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south america

Llama Love And Creative Machu Picchu Crafts for Kids

February 3, 2025 | Leave a Comment
This post may contain affiliate links. For more information, please see my full disclosure policy.

Machu Picchu crafts for kids is a great way to teach them about other cultures while learning geography. Also, look at my page South America Unit Study Resources for more ideas about South America.

And in this case, we’re learning a little animal science as we craft a llama from a box rescued from the trash.

Llamas are often recognized by their distinctive long necks and fluffy coats.

They are a very important part of the history and lifestyle of the people of Machu Picchu.

Llama Love And Creative Machu Picchu Crafts for Kids

Machu Picchu was built by the Incas in Tawantinsuyu (a pre-Columbian civilization) in what is now known as Peru. 

They built the terraces of giant stones and put their houses, palaces, and temples, and farms on the steep mountain side with irrigation systems to get water to all of their farms.

Llamas are remarkable animals that have been an integral part of human culture for thousands of years.

 They were the primary method of transporting goods to and from the site of Machu Picchu because they could navigate the hard mountain paths and carry heavy loads.

Their adaptability, intelligence, and gentle nature make them valuable companions and contributors to the Andean way of life.

BOOKS ABOUT SOUTH AMERICA FOR KIDS

First, look at these books about South America.

13 Resources for a Study of South America

Add some of these fun books and resources to your study of South America.

South America (Rookie Read-About Geography: Continents)

An incredible variety of climates and biomes span the territory of South America. As a result, the continent contains some of the greatest biodiversity on Earth.

Rookie Read-About: Continents series gives the youngest reader (Ages 3-6) an introduction to the components that make each continent distinctive and exceptional. Readers will get to know each continents' geography, history, and wildlife. In this book readers learn about the continent of South America, including the geography, native animals, people and more.

Ancient Civilizations: Aztecs, Maya, Incas!: With 25 Social Studies Projects for Kids (Explore Your World)

A full-color, compelling book for ages 7 to 10 offers a deep dive into the three sophisticated ancient civilizations of Mesoamerica―the Aztecs, Maya, and Incas― through hands-on STEAM projects, essential questions, and loads of fascinating facts!

Why were there more than 3,000 steps built at Machu Picchu? Why did the Aztecs roam Mexico for nearly 200 years before finding a place to settle? How did the Maya study the movements of the stars and the planets? Ancient Civilizations: Aztecs, Maya, Incas! With 25 Social Studies Projects for Kids takes kids ages 7 to 10 on a guided tour to experience the history, culture, economics, and daily life of the Aztecs, Maya, and Incas.

Biblioburro: A True Story from Colombia

A man, his burros, and his books bring joy to children in remote Colombian villages in this inspiring book based on a true story by celebrated picture book creator Jeanette Winter.Luis loves to read, but soon his house in Colombia is so full of books there’s barely room for the family. What to do? Then he comes up with the perfect solution—a traveling library! He buys two donkeys—Alfa and Beto—and travels with them throughout the land, bringing books and reading to the children in faraway villages.

Secret of the Andes (Puffin Newberry Library)

An Incan boy who tends llamas in a hidden valley in Peru learns the traditions and secrets of his ancestors. 

My Mama's Little Ranch on the Pampas

In the sequel to On the Pampas, the author recalls her first year on the small Argentinian ranch purchased and managed by her mother, in an account that includes a visual dictionary of the Spanish words and geographical terms used in the text.

Tales from Silver Lands

Atmospheric woodcuts illustrate this Newbery Award–winning collection of 19 South American folktales. Charles J. Finger heard the tales firsthand from native storytellers, whose fables of talking animals, witches, giants, and ordinary people in supernatural settings provide remarkable insights into regional values and culture. The first of the stories, "A Tale of Three Tails," tells of an age when the rat had a tail like a horse, the rabbit had a tail like a cat, and the deer's tail was plumed like the tail of a dog. "The Magic Dog" recounts an act of kindness to a stray animal that helps overcome a witch's curse. In "The Calabash Man," the creatures of the jungle assist a suitor in winning his bride, and in "El Enano," a greedy troll's insatiable appetite leads to his downfall. Packed with adventure and full of surprises, these and other stories emphasize the importance of hard work, courage, and loyalty.

Turn Right at Machu Picchu: Rediscovering the Lost City One Step at a Time

In 1911, Hiram Bingham III climbed into the Andes Mountains of Peru and “discovered” Machu Picchu. While history has recast Bingham as a villain who stole both priceless artifacts and credit for finding the great archeological site, Mark Adams set out to retrace the explorer’s perilous path in search of the truth—except he’d written about adventure far more than he’d actually lived it. In fact, he’d never even slept in a tent.

Journey to the River Sea

With the memorable characters and plot twists she brings to her best-selling fantasies, acclaimed author Eva Ibbotson has written a hair-raising novel, set in turn-of-the-last-century Brazil.Accompanied by Miss Minton, a fierce-looking, no-nonsense governess, Maia, a young orphan, sets off for the wilderness of the Amazon, expecting curtains of orchids, brightly colored macaws, and a loving family. But what she finds is an evil-tempered aunt and uncle and their spoiled daughters. It is only when she is swept up in a mystery involving a young Indian boy, a homesick child actor, and a missing inheritance that Maia lands in the middle of the Amazon adventure she's dreamed of. Readers of every generation will treasure Ibbotson's lush historical adventure that harkens back to the beloved classics of Frances Hodgson Burnett and Louisa May Alco

This Place Is Wet

Can you imagine living in a place where there is so much water some houses need to be built on stilts to protect them when the river rises? Or where it is so wet that some plants can grow on the sides of trees with their roots gathering water from the air? In This Place Is Wet, you'll find out all sorts of things about what it's like to live in the rain forest of Brazil. Try to imagine living there!

Bolivar: American Liberator

It is astonishing that Simón Bolívar, the great Liberator of South America, is not better known in the United States. He freed six countries from Spanish rule, traveled more than 75,000 miles on horseback to do so, and became the greatest figure in Latin American history. His life is epic, heroic, straight out of Hollywood: he fought battle after battle in punishing terrain, forged uncertain coalitions of competing forces and races, lost his beautiful wife soon after they married and never remarried (although he did have a succession of mistresses, including one who held up the revolution and another who saved his life), and he died relatively young, uncertain whether his
achievements would endure.

Ada's Violin: The Story of the Recycled Orchestra of Paraguay

Ada Ríos grew up in Cateura, a small town in Paraguay built on a landfill. She dreamed of playing the violin, but with little money for anything but the bare essentials, it was never an option...until a music teacher named Favio Chávez arrived. He wanted to give the children of Cateura something special, so he made them instruments out of materials found in the trash

Mayans Aztecs Incas Coloring Book: Coloring Pages of Ancient Mexico Civilizations for Adults and Teens

Mayans Aztecs Incas Coloring Book – Fun And Education For Adults and TeensMake the perfect gift for anyone who loves coloring! Enjoy this Mayans Aztecs Incas Coloring Book for Adults and Teens. Click the cover to reveal what’s inside!About this book:

  • 40 original pages drawings of Symbols, Warriors, Masks and Mandalas.

