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

Tina's Dynamic Homeschool Plus

Activity, Change, Progress

  • HOME
  • How to
    • Preschool
    • Kindergarten
    • Middle School
    • High School
  • Planner
  • Lapbooks
    • Trioramas
    • History Games
  • Shop
  • GET STARTED NOW!
    • Learning Styles
  • 7 Step Planner
    • DIY Best Student Planner
    • Free & Easy DIY Home Management Binder
  • Unit Studies
    • Creation to Ancients
    • Middle Ages to Reform
    • Exploring to Revolution
    • World Wars to Today
    • Science
    • Free Art Curriculum Grades 1 – 8
  • Curriculum
    • More Unit Studies
    • Geography
    • Writing PreK to 12th
    • Geronimo Stilton
  • BootCamp
    • Resources
      • Dynamic Subscriber Freebies
      • Exclusive Subscribers Library
      • Ultimate Unit Study Planner

science

Fun Facts About Mold Fossils & 4 Types of Fossil Activities For Kids

November 11, 2023 | Leave a Comment
This post may contain affiliate links. For more information, please see my full disclosure policy.

I have some fun facts about mold fossils for you today as well as some hands-on ideas to demonstrate them and the other 3 basic types of fossils. Also, you’ll love my Amber – Freezing Gold Lapbook and Unit Study.

Kids love dinosaurs and everything about them, from the big names to learning about fossils, and just how on earth they disappeared.

We are going to be investigating as well as creating fossils from 4 simple categories – Mold, Cast, and True Form.

Fun Facts About Mold Fossils & 4 Types of Fossil Activities For Kids

We will dig into the definition of each, and you can choose an activity from each category to demonstrate the different types of fossils found.

To begin with, let’s define fossils.

Fossils are bits of plants and animals preserved from the past.

It can be a footprint, impressions, actual material like teeth and bones, or even what is created in the negative space of the impressions.

5 Fun Facts About Mold Fossils

Next, here are facts about mold fossils.

  1. Organisms buried in sediment may decay or dissolve away leaving a cavity or mold to form these types of fossils.
  2. Mold fossils are found in a variety of different rock types. For example, sandstone, shale, and limestone.
  3. Mold fossils are useful because they help researchers to guess the exact shape and structure of the organisms that created them.
  4. Most molds and casts do not contain the actual remains of an organism.
  5. Common mold fossils include things like skin, leaves, teeth, claws, and embryos.
Fun Facts About Mold Fossils & 4 Types of Fossil Activities For Kids

Additionally, look at these 4 types of fossils.

4 Types of Fossils

1.TRACE

These types of fossils are the ones you see that are made up of an imprint of or a mark left by an organism, rather than physical remains.

Trace fossils are produced in soft sediments. For instance, they can be a track, trail, footprint, burrow, etc., of an organism.

  • Exploring Trace Fossils By Making Dinosaur Footprints in edible mud, yum.
  • This Dinosaur Fossil Clay looks like a lot of fun and is a great sensory activity.
  • Here is a science project to Identify Trace Fossils using plaster of Paris.

2.MOLD

A rock that has a void where something once was or formerly lived is called a mold fossil.

This kind of fossil is made when an animal dies and its body decays, leaving an imprint in the sediment. It is the void portion of the fossil.  

  • A great example of a mold fossil that is also delicious is these Dinosaur Fossil Cookies.
  • This Sedimentary Rocks & Fossil Experiment is a busy hands way to teach how fossils are formed over the years through pressure.

3. CAST

Similarly, in a cast fossil, the mineralized sediment that fills the mold recreates the shape of the remains.

When the imprint fills in with minerals from sediment and groundwater and hardens to form a fossil it creates the cast. This is the filled-in portion of a mold/cast fossil.

  • In this Make Fun Edible Fossils and Free Magic School Bus Fossils Worksheet the brown sugar would be the mold and the white chocolate would represent the cast.
  • Here is a great step-by-step on How To Make Cast Fossils With Kids.

4.TRUE FORM

True form fossils are the kind that are formed when the animals’ soft tissues or hard parts do not decay over the years and are preserved in their natural form.

It can be because they are trapped within sap that hardens to become amber (technically this is classified as a gemstone) or frozen.

True-form fossils are also formed through desiccation, where they are completely dried out and preserved, or finally, through freezing, where all soft tissues remain intact.

  • Here is an example of an insect trapped in amber in my Science Fiction for Middle School Fun Jurassic Park Quick Unit Study (DIY Insect in Amber)
  • Another example of a true-form fossil is this tutorial for How to Make A Megalodon Shark Tooth Fun Homeschool Project.
  • I really like this Amber Fossilized Insect Soap because it has multiple uses, to teach about true-form fossils and to get kids squeaky clean.
Fun Facts About Mold Fossils & 4 Types of Fossil Activities For Kids

Next, add some of these books about fossils.

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.

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.

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

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

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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 . . .

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!

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.

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.

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.

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.

Finally, look at this hands-on activity to go along with fun facts about mold fossils.

4 Types of Fossil Activities For Kids

Here is a quick activity to give your child a demonstration of all 4 types that you can use when studying fossils.

You will need:

  • Small dinosaur toys
  • Playdough
  • Kinetic sand
  • Water
  • Small container

First, place a small dinosaur in a little bowl covered with water and freeze.

Fun Facts About Mold Fossils & 4 Types of Fossil Activities For Kids

Once frozen remove it from the bowl.

Then explain that this is a type of true-form fossil like when an intact baby mammoth was found frozen in permafrost in the Klondike gold fields in the Yukon.

More commonly true fossils will be small things like insects in hardened amber.

