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Emperor Penguin Craft: Step-by-Step Guide To Make Your Own Penguin

October 16, 2024 | Leave a Comment
This post may contain affiliate links. For more information, please see my full disclosure policy.

Upcycle a 2-liter bottle into a cute and silly emperor penguin craft with just a few more art supply items and a little bit of time.

Take your kids on a delightful journey of creativity with plenty of penguin crafts.

Too, I have facts and movies that I have gathered up. 

Emperor Penguin Craft: Step-by-Step Guide To Make Your Own Penguin

These ideas cover kids of all ages and can be used for a family emperor penguin unit study.

Emperor penguins are easily identifiable.

Their size alone sets them apart from other penguins.

And their yellow is lighter than that of the similar king penguin, and their beak is shorter and points downward.

From adorable paper penguins to whimsical pom-pom penguin poppers there are Emperor Penguin craft ideas to appeal to everyone.

PENGUIN BOOKS FOR KIDS

First, look at these fun books about penguins.

I add living books when I can find them.

11 Penguin Books & Resources for Kids Who Love to Read and Be Read To

Add some of these books and resources about penguins to your learning day.

Image for Penguin's Way

Penguin's Way

With a new children’s book imprint, the Bodleian Library brings beloved classics back into print, beginning with a beautiful storybook about the life of a fascinating Antarctic species. Originally published in 1962, Penguin’s Way by Johanna Johnston tells the surprising story of these creatures, complete with colorful artwork by award-winning illustrator Leonard Weisgard. In Penguin’s Way, a playful colony of emperor penguins lives on the edge of a faraway secret sea. During the summers, the penguins are content to fish and swim in the icy waters. But, when the seasons change, they must travel more than one hundred miles to the snowy lands surrounding the South Pole. All across the snow plain, the penguins sing songs to welcome newly hatched chicks into the world, but how will the fluffy newborns survive the freezing winter? Few things pique children’s curiosity about the world around them better than a good book. Brought back for a new generation of young readers, Penguin’s Way offers a fun and creative introduction to these fascinating animals.

Image for Mr. Popper's Penguins: All-Time Popular Children Book

Mr. Popper's Penguins: All-Time Popular Children Book

Charming Characters: Meet the endearing Mr. Popper and his comical penguins, each with their distinct personalities and quirks, creating a delightful and memorable cast of characters.

Whimsical Adventures: Follow Mr. Popper and his penguins on a series of whimsical escapades, as they navigate unexpected challenges and create joyous chaos in their small town.

Heartwarming Message: Experience the heartwarming message of friendship, family, and the importance of embracing the unexpected, as Mr. Popper's life is transformed by the presence of his unusual feathered companions.

Image for Whiteblack the Penguin Sees the World

Whiteblack the Penguin Sees the World

Whiteblack the Penguin is worried. He has run out of stories for his radio show, a dire situation for the Chief Storyteller of Penguinland. So Whiteblack decides to travel in search of new tales to share. The result is a journey that spans the globe and not only introduces the precocious penguin to a host of colorful characters but teaches him about the power of friendship and what it means to be a hero. Originally created in 1937, while the Reys lived in Paris, this delightful story is being published for the first time, and is sure to enchant readers young and old. From the creators of Curious George, Whiteblack the Penguin Sees The World is a timeless tale with all the hilarity and childlike sense of adventure characteristic of the Reys’ previous work.

Image for The Emperor's Egg: Read and Wonder

The Emperor's Egg: Read and Wonder

Can you imagine spending the winter outdoors in Antarctica without anything to eat? That’s just what the male Emperor penguin does. While his mate is off swimming and catching loads of fish, he stands around in the freezing cold with an egg on his feet for two whole months, keeping it warm and waiting for it to hatch. Welcome to the story of the world’s most devoted dad!

Image for Penguins!: Strange and Wonderful

Penguins!: Strange and Wonderful

A new edition to the acclaimed Strange and Wonderful series. The seventeen species of penguins come in all sizes and are fascinating in many other ways. The little blue penguin, the smallest, stands about sixteen inches high, and the emperor penguin, the largest, stands almost four feet tall. Some penguins are named for how they look, such as the black-footed penguin, while others are named for where they live, such as the Galapagos penguin. Laurence Pringle's informative book, with stunning illustrations by Meryl Henderson, introduces young readers to the life and behavior of one of nature's most remarkable birds.

Image for 12PCS Realistic Penguin Figurines

12PCS Realistic Penguin Figurines

This penguin figures set was made by hand painted with high realistically detailed appearance, cute face and childish eyes. Their uniquely molded textures and richly painted details make the animals vivid. And all the animal figures stands up very well, they do not fall over. Children would like to spend more time to observe and play with them.

Image for The Great Penguin Rescue: Saving the African Penguins

The Great Penguin Rescue: Saving the African Penguins

African penguins waddle around nesting colonies in lower numbers than ever before. Despite South African government efforts to protect the penguin colonies and their ocean fish supply, young penguins still struggle to survive. Fuzzy chicks waiting for food in open nests may overheat in the sun or become prey. Others simply may not get enough food to survive on their own once their parents leave. But new conservation methods, including rescuing and hand-feeding vulnerable chicks, are giving experts hope. Can volunteers and scientists help save Africa's only penguins before it's too late?

Image for March of the Penguins

March of the Penguins

This documentary chronicles the heroic and harrowing journey that emperor penguins make amid subfreezing temperatures and violent snowstorms at the South Pole in order to mate.

Image for 365 Penguins (Reissue)

365 Penguins (Reissue)

A family finds a penguin mysteriously delivered to their door every day for a year. At first they’re cute, but with every passing day, the penguins pile up—along with the family’s problems. Feeding, cleaning, and housing the penguins becomes a monumental task. They’re noisy and smelly, and they always hog the bathroom! And who on earth is sending these kwak-ing critters? Bright, striking illustrations with lots of opportunity for counting (and lots of laughs), 365 Penguins has become a perennial wintertime favorite.

Image for Penguin: A Season in the Life of the Adélie Penguin

Penguin: A Season in the Life of the Adélie Penguin

Beautiful, full-color photographs and an engaging first-person narrative introduce young readers to an Adelie penguin family's first view of the harsh, wild Antarctic environment.

Image for Penguins!

Penguins!

An illustrated introduction to those wonderful waddling water birds!Living only in the southern hemisphere, there are seventeen different kinds of penguins.  With bright watercolor illustrations and kid-friendly language, Gail Gibbons introduces these black and white birds, describing where and how they live, what they eat, and how they hatch their young.   An exploration of the egg-laying and chick-raising habits of the emperor penguin is also included, describing how these large penguins take care of their babies in extremely cold temperatures, working together to look after one large egg at a time. Readers will also learn about threats to penguin populations, and what conservation efforts have been made to help preserve them.  A collection of penguin facts is also included.

Next, look at these facts about penguins.

5 EMPEROR PENGUIN FACTS

  1. Emperor penguins are the tallest and heaviest of all the penguins, at heights of 36” -48” and weighing up to 99 lbs.
  2. They can dive deeper than any other bird, including other penguins, down to 1,800 feet and can hold their breath for almost 30 minutes.
  3. Emperor Penguins do not hop rather they have a slow waddling walk, moving at about 1.7 mph. They have also been known to toboggan by sliding on their bellies across the ice.
  4. Females, after laying a single egg in April or May transfer care to the male who carefully balances the egg on his feet for 65 – 75 days to keep it warm off the cold ground in a special adapted brood pouch.
  5. Colonies of emperor penguin are made up of 5,000 or more adults and chicks who work together to huddle for warmth. They are tightly packed together and take turns shuffling around to be on the outside for a bit in the harsh cold.
Emperor Penguin Craft: Step-by-Step Guide To Make Your Own Penguin

Also, you’ll love these emperor penguin crafts, activities, and activities.