The Inca Empire (A True Book: Ancient Civilizations) (A True Book (Relaunch))

Explore the Inca empire, including how the Incas survived in the mountains, how the empire was built, and why it disappeared.

A True Book: Ancient Civilizations series allows readers to experience what makes each ancient civilization distinctive and exceptional as well look at its influence on the some of the practices of the modern world. This series includes an age appropriate (grades 3-5) introduction to curriculum-relevant subjects and a robust resource section that encourages independent study.

We are going to celebrate that with 10 facts full of great information, more Machu Picchu crafts for kids, and my own tutorial to make your own mini-Llama pinata from recycling.

10 LLAMA LOVING FACTS

  1. These woolly pack animals are native to the high-altitude regions of the Andes Mountains in South America, and more specifically Peru, Bolivia, Chile, and Argentina.
  2. Historical evidence shows that llamas were first domesticated by the indigenous people of the Andes as early as 4,000 BC. They played a very important role in these communities. They served as pack animals, providing fiber for clothing, and even being used for meat and sacrifice. Some communities still use them for herding and transportation to this day.
  3. Llamas are the largest members of the camelid family in South America. They can reach a height of 5 to 6 feet at the shoulder and weigh anywhere between 280 to 450 pounds.
  4. Their thick, woolly coats provide insulation against the cold Andean temperatures. Not only are they useful but these coats come in a wide array of colors-including white, black, brown, gray, and they can even have spotted or multicolored patterns.
  5. When threatened or annoyed, llamas may spit a mixture of saliva and stomach contents as a defense mechanism. This spit can be very accurate and foul smelling.
  6. Llamas are social animals and live in herds that are led by a dominant male. These herds can range in size from just a few individuals to groups of 20 or more.
  7. They talk to  each other through a variety of vocalizations, including hums, grunts, and screams. Body language, such as ear position and tail movements, also plays a part in their communication.
  8. Llamas are herbivores and feed mostly on grasses, shrubs, and other vegetation found in the high-altitude habitat. They have a  three-chambered stomach which allows them to efficiently digest tough plant material.
  9. Llamas are adapted to arid (dry) environments and can go for extended periods without drinking water, up to 3 days.
  10. Llama fiber is soft, warm, and durable. It is used to make a variety of products, including clothing, blankets, and rugs.
Llama Love And Creative Machu Picchu Crafts for Kids

Next, look at these Machu Picchu crafts for kids.

MACHU PICCHU CRAFTS FOR KIDS

  • Trek back to ancient Meso-American and Make Stunning Salt Dough Incan Jewelry | Incan Crafts for Kids.
  • Check out these great free Peru color pages.
  • Great for a book report or just an enjoyable way to learn more about another country and culture “Where is Machu Picchu”” is engaging and chock full of good information.
  • If you like lapbooks for more organized learning I have a Free Machu Picchu Mini Book & Completed South America Lapbook.
  • Create your own colorful felt landscape with my How to Make a Felt Mountain Craft | 7 Andes Mountain Facts For Kids.

Make a llama out of one of my favorite craft materials, learn how to Make a Paper Plate Llama.

Finally, look at how to make a tissue paper llama.

RECYCLED TISSUE PAPER LLAMA

You will need:

  • Empty cardboard box-cereal, etc
  • Tissue paper
  • Google eyes
  • Scissors
  • Glue stick
Llama Love And Creative Machu Picchu Crafts for Kids

First, on the wider side of the box, draw the outline of a llama.

You can either free hand it or use this free llama pattern.

Llama Love And Creative Machu Picchu Crafts for Kids

Carefully cut around the outline, repeat on the opposite side of the box.

I find it easiest to cut both sides out at once.

Llama Love And Creative Machu Picchu Crafts for Kids

Cut the sides of the box into strips of the same width, to keep it simple you can use the entire width of the sides of your box, you will need enough length to go all around the outline of the llama.

Bend the sides around one of the llama outlines and tape into place like this.

Llama Love And Creative Machu Picchu Crafts for Kids

Attach to the other side of the outline and tape it into place as well. Keep bending and taping all the way around until it is completely closed in.

Llama Love And Creative Machu Picchu Crafts for Kids

Cut strips of tissue ½” wide.

Llama Love And Creative Machu Picchu Crafts for Kids

Create a fringe by cutting up the width ¾ of the way up, be sure not to cut all the way through.

Llama Love And Creative Machu Picchu Crafts for Kids

Wrap the strips and glue down starting at the base and working the way up.

Llama Love And Creative Machu Picchu Crafts for Kids

Continue until the entire body is covered with the fringe.

Llama Love And Creative Machu Picchu Crafts for Kids

Glue on googly eyes and draw on nostrils and whatever other decoration you would like.

We had to go with a pack blanket of course.

Llama Love And Creative Machu Picchu Crafts for Kids

Allow the glue to dry completely.

Leave a CommentFiled Under: Hands-On Activities Tagged With: crafts, geography, hands-on, hands-on activities, handson, handsonhomeschooling, homeschool geography, homeschoolgeography, llamas, south america

How to Make a Felt Mountain Craft | 7 Andes Mountain Facts For Kids

December 27, 2023 | Leave a Comment
This post may contain affiliate links. For more information, please see my full disclosure policy.

Read up on these Andes Mountain facts for kids while you complete this felt mountain craft that is fun to create and beautiful to display anywhere in the house. Also, you’ll love my Free South America Printable Lapbook and Fun Hands-on Unit Study Ideas.

The Andes Mountains are a massive range that extends throughout a lot of South America and have attracted millions of visitors over the years.

Tourists come to see Machu Picchu, Cotopaxi, La Raya Mountain Range, Lake Titicaca, and Rainbow Mountain.

When searching for an idea for a neat hands-on activity to go along with learning about the Andes Mountains we got caught up in the beautiful stretch of Rainbow Mountain, part of the Andes of Peru.

How to Make a Felt Mountain Craft | 7 Andes Mountain Facts For Kids

Rainbow Mountain is layered with the most colorful ribbons of sediments in turquoise, lavender, gold, red, and more.

It is known as Vinicunca, or Winikunka, and also called Montaña de Siete Colores which means Mountain of seven colors.

So, I wanted to focus our project here on these colorful peaks.

But I have lots of great information, facts, and resources to make your study of the Andes mountain range fun and full of learning.

Books About South America

First, look at some of these books about South America. We gravitate toward living books.

13 Resources for a Study of South America

Add some of these fun books and resources to your study of South America.

