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science

13 Easy Legos To Build When Bored & DIY Idea Jar

November 17, 2024 | Leave a Comment
This post may contain affiliate links. For more information, please see my full disclosure policy.

There are so many easy LEGOS to build when bored.

Today I have not only gathered 13 of those ideas for you but I also have a simple tutorial for a LEGO prompt jar.

Then I also want to share the limitless benefits of LEGO.

13 Easy Legos To Build When Bored & DIY Idea Jar

While they can be quite the investment, I really feel that it is worth it for the quality.

Dare I even call it a “toy” that offers so many ways to use them.

Bricks can also be used as manipulatives, game pieces, uses for sorting, to learn fractions, to create a unique diorama, building landmarks, on and on.

If you still need convincing why LEGO is such a necessary add to your homeschool supplies look at my list.

8 BENEFITS OF USING LEGOS

  1. Creativity and Imagination: LEGO bricks allow children to build whatever they can think up. This encourages their creativity and imagination.
  2. Problem-Solving Skills: Building with LEGO bricks requires problem-solving skills, as kids have to figure out how to connect the bricks together to create their desired structures. This helps them develop logical thinking and problem-solving abilities.
  3. Fine Motor Skills: Manipulating and building with small LEGO bricks helps children develop their fine motor skills, which is important for tasks such as pre-writing, drawing, and buttoning clothes. 
  4. Patience and Persistence: Building with LEGO bricks can be challenging, but it is also very rewarding. Teaching children the importance of patience and persistence, as they have to keep trying until they achieve their desired results.
  5. Social Skills: LEGO bricks are a great way for kids to socialize and learn how to work together. They can build together on collaborative projects or play games with each other using LEGO bricks. They are also just wonderful for parallel play.
  6. Storytelling: LEGO bricks can be used to tell stories and create scenes. This encourages children to use their imagination and develop their storytelling skills.
  7. Relaxation and Stress Relief: Building with LEGO bricks can be a relaxing and stress-relieving activity for kids. It allows them to focus on something creative and enjoyable, which can help them forget about their worries for a while, something we all need now and then right?
  8. Heirloom Potential: LEGO sets can be passed down from generation to generation, making them a cherished heirloom that can be enjoyed by multiple family members. They really do not lose much of their value either for resale later, and some sets skyrocket in value.
13 Easy Legos To Build When Bored & DIY Idea Jar

DIY EASY LEGOS TO BUILD PROMPT JAR

Next, look at this fun diy easy LEGO jar.

I am giving you two sets of instructions for this.

The first one is a simple tutorial for using your Cricut Machine.

The second is for those who want to simplify it even further using ready-to-go stickers from the store.

You will need:

  • A clean empty jar
  • Paper towels
  • Rubbing alcohol

For Cricut:

  • Cricut machine
  • Cricut software
  • Vinyl
  • Mat
  • Weeding tool
  • Transfer tape
13 Easy Legos To Build When Bored & DIY Idea Jar

Check out this bundle if you have been on the fence about getting a Cricut, they are fantastic for kid made projects, t shirts, signs, and so much more.

Start with a clean dry jar.

You want something that doesn’t have a lot of raised writing on it so that you can decorate the smooth signs easier.

Pasta jars and instant coffee jars work great for this.

Rub the entire outside of your jar down with alcohol or Windex and dry well.

This will help remove any oils or dust left on the outside of the jar so that the stickers will adhere better.

13 Easy Legos To Build When Bored & DIY Idea Jar

So that you cut the proper size stickers measure the width of your jar and decide how large you would like your writing to be.

13 Easy Legos To Build When Bored & DIY Idea Jar

Open up your Cricut design space, choose your font and adjust the size to your needs.

 I also found these fun brick outlines by searching LEGO under the image tab.

LEGO BUILD IDEAS FOR KIDS

I thought “I’m bored! LEGO Prompts” was a fitting title for our jar.

Tip- change the color on design space fore each element and you can do it all at once.

The machine will prompt you to change out vinyl/mat with each different color.

13 Easy Legos To Build When Bored & DIY Idea Jar

Hit the make button and follow the onscreen prompts to cut out your vinyl lettering.

Carefully peel the excess vinyl from around the cut-out portion, use a weeding tool to pick out the smaller centers of letters and shapes.

13 Easy Legos To Build When Bored & DIY Idea Jar

Apply transfer tape or clear contact paper, rub it down well with a credit card.

13 Easy Legos To Build When Bored & DIY Idea Jar

Press letters/shapes where you would like them and rub the design firmly with the edge of a credit card to transfer, peel slowly to be sure that it has adhered.

13 Easy Legos To Build When Bored & DIY Idea Jar

To use store bought stickers follow the directions up to wiping the jar down with alcohol and allowing it to dry and then skip down to here.

Simply apply your letters and shapes to the jar.

The next thing you are going to do is print off or handwrite prompts onto paper or cardstock, cut them out in strips.

13 Easy Legos To Build When Bored & DIY Idea Jar

Fold into small bundles and fill up your jar.

13 Easy Legos To Build When Bored & DIY Idea Jar

Next time you hear “I’m bored” or “I don’t know what to build!” send them to the jar for an challenge. 

EASY LEGO BUILD PROMPTS

Additionally, look at a few of these prompts to put in your jar.

First, grab this large bucket of LEGOS to keep separate from the others with the jar tucked inside.