PENGUIN CRAFTS, RESOURCES, AND ACTIVITIES

For little ones, find out How to Make an Egg Carton Bobblehead Penguin Preschool Craft to teach them about these tuxedo clad birds.

Watch The March of The Penguins to follow the amazing journey of Emperor Penguins in subfreezing temperatures in the South Pole.

Learn How to Make an Easy Antarctica Diorama With Your Kids that is a fresh new take on an older idea.

If you are going to dive right into a penguin unit why not make it a Penguin Party? Really make it special with themed snacks and decor to kick it off.

Penguin Poppers would make a really fun indoor or outdoor activity to get the kids up and moving during the unit.

Where is Antarctica is an engaging book from the Where is series that will hold your child’s interest while giving them many great facts about life on this icy desert.

Give this hands on Slippery Penguins on Ice Experiment a try to learn how penguins can move across the ice quickly and easily.

Emperor Penguin Craft: Step-by-Step Guide To Make Your Own Penguin

EMPEROR PENGUIN CRAFT

Now go gather your supplies and get ready to dive into a world of penguins and fun that turns your child into a penguin expert before you know it.

You will need:

  • Empty 2-liter bottle
  • sandpaper
  • Black craft paint
  • Black permanent marker
  • Black craft felt
  • White craft felt
  • Yellow craft felt
  • 2 black beads
  • Hot glue gun/sticks
Emperor Penguin Craft: Step-by-Step Guide To Make Your Own Penguin

First, peel the label off the bottle and wash out the inside well.

Rinse it and set upside down to drain.

You can paint the outside, but I found it much easier and cleaner to pour a bunch of black paint inside the bottle.

Then, replace the cap, and let your child shake it until the inside is completely coated in paint.

This also lessens the length of time needed to wait for drying times in between colors.

Emperor Penguin Craft: Step-by-Step Guide To Make Your Own Penguin

Turn the bottle upside down to allow excess to drip out until it has slowed to almost a stop.

Emperor Penguin Craft: Step-by-Step Guide To Make Your Own Penguin

Replace the cap and color it black with a sharpie.

From black felt cut a pair of three toed feet, two wings ¾ the length of the bottle, a beak, a large circle with a beak (an oversized coffee cup is the perfect size to trace), and just the beak.

STEP-BY-STEP GUIDE TO MAKE YOUR OWN PENGUIN

From the white cut a large oval piece for the belly that reaches from nearly neck to the base.

Cut two small yellow stripes to give our Emperor penguin the distinguishing yellow collar.

Emperor Penguin Craft: Step-by-Step Guide To Make Your Own Penguin

Hot glue the white belly onto your penguin, apply the glue to the felt, not the plastic bottle or it will melt.

Emperor Penguin Craft: Step-by-Step Guide To Make Your Own Penguin

Add the wings to the sides and the feet to the base with glue.

Hot glue the beak piece to the beak portion of the circle to make it a little firmer.

Emperor Penguin Craft: Step-by-Step Guide To Make Your Own Penguin

Gather up your black scraps and stuff the small bits into a larger scrap.

Then ball it up and hot glue onto the cap to give the head some shape.

Emperor Penguin Craft: Step-by-Step Guide To Make Your Own Penguin

Press the circle portion over the scrap ball you put on the cap.

And hot glue into place all around with the beak facing forward. Bend down slightly at the end.

Emperor Penguin Craft: Step-by-Step Guide To Make Your Own Penguin

Add two black beads on either side for the eyes.

Emperor Penguin Craft: Step-by-Step Guide To Make Your Own Penguin

Finally add the yellow collar and attach securely.

Emperor Penguin Craft: Step-by-Step Guide To Make Your Own Penguin

Leave a CommentFiled Under: Hands-On Activities Tagged With: 2 liter bottle, antarctica, crafts, hands-on, hands-on activities, handson, handsonhomeschooling, homeschool, life science, penguin, science, two liter bottle

How to Make T.Rex & Stegosaurus Dinosaurs Easy LEGO Builds For Kids

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

I cannot wait to show you these easy Lego builds for kids. Also, grab more ideas on my page Dinosaur Unit Study.

I start with a roundup of adorable things I found and finish with a T-Rex and Stegosaurus LEGO tutorial.

Too, we do have more than one set of the creative boxes in our LEGO collection.

How to Make T.Rex & Stegosaurus Dinosaurs Easy LEGO Builds For Kids

However, I did use only the bricks and studs that are available inside of these most basic boxes.

Your dinosaurs may look a little different if you are limited on pieces and you may have more of a mix of colors.

Too, while your child is crafting grab a book or two to read aloud.

It’s the best way to learn while doing easy Lego builds for kids.

I prefer living books when I can find them.

BOOKS ABOUT DINOSAURS FOR KIDS

15 Books for Kids Crazy About Fossils and Dinosaurs

Your dinosaur loving kids will love some of these books and resources for a fun dinosaur unit study.

Image for Fossils Tell of Long Ago

Fossils Tell of Long Ago

What is a fossil? Sometimes it's the imprint of an ancient leaf in a rock. Or it could be the skeleton of a dinosaur that has turned to stone. With clear prose and beautifully detailed illustrations, award-winning author and illustrator Aliki describes the different ways fossils are formed and what they tell us about life on Earth long ago.

This is a clear and appealing science book for early elementary age kids, both at home and in the classroom. It includes a find out more section with a glossary and activity guide so kids can create their own fossils for someone to find a million years from now.

Image for Dinosaurs! (New & Updated)

Dinosaurs! (New & Updated)

Gail Gibbons presents the most recent and up-to-date theories about the history of dinosaurs and dinosaur discoveries. She discusses the Triassic, Jurassic, and Cretaceous periods and the non-bird dinosaurs that lived during each time. Each dinosaur is explored in just the right amount of detail for young paleontologists, as this book brings these magnificent creatures to life again

Image for Digging Up Dinosaurs (Let's-Read-and-Find-Out Science 2)

Digging Up Dinosaurs (Let's-Read-and-Find-Out Science 2)

How did those enormous dinosaur skeletons get inside the museum? Beloved author-illustrator Aliki’s simple, engaging text and colorful artwork bring the long-extinct creatures to life for young dinosaur enthusiasts.

Long ago, dinosaurs ruled the Earth. Then, suddenly, they died out. For thousands of years, no one knew these giant creatures had ever existed. Then people began finding fossils—bones and teeth and footprints that had turned to stone. Today, teams of experts work together to dig dinosaur fossils out of the ground, bone by fragile bone

Image for How Do Dinosaurs Say Goodnight?

How Do Dinosaurs Say Goodnight?

A playful peek into the homes of dinosaur babies and their parents at bedtime!How do dinosaurs say good night?Brimming with humor and familiar good-night antics, here is a playful peek into the homes of dinosaur children and their parents at bedtime. Perfect for sharing and reading aloud, this is one nighttime book your own little dinosaur will want to read again and again.

Image for Dinosaur Roar!

Dinosaur Roar!