South America (Rookie Read-About Geography: Continents)

An incredible variety of climates and biomes span the territory of South America. As a result, the continent contains some of the greatest biodiversity on Earth.

Rookie Read-About: Continents series gives the youngest reader (Ages 3-6) an introduction to the components that make each continent distinctive and exceptional. Readers will get to know each continents' geography, history, and wildlife. In this book readers learn about the continent of South America, including the geography, native animals, people and more.

Ancient Civilizations: Aztecs, Maya, Incas!: With 25 Social Studies Projects for Kids (Explore Your World)

A full-color, compelling book for ages 7 to 10 offers a deep dive into the three sophisticated ancient civilizations of Mesoamerica―the Aztecs, Maya, and Incas― through hands-on STEAM projects, essential questions, and loads of fascinating facts!

Why were there more than 3,000 steps built at Machu Picchu? Why did the Aztecs roam Mexico for nearly 200 years before finding a place to settle? How did the Maya study the movements of the stars and the planets? Ancient Civilizations: Aztecs, Maya, Incas! With 25 Social Studies Projects for Kids takes kids ages 7 to 10 on a guided tour to experience the history, culture, economics, and daily life of the Aztecs, Maya, and Incas.

Biblioburro: A True Story from Colombia

A man, his burros, and his books bring joy to children in remote Colombian villages in this inspiring book based on a true story by celebrated picture book creator Jeanette Winter.Luis loves to read, but soon his house in Colombia is so full of books there’s barely room for the family. What to do? Then he comes up with the perfect solution—a traveling library! He buys two donkeys—Alfa and Beto—and travels with them throughout the land, bringing books and reading to the children in faraway villages.

Secret of the Andes (Puffin Newberry Library)

An Incan boy who tends llamas in a hidden valley in Peru learns the traditions and secrets of his ancestors. 

My Mama's Little Ranch on the Pampas

In the sequel to On the Pampas, the author recalls her first year on the small Argentinian ranch purchased and managed by her mother, in an account that includes a visual dictionary of the Spanish words and geographical terms used in the text.

Tales from Silver Lands

Atmospheric woodcuts illustrate this Newbery Award–winning collection of 19 South American folktales. Charles J. Finger heard the tales firsthand from native storytellers, whose fables of talking animals, witches, giants, and ordinary people in supernatural settings provide remarkable insights into regional values and culture. The first of the stories, "A Tale of Three Tails," tells of an age when the rat had a tail like a horse, the rabbit had a tail like a cat, and the deer's tail was plumed like the tail of a dog. "The Magic Dog" recounts an act of kindness to a stray animal that helps overcome a witch's curse. In "The Calabash Man," the creatures of the jungle assist a suitor in winning his bride, and in "El Enano," a greedy troll's insatiable appetite leads to his downfall. Packed with adventure and full of surprises, these and other stories emphasize the importance of hard work, courage, and loyalty.

Turn Right at Machu Picchu: Rediscovering the Lost City One Step at a Time

In 1911, Hiram Bingham III climbed into the Andes Mountains of Peru and “discovered” Machu Picchu. While history has recast Bingham as a villain who stole both priceless artifacts and credit for finding the great archeological site, Mark Adams set out to retrace the explorer’s perilous path in search of the truth—except he’d written about adventure far more than he’d actually lived it. In fact, he’d never even slept in a tent.

Journey to the River Sea

With the memorable characters and plot twists she brings to her best-selling fantasies, acclaimed author Eva Ibbotson has written a hair-raising novel, set in turn-of-the-last-century Brazil.Accompanied by Miss Minton, a fierce-looking, no-nonsense governess, Maia, a young orphan, sets off for the wilderness of the Amazon, expecting curtains of orchids, brightly colored macaws, and a loving family. But what she finds is an evil-tempered aunt and uncle and their spoiled daughters. It is only when she is swept up in a mystery involving a young Indian boy, a homesick child actor, and a missing inheritance that Maia lands in the middle of the Amazon adventure she's dreamed of. Readers of every generation will treasure Ibbotson's lush historical adventure that harkens back to the beloved classics of Frances Hodgson Burnett and Louisa May Alco

This Place Is Wet

Can you imagine living in a place where there is so much water some houses need to be built on stilts to protect them when the river rises? Or where it is so wet that some plants can grow on the sides of trees with their roots gathering water from the air? In This Place Is Wet, you'll find out all sorts of things about what it's like to live in the rain forest of Brazil. Try to imagine living there!

Bolivar: American Liberator

It is astonishing that Simón Bolívar, the great Liberator of South America, is not better known in the United States. He freed six countries from Spanish rule, traveled more than 75,000 miles on horseback to do so, and became the greatest figure in Latin American history. His life is epic, heroic, straight out of Hollywood: he fought battle after battle in punishing terrain, forged uncertain coalitions of competing forces and races, lost his beautiful wife soon after they married and never remarried (although he did have a succession of mistresses, including one who held up the revolution and another who saved his life), and he died relatively young, uncertain whether his
achievements would endure.

Ada's Violin: The Story of the Recycled Orchestra of Paraguay

Ada Ríos grew up in Cateura, a small town in Paraguay built on a landfill. She dreamed of playing the violin, but with little money for anything but the bare essentials, it was never an option...until a music teacher named Favio Chávez arrived. He wanted to give the children of Cateura something special, so he made them instruments out of materials found in the trash

Mayans Aztecs Incas Coloring Book: Coloring Pages of Ancient Mexico Civilizations for Adults and Teens

Mayans Aztecs Incas Coloring Book – Fun And Education For Adults and TeensMake the perfect gift for anyone who loves coloring! Enjoy this Mayans Aztecs Incas Coloring Book for Adults and Teens. Click the cover to reveal what’s inside!About this book:

  • 40 original pages drawings of Symbols, Warriors, Masks and Mandalas.

The Inca Empire (A True Book: Ancient Civilizations) (A True Book (Relaunch))

Explore the Inca empire, including how the Incas survived in the mountains, how the empire was built, and why it disappeared.

A True Book: Ancient Civilizations series allows readers to experience what makes each ancient civilization distinctive and exceptional as well look at its influence on the some of the practices of the modern world. This series includes an age appropriate (grades 3-5) introduction to curriculum-relevant subjects and a robust resource section that encourages independent study.