  • Blindly choose 20 LEGO pieces, build a tower.
  • Grab 4 wheels and 10 bricks, build a car.
  • Build an animal that you would find in the ocean.
  • Build your favorite book character out of LEGO.
  • Build a replica of any family member (including family pets).
  • Use only 1 color of brick to build something.
  • Create a tic tac toe board out of LEGO and challenge someone to a game or two.
  • Build something to represent the current season you are in.
  • Set up scenes for a minifig or two and practice your photography skills with a camera or smart phone.
  • Roll two dice, choose that many LEGO and build something amazing using just those pieces.
  • Build a robot that moves in some way.
  • Build your name out of LEGO pieces.
  • Make something that floats.
  • Build a Nerf Target and practice knocking it over from further and further away.
  • Design and build a tool that could make your life easier.
  • Create an art piece using only flat LEGO pieces.
  • Recreate a famous landmark…Eiffel Tower, Taj Mahal, Sphinx, etc.
  • Make a LEGO marble maze.
  • Make something with your eyes closed the entire time (or blindfolded) from choosing bricks to building.
  • Build something that is delicious to eat.
  • Make a picture frame to hold a favorite photo.
  • Build the tallest tower you can without it falling over, measure and note it, see if you can beat it with some changes.

And here are a few of our boredom builds.

13 Easy Legos To Build When Bored & DIY Idea Jar

Don’t you love our creative picture frame?

13 Easy Legos To Build When Bored & DIY Idea Jar

Finally, look at these easy lego builds.

EASY LEGOS TO BUILD

13 Easy Legos to Build When Kids are Bored

You’ll love these fun LEGO builds for kids.
Image for A Simple Geronimo Stilton LEGO Tutorial For Mouse Loving Kids

A Simple Geronimo Stilton LEGO Tutorial For Mouse Loving Kids

Create a simple Geronimo Stilton LEGO to commemorate your child’s love of the mouse.

Too, this activity encourages the skills of creativity, fine motor skills, and following directions.

Image for How to Build Puppies with LEGO Bricks
Photo Credit: frugalfun4boys.com

How to Build Puppies with LEGO Bricks

Build some LEGO® puppies with their own doggy bed and food bowl! These are such adorable little puppies. You can swap out the bricks in the legs to make them either lying down or standing up.

Image for Building Wonders: Create the Great Sphinx of Giza with LEGO

Building Wonders: Create the Great Sphinx of Giza with LEGO

It stands in front of the pyramids on the west bank of the Nile in Giza, Egypt. And it was created in a quarry to build the pyramids and other structures nearby.

By now you probably know what a fantastic resource LEGO is in your homeschool.

Image for LEGO Superhero Building Cards - Frugal Fun For Boys and Girls
Photo Credit: frugalfun4boys.com

LEGO Superhero Building Cards - Frugal Fun For Boys and Girls

We are back with more LEGO® mosaic building cards, and this time they have a superhero theme!

Image for Build the Monarch Butterfly Life Cycle with LEGO Bricks
Photo Credit: frugalfun4boys.com

Build the Monarch Butterfly Life Cycle with LEGO Bricks

Build the 4 stages of the Monarch butterfly life cycle –with LEGO® bricks!

Image for How to Easily Garden Plan With Kids Using LEGO

How to Easily Garden Plan With Kids Using LEGO

How to garden plan with kids using LEGO is a way to sneak in some learning. My kids, like so many others, love to create and build with LEGO so it is just a great hands-on natural extension to learning.

Image for Lego Duck Spring Lego Building Ideas for Kids
Photo Credit: littlebinsforlittlehands.com

Lego Duck Spring Lego Building Ideas for Kids

Welcome Spring with a cute and easy little LEGO duck building challenge! Make your own pons of LEGO ducks with a simple Spring themed building activity for multiple age and ability levels. Create a whole pond scene too! 

Image for Lego Balloon Cars A Fantastic Way to Teach STEM
Photo Credit: thesecretlifeofhomeschoolers.com

Lego Balloon Cars A Fantastic Way to Teach STEM

I decided one week for a “Fun Friday Activity” to build Lego balloon cars with my kids. They are simple, fun, and educational. I use this formula when planning our weekly fun activities. Lego balloon cars are a great way to have some STEM fun.

Image for Simple LEGO Flower
Photo Credit: www.icanteachmychild.com

Simple LEGO Flower

Little Brother loves making creations with LEGOs. He created this flower on his own and then I took it apart and reassembled it for these photos. 🙂  

Image for LEGO Marble Run You Can Make
Photo Credit: littlebinsforlittlehands.com

LEGO Marble Run You Can Make

 It is so fun to build a LEGO marble run and it is a perfect example of a STEM activity using basic bricks. Combine design and engineering for a STEM idea that will provide hours of fun and laughs! We love simple LEGO building ideas!

Image for Labeling Parts of a Honey Bee LEGO Fun Activity For Kids

Labeling Parts of a Honey Bee LEGO Fun Activity For Kids

Your kids will love labeling the parts of a honey bee lego activity. Also, look at my Fascinating and Fun Honey Bees Unit Study and Lapbook for Kids.

Bees are fascinating little creatures from how they create their honeycombs to maximize space, to how they know to fan the hive to keep it cool.