A celebratory edition of this much loved classic picture book, now twenty-five years old. This rollicking rhyming text is a joy to read aloud, and the charming and colourful pictures will appeal to the very youngest dinosaur fans. Originally published in 1994, Dinosaur Roar! by Henrietta and Paul Stickland is now seen as a modern classic, a book that every preschool child should have.In the back of the book is a wonderful pull-out poster showing the dinosaur characters.The book carries the endorsement of the Earth Sciences Department at the Natural History Museum.

Image for Dinosaur Bones

Dinosaur Bones

With a lively rhyming text and vibrant paper collage illustrations, author-artist Bob Barner shakes the dust off the dinosaur bones found in museums and reminds us that they once belonged to living, breathing creatures. Filled with fun dinosaur facts (a T. Rex skull can weigh up to 750 pounds!) and an informational "Dinometer," Dinosaur Bones is sure to make young dinosaur enthusiasts roar with delight.

Image for Dinosaurs, Dinosaurs

Dinosaurs, Dinosaurs

A long time ago there were dinosaurs. Big dinosaurs and small dinosaurs. Dinosaurs with horns on their heads or spikes down their backs. Dinosaurs with long, long necks and long, long tails. Imaginatively and with a masterful use of color, shape and composition, Bryon Barton brings to life a unique and endearing vision of what the world may have looked like once upon a time.

A long time ago there was dinosaurs. Big dinosaurs and small dinosaurs. Dinosaurs with horns on their heads or spikes down their backs. Dinosaurs with long, long necks and long, long tails.Imaginatively and with a masterful use of color, shape and composition, Byron Barton brings to life unique and endearing vision of what the world may have looked like once up ona time.

Image for Here We Go Digging for Dinosaur Bones

Here We Go Digging for Dinosaur Bones

This STEM-friendly musical fossil dig will have dinosaur lovers singing along as they learn the science behind paleontology.

Image for I Dreamt I Was a Dinosaur

I Dreamt I Was a Dinosaur

If you could be a dinosaur, which would you be? Would you roar like the ferocious T-Rex? Or soar overhead like the pterodactyl? In this playful early-learning book, Stella Blackstone s lyrical, rhyming text takes readers on an unforgettable Jurassic journey, while fabric artist Clare Beaton recreates the prehistoric world of dinosaurs using a colorful array of felt, sequins, beads and buttons.

Image for T Is for Terrible: A Picture Book

T Is for Terrible: A Picture Book

I am Tyrannosaurus Rex.

I am a dinosaur,

otherwise known as

a terrible lizard.

Tyrannosaurus rex is a terrible dinosaur; of this, everyone is certain. But is this dinosaur really so terrible? He IS very big and very hungry. True, he might even eat his neighbors for lunch. But from his point of view, he can't help it. After all, he's not a vegetarian . . .

Image for The Shy Stegosaurus of Cricket Creek

The Shy Stegosaurus of Cricket Creek

Meet George. He's strong, as a giant dinosaur should be, strong enough to wreck a plane! (Of course he thinks it's his old enemy, the flying Pteranodon.) He's loyal. He'll do anything to help Joan and Joey save their mother's ranch at Cricket Creek, even chase a bank robber. He's shy. He's so shy he gets Joan and Joey into hilarious, dinosaur sized trouble!

Image for The Magic School Bus in the Time of Dinosaurs

The Magic School Bus in the Time of Dinosaurs

The classroom is decorated as Dinosaur Land, but Ms. Frizzle-inspired by an archeological dig-craves a more authentic experience. The Magic School Bus turns into a time machine and transports the class back millions of years to an adventure where they learn about dinosaurs, their habitats and diets, and even a Maiasaura nesting ground.

Image for Fossils (A True Book: Earth Science)

Fossils (A True Book: Earth Science)

Fossils are one of the most important tools we have for learning about long-extinct wildlife.

A True Book: Earth Science series presents fascinating facts and fun activities that will engage the budding earth scientist, while exploring the fields of geology, meteorology, ecology, and more. This series includes an age appropriate (grades 3-5) introduction to curriculum-relevant subjects and a robust resource section that encourages independent study. In the 4.6 billion years since Earth was formed, many plant and animal species have come and gone. Readers will discover how fossils are formed, how paleontologists search for them, and what kinds of information they can provide.

Image for Paleontological Fossils Sample- Paleontology Trilobite Fossil, Scientific Amber Specimen

Paleontological Fossils Sample- Paleontology Trilobite Fossil, Scientific Amber Specimen

A box of ten fossils: A box of this paleontological fossil sample contains ten of fossils, including sea clam fossils, trilobites, ichthyodonts, porphyrites, copal amber, graptolites, nematodes, phylloceras, corals, and spirals. Fossil specimen of algae.

Image for Ancient Fossils TOOB - Figurines: Dino Footprint, Giant Crab, Ammonite, Raptor Claw, T-Rex Tooth, Frog Skeleton, Sea Scorpion & More

Ancient Fossils TOOB - Figurines: Dino Footprint, Giant Crab, Ammonite, Raptor Claw, T-Rex Tooth, Frog Skeleton, Sea Scorpion & More

Step into Prehistory: This Toob contains 10 expertly hand-painted mini figurines of ancient fossils, including a Dinosaur Footprint, Giant Crab, Ammonite, Raptor Claw, Fossilized Frog, Trilobite, T-Rex Tooth, Fossilized Fish, Dinosaur Skin, and a Sea Scorpion.

First let’s learn a bit about the real-life counterparts of our little brick buddies.

T.REX & STEGOSAURUS DINOSAURS FACTS

T. Rex 
Name: Comes from Greek and Latin words meaning ‘Tyrant Lizard King’.
Eating Habit: Carnivore
Size: 20 ft tall to almost 40’ long.

Believed to have been in the Cretaceous Period 65 million years ago, in what’s now the USA and Canada. Fun Fact: T. Rex are thought to have had a brain twice as big as those of the other big carnivorous dinosaurs.

Stegosaurus
Name: Stegosaurus is from the Greek for “roof lizard”, named so after its bony plates.
Eating Habit:Herbivore
Size: 21-30 feet long.

Stegosaurus  was thought to have lived about 145 million years ago during the Jurassic period in what’s now known as Colorado, Utah, and Wyoming.

Fun Fact: Stegosaurus is the official state dinosaur for Colorado

How to Make T.Rex & Stegosaurus Dinosaurs Easy LEGO Builds For Kids

And then look at these other dinosaur activities.

MORE DINOSAUR FUN

  • Fun Facts About Mold Fossils & 4 Types of Fossil Activities For Kids
  • Make Fun Edible Fossils and Free Magic School Bus Fossils Worksheet
  • Make your own easy Cardboard Dinosaur Feet for some fun dramatic play time.
  • Geronimo Stilton The Journey Through Time Fun Easy No Sew Dinosaur Mat
  • Science Fiction for Middle School Fun Jurassic Park Quick Unit Study (DIY Insect in Amber)
  • For a great sensory activity while you teach your child about various hypotheses for extinction this Erupting Dinosaur Extinction Slime looks like fun.

I also have a few must-have Lego pieces I want to share with you to start your LEGO collection.

First off this LEGO Creative Box is a must have for boys or girls.

They can be used for so much more than just building although that alone is worth the investment.

Next, if you don’t already have one a LEGO Baseplate for your builds is needed to create a foundation that is also moveable.

Once you begin to grow past one or two standard boxes you will want to grab something like these LEGO Organizers to help keep everything together and sorted a bit.