7 Andes Mountain Facts For Kids

  1. The Andes Mountains are the longest mountain chain in the world at 5,530 miles long and stretch through 7 different South American countries- Venezuela, Colombia, Ecuador, Peru, Bolivia, Chile, and Argentina
  2. They were formed due to the tectonic activity between the South American and Nazca plates, simply put it means that two tectonic plates pushed together and one lay above the other, disrupting the Earth’s surface.
  3. The majority of Andean peaks are volcanic with an estimated 150 to 160 active volcanoes along the Andean Volcanic Belt.
  4. Did you know that the Aruba, Curacao, and Bonaire islands in the Caribbean are the peaks of an extensive submerged continuation of the Andes?  In Patagonia, many islands are also part of the mountain chain. 
  5. The Amazon River originates in the Andes mountains at an elevation of 5,598 miles, less than 100 miles from the Pacific Ocean.
  6. The summit of Mount Chimborazo in the Andes is the highest point of elevation on Earth when measured from the Earth’s center.
  7. The Andes are a very biodiverse system, if you were to take a trip through the mountains you might see many of the over 3,700 species of animals that live there, including alpaca, chinchilla, llamas, mountain tapirs, guinea pigs, spectacled bears, and more.
How to Make a Felt Mountain Craft | 7 Andes Mountain Facts For Kids

Next, look at more Andes mountain facts for kids and South America resources.

More Mountain Facts for Kids and South America Activities

  • Try this Torn Paper Mountain Landscape Art Tutorial for another unique mountain project.
  • How To Make A Blue-Footed Booby Bird Craft
  • 7 Facts About the Inca Empire & Make a Fun Incan Ruins Model
  • A good resource can be used for more than one specific theme, Mountain Ranges of the World contains information on mountains and how they are formed as well as artistic views of ranges including the Andes and more
  • 9 Free South America Country Reports for Kids Notebooking Pages
  • Galapagos Islands Animals Fun and Simple Watercolor Flamingo Tutorial

Finally, look how to make a felt mountain craft.

How to Make a Felt Mountain Craft

You will need:

  • Cardboard
  • Colorful craft felt
  • Hot glue, tacky, or school glue
  • Scissors
How to Make a Felt Mountain Craft | 7 Andes Mountain Facts For Kids

First, cut whatever size span of mountains you want from cardboard, corrugated cardboard is nice and sturdy and this is a great upcycle for old Amazon boxes.

How to Make a Felt Mountain Craft | 7 Andes Mountain Facts For Kids

Next, you want to cut a lot of very thin strips, with some size variations out of the colors of felt you have chosen. You could also use yarn if you have that on hand instead.

How to Make a Felt Mountain Craft | 7 Andes Mountain Facts For Kids

“Paint” your cardboard mountains with a thick coat of glue all over. Originally, I was going to use hot glue but it dries quickly.

Plus, I wanted to allow for building time. An older child could hot glue a piece at a time if they want a quicker drying project.

How to Make a Felt Mountain Craft | 7 Andes Mountain Facts For Kids

Begin pressing your strips of felt into v patterns on the mountain.

Starting from the outside or inside, whatever they prefer. Let the excess hang off the sides, you will fix that when it’s dry.

How to Make a Felt Mountain Craft | 7 Andes Mountain Facts For Kids

Continue until your mountain(s) are completely covered.

Allow it to dry overnight and then trim off the excess along the edges of the mountains.

If you are layering mountains instead of making just one you can attach them to one other.

Leave it at that or mount them on a larger piece of felt glued to another piece of cardboard to give it a background.

How to Make a Felt Mountain Craft | 7 Andes Mountain Facts For Kids

Leave a CommentFiled Under: Hands-On Activities Tagged With: earth science, earthscience, hands-on, hands-on activities, handsonhomeschooling, mountains, south america, The Andes

How To Make A Blue-Footed Booby Bird Craft

December 14, 2023 | Leave a Comment
This post may contain affiliate links. For more information, please see my full disclosure policy.

We are creating a bird craft that is so easy, inexpensive, and adorable that you might find the kids and you wanting to create different species to fill up your house. Also, you’ll love this Free Bird Unit Study and Lapbook And Fun Edible Bird Nests.

Too, be sure you look at my South America Unit Study and Lapbook.

All we needed was a quick trip to Dollar Tree for a fresh pair of socks.

The other simple items you will most likely have on hand to create this craft which is a fantastic supplement to a bird unit.

How To Make A Blue-Footed Booby Bird Craft

One of the most unusual and recognizable birds is the blue-footed booby.

With their bright aquamarine blue feet and legs and rather funny-looking faces.

Blue-footed boobies are one of the three different booby species found on the Galapagos Islands.

There are also red and Nazca boobies.

Books about the Galapagos

Next, add some of these books about the blue-footed booby and other animals of the Galapagos to your unit study.

11 Books & Resources About the Animals of the Galapagos

Add one or two of these fun resources about the animals of the Galapagos Islands in South America.

Where Are the Galapagos Islands? (Where Is?)

The Galapagos Islands are a chain of volcanic islands located on either side of the equator in the Pacific Ocean. The isolated location of the islands has allowed a vast number of species to develop that are original to each island, such as the marine iguana, the blue-footed booby, the magnificent frigatebird and of course the giant Galapagos tortoise, which may live to be over one hundred years old. 

Galapagos Wildlife TOOB

This Galapagos Island Toob is a must have item for sensory bins and dioramas, but they really give your child a better understanding of what creatures they may never get to see in person. They make great models for art projects as well from sketching to painting.

Galapagos (Earth's Extraordinary Places)

This is the ultimate book about the Galápagos for kids, covering the formation of the islands, the fascinating animals that live there, the evolutionary traits of the flora, the diverse climates, the brilliant conservation efforts and much more!This beautifully illustrated and photographic book provides a fascinating tour of the flora, fauna, and geology of the Galapágos islands. Children can learn about the unique and incredible wildlife, volcanoes, climate and Darwin’s theory of evolution from his visit to the Galápagos.  

Karl, Get Out of the Garden!: Carolus Linnaeus and the Naming of Everything

Carolus (Karl) Linnaeus started off as a curious child who loved exploring the garden. Despite his intelligence—and his mother's scoldings—he was a poor student, preferring to be outdoors with his beloved plants and bugs. As he grew up, Karl's love of nature led him to take on a seemingly impossible task: to give a scientific name to every living thing on earth. 

Exotic Birds TOOB

11 EXOTIC BIRDS: This Toob brings you some of the most amazing exotic winged friends from around the world. It includes a Parakeet, Quetzal, Yellow Macaw, Humming Bird, Hibiscus Flower, Keel-Billed Toucan, Cockatoo, Flamingo, White Ibis, Snowy Owl, and a Greet Parrot.

My Father's Island (Guinness World Records Little Books)

A true story that incorporates biography, adventure and the elements of armchair travel. Angermeyer, who grew up in Nebraska, embarks on a search to discover what happened to her father, a refugee from Hitler, on the Galapagos Islands where he and her mother had lived before his death.

Marcel McDuby the Blue-Footed Booby

For ages 3-9... The strange little bird with turquoise blue feet spent all his time imagining being someone else. Follow him on a journey that leads to self-acceptance and a life-changing discovery: It's our differences that make us special and set us apart. What's really important comes from our heart.

