Preschool Groundhog Day Activities: 5 Easy Projects (Shadows, Pudding Cups, Puppets + More)

Groundhog Day is a fun holiday for preschool teachers and parents. It’s seasonal, silly, and packed with early learning themes like weather prediction and light and shadow.

If you’re looking for preschool Groundhog Day printables or activities that don’t require a ton of prep, start here. These groundhog crafts work well at home, in preschool, or as part of your homeschool lesson plan.

Quick list: 5 easy Groundhog Day activities for preschoolers

1. Groundhog Day shadow art (chalk shadows — no sunshine needed)

2. Groundhog pudding cups (a Groundhog Day snack + sensory play)

3. Paper bag groundhog puppet (storytime + dramatic play)

4. Glow lanterns (light and shadow activity)

5. Sunshine sketch adventure (shadow tracing STEAM)

Want the full, kid-friendly directions from setup to cleanup? You can get the complete tutorials (plus printables) inside a free GlueStick account. GlueStick inspires kids to do more arts, crafts, and STEAM projects with supplies they already have. Our free creative learning app has over 280 printables and activities for kids 3-10. Get started today!

Groundhog Chalk Shadows (no sunshine needed)

Preschool shadow magic even on cloudy days

This is an easy Groundhog Day craft for preschool with some simple shadow STEM mixed in. Kids trace a groundhog shape with chalk and create a bold shadow outline. It feels like shadow magic, even on a cloudy day.

Cast a Shadow

Supplies

• Groundhog template (FREE Printable within the GlueStick App!)

• Scissors

• Tape

• Chalk

• Green or Black Paper

Why it works for preschool: Manageably messy, quick success, and kids will love the big reveal at the end.

Get the full tutorial: Groundhog Chalk Shadows

Groundhog Pudding Cups

A groundhog’s day snack + sensory win

If you want a Groundhog Day treat that doubles as an activity, pudding cups are a guaranteed hit. Food crafts for kids are always a win: Kids scoop, sprinkle, and build layers. You get snack time and fine-motor practice in one.

Start Snacking

Supplies

• Chocolate pudding (store-bought or homemade)

• Clear cups (great for seeing the layers)

• Dyed green coconut for grass

• Biscoff Cookie or graham cracker for the groundhog

• Candy eyes

• Mini marshmallows or small white candies (optional teeth)

• Icing to stick it all together

• Spoons to enjoy it!

Why it works for preschool: Scooping and sprinkling keeps hands busy. Layering builds focus. Kids love edible art.

Get the full tutorial: Groundhog Pudding Cups

Groundhog Paper Bag Puppets

Storytime + dramatic play

A paper bag puppet turns Groundhog Day into a mini performance. Kids can retell the story, make predictions, or invent their own groundhog forecast. This is a great Groundhog Day classroom activity for language development and storytelling skills.

Make this puppet

Supplies

• Brown paper lunch bag

• Markers or crayons

• Googly eyes

• Glue stick or tape

• Green paper (for grass fringe)

• Scissors

Why it works for preschool: It’s easy. It’s affordable. It’s pretend play that helps kids practice their storytelling.

Get the full tutorial: Groundhog Paper Bag Puppets

Glow Lanterns

A cozy shadow-casting project for preschoolers

Glow lanterns are a fun lightactivity that feels special without being complicated. Kids decorate wax paper, attach it to a tube, then shine a light through it. This STEAM project for preschoolers helps teach kids three and up about light, shadow, and translucency.

This project was created by our partner, Taylor Boley.

Light Up Your Project Space

Supplies

• Cardboard tubes (toilet paper or paper towel rolls)

• Wax paper

• Tape

• Markers

• Small flashlight or battery-operated tea lights

Why it works for preschool: Even if your pictures aren’t perfect, the glow they cast feels magical. It’s a great way to get preschoolers excited and experimenting with light, shadows, and color.

Get the full tutorial: Glow Lanterns

Sunshine Sketch Adventure

Preschool STEAM: Tracing the shadows over time

This activity requires a sunny day, but it’s so worth it. Kids trace shadows and turn them into drawings. It’s an easy way to connect Groundhog Day to the idea of seeing a shadow every day of the year and a great STEAM lesson about how shadows change throughout the day.

Trace Some Fun

Supplies

• Sunny window or a lamp/flashlight (in a cloudy day pinch)

• White paper

• Pencils or crayons

• Small objects to cast shadows (blocks, toys, paper clips, nature finds)

• Tape (optional to keep paper still)

Why it works for preschool: Builds observational skills while leaving room for creativity and imagination. It’s a great way to connect preschool STEAM lessons to Groundhog Day.

Get the full tutorial: Sunshine Sketch Adventure

Quick tips for parents and educators

• Choose 2 activities max for one day: oneart + one snack is a perfect combo.

• Prep a supply tray (tape, scissors, glue, markers) so kids can stay in the flow.

• Plan for easy cleanup: wipes, a small trash bin, and a table cover go a long way.

Groundhog Day Activities for Preschool: FAQs

What do preschoolers learn on Groundhog Day?

Preschoolers can learn about seasons, winter weather, and making a prediction. It is also a great day to explore light and shadow with simple hands-on projects.

What are easy Groundhog Day activities with little prep?

Try chalk shadow art, paper bag puppets, or pudding cups. These are quick, use common supplies, and work well for short attention spans. You could also get creative with paper plate groundhogs, pom pom groundhogs, and other shadow and light activities.

How do you teach shadows to preschoolers?

Use a lamp or sunny window to make shadows. Then trace the shadow and talk about what changes when you move the object closer or farther from the light.

Are there Groundhog Day snacks for preschool?

Yes. Groundhog pudding cups are an easy snack activity. Kids can build layers, add candy eyes, and eat their finished treat. Our version uses Biscoff cookies for an allergy-friendly option, but Nutter Butters also make adorable groundhogs if your space is safe for peanut treats.

Want the full tutorials (plus printables) for all 5 projects?

If you want the exact step-by-step instructions, kid-friendly prompts, and cleanup help for each activity, sign up for a free GlueStick account.

Inside the app, you will get:

• Full tutorials for these projects and over 275 more (from setup to cleanup)

• Animated supply checklists

• Free printables (including a groundhog template)

• More seasonal preschool projects you can pull up anytime

Create your GlueStick account and unlock the full Groundhog Day project guides today.

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