For the Kids: Groundhog Day Craft

Tomorrow is Groundhog Day!

If you are stuck inside today (like me!), this is a perfect craft for a snow day!  We made these every year when I taught first grade with just a styrofoam cup and some construction paper.  I made a few changes this year so I could teach Little Man all about Groundhog Day!

By sliding on a craft stick through a paper cup, the groundhog pops out of the ground to make his appearance on Groundhog Day. 

I started with a paper cup I already had on hand.  Sorting through my scrapbook paper, I found this paper that looked like dirt. Glad I finally found a use for this paper!  It was perfect for our little groundhog's home!  I used a bit of mod podge to wrap the paper around the cup.  (It's not easy to wrap a cup.  But this doesn't have to be perfect.)

Originally, I had planned to use scrapbook paper for grass, too.  I glued the grass around the top of the cup. (Do you see how wrinkled my poor grass turned out?  It's very difficult to wrap a cup! This is why I turned to Plan B.)  I cut a slit in the bottom of the cup just large enough for a craft sick.

You could easily use construction paper or foam to make a groundhog! But I used some felt, google eyes, and pompom to create my little groundhog and glued him to the end of a craft stick.

By turning the cup upside down, you can slide the groundhog up and down so it looks like he is popping up out of the ground!  

I got so frustrated with my paper grass that I came up with another idea:  I used Easter grass leftover from last Easter to make real grass!  I just took handfuls and hot-glued it on to the top of the cup.

 So the question is--will Mr. Groundhog see his shadow this year?!

More Valentine's Day projects tomorrow, I promise!

Enjoy your day today!