Galapagos Wildlife (Bradt Wildlife Guides)

This new, thoroughly updated and lavishly illustrated fourth edition of Bradt's Galápagos Wildlife is packed with information and magnificent pictures to aid in identifying key species, all in an easy-to-carry format that covers everything from the wildlife that you're likely to encounter, whether flying in the air, running along the ground or swimming underwater, to a succinct history of the islands, their habitats and volcanic origins. 

Galapagos animal adventure with 26 coloring pages for all ages

Immerse yourself in the natural beauty of the Galapagos Islands with this endemic animal coloring book. With 26 pages filled with detailed and realistic drawings, this coloring book will take you on a journey through the unique landscapes of the islands as you immerse yourself in the wild nature of the región.

Take Your Time: A Tale of Harriet, the Galapagos Tortoise

Harriet the tortoise likes to do things slowly. She explores her home on the Galápagos Islands―slowly. She eats―slowly. And when the sun goes down, she slumbers deeply all night long.

When Harriet’s friends tell her to pick up the pace, Harriet decides to journey to a neighboring island to see what there is to see. She parades with penguins and rides with dolphins, encountering adventure at every turn. But is life in the fast lane right for a tortoise who loves to take her time?

Marine Iguanas - Tails of the Galapagos Islands Series

Marine Iguanas. Discover the unique Galapagos Island critter called the Marine Iguana. Designed for Young Readers (Ages 5-7) in mind, your little adventurist can immerse themselves within the colorful pages that take them on a journey to better understand the Life of the Marine Iguana. Fun facts and vibrant photos make this book an enjoyable read now and for years to come.

Facts About Blue-Footed Booby

The boobies got their name from the Spanish word bobo.

Bobo means “fool” or “clown” because they seemed so silly and foolish to explorers with their colorful feet, funny walk, and what they felt was an unnatural fear of man.

Just like how flamingos are pink due to their eating habits, the color of their webbed feet comes from the collagens in the skin that are changed because of their diet of fresh fish.

The brighter blue feet that a male has the more interesting he is to females.

While boobies seem to move clumsily on land, their almost 5-foot wingspan lets them fly powerfully.

How To Make A Blue-Footed Booby Bird Craft

Also, they can fly for a long time, long distances, and are amazing plunge divers on the hunt for food, maneuvering well even in shallow water.

Blue-footed boobies as marine birds only need land to lay eggs and raise their young.

And they keep those eggs warm with their feet which are well supplied with blood and make a great little heater for the eggs to keep them toasty.

More Bird Crafts

  • How to Make DIY Hummingbird Nectar And Favorite Amazon Rainforest Hummingbirds Facts
  • How to Make a Chalk Pastel Bird Nest Easy Drawing
  • Galapagos Islands Animals Fun and Simple Watercolor Flamingo Tutorial
  • Free Peregrine Falcon Lapbook And Fun Unit Study Ideas
  • Free Homeschool Chicken Unit Study and Anatomy of an Egg Felt Activity & Worksheet
  • How to Make an Easy Bird Craft Fun Paper Plate Peacock
  • Free Bird Journal – Hands-on Nature (Coloring & Identification Pages)
  • Free North American Robin Bird Lapbook and Fun Homeschool Unit Study Ideas
How To Make A Blue-Footed Booby Bird Craft

Finally, look at how to make a blue-footed booby sock bird craft.

How to Make A Blue-Footed Booby Sock Bird Craft

You will need:

  • White tube sock
  • Black felt
  • Blue felt
  • Blue pipe cleaner
  • Google eyes
  • Brown paint
  • paintbrush
  • Uncooked white rice/beans
  • Hot glue gun/glue
How To Make A Blue-Footed Booby Bird Craft

First, decide what size you would like to make your bird craft and fill that size halfway with either the other sock in the pack or some cotton stuffing. I made mine about ⅓ of the sock length.

Place rice in a cup and dump it into the sock by wrapping the sock opening around the cup and flipping it over until the other half is full.

This will give your blue-footed booby some weight and help him sit upright nicely.

How To Make A Blue-Footed Booby Bird Craft

Cut off the excess from the open end, leaving just enough to fold over.

How To Make A Blue-Footed Booby Bird Craft

Fold the end in and glue it like you would gift wrap on the end of a box and secure it with glue.

How To Make A Blue-Footed Booby Bird Craft

On the same end attach two halves of blue pipe cleaner sticking out for legs.

Once the glue is dry it ends downward and uses brown paint to speckle the head like a blue-footed booby.

How To Make A Blue-Footed Booby Bird Craft

Then, paint on wing shapes on either side. Allow paint to dry completely, you can save this step for last if you prefer.

How To Make A Blue-Footed Booby Bird Craft

Cut a long black triangle twice as wide as you would like the beak to be.

How To Make A Blue-Footed Booby Bird Craft

Fold it over with a piece of pipe cleaner in the middle to give the felt some stiffness and glue the sides together. Trim off the excess pipe cleaner sticking out.

How To Make A Blue-Footed Booby Bird Craft

Hot glue the beak into place on the front and arrange two googly eyes close on either side.

How To Make A Blue-Footed Booby Bird Craft

Cut two webbed feet out of the blue felt.

How To Make A Blue-Footed Booby Bird Craft

Hot glue to the end of the blue pipe cleaners.

How To Make A Blue-Footed Booby Bird Craft

Finally, attach a small piece of the sock scrap to the back for a tail.

How To Make A Blue-Footed Booby Bird Craft

Leave a CommentFiled Under: Hands-On Activities Tagged With: birds, crafts, hands-on, hands-on activities, handson, handsonhomeschooling, homeschoolscience, life science, south america

7 Facts About the Inca Empire & Make a Fun Incan Ruins Model

July 26, 2023 | Leave a Comment
This post may contain affiliate links. For more information, please see my full disclosure policy.

I have 7 facts about the Incan Empire and your kids will love this Incan ruins model hands-on activity. Also, you’ll love my Free South America Printable Lapbook and Fun Hands-on Unit Study Ideas.

In a learning journey to South America, you must be sure to visit the Incan Ruins with a fun hands-on activity or two.

We are making a unique Incan ruins model with a little paint and a handful of unfinished blocks.

7 Facts About the Inca Empire & Make a Fun Incan Ruins Model

Also, you’ll learn a few important facts about the ruins, and discover a few more activities to help your child know more about this culture that helped shape future civilizations.

While creating your Incan ruins you can watch a video about their history or talk about the architecture that they are well known for.

This is a culture rich with history, from its architecture to the symbols, traditions, food, and its rise and fall.

And this is an interesting period of early history that lends itself wonderfully to many crafts and activities.

