Groundhog Day Preschool Theme Crafts

Written by Nicole Dean

by Aunt B

Copyright 2004-2006 Story Soup Kids, a division of Enchanted Corner

Groundhog’s Day Crafts for Kids

Shadow Art

Flashlights
White Construction paper
Black Construction paper
Pencil
Tape
Tape white paper onto the wall and have children hold their hands in front of it while shining the flashlight on to create a shadow print. Trace their outline shadows.

*You can also let them sit in a chair and trace the outline of their heads.*

Groundhog Puppet

Foam Cup
Brown Construction Paper
Popsicle Stick
Glue
Brown Pom Pom
Googly Eyes

Take a foam cup and paint outside in glue. Cover with either brown construction paper. Take a Popsicle stick and glue a brown pom pom on the end. Put some googly eyes on the pom pom. Make a small slit in bottom of cup and put the popsicle stick in the slot.
The “groundhog” will now be able to peek out of the hole to see his shadow.
Add to this by shining a flashlight on your groundhog as he peeks up out of the cup.

Body Shadow’s
Large Butcher Paper
OR
Roll of Wrapping Paper w/ a plain back
Marker
Flashlight
Partner to help
Crayons

Lay out a large sheet of paper on the floor. Shine your flashlight so as to make a shadow of your body that falls on the paper. Have your partner trace the shadow, after that color your shadow.
Continue to play with other items to create shadows. Trace them, play with the flashlight and see how you can make one item’s shadow larger and then smaller.

Recommended Groundhog Books to read

It’s Groundhog Day
Written by: Steven Kroll
Worried that an early spring will ruin his ski lodge business, Roland Raccoon takes drastic steps to prevent Godfrey Groundhog from looking for his shadow on Groundhog Day.

Story of Punxsutawney Phil, “the Fearless Forecaster” (Adventures of Punxsutawney Phil)
Written by: Julia Moutran
After helping his family prepare their burrow for the winter and joining them in a long nap beneath the cold Pennsylvania snow, Punxsutawney Phil emerges on Groundhog Day to predict the weather.

Will Spring Be Early or Will Spring Be Late?
Written by: Crockett Johnson
Groundhog appears from his burrow in the snowy meadow to look for his shadow and to make his annual prediction. All of the animals, except grouchy Pig, are thrilled with Groundhog’s prediction, especially when Groundhog produces tangible evidence that spring has already arrived. When Pig attempts to eat the evidence and makes a prediction of his own, the results are hilarious.

Cooking with Kids
Ground Hog Nest

Items needed:
Cooking Spray
Shredded Wheat Squares
Instant tube Biscuits
Raisins
Approx: ½ cup butter
Approx: 1 cup brown sugar

Spray pan with cooking spray.
Crumble 4 to 5 large shredded wheat squares.
Press biscuits into the shredded wheat.
Poke raisins into them like eyes of the little groundhogs.
Sprinkle brown sugar over the top of the entire pan.
Drizzle melted margarine over the top and bake for 15 to 20 minutes on 350º. This will look like groundhogs that are snug into their little nests.

Tags: