Preschool Groundhog Day

Groundhog Day is celebrated every year on February 2nd.
According to the legend, on this morning, if a groundhog can see its shadow, there will be six more weeks of winter. If it cannot see its shadow, spring is on the way.

Groundhog hibernates all winter. And they come out of their burrows as the weather warms up. So groundhogs that come out of their holes is a sure sign that winter is ending and that spring is near.
Many centuries ago, Europeans watched for other hibernating animals,such as hedgehogs, badgers, and bears, as signs that winter was coming to a end.
In the 1800's Germans who immigrated to Pennsylvania began watching the groundhog.

Scroll down for Groundhog Day Songs, Coloring page, Games, Recipes, Books and more

Groundhog Day Books

Gretchen Groundhog, It's Your Day!
by: Abby Levine and Nancy Cote

Gregory's Shadow by: Author Don Freeman

Click here for more books

Ten Little Groundhogs
Sing to the tune of "Ten Little Indians"

One little, two little Three little groundhogs.
Four little, five little Six little groundhogs.
Seven little, eight little Nine little groundhogs.
All Sleeping underground.

Mr. Groundhog
Sing to the tune of "Brother John"

Mr. Groundhog, Mr. Groundhog,
Take a peek, Take a peek.
If you see your shadow
The weather will be awful
For six more weeks, six more weeks.

I'm a Little Groundhog

Sing to the tune of "I'm a Little Teapot"

I'm a little groundhog short and stout,
February second I will come out.
If I see my shadow they will shout,
"Six weeks more winter without doubt!"

Can you Play?

Sing to the tune of "Brother John"

Little Groundhog, little groundhog,
Can you play, can you play?
Popping up your head,
Popping up your head,
Can you play? Don't run away.

Little Groundhog, Little groundhog,
Can you play, can you play?
Running all around,
On the cold hard ground
Can you play? Please, please stay!

Little groundhog, little groundhog,
Can you play, can you play?
You can't see your shadow,
You can't see your shadow,
Here comes spring, hip hooray!

Preschool Groundhog Day activities that are easy and fun to prepare.

Groundhog Puppet in a Cup

Supplies:
Paper Drinking Cup
Brown and White Construction Paper
Popsicle Stick
Googly Eyes
Glue
Scissors

Cover the cup with white construction paper.
MAke a slit in the bottom of the cup wide enough to insert a popsicle stick.
Cut out a groundhog from the brown construction paper.
Glue googley eyes on the groundhog.
Glue the little groundhog at the top of the stick.
Insert the stick in the cup. The groundhog can now peep out of the ground to see his shadow.

Shadow Fun

* Make Hand Shadows

Shine a bright light (flashlight or lamp) on a bare wall. Show the children how to hold their hands to make shadow animals on the wall.

*Search for Shadows

Go outside in the morning or late afternoon and look forshadows.

*Body Shadows

Hang a white sheet in a doorway or from the ceiling.
Place a bright light behind the sheet so that the light shines on it. Have the children take turns moving behind the sheet, while the others watch.

*Shadow Silhouettes

Make silhouettes of each child. Stand the child against the wall. Project a flashlight on the wall so that it creates a shadow of his/her profile.
Stick a white paper on the wall. Trace around the profile of their head. Trace it on black construction paper and cut it out.
Glue it on white paper.

*Shadow Tracing

If the sun is shining on Groundhog Day take the children outside. One child stands still while the other traces his profile on the snow using colored colored water in a bottle or on the pavement with a piece of sidewalk chalk.

Groundhog Cupcakes

Make cupcakes with chocolate frosting.

Insert 2 vanilla wafers as the ears. on the top edge of the frosted cupcake.
Insert 2 yellow m&m's for the eyes. Use a red m&m for the nose. Use 2 white mini marshmallows for the teeth.

Groundhog in a Hole

Prepare a donut for each child.
Print out a picture of a groundhog and glue it at the top of a Popsicle stick.
Have a groundhog poke his head out of the donut hole.

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