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JDaniel4s Mom

growing & learning with him

Deirdre Smith writes/owns JDaniel4’s Mom. After twenty years as a elementary school and technology resource teacher in Northern Virginia, she became a stay at home mom in upstate South Carolina. Her blog features ways she and her 5 year old are exploring learning, crafting, creating healthy meals and living life to its fullest. Deirdre can also be found on twitter as @jdaniel4smom and on her blog's FB page. You can also check her out on Google+.

February STEAM Activity Calendar 2023

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While February is known for Groundhog’s Day and Valentine’s Day, there are a number of other great February holidays featured on the February STEAM Activity calendar.  Many of the activities feature free printables available right here on JDaniel4’s Mom. Several of the activities will be found on other learning blogs or websites.

Below you will find a list of the holidays featured on the calendar:

February 1st – Lunar New Year

February 2nd – Groundhog Day

February 3rd- Feed the Birds Day

February 4th – Give Kids a Smile Day

February 5th – National Weatherperson’s Day

February 6th – National Chopstick Day

February 7th – National Periodic Table Day

February 8th – National Kite Flying Day

February 9th – National Pizza Day

February 10th- National Umbrella Day

February 12th – Super Bowl Sunday

February 14th -Valentine’s Day

February 15th – National Gumdrop Day

February 18th – National Battery Day

February 20th – National Muffin Day

February 22nd – National Walking the Dog Day

February 23rd – National Tile Day

February 25th – National Skip a Straw Day

February 26th – Tell a Fairy Tale Day

February 27th – National Polar Bear Day

Downloading the February STEAM Activity Calendar

The February STEAM activity calendar is a PDF. Once you have downloaded, the set you will need to open it with a PDF reader like Acrobat Reader.

First, you will need to download the set.

February STEAM Activity CalendarDownload

Second, if you don’t have Acrobat Reader you will need to download it. The algorithm page is an Acrobat Reader PDF file.

Third, you must go to your download file and open the page.  You may be asked if you want the file to open right after downloading it. You won’t have to hunt for it in your download file if you are.

Books Based on the February Holidays

The links below are affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.

This fun baking book would be fun to explore for Muffin Day.

Looking for Smile is a sweet book. It features Bear who enjoys spending time with a friend named Smile. It would be fun to read about Give Kids a Smile Day.

Angus and the Ducks is an old favorite of mine. It shares the story of a dog that takes himself for a walk. It would be fun to read for National Walking the Dog Day.

More STEAM Activities for Kids

The Best Coin to Use in a Coin Spinner

Tin Foil Boat Ideas for the STEM Penny Challeng


Tin Foil Penny Challenge

Rocket Ship Skip Counting Strips

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This set of skip counting strips can be used to work on skip counting and number patterns with young children. However, older children could use them to get ready to work on multiplication facts. Ten rockets are pictured on each strip. The hope is that will be enough time for children to see the patterns. Although I know that some of you would have liked to see twelve rockets per strip. The worry was the number space in the rocket window would be too small if twelve rockets were pictured.

Getting the Space Rocket Skip Counting Strips

First, you will need to download the set.

Rocket Ship Skip Counting StripsDownload

Second, if you don’t have Acrobat Reader you will need to download it. The algorithm page is an Acrobat Reader PDF file.

Third, you must go to your download file and open the page.  You may be asked if you want the file to open right after downloading it. You won’t have to hunt for it in your download file if you are.

Getting the Skip Counting Strips Ready

Laminating the Skip Counting Stips

You can have your children work on the strips uncovered if you like. However, if you laminate the strips you can use them over and over again with washable markers. Below you will find links for a laminator I recommend. There are also links for laminator pouches and a laminator.

The links below are affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. My Amazon Picks

Scotch Brand PRO Thermal Laminator, Never Jam…$55.99$128.93 (11009)

Scotch Thermal Laminating Pouches, 200- Count-…$27.99$42.99 (22799)

Exploring the Skip Counting Strips

Explaining the Number Spots Rockets

Some children will think the window on the rocket ship is too small. They could write their number above or below the windows. Whatever, you want them to do is just fine.

