Groundhog Day Fun
Hey Friends,
It’s February! Did you know that this month our youngest will have lived his first decade, and our oldest will have lived two? Time flies! But let's not dwell on that just yet – let's talk about tomorrow because it's GROUNDHOG DAY!
In our house, groundhogs are VIPS (Very Important Pals), especially for our Hailey. I kid you not, she gets downright emotional when she spots them. I mean, we're talking tears of joy here! It's the cutest mix of hilarious and adorable, that makes every sighting a little celebration. We even have one living in our yard this year and he’s so cute! Evan and I even started calling them "land otters" because, let's be real, they've got that same level of cuteness going on.
So, in the spirit of Hailey's groundhog-induced happy dances, I wanted to share some awesome fun activities to celebrate!
Below you’ll find a fun experiment, suggestions for STEM adventures, sensory exploration, crafts that will make you go "aww," and some themed reading recommendations. I hope you LOVE them as much as we do!
Fun Experiment:
Here's a quick experiment you can try with stuff you probably already have lying around.
You'll need a balloon, a bottle, vinegar, baking soda, and a marker. First, blow up the balloon (don't tie it) and draw a face on it. Then, deflate it and fill it with a tablespoon of baking soda.
Next, grab an empty bottle, peel off the label, and pour about 1/4 to 1/2 cup of distilled white vinegar inside. Now, pull that balloon over the top of the bottle so it's tight.
Here's the fun part: shake the baking soda out of the balloon, into the bottle, and watch it bubble up, blowing up the balloon! For extra Groundhog Day fun, do this outside and use chalk to measure his "shadow."
STEM Activities:
Shadow Science Experiment:
Set up an area, indoors or outdoors, where kids can check out shadows throughout the day. Chat about how the groundhog's shadow supposedly predicts the weather. Have the kids measure and record shadow lengths at different times. It's a simple way to introduce them to time, sunlight, and measurement.
Burrow Building Challenge:
Challenge the kids to make their own mini burrows using craft supplies like cardboard, paper, and clay. Talk about why burrows are crucial for groundhogs in winter. This hands-on activity brings out creativity, problem-solving skills, and teaches about animal habitats.
Sensory Bin Ideas:
Groundhog Habitat Sensory Bin:
Create a bin filled with things that mimic a groundhog's pad – think soil, rocks, twigs, and tiny groundhog figures. Let the kids explore and play in it, giving their senses a workout and letting them use their imagination.
Weather Sensory Bottles:
Make bottles representing different weather conditions – sunny, cloudy, rainy, and snowy. Connect it to the Groundhog Day tradition of predicting the weather. Discuss how groundhogs' behavior is linked to the changing seasons.
Craft Ideas:
Paper Plate Groundhog Craft:
Transform paper plates into cute groundhog faces using construction paper, googly eyes, and markers. This simple craft boosts fine motor skills and lets the kids get creative while learning about this furry weather guru.
Groundhog Day Puppets:
Craft groundhog puppets using brown paper bags or craft sticks. Get the kids to put on a puppet show, reenacting the groundhog's emergence from its burrow. It's a cool way to encourage storytelling, dramatic play, and fine motor coordination.
Book Ideas:
"Groundhog Weather School" by Joan Holub:
We read this book today, and it’s so cute! I had no idea there were so many famous groundhogs predicting the weather. After reading it, we looked up a few of them on Wiki, and there were charts telling which had predicted correctly/incorrectly for what years…you could totally use this for a math lesson with graph paper, comparing the groundhogs!
"Substitute Groundhog" by Pat Miller:
In this fun story, the Groundhog gets a substitute to predict the weather, leading to humorous and unexpected results. It's a great read-aloud that sparks conversations about predictions and surprises.
I was so excited that Groundhog Day fell on a FRIDAY! I think it’s the perfect time to mix fun and learning. I hope that you have fun celebrating our VIPs! Happy Groundhog Day!
Love Jayna
