National Librarian Day celebrates and honors librarians. Below, I'm sharing ways you can celebrate your local librarian along with some more fun things to do at the library.

National Librarian Day Activities for Kids

If you're like me, you make regular trips to your local library, and you're probably on a first name basis with the librarians.

Between maxing out my library card on a weekly basis and attending storytimes over the years, I came to think of our librarians as friends.

I never knew there was a holiday just for celebrating these amazing people! If I had, I would have celebrated them every year.

Fun Facts About Libraries

Before you start celebrating your favorite librarian, teach your kids a little bit about the library. You can check out some books about libraries, or you can share one or more of the facts below.

• The Library of Congress in Washington DC is the largest library in the world.

• In Vermont, the Haskell Free Library and Opera House sits on the border between the US and Canada.

• Libraries use the Dewey decimal system to organize books on their shelves.

5 Ways to Celebrate National Librarian Day

• Download and print this Call Number Search, and send your kids on a scavenger hunt around the library.

• Your favorite librarian will love this cozy sweatshirt to wear throughout the cold winter months.

• Teach your child a few library jokes to share on their next trip to the library.

• Donate a copy of your child's favorite book to the library.

• Create a card for your local librarian. Have kids write a “5 things I love about my librarian” list inside.

BOOKS ABOUT THE LIBRARY

Fill your book basket with a great collection of books about library. Most of these books can be found at your local library or used bookstore.

If you have a hard time finding them, you can order them through my Amazon affiliate links by clicking the images below.

Library Lion – Miss Merriweather, the head librarian, is very particular about rules in the library. No running allowed. And you must be quiet. But when a lion comes to the library one day, no one is sure what to do.

Bats at the Library – The enchantment of story time is near—come bats, come one and all, and gather around for the tale of the night. Roam the book-filled halls on this inky evening as the bats wander around the library and cause all sorts of mischief.

Check It Out!: The Book About Libraries – The brightly colored drawings will attract young readers and provide a first look at libraries–with all their complexity and excitement.

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Mother Goose Day celebrates everyone's favorite nursery rhyme author. Below, I'm sharing ways you can celebrate Mother Goose and your favorite nursery rhymes.

Mother Goose Day Activities

If you're like me, you read Mother Goose rhymes to your little ones. You've taught them the rhythm and rhyme of many nursery rhymes.

Between chanting the popular rhymes to reading more obscure rhymes from your favorite Mother Goose collection, your little ones are likely to be familiar with who Mother Goose is.

They'll love celebrating her on May 1 year after year with these fun activities and printables.

Fun Facts About Mother Goose

Before you start celebrating, teach your kids a little bit about Mother Goose. You can check out some books at the library, or you can share one or more of the facts below.

• Scholars aren't sure if Mother Goose ever really existed though she's often portrayed as an elderly lady riding on a goose's back.

• Mother Goose day was established in 1987.

5 Ways to Celebrate Mother Goose Day

• Download and print nursery rhyme printables to teach the rhymes and extend the learning.

• Get in the kitchen and make hard-boiled Humpty Dumpty eggs, plum pudding, or even a cup of tea.

• Have your preschoolers dress up in their favorite nursery rhyme character costumes.

• Read some new nursery rhymes from one of the Mother Goose books I've shared below.

• Kids can bring their favorite Mother Goose rhymes to life with a fun nursery rhyme craft or two.

MOTHER GOOSE BOOKS

Fill your book basket with a great collection of nursery rhyme stories. Most of these books can be found at your local library or used bookstore.

If you have a hard time finding them, you can order them through my Amazon affiliate links by clicking the images below.

Mary Engelbreit's Mother Goose – Readers will enjoy Mary Engelbreit’s interpretations of the mouse running up the clock, piggies going to market, and children dancing 'round the mulberry bush.

The Original Mother Goose – Filled with all your favorite nursery rhymes-from Little Bo Peep and Wee Willie Winkie to Three Blind Mice, Humpty Dumpty, and hundreds more-this beautiful keepsake volume is complete with a real cloth binding and beautiful tipped-on cover art. 

The Real Mother Goose – Heralded as the “standard” Mother Goose by parents, grandparents, teachers, and librarians, this wonderful book with Blanche Fisher Wright's lively, colorful pictures makes an enchanting introduction for the very young.

