaves in her heart and mind. Susan Grigsby's warm story shines new light on a Black scientist who was ahead of his time.

Image for A World of Plants

A World of Plants

Covering more than twenty-five subjects, from photosynthesis and permaculture to the hidden world of Victorian plant hunters, this stylish illustrated guide is packed with scientific insight into the critical role plants play in the drama of life on Earth. Did you know that some plants steal while others defend themselves against attack? That the largest cacti can reach sixty-six feet tall and weigh more than a car? That there are meat-eating plants the size of footballs? Readers young and old will marvel at the wondrous diversity and adaptability of plants, from trees and tropical species to those that have evolved to master extreme conditions. A brisk narrative bursting with facts—all carefully organized with maps and charts in richly patterned vintage-style illustrations—make for a vivid guide to all that grows . . . and a beautiful gift book for anyone interested in the environment.

Image for Notes on Plants and Flowers: The Nature Notebook

Notes on Plants and Flowers: The Nature Notebook

Originally published in the early 1900's by Anna Comstock. This book, Notes on Plants and Flowers, contains the following information: How to Understand a Plant, How to understand a flower; along with multiple forms to fill in while in the field, to aid in the identification of plants and flowers.

Anna Comstock intended that the pupil would use these notebooks to create their very own field guides by observing local flora and fauna with which they should be very familiar.

This is an 8.5x11 workbook for students, featuring short illustrated chapters on identifying parts of plants and flowers along with multiple forms for the pupil to complete.

Image for First Studies of Plant Life (Yesterday's Classics)

First Studies of Plant Life (Yesterday's Classics)

A guide to discovery of the forces at work in the world of plants. Through germinating seeds and varying their growing conditions, students learn by observation the different ways seeds germinate and young plants respond to moisture and light. Further experiments shed light on the manner of nourishment, respiration, and reproduction. The reader is given plenty to ponder since the text often poses questions without supplying answers. The life stories of the sweet pea, oak, ferns, moss, and mushrooms and an account of some of the forces plants have to contend with in their struggle to survive encourage students to continue to read and interpret their surroundings. An engaging introduction to botany for middle school and beyond.

Image for Wicked Plants: The Weed That Killed Lincoln's Mother and Other Botanical Atrocities

Wicked Plants: The Weed That Killed Lincoln's Mother and Other Botanical Atrocities

A tree that sheds poison daggers; a glistening red seed that stops the heart; a shrub that causes paralysis; a vine that strangles; and a leaf that triggered a war. In Wicked Plants, Stewart takes on over two hundred of Mother Nature’s most appalling creations. It’s an A to Z of plants that kill, maim, intoxicate, and otherwise offend. You’ll learn which plants to avoid (like exploding shrubs), which plants make themselves exceedingly unwelcome (like the vine that ate the South), and which ones have been killing for centuries (like the weed that killed Abraham Lincoln's mother). Menacing botanical illustrations and splendidly ghastly drawings create a fascinating portrait of the evildoers that may be lurking in your own backyard. Drawing on history, medicine, science, and legend, this compendium of bloodcurdling botany will entertain, alarm, and enlighten even the most intrepid gardeners and nature lovers.

Then look at some plant cell activities for kids.

PLANT CELL ACTIVITIES FOR KIDS

  • How to Make a Plant Cell Model Edible for Kids
  • Learn All About Cells with Slime
  • Plant Cell Model – Edible Science Project
  • Plant Cell Model Activity for Kids with Printables to Use
Easy Study Of Photosynthesis & Plant Cell Activities For Kids

Next, look what is included in this download.

ABOUT THE QUICK AND EASY PHOTOSYNTHESIS STUDY

Look what is included in this download.

(3) informational pages
(2) 1 label page and answers
(2) Vocabulary matching and answers

HOW TO USE THE QUICK AND EASY STUDY PHOTOSYNTHESIS

Because this is a quick study, use it to teach your lessons for a few days when you add the hands-on activities listed below.

Most elementary children will be able to do this on their on.

Use it for:

  • Also, fold the pages as minibooks and add to your notebooks.
  • independent study for your elementary aged children
  • use them to add to a lapbook. Grab my Plant Lapbook and add your pages there. Look at my post How to Turn Boring Worksheets into Fun Minibooks – From Boring to Interactive to fold your worksheets to add to a lapbook.

HOW TO GET THE QUICK AND EASY STUDY: PHOTOSYNTHESIS

You can download the printable quick study of photosynthesis now!

All my products are digital. You will not receive a physical product for anything in my store.

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Easy Study Of Photosynthesis & Plant Cell Activities For Kids
  • Quick And Easy Study: Photosynthesis How Do Plant Cells Make Food

    Quick And Easy Study: Photosynthesis How Do Plant Cells Make Food

    $2.00
    Add to cart

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

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