 7 Facts about the Inca and the Incan Ruins

  1. At Machu Picchu, each stone was perfectly cut to fit together so tight that mortar was not needed to keep the walls standing.
  2. The Inca Empire lasted for just one century, with most scholars believing it started around the 13th century.
  3. The highly advanced Incan Road system, which is known as Qhapaq Ñan (“royal road” in Quechua) was over 25,000 miles long.
  4. The Incas had a unique communal concept Called Ayni, which translates today for you, tomorrow for me. They believed in an interdependent society and that every individual must give before receiving. The Inca pooled together all they had and made sure everyone was taken care of.
  5. The Incas were mostly vegan, only eating special meats for special occasions.
  6. Inca was the largest pre-Columbian empire in the Americas, it covered 770,000 square miles.
  7. The Inca Empire fell to the Spanish conquistadores under the rule of Francisco Pizarro in 1533 CE.

Next, add some of these books and resources to your South America unit study.

13 Resources for a Study of South America

Add some of these fun books and resources to your study of South America.

South America (Rookie Read-About Geography: Continents)

An incredible variety of climates and biomes span the territory of South America. As a result, the continent contains some of the greatest biodiversity on Earth.

Rookie Read-About: Continents series gives the youngest reader (Ages 3-6) an introduction to the components that make each continent distinctive and exceptional. Readers will get to know each continents' geography, history, and wildlife. In this book readers learn about the continent of South America, including the geography, native animals, people and more.

Ancient Civilizations: Aztecs, Maya, Incas!: With 25 Social Studies Projects for Kids (Explore Your World)

A full-color, compelling book for ages 7 to 10 offers a deep dive into the three sophisticated ancient civilizations of Mesoamerica―the Aztecs, Maya, and Incas― through hands-on STEAM projects, essential questions, and loads of fascinating facts!

Why were there more than 3,000 steps built at Machu Picchu? Why did the Aztecs roam Mexico for nearly 200 years before finding a place to settle? How did the Maya study the movements of the stars and the planets? Ancient Civilizations: Aztecs, Maya, Incas! With 25 Social Studies Projects for Kids takes kids ages 7 to 10 on a guided tour to experience the history, culture, economics, and daily life of the Aztecs, Maya, and Incas.

Biblioburro: A True Story from Colombia

A man, his burros, and his books bring joy to children in remote Colombian villages in this inspiring book based on a true story by celebrated picture book creator Jeanette Winter.Luis loves to read, but soon his house in Colombia is so full of books there’s barely room for the family. What to do? Then he comes up with the perfect solution—a traveling library! He buys two donkeys—Alfa and Beto—and travels with them throughout the land, bringing books and reading to the children in faraway villages.

Secret of the Andes (Puffin Newberry Library)

An Incan boy who tends llamas in a hidden valley in Peru learns the traditions and secrets of his ancestors. 

My Mama's Little Ranch on the Pampas

In the sequel to On the Pampas, the author recalls her first year on the small Argentinian ranch purchased and managed by her mother, in an account that includes a visual dictionary of the Spanish words and geographical terms used in the text.

Tales from Silver Lands

Atmospheric woodcuts illustrate this Newbery Award–winning collection of 19 South American folktales. Charles J. Finger heard the tales firsthand from native storytellers, whose fables of talking animals, witches, giants, and ordinary people in supernatural settings provide remarkable insights into regional values and culture. The first of the stories, "A Tale of Three Tails," tells of an age when the rat had a tail like a horse, the rabbit had a tail like a cat, and the deer's tail was plumed like the tail of a dog. "The Magic Dog" recounts an act of kindness to a stray animal that helps overcome a witch's curse. In "The Calabash Man," the creatures of the jungle assist a suitor in winning his bride, and in "El Enano," a greedy troll's insatiable appetite leads to his downfall. Packed with adventure and full of surprises, these and other stories emphasize the importance of hard work, courage, and loyalty.

Turn Right at Machu Picchu: Rediscovering the Lost City One Step at a Time

In 1911, Hiram Bingham III climbed into the Andes Mountains of Peru and “discovered” Machu Picchu. While history has recast Bingham as a villain who stole both priceless artifacts and credit for finding the great archeological site, Mark Adams set out to retrace the explorer’s perilous path in search of the truth—except he’d written about adventure far more than he’d actually lived it. In fact, he’d never even slept in a tent.

Journey to the River Sea

With the memorable characters and plot twists she brings to her best-selling fantasies, acclaimed author Eva Ibbotson has written a hair-raising novel, set in turn-of-the-last-century Brazil.Accompanied by Miss Minton, a fierce-looking, no-nonsense governess, Maia, a young orphan, sets off for the wilderness of the Amazon, expecting curtains of orchids, brightly colored macaws, and a loving family. But what she finds is an evil-tempered aunt and uncle and their spoiled daughters. It is only when she is swept up in a mystery involving a young Indian boy, a homesick child actor, and a missing inheritance that Maia lands in the middle of the Amazon adventure she's dreamed of. Readers of every generation will treasure Ibbotson's lush historical adventure that harkens back to the beloved classics of Frances Hodgson Burnett and Louisa May Alco

This Place Is Wet

Can you imagine living in a place where there is so much water some houses need to be built on stilts to protect them when the river rises? Or where it is so wet that some plants can grow on the sides of trees with their roots gathering water from the air? In This Place Is Wet, you'll find out all sorts of things about what it's like to live in the rain forest of Brazil. Try to imagine living there!

Bolivar: American Liberator

It is astonishing that Simón Bolívar, the great Liberator of South America, is not better known in the United States. He freed six countries from Spanish rule, traveled more than 75,000 miles on horseback to do so, and became the greatest figure in Latin American history. His life is epic, heroic, straight out of Hollywood: he fought battle after battle in punishing terrain, forged uncertain coalitions of competing forces and races, lost his beautiful wife soon after they married and never remarried (although he did have a succession of mistresses, including one who held up the revolution and another who saved his life), and he died relatively young, uncertain whether his
achievements would endure.

Ada's Violin: The Story of the Recycled Orchestra of Paraguay

Ada Ríos grew up in Cateura, a small town in Paraguay built on a landfill. She dreamed of playing the violin, but with little money for anything but the bare essentials, it was never an option...until a music teacher named Favio Chávez arrived. He wanted to give the children of Cateura something special, so he made them instruments out of materials found in the trash

Mayans Aztecs Incas Coloring Book: Coloring Pages of Ancient Mexico Civilizations for Adults and Teens

Mayans Aztecs Incas Coloring Book – Fun And Education For Adults and TeensMake the perfect gift for anyone who loves coloring! Enjoy this Mayans Aztecs Incas Coloring Book for Adults and Teens. Click the cover to reveal what’s inside!About this book:

  • 40 original pages drawings of Symbols, Warriors, Masks and Mandalas.

The Inca Empire (A True Book: Ancient Civilizations) (A True Book (Relaunch))

Explore the Inca empire, including how the Incas survived in the mountains, how the empire was built, and why it disappeared.

A True Book: Ancient Civilizations series allows readers to experience what makes each ancient civilization distinctive and exceptional as well look at its influence on the some of the practices of the modern world. This series includes an age appropriate (grades 3-5) introduction to curriculum-relevant subjects and a robust resource section that encourages independent study.

