15 Fun Groundhog Day Classroom Activities for 2023 (2024)

FAQs

What can I do for Groundhog Day? ›

Discuss with your preschoolers that according to tradition, if the groundhog sees its shadow, there will be six more weeks of winter. If not, spring will come early. It's a playful way to engage children in learning about seasons and weather prediction.

As Phil walks through the crowds waiting to see Punxsutawney Phil (the groundhog), he clearly doesn't want to be there and looks down upon everyone. He thinks he is better than everyone there. Lesson: Don't mock or dismiss what others are excited about or interested in.

If the groundhog comes out of his burrow and sees his shadow, the weather supposedly will be cold and wintry. If the groundhog emerges and does not see his shadow because the day is cloudy, warmer weather is supposed to be on the way.

Sees His Shadow: If the plump prognosticator emerges from his hole on a clear day and sees his shadow, he will retreat, and there will be six more weeks of wintry weather. No Shadow: If he emerges from his burrow and does NOT see his shadow, then early spring weather is right around the corner.

What smell do groundhogs hate the most? Groundhogs hate strong odors such as ammonia, garlic, vinegar, and predator urine. Spraying these scents around your property can help to deter groundhogs from entering the area. Additionally, you can also use commercially available repellents to keep groundhogs away.

Dress Warm... boots, gloves, hat, many layers, hand warmers, etc. Groundhog Day is in February, in the middle of winter and middle of the night. Backpacks or bags are not recommended.

They do have a rather unusual greeting, however, in those rare times when they meet each other. When this happens, one groundhog will touch its nose to the mouth of the other groundhog, Scientific American reports. You might call it kissing, but scientists call it naso-oral contact.

If the day is sunny and the groundhog sees its own shadow, there will be six more weeks of cold weather, according to legend – but if it's a cloudy day, and there is no shadow, spring has arrived. Across the US, the quirky tradition is known as Groundhog Day.

What drink do they order in Groundhog Day? ›

The first “day” he sits down at a bar with his producer, Rita (Andie MacDowell, left), he orders a “Jim Beam, ice, water.” She orders a “sweet vermouth on the rocks with a twist.” He winces but takes note. The second “day,” hoping to impress her, he orders a sweet vermouth just before she does.

Turns out they are generalist herbivores who eat a wide variety of greens and vegetables depending on what is available at that time year. Clover, grasses, Alfalfa are favorites, but they will also go for grains, leaves, bark, fruit from shrubs and trees, and many other forbs.

Every February 2nd, the United States and Canada celebrate Groundhog Day to check up on Punxsutawney Phil and see whether he saw his shadow this year. Supposedly, if the Pennsylvanian groundhog sees his shadow, North America can expect six more weeks of winter. If he doesn't, spring is just around the corner.

Every February 2, the members of the Punxsutawney Groundhog Club trek to Gobbler's Knob, Punxsutawney Phil's official home just outside of town. Donning top hats and tuxedos, the group waits for Phil to leave his burrow, and if he sees his shadow, the town gets six more weeks of winter.

It derives from the Pennsylvania Dutch superstition that if a groundhog emerges from its burrow on this day and sees its shadow, it will retreat to its den and winter will go on for six more weeks; if it does not see its shadow, spring will arrive early.

Groundhog Day is not a public holiday.

Hands down, shadow play is our favorite way to celebrate Groundhog Day! Visit tinkergarten.com/groundhog and sign up for easy ways to play with shadows, just like Punxsutawney Phil!