Image for Lego Candy Dispenser
Photo Credit: www.instructables.com

Lego Candy Dispenser

The Lego Candy Dispenser is a super simple build and doesn't take a bunch of crazy pieces but still results in an impressive way to share your candy with friends. 

Image for LEGO Unicorn Building Instructions
Photo Credit: frugalfun4boys.com

LEGO Unicorn Building Instructions

In our boy-heavy house, no one is into unicorns, actually. Janie loves all things girly, but she is not really a fan of unicorns. Maybe she’s too young? She’s 3. We do, however, love the unicorn in Despicable Me, and I thought it would be fun to build a unicorn out of LEGO® bricks!

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

Explore The Science Of Candy: Easy Peppermint Science Experiment

November 15, 2024 | Leave a Comment
This post may contain affiliate links. For more information, please see my full disclosure policy.

It is the perfect season for a peppermint science experiment. Be sure you grab more ideas for winter fun on my page Winter Season Unit Study.

Besides peppermints are plentiful in the stores and can be found in canes, discs, and even spoon shapes.

This dissolving candy cane experiment is a simple and fun way to demonstrate the process of dissolution.

Dissolution is the process by which a solid substance dissolves into a liquid.

Explore The Science Of Candy: Easy Peppermint Science Experiment

Dissolution is an important process in nature and is responsible for a variety of phenomena, such as the formation of caves and the weathering of rocks.

In this experiment, you will observe how a candy cane dissolves in different liquids over time, record your hypothesis, variables, process, and results in your science notebook.

You can use any shape and size of peppermint candies that you like for your experiment.

But you will want to keep them uniform throughout so that your results are more accurate.

For today’s purpose we used a fun candy cane shape.

Too, I am not just going to show you a single activity and move on.

I have lots of fantastic peppermint science experiment ideas for you as well as some crafts, facts, and videos to make it a fun little unit for you and your child.

5 PEPPERMINT FACTS

  1. Peppermint is a hybrid mint, a cross between watermint and spearmint and the scientific name for it is Mentha × piperita.
  2. Peppermint grows to a height of 1-3 feet and is native to Europe and Asia but has become cultivated in many parts of the world including North America.
  3. In early history peppermint was mentioned throughout Greek mythology, by Roman philosophers, and Monks in the Middle Ages.
  4. Peppermint is used in a variety of products, including candy, gum, toothpaste, tea, and is also used in traditional and holistic medicine to treat a variety of ailments, such as indigestion, nausea, and headaches.
  5. Handmade striped red and white candy canes were first introduced in 1900 while the first machine to make candy canes was invented in 1921 by Brasher O.

PEPPERMINT SCIENCE EXPERIMENT AND ACTIVITIES

  • Candy Canes: How it’s Made shows the process from the first ingredient to the packaging of candy canes.
  • Test out your child’s STEM skills with a Building Peppermint Candy Towers Challenge that encourages critical thinking and problem solving.
  • Prewriting skills are so important and preschoolers love sensory activities, a Peppermint Writing Tray is the perfect fun way to practice letters, numbers, and shapes.
  • Build up the fine motor skills in small growing hands by making and playing with a Peppermint Playdough Recipe to roll, pinch, press, and form.
  • Whether you have tried crystal growing activities or not the Crystal Candy Canes You Can Make
  • The Fizzing Candy Canes Experiment is not only a great science experiment but makes a fun seasonal decoration.
  • For older kids I think these Peppermint Shower Steamers would be a fun and useful hands on science exploration. They can be made to keep or gift to friends and family.
  • While you have candy canes or peppermints on hand make up a batch of Crock Pot Peppermint Hot Chocolate to enjoy, cooking is science!
Explore The Science Of Candy: Easy Peppermint Science Experiment

Too, look at more candy science.

MORE FUN CANDY SCIENCE

  • Hands-on History: Make Maple Snow Candy – Pioneer Activity
  • Two Fun Candy Cane Hands-on Science Winter Experiments
  • How to Spark Learning with a Candy Cane Maze STEM Activity
  • 5 Fun Candy Science Experiments and Unit Study & Homemade Lollipops
  • Fun Candy Corn Stem Activity Which Liquid Dissolves Candy Corn Faster
  • Fun Chocolate Unit Study and DIY Chocolate Candy Bar Activity

Finally, look at how to do this peppermint science experiment.

PEPPERMINT SCIENCE EXPERIMENT

The results of the experiment will show which liquid dissolves the candy cane completely the fastest. You can simplify the experiment by simply timing how long it takes for one candy cane to dissolve in water.

You will need:

  • Candy canes
  • Clear glasses
  • Water and at least 3 other liquids
  • Stopwatch or timer
  • Ruler
  • Science notebook
Explore The Science Of Candy: Easy Peppermint Science Experiment

First, have your child make a hypothesis on which liquid they think will melt the candy canes the fastest and record it in their science journal or on a sheet of paper for just this experiment.

Fill the glasses with water, and your other liquids.

Some ideas are milk, vinegar, hot water, cold water, room temperature water, rubbing alcohol, clear soda, oil, etc.

Explore The Science Of Candy: Easy Peppermint Science Experiment

List each of your liquids in the science journal as well.

Measure the length of the candy cane, record it.

Explore The Science Of Candy: Easy Peppermint Science Experiment

Place each of the  candy canes into different liquids. Make a label for each one so similar ones don’t get confused.

Explore The Science Of Candy: Easy Peppermint Science Experiment

Start the stopwatch or timer.

Observe the candy canes as they dissolve. You will notice almost immediately the red begins to dissolve and your liquid turns pink.

The hot water especially creates changes so quickly.

Every minute or two, measure the length of the candy canes and record your observations.

Explore The Science Of Candy: Easy Peppermint Science Experiment

Continue observing the candy canes until they are completely dissolved. Don’t forget to record your findings.

As the candy canes dissolves, you will observe the following changes:

Explore The Science Of Candy: Easy Peppermint Science Experiment
  • The candy canes will become smaller in size.
  • The water will become colored.
  • The candy canes  will become softer and more pliable.
  • The candy canes will eventually disappear completely.

By varying the conditions of the experiment- using different brands of peppermint, different liquids, and various shapes you can learn more about the process of dissolution and the idea of variables in an experiment.

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

Inexpensive Preschool Winter Activities & Simple Winter Busy Book

November 14, 2024 | Leave a Comment
This post may contain affiliate links. For more information, please see my full disclosure policy.

Today, I have some inexpensive preschool winter activities and a simple winter busy book. Also, look at my page How to Homeschool Preschool for more ideas.

When teaching preschoolers about winter it’s important to incorporate hands-on activities.

Even add stories, music, and playing.

Inexpensive Preschool Winter Activities & Simple Winter Busy Book

Play learning is essential for preschoolers.

It allows them to use their imagination and creativity.

And if snow is available, play snowball toss game. Games that require steps nurtures focus and self-regulation.

Too, although I don’t like the word busy book, it does describe activities that enhance eye-hand coordination.

WINTER BOOKS FOR PRESCHOOL

Next, look at these fun books about winter.

W is for Winter Preschool Theme

Teach your child the sound of the Letter W and add in these fun books and resources about winter.

Image for Over and Under the Snow

Over and Under the Snow

Part of the acclaimed nature book series that includes Over and Under the Pond, Over and Under the Rainforest, and Up in the Garden and Down in the Dirt, this volume takes readers on a cross country ski trip through the winter woods to discover the secret world of animals living under the snow. Over the snow, the world is hushed and white. But under the snow lies a secret world of squirrels and snow hares, bears and bullfrogs, and many other animals making their winter home under the snow. This beloved nonfiction picture book reveals the tunnels and caves formed beneath the snow but over the ground, where many kinds of animals live through the winter, safe and warm, awake and busy, but hidden beneath the snow. 

Image for The Snowy Day

The Snowy Day

The magic and wonder of winter’s first snowfall is perfectly captured in Ezra Jack Keat’s Caldecott Medal - winning picture book. This celebrated classic has been shared by generations of readers and listeners, a must-have for every child’s bookshelf and a perfect gift for the holiday season.

Image for Sneezy the Snowman

Sneezy the Snowman

B-R-R-R-R! AH-CHOO! Sneezy the Snowman is cold, cold, cold. To warm up, he drinks cocoa, sits in a hot tub, stands near a warm fire–and melts! But the children know just what to do to build him up again–and make him feel “just right”. Hilarity chills the air with playful mixed-media illustrations by Stephen Gilpin as Sneezy attempts to warm himself with some silly results.

Image for Animals in Winter (Let's-Read-and-Find-Out Science)

Animals in Winter (Let's-Read-and-Find-Out Science)

Have you ever seen a butterfly in the snow? Probably not. Butterflies can't survive cold weather, so when winter comes, many butterflies fly to warmer places. They migrate Woodchucks don't like cold weather either, but they don't migrate; they hibernate. Woodchucks sleep in their dens all winter long. How do these and other animals handle the cold and snow of winter?

Image for There Was a Cold Lady Who Swallowed Some Snow!

There Was a Cold Lady Who Swallowed Some Snow!

The old lady is swallowing everything from snow to a pipe, some coal, a hat, and more! With rollicking, rhyming text and funny illustrations, this lively version will appeal to young readers with every turn of the page. And this time, there's a surprise at the end no reader will be able to guess!

Also, look at the benefits of busy books.

8 BENEFITS OF BUSY BOOKS

  1. It encourages independent play.
  2. Puzzles, sorting tasks, or cause-and-effect activities encourage children to think critically.
  3. Open-ended activities like drawing sections give preschoolers a chance to create.
  4. One of the best reasons to use them is that they lay the foundation for early literacy skills.
  5. For example, tracing letters and recognizing numbers keeps learning hands-on.
  6. By exploring emotions helps preschoolers develop sympathy.
  7. And busy books are great alternatives to digital tablets. Limit screen time with hands-on learning.
  8. Cutting and gluing strengthens fine motor skills.
Inexpensive Preschool Winter Activities & Simple Winter Busy Book

Additionally, look at these preschool winter activities.

PRESCHOOL WINTER ACTIVITIES

  • How to Make Hot Cocoa Cloud Dough | 8 Hot Cocoa Crafts for Preschoolers
  • Hot Cocoa Craft Preschool | How to Make a Cocoa Name Craft
  • Polar Bear Science Activities Preschool | How To Make A Fun Dessert
  • Over And Under The Snow Activities For a Free Literature Unit Study
  • Cute and Simple Snowman Story Stones Winter Art Activities For Preschoolers
  • W Is For Winter | Snowman Oobleck Activity

Next, look at this simple winter busy book.

ABOUT THE WINTER BUSY BOOK

This is a 45 page .pdf download.

It covers the following skills.

  • Match the months
  • Spell winter
  • Sequence puzzles
  • Picture puzzle
  • Count and match
  • Match the pair
  • Match the letters
  • Sort by size
  • Trace the letters
  • Match opposites
  • Polar animals
  • Northern lights
  • Fun in the winter
  • In the winter I wear
  • Counting snowglobes
  • Matching emotions
  • Penguin shapes
  • Match halves
  • Match the pattern
  • Match by color
  • Match the shadows

It has 29 pages of activities and 15 pages of cut-out.

For example, print the 29 pages and place them in a small binder.

Then print the cut out pages.

Have your child cut and glue the cutout on the correct activity.

Inexpensive Preschool Winter Activities & Simple Winter Busy Book

By keeping the busy book in a binder, your child can return to it again to play and learn.

HOW TO GET THE WINTER BUSY BOOK

You can get it now!

Important: READ THIS FIRST.
Before you email me asking where your download link is or tell me that it is not working, read this to ensure that you get your pretties timely and that you don’t pay for something and not get it.

• All my products are digital. You will not receive a physical product for anything in my store. A digital physical year calendar does not mean a physical product or calendar.
• Downloads are INSTANT. When you pay, you will receive an email with a download link INSTANTLY. Depending on your internet connection, the email could be just 30 seconds or so, or a bit longer. The point is it will be soon, not a week later,etc.
• The email with the download link will go to the email you used for paypal. If you used your husband’s paypal, your downloads will go to that email. Please check that email and your spam before emailing me telling me you can’t find it.
• Please put my email tina @ tinasdynamichomeschoolplus dot com (of course substitute the right symbol for dot) in your address/contact list so that your product does not go to spam.

MY GUARANTEE: To treat you like I want to be treated which means I know at times technical problems may cause glitches, so I will do everything possible to make your experience here pleasant. Also, you can email me at my personal email tinahomeschools at gmail dot com.

  • Dynamic Simple Winter Busy Book For Kids Who Love Learning

    Dynamic Simple Winter Busy Book For Kids Who Love Learning

    $3.75
    Add to cart

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

How To Create An Engaging Cranberry Sensory Bin

November 8, 2024 | Leave a Comment
This post may contain affiliate links. For more information, please see my full disclosure policy.

Fall and winter are the best times of the year to make a cranberry sensory bin that is fun and engaging.

We aren’t stopping there.

Also, I will load you down with facts, more hands-on activities, and resources to highlight the cranberry.

How To Create An Engaging Cranberry Sensory Bin

Cranberries are small, tart berries that are native to North America.

They are a popular ingredient in many dishes, including cranberry sauce, juice, and muffins.

Cranberries are also a good source of vitamins and minerals, making them a healthy snack for kids.

Grab a bag of fresh berries the next time you are shopping and create this cranberry sensory bin for your preschooler.

AUTUMN BOOKS FOR KIDS

15 Fall Books For Kids Who Love to Read and Be Read To

With a chill in the air and leaves falling, grab one or two of these fun books for your home library.

Image for Autumn: An Alphabet Acrostic

Autumn: An Alphabet Acrostic

A compilation of Native American speeches affirming the desire to live in spiritual and ecological harmony includes the words of Geronimo, Sitting Bull, and Cochise, covering such topics as fishing rights, peace treaties, and the devastation of their land.

Image for Autumn Harvest

Autumn Harvest

"Mr. Tresselt writes quiet, factual prose about katydids, reapers and threshing, falling leaves, apple-gathering, and the first frost."--New York Herald Tribune.

Image for Autumn Leaves

Autumn Leaves

A concise text and crisp, close-up, color photographs of thirteen different leaves from North American trees teach very young children how to look at and compare the leaves of autumn, and are accompanied by an explanation of why they turn color.

Image for The Apple Pie That Papa Baked

The Apple Pie That Papa Baked

These are the apples, juicy and red,that went in the pie,warm and sweet,that Papa baked...for guess who!

Image for Sophie's Squash

Sophie's Squash

Kids will love this playful story of of a unique fall friendship between a girl . . . and her squash!On a trip to the farmers' market with her parents, Sophie chooses a squash, but instead of letting her mom cook it, she names it Bernice. From then on, Sophie brings Bernice everywhere, despite her parents' gentle warnings that Bernice will begin to rot. As winter nears, Sophie does start to notice changes.... What's a girl to do when the squash she loves is in trouble?

Image for Autumn Story: Introduce children to the seasons in the gorgeously illustrated classics of Brambly Hedge!

Autumn Story: Introduce children to the seasons in the gorgeously illustrated classics of Brambly Hedge!

Celebrate the 40th anniversary of the miniature world of the mice of Brambly Hedge!

Bad weather is on the way and the autumn stores are still not gathered in!

Quickly, all the mice of Brambly Hedge set to work to finish the harvesting before the rain begins. Primrose, Lord Woodmouse's daughter, meant to help, but somehow she daydreamed her way over the cornfield and into the Chestnut Woods, and before she knew it, she was lost. The sun went down, the wind rose and it began to rain. Primrose was all alone in the dark and she was frightened.

Poor Primrose, would she find her way home again?