Fun Facts About Mold Fossils & 4 Types of Fossil Activities For Kids

Use a small ball of playdough to demonstrate mold and cast fossils by making an impression with a small dinosaur toy.

Fun Facts About Mold Fossils & 4 Types of Fossil Activities For Kids

Pull it out and observe the impression it made (mold).

Now, you will want to explain what is a mold impression.

It is made when something was there at one time and decayed to nothing but the impression stayed over time.

Fun Facts About Mold Fossils & 4 Types of Fossil Activities For Kids

Carefully fill the impression with kinetic sand and press in firmly.

Fun Facts About Mold Fossils & 4 Types of Fossil Activities For Kids

Now flip the sand out, and look at the (cast impression) it made in your hand. 

While it’s not a perfectly detailed impression it gives your child a quick understanding of this kind of fossil.

Fun Facts About Mold Fossils & 4 Types of Fossil Activities For Kids

Next, let your child make footprints in the playdough.

This demonstrates a trace fossil that might have been left behind.

Fun Facts About Mold Fossils & 4 Types of Fossil Activities For Kids

Leave a CommentFiled Under: Hands-On Activities Tagged With: crafts, earth science, earthscience, fossils, hands-on, hands-on activities, handsonhomeschooling, science

Over And Under The Snow Activities For a Free Literature Unit Study

November 10, 2023 | Leave a Comment
This post may contain affiliate links. For more information, please see my full disclosure policy.

Look at these easy and fun Over And Under The Snow activities I have gathered to create a fun and free literature unit study for preschoolers (or even kindergarteners ). Also, you’ll love more ideas on my pages Winter Season Unit Study Free Lapbook & Hands-On Ideas, Best Homeschool Unit Studies and How to Homeschool Preschool.

Preschoolers can benefit from a literature unit study.

And you can easily turn it into a fun week-long theme that covers everything from language arts to science and even math.

Over And Under The Snow Activities For a Free Literature Unit Study

You will want to start each day by reading the entire book from start to finish.

You can choose the order you do these activities.

It is totally up to you and what works for you and your child.

Besides the book and some plastic animals, you can put this entire week together with less than $5 in supplies.

I picked up the pack of styrofoam balls, shaving cream, and baking soda that made up 3 of the week’s activities for $3.75 at Dollar Tree.

I have also included a few more ways to use these items to stretch the fun, learning, and budget.

Language Arts Day 1

The act of reading alone is a wonderful language arts activity.

As you read through the book you stimulate their imagination and expand their understanding of the world.

Reading aloud helps them to develop language and listening skills and is an important pre-reading activity to help them understand the written word.

But there are some places you can be intentional.

Throughout the book, some words will be brand new to your child. Take some time to go over them a bit before you read so that your child can understand and learn the new vocabulary.

Here are some new words that you might pick a couple from to focus on:

  • Glide- To move with a smooth continuous motion.
  • Flash- A quick view of something.
  • Tracks- A mark or line of marks left by a person or animal.
  • Huddle- To crowd together closely.
  • Morsels– A small piece of food.
  • Shelter- A place that gives temporary protection from weather or danger.
  • Gnaw-To bite or nibble something persistently.

Point out letters your child is already familiar with on the cover or throughout the book and have them name the letter.

New letters should be told to the child over and over until they have it down.  But make it fun! Talk about what letter f-f-fox starts with or o-o-over.

Finally, the shaving cream that you will be using later in the week can be squirted right onto the table and smoothed out a bit to practice drawing and writing letters with little fingers.

Sensory experiences like this often stick much better than dozens of tracing worksheets.

Over And Under The Snow Activities For a Free Literature Unit Study

Also, add some of these books for a fun read aloud.

I lean toward living books then like to add in reference book when possible.

29 Winter Books to Read to Kids and For Kids Who Love to Read

Add in a few books to make your winter unit study complete. Add books for all ages.

Winter Is Coming

Day after day, a girl goes to her favorite place in the woods and quietly watches from her tree house as the chipmunks, the doe, the rabbits prepare for the winter.

As the temperature drops, sunset comes earlier and a new season begins.

Hanna's Cold Winter

Hanna was a hippopotamus in the Budapest Zoo. Hanna and the other hippos thrived in the warm springs which flowed from the ground. One winter, however, it was so cold that the river froze.

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. 

ENCHANTING AND EDUCATIONAL: A charming story and beautifully rendered illustrations invite readers of all ages to explore and learn about the "subnivean zone" (the space between the colder snow and the warmer ground) where many animals live in the winter, opening a fascinating window into the natural world.

The Snow Day

A young rabbit wakes up to wonderful news: A snow day! School is canceled, and the day that follows is rich with the magic and delight of the falling snow.

Animals in Winter

This is a clear and appealing book for early elementary age kids, both at home and in the classroom. Introduce kids to basic science ideas as part of discussions about the seasons and animals.

Miss Maple's Seeds

What happens to seeds that don't sprout? Fortunately, they have Miss Maple to look after them.

Every year, she rescues orphan seeds, taking them to her cozy maple tree house. All winter long, she nurtures them and teaches them the ways of seeds and the paths.

Breadcrumbs

Once upon a time, Hazel and Jack were best friends. But that was before he stopped talking to her and disappeared into a forest with a mysterious woman made of ice. Now it's up to Hazel to go in after him. Inspired by Hans Christian Andersen's "The Snow Queen,"

Brave Irene: A Picture Book

This winning heroine will inspire every child to cheer her on as she ventures through a bitter cold snowstorm in William Steig's classic Brave Irene.

Icefall

Trapped in a hidden fortress tucked between towering mountains and a frozen sea, Solveig, along with her brother the crown prince, their older sister, and an army of restless warriors, anxiously awaits news of her father's victory at battle.

