Groundhog Day fun

I love celebrating holidays, and not just the big ones. I love days like Groundhog Day because it’s a great excuse to add some fun to a regular day, and besides, celebrating holidays with kids makes them 10 times more fun. Here are a few fun things we did last year for Groundhog Day.

We had a treasure hunt where each clue taught a little bit about a groundhog and then led them to some tasty treasure. I found the adorable treasure hunt clues already made at preschoolalphabet.blogspot.com.

Go here for groundhog scavenger hunt clues.

This is what each clue says.

Clue #1 … (Read to the kids) “Today we’re going on a hunt to find a special treasure. Your first clue is … look on the calendar.”
Clue #2 … (Hide the clue on the Feb. 2 square) “February 2nd is Groundhog’s Day. Look on the computer for the next clue.”
groundhog1
Clue #3 … (Have this picture on the screen) “Groundhogs are covered with gray-brown fur. They have short ears, a short tail, short legs and are very quick! Show me how quick you are! Look for your next clue in the fridge by the veggies!”
Clue #4 … (In the produce drawer of the fridge) “Groundhogs eat lots of greens, fruits and vegetables and very little water. They get water from eating leaves. Try eating a vegetable like a groundhog! Then look on the scale in the bathroom.”
Clue #5 … (On the bathroom scale) “Groundhogs are about 20 inches long and weigh between 12 and 15 pounds. How much do you weigh? Look in the toy box.”
Clue #6 … (Near a noisy toy) “Groundhogs can whistle when they are alarmed. Can you whistle? Look by the bathroom sink.”
Clue #7 … (Near the soap) “Groundhogs are very clean animals. Insects don’t bother them and germs leave them alone because they are so clean! Can you clean your hands? Look on your bed for the next clue.”
Clue #8 … (On the bed) “Groundhogs hibernate. That means they sleep all winter long. Can you pretend to hibernate like a groundhog? Look under the kitchen table for your next clue!”
Clue #9 … (under the kitchen table) “On Groundhog’s Day, a groundhog named Punxsutawney Phil comes out of his burrow and looks around. If he sees his shadow he goes back inside for 6 more weeks of winter. If he doesn’t see his shadow, then spring is coming early! Look under the couch cushions for your last clue!”
Clue #10 … (under couch cushions) “Congratulations, you found your treasure! Can you tell me two things you know about groundhogs?”

 

Then we had this fun little groundhog dessert. This was super easy to make. Chocolate pudding with chocolate graham cracker crumbles for the ground. A Nilla wafer with sliced almonds and gel frosting for the groundhog.

My boys were delighted.

We also checked online to see if the groundhog saw his shadow, of course.

This year I’m just guessing that I won’t need the groundhog’s help  to determine when spring will arrive since this is what my front yard looks like right now.

But that doesn’t mean we can’t have some Groundhog Day fun!