Choosing the Number to Skip Count

There are lots of ways that you can decide what number to work on skip counting. Below is a list of ideas:

  • Start with a pattern you have recently explored or talked about. This will insure that they are familiar with the pattern.
  • Give each child a die. Have them record the number they roll on the first rocket. Then have them build a skip counting pattern based on that number. They can count the dots on the die to get to the next number in the pattern.
  • Have the student pick their own number to skip count.

More Math Activities

Jump the Shark Math Games Square

Jump the Shark Math Games

Cool Math Games- Word Problem Fortune Teller

Cootie Catcher Word Problems

Math Fun- Solar System Facts
Solar System Math Facts 

Outer Space STEM Challenge Cards

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Children will have fun building the creations on the outer space stem challenge cards. The cards may need to be read to younger children. There are no pictures on the cards to clue children into what they will need to build. The way children will rely on their imaginations and not a picture when they are making.

The set includes versions of the cards that are B/W and colored. You can decide which set you want to use. The B/W version will be cheaper for you to print. However, the colored set may be more fun to look at.

Getting the Outer Space STEM Challenge Cards Ready to Use

Downloading the Cards


First, you will need to download the set.

Outer Space STEM Challenge CardsDownload

Second, if you don’t have Acrobat Reader you will need to download it. The algorithm page is an Acrobat Reader PDF file.

Third, you will need to go to your download file and open the page.  You may be asked if you want the file to open right after you download it. If you are, you won’t have to hunt for it in your download file.

Laminating the Outer Space STEM Challenge Cards

You can have your children work on the cards uncovered if you like. However, if you laminate the mats you can use them over and over again. Below you will find links for a laminator I recommend. There are also links for laminator pouches and a laminator.

The links below are affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. My Amazon Picks

Scotch Brand PRO Thermal Laminator, Never Jam…$55.99$128.93 (11009)

Scotch Thermal Laminating Pouches, 200- Count-…$27.99$42.99 (22799)

Exploring the Outer Space STEM Challenge

The outer space STEM challenge cards can be explored in a number of ways. The ideas below are just that ideas. You may come up with new and different ways to use them.

Hint:
Before you have your children start exploring the challenge cards, you will want to go over the words on the cards.

Maker’s Space or Center

The cards can be placed along with building materials for children to explore. Children can work on building outer space objects at any size or height they want to.

Small Group Work

It is fun to see how different children complete the same challenge. You can select the material and card you want them to explore. Then you can have them each build what they think the object should look like. While some children may want to make their objects just like the neighbors, others will strike out on their own. It will be fun to have them discuss the object they are building.

More Challenge Card Activities

Polar Animal Shape Challenge Cards

Snowman Cup Stacking Challenge Cards

Traveling Across the Solar System Algorithm Game Boards

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Solar System Algorithms Game Boards are a fun way to review the order of the planets in the solar system. Children build a path or algorithm from the word Start through the planet squares to the word end. They can use arrow squares or rockets squares in the set to build paths. However, that will mean covering the planets and their names. Children can draw arrows to create their paths if they prefer.

Getting the Traveling Across the Solar System Algorithm Game Boards Pages

First, you will need to download the set.

Traveling-Across-the-Solar-System-Algorithm-BoardsDownload

Second, if you don’t have Acrobat Reader you will need to download it. The algorithm page is an Acrobat Reader PDF file.

Third, you must go to your download file and open the page.  You may be asked if you want the file to open right after you download it. You won’t have to hunt for it in your download file if you are.

Getting Ready to Use the Solar System Algorithm Game Boards

Making the Game Boards Reusable

If you plan on using the game boards over and over again, you may want to laminate them. Below I have suggested products that you may want to use to cover them.

The links below are affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. My Amazon Picks

Scotch Brand PRO Thermal Laminator, Never Jam…$54.68$128.93 (11154)

Scotch Thermal Laminating Pouches, 100 Count-P…$15.98$24.68 (63556)

Scotch Thermal Laminating Pouches, 200- Count-…$27.99$42.99 (23612)

Hammermill Printer Paper, Great White 100% Recy…$17.00 (4917)AllAds by Amazon

Using B/W or Color Game Boards

If you choose to laminate the game boards, they printing the color version makes sense. They will look pretty and it will justify the cost of printing in color. However, if you plan to use them like worksheets printing them in B/W makes more sense.

