Groundhog Day is a yearly tradition held on February 2nd where a special groundhog, named Punxsutawney Phil, predicts how long winter will last. According to the legend, if the groundhog sees its shadow, winter will continue for six more weeks. But if the groundhog comes out of his burrow, and does not see its shadow, then we will have an early spring. Although the groundhog is only right about 40% of the time, your students will love making their own predictions and this fun craft project.
Groundhogs are such curious creatures that students will love learning about. Chances are that they have seen one at some point in their own backyard.
Here are 5 Fun Ways to Celebrate Groundhog Day:
1. Make Their Own Predictions
Take the kiddos outside to see if they can see their own shadow. Use this FREEBIE to record their own predictions about Spring.
This groundhog prediction activity is sure to be a big hit with young kids.
What's inside this freebie pack:
- Where do groundhogs live?
- What is your prediction?
- What happened today?
2. Watch Punxsutawney Phil on TV
For 2019, the groundhog is set to come out at 7:25 am on February 2. Fans can wait for his arrival starting at 6:00 a.m., thanks to a live stream provided by Visit Pennsylvania. The live stream has been a tradition for the past several years, allowing more people than ever to watch this famous groundhog.
3. Make a Groundhog Craft
Follow the steps below to make your own groovy groundhog.
1. Gather supplies: glue, scissors, crayons, or colored pencils. For the groundhog, you will need brown card stock or construction paper to make the head, paws, and ears. Use white paper for the eyes and teeth. You will also need a small piece of black construction paper for the whiskers. You can purchase the Groundhog Craft Project HERE.
2. Cut out a large circle from brown card stock or construction paper and fold in half. This will become the groundhog’s mouth.
3. Cut out the eyes, ears, paws, teeth, and nose and glue them on the front to make the groundhog’s face. Cut out 6 thin strips from black paper to make the whiskers. Glue onto the groundhog’s cheeks.
4. Learn All About Those Groovy Groundhogs
In our Groundhog Day Craft Project Pack you will also find reading passages to learn all about these curious critters.
4. Read the passage and answer the questions on the organizer. Check their answers.
5. Students can use the passage to answer the questions on each page of the flip up booklet.
6. Check their answers. Then cut out each page of the flip booklet. Put them in the correct numerical order.
7. Staple the pages of the booklet at the top to attach it to the the inside of the groundhog’s mouth.
Students will love making these adorable groundhogs and assembling the 8-page flip-up booklet. The flip booklet pages are attached to the inside the groundhog's mouth. These groovy groundhogs make an extra sweet bulletin board display too! Celebrate this special holiday with a creative groundhog craft project!
5. Read a Favorite Groundhog Day Book
Celebrate Groundhog Day with this fun and quick activity! Students will love this adorable Groundhog Day craft project. Start by reading a book about this special holiday. See our favorites below.
Groundhog's Day Off By Robb Pearlman
This is one of my favorite books for Groundhog Day! Every year, people ask Groundhog the same, boring old question. Is spring around the corner? Or are we doomed to more winter? Sure, they care about his shadow, but what about him and his interests? He's had enough! Groundhog packs his bags and sets out for a much-needed vacation. Now the town is holding auditions to find someone to fill his spot. None of the animals seem right for the job, though. Not Elephant, not Ostrich, and most certainly not Puppy. No one has Groundhog's flair for the dramatic, but is it too late to woo him back into the spotlight?
Groundhog's Dilemma by Kristen Remenar
Student's love this adorable book! After Groundhog announces six more weeks of winter, half his animal friends are disappointed, while the other half are excited. Each animal asks Groundhog to make his prediction in their favor the following year. Rather than being truthful about the fact that he just "calls it like he sees it," he leads them to believe he can control the weather, accepting their gifts of food and favor. On the next Groundhog Day, he finally admits he made promises he couldn't keep because he was trying to please everyone and makes amends.
Groundhog Day! by Gail Gibbons
This is a great book to explain how Groundhog Day started so many years ago. Every February 2, people all across America wonder about the groundhog Punxsutawney Phil. Will he see his shadow on that day or won't he? Will spring come early or late? Here is information about Groundhog Day and its origins, as well as facts about the animal at the center of this delightful annual event.
Groundhog Weather School by Joan Holub
Ever wonder where Groundhog Day first began? Want to know the reason why we have different weather seasons? Curious about how some plants and animals can help predict the weather? Learn the answers to these questions and many more at Groundhog Weather School! This clever story—starring a cast of lovable groundhog characters—is a fresh, informative, and fun look at Groundhog Day through the eyes of the animals who are the stars of it each year.
You can also download one of our activity packs that come complete with passages all about groundhogs, comprehension questions, and hands-on activities.
Happy Groundhog Day!
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