Image for Mr. Hermit Miser and the Neighborly Pumpkin: the green edition |

Mr. Hermit Miser and the Neighborly Pumpkin: the green edition |

Mr. Hermit Miser doesn’t like his neighbors, and they don’t like him. But when a pumpkin vine sprouts in Mr. Hermit Miser’s yard and makes its way into the neighbors’ yards, but he wants all those pumpkins for pies … well, what is he to do?

With adventures in pumpkin-snatching, failed attempts at baking pies, and pumpkin goo everywhere, this tale about being neighborly in a not-so-perfect way will be an endearing autumn story for all the readers in your circle.

This reprint of a 1949 classic adds some recipes, a poem, and a bit of pie-history as well.

Image for Dance Like a Leaf

Dance Like a Leaf

As her grandmother's health declines, a young girl begins to lovingly take the lead in their cozy shared autumn traditions. Poetic prose paired with evocative illustrations by Mexican illustrator Claudia Navarro make for a beautiful celebration of life and a gentle introduction to the death of a loved one.

Image for The Fox Went Out on a Chilly Night

The Fox Went Out on a Chilly Night

"[Spier's] finely detailed, action-packed New England autumn vistas are almost startlingly beautiful."—The New York Times  Over fifty years after he won a Caldecott Honor for The Fox Went Out on a Chilly Night, legendary illustrator Peter Spier went back to this time-honored favorite in 2014 to paint the half of the book that was originally printed in black and white. In this glowing, restored vision of Spier’s beloved classic, follow the wily fox as he roams a sleepy New England town in search of a meal, with tones and textures so vivid you can almost hear the crackle of crisp fall leaves and the ripples of the river in the moonlight.

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Down Buttermilk Lane

An Amish family, traveling by buggy, spends a day doing errands in the village, visiting, and returning home in time for supper

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Fall Leaves

Autumn is in the air: days grow shorter and nights are long. Birds leave, flowers, too. Apples and temperatures fall—then snow!Part poem, part silent stage, this luminous picture book puts autumn on display and captures the spirit of change that stays with us long after fall leaves. Unlock the secrets of this busy and beautiful time of year as the natural world makes way for winter.

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Hooray for Fall!

Mama has a surprise for her three little squirrels: three bright red sweaters to keep them warm throughout the fall. Imagine the siblings’ surprise when they find that everything in the autumn woods—the leaves, the berries, even the setting sun—is red too, just like their sweaters.This celebration of a perfect fall day will have young and old alike looking for signs of autumn in their own neighborhoods. Kazuo Iwamura’s books celebrating the seasons (Hooray for Spring!, Hooray for Summer!, Hooray for Fall!, and Hooray for Snow!) are perennial favorites—introducing children to the beauty and joy of each season. Iwamura masterfully captures the small wonders of nature in his illustrations and his stories with their gentle humor warm the heart.

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Hopefully the Scarecrow

The perfect Fall book for kids! A poignant picture book about a scarecrow who befriends the young girl who reads to him day after day until one day he's left wondering where she is.A scarecrow stood in the garden. Tall, proud, and smiling. Every day a girl brought her favorite books to the garden and she read to him. He heard tales of courage and of hope. And when she said, "The End," the scarecrow always felt a little bit taller and braver. Year after year, she came and she read to him.Until one spring, two different hands picked him up from the garden shed and placed him in the garden. He waited, but she didn't come to read to him.With poignant words from award-winning author Michelle Houts and lush illustrations by Pura Belpré Honor winner Sara Palacios, Hopefully the Scarecrow is a tender distillation of the enduring power of friendship and a heartwarming look at the ways stories connect us.

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Maple & Willow Apart

Funny, relatable sibling dynamics make this story a wonderful way to address navigating big changes. Lori Nichols’s expressive artwork beautifully portrays Maple and Willow’s strong bond, and children will love the creative, kid-powered solution. Maple and Willow have always been inseparable. So what happens when Maple starts big-girl school and Willow stays behind? Well, of course, both girls have marvelous adventures of their own, but the truth is, they miss each other. And when they see that the missing is mutual, they find a unique way to feel connected even when they have to be apart.

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Now It's Fall (Lois Lenski Books)

School bells and apples and big ripe pumpkins-all the pleasures of fall come alive in this newly reissued classic by award winner Lois Lenski. First published in 1948, Now It's Fall is a timeless celebration of autumn that will enchant a whole new generation of young readers with its gently recolored illustrations.

But, what else can you do with a bag of fresh cranberries from the grocery store?

CRANBERRY FUN RECIPE IDEAS

Make cranberry sauce. Cranberry sauce can be enjoyed all year long.

Kids can help to make cranberry sauce by washing the cranberries, chopping them up, and adding sugar and water.

  • Make cranberry juice. Cranberry juice is a refreshing and healthy drink that is perfect for kids. Kids can help to make cranberry juice by squeezing the cranberries and straining the juice.
  • Make cranberry muffins. Cranberry muffins are a delicious and nutritious snack that is perfect for kids. Kids can help to make cranberry muffins by mixing the ingredients and baking them in the oven.
  • Make cranberry soap. Cranberry soap is a gentle and moisturizing soap that is perfect for kids. Kids can help to make cranberry soap by melting the soap base, adding the cranberries, and pouring the soap into molds.

Today’s activity is going to incorporate all your child’s senses.

