Groundhog Day is a wonderful opportunity to teach our toddlers about hibernation, shadows, weather and groundhogs!

On the second of February the great groundhog forecaster comes out of his den to let us know what to expect. Groundhog Day is Punxsutawney Phil’s big day! If Phil doesn’t see his shadow, warm spring weather is around the corner! If he does see his shadow, we are in for another 6 weeks of cold winter weather. Use the resources below to explore more about groundhogs and their shadows. Don’t forget to explain the concept of “predicting” or guessing to your child. Groundhog Day is a fun tradition to share with your toddler.

Groundhog Day Book List for Toddlers

Reading books on theme helps create background knowledge for children. I have compiled my favorite Groundhog Day and hibernation themed picture books to read with your toddlers. Use this list at the library, click the icons to read a review on Goodreads or purchase on Amazon.

Groundhog Day and Shadow Activities for Toddlers

Here are easy and quick Groundhog Day and Shadow themed toddler activities for busy moms and dads. You’ll find enough activity ideas to help you through a full week of Groundhog Day play.

Shadow Moves

• A carefree attitude

Harness the toddlers natural ability to imitate! Stand in front of your child and “strike a pose”. For example, stand up with one leg in the air and one arm up to the sky and invite your child to copy or shadow you! Take turns. Your child will love giving you silly poses or moves and roar with laughter to see you imitate them!

Predicting Weather

• Outdoor space

After telling your child the story of Groundhog Day, take him outdoors and let him pretend to be the groundhog. Can he see his shadow or not? What does this “predict” about the upcoming weather? Then watch the read- aloud Who Will See Their Shadows This Year? by Jerry Pallotta and David Biedrzycki and see what weather comes when the other animals see their shadow!

Groundhog Tunnel

• Blankets
• Chairs
• Cushions
• Large Basket or Boxes
• Flashlight

Build a tunnel for your child to crawl through. You can use blankets and chairs or set out a large basket or box. Turn down the lights and when your child comes out of the tunnel, shine the light on him so he can see his shadow.

Where is Groundhog?

• Sung to the tune of Frere Jacques

Where is Groundhog? Where is Groundhog?

”Here I am! Here I am!

Popping up to say

Happy Groundhog Day.

Here I am! Here I am!

-Elizabeth Scofield

Groundhog Pop-up Stick Puppet

Print out Groundhog Puppet PDF (If you only need one or two, print page two only. It only has two groundhogs on it to help you save ink) Or hand draw a groundhog small enough to fit inside your cup or tube. Attach the groundhog to the end of the craft stick using the tape.

If using a paper cup: Take a paper cup and make a slit across the bottom large enough for the craft stick to slide through. Turn the cup upright and place the stick through the slit on the bottom of the cup so that the groundhog is hiding in the cup. decorate the outside of the cup as desired.

If using a cardboard tube: Decorate the outside of the tube to resemble an old log or the ground. Slide the puppet on the stick inside the tube.

Have your child move her groundhog up to pop out of the cup and down to hide. Sing the “Where is Groundhog” song and pop up the groundhog on the “here I am” line.

Shadow Matching

Cut out pictures of common objects and create their “shadows” by cutting out their basic shapes from black paper. Have your child play a matching game to match the object with their “shadow”. This can be done with objects, shapes, numbers, or letters.

Groundhog Day and Shadow Media Links for Toddlers

Here are some toddler friendly links to YouTube videos about Groundhog Day and Shadows. I know we all hesitate to purposefully put our toddlers in front of a screen, but it does happen. So, you might as well have some quality links to head to.

• Priscilla the Baby Groundhog: Sam’s Zookeeper Challenge National Geographic Kids
• Bringing Spring: Peep and the Big Wide World
• Grover, Furry Little Shadow
• Shadow Song
• How to Make Shadow Puppets
• Whos Shadow is this?
• Shadow Play: Peep and the Big Wide World

Groundhog Day is a fun tradition that gives us a great jumping off point to instruct our toddlers about so much. Shadows offer endless free play and can be used just about anywhere. They may be nature’s second-best plaything next to a stick! I hope you enjoyed the resources here. Check out our post on The Importance of Repetition and Ritual in Child Development to understand the importance of celebrating little holidays each year.

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