Poetree

The poem is indeed about the yearly cycle in the life of a tree. But it is also an intriguing poetic concoction.

The initial letters of each line in each stanza spell out a word that pertains to that tree's life cycle - SEED, GERMINATE, SHOOT, ROOTS, LEAVES, FLOWERS. It's a kids' acrostic.

Moominland Midwinter

Everyone knows the Moomins sleep through the winter. But this year, Moomintroll has woken up early.

So while the rest of the family slumber, he decides to visit his favorite summer haunts. But all he finds is this strange white stuff. Even the sun is gone! Moomintroll is angry: whoever Winter is, she has some nerve.

Sun and Moon, Ice and Snow

Blessed--or cursed--with an ability to understand animals, the Lass (as she's known to her family) has always been seen as strange.

And when an isbjorn (polar bear) seeks her out, and promises that her family will become rich if only the Lass will accompany him to his castle, she doesn't hesitate. But the bear is not what he seems, nor is his castle, which is made of ice and inhabited by a silent staff of servants

If Polar Bears Disappeared

The freezing ecosystem in the far north of the globe is home to many different kinds of animals.

They can be Strong, like a walrus Tough, like a lemming Resilient, like an arctic fox.

But no arctic animal is as iconic as the polar bear.

The Very, Very Far North

An inquisitive polar bear named Duane befriends an array of animals as he discovers where he belongs in this charming classic-in-the making

The Longest Night

It is the longest night of the year, and the snow lies deep. All through the forest, animals long for dawn's warmth.

Strong and clever creatures boast that only they can bring back the sun. But the wind knows better.

The Adventures of a South Pole Pig: A novel of snow and courage

Flora the pig was born for adventure: “If it’s unexplored and needs to get dug up, call me. I’m your pig,” she says.

The day Flora spots a team of sled dogs is the day she sets her heart on becoming a sled pig.

Before she knows it, she’s on board a ship to Antarctica for the most exhilarating—and dangerous—adventure of her life.

Wolf in the Snow

A girl is lost in a snowstorm. A wolf cub is lost, too. How will they find their way home?

The Snowflake Sisters

Crystal and Ivory snowflake take full advantage of this beautiful snowy evening in New York City as they travel to the park, fly through Time Square, journey past the Statue of Liberty, and more before coming in for their final landing of the day.

Mr. Popper's Penguins

A classic of American humor, the adventures of a house painter and his brood of high-stepping penguins have delighted children for generations.

One Snowy Night (Percy the Park Keeper)

Percy the Park Keeper always feeds the animals in the park where he lives.

But one cold winter’s night Percy discovers that his little friends need more than food and he must find a way to help them find a warm place to sleep for the night.

Dog Driven

From the author of Ice Dogs comes a riveting adventure about a musher who sets out to prove her impaired vision won't hold her back from competing in a rigorous sled race through the Canadian wilderness. Perfect for fans of Gary Paulsen.

Stopping by Woods on a Snowy Evening

There are more animals to find among the trees, and the kindly figure with his "promises to keep" exudes warmth as he stops to appreciate the quiet delights of winter.

Stranger in the Woods: A Photographic Fantasy (Nature)

Forest animals, awakened by the birds' warning that there is a stranger in the woods, set out to discover if there is danger and find, instead, a wonderful surprise.

Owl Moon

Late one winter night a little girl and her father go owling. The trees stand still as statues and the world is silent as a dream.

Whoo-whoo-whoo, the father calls to the mysterious nighttime bird.

Here Comes Jack Frost

One cold morning a lonely boy wishes for something to do. His animal friends are hibernating, and he has nobody to play with―even all the birds have flown south.

When he meets Jack Frost, the last thing he expects is to make a new friend . . . or to discover how enchanting winter can be!

Twelve Kinds of Ice

With the first ice—a skim on a sheep pail so thin it breaks when touched—one family’s winter begins in earnest. Next comes ice like panes of glass. And eventually, skating ice! Take a literary skate over field ice and streambed, through sleeping orchards and beyond.

Blizzard

With accounts from the survivors and period photos, a tale by the author of the Newbery Honor book, The Great Fire tells what is was like to live through the Great Blizzard of 1888 that crippled New York City with its fierce winds and blinding snow.

Grandmother Winter

Grandmother Winter lives all alone with her snow-white flock of geese. All through the spring, summer, and fall, Grandmother Winter tends her geese and gathers their feathers. Why?

To bring snowfall as soft as feathers and bright as a winter moon. To the woodland and all of its creatures, the arrival of winter is a gift.

Wild Child

Lynn Plourde's text snaps and crackles like the leaves of fall as Mother Earth gently gets her daughter ready for bed.

And Greg Couch's extraordinary illustrations take readers from the soft greens of late summer through the fiery oranges of a fall sunset to the peaceful blues of early winter's eve.

Next add geography or history or both.

Geography Day 2

In preschool, this is focused on the study of people and how they relate to their world.

This means transportation, community helpers, family, emotions, and caring for our world.

You can talk about the relationship between the little girl and her father in the book.

And explain how they each felt throughout their exploration of the woods and ways that we can take care of the world we live in and the animals by respecting them during walks.

Who are helpers in places like this?

Park rangers and game wardens are likely brand-new community helpers to your child.

Explain to them what each does and how they help our world.

You can also focus on the geography of the animals throughout the story.

Where would you find red squirrels or voles for instance?

Next, add in some fun art. Here are some ideas.

Art Day 3

Create a fun puffy sensory paint by combining white craft paint with a little bit of shaving cream.

Then for an easy over and under the-snow activities use it to create a winter scene with areas for creatures over and under the snow.

