With Groundhog Day coming up on February 2nd, it’s the perfect time to shake off the winter blues and celebrate the world’s most famous weather-predicting rodent, Punxsutawney Phil!
We often hear about animals with special connections to nature—like the birds flying south before the cold or frogs croaking before the rain. But did you know there is one furry little creature whose shadow has the power (allegedly!) to determine the future of the seasons?
If you are a parent or teacher looking for a way to make this quirky holiday fun and educational, you have come to the right place. Groundhog Day is a fantastic opportunity to teach children about seasons, shadows, hibernation, and folklore.
Below, we dive into the fascinating history of this tradition and explore 10 creative Groundhog Day crafts that will keep little hands busy and big imaginations running wild.
The Story Behind the Shadow: What is Groundhog Day?
Before we break out the glue sticks and construction paper, it is great to share the backstory with the kids. It turns a simple craft session into a history lesson!
The Legend of Phil The star of the show is a groundhog named Phil, who lives in Punxsutawney, Pennsylvania. Legend has it that on February 2nd, Phil wakes up from his long winter nap and peeks out of his burrow.
- If he sees his shadow: He gets scared and runs back inside. This means there will be six more weeks of winter.
- If he doesn’t see his shadow: He stays outside to play. This means spring is arriving early!
A History Lesson This tradition isn’t just a modern invention. It was brought to Pennsylvania by German settlers way back in the 16th century. In Germany, they originally used a badger to predict the weather. However, when the settlers arrived in North America, badgers were hard to find, but groundhogs were everywhere! So, the humble groundhog got the job.
It is a celebration of hope. By February, people are usually tired of the cold and snow, so everyone is rooting for Phil not to see his shadow.
Now that we know the history, let’s get crafting!
10 Fun and Easy Groundhog Day Crafts for Kids
We have curated a list of crafts that use simple materials you likely already have at home—paper plates, cups, popsicle sticks, and paint.
1. The Classic Pop-Up Cup Groundhog
This is the ultimate interactive craft. It mimics the action of the groundhog popping out of his burrow to check for his shadow.
- Materials: A paper cup (green or brown), a craft stick (popsicle stick), brown cardstock, and green tissue paper.
- How to make it:
- Decorate the paper cup to look like a grassy hill. Glue scrunched-up green tissue paper around the rim.
- Cut a small hole in the bottom of the cup.
- Draw and cut out a small groundhog shape from the brown cardstock. Glue him to the top of the craft stick.
- Insert the stick into the cup so the groundhog is “hiding” inside.
- Push the stick up to make him pop out!
2. The “Shadow or No Shadow?” Silhouette Art
This craft doubles as a science lesson about light and opacity.
- Materials: Black construction paper, white construction paper, yellow paint or a yellow circle sticker.
- How to make it:
- Have your child draw the outline of a groundhog on black paper and cut it out (this represents the shadow).
- Glue the black silhouette onto a white background.
- Place a yellow sun in the corner.
- Discussion Point: Ask your child where the sun needs to be to cast that shadow. It’s a great visual way to explain the lore.
3. Handprint Groundhog Keepsake
Parents love handprint crafts because they capture how small their children once were.
- Materials: Brown washable paint, white paper, googly eyes, and a black marker.
- How to make it:
- Paint your child’s palm and fingers brown.
- Press their hand onto the paper. The fingers represent the groundhog’s body and feet, while the thumb is the head.
- Once dry, draw ears on the thumb tip, add a nose, and glue on the googly eyes.
- Draw a little burrow underneath for him to sit on.
4. Toilet Roll Tube Phil
Upcycling is always a good idea. Turn that empty toilet paper roll into a cute 3D critter.
- Materials: Toilet paper roll, brown paint, black pipe cleaners (whiskers), and white paper (teeth).
- How to make it:
- Paint the tube entirely brown.
- Cut out two small oval ears and glue them to the top inside rim.
- Draw a face. The most important part is the two large, rectangular front teeth—groundhogs are rodents, after all!
- Poke holes in the sides to stick the pipe cleaners through for whiskers.
5. The Paper Plate Burrow Wheel
This craft is interactive and helps kids visualize the two different weather outcomes.
- Materials: A paper plate, a brass fastener (split pin), and crayons.
- How to make it:
- Cut the paper plate in half. Paint the bottom half brown (dirt) and the top half light blue (sky).
- Make a separate cardboard “lever” with a groundhog drawn on the top end.
- Attach the lever behind the bottom half of the plate using the brass fastener.
- Kids can rotate the lever to make the groundhog peek out from behind the dirt.
6. Fuzzy Felt Groundhog Finger Puppets
Perfect for storytelling or a classroom puppet show.
- Materials: Brown felt, tacky glue (or a hot glue gun for adults), and small black beads.
- How to make it:
- Cut two U-shapes out of brown felt that fit over a child’s finger.
- Glue the edges together, leaving the bottom open.
- Decorate with a lighter brown felt belly oval and a tiny black nose.
- Encourage the kids to put on a show: “Will spring come early?”
7. Groundhog Day Headband
Let the kids become the groundhog for the day!
- Materials: a long strip of brown construction paper (measured to head size), brown ears, and buck teeth cutouts.
- How to make it:
- Staple or tape the long strip into a circle to fit the child’s head.
- Cut out large round ears and glue them to the front.
- The funny part: Cut out two large white teeth and glue them so they hang down over the child’s forehead.
- It makes for hilarious photos!
8. Heart-Shaped Groundhog (Valentine’s Crossover)
Since Groundhog Day is close to Valentine’s Day, this mash-up is adorable.
- Materials: Brown, pink, and white paper.
- How to make it:
- Cut a large heart out of brown paper. This is the face.
- Turn the heart upside down (so the point is the chin).
- Add heart-shaped ears and a heart-shaped black nose.
- Add whiskers and teeth. It’s a “lovely” version of Phil.
9. Paper Bag Groundhog Puppet
A classic craft that allows for plenty of imaginative play afterward.
- Materials: A brown paper lunch bag, construction paper scraps.
- How to make it:
- Keep the bag folded flat. The bottom flap of the bag will be the face.
- Glue ears to the top corners of the flap.
- Glue eyes and a nose onto the flap.
- Open the flap and glue a red tongue inside so it looks like he is speaking when you move your hand.
10. The “Prediction Chart” Craft
This is a classroom favorite that combines crafting with math/graphing.
- Materials: A large poster board, sticky notes, or personalized groundhog cutouts.
- How to make it:
- Draw a line down the middle of the poster board.
- Label one side “Winter (Shadow)” and the other side “Spring (No Shadow).”
- Have each child make a small mini-groundhog face (using circles of paper).
- Ask them to vote on what they think will happen by pasting their craft on the corresponding side. Count the votes together!
Why These Crafts Matter
Engaging in these crafts isn’t just about keeping kids busy; it’s about connecting them to the rhythm of the year. In a world of digital screens, taking time to discuss weather patterns, folklore, and the changing seasons grounds children in the physical world.
Furthermore, explaining the difference between a badger (the original predictor) and a groundhog (the American replacement) is a subtle geography and biology lesson. And let’s not forget the fun fact about Phil’s full name! Did you know the “official” groundhog is titled “Punxsutawney Phil, Seer of Seers, Sage of Sages, Prognosticator of Prognosticators, and Weather Prophet Extraordinary”? Try getting your kids to say that five times fast!
Conclusion
Whether you are hoping for an early spring or you love the cozy vibes of winter, Groundhog Day is a whimsical tradition that sparks joy. These 10 Groundhog Day crafts are designed to be easy, affordable, and, most importantly, fun.
