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Groundhog Day Activities for Preschoolers

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I remember waking up on February 2nd with this question: “Will the groundhog see his shadow?” It was a big deal in Maine.

groundhog activities for toddlers

That was the question of the season every year of my childhood. We waited with great anticipation for that fateful day.

I grew up in Maine and Groundhog Day, a US “holiday”, is a big deal.

Most Mainers desperately hope for the groundhog to send the message that spring is on the way. If the groundhog sees his shadow, bad weather is to come and he is to go back into his burrow for six more weeks. If he does not see his shadow (i.e. the weather is cloudy), he is to stay above ground because spring is soon to arrive.

Beyond the simple traditions of the “holiday”, there are great ways to use this day to teach kids about weather, shadows and the groundhog! I compiled a list of Groundhog Day Activities. Enjoy!

Celebrating Groundhog Day

Groundhog Fun Facts

  • Not a big animal, he ranges from 12-15 pounds
  • Short ears, short tail, short legs
  • Quick
  • Strong Jaw
  • Also called a “Woodchuck
  • The signature sound is a whistle (a sign of spring but also a sign of alarm)
  • Baby groundhogs are called kits or cubs
  • One of the few animals that actually hibernates (can you name others? Here are Printables of Hibernating Animals)
  • Here is a “book” you can print for your older child

Related Read: 25+ Beautiful Gardening Books for Kids

Check out these Groundhog Day Activities for Kids

What a great opportunity to teach kids science! Simply: An object is blocked and a shadow appears. A few groundhog day activities:

groundhog day activities with shadows

Toddler and Preschool Groundhog Day Activities

Yup, we love Pinterest, don’t we? Check out this board that captures ideas for Preschool Groundhog Day Activities. My son is 2.5 so we’re a bit limited in what we can attempt on this board but we’re all over it.

Books

So far, our favorite book about Groundhog Day is Geoffrey Groundhog Predicts the Weather. Cute story that gets the point across to preschoolers and toddlers.

groundhog day activities for kids

Groundhog Day! By Gail Gibbons is also a good one for preschoolers.

groundhog gail gibbons

More Groundhog Activities for Kids

A few great activity resources from blogs I love:

Beyond the Groundhog Learning: Seasons & Weather

Have fun! Thanks for visiting!
Marnie

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