Over And Under The Snow Activities For a Free Literature Unit Study


Use a marker to draw trees in the background, encouraging your child to recreate the cover of the book if they like. Both free art and gently directed art are important parts of development.

Over And Under The Snow Activities For a Free Literature Unit Study

Once the paint has dried your child can add animals above and below the snow to re-enact the book.

You can use plastic animals, print out small pieces of paper of winter animals, or let them draw some in.

Over And Under The Snow Activities For a Free Literature Unit Study

You do not need or want a full math curriculum at this age. Simply focus on number sense to begin with.

Math Day 4

As you read the book, have them count with you the number of animals on different pages.

Over And Under The Snow Activities For a Free Literature Unit Study

Number sense includes counting and identifying quantities, number recognition, subitizing (glancing at small numbers and knowing the number).

One-to-one Correspondence- This is simply making the connection between a number and a physical item.

It involves the act of counting each object in a set once, with one touch per object.

 A simple activity you can do to help develop number recognition is to get multiples of an object.

For example, you can grab small styrofoam balls or white buttons to go along with the snow theme of the book and a single dice (two if they are working on higher than 1-5).

Let them roll the die and match the number with the correct number of objects.

Over And Under The Snow Activities For a Free Literature Unit Study

Use positional words like over, under, inside, outside, behind, etc. and have your child move an object to demonstrate them.

This simple spatial activity is a precursor to geometry and measurement.

You can use styrofoam balls for all kinds of counting and adding and subtracting.

More Over and Under the Snow Activities

  • Winter Craft Ideas for Kids Animals in Winter Fun Snow Slime
  • Over and Under the Snow Building Activity
  • Kindergarten Crafts for Winter An Easy and Fun Polar Bear Fork Painting
  • Over and Under the Snow – A Storytime Activity
  • Cardinal Birds in Winter and Birch Trees Easy Watercolor Kids Activity
  • Simple and Easy Instant Ice Kids Activity Homeschool Science Experiments
  • Free Amazing Winter Unit Study and Winter Lapbook for Kids

Science Day 5

The science possibilities are wonderful in this book.

You can study specific animals and their habits, winter weather or both. I have an activity suggestion for this that gives you a concrete example of both.

You can take a deep dive into learning about the creatures above and below the snow by watching short videos on various animals.

Pouring over your favorite zoology books, observing these animals in nature in your own backyard, or at the zoo.

Over And Under The Snow Activities For a Free Literature Unit Study

Or with fun hands-on activities like this Over and Under the Snow sensory bin with two ingredient snow as its base.

Over and Under the Snow Activities – Two Ingredient Snow

You will need:

  • Baking soda
  • unscented/sensitive shaving cream
  • Blue construction paper
  • Paintbrush

To create the 2 ingredient snow, combine baking soda with unscented shaving cream until a snowlike texture is reached.

If it’s too dry add more shaving cream, too wet, more baking soda.

I find that it is easiest to mix it with your hands. If it just holds together when squeezed it’s a great texture.

Over And Under The Snow Activities For a Free Literature Unit Study

Fill the bottom of your chosen shallow container for the sensory bin with the “snow”.

Add small pinecones, twigs, etc. as well as plastic animals mentioned in the book like foxes, squirrels, beavers, frogs, black bears snowshoe hares, and owls.

The sensory bin is used for dramatic small-world play, fine motor skills, and as a wonderful base to work in science learning about animals as well as snow.

Over And Under The Snow Activities For a Free Literature Unit Study

Leave a CommentFiled Under: Hands-On Activities Tagged With: hands-on, hands-on activities, handsonhomeschooling, life science, science, snow, unit studies, unit study, winter crafts, winter season

Fun Felt Weather Chart & Free The Magic School Bus Kicks Up A Storm Worksheet

November 7, 2023 | Leave a Comment
This post may contain affiliate links. For more information, please see my full disclosure policy.

You’ll love this free The Magic School Bus Kicks Up a Storm Worksheet for your child to mark off the month, season, and weather each day. Also, I have this fun Free Weather Unit Study for Kids Who Love Hands-on Learning post for more teaching ideas.

It is a fun and colorful worksheet that you can print for each week to write on, or you can laminate it and use a dry-erase marker to make it a reusable resource.

One of the first formal things that you can do with a young child is track the weather every day and for that I have also created a felt weather chart. 

It’s quick, easy, and inexpensive. 

If you include your child in the making of it then it will take on even more meaning and get them excited to learn.

Fun Felt Weather Chart & Free The Magic School Bus Kicks Up A Storm Worksheet

I truly believe that younger children should have lots of fun hands-on activities, rather than a lot of sit-down desk time.

It’s a wonderful time to explore the world around them, read wonderful books together, and learn through play.

I have all that and more for you today to create a super weather unit for kids of multiple ages from my own craft and worksheets to facts, more hands-on activities, and great resources.

5 Weather Facts 

  1. Weather includes things like wind, lightning, storms, hurricanes, tornadoes, rain, hail, snow, and more.
  2. Weather happens when different parts of the Earth get different amounts of heat from the Sun, this creates different climates.
  3. A weather forecast is a prediction of what the weather will be like over a period of time.
  4. Lightning is caused by a buildup of static electricity inside a storm cloud. Tiny water molecules called hydrometeors bumping around each other create a static electric charge- much like rubbing your socks over the carpet.
  5. Fog is a cloud that touches the ground. Amazing, it happens when it’s very, very humid – 100%.
Fun Felt Weather Chart & Free The Magic School Bus Kicks Up A Storm Worksheet

Also, you’ll love some of these beautiful books about weather.

I lean toward living books first then add in books for reference too.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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!

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, add in some fun hands-on activities.