We are building this ferocious T.Rex

How to Make T.Rex & Stegosaurus Dinosaurs Easy LEGO Builds For Kids

And a cute little Stegosaurus

How to Make T.Rex & Stegosaurus Dinosaurs Easy LEGO Builds For Kids

Finally, look at how to make this T.Rex and Stegosaurus dinosaurs.

HOW TO MAKE LEGO T.REX AND STEGOSAURUS DINOSAURS

When building your dinosaurs do not get stuck so much on the exact size of the bricks.

For instance, if it calls for one 2×4 you can use two 2x2s instead just getting the same width and length out of any combination of bricks or plates.

Also sloped pieces can be rounded or sharp edged to help you create your masterpiece.

T.Rex:

  • 2 1×8 plates
  • 1-1 x 6 plate
  • 1-2 x 6 brick
  • 2-2×4 bricks
  • 2-2×3 bricks
  • 2-1×2 plates
  • 2-2×2 sloped
  • 2-2×4 bricks
  • 2-2×3 sloped
  • 3-1×2 sloped
  • 2 -knob studs
  • 4-nose cones
  • 2 studs
  • 2 eyes
  • 2-2×2 roof tile 
How to Make T.Rex & Stegosaurus Dinosaurs Easy LEGO Builds For Kids

First, begin by placing a 2×6 stud on top of the 2×6 sloped pieces to create the base of the body.

This will work with either the rounded ones or the sharp angle ones.

How to Make T.Rex & Stegosaurus Dinosaurs Easy LEGO Builds For Kids

Next, center the 2-1×8 plates on the body to create the tail. Place 1×2 plates on either side.

How to Make T.Rex & Stegosaurus Dinosaurs Easy LEGO Builds For Kids

Put a 2×4 brick on the tail closest to the body and round it off with a sloped 2×2 brick.

This will make it heavier on the back end but by the time we are done building it will be leveled off.

How to Make T.Rex & Stegosaurus Dinosaurs Easy LEGO Builds For Kids

Center a 2×2 on the body and place 1×6 plates on either side, these are the arms.

EASY LEGO BUILDS FOR KIDS

Add 1×2 sloped bricks to the top of each plate for hands.

How to Make T.Rex & Stegosaurus Dinosaurs Easy LEGO Builds For Kids

Place a 2×6 on the center to build up the body and create a neck.

Finally, it is time to build the ferocious head.

Use 2 of the sloped roof tiles as a base, these are the ones that look halfway upside down. Place 4 nose cones on one, and a 2×2 brick on the other.

Put a sloped 2×2 over the ‘teeth’ with knob studs directly behind it for the eyes, which you can then pop into place.

Finish the head with 3 sloped 1×3’s to round it off a bit.

How to Make T.Rex & Stegosaurus Dinosaurs Easy LEGO Builds For Kids

Press the head into place on top of the body.

Stegosaurus:

  • 2-2×8 plates
  • 1-2×2 plate
  • 2-1×2 bricks
  • 1-2 x 3 bricks
  • 4-2×2 bricks
  • 6-2×4 bricks
  • 4-2×2 sloped studs
  • 1-knob stud
  • 2 sloped studs
  • 2 eye studs
  • Assorted slope studs
How to Make T.Rex & Stegosaurus Dinosaurs Easy LEGO Builds For Kids

Take 2-2×8 plates and place them end to end. Top with a 1×2 at one end and then continue as follows- 4-2×4’s placed horizontally over the bricks and any combination of bricks vertically to create a tail that is 2×8 studs long.

Bottom view

How to Make T.Rex & Stegosaurus Dinosaurs Easy LEGO Builds For Kids

top view

How to Make T.Rex & Stegosaurus Dinosaurs Easy LEGO Builds For Kids

To create the spikes along the back and tail we used various heights and sizes of sloped bricks like so.

Place 2×2 sloped bricks on 2×2 bricks to make legs and feet.

Now, quick and easy build a head starting by placing eyes on the knob studs.

How to Make T.Rex & Stegosaurus Dinosaurs Easy LEGO Builds For Kids

Put them on top of a 2×4 brick, adding a sloped piece for the nose, and a flat tile to finish off the head.

Pop the head onto the front of your stegosaurus.

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

T Is For Simple Fun Thunderstorm Activities For Kindergarten

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

Thunderstorm activities for kindergarten will make a big impact if they are fun and hands on to get and keep your child’s interest. Also, grab my other tips, ideas, and crafts for kindergarten on my page Kindergarten Homeschool Curriculum.

Today I have a fun puffy fingerpaint thunderstorm sensory activity.

Your child will love this along with plenty of other resources like books, videos, and more hands-on activities.

T Is For Simple Fun Thunderstorm Activities For Kindergarten

Thunderstorms? Those massive, dark clouds aren’t just your average weather event; they are a display of the wild energy that’s going on up in our atmosphere.

And thunderstorms come with lightning, thunder, and sometimes even hail, which can be scary, but they’re also cool.

For our curious learners we’re going to break down how thunderstorms form and what they include through fun activities.

BOOKS ABOUT WEATHER FOR KIDS

First, look at some of these weather books for kids

13 Weather Resources and Books For Kids Who Love to Read and Be Read To

Grab some of these fantastic weather resources and books to engage your youngest learners about what is weather.

Image for What Will the Weather Be?

What Will the Weather Be?

Will it be warm or cold? Should we wear shorts or pants? Shoes or rain boots? What Will the Weather Be? uses colorful, simple diagrams to explain meteorology in a fun, engaging way. Perfect for young scientists and budding meteorologists, this bestseller features clear explanations of everyday weather instruments like thermometers and barometers.

Image for TEDCO-Pet Tornado-Spin and Watch

TEDCO-Pet Tornado-Spin and Watch

  • Nature's most destructive force can be observed and enjoyed in the palm of your hand.
  • Hold Pet Tornado from top or bottom and rotate wrist form amazing funnel clouds.
Image for Nature Anatomy: The Curious Parts and Pieces of the Natural World

Nature Anatomy: The Curious Parts and Pieces of the Natural World

See the world in a whole new way! Acclaimed illustrator Julia Rothman combines art and science in this exciting and educational guide to the structure, function, and personality of the natural world. Explore the anatomy of a jellyfish, the inside of a volcano, monarch butterfly migration, how sunsets work, and much more. Rothman’s whimsical illustrations are paired with interactive activities that encourage curiosity and inspire you to look more closely at the world all around you.

Image for Water Is Water: A Book About the Water Cycle

Water Is Water: A Book About the Water Cycle

Drip. Sip. Pour me a cup. Water is water unless...it heats up.Whirl. Swirl. Watch it curl by. Steam is steam unless...it cools high.This spare, poetic picture book follows a group of kids as they move through all the different phases of the water cycle. From rain to fog to snow to mist, talented author Miranda Paul and the always remarkable Jason Chin (Redwoods, Coral Reefs, Island, Gravity) combine to create a beautiful and informative journey in this innovative nonfiction picture book that will leave you thirsty for more.

Image for Book of Storms: Hurricanes, Twisters and Squalls

Book of Storms: Hurricanes, Twisters and Squalls

What triggers a tornado? What can you see in the eye of a hurricane? What's the difference between a thunderbolt and a thunderclap? Popular author and artist Eric Sloane proves why weather is something best understood by seeing it. His illustrated book shows weather "happening." In fact, there's not a sunny page in it—nothing but cyclonic storms, whirlwinds, waterspouts, lightning bolts, and other fascinating, weather-related topics. More than seventy pages of drawings and diagrams make the weather come alive in a book that examines everything from storm mechanisms and cold fronts to the birth of a thunderhead.

