During this weird year I think it’s especially true that we need to remind our kids that even if it feels like a Grinch has stolen Christmas, nobody can take Christmas from you!
For this Quest you will need:
- All printable worksheets (see below)
- Plain paper
- Colored pencils
- Pencils
- Red construction paper
- Scissors
- Tape
- M&M’s (red and green, if possible)
- Globe or atlas
- Toilet paper roll
- Red markers
- Small white pom-poms
- Glue
- Paper clips
- Magnet
- Green balloon
- Red permanent marker
- Empty water bottle
- White vinegar
- Baking soda
- Funnel
Pre-Quest Prep:
The home-educator should read through the Quest in advance, to be sure he or she has everything necessary and to-hand. Print off all necessary worksheets, one per student.Â
Before the Quest begins, take a green balloon and blow it up but do not tie it off. Holding the end firmly together, take a red permanent marker and draw a heart on the balloon. (Carefully! We popped the first one. 😉 ) Let the balloon deflate and set it aside until you need it for the end of the Quest.
In this Quest, kids will learn: scientific method, art, organization from largest to smallest, cutting, reading, writing, grammar, parts of a story, problem-solving, body parts, counting, addition, cultural traditions, geography, creative construction, reading comprehension, chemistry, and scientific observation.
To Begin:
Begin by reading the book How the Grinch Stole Christmas by Dr. Seuss. In some ways, I actually prefer the original cartoon over the book, as the rhymes for the story have been edited by Seuss himself to flow in a much better way. Which do you prefer?
Help the Grinch find joy this Christmas by completing the activities to tell the story!
“The Grinch hated Christmas! The whole Christmas season! Now, please don’t ask why. No one quite knows the reason. It could be his head wasn’t screwed on just right. It could be, perhaps, that his shoes were too tight.”
How the Grinch Stole Christmas by Dr. Seuss
Start by labeling the Grinch! Use this fun printable found at 3boysandadog. (She has a whole packet of great printables to use; just save them for some other time you need something quick to grab!)
“But I think that the most likely reason of all May have been that his heart was two sizes too small.”
How the Grinch Stole Christmas by Dr. Seuss
Have the kids cut out hearts and put them in order from smallest to largest.
Now, using the scientific method, have them fill out the worksheet below, being sure to write down their hypothesis (which means “an educated guess”) before finding out the answer through experimentation.
Begin by numbering each heart. (You’ll need 3-5.) You can either have them number the hearts they cut out, or the empty hearts on the paper they cut from.
Then, fill out the worksheet as you find the answer to the question: How many M&M’s fit in each heart?
For example:
- Problem— How many M&M’s fit in each heart?
- Hypothesis— I think this many M&M’s fit in heart 1, 2, 3.
- Procedure— Fill each heart with M&M’s.
- Materials— Hearts, M&M’s
- Observations— It took this many M&M’s to fill in heart 1, 2, 3.
- Conclusion— It took more M&M’s to fill each heart.
I know it’s a super simple “experiment” but it’s never too early to start practicing the steps of the Scientific Method.🙂
When you’re all finished, you can glue the hearts together, one inside the other to make a pretty gradient heart. Add a string or a paperclip to hang it from your tree as an ornament!
“For, Tomorrow, he knew… All the Who girls and boys Would wake bright and early. They’d rush for their toys!… Then the Whos, young and old, would sit down to a feast.… And THEN… Every Who down in Who-ville, the tall and the small, Would stand close together, with Christmas bells ringing, They’d stand hand-in-hand. And the Whos would start singing!”
How the Grinch Stole Christmas by Dr. Seuss
The Whos celebrate Christmas the same way every year. What are some of your family’s traditions?
Time to learn about different Christmas traditions from around the world! Read the following article from keepingthechristmasspiritalive365. My kids loved hearing about how in Australia—because it’s summer—they’re swimming and barbecuing!
As you read, identify each country on a globe or map. Ask the kids to fill out this worksheet to answer the questions.
“‘I know just what to do!’ The Grinch laughed in his throat. And he made a quick Santy Claus hat and a coat.”
How the Grinch Stole Christmas by Dr. Seuss
Help the Grinch get dressed like Santy Claus! Make this fun toilet paper roll Grinch Santa Claus craft found at simpleeverydaymom. We didn’t print the hat on red paper, but instead colored it in with red marker.
