Themed Resources

I admit it, we love St. Patrick’s Day over here! We understand it is more of an American holiday than an Irish one but that makes sense because about 10% of Americans claim Irish ancestry. No surprise here, but I am also Scots-Irish;). Here are a few great resources, including a lot of fun videos!

Confession of St. Patrick

The Confession of St. Patrick is a great way to start every St. Patrick’s Day. It may sound like a stuffy and hard-to-read historical document but it isn’t. I would say it is a read-aloud for 3rd grade and under but a quick read for those older. It would also make for a great oration practice!

Printables

• The Hess UnAcademy has a collection of St. Patrick’s Day writing prompts.
• The Activity Villiage site has a variety of printables that are all St. Patrick’s Day themed from coloring sheets, fuse bead patterns, worksheets, and craft ideas.
• Dltk has a ton of printables too. I love the mazes, word ladders, and St. Patrick’s Day Sudoku (image-based).

History Channel

The History Channel’s website has all types of fun resources. They have information on St. Patrick and separately St. Patrick’s Day. There are articles to read and short videos on all the different aspects of St. Patrick’s Day.

Videos

Books Mentioned:

Traveling Shoes: https://amzn.to/438LzPo
Coretta’s Journey: https://amzn.to/3Ip7YOX
Florence Young, Mission Accomplished: https://amzn.to/48IVL23
The Daring Book for Girls: https://amzn.to/3Inle6G
The Book of Awesome Women: https://amzn.to/433LLzn
Women of Means: https://amzn.to/3P5B2hV

Spring Word Chain

This activity is a fun and interactive way to improve vocabulary and teamwork skills.

Have students form a circle and start a word chain where each student says a word related to spring. The word should be connected to the previous word said by another student. For example, one student says “flower,” and the next student says “sunshine.” The goal is to keep the chain going as long as possible without repeating words. This activity is a great way to generate discussion and laughter while enhancing students’ vocabulary and thinking skills.

Spring Nature Scavenger Hunt

Create a list of spring-themed items or phenomena to find outdoors, such as a blooming flower, a bird’s nest, a butterfly, a rain puddle, etc.

If desired, include additional challenges or riddles to make the hunt more engaging.

This activity encourages students to get outside, engage with nature, and work cooperatively in teams. It’s an excellent way to appreciate the beauty of spring and learn about the changing seasons.

Help students create a small garden in a pot or planter.

Show them how to plant seeds and care for the plants.

Encourage them to decorate the garden with their artwork, such as painted rocks or pinwheels.

DIY Bird Feeder

Have the students create their own bird feeders using simple materials like popsicle sticks, pine cones, and peanut butter. They can then hang the feeders in their backyard or a local park and observe the birds visiting. This activity promotes creativity and an interest in wildlife.

A Vase Full of Spring

Spring is a theme that fits well with tissue paper-based crafts. Kids (or you) can gather loads of colored tissue paper and pipe cleaners. They can make flowers, butterflies, or other decorative items to pop into a vase or display of some sort. This activity fosters creativity and fine motor skills.

Tissue Paper Roses    • How to make Tissue Paper Roses – Very…  
4 Easy to Make Tissue Paper Flowers    • 4 Easy to make Tissue Paper Flowers -…  
Easy Tissue Paper Flowers DIY    • Easy Tissue Paper Flowers DIY | Welco…  

Flower Color Experiment

Gather different types of flowers with white petals, such as daisies or carnations.

Cut the petals from the flowers and place them in separate containers with water.

Add food coloring to each container, one color per container.

Observe how the petals change color over time.

Discuss the scientific principles of color absorption and diffusion.

Kids go out every year looking for Valentine’s Day cards that represent their personality. But when you pop into the shops rarely do you find great geeky Valentine’s cards for the geeky kids! And when you look online they can be quite pricey. So why not print them off for free? Here are 4 geeky Valentine’s Day cards with varying levels of crafting to get them into giveable shape!

First up are the straight printables!

Brain Power Boys has a collection of great “boy-friendly” Valentine’s that my girls love too! They range from robots to superheroes and are super cute! Just print and hand them out!

Heidi Schulz has the most adorable Doctor Who Valentine printables! They cover everything from Oods to Daleks to Angels. These are another print-and-go!

If you want to do just a bit more work we can pop over to a Star Wars theme! Design Wash Repeat has the coolest Yoda Best Valentine’s Day printable! They get kicked up to the next level with just the addition of a glow stick!

And if you want to go even geekier and nerdier… the coolest for last! Left Brain Craft Brain has awesome Light Up Circuit Valentine’s. While they sound complicated, they are so easy! If you can use white glue, you can make these!

Remember, even geeks can represent with their Valentines! So how are you and your kids letting your geek flag wave?

(Originally at NerdFamily)