Layers of the Earth Preschool Craft
We know that learning can be a whole lot more fun when it involves getting our hands dirty. That’s why we’re here to share our fun Layers of the Earth preschool craft that’ll bring our planet to life for your little ones.
There are so many Earth science activities for older kids. Activities that go in-depth about the layers of planet Earth, their purposes, and more. But, there isn’t much available for preschoolers.
Until now! This preschool craft is super simple to make, and it’s a fun way to introduce preschoolers to our wonderful planet. And, you can choose how in-depth you want to go as to what each layer does and the depth of each one.
This simple preschool craft is easy to assemble with just some paper and glue. It doesn’t get any easier than that!
Introduction to the Layers of the Earth
Let’s dive into the fascinating world of the Earth’s layers. We’ll take a quick tour through the core, mantle, and crust to get a better understanding of what makes our planet tick.
Now, picture the Earth as a juicy, layered cake (minus the frosting, unfortunately). At its very center of the earth lies the Earth’s core, which is like the hot, molten lava filling that makes the cake extra gooey. The core has two parts: the inner core, a solid ball of super-hot metals, and the outer core, a liquid layer swirling with molten goodness.
Moving on up, we reach the Earth’s mantle – a thick and chunky layer just beneath the crust. Think of it as the cake’s dense, spongy layer. The mantle is made up of super-hot rocks that flow like melted chocolate, causing tectonic plates to move and creating all those cool things like earthquakes and volcanoes.
And last but not least, we have the Earth’s crust, which is like the crispy outer layer of our cake. It’s what we walk on, build houses on, and dig for buried treasures in. The crust is divided into several pieces called tectonic plates that fit together like puzzle pieces, but with a little more shifting and sliding.
So, there you have it – the Earth’s layers in a delicious nutshell! Understanding these layers helps us appreciate the Earth’s incredible dynamics and the forces that shape our planet. Buckle up and get ready for a mouthwatering exploration of craft ideas that’ll help your little ones sink their teeth into the wonders of the Earth’s layers. Let’s dig in!
Layers of the Earth Craft
Get ready to embark on an exciting journey through the different layers of the earth. With this fun and educational construction paper craft, your preschoolers will get a hands-on experience of the Earth’s layers right at their fingertips. Let’s dive in!
What You’ll Need
- 6 Pieces 12”x12” construction paper—red, orange, yellow, green, blue, black
- White Paper, small piece
- Brass Paper Fastener
- Black Marker
- Scissors
- Optional: Geometric Compass
What You’ll Do
Before getting started, make sure you have all the materials ready. Take a moment to discuss with your little ones the layers of the Earth, using simple terms like the crust, mantle, outer core, and inner core.
Grab the black construction paper and draw a large circle on it to represent the Earth’s crust. Cut another circle the same size out of the blue paper. Help your preschooler cut out the circle using scissors.
Now comes the fun part! Take the red construction paper and cut out a slightly smaller circle than the black one. This will represent the Earth’s mantle. Glue it onto the blue circle.
Moving on to the next layer, grab the orange paper and cut out another circle, slightly smaller than the red one. This represents the outer core, which lies beneath the mantle. Glue it onto the red circle.
Finally, it’s time for the deepest layer – the inner core! Use the yellow construction paper to cut out the smallest circle yet. Glue it in the center of the orange circle to complete your Earth’s layers.
Using the green paper, cut out shapes that resemble some of the continents. You can fit 3-4 on your earth.
You can look up pictures of continents to make them look very realistic, or just kind of wing it and cut out some different green shapes that resemble the continents.
Cut out one-fourth of the blue circle so you have three-fourths of it left intact. Discard the fourth piece, you don’t need it. Glue the green continents onto the blue earth.
Lay the black circle down, put the red one on top of that, then the orange, and then the yellow. Make sure they are centered.
Use the marker to write Inner Core on the top edge of the yellow circle. Right above that write Outer Core on the orange circle. Right above that write Mantle on the red circle. On a small piece of white paper write Crust, and glue it on the black circle right above the word mantle.
If you choose, write the mileage on the circles. On the opposite side of the yellow circle write 778 Miles on the edge. Above that on the orange circle write 1,367 Miles. Above that on the red circle write 1,800 Miles. On a small piece of white paper write 25 Miles and glue it on the black circle right above the other miles you wrote.
Take a paper fastener and poke it through the center of the blue circle on the top side with the continents. Put the yellow circle on next, then the orange, the red, and finally the black circle. Secure the fastener at the back of the black circle.
Now you have a visual representation of the layers. Young kids can spin them to see the facts about each layer or just see the layers without writing.
Remember, learning through play is an incredible way to ignite curiosity and foster a love for knowledge in young minds. So enjoy this crafty adventure with your little ones, and watch their excitement grow as they explore the wonders of our planet!