Teaching Resources

Painted nursery rhyme storytelling spoons make great props in your literacy centers.

Nursery rhyme story stones are a great visual tool to have on hand for sequencing, storytelling, and pretend play.

The post Mother Goose Day Activities appeared first on Affordable Homeschooling.

When we visit the zoo or the aquarium, we love to visit the penguin exhibit. Watching these dapper little animals waddle and dive is always the highlight of our visits.

With World Penguin Day just around the corner, you can use these activities to teach your kids more about these adorable animals.

World Penguin Day Activities

The activities featured below are perfect for not only World Penguin Day but also for winter – when many of us incorporate penguins into our homeschool lessons.

You'll find books, printables, crafts, and more all featuring penguins. While I haven't focused on it here, you can use this as an opportunity to discuss Arctic animals.

These World Penguin Day activities are perfect for kids in grades K-3. They're perfect for both home and classroom use so co-ops can utilize these ideas, as well.

Penguin Habitat

One obvious activity you can do to celebrate World Penguin Day is to visit a penguin habitat at your local zoo or aquarium.

If you don't live near a penguin exhibit, you can find a YouTube video to share with your kids.

Penguin Science

This easy penguin science experiment is a great way to show your kids how penguins stay dry in the color and icy water.

Describe how penguins hold eggs on their feet. Then, let your kids practice holding an “egg” on their feet. They'll love it!

This penguin science experiment demonstrates how penguins slide on their tummies across the ice.

Penguin Learning Activities

This Counting Penguins book will help your young learners practice counting, number recognition, and writing numbers through twenty!

This penguin emotions printable helps children recognize and understand feelings and emotions.

Kids can use the penguin subtraction mat to practice acting out story problems.

Penguin Crafts

Are you looking for a new winter craft to do with your little ones? Don't miss this waddling penguin craft!

Kids will love turning empty water bottles into penguins. Follow this simple tutorial for a super easy (and oh so cute) water bottle penguin craft! 

This adorable paper plate penguin is a great way to allow kids of all ages to get creative with an adorably simple craft.

Books About Penguins

Fill your book basket with a great collection of books about penguins. Most of these books can be found at your local library or used bookstore.

If you have a hard time finding them, you can order them through my Amazon affiliate links by clicking the images below.

Penguins – In Explore My World Penguins, curious kids ages 3 to 7 will be excited to learn about the delightful world of penguins: the extreme lengths they go to to care for their young and the relationship between baby penguins and their parents.

Tacky the Penguin – Tacky's perfect friends find him annoying until his odd behavior saves the day.

If You Were a Penguin – In this simple, rhyming picture book, the youngest readers will learn about penguins. This is the perfect read-aloud for teachers and parents to share with young children as they imagine what life as a penguin is like!

TEACHING RESOURCES

Everyone’s a winner with this super fun, non-competitive game to practice colors and shapes vocabulary! Spin the spinner, match the fish and collect them in your net. But, wait! You might have to feed a fish to the Hungry Penguin! 

Stack and sort five brightly-colored wooden rings, topped with an adorable penguin. The base of this wooden penguin stacker is curved for additional fun rocking movement!

Spark your Kiddo’s creative interest with this Penguin Pals Dough Kit! Sensory play and loose parts play rolled into one, this kit gives kids the unlimited ability to play, create and learn.

More National Holidays

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Whether you're having a Star Wars themed party or you're celebrating Star Wars Day on May 4, these activities and free printables are perfect for kids of all ages.

Star Wars Day Printables

These printables for kids are perfect for learning and for celebrating! Your young Star Wars fans will love them all.

Photo Credit: embarkonthejourney.com

Free Printable Star Wars Handwriting Bundle

Celebrate Star Wars Day with this amazing Star Wars handwriting bundle! This pack includes print, d'nealian, and cursive fonts!

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Photo Credit: homeschoolpreschool.net

Star Wars Preschool Learning Pack

Star Wars fans will celebrate Star Wars Day on May 4. Engage your young learners with a Star Wars preschool math and literacy pack.

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Photo Credit: rockyourhomeschool.net

6 Free Baby Yoda Coloring Bookmarks

Kids will love marking their place in their favorite Star Wars book with these free Baby Yoda bookmarks they can color.

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Photo Credit: www.simpleeverydaymom.com

Star Wars FREE Printable I Spy 

This Star Wars I Spy game is the perfect quiet time activity for kids.