Image for Eric Sloane's Weather Book

Eric Sloane's Weather Book

"Amateur weather forecasters (which includes just about everyone) will find this volume an informative and entertaining account of the why and how of the weather." -- The Nation In simple language, Eric Sloane explains the whys and wherefores of weather and weather forecasting -- and does it in a style that's universally appealing. With humor and common sense shining through in a book that's also lively and informative, Sloane shows readers how to predict the weather by "reading" such natural phenomena as winds, skies, and animal sounds. This beautifully illustrated and practical treasure trove of climate lore will enlighten outdoorsmen, farmers, sailors, and anyone else who has ever wondered what a large halo around the moon means, why birds "sit it out" before a storm, and whether or not to take an umbrella when leaving the house.

Image for Thunderstorm

Thunderstorm

A midwestern summer thunderstorm as seen through the eyes of artist/etcher Arthur Geisert, and depicted in unprecedented detail, beautifully hand-colored.

Thunderstorm follows the course of a storm through midwestern farm country minute-by-minute, hour-by-hour, from late morning into late afternoon. As always with Arthur Geisert, it is a meticulously executed and visually stunning piece of work. Other than the timeline that runs along the bottom border of the illustrations, there is no text, and the illustrations are continuous.

Through keen observation, Geisert beautifully captures the nuances and details of a midwestern thunderstorm, from the ever-changing color of the sky, to the actions of the human inhabitants, to the reactions of the natural world to the wind and rain. America's heartland is somewhat unfamiliar territory in the realm of picture books, but in Thunderstorm, Geisert has provided readers with valuable, breathtaking insight into one of its most natural occurrences.

Image for The Magic School Bus Kicks Up A Storm: A Book About Weather

The Magic School Bus Kicks Up A Storm: A Book About Weather

A book about weather, from the animated television series on the Learning Channel.

Image for Rain, Hail, Sleet & Snow

Rain, Hail, Sleet & Snow

Rain, Hail, Sleet & Snow was first published by Nancy Larrick in 1961 and served as an introduction to elementary students about how weather conditions are formed. The book has been out of print for quite some time and modern books do not offer this age group such an approachable discussion of how inclement weather is formed and the conditions that effect it. While it does not discuss the most modern tools of meteorology, it does mention the use of airplanes, satellites, and other tools of measurement. Other topics besides rain, hail, sleet and snow that are discussed are tornadoes and hurricanes, lightning and thunder, fog, humidity, water vapor, condensation, ice crystals, and the different types of clouds.

Image for Look at the Sky and Tell the Weather

Look at the Sky and Tell the Weather

A delightful blend of serious meteorology and beautiful illustrations, this informative book displays the many talents of Eric Sloane. A writer, landscape painter, weather forecaster, and authority on early American history, Sloane takes readers with him on a voyage of discovery as he traces a single air mass from the Canadian Rockies to northern New England. A vivid narrative and the author's own pen-and-ink sketches describe the progress of the air mass over America, and tell about its encounters with other elements of weather systems and with Americans from a variety of backgrounds.

Image for The Secret World of Weather: How to Read Signs in Every Cloud, Breeze, Hill, Street, Plant, Animal, and Dewdrop

The Secret World of Weather: How to Read Signs in Every Cloud, Breeze, Hill, Street, Plant, Animal, and Dewdrop

In this eye-opening trove of outdoor clues, acclaimed natural navigator Tristan Gooley shows us how, by "reading" nature as he does, you'll not only detect what the weather is doing (and predict what's coming), you'll enter a secret wonderland of sights and sounds you've never noticed before. Discover the ways that weather can reveal a hidden world with every step you take—through the woods or down a city street.

  • A turbulent sky with mismatched clouds predicts bad weather.
  • Snowflakes get smaller as the temperature drops.
  • Dry weather and morning frost follow a clear moon.
  • Gliding birds mean stable air and thus, fair weather.
  • Honeybees don't leave their hives below 55 degrees Fahrenheit.
  • Crickets chirp faster as the temperature rises.
  • Pine cones close their scales in high humidity.
  • Perching birds face into the wind.
  • Cows don't lie down before rain, but they do head home.
Image for Weather Words and What They Mean

Weather Words and What They Mean

Simple, kid-friendly text explains the origins of fog, clouds, frost, thunderstorms, snow, fronts, hurricanes, reinforcing the explanations with clear, well-labeled drawings and diagrams. Newly revised, this edition of Weather Words and What They Mean has been vetted by an expert from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Association. Best of all, the book features a fun list of weird weather facts!

Image for The Wonder Of Thunder: Lessons From A Thunderstorm

The Wonder Of Thunder: Lessons From A Thunderstorm

o you know a child who is scared or feels uneasy during thunderstorms?

The Wonder of Thunder is a lighthearted children’s rhyming picture book that helps tame fears while highlighting all the wondrous things thunderstorms can do.

Children will adore Sally Storm, a lovable character who excitedly shares all the good she can do as she swirls and tumbles overhead. This early learning picture book introduces the topic of storms, thunder, lightning and rain in a fun and non-threatening way.

Colourful and captivating illustrations pull children into the story and hold their attention through to the end, where Sally shares more fun facts about thunderstorms and engages children through direct questions.

Next, here is some information to share with your kindergartener as you learn about the power and beauty of thunderstorms.

THUNDERSTORM FACTS FOR KIDS

What is a thunderstorm?

A thunderstorm is a storm with lightning and thunder. It is caused by the buildup of static electricity in the atmosphere.

How do thunderstorms form?

Thunderstorms form when there is a lot of warm, moist air near the ground. This air rises and cools, causing water vapor to condense into clouds.

As the clouds grow taller, they become unstable and the updrafts and downdrafts in the cloud become stronger. This causes the cloud to become electrified.

What is lightning?

Lightning is a bolt of electricity that travels between two objects with different electrical charges. In a thunderstorm, lightning can travel between the clouds, between the clouds and the ground, or even between the ground and the clouds.

T Is For Simple Fun Thunderstorm Activities For Kindergarten

What is thunder?

Thunder is the sound that is made by the shockwave that is created by lightning. When lightning travels through the air, it heats the air around it.

 This causes the air to expand rapidly, creating a shockwave that travels through the air at the speed of sound.

MORE KINDERGARTEN HOMESCHOOL CURRICULUM ACTIVITIES

  • How to Create the Perfect Kindergarten Homeschool Set Up
  • Best Kindergarten Health Curriculum Easy Ideas For Activities
  • 8 Best Summer Unit Studies For Kindergarten | Free Ant Study
  • 10 Kindergarten Sensory Bin Ideas | How To Make A Summer Sensory Bin
  • How to Create a Kindergarten Math Game With Popsicle Sticks
  • 8 Stellaluna Kindergarten Activities | How To Make A Coffee Filter Bat Craft
  • First Day Of Kindergarten Homeschool Ideas | Free Scavenger Hunt Cards
  • Math Made Easy: Engaging Addition For Kindergarten Dice Activities
  • T Is For Simple Fun Thunderstorm Activities For Kindergarten
  • Fun and Easy Tissue Paper Crafts for Kindergarten
  • Fun Kindergarten History Activities: How to Create Royal Peg Dolls
  • Enhance Your Language Arts Kindergarten Curriculum with Free Flip Books

THUNDERSTORM RESOURCES & ACTIVITIES

Thunderstorms are fascinating and educational experiences for children of all ages.

