How do you celebrate Groundhog’s Day? If you have older children try science activities: shadows!
I’m originally from upstate NY. We really were into Groundhog’s Day far more than people in the south care about. I might have been the only one absolutely bummed the groundhog really had nothing to do with predicting the weather.
Let’s be honest, if you’ve made one groundhog’s craft you’ve made them all. Sorta like Johnny Appleseed. So, how do you make groundhog’s day fun again?
I went hunting for some shadow science things to do for my boys.
science activities: shadows
1. Find a long clear spot outside and chalk outline your child’s shadow early in the morning. (Surprisingly it is cool in the mornings here notice our “jackets”). We went out at 8am. We could not believe how long the boy’s shadow cast across the front yard! We went out again a little after lunch (too late), again in the afternoon and sunset. Unfortunately. We have so many trees in our neighborhood we were unable to see any shadows cast at sunset.
2. make shadow puppets. We laughed so hard we couldn’t really get anything right. Little Passports shared a shadow puppet image on facebook we’ll have to try soon!
3. make funny shadows. Of course with boys – this took up majority of our time and laughter. Be sure to outline them with chalk so you can go back and laugh some more. Or color them in.
4. shadow tag. Sadly since you can’t see your own shadow when you’re running (all the time) someone (ahem, me) has to play referee and not everyone likes that.
Maybe you don’t live in Florida (and are glaring at the screen and our shorts), play shadow puppets inside on the wall. Or make your marks on the fresh fallen snow!
Happy Groundhog’s Day – happy shadow fun!
You know – Groundhog’s Day is something we have NEVER EVER learned about or did activities around. I think my kids know about Groundhog’s Day though! LOL No matter what he says we ALWAYS have 6 more weeks of winter…and then some!
But they do look like fun, simple activities!
Looks like fun and I know how fun it is to be outside in FL. In GA it gets just uncomfortable enough for me to want to stay inside. But these are great activities that I know my kids would love so I’ll drag myself out into the 50 degree weather to do it. (grin)
As for groundhog’s day…love the movie. We were into it in elementary but it definitely dies out along the way, I will share it with the girls this year though. Thanks for the reminder.
How much fun; my oldest has always been intrigued by light and shadows. At an early age I remember her carrying around the light up star from her crib and shining it on walls and sticking her hand in front of it to see what happened. Following on facebook now!
Such a fun idea! Thanks for linking up with The Homeschool Village last week. We’ve chosen to feature your post in this week’s link-up!