Hands-on Weather Activities

  • Be sure to include my Weather In A Bottle | How To Make An Amazing Tornado In A Jar. 
  • The Water Cycle In A Bag is a pretty simple activity that helps make the concept of water cycles a little more concrete.
  • Easy Breezy Windy Art: A STEAM Activity for Kids.
  • Also, check out my Free Weather Unit Study for Kids Who Love Hands-on Learning.
  • A cute sensory tray and another handful of ideas are over on my Hands-on Weather Activities for Kids and Awesome Weather Sensory Tray post.
  • If you are talking winter you want to make these Winter STEAM: Symmetrical Snowflakes.
  • 5 Simple Wind Energy Activities For Kids & Fun DIY Anemometer.
  • This Rainy Day Window Art is a simple and sweet craft that even little toddler hands can do.
  • Practice fine motor skills while you talk about Storm Cloud Threading.
  • And of course, at the end of a storm, we get a beautiful rainbow that you can recreate with the Coffee Filter Rainbow Craft.
Fun Felt Weather Chart & Free The Magic School Bus Kicks Up A Storm Worksheet

Also, look how to make this felt weather chart.

Felt Weather Chart – The Magic School Bus Kicks Up a Storm Worksheet

Have your child simply step outside or even look out the window each day and encourage them to independently choose and put up the weather symbols that match the weather. 

We are also going to add a cute little thermometer to it to give them an easy introduction to hot and cold temperatures.

You will need:

  • 12×18 Light blue felt (or 8×12)
  • 8×12 felt in various colors  
  • Felt adhesive or iron-on letters 
  • Round dowel, rods, or flat craft sticks
  • Paint Pens or Markers
  • Glue gun
  • Scissors
Fun Felt Weather Chart & Free The Magic School Bus Kicks Up A Storm Worksheet

Hot glue your dowel or craft stick across the top of your felt, be sure that it is centered. 

Apply more hot glue along the wood and then fold it over one time so that it has a clean and neat finish.

Fun Felt Weather Chart & Free The Magic School Bus Kicks Up A Storm Worksheet

Repeat the same at the bottom of the felt.

Fun Felt Weather Chart & Free The Magic School Bus Kicks Up A Storm Worksheet

Now, sit down with your little one and talk about the different kinds of weather, help them draw different weather symbols like a sun, raindrops clouds, lightning, etc., and cut them out of felt.

Fun Felt Weather Chart & Free The Magic School Bus Kicks Up A Storm Worksheet

Next, you can use permanent markers or paint pens to add any features or details you would like. 

Fun Felt Weather Chart & Free The Magic School Bus Kicks Up A Storm Worksheet

While you are probably not going to be doing your weather chart during a tornado you might still just make one to talk about what a tornado is and if you live in an area with tornadoes, it is a good time to talk about what to do during one.

Fun Felt Weather Chart & Free The Magic School Bus Kicks Up A Storm Worksheet

You don’t want to use regular paint and paintbrushes because you don’t want to add any weight to your felt pieces or take away from the “stickiness”.

Kids DIY Felt Weather Chart

For our snowflakes, we folded up squares of white felt and cut little triangles and rounded corners out of them just like you do when creating paper snowflakes.

Fun Felt Weather Chart & Free The Magic School Bus Kicks Up A Storm Worksheet

Now, on the bottom, right corner, we’re going to create a “thermometer” by tracing, a small round object for the bulb at the bottom and using a ruler for the street vertical part of the thermometer you can make it as small or large as you want but you want to make it large enough to fit felt pieces on.

Fun Felt Weather Chart & Free The Magic School Bus Kicks Up A Storm Worksheet

I started by tracing them with a pencil and then filling it in with a silver paint marker just outside the edges of what I traced so that when the felt was on you could still see the “glass” of the thermometer.

Fun Felt Weather Chart & Free The Magic School Bus Kicks Up A Storm Worksheet

To create the color indicators for the thermometer, trace the round object again on dark blue felt. Then make them equal sizes of rectangles from blue, yellow, orange, and red felt.

Fun Felt Weather Chart & Free The Magic School Bus Kicks Up A Storm Worksheet

Apply hot glue to the thermometer, smoothing it out as much as you can, press down each piece blue at the bottom, then yellow, then orange, and finally red.

Fun Felt Weather Chart & Free The Magic School Bus Kicks Up A Storm Worksheet

Cut out a little black felt arrow for your child to move to indicate the temperature on the thermometer.

Fun Felt Weather Chart & Free The Magic School Bus Kicks Up A Storm Worksheet

Add your sturdy stickers to the top to spell out Weather.

I  added a little extra hot glue to the back even though they were adhesive to be sure they were secure.  

Fun Felt Weather Chart & Free The Magic School Bus Kicks Up A Storm Worksheet

Your child can then use the big open space to change out the weather each day.

Fun Felt Weather Chart & Free The Magic School Bus Kicks Up A Storm Worksheet

To store unused pieces, I really love these sturdy bags, you can fit all the pieces plus a few books and other resources in them.

How to Get The Magic School Bus Kicks Up a Storm Worksheet

Now, how to grab the free pages. This is a subscriber freebie.

That means when you sign up to follow me, you get access to my subscribers library and this The Magic School Bus Kicks Up a Storm Worksheet.

However, not all my freebies are in the library (wink).

Fun Felt Weather Chart & Free The Magic School Bus Kicks Up A Storm Worksheet

I like to keep up to date with what is valuable to you so I can give you more, some freebies you must sign up again on the form below even if you are already a follower.

And it’s the only way I have of freely delivering them to you. Just follow the steps below.