Exploring the Game Boards

You will find that some of the game boards offer a number of ways that your children to complete the game boards. Here is how you could introduce your children to the game boards.

  • First, you can work through a part of a game board with your children. It will help them understand how to place the arrows in the boxes. Remember that the arrows they draw or the printed arrows or printed rockets should point in the direction they will need to go to connect to the next step. They need to begin at the word Start and finish in the box that will lead them to the End box.
  • Second, children can work with a partner to complete the gameboard. They can take turns placing the arrows in the squares.

More Algorithm Game Boards

How to Build a Snowman Algorithm Game Boards

Little Miss Muffet Coding Activity for Preschoolers

Help your child learn coding and the phases of the moon at the same time with this simple STEM activity for space themed learning

Coding the Moon

Space Rocket Cup Stacking STEM Challenge Cards

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5,4,3,2,1! Build cup stacks based on pictures on challenge cards! While children like to build their own cup stack, these challenge cards will help build building skills. First, it is important to learn which ways cups can be stacked upside down. Second, learning how to arrange cups right side up without falling over. Finally, mastering how to combine cups upside down and right side up is important. Yes, children can learn from failed builds. They can also learn from builds that will be successful.

Getting the Space Rocket Cup Stacking STEM Challenge

First, you will need to download the set.

Space Rocket Cup Stacking Challenge CardsDownload

Second, if you don’t have Acrobat Reader you will need to download it. The algorithm page is an Acrobat Reader PDF file.

Third, you must go to your download file and open the page.  You may be asked if you want the file to open right after downloading it. You won’t have to hunt for it in your download file if you are.

Exploring the Space Rocket Cup Stacking STEM Challenge

Explaining the Rockets

While most children will look at the upside-down rocket and know it means the cup is upside down, others may be confused. The upside-down rocket is narrow. Its body is wide. There may be children that think that means the narrow cup base goes on the bottom. Please take a moment to explain this to them.

If they end up building structures that are the opposite of the card, you can decide if you want to correct them. It may be important to you that you build it just like the card. It may be important that they just practice cup stacking.

After exploring some of the more challenging cards, children may want to build their own structures. ( That is what happened with my students.) It would be fun to take pictures of their structures and make them into challenge cards. They can have a picture of their structure on the front of the card. Then they can try to draw their structure with snowmen if they think it will translate well to a flat picture.

Building Background

Before starting this activity, you may want to do another rocket activity with your children to read them a rocket-themed book.

The links below are affiliate links.

Children can explore STEM activities that focus on rockets.

Children love watching the rockets fly. We used the one we have for years.

The fun yoga book has a rocket ship theme. It will be fun to explore with children.

More Sets of Cup Stacking STEM Challenge Cards

Ghostly Cup Stacking Challenge Cards

Fire Hydrant Stacking STEM Challenge Cards (These are for sale on my TPT shop.)

STEM Challenge- Build an Earth Shape

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While children will know that the Earth is round, it will still be fun for them to explore the Earth shaped in different ways. Children learn about the attributes of shapes as they build them. Whether it is on their own or in a group, they will see how many sides (edges) and corners (vertices) they have.

Space Theme or Earth Day Activity

While this activity is shared as one of five space-themed activities and worksheets for Space Week, it could be an Earth Day activity. However, you may want to use different building materials for the two different events.

The links below are affiliate links.

Building Supplies for a Space Theme

Earth Day Building Supplies

  • Small Sticks
  • Small Pebbles
  • Buttons from Old Clothes
  • Plastic Bottle Caps

Getting the Build an Earth Shape Mats

First, you will need to download the set.

STEM Challenge – Build an Earth Shape MatsDownload

Second, if you don’t have Acrobat Reader you will need to download it. The algorithm page is an Acrobat Reader PDF file.

Third, you must go to your download file and open the page.  You may be asked if you want the file to open right after downloading it. You won’t have to hunt for it in your download file if you are.

Exploring the Build an Earth Shape Mats

Once you have downloaded the set, you must decide how you want to share them with your children. At the same time, you could just add them to your maker’s space or put them out for your children to explore. I would follow the steps listed below.

First, identifying the shape of the mat would be helpful.

