3 Fun Groundhogs Day Activities for Kids
Groundhog Day is a fun holiday that allows kids to learn more about the environment and animals in it! Here are three groundhogs day activities designed to engage and entertain toddlers, preschoolers, and other young children. From shape matching to shadow matching, these activities will bring the joy of Groundhog Day into any classroom or daycare center.
Activity 1 – Shadow Play
Shadow play is a fun and hands-on way to celebrate Groundhog Day with little ones! For this simple activity, start by gluing a groundhog cutout to a craft stick. This will be your puppet. Use a flashlight to shine light behind the groundhog, creating a shadow on a wall or surface. Talk with your child about how the light makes the shadow appear. Then, cover the flashlight with a piece of paper or cloud cutout. What happens to the groundhog’s shadow? It disappears! This playful experiment helps children understand how shadows are created and explore what happens when the sun is hidden by clouds. It’s a wonderful way to introduce basic science concepts in a way that’s engaging for ages 1 to 5.
Activity 2 – Sleeping Groundhog
The Sleeping Groundhog game is a fun, interactive way to get kids moving while celebrating Groundhog Day! Invite your little ones to find a cozy “burrow” like under a table, in a corner, or in a reading nook. Once they’re all tucked in, encourage them to pretend to sleep like groundhogs in winter. Then, call out, “Wake up, little groundhogs!” At your signal, they can jump up, stretch, and shake off their pretend winter slumber. Repeat the game, letting them return to their burrows to rest again. This playful activity can be repeated as long as the children are interested, and it’s perfect for helping ages 1-5 practice listening skills, gross motor movements, and imaginative play!
Activity 3 – Shadow Match
This Groundhog Shadow match game is almost too much fun! It’s a groundhog-inspired twist on the classic “match game” that we all know and love, except this time around you, match groundhogs up with their correct shadows. The printable activities included in this Groundhog Day lesson are sure to thrill kids while actively building their visual recognition and critical thinking skills. Who knew learning could be so much fun?
Groundhog Day Activities
Celebrating Groundhog Day offers teachers and daycare providers an excellent opportunity to engage young children in fun activities that encourage learning about the environment and the animals around them! These three activities—shape matching, number matching, and shadow matching—will keep your students entertained while teaching important lessons.
Get creative this Groundhog Day season with even more fun activities! Head back to our main theme page and start planning a celebration! Happy Groundhog Day!