Here are a wonderful variety of activities that you can do with your child to help them learn more about thunderstorms.

Spell out weather words like ‘thunderstorm’ with letter tiles and have your child identify each letter and the sound it makes.

T Is For Simple Fun Thunderstorm Activities For Kindergarten

Make a Fun Felt Weather Chart & Free The Magic School Bus Kicks Up A Storm Worksheet to keep track of the weather every day including thunderstorms.

Dig deeper into the science of thunderstorms with this What Causes a Thunderstorm Science Activity.

Little busy hands will love exploring this Thunderstorm Play Dough as you read about how and why they happen.

Watch Thunder and Lightning on YouTube and discuss the different aspects of thunderstorms that are covered.

Create a Lightning Storm in a Cup Luminary to demonstrate the lightning and make a cute little night light that your child can put on their bedside table.

Observe a thunderstorm from a safe distance. Explain to your child what is happening during the storm, such as the formation of clouds, the lightning and thunder, and the rain.

Point out different types of clouds, such as cumulonimbus clouds, which are associated with thunderstorms.

Discuss the different stages of a thunderstorm, such as the developing stage, the mature stage, and the dissipating stage. Count the seconds between the lightning and thunder to determine how far away it is (then divide by 5) if its 20 seconds the lightning is 4 miles away.

Building a Thunderstorm Sensory Bin makes an amazing activity while your child is learning through listening.

Learn about thunderstorms with books, videos, and flashcards like this eboo set.

It’s a favorite that we reach for time and again with nature topics.

T Is For Simple Fun Thunderstorm Activities For Kindergarten

THUNDERSTORM ACTIVITIES FOR KINDERGARTEN – FINGER PAINTING

You will need:

  • Craft paints
  • Paper plate
  • Sensitive shave cream
  • Art paper
T Is For Simple Fun Thunderstorm Activities For Kindergarten

First, make a small pile of shaving cream for every color you wish to use.

Add washable craft paint to each pile, good options for a thunderstorm are white, gray, black, and of course yellow for the lightning.

T Is For Simple Fun Thunderstorm Activities For Kindergarten

Stir each one together well to combine paint and shaving cream.

Set out thick paper with your DIY finger paints.

T Is For Simple Fun Thunderstorm Activities For Kindergarten

Encourage your child to use their hands (or a brush) to swirl, smash, swirl, and squish paint all over the paper to create a dark chaotic stormy sky.

T Is For Simple Fun Thunderstorm Activities For Kindergarten

Let them layer colors and vary the thickness, exploring with the paint.

T Is For Simple Fun Thunderstorm Activities For Kindergarten

Of course, they will want to add some zig zagging lightning streaking through the sky.

T Is For Simple Fun Thunderstorm Activities For Kindergarten

Allow the painting to dry and make another if they like. Perhaps create a different weather fingerpainting to compare the two.

Leave a CommentFiled Under: How To - - - Tagged With: hands-on, hands-on activities, handson, handsonhomeschooling, kindergarten, science, thunderstorms, weather

8 Stellaluna Kindergarten Activities | How To Make A Coffee Filter Bat Craft

October 5, 2024 | Leave a Comment
This post may contain affiliate links. For more information, please see my full disclosure policy.

Stellaluna kindergarten activities are fun and make for great literature-based science lessons as well. Also, grab my other tips, ideas, and crafts for kindergarten on my page Kindergarten Homeschool Curriculum.

I am bringing you a simple and inexpensive coffee filter bat craft.

Too, I have 8 more activity ideas and some cool resources for Stellaluna inspired fun.

If you don’t already have the book I highly suggest you grab a copy.

It is a sweet read all year long and will become a favorite classic of both you and your child.

8 Stellaluna Kindergarten Activities | How To Make A Coffee Filter Bat Craft

Bats are amazing flying mammals that come in all shapes and sizes.

They live all over the world, except for Antarctica.

They are nocturnal.

That means they sleep during the day and fly around at night and use their special echolocation ability to navigate and find food in the dark.

Bats eat mainly insects and fruit.

They are a very important part of our ecosystem because they help control the insect population and pollinate plants.

Bats don’t have to be scary if you know why they are good to have around.

We will dive into nature study, STEM, reading, life skills, and more as we learn about this sweet little bat and her journey.

Bat Books for Kids

Also, add some bat books to your reading list.

I prefer living books then add reference books.

9 Books and Resources for Kids Who Love Bats

Add some of these fun books and resources about bats for a hands-on day of learning.

Image for Stellaluna 25th Anniversary Edition

Stellaluna 25th Anniversary Edition

Knocked from her mother’s safe embrace by an attacking owl, Stellaluna lands headfirst in a bird’s nest. This adorable baby fruit bat’s world is literally turned upside down when she is adopted by the occupants of the nest and adapts to their peculiar bird habits. Two pages of notes at the end of the story provide factual information about bats. “Delightful and informative but never didactic; a splendid debut.”--Kirkus Reviews

Image for National Geographic Readers: Bats

National Geographic Readers: Bats

They live in spooky caves, in forests, even in the dark reaches of ordinary attics and bridges. They flock by the hundreds, and they sleep while hanging upside down! In this beautifully photographed Level 2 Reader, kids learn about one of the most interesting creatures around—and discover the bat’s unique place in the wild and in the world. The high-interest topic, expertly written text, and bonus learning activity lay the groundwork for a successful and rewarding reading experience.

Image for Nature Anatomy: The Curious Parts and Pieces of the Natural World

Nature Anatomy: The Curious Parts and Pieces of the Natural World

See the world in a whole new way! Acclaimed illustrator Julia Rothman combines art and science in this exciting and educational guide to the structure, function, and personality of the natural world. Explore the anatomy of a jellyfish, the inside of a volcano, monarch butterfly migration, how sunsets work, and much more. Rothman’s whimsical illustrations are paired with interactive activities that encourage curiosity and inspire you to look more closely at the world all around you.

Image for Bats (New & Updated Edition)

Bats (New & Updated Edition)

Though people often think of bats as scary, bats are really shy, gentle animals. There are nearly 1000 different species of bats, and they live on every continent except Antarctica. Some are tiny, but the giant flying fox bat has a five-foot wingspan! Popular science author Gail Gibbons also discusses the efforts to protect the world's only truly flying mammals. A final page offers additional facts.

Image for Bats of the World

Bats of the World

The natural history and evolution of bats- Important identifying features- Habitats, migration patterns, and common mating practices- The status of various endangered bat species

Image for Bats: An Illustrated Guide to All Species

Bats: An Illustrated Guide to All Species

Bats: An Illustrated Guide to All Species explores bats and their fundamental role in our ecosystems through lavish full-color photographs and lively narrative. From the Giant Golden Crowned Flying Fox, a megabat with a wingspan of more than five feet, to the aptly named Bumblebee Bat, the world's smallest mammal, the number and diversity of bat species have proven to be both rich and underestimated. Nocturnal, fast-flying, and secretive, bats are difficult to observe and catalog. This richly illustrated handbook presents bats' evolution, biology, behavior, and ecology. It offers in-depth profiles of four hundred megabats and microbats and detailed summaries of all the species identified to date. Complete with an introduction exploring bats' natural history and their unique adaptations to life on the wing, Bats includes close-up images of these animals' delicate and intricate forms and faces, each shaped by evolution to meet the demands of an extraordinarily specialized life.