Second, talking about the parts of the shape would be wonderful. Whether you call where the sides connect vertices or corners, it would be great to count how many each shape has. Some of you may call the lines connecting the corners side or edges. Whatever you call them, it would be great to go over how many each has.

Third, finding objects that are the shape you are focusing on will help children visualize the shape they are going to build.

Fourth, the building would finally happen. They will need to think about whether the shape they build needs to fit on a mat or can be bigger than the mat.

More Shape Building Activities

Build a Shape Fire Pit Mats

Building Cards with a Magic Theme

Woodland Animal Pattern Block Building Mats

Space Worksheets and Activities

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These sets of Space Week worksheets and activities focus on patterns, building, and coding. During Space Week 3 Dinosaurs and I will each be sharing five days of space-themed activities. Space Week starts on January 23rd and will go through January 28th.

At the end of this post, you will find several other space-themed activities. These are only a few activities available. Every day, more space posts will be shared at the bottom of the new set of space-themed worksheets. After downloading the recent sets, you will want to check them out.

Building Background Before Starting an Activity

The links below are affiliate links.

You explore one of these space-themed activities or books before working on one or all of the sets. It will help children build a background on themselves.

This wonderful book teaches about the universe as two girls explore space.

It will be fun to learn about the solar system with this glow-in-the-dark set.

Children will have fun learning about the solar system while building a puzzle.

Monday

This STEM building challenge invites children to build a variety of shapes around the Earth. While the Earth is known to be round, the mats invite children to think about it being various shapes.

This free space number find and trace number set is like going on a treasure hunt. 3 Dinosaurs has come up with a really creative idea.

Tuesday

It will be fun to build the various cup-stacking structures featured on the challenge cards. Each cup is represented by a space rocket.

This addition facts activity invites children to match equations to sums. It is out of this world.

Wednesday

The Traveling Across the Solar System set invites children to connect the planets in order as they travel around the solar system. They connect them with arrows or rockets.

3 Dinosaurs has wonderful planetary pattern cards for your children to explore.

Thursday

The Outer Space STEM Challenge Building Cards invite children to build a variety of space-themed objects. They can build with any materials you have on hand.

What a fun way to explore the phases of the moon!

Friday

Rocket Ship Skip Counting strips are fun to work on number patterns. They would also be a good way to introduce the principles of multiplication.

3 Dinosaurs has a wonderful space ABC planet and moon matching activity you will love.

More Space-Themed Activities

Exploring the World of Shadows with Shadow Puppets - These space themed puppets are a fun way to explore shadows.

Space Themed Shadow Puppets

Moon and Star Muffin Tin Number Activity

Total Eclipse Painted Paper Plates

Eclipse Craft

I Spy Feelings on Penguins Activity Pages

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I have created a number of I Spy Feelings sets including one that focuses on birds and shapes. This I Spy Feeling set focuses on penguins.

The set also includes penguin feeling cards in B/W and color. While many of your children may know all the feelings displayed, others may not. Some may need to have flashcards beside them while they work. They can look at the bigger version on the card and then look for the smaller pictures on the worksheet that display the feelings.

You can decide just what your children will need to have available to them as they work through the pages.

Getting the I Spy Feeling Pages

First, you will need to download the set.

I Spy Feelings on Penguins PagesDownload

Second, if you don’t have Acrobat Reader you will need to download it. The algorithm page is an Acrobat Reader PDF file.

Third, you must go to your download file and open the page.  You may be asked if you want the file to open right after downloading it. You won’t have to hunt for it in your download file if you are.

Exploring the I Spy Feelings Activity Pages

  • First, you will want to go over the feelings displayed on the I Spy pages. You can do that by going through one of the sets of flashcards or going over the shapes displayed in the chart.

  • Then you will want to have your children figure out how many of each feeling there is displayed on the page.

  • Your children can write the number of faces found for each feeling with a number or a tally mark.

  • If you think your children will have trouble remembering that they have already counted a shape you can have them color the penguin as they count or put an x on them.

    • More Penguin Activities

    Algorithm Game Boards with Penguins

    Shape Bingo Cards Featuring Penguins

    Shape Bingo Cards Featuring Penguins

    Code and Color Polar Animals

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    Children will have fun as they color polar animals. There are two types of pages available. The first set displays the color that your children will need to color each section. The second set leaves the color the sections will need to be colored up to your children. If you are worried they will need guidance with colors, you could just put out the colors you want them to use.