First encourage your child to give the fresh cranberries a taste straight from the bag and describe the look, taste, and smell.

Then you are going to put together a simple sensory bin that will keep them engaged for hours as they “cook” and sort and explore the items.

5 CRANBERRY FACTS FOR KIDS

  1. Cranberries are not true berries but are instead considered “false” berries or epigynous fruit.
  2. They are one of only a few fruits that are native to North American, concord grapes and blueberries are the others.
  3. Cranberries are often harvested in the most unique way. They are grown on sandy bogs or marshes, but because cranberries float, some bogs are flooded when the fruit is ready for harvesting and they are scooped off the top of the water.
  4. They are made up of approximately 90% water and still pack a nutritional punch with a healthy dose of vitamin c and other important vitamins and minerals.
  5. Native Americans used cranberries to make their survival cakes known as pemmican. They also used this fruit in poultices and dyes.
How To Create An Engaging Cranberry Sensory Bin

Next, look at hands-on cranberry ideas.

HANDS ON CRANBERRY FUN

Make this Easy Crockpot Cranberry Sauce Recipe with just 5 ingredients and let your child dump each of the ingredients in the crockpot and occasionally stir.

Learn How to Make the Best No-Cook Cranberry Playdough and then use it to practice forming letters, create unique shapes, and build fine motor skills.

Here you will find 11 Fun Handwriting Activities For Preschoolers | Easy Cranberry Sauce Writing Tray, another sensory activity that will get your child really involved in their learning.

You have to Make Cranberry Oobleck Recipe for yet another sensory play idea that they will love, what is it about this Newtonian fluid kids just love? (I mean, me too)

Find out what cranberries and Ivory soap have in common in The Science Behind Cranberries, I love a good stem activity.

How To Create An Engaging Cranberry Sensory Bin

Finally, look at how to create a cranberry sensory bin.

HOW TO CREATE AN ENGAGING CRANBERRY SENSORY BIN

Now, anything on this list of supplies is optional (except cranberries of course).

Use what you have on hand to add scent, texture, and color to your sensory bin. It is fun to change it up a bit for fall and winter themes.

You will need:

  • A large shallow bin, tray, bucket, etc.
  • water
  • Fresh cranberries
  • Cinnamon sticks
  • pinecones
  • An orange
  • An apple
  • Whole cloves, star anise, allspice
  • Essential oil-optional
How To Create An Engaging Cranberry Sensory Bin

You will also want to grab some fun kitchen implements like a wooden spoon, bowls, spatulas, strainer, etc…

First, fill a shallow bin with several inches of water, you can use whatever you have on hand but I thought this metal tub was fun and it gave plenty of room for exploring.

How To Create An Engaging Cranberry Sensory Bin

Add a bag of fresh cranberries.

How To Create An Engaging Cranberry Sensory Bin

Slice fresh apples and oranges to add to the mix.

How To Create An Engaging Cranberry Sensory Bin

Then, include your other elements like pinecones, whole spices, and cinnamon sticks.

How To Create An Engaging Cranberry Sensory Bin

If you like you can add a drop or two of your favorite seasonal essential oil to ramp up the scent.

How To Create An Engaging Cranberry Sensory Bin

Extend the play by adding spoons, bowls, strainers, measuring cups, and other kitchen items so that your child can fill, dump, measure, mix, sort, and explore the bin.

How To Create An Engaging Cranberry Sensory Bin

You may want to move this one outdoors or place a plastic disposable tablecloth underneath to contain the mess.

You can also add alphabet tiles to spell out’ cranberry’ or ‘cranberries’ and practice letter identification with your child.

Leave a CommentFiled Under: Hands-On Activities Tagged With: cranberries, fall, fall crafts, hands-on, hands-on activities, handsonhomeschooling, science

Fun and Easy Leaf Hedgehog Craft for Autumn Days

November 7, 2024 | Leave a Comment
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We’re making an adorable leaf hedgehog craft that is worthy of display on any wall, amid family pictures and other decor. Also, you’ll love my page Fall Season Unit Study {Pumpkins, Leaves, Corn, & More}.

Of course, while we do that, we can learn about them through facts, videos, books, and other hands-on activities.

Hedgehogs are small, spiky mammals that are found in Europe, Asia, and Africa.

Fun and Easy Leaf Hedgehog Craft for Autumn Days

They are nocturnal animals, meaning they are active at night.

Hedgehogs have long snouts, short legs, and round bodies.

Their backs are covered in sharp spines that they use to protect themselves from predators.

Hedgehogs are omnivores, meaning they eat both plants and animals.

Their diet includes insects, worms, snails, fruits, and vegetables. Hedgehogs are also known to eat beetles, caterpillars, snakes and even mice.

Hedgehogs are solitary animals, meaning they live alone.

They only come together to mate.

Female hedgehogs give birth to a litter of 4-8 babies, called hoglets.

Hoglets are born blind and deaf, but they quickly grow up and become independent.

Hedgehogs are important members of the ecosystem.

They help to control the population of insects and rodents. Hedgehogs are also a source of food for other animals, such as owls and foxes.

Hedgehogs are popular pets.

They are known for being friendly and gentle animals.

And hedgehogs are relatively easy to care for, but they do require some special attention.

Hedgehogs need a diet that is high in protein and low in fat.

They also need a cage that is large enough for them to move around and exercise.