Image for Bat Plush, Stuffed Animal

Bat Plush, Stuffed Animal

  • Even if the nocturnal life is not for you; this plush toy bat will be ready to play.
  • Stuffed animals are the perfect gift for any age or occasion.

    Image for The Secret Lives of Bats: My Adventures with the World's Most Misunderstood Mammals

    The Secret Lives of Bats: My Adventures with the World's Most Misunderstood Mammals

    Stories and science surrounding the beloved bat, from an ecologist who has dedicated his life to the curious creature.

    Few people realize how sophisticated and intelligent bats are. Merlin Tuttle knows, and he has stopped at nothing to find and protect them on every continent they inhabit. Sharing highlights from a lifetime of adventure and discovery, Tuttle takes us to the frontiers of bat research to show that frog-eating bats can identify frogs by their calls, that some bats have social sophistication similar to that of higher primates, and that bats have remarkable memories. Bats also provide enormous benefits by eating crop pests, pollinating plants, and carrying seeds needed for reforestation. They save farmers billions of dollars annually and are essential to a healthy planet. Tuttle’s account
    forever changes the way we see these poorly understood yet fascinating creatures.

    Image for Dissect-It Simulated Synthetic Lab Dissection - Bat

    Dissect-It Simulated Synthetic Lab Dissection - Bat

    REALISTIC AND SAFE EXPERIENCE – Made out of gelatin-like material that is absolutely safe for children, our Dissect-It Bat gives the realistic experience of a dissection without the use of a real bat!

    Stellaluna is a story about a baby fruit bat who gets separated from her mother and ends up in a nest of baby birds.

    The baby birds are afraid of Stellaluna at first because she looks different from them.

    But Stellaluna is a kind and curious bat, and she soon makes friends with the baby birds.

    Stellaluna learns how to eat like a bird and fly like a bird.

    But she also misses her mother and her bat family.

    One night, Stellaluna hears her mother’s call and flies to her.

    Stellaluna is so happy to be reunited with her family, but she also knows that she will always be friends with the baby birds.

    Stellaluna Kindergarten Questions

    Here are some questions you can ask your child after reading Stellaluna:

    • What is the moral of the story of Stellaluna?
    • Why were the baby birds afraid of Stellaluna at first?
    • How did Stellaluna make friends with the baby birds?
    • What did Stellaluna miss about her mother and her bat family?
    • How did Stellaluna feel when she was reunited with her family?
    8 Stellaluna Kindergarten Activities | How To Make A Coffee Filter Bat Craft

    8 Stellaluna Kindergarten Activities

    1. Make Flying Bat Straw Rockets for fun but also to teach some simple STEAM concepts like measuring the distance your bat flies and do different models make a difference?
    2. I have not just 1 but 4 Fun and Engaging Bat Activities for Kindergarten including studying bat anatomy and a really cute bat sensory bin.
    3. Not only does learning How to Build a Bat House For Kids teach your child empathy and kindness for small creatures but it wonderfully works in a natural life skill with a built in shop class.
    4. Create this easy peasy Flying Paper Tube Bat Craft by upcycling something that would end up in the trash.
    5. Incorporate the simplest of math activities by printing and using these Bat Shape Mats to use with play dough.
    6. I just love this Mosaic Bat Craft For Kids that can be used as an art project or take the next step and label the parts of the bat in this mosaic creation.
    7. Take it to the next level and create a diorama with 5 Easy Bat Stem Activities and Create a STEM Bat Habitat.
    8. Watch Science Tek Bats on PBS to learn more about the important role bats play in their ecosystem.
    • Besides just being a fun craft, you can use your coffee filter bat to talk about the parts of a bat, and also teach or reinforce positional words as you move it-over, below, on, beside, etc… on the stick.

    In Stellaluna the little bat is not sure about the way he is supposed to hang…or sit.

    This is a wonderful time to talk about bats and how they fly, hang, and more.

    MORE KINDERGARTEN HOMESCHOOL CURRICULUM ACTIVITIES

    • How to Create the Perfect Kindergarten Homeschool Set Up
    • Best Kindergarten Health Curriculum Easy Ideas For Activities
    • 8 Best Summer Unit Studies For Kindergarten | Free Ant Study
    • 10 Kindergarten Sensory Bin Ideas | How To Make A Summer Sensory Bin
    • How to Create a Kindergarten Math Game With Popsicle Sticks
    • 8 Stellaluna Kindergarten Activities | How To Make A Coffee Filter Bat Craft
    • First Day Of Kindergarten Homeschool Ideas | Free Scavenger Hunt Cards
    • Math Made Easy: Engaging Addition For Kindergarten Dice Activities
    • T Is For Simple Fun Thunderstorm Activities For Kindergarten
    • Fun and Easy Tissue Paper Crafts for Kindergarten
    • Fun Kindergarten History Activities: How to Create Royal Peg Dolls
    • Enhance Your Language Arts Kindergarten Curriculum with Free Flip Books

    Finally, look at how to make this bat craft.

    How To Make A Coffee Filter Bat Craft

    You will need:

    • Coffee filters
    • Brown liquid watercolor
    • Wooden clothespin
    • Brown pipe cleaner
    • Google eyes
    • Glue
    8 Stellaluna Kindergarten Activities | How To Make A Coffee Filter Bat Craft

    First, add a little water to liquid watercolor in a bowl to thin it out.

    8 Stellaluna Kindergarten Activities | How To Make A Coffee Filter Bat Craft

    Soak clothespins in watercolor for a few minutes, flipping it to a new side every so often.

    8 Stellaluna Kindergarten Activities | How To Make A Coffee Filter Bat Craft

    Have your child paint or dip coffee filters into the watercolor until soaked, squeeze out excess and allow to dry completely.

    8 Stellaluna Kindergarten Activities | How To Make A Coffee Filter Bat Craft

    Fold dry filters in half and then in half again, cut a couple of half circles up the sides to create the wing shape.

    8 Stellaluna Kindergarten Activities | How To Make A Coffee Filter Bat Craft

    Open the wings so the filter is just folded over once, gather a bit and insert in the open clothespin.

    8 Stellaluna Kindergarten Activities | How To Make A Coffee Filter Bat Craft

    Cut ½” pieces of pipe cleaner to use as little clutching feet.

    Use pieces of leftover scraps from the filter to cut small ears, hot glue to one side at the top.

    8 Stellaluna Kindergarten Activities | How To Make A Coffee Filter Bat Craft

    Flip over and hot glue eyes and the small pieces of pipe cleaner for feet onto the other side.

    8 Stellaluna Kindergarten Activities | How To Make A Coffee Filter Bat Craft

    Your cute little bat is ready to take flight or hang out on a little limb you grabbed from the yard.

    8 Stellaluna Kindergarten Activities | How To Make A Coffee Filter Bat Craft

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

    8 Best Summer Unit Studies For Kindergarten | Free Ant Study

    October 2, 2024 | Leave a Comment
    This post may contain affiliate links. For more information, please see my full disclosure policy.

    Check out these 8 best summer unit studies for kindergarten. Also, grab my other tips, ideas, and crafts for kindergarten on my page Kindergarten Homeschool Curriculum. And other ideas on my page Best Homeschool Unit Studies.

    Too, I have a free ant study with tons of great resources and a step-by-step tutorial to create your own ant model.

    With a quick trip to Dollar Tree, you can get everything you need to make this detailed and display worthy ant model.

