Groundhog Day is the day when the groundhog comes out of his hole after a long winter snooze. According to the story, if the groundhog sees his shadow upon emerging from the ground, we're in for six more weeks of winter days. But, if he doesn't see his shadow, Spring will arrive soon.
SEND THE GROUNDHOG HOME
Once the groundhog is out of his hole, how will you get it to go home? This fun game tells you how to do it.
WHAT YOU NEED
- Playground ball
- Winter cap
- Marker (optional)
- Trash can
- Masking tape
HOW TO DO IT
- Place a winter cap over the top of a playground ball to represent the groundhog. Draw a groundhog face on the ball if you wish.
- Place an empty trash can "groundhog burrow" a few feet away.
- With masking tape, mark a spot where everyone can stand .
- Have players line up behind the tape to toss the groundhog back into his hole. The object is to toss the ball into the trash can.
- Give each player three tries.
- Vary the distance to make the game more or less difficult.
SHADOW DETECTOR
Trick the "shadow detector" by making creative shadows behind a sheet.
WHAT YOU NEED
- White sheet or tablecloth
- Lamp or flashlight
HOW TO DO IT
- Hang a white sheet or tablecloth on the wall.
- Shine a lamp or flashlight on the sheet or tablecloth from the opposite side of the room.
- Have one family member be the "shadow detector" and sit down facing the sheet, back to the light. Take turns so everyone can be the "shadow detector."
- Have each family member take turns making shadows of animals on the sheet by standing between the lamp and the shadow detector.
- The player makes the shadow animals using his or her hands and/or body.
- The "shadow detector" tries to guess what animal is represented.
- Each player may also give the "shadow detector" clues to help determine what the shadow is.
FOLLOW UP FUN
- Before Groundhog Day, have the kids, predict whether or not there will be six more weeks of winter, or an early spring. Write the predictions down on a piece of paper.
- On Groundhog Day, see whether or not the groundhog saw his shadow. Record the outcome on the sheet of family predications.
- Then, each day between Groundhog Day and the first day of spring, conduct a fun science project. Have the kids keep track of the weather by recording the temperature and conditions each day. They can find this information in your local newspaper or by listening to local weather news.
- On the first day of spring, analyze the results, read everyone's predictions and see who was correct, the kids, the groundhog or both!
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