► 1) Sign up on my list.
► 2) Go to your inbox and confirm your email from the automatic reply I sent you. If you’re already a confirmed subscriber, you will not have to do this. You’ll receive the freebie instantly.
 ►3) Last step. look for my reply AFTER you’ve confirmed your email.

Leave a CommentFiled Under: Hands-On Activities Tagged With: artnotebookingpages, earth science, earthscience, elementary science, hands on history, hands-on, hands-on activities, handsonhomeschooling, notebooking, science, weather

10 Crafts With Styrofoam Egg Cartons | How to Make Easy Chicken Crafts

November 6, 2023 | Leave a Comment
This post may contain affiliate links. For more information, please see my full disclosure policy.

I have ten crafts with styrofoam egg cartons and some adorable chicken crafts. Also, you’ll my page Free Homeschool Chicken Unit Study and Anatomy of an Egg Felt Activity & Worksheet.

If you’re looking for simple crafts, especially with young children, you’ll love these egg carton crafts.

Besides, I like to reuse something that otherwise might get tossed.

10 Crafts With Styrofoam Egg Cartons | How to Make Easy Chicken Crafts

There are so many creative ideas using different parts and pieces of egg cartons and sometimes the whole thing.

Then I also have a tutorial for how to make an easy chicken craft from egg cartons.

It will be a great accompaniment to a farm unit study and your little one can create an entire flock of unique chickens.

Resources to Learn About Chickens

First, look at some of these fun resources to learn about chickens.

9 Books and Resources for a Fun Chicken Unit Study

Whether you’re wanting to do a chicken unit study or study chickens for the day, you’ll love these books and resources to add to your collection.

Chicks & Chickens

Cheep . . .  cheep . . . cluck!  Everything you ever wanted to know about chickens and eggs—except which came first. With bright watercolor illustrations and simple, clear language, nonfiction master Gail Gibbons shows young readers everything there is to know about chickens. See what different breeds of chickens look like, discover how eggs are laid and hatched, and learn how big and little farms take care of their birds. Key vocabulary words about chicken behavior and anatomy are introduced throughout Chicks and Chickens, and new words are reinforced in accessible language for young readers.

4 PCS Chicken Farm Animal Life Cycle Growth Model

Children can see how animals change and grow. Realistic detail showing a different stage in the development of animals.

Uniquely molded textures and richly painted details bring them to life and help inspire creativity for kids.

It is a great way to expand the growth with children through physical science.

Farm Anatomy: The Curious Parts and Pieces of Country Life

Learn the difference between a farrow and a barrow, and what distinguishes a weanling from a yearling. Country and city mice alike will delight in Julia Rothman’s charming illustrated guide to the curious parts and pieces of rural living. Dissecting everything from the shapes of squash varieties to how a barn is constructed and what makes up a beehive to crop rotation patterns, Rothman gives a richly entertaining tour of the quirky details of country life. 

Where Do Chicks Come From?

Read and find out about eggs—and how baby chicks grow inside of them—in this colorfully illustrated nonfiction picture book.

Learn how chicks develop, how they get the food they need to grow, and how a mother hen helps keep them safe in this introduction to the life cycle of a baby chick.

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

Chickenology: The Ultimate Encyclopedia

A great educational book, covering:• Different breeds of chickens, like Padovana and Silkie• The difference between roosters and hens• How chicks are formed in the egg• Chickens sounds and noises• Chicken anatomy and feather anatomy and colors• Chickens and eggs around the world• Chicken history and folklore• Raising chickens at home• Chickens as pets

LEGO Creator Easter Chickens 30643

These LEGO Chickens are a fun and easy add on for little ones joining in the fun.

Farm Animal for Kids, Chicken Coop

DETAILED & REALISTIC. Crafted with precision and authentic detail to create a lifelike toy that teaches and inspires toddlers and kids of every age; helps introduce children to animals. From the first sketch to the intricate finishing touches, we see value in every detail.

Farm Animal Chicken Coop Building Blocks

Chicken Coop Building Blocks. It contains a coop, twenty chicken and ten eggs.

Compatible with LEGO: It's made of LEGO-compatible bricks. It will enrich your MOC blocks. It can be put together with a lot of block scenes, such as farm, house, castle, village, animal and so on.

Farm Animals Figurines Simulated Farm Life

These little chicken figurines would also make a great addition to a chicken study, put them in a sensory bin with a little birdseed or cracked corn for hours of fun.

Also, here are some chicken facts to talk about with your children as they do these fun chicken crafts.

Chicken Facts

  1. One purpose of a chicken comb is to keep the hen cool in hot weather, their combs are filled with capillaries and veins. Heated blood flows through and is air-cooled which reduces the chicken’s temperature.
  2. Chickens usually only lay one egg per day but the record for eggs laid by a chicken in one day is 7. 
  3. The color of the egg depends on the chicken’s earlobes, chickens with red earlobes lay brown eggs, while chickens with white earlobes lay white eggs. (There are plenty of exceptions to this rule but this is the case in most instances).
  4. Chickens can run up to 9 miles an hour, talk about fast food!
  5. There is no shortage of chickens, if all of the chickens on earth were spread out among all the people on earth, each person would have at least 3 chickens.
10 Crafts With Styrofoam Egg Cartons | How to Make Easy Chicken Crafts

If you need a great reference book you can use Farm Anatomy for just about every farm topic there is but I am focusing on the chicken and especially learning about their different combs.

10 Crafts With Styrofoam Egg Cartons | How to Make Easy Chicken Crafts

But now let’s take a look at some other crafts with styrofoam egg carton ideas from ocean creatures to ice cream cones.

10 Crafts With Styrofoam Egg Cartons

Grab those egg cartons out of the recycling bin and create a few of these fantastically creative crafts using different parts of egg cartons.

  1. Dive deep into the ocean for these Egg Carton Jellyfish Puppet’s, they are simply adorable.
  2. What a fantastic idea to use the part of the carton that is usually discarded when doing egg carton crafts. Egg Carton Sharks
  3. Egg Carton Whale Craft for Kids is cute and easy, great for a preschool ocean study.
  4. Maybe this Recycled Egg Carton Toadstool Craft will be the start of a fairy garden but they are fabulous even on their own.
  5. Look at my fun craft for the littles with 10 Egg Carton Crafts For 2 Year Olds and Fun Nature Color Match Activity.
  6. I just love the creativity of these Egg Carton Faces and can see them being used for so many things.
  7. Make these Egg Carton Mice and a block of cheese out of a simple egg carton.
  8. And grab my unit study with this Cutest Ever Egg Carton Sea Turtle Craft and Learning Activities for Kids.
  9. The Recycled Ants Craft is too cute to spoil a picnic but makes a great hands-on activity while learning all about ants.
  10. Not only are these Egg Carton Ice Cream Cones the sweetest thing but they would make a great item for a dramatic play area or sensory bin.
10 Crafts With Styrofoam Egg Cartons | How to Make Easy Chicken Crafts

How to Make Easy Chicken Crafts With Styrofoam Egg Cartons

Set up a chicken crafting station for preschoolers through early elementary to enjoy when you are teaching about farm life and chickens or just when you need a rainy day idea.

You will need:

  • Styrofoam egg cartons
  • Red, orange, and yellow craft foam
  • Orange and yellow pipe cleaners
  • Hole punch
  • Craft feathers
  • Tacky Glue
  • Googly eyes 
  • Scissors
10 Crafts With Styrofoam Egg Cartons | How to Make Easy Chicken Crafts

First, cut out the individual cups from your egg cartons for as many chickens as you want, and keep as much of each cup as you can.

10 Crafts With Styrofoam Egg Cartons | How to Make Easy Chicken Crafts

Use a hole punch to punch two holes on one side at the bottom of the cup.

10 Crafts With Styrofoam Egg Cartons | How to Make Easy Chicken Crafts

Poke a pipe cleaner through one hole through the inside of the cup and out the other side trim to any length you like for legs.

10 Crafts With Styrofoam Egg Cartons | How to Make Easy Chicken Crafts

Now, cut small triangles out of yellow and or orange craft foam for beaks and feet.

10 Crafts With Styrofoam Egg Cartons | How to Make Easy Chicken Crafts

Then, cut irregular raindrop shapes for the chicken’s wattle (the little dangly thing under the beak. As well as wavy-topped pieces for combs.

10 Crafts With Styrofoam Egg Cartons | How to Make Easy Chicken Crafts

Use a paintbrush dipped in tacky glue to make spots of glue where you want to stick eyes.

Also use the paintbrush glue for the combs, wattles, and beaks.

You can use regular school glue but it tends to run and items will slide down the slippery egg carton.

Tacky glue holds things into place nicely while drying.

10 Crafts With Styrofoam Egg Cartons | How to Make Easy Chicken Crafts

Dab glue on the back and sides as well to add wings and tail feathers.

You will also want to add a generous dollop of glue to the ends of your pipe cleaner feet.

Then press them into the little triangles.

Once dry you can pose your chicken legs in different ways.

10 Crafts With Styrofoam Egg Cartons | How to Make Easy Chicken Crafts

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

How To Make A Fun Animal Soap Carving & A Quick Study on A Swan

November 4, 2023 | Leave a Comment
This post may contain affiliate links. For more information, please see my full disclosure policy.

I’m excited to make this fun animal soap carving and a quick study on a swan. Also, look at this Free Bird Unit Study and Lapbook And Fun Edible Bird Nests.

Carving with soft soap bars is a great way to practice fine motor skills, safe knife skills, and is fantastic for relaxation.

How To Make A Fun Animal Soap Carving & A Quick Study on A Swan

I chose to make this carving of a swan because they are such beautiful and graceful creatures and worked beautifully with the white soap.

Swans are birds found in wetlands, ponds, rivers, and lakes around the United States,

I am not going to just leave it there though, you will have tons of facts, resources, and more to help you with your own swan study before I am through.

First, look at these quick facts about swans.

8 Swan Facts

There is much to learn about swans whether they are a topic on their own or part of a larger study on lakes or ponds.

  1. There are both black and white species of swans. Black swans are found in southeast and southwest Australia as well as Tasmania, but white swans can be found throughout Canada, Northern United States, and Alaska.
  2. Male swans are called cobs, females are pens, and young are called cygnets.
  3. Swans choose a partner and stay together for their whole life. If their mate dies they will mourn for a while just like people and may or may not find a new mate.
  4. Swans can eat as much as eight pounds of food per day, they have big appetites and need to consume 20% to 25% of their bodyweight each day.
  5. While most mammals only have 7 neck vertebrae, swans have 24 or 25.
  6. Trumpeter swans are the largest waterfowl native to North America and they are also the heaviest flying birds in North America. Their wingspans can reach up to 10 feet wide and can weigh up to 30 pounds.
  7. Swans have a long lifespan, In the wild swans can live for over 20 years.
  8. Amazingly swans can sleep on land on one leg or while floating in the water.
How To Make A Fun Animal Soap Carving & A Quick Study on A Swan

Then, look at some bird resources or ideas for animal soap carvings.