    All the while you teach your child all about ant anatomy.

    8 Best Summer Unit Studies For Kindergarten | Free Ant Study

    These tiny little powerhouses are fascinating.

    Ants are one of the world’s strongest creatures in relation to its size.

    One ant can carry up to 50 times its body weight.

    They are classified as insects as they are invertebrates with jointed legs and hard outer coverings called exoskeletons.

    They have three main body parts: a head, thorax, and abdomen.

    And most adult insects have six legs and one or two pairs of wings, as well as antennae.

    You will enjoy this ant study as much as your child.

    And if you work in a few books, videos, and fun hands-on activities you have everything you need for a knowledge hungry kindergartener to learn all about ants.

    Summer is full of beach trips, flowers, backyard birds, ice cream, gardening, and more.

    This is a great time to dive deep into those topics with fun unique studies on each one.

    Here are enough ideas to get you through the summer with a couple weeks free or to continue a longer study.

    Books About Ants for Kids

    First, look at these books about ants.

    I prefer living books when I can find them, then like to add reference books so all ages can be included in your study.

    9 Ant Books & Resources For Kids

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

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

    Ant Cities (Lets Read and Find Out Books)

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

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

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

    Image for The Life and Times of the Ant

    The Life and Times of the Ant

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

    Image for Wonders of the Anthill

    Wonders of the Anthill

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

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

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

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

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

    Life Cycle of an Ant Set - Realistic Ant Development Stages

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

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

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

    Image for The City Under the Back Steps

    The City Under the Back Steps

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

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

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

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

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

    Image for Those Amazing Ants

    Those Amazing Ants

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

    Too, if you’re planning your unit studies for the year, look at these 8 unit studies for kindergarten.

    8 Best Summer Unit Studies For Kindergarten

    1. Grab this idea for an ocean or shark unit to build language art skills-Shark and Oceans for Kindergarten Fun Sight Word Activity.
    2. Summer is the best time for a Kids Dandelion Flower Unit Study and Easy Tea Recipe & Notebooking Pages with the bright yellow flowers and puffs of seeds just about everywhere you look.
    3. Pond Life for Kindergarten Activity Build a Fun Beaver Dam
    4. Get outside and enjoy a Free Bird Unit Study and Lapbook And Fun Edible Bird Nests as you observe feathered friends in your own yard.
    5. Free Homeschool Chicken Unit Study and Anatomy of an Egg Felt Activity & Worksheet
    6. Delicious, this Ice Cream Unit Study is a tasty way to learn about a summer time favorite with a wide variety of hands on ideas.
    7. Learn How to Plan And Start an Easy Gardening Unit Study for Kids, this is easily adaptable for all ages and makes a good family unit.
    8. This Free Butterfly Unit Study For Kids and Fun Sponge Stamping is full of great ideas.
    8 Best Summer Unit Studies For Kindergarten | Free Ant Study

    MORE KINDERGARTEN HOMESCHOOL CURRICULUM ACTIVITIES

    • How to Create the Perfect Kindergarten Homeschool Set Up
    • Best Kindergarten Health Curriculum Easy Ideas For Activities
    • 8 Best Summer Unit Studies For Kindergarten | Free Ant Study
    • 10 Kindergarten Sensory Bin Ideas | How To Make A Summer Sensory Bin
    • How to Create a Kindergarten Math Game With Popsicle Sticks
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    Pack up your picnic and let’s get into this amazing ant study with tasty treats, some great books, and videos.

    Free Ant Unit Study

    Look at these ideas for a fun unit study about ants.

    Hands-on Ideas About Ants

    • Make Ants on a Log for a tasty themed snack your kid will love!
    • How To Make A Fun Ant Farm : Mason Jar Craft

    Ant Math Learning Ideas

    • Use plastic ants for manipulatives to count, add, and subtract.
    • Check out these Busy Ants Clip Counting Cards for an activity that builds math and fine motor skills at the same time.

    Science Learning Ideas

    • Today, you’ll be making a simple ant model. It is a wonderful hands-on way to teach your child about ants anatomy. You can use it to talk about the head, thorax, and abdomen, its 6 legs, and of course antennas and what they are used for.
    • Watch Learn All About Ants: Ant Facts For Kids to find out more about these tiny pests that crash picnics and pack a sting.
    • Use a glass jar and make an ant farm.
    • Learn all about the ants life cycle with this cute little set that lets them see firsthand (without the bites).
    8 Best Summer Unit Studies For Kindergarten | Free Ant Study

    Also, write these ant parts down for your child to have them match to what is the function of the body part.

    • Eyes
    • Hairs
    • Antennae
    • Legs
    • Mandibles
    • Eyes sense motion.
    • Hairs to sense its environment.
    • Antennae helps to taste, smell and feel.
    • Legs clean the antennae.
    • Mandibles to grasp, cut and dig.

    Language Arts Learning Ideas

    • Practice writing the word Ant with this fun worksheet.
    • Have your child explain what is a life cycle and learn the life cycle. For example, egg, larva, pupa and adult.
    • Too, explain there are many kind of ants. There are leafcutter ants which are like farmers, army ants which are hunters and dairying ants with are herders.

    In addition, you can use these words to help your child appreciate what are ants and how they help our environment.

    • insects – air-breathing invertebrates with three body segments, two antennae, three pairs of legs, and normally two sets of wings
    • larvae – wingless, immature form of many insects before developing into pupae
    • invertebrate – lacking a backbone or spinal column
    • nectar – sweet liquid that flowering plants produce to attract insects and birds

    Also read The Life and Times of the Ant and a silly book they’ll love The End of the Beginning: Being the Adventures of a Small Snail (and an Even Smaller Ant).

    Additionally, if you want to include your older children with unit study or expand it for a very inquisitive learner, look at these other topics.

    • Illustrate an ant colony
    • Describe how they reproduce
    • Delve into learning how they produce ant colonies
    • How do they find and manage their food supply

    How to Make a Simple Ant Model With Kids

    You will need:

    • 3 small styrofoam balls
    • Black paint
    • 2 black beads
    • 3 Pipe cleaners
    • Hot glue gun/sticks
    8 Best Summer Unit Studies For Kindergarten | Free Ant Study

    First, cut two pipe cleaners into 3 pieces each for the legs. Cut two more for antennae.

    8 Best Summer Unit Studies For Kindergarten | Free Ant Study

    Paint three small styrofoam balls black all over and allow them to dry.

    I did not have any black pipe cleaners on hand so rather than run out and buy them I just covered them in a coat of black paint all over them.

    Allow them to dry alongside the styrofoam.

    8 Best Summer Unit Studies For Kindergarten | Free Ant Study

    Once everything is completely dry you can begin assembling your ant.

    Start by pressing the six legs into the thorax (center segment) of the ant.

    8 Best Summer Unit Studies For Kindergarten | Free Ant Study

    Next press two black beads into either side of the next ball for a head to make the eyes and add two black pipe cleaner pieces to create antennae.

    8 Best Summer Unit Studies For Kindergarten | Free Ant Study

    Finally use a hot glue gun to connect the three segments together, use care not to touch the hot end of the glue gun into the foam or it will melt it.

    Bend the legs into shape.

    8 Best Summer Unit Studies For Kindergarten | Free Ant Study

    Leave a CommentFiled Under: Hands-On Activities Tagged With: hands-on, hands-on activities, handsonhomeschooling, insects, kindergarten, life science, science, unit studies, unit study

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