HEDGEHOG BOOKS AND RESOURCES FOR KIDS

Next, look at some of these fun books and resources.

5 HEDGEHOG BOOKS AND RESOURCES FOR KIDS

Add these fun resources and books to your learning day.

Image for Miss Jaster's Garden

Miss Jaster's Garden

After getting caught in Miss Jaster's spring planting, Hedgie the hedgehog discovers he has become a four-legged, walking flower garden.

Image for The Proper Way to Meet a Hedgehog and Other How-To Poems

The Proper Way to Meet a Hedgehog and Other How-To Poems

Be they practical (how to mix a pancake or how to bird-watch) or fanciful (how to scare monsters or how to be a snowflake), the poems in this book boast a flair and joy that you won’t find in any instruction manual. Poets from Kwame Alexander to Pat Mora to Allan Wolf share the way to play hard, to love nature, and to be grateful. Soft, evocative illustrations will encourage readers to look at the world with an eye to its countless possibilities.

Image for Hedgehog Plush

Hedgehog Plush

Little ones love to hibernate with this realistic stuffed animal hedgehog with a multicolored overcoat in their arms.

Image for Hedgehogs (National Geographic Kids Readers)

Hedgehogs (National Geographic Kids Readers)

Packed with beautiful and engaging photos, kids will learn all about these adorable animals--their fascinating features, behavior, and habitat. This reader is carefully leveled for an early independent reading or read aloud experience, perfect to encourage the scientists and explorers of tomorrow!

Image for Hedgehog Hustle

Hedgehog Hustle

  • The Owl is on the Prowl in the Hedgehog hustle ping pong ball Game . Draw a card and take the given number of shots to bounce your Hedgehog ball into the food targets. Don't miss!
  • Additionally, look at facts about hedgehogs.

    HEDGEHOG FACTS

    If you are thinking about getting a hedgehog as a pet, be sure to do your research and find a reputable breeder.

    1. There are 19 species in five genera of hedgehogs worldwide:  Erinaceus, Paraechinus, Mesechinus, Atelerix and Hemiechinus.
    2. Hedgehogs can roll into a ball when they are threatened- this is called “hogging.”
    3. Hedgehogs have very poor eyesight, but they have a keen sense of smell and hearing.
    4. Hedgehogs are very good swimmers and can swim for over half a mile, pretty good for such a little swimmer.
    5. When they are born their spines are soft and short. But soon after birth, about 3 weeks later, their spines harden, becoming stiffer, sharper and longer.
    6. Hedgehogs can live for up to 8 years in captivity, so it is important to be prepared for a long-term commitment.

    We found a hedgehog card in our Professor Noggin Pet’s Game; you can learn more about them and other unique pets by playing.

    Fun and Easy Leaf Hedgehog Craft for Autumn Days

    In addition, look at some fun hands-on hedgehog activities.

    HANDS-ON HEDGEHOG FUN

    • Grab a plastic disposable fork and create this Fork Painted Hedgehog Craft, an excellent project for the youngest of learners.
    • Autumn Spiky Paper Hedgehogs
    • I just love a good tp roll craft for its frugalness but they usually just come out adorable like this Hedgehog Toilet Paper Roll.
    • Where do they live? What do they eat? Watch 15 facts about Hedgehogs to find out the answers to these questions and more.
    • Build number recognition skills at the same time that they build fine motor skills by creating and playing with this clever Hedgehog Counting Craft.
    Fun and Easy Leaf Hedgehog Craft for Autumn Days

    Finally, look at how to make this adorable leaf hedgehog craft.

    LEAF HEDGEHOG CRAFT

    The next time you are on a nature walk or wandering in the backyard, gather a basket of dried fall leaves and a few small sticks for this autumn leaf hedgehog craft.

    Fun and Easy Leaf Hedgehog Craft for Autumn Days

    You will need:

    • A canvas
    • Dried fall leaves
    • Sticks
    • Glue stick
    • Hot glue gun/sticks
    • Dried berries, buttons, or beads
    • A pencil
    Fun and Easy Leaf Hedgehog Craft for Autumn Days

    First, decide if you would like your hedgehog walking along the ground or a little more whimsical and upright like we did ours here.

    Sketch the outline of a rounded body and a tipped-up nose with a pencil.

    Fun and Easy Leaf Hedgehog Craft for Autumn Days

    Once you are happy with your design, retrace the pencil with a fine line marker.

    To help children develop fine motor skills you can let them trace the pencil outline with a pen or permanent marker.

    You may want to mark with a pencil where to stop the leaves for younger children.

    Demonstrate for your child how to add a generous amount of glue to the line along the back and press leaves into the glue down to the base.

    Fun and Easy Leaf Hedgehog Craft for Autumn Days

    Repeat until he has a full back of leafy spines 2-3 layers thick.

    Use a google eye, small button, or something like these little dried berries we found outside to make his eye and little upturned nose and glue in place.

    Fun and Easy Leaf Hedgehog Craft for Autumn Days

    Erase the pencil lines if there are any showing to clean up the work a bit.

    For the framing part of this craft, you will want to use hot glue to be sure that it holds in place well.

    Break your sticks to the approximate length of the four sides of the canvas and glue into place.

    Fun and Easy Leaf Hedgehog Craft for Autumn Days

    Allow it to harden and it’s ready to hang and bring some autumn memories to your wall.

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

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