45 Groundhog Day Preschool Crafts

August 22, 2024 Post a Comment

Pin on Kindergarten Winter from www.pinterest.ca

Groundhog Day Preschool Crafts

Introduction

Groundhog Day is a beloved holiday celebrated on February 2nd each year. It is a day when people eagerly await the emergence of the groundhog from its burrow, as it is believed that the behavior of the groundhog can predict the arrival of spring. This holiday is not only a fun and exciting time for adults, but it can also be a great opportunity to engage preschoolers in educational and creative activities. In this article, we will explore some fun and easy Groundhog Day crafts that you can do with your preschoolers.

1. Paper Plate Groundhog

Materials needed: paper plate, brown paint, paintbrush, googly eyes, construction paper (black and pink), glue, scissors.

Instructions: 1. Start by painting the paper plate brown and let it dry. 2. Cut out two small circles from the black construction paper for the groundhog's ears. 3. Cut out a small heart shape from the pink construction paper for the groundhog's nose. 4. Once the paint is dry, glue the googly eyes, black ears, and pink nose onto the paper plate to create the groundhog's face. 5. Cut out two small strips from the brown construction paper and glue them to the bottom of the paper plate to create the groundhog's feet. 6. Your paper plate groundhog craft is complete!

2. Handprint Groundhog

Materials needed: brown construction paper, pencil, scissors, black marker, googly eyes, glue.

Instructions: 1. Trace your preschooler's hand onto the brown construction paper and cut it out. 2. Use the black marker to draw the groundhog's face on the palm of the handprint. 3. Glue googly eyes onto the face. 4. Your handprint groundhog craft is ready!

3. Groundhog Mask

Materials needed: paper plate, brown paint, paintbrush, construction paper (black and pink), glue, scissors, elastic string.

Instructions: 1. Start by painting the paper plate brown and let it dry. 2. Cut out two small circles from the black construction paper for the groundhog's eyes. 3. Cut out a small heart shape from the pink construction paper for the groundhog's nose. 4. Once the paint is dry, glue the black circles and pink heart onto the paper plate to create the groundhog's face. 5. Cut out two small strips from the brown construction paper and glue them to the bottom of the paper plate to create the groundhog's feet. 6. Punch holes on both sides of the paper plate and attach the elastic string to create a mask. 7. Your groundhog mask is ready for some pretend play!

4. Groundhog Puppets

Materials needed: brown paper bags, construction paper (black and pink), glue, scissors, markers.

Instructions: 1. Cut out two small circles from the black construction paper for the groundhog's eyes. 2. Cut out a small heart shape from the pink construction paper for the groundhog's nose. 3. Glue the black circles and pink heart onto the bottom flap of the paper bag to create the groundhog's face. 4. Use markers to draw the groundhog's mouth and whiskers. 5. Cut out small rectangles from the brown construction paper and glue them onto the sides of the paper bag to create the groundhog's arms. 6. Your groundhog puppets are ready for some imaginative play!

5. Groundhog Day Collage

Materials needed: construction paper, magazines or newspapers, scissors, glue.

Instructions: 1. Start by cutting out pictures of groundhogs, trees, flowers, and other spring-related items from magazines or newspapers. 2. Give your preschooler a sheet of construction paper as a base for the collage. 3. Let your preschooler arrange and glue the cut-out pictures onto the construction paper to create their own Groundhog Day collage. 4. Encourage them to talk about the pictures and discuss the arrival of spring. 5. Hang their collage on the wall to celebrate the holiday!

6. Groundhog Day Sensory Bin

Materials needed: plastic bin, brown rice or shredded paper, toy groundhogs, toy trees, toy flowers.

Instructions: 1. Fill the plastic bin with brown rice or shredded paper to create the ground. 2. Add toy groundhogs, trees, and flowers to the bin. 3. Encourage your preschooler to explore the sensory bin, burying and uncovering the groundhogs, and creating their own groundhog predictions. 4. This sensory activity not only engages their senses but also provides an opportunity for imaginative play.

7. Groundhog Day Song and Dance

Materials needed: music player, Groundhog Day-themed songs (e.g., "Groundhog Day" by Jack Hartmann, "Six More Weeks of Winter" by The Kiboomers).

Instructions: 1. Play Groundhog Day-themed songs and encourage your preschooler to sing and dance along. 2. Teach them simple dance moves, like hopping like a groundhog or pretending to look for their shadow. 3. This activity promotes physical activity and coordination while having fun with the holiday spirit.

8. Groundhog Day Shadow Puppets

Materials needed: cardstock or black paper, wooden skewers, scissors, tape.

Instructions: 1. Cut out various animal shapes from the cardstock or black paper, including a groundhog. 2. Tape a wooden skewer to the back of each cut-out shape to create a puppet. 3. Set up a flashlight and a white sheet or wall as a backdrop. 4. Encourage your preschooler to create their own shadow puppet show, using the groundhog to predict the arrival of spring. 5. This activity combines creativity, storytelling, and a touch of magic.

9. Groundhog Day Book Reading

Materials needed: Groundhog Day-themed children's books (e.g., "Substitute Groundhog" by Pat Miller, "Groundhog Weather School" by Joan Holub).

Instructions: 1. Choose a few Groundhog Day-themed books to read to your preschooler. 2. Engage them in the story by asking questions, discussing the illustrations, and making predictions. 3. This activity promotes literacy skills and sparks their imagination.

10. Groundhog Day Sun Catcher

Materials needed: clear plastic or contact paper, tissue paper (various colors), scissors, tape.

Instructions: 1. Cut out a groundhog shape from the clear plastic or contact paper. 2. Cut or tear small pieces of tissue paper in various colors. 3. Tape the groundhog shape onto a window. 4. Let your preschooler place the tissue paper pieces onto the sticky side of the plastic or contact paper to create a colorful sun catcher. 5. Discuss the importance of sunlight and shadows while admiring their creation.

11. Groundhog Day Science Experiment

Materials needed: clear plastic cups, soil, grass seeds, water.

Instructions: 1. Fill the clear plastic cups with soil. 2. Let your preschooler plant grass seeds in the cups and water them. 3. Place one cup near a sunny window and another cup in a darker area. 4. Observe and discuss the growth of the grass in each cup, relating it to the groundhog's shadow prediction. 5. This experiment introduces basic concepts of plant growth and the role of sunlight.

12. Groundhog Day Number Match

Materials needed: groundhog-themed printable number cards (available online), clothespins.

Instructions: 1. Print out groundhog-themed number cards or create your own by drawing groundhogs and numbers on index cards. 2. Write the corresponding numbers on clothespins. 3. Mix up the number cards and clothespins, then encourage your preschooler to match the clothespin with the correct number of groundhogs. 4. This activity promotes number recognition and fine motor skills.

13. Groundhog Day Shadow Drawing

Materials needed: paper, pencils or crayons.

Instructions: 1. On a sunny day, take your preschooler outside and find a spot where you can see their shadow clearly. 2. Have them strike different poses and trace their shadows onto the paper. 3. Let them use pencils or crayons to fill in and decorate their shadow drawings. 4. Discuss the concept of shadows and how they change throughout the day, relating it to the groundhog's shadow prediction.

14. Groundhog Day Snack

Materials needed: graham crackers, chocolate spread, pretzel sticks, candy eyes.

Instructions: 1. Break a graham cracker in half to create two squares. 2. Spread chocolate spread on one square and place pretzel sticks on top to create the groundhog's face. 3. Add candy eyes on the spread. 4. Place the other square on top to complete the snack. 5. This simple and tasty treat is a perfect way to celebrate Groundhog Day.