    Getting Ready to Use the Code By Color Polar Animal Pages

    Downloading the Coloring Pages

    First, you will need to download the set.

    Color By Code Polar Animal Coloring PagesDownload

    Second, if you don’t have Acrobat Reader you will need to download it. The algorithm page is an Acrobat Reader PDF file.

    Third, you must go to your download file and open the page.  You may be asked if you want the file to open right after downloading it. You won’t have to hunt for it in your download file if you are.

    Building Background

    If your children don’t know a lot about polar animals, you may want to read a book or do an activity that features them before you start these pages.

    The links below are affiliate links.

    This book is part of a series that explores animals that live in various habitats around the world.

    Children will learn about the animals that live in the arctic as they put together this polar bear-shaped puzzle.

    This cool set of Magna-Tiles features characters from the book Polar Bear, Polar Bear What Do You See?

    Exploring the Color By Code Monster Pages

    If you are having a non-reader work on the color-by-code polar animal pages, you may want to help them highlight what they need to do. First, you can have them underline the number they are focusing on for each step. Next, children will need to place a line that matches the color mentioned in that step over or under that number.

    Some children will be fine with just highlighting the directions. However, there will be some that need to draw a dot near the number in each section that matches the assigned color. They can go back later and color in the whole section.

    Polar Animal Shape Challenge Cards

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    This polar animal shape challenge card set invites children to build the shape featured on each card. The shapes can be built with any materials you have on hand. Below you will find a list of suggested building supplies.

    What Animals and Shapes are Displayed on the Polar Shape Challenge Cards?

    • An arctic hare is a diamond.
    • The moose is a square.
    • A musk ox is a rectangle.
    • An arctic puffin is a pentagon.
    • The orca is a parallagram.
    • A snow leopard is an octagon.
    • The polar bear is a circle. (This shape will be hard to build. Building something close to a circle would be fine.)
    • An arctic wolf is a triangle.
    • The walrus is a heart. (The rounded part of the heart may be tricky. It is okay if they are more pointed than rounded.)
    • A reindeer is a hexagon.
    • The penguin is a trapezoid.
    • An arctic fox is a star.

    Getting Ready to Explore the Polar Shape Challenge Cards

    Gathering the Building Supplies

    The suggested items are things that you probably have already. Others will be purchased really cheaply at a dollar or big box store.

    • Coffee Stirrers
    • Craft Sticks
    • Buttons
    • LEGO
    • Unsharpened Pencils
    • Toothpicks with Points Removed
    • Sections of a Straw

    Downloading the Cards

    The cards are in a PDF format. You will need a PDF reader like Acrobat Reader to open them.

    Polar Animal Shape Challenge CardsDownload

    Laminating the Polar Shape Challenge Cards

    You can have your children work on the cards uncovered if you like. However, if you laminate the mats you can use them over and over again. Below you will find links for a laminator I recommend. There are also links for laminator pouches and a laminator.

    The links below are affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. My Amazon Picks

    Scotch Brand PRO Thermal Laminator, Never Jam…$55.99$128.93 (11009)

    Scotch Thermal Laminating Pouches, 200- Count-…$27.99$42.99 (22799)

    Exploring the Polar Shape Challenge Cards

    The challenge cards can be explored in a number of ways. The ideas below are just that ideas. You may come up with new and different ways to use them.

    Hint:
    Before you have your children start exploring the challenge cards, you will want to go over the shapes and animals displayed on the cards. After that, you may want to talk about the number of sides and edges each shape has.

    Maker’s Space or Center

    The cards can be placed along with building materials for children to explore. Children can work on building the shapes at any size or height they want to.

    Small Group Work

    It is fun to see how different children complete the same challenge. You can select the material and card you want them to explore. Then you can have them each build what they think the shape should look like. While some children may want to make their shape just like the neighbors, others will strike out on their own. What fun it will be to have them discuss why they built their shape the way they did!

    More Building Activities

    Build a Shape Fire Pit Mats

    Building an Eraser Tower

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