Florida State Bucket Activities
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Travel to Florida is so much more fun when the kids know what there is to look forward to and are able to learn about it. {Yes, I believe a lot of fun things can be turned into learning opportunities} Fill a bucket with fun activities to help them learn all about Florida’s history, animals, flag and the rockets that launch from there. All of these activities can be done at home or on the road!
–>Homeschoolers — this could be fun for you too! We did a learning chart with all the states for Miss Sarah and this would work great for a Florida study!
Explore Space Exploration
Florida’s Space Coast is a hotbed of space exploration activity, making your road trip to or through Florida the perfect time to learn more about space exploration. Cape Canaveral’s Kennedy Space Center is where NASA’s launch program happens, from here Apollo, Saturn and the Shuttle program all took place. There are no longer space shuttle launches, but rockets carrying satellites and supplies to the International Space Station launch regularly. Include a book about rockets and what makes them work and then let children create their own rocket using paper towel tubes and construction paper.
Supplies Needed:
- Empty paper towel tube
- 9×11” sheets of construction paper
- tape
- scissors
- markers, crayons or colored pencils
Instructions:
Wrap construction paper around paper towel tube and secure with tape. Let children decorate the front face of their rocket. Cut out four small triangles and fold them in half the long way, these will be the landing legs. Tape legs around the bottom of the rocket so that it can stand up on its own. Cut out a circle from construction paper that is twice the diameter of the rocket and cut out a triangle piece from the circle. Bring both ends of the circle together and tape. This cone can be rested on the top of the rocket or taped down.
Amazon Links to Books:
Roaring Rockets: http://www.amazon.com/Roaring-Rockets-Amazing-Machines-Mitton/dp/0753453053/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1396914764&sr=1-1&keywords=rockets
Rockets and Spaceships:
Popup Alligator
Florida is home to an impressive alligator population, and known for its Alligator Alley in the Everglades. These impressive reptiles are fascinating for children and they can be seen just about anywhere in Florida while vacationing. Let children create their very own popup alligator card to get them ready to keep an eye out for the real thing.
This activity uses these instructions: http://www.enchantedlearning.com/crafts/animals/alligator/
Supplies Needed:
- Green construction paper
- scissors
- markers or crayons
Instructions:
Fold a green sheet of construction paper in half the long way. Use crayons or markers to trace out the body of an alligator, using the image provided in the link as a guide. Cut out alligator and then cut out slits along the back where indicated in image. Unfold your alligator and fold back the slits which have created triangles. Draw or cut out teeth and eyes.
Seminole Indian Bookmark Craft
The Seminole Indians have a long and varied history in the state of Florida, but what is most important for children to know is that the Seminole Nation is actually several different tribes of people that banded together for protection in the 1700s. To this day there are two organized tribes, one living on a reservation in Oklahoma and the other remaining in Florida. This was the result of several battles with American colonists who sought to occupy land in Florida that once belonged to the different tribes.
Seminole Indians perform several different dances and events each year, but the Green Corn dance is their most important because they give thanks to the Creator for food. Let children create a woven corn bookmark using construction paper and yarn to remember the history of Florida and its native peoples.
Supplies
- Yellow Construction Paper
- Scissors
- Yarn
- Markers
- Hole punch
Instructions:
Fold a sheet of construction paper in half the short way. Have children cut out identical ears of corn. Use a hole punch to punch out holes along the whole perimeter of the ears of corn. Cut a long piece of yarn and have children weave the yarn through the ear of corn to join the two together. Tie off the yarn at the bottom of the corn. Have children draw in corn kernels with markers or crayons.
Florida State Flag Magnet
One of the best parts about traveling is finding mementos and souvenirs to bring back home. Magnets are fun, and a great way for children to learn about the flags of the various states they visit. Grab magnets from the craft store, or recycle business magnets that you have received in the mail and cut into a rectangular flag shape. Provide the printout to children so that they can familiarize themselves with the flag, learn about what each part symbolizes and use it to create their own Florida state magnet.
Supplies Needed:
- Magnet
- Glue Stick
- Construction Paper
- Scissors
- Crayons
Instructions:
Cut out construction paper backing to fit magnet, it should be the main color of the state flag– white. Let children decide which parts of the Florida state flag they want to create– some of the symbols and images used in the flag will be difficult to recreate. They should create the main portions of the flag so that it is recognizable to them when they place it among other flags.
State Flag Printout: http://www.enchantedlearning.com/usa/flags/florida/floridaflag.shtml