More Incan Empire and Ruins Resources

  • Watch The Rise And Fall of The Inca Empire to learn more about the Inca, this is a great video for late elementary through middle school.
  • How to Make Paper Mache Mountains to Celebrate Chimborazo Day
  • Another interesting video centers around Machu Picchu,  Guide to Machu Picchu for Children: Lost City of the Inca for Kids on YouTube.
  • 9 Free South America Country Reports for Kids Notebooking Pages
  • Make a simple Metal Foil Inca Sun as you learn about the importance of this symbol to the Incas.
  • 9 Free South America Country Reports for Kids Notebooking Pages
  • Appreciating the Culture of South America Through Dance
  • Make a Peruvian Weaving Project and learn how important the different patterns were to each tribe.
  • An important part of the Inca history was their textiles, which were called tocapus which had checkered layouts, filled with repetitive geometric patterns. Here is an example to color on Incan pattern coloring page.
  • These stuffed Crinkle Paper Llamas are perfect for preschoolers learning along with older kids.
7 Facts About the Inca Empire & Make a Fun Incan Ruins Model

Finally, look how to make a fun Incan ruins model.

How to Make an Incan Ruins Model

You will need:

  • Small unfinished blocks
  • Grey paint
  • Black Paint
  • Sand
  • Green cardstock or model grass
  • Cardboard or wood piece for the base
  • Paintbrush
  • Tacky glue or hot glue
7 Facts About the Inca Empire & Make a Fun Incan Ruins Model

Start with a rectangle of wood or cardboard for the base.

I had a scrap of long balsa wood I used. Cover with glue and press your model grass or green cardstock down over it.

7 Facts About the Inca Empire & Make a Fun Incan Ruins Model

Trim off the excess so it just fits the base.

7 Facts About the Inca Empire & Make a Fun Incan Ruins Model

Use library books or search Google to find an image of Incan ruins that you want to recreate.

We went for the Sacsayhuaman Terrace Gateway because it seemed easy and interesting enough to recreate with our wooden blocks.

You can use tacky glue which is a little quicker drying than school glue or hot glue to affix your “stones” in the design you have chosen.

7 Facts About the Inca Empire & Make a Fun Incan Ruins Model

Be sure to not only glue the top and bottoms together but to give it good structure add glue to at least some of the side touching pieces.

7 Facts About the Inca Empire & Make a Fun Incan Ruins Model

To create longer stones glue 4 or 5 pieces together and let them dry before placing them atop the doorway.

7 Facts About the Inca Empire & Make a Fun Incan Ruins Model

Mix up 3 parts gray paint to 1 part sand to get a gritty sandy texture.

7 Facts About the Inca Empire & Make a Fun Incan Ruins Model

Paint your mixture all over the structure you built with a heavy hand, allowing some to completely fill in the cracks.

7 Facts About the Inca Empire & Make a Fun Incan Ruins Model

You can brush off some of the excess when it’s partially dry.

Before the gray is completely dry dab on a bit of black paint to age it.

Allow everything to dry completely.

7 Facts About the Inca Empire & Make a Fun Incan Ruins Model

Leave a CommentFiled Under: Hands-On Activities Tagged With: hands on history, hands-on, hands-on activities, handsonhomeschooling, history, history resources, homeschoolhistory, Inca, south america

Galapagos Islands Animals Fun and Simple Watercolor Flamingo Tutorial

July 9, 2023 | Leave a Comment
This post may contain affiliate links. For more information, please see my full disclosure policy.

Today I have a fun watercolor flamingo tutorial if you’re learning about the Galapagos Islands animals in South America. Also, you’ll love ideas on my South America Printable Lapbook and Fun Hands-on Unit Study Ideas post.

There are many unique and fascinating animals of the Galapagos Islands. 

Some are native or endemic, and others that are plentiful there but might also be found in other exotic spots.

The Galapagos is an archipelago which is a sea or stretch of water containing many islands.

Galapagos Islands Animals Fun and Simple Watercolor Flamingo Tutorial

They are made up of 127 islands to be exact, of which only 4 are inhabited.  

Many of which are endemic (native) to the Galapagos Islands from the well-known Galapagos tortoise to the small temperate weather Galapagos penguin.

About Flamingos of the Galapagos Islands

Flamingos are beautiful and graceful creatures that are easily identified.

And while flamingos are not endemic to the Galapagos, the ones that are found there are among the most brilliantly colored.

They are certainly eye-catching and that is why I chose to make them the focus of today’s activity.

The pink coloring of Galapagos flamingos comes from their diet.

These flamingos’ primary food source is crustaceans, which contain carotenoids, a pigment that helps the flamingos to maintain a bright pink color.

Galapagos flamingos live in large colonies, wading in the brackish, shallow waters of the Galapagos off the coast of Ecuador.

I found a beautiful two-page spread on flamingos in the Wildlife Anatomy from Julia Rothman.

Galapagos Islands Animals Fun and Simple Watercolor Flamingo Tutorial

This beautiful book not only served as inspiration for our watercolor painting but also covers the anatomy of a flamingo and a few fun facts.

Fantastic Facts About 8 Endemic Animals of The Galapagos Islands

  1. Galapagos Penguin- The only one of its kind that makes its home north of the equator, they are the second smallest penguins and are the rarest penguin species in the world.
  2. Galapagos Land Iguanas have a symbiotic relationship with the islands’ birds, who find a food source in the parasites that live on the iguanas’ skin.
  3. Blue-Footed Booby, The name “booby” actually comes from a mispronunciation of the Spanish bobo, which means “clown” or “fool.”
  4. Galapagos Tortoises inhabit most of the islands in the Galápagos.
  5. Marine Iguana can live on both lands and in the water, diving to depths of up to 30 feet.
  6. Flightless Cormorant is endemic to the Galápagos, yet flightless. They inhabit 2 different islands that are miles from any other shore.
  7. Frigatebird birds have tiny bodies with enormous wingspans, and because they cannot take off from water, they will simply soar around for days, weeks, and sometimes even as long as two months without touching down.
  8. Darwin’s Finches were discovered by Charles Darwin and belong to the Tanager family. Thirteen of the fourteen types are endemic to the Galapagos.

Also, look at these books and resources about the Galapagos Islands.

11 Books & Resources About the Animals of the Galapagos

Add one or two of these fun resources about the animals of the Galapagos Islands in South America.

Where Are the Galapagos Islands? (Where Is?)

The Galapagos Islands are a chain of volcanic islands located on either side of the equator in the Pacific Ocean. The isolated location of the islands has allowed a vast number of species to develop that are original to each island, such as the marine iguana, the blue-footed booby, the magnificent frigatebird and of course the giant Galapagos tortoise, which may live to be over one hundred years old. 