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Photo Credit: www.papertraildesign.com

Star Wars Bingo

This pack of Star Wars bingo games is perfect for parties, siblings, and classrooms.

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Photo Credit: www.playpartyplan.com

Free Printable Star Wars Scavenger Hunt

This free printable Star Wars scavenger hunt was designed for a 7 year old fan. Your kids will love it, as well!

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Photo Credit: picklebums.com

Build a Droid - Star Wars Party Printable

Young Jedis are sure to enjoy this printable Build a Droid activity.

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Star Wars Party Favor Bags

The printable templates make these Star Wars party favor bags a breeze to create!

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Star Wars Books for Kids

Fill your book basket with a great collection of Star Wars books for kids. Most of these books can be found at your local library or used bookstore.

If you have a hard time finding them, you can order them through my Amazon affiliate links by clicking the images below.

Star Wars: A New Hope – Luke Skywalker begins a journey that will change the galaxy, as he leaves his home planet, battles the evil Empire, and learns the ways of the Force. 

Star Wars ABC-3PO – From Akbar to Zeb, this nice little primer will teach you and make you an excellent rhymer. So, Padawans, prepare, get ready, get set to learn the ways of the Force–and the alphabet!

Secrets of the Dark Side – Meet the villains of the LEGO Star Wars galaxy. Learn about Darth Vader, Darth Maul, Kylo Ren, and more favorite characters. Find out how they use the Dark Side of the Force.

The post Star Wars Day Printables appeared first on Affordable Homeschooling.

While I don't want a bat flying around me, I do enjoy visiting the bat habitat at my local zoo. I think their faces are so cute.

With Bat Appreciation Day just around the corner, you can use these activities to teach your kids more about these adorable nocturnal animals.

Bat Appreciation Day Activities for Kids

The activities featured below are perfect for not only Bat Appreciation Day but also for Halloween – when many of us incorporate bats into our daily homeschool lessons.

You'll find books, printables, crafts, and more all featuring bats. While I haven't focused on it here, you can use this as an opportunity to discuss mammals and nocturnal animals.

These Bat Appreciation Day activities are perfect for kids in grades K-3. They're perfect for both home and classroom use so co-ops can utilize these ideas, as well.

Bat Habitat

One obvious activity you can do to celebrate Bat Appreciation Day is to visit a bat habitat at your local zoo.

If you don't live near a zoo with a bat habitat, find a YouTube video to share with your kids.

Bat Science

Take advantage of this holiday and use it as an opportunity to explore echolocation. Kids will be fascinated to learn how bats hear as they play this fun game.

Teach kids about the four stages of the bat life cycle. This pack features fifteen activities for kids.

Bat Learning Activities

This bat life cycle count and graph activity pack is a great way for preschoolers to practice counting and graphing skills all season long!

You can incorporate some language arts into your activities by focusing on the letter Bb and the word family -at.

Have kids practice their handwriting with these adorable All About Bats color and write pages.

Bat Crafts

This simple bottle cap bat craft is perfect for kids! You can also add it to your study of bats and nocturnal animals.

Incorporate art into your activities with this gorgeous hanging bat craft featuring a painted sunset background.

BOOKS ABOUT BATS

Fill your book basket with a great collection of books about bats. Most of these books can be found at your local library or used bookstore.

If you have a hard time finding them, you can order them through my Amazon affiliate links by clicking the images below.

Bats – Presenting fascinating information on all kinds of bats, from how they use echoes to hear, to the legends that surround them and how to protect the species.

Stellaluna – Knocked from her mother’s safe embrace by an attacking owl, Stellaluna lands headfirst in a bird’s nest. This adorable baby fruit bat’s world is literally turned upside down when she is adopted by the occupants of the nest and adapts to their peculiar bird habits. 

Bat Loves the Night – Night has fallen, and Bat awakens to find her evening meal. Follow her as she swoops into the shadows, shouting and flying, the echoes of her voice creating a sound picture of the world around her. When morning light creeps into the sky, Bat returns to the roost to feed her baby… and to rest until night time comes again. Bat loves the night!

Teaching Resources

Kids will get a kick out of playing some spooky music out of this adorable bat speaker!

Add a fun bat costume to your dress-up center, and your kids can act out their favorite bat stories.

Die cut felt bats are great for counting, color recognition, and more!

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