More Bird Resources for a Fun Animal Soap Carving

  • How to Make a Chalk Pastel Bird Nest Easy Drawing
  • Galapagos Islands Animals Fun and Simple Watercolor Flamingo Tutorial
  • Peregrine Falcon Lapbook And Fun Unit Study Ideas
  • Free Homeschool Chicken Unit Study and Anatomy of an Egg Felt Activity & Worksheet
  • Make Way For Ducklings Fun Duck Pond Playdough Invitation to Play
  • How to Make an Easy Bird Craft Fun Paper Plate Peacock
  • Free Bird Journal – Hands-on Nature (Coloring & Identification Pages)
  • North American Robin Bird Lapbook and Fun Homeschool Unit Study Ideas
  • Bird Craft For Kindergarten Make an Adorable Fun American Robin Foot Print
  • Beautiful Bald Eagle Fun Facts And Torn Paper Bird Craft
  • Bird Unit Study and Lapbook And Fun Edible Bird Nests
  • Wildlife in the Amazon Rainforest – Create Fun Macaw and Toucan Crafts
  • How to Make a Fun Paper Mache American Robin Bird Craft
  • How to Make a Kid’s Fun and Easy Bird Nest Activity
  • How to Make an Easy Jumbo Stick Bird Feeder with Kids

Your kids will love my Bird Unit Study and Lapbook And Fun Edible Bird Nests.

How To Make A Fun Animal Soap Carving & A Quick Study on A Swan
  • Dynamic Delightful Bird Lapbook for Multiple Ages

    Dynamic Delightful Bird Lapbook for Multiple Ages

    $4.00
    Add to cart

Also, here are more activities to learn about swan.

Swan Unit Study Activities

  • 7 Fun Facts About Swan | How to Create a Handprint Swan

Next, look at these resources for a study of a swan.

Resources for a Quick Study of Swans

7 Swan Quick Unit Study Resources

Read The Trumpet of The Swan as your read aloud during your study, it is a wonderful classic by E.B. White..

The Trumpet of the Swan

Like the rest of his family, Louis is a trumpeter swan. But unlike his four brothers and sisters, Louis can't trumpet joyfully. In fact, he can't even make a sound. And since he can't trumpet his love, the beautiful swan Serena pays absolutely no attention to him.

Louis tries everything he can think of to win Serena's affection—he even goes to school to learn to read and write. But nothing seems to work. Then his father steals him a real brass trumpet. Is a musical instrument the key to winning Louis his love?

Photo Credit: www.youtube.com

Needle Felting: The Swan

Challenge yourself to make this needlefelted swan next, a beautiful handiwork craft.

Photo Credit: www.thecrafttrain.com

Paper roll swan craft

These swans are particularly simple to create, the first time we made them was back when the girls were princess-obsessed preschoolers.

Photo Credit: backyardsummercamp.com

Origami Swan Step-by-Step Craft Tutorial

Create a paper wonder by following this Origami Swan Step-by-Step Craft Tutorial.

Photo Credit: www.youtube.com

Tchaikovsky: Swan Lake - The Kirov Ballet

Take in some of the beautiful music and dance of Tchaikovsky’s  SwanLake

White Swan Figurine Animals Figures Project Diorama Model

4PCS farm animals figures. Kid can use these plastic animals farm toys to build their own farm up. Farm sets for kids can bring happy.

Farm Animal figurines farm toys set made of environment friendly materials.Good quality and durable to deal with lots of play.

Swan Lake

A prince's love for a swan queen overcomes an evil sorcerer's spell in this fairy tale adaptation of the classic ballet

Finally, look how to make this fun animal soap carving.

How To Make A Fun Animal Soap Carving

A soft soap like Ivory carves nicely with simple tools like plastic knives and toothpicks.

It is a great size for small hands and makes a good new medium for an art project.

You will need:

  • Ivory soap bars
  • Toothpicks
  • Wooden Skewers
  • Carving tools-Dollar Tree (optional)
How To Make A Fun Animal Soap Carving & A Quick Study on A Swan

First, open soap a few days ahead of when you are ready to use it and allow it to dry out for 2-5 days, the longer the better.

It makes a little less mess and is easier to work with than if you carve it straight out of the package.

Scratch off the name of the soap with your tools.

Use a toothpick or wooden skewer to lightly outline the shape of the swan on both sides of the soap.

How To Make A Fun Animal Soap Carving & A Quick Study on A Swan

Continue scraping away at the edges of the soap, removing the bulk of the soap that is not part of the design, going all the way from one side of soap to the other.

Going slow and easy will allow you to get more details and less mistakes.

How To Make A Fun Animal Soap Carving & A Quick Study on A Swan

Once you have removed the bulk of the excess material scratch details like feathers deeper into the wings and tail to create some texture by going in different depths and avoid using perfectly straight lines.

How To Make A Fun Animal Soap Carving & A Quick Study on A Swan

Be sure to do all sides of your swan with all the feathering.

How To Make A Fun Animal Soap Carving & A Quick Study on A Swan

Add details like eyes and the beak with a toothpick, do both sides.

Use a smooth rounded tool to rub the edges smooth and flat.

If your child wants to keep their soap, you can seal it with a good lacquer sealer to preserve it.

How To Make A Fun Animal Soap Carving & A Quick Study on A Swan

Leave a CommentFiled Under: Hands-On Activities Tagged With: animals, birdjournal, birds, crafts, elementary science, homeschoolscience, life science, science, spring, spring crafts, swan

  • « Go to Previous Page
  • Page 1
  • Interim pages omitted …
  • Page 33
  • Page 34
  • Page 35
  • Page 36
  • Page 37
  • Interim pages omitted …
  • Page 77
  • Go to Next Page »

Primary Sidebar

Footer

Privacy Policy | About Me | Reviews | Contact | Advertise

Categories

Archives

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

Copyright © 2025 · 5 TNT LLC · Log in · Privacy Policy