Galapagos Wildlife TOOB

This Galapagos Island Toob is a must have item for sensory bins and dioramas, but they really give your child a better understanding of what creatures they may never get to see in person. They make great models for art projects as well from sketching to painting.

Galapagos (Earth's Extraordinary Places)

This is the ultimate book about the Galápagos for kids, covering the formation of the islands, the fascinating animals that live there, the evolutionary traits of the flora, the diverse climates, the brilliant conservation efforts and much more!This beautifully illustrated and photographic book provides a fascinating tour of the flora, fauna, and geology of the Galapágos islands. Children can learn about the unique and incredible wildlife, volcanoes, climate and Darwin’s theory of evolution from his visit to the Galápagos.  

Karl, Get Out of the Garden!: Carolus Linnaeus and the Naming of Everything

Carolus (Karl) Linnaeus started off as a curious child who loved exploring the garden. Despite his intelligence—and his mother's scoldings—he was a poor student, preferring to be outdoors with his beloved plants and bugs. As he grew up, Karl's love of nature led him to take on a seemingly impossible task: to give a scientific name to every living thing on earth. 

Exotic Birds TOOB

11 EXOTIC BIRDS: This Toob brings you some of the most amazing exotic winged friends from around the world. It includes a Parakeet, Quetzal, Yellow Macaw, Humming Bird, Hibiscus Flower, Keel-Billed Toucan, Cockatoo, Flamingo, White Ibis, Snowy Owl, and a Greet Parrot.

My Father's Island (Guinness World Records Little Books)

A true story that incorporates biography, adventure and the elements of armchair travel. Angermeyer, who grew up in Nebraska, embarks on a search to discover what happened to her father, a refugee from Hitler, on the Galapagos Islands where he and her mother had lived before his death.

Marcel McDuby the Blue-Footed Booby

For ages 3-9... The strange little bird with turquoise blue feet spent all his time imagining being someone else. Follow him on a journey that leads to self-acceptance and a life-changing discovery: It's our differences that make us special and set us apart. What's really important comes from our heart.

Galapagos Wildlife (Bradt Wildlife Guides)

This new, thoroughly updated and lavishly illustrated fourth edition of Bradt's Galápagos Wildlife is packed with information and magnificent pictures to aid in identifying key species, all in an easy-to-carry format that covers everything from the wildlife that you're likely to encounter, whether flying in the air, running along the ground or swimming underwater, to a succinct history of the islands, their habitats and volcanic origins. 

Galapagos animal adventure with 26 coloring pages for all ages

Immerse yourself in the natural beauty of the Galapagos Islands with this endemic animal coloring book. With 26 pages filled with detailed and realistic drawings, this coloring book will take you on a journey through the unique landscapes of the islands as you immerse yourself in the wild nature of the región.

Take Your Time: A Tale of Harriet, the Galapagos Tortoise

Harriet the tortoise likes to do things slowly. She explores her home on the Galápagos Islands―slowly. She eats―slowly. And when the sun goes down, she slumbers deeply all night long.

When Harriet’s friends tell her to pick up the pace, Harriet decides to journey to a neighboring island to see what there is to see. She parades with penguins and rides with dolphins, encountering adventure at every turn. But is life in the fast lane right for a tortoise who loves to take her time?

Marine Iguanas - Tails of the Galapagos Islands Series

Marine Iguanas. Discover the unique Galapagos Island critter called the Marine Iguana. Designed for Young Readers (Ages 5-7) in mind, your little adventurist can immerse themselves within the colorful pages that take them on a journey to better understand the Life of the Marine Iguana. Fun facts and vibrant photos make this book an enjoyable read now and for years to come.

Galapagos Islands Animals Fun and Simple Watercolor Flamingo Tutorial

Before you begin, have your child identify the Galapagos Islands on a map, globe, or atlas.

Also, have them locate Ecuador and the equator as well.

More South America Activities

  • 9 Free South America Country Reports for Kids Notebooking Pages
  • Free South America Printable Lapbook and Fun Hands-on Unit Study Ideas
  • South America Geography Salt Dough Map + Printable Pennants
  • South America Unit Study resources
  • Free 8 Page Fan Book–Animals of the Galapagos Islands

Galapagos Islands Animals Fun and Simple Watercolor Flamingo Tutorial

Finally, look how to make this diy watercolor flamingo tutorial.

I do not claim to be an artist or an art teacher.

Also, I have a fun printable flamingo unit study that you can read about here.

  • Dynamic and Beautiful Flamingo Printable Themed Informational Packet Study for Young Learners

    Dynamic and Beautiful Flamingo Printable Themed Informational Packet Study for Young Learners

    $4.00
    Add to cart

Galapagos Islands Animals – Watercolor Flamingo Tutorial

But as long as I have been homeschooling, I’ve picked up some tips and tricks that helped me teach things like watercolor in a simple way that helps kids “get it”

If you feel confident, freehand your flamingo with watercolor.

But this simple tutorial is meant for kids (or adults) who like art but aren’t yet confident to jump in fully,

Supplies:

  • Watercolor paper
  • Flamingo picture
  • 2-3 small watercolor paintbrushes
  • Pencil with eraser
  • Cup of water
Galapagos Islands Animals Fun and Simple Watercolor Flamingo Tutorial

Start by lightly tracing the curving neck and body of a flamingo.

It’s okay if it’s not perfect. You can erase and re-sketch as many times as you need to.

Galapagos Islands Animals Fun and Simple Watercolor Flamingo Tutorial

Now add some jointed legs, you can draw feet or let them disappear into the water line.

Next, erase your drawing leaving just the lightest pencil marks to give a basic guide.

Galapagos Islands Animals Fun and Simple Watercolor Flamingo Tutorial

Use a clean brush and “paint” the neck and body using only water, get it nice and wet.

Galapagos Islands Animals Fun and Simple Watercolor Flamingo Tutorial

Now, pick up a light shade of pink watercolor and begin to fill in the flamingo.

Galapagos Islands Animals Fun and Simple Watercolor Flamingo Tutorial

Do some wet-on-wet watercolor by adding a little bit of detail and shading with a darker pink while it is still wet.

You will be able to see how nicely it moves when you add wet paint to wet paint. This is a great time to start shaping the tale a bit.

Galapagos Islands Animals Fun and Simple Watercolor Flamingo Tutorial

Allow the watercolor to dry, it shouldn’t take long.

Once dry or most of the way dry add details like the leg color, as well as adding more details to the wing and tail.

Galapagos Islands Animals Fun and Simple Watercolor Flamingo Tutorial

Let the final layer of watercolor dry and add a black eye and a large, curved beak.

Galapagos Islands Animals Fun and Simple Watercolor Flamingo Tutorial

Leave a CommentFiled Under: Hands-On Activities Tagged With: art, flamingo, galapagos islands, hands-on, hands-on activities, handson, handsonhomeschooling, south america, watercolor

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