“All their windows were dark. Quiet snow filled the air. All the Whos were all dreaming sweet dreams without care. When he came to the first little house on the square.”
How the Grinch Stole Christmas by Dr. Seuss
Let’s circle the town! Look through this extensive packet of reading and writing worksheets created by Danielle Mastandrea (available through Teachers Pay Teachers) and pick the worksheets (at least three) that your child needs to work on. They’re all fabulous!
Print this collection of houses and cut them out.
Place each house with one worksheet around the room. I gave you eight houses but you certainly don’t have to use them all. You only need enough houses to have one to go with each worksheet you picked to do. These are the “houses” where the Grinch must stop!
Put on a Christmas carol. Have the kids take turns as the Grinch. If you have a Santa hat, use that to designate who is the current “Grinch.” The Grinch will have to circle the houses until the music stops. Whichever house they’re next to, that’s the next worksheet everyone will do!
A simple way to make worksheets more fun. 😉
“‘These stockings,’ he grinned, ‘are the first things to go!'”
How the Grinch Stole Christmas by Dr. Seuss
Help the Grinch collect the Christmas decorations using a magnet!
Print the worksheets below.
Cut out the bag, and set it to the side. Have the kids cut out each ornament, stocking, and present. Then, clip a metal paperclip to each item and spread them out on the table.
Now, set a timer for one minute and have the kids use a magnet to see how many items they can collect and put into the bag in that time!
“And he stuffed them in bags. Then the Grinch, very nimbly, Stuffed all the bags, one by one, up the chimbley!”
How the Grinch Stole Christmas by Dr. Seuss
The Grinch wants to fit 10 bags up each “chimbley.” Help him figure out how many more bags he can fit up each chimney by completing this ten-frame worksheet.
“Every Who down in Who-ville, the tall and the small, Was singing! Without any presents at all!”
How the Grinch Stole Christmas by Dr. Seuss
Make a line of people holding hands by folding paper. Cut a piece of construction paper or plain paper in half length-wise. Now fold the paper in half and in half again. Then cut out the shape of a person, making certain to leave the hands touching the edges of the paper (don’t cut them completely out or it won’t work!).
When you unfold the paper cut-out, it should stretch out into a row of people holding hands. Let the kids decorate the people. In the end, you’ll need 20 people total, and it’s okay if that requires you connect with tape some of the lines.
Now, number the people 1-20. Then use it to practice number line jumping to practice simple addition and subtraction.
- For example:
- 1 plus 2 equals ?
- Start with person number one, now jump down the line two to find the answer.
“…in Who-ville they say That the Grinch’s small heart Grew three sizes that day!”
How the Grinch Stole Christmas by Dr. Seuss
Let’s finish with a Grinchy science experiment!
Grab the balloon you drew a heart on before the Quest and show it to the kids. Ask them: How can we help the Grinch’s heart to grow three sizes?
The simple answer is to fill the balloon with air. However, if you have the time and would like to do a quick experiment, here’s something fun to try…
This idea comes from an activity I found at creativefamilyfun.net. Take an old bottle with a small nozzle (water bottle or ketchup bottle works great) and place 3 tablespoons of baking soda in the bottom (you may need a funnel). Pour just a couple tablespoons of white vinegar into the balloon (again, I recommend using a funnel).
Here’s the tricky part: place the end of the balloon over the nozzle of the water bottle, without letting the vinegar fall into the bottle. Make sure it is securely fastened around the nozzle.
Then, have the kids lift the balloon so the vinegar pours out of the balloon and into the bottle. The chemical reaction that occurs when vinegar and baking soda mix should produce enough gas to inflate the balloon, which will grow the Grinch’s heart three sizes!
“Maybe Christmas…perhaps…means a little bit more!”
How the Grinch Stole Christmas by Dr. Seuss
If you’re trying to figure out how to turn Christmas this year into something happy and joyful, please remember you are not alone. As a Christian, I have especially clung to this truth this year: that Jesus came to this earth, lived, and died for me so that I might join his Father in heaven. I don’t have to believe in Santa or the goodness of humanity or even in myself. All I have to believe is that I need Jesus’ love, and show my thankfulness for what He’s done for me every day.
Now if that isn’t a hope-filled Christmas message, I don’t know what is!
Praying for you all and wishing you a very merry Christmas! Happy Questing!
