Hey, Bunny Friends!

March is a month of magic and mischief—a time when rainbows stretch across the sky, leprechauns play their tricky games, and the world starts to wake up from its winter sleep. As I gaze out at the snow and dream of the first hints of green, I can’t help but feel the excitement of new possibilities. I am indeed a lucky lassie, and I hope you feel the same.

This month’s newsletter is packed with golden moments—activities that spark curiosity, laughter, and a wee bit of wonder. Whether you’re chasing rainbows or simply finding joy in the longer, brighter days, there’s something here to make March feel truly magical for the children in your life.

As always, my hope is to sprinkle a little inspiration your way—so you can turn everyday moments into treasured memories. May this month bring you luck, laughter, and plenty of reasons to dance a jig in the rain! With love and a pocketful of four-leaf clovers. - Mary

P.S.
I tried my best to come up with ten topics that aren’t St. Patrick’s Day, but my Irish genes forced me to include a special newsletter from the archives which celebrates all things St. Pat’s. There’s a link to it nestled at the end.

MARCH 1•PEANUT BUTTER LOVERS DAY

National Peanut Butter Lovers Day is a delicious excuse to explore all the wonders of peanut butter with children. From making it from scratch to using it as an artistic medium or science experiment, this day is all about creativity and indulgence. Peanut butter dates back to the late 1800s when it was first developed as a protein substitute for people who had difficulty chewing. Today, it’s a staple in households across the U.S. This day recognizes the versatility and nutrition of peanut butter, and its sheer deliciousness. If the kids in your life love peanut butter, this holiday is a guaranteed winner.

FIVE WAYS TO CELEBRATE PEANUT BUTTER LOVERS DAY

1. PEANUT BUTTER SCULPTURE
   If you really want to add some stickiness to the fun, transform jars of peanut butter into edible art. Challenge kids to create wild sculptures - from miniature landscapes to bizarre creature figurines. Award points for creativity and structural integrity. I just love art projects that stick to the roof of my mouth.

2. PEANUT BUTTER PAINTING
   Who needs paint when you have peanut butter? Use a thin layer of peanut butter as a base and let kids "draw" designs on crackers, toast, or apple slices using toppings like raisins, chocolate chips, or jelly. Its always an extra bonus when your masterpiece is edible!

3. DIY PEANUT BUTTER WORKSHOP
   Turn your kitchen into a peanut butter factory! Grind roasted peanuts, add a drizzle of honey, a pinch of salt, or even a dash of cinnamon to create your own custom blend. Kids will love experimenting with flavors, and the results will be tasty enough to rival anything from the grocery store.

4. PEANUT BUTTER BAKING DAY
   Pick out four or five kid-friendly peanut butter recipes and host a baking (and eating) party. Be sure to use crunchy, creamy, natural, or flavored peanut butters to add to the gooey excitement. You can find some easy recipes online or HERE After the masterpieces have cooled, the taste test begins! Kids can score their favorites and learn about the subtle differences in taste and texture. It’s a great way to engage their taste buds while teaching decision-making skills. And who doesn’t love a contest with prizes?

5. PEANUT BUTTER SCIENCE EXPERIMENT
   Discover the science behind emulsions by making peanut butter slime! Using equal parts of peanut butter, powdered sugar, and a bit of cornstarch, you can create a stretchy, edible concoction that’s as fun to play with as it is to eat. First, whisk together peanut butter and corn syrup. Once the mixture is smooth, gradually add the cornstarch, stirring as your go, until that magical moment when slime starts to form. Kids will learn the magic of chemistry in a hands-on way. Tip: If it’s two sticky to little fingers, add in a little more corn starch until it’s perfect.

MARCH 2 • THE BIRTHDAY OF DR. SEUSS

Dr. Seuss's birthday has evolved into a cherished celebration of reading and creativity across America. This beloved author revolutionized children's literature with his whimsical characters, playful rhymes, and imaginative stories that tackled serious topics with a light touch. The National Education Association launched "Read Across America Day" in 1998, intentionally coinciding with Dr. Seuss's birthday to inspire a love of reading in young people. While the day was initially heavily focused on Seuss's works, it has expanded to celebrate diverse authors and stories, with special honors to the original Cat in the Hat creator.

FIVE WAYS TO CELEBRATE THE BIRTHDAY OF DR. SEUSS

1. TRUFFULA TREE FOREST
   Transform an ordinary space into a Truffula Tree Forest from “The Lorax.” Use pool noodles, tissue paper, and creativity. Take it further by setting up "environmental action stations" where kids can learn about conservation through hands-on activities, connecting to the themes of "The Lorax." They might create art from recycled materials, plant real seeds, or design posters about protecting their own local environment. You can find more Truffula Tree and Lorax crafts HERE

2. MADE-UP WORD DICTIONARY
   Make your own “Made-Up Word Dictionary" party where kids create their own Seussian vocabulary, complete with definitions, illustrations, and example sentences. Just like Dr. Seuss invented words like "nerd" and "grinch," children can let their imaginations run wild creating words like "zoop" (the sound your sock makes when it's stuck in the vacuum) or "flibbersnack" (a sandwich that keeps changing flavors as you eat it). Create a family dictionary to keep and expand each year at your annual Dr. Seuss celebration.

3. DR. SEUSS SCIENCE FUN
   Organize a "Seuss Food Science Lab" where kids experiment with green eggs (using natural food coloring) and explore the chemistry behind why eggs change color when cooked. Take it further with other food experiments inspired by Seuss books, like creating rainbow milk swirls for "One Fish, Two Fish" or studying the physics of stack-building with cookies for "The Cat in the Hat Comes Back."

4. THE DR. SEUSS ENGINEERING CHALLENGE
   Launch a "Thing One and Thing Two Engineering Challenge" where teams compete to build machines that would help the Cat in the Hat clean up messes. Using simple materials like cardboard, rubber bands, and recycled items, kids design and test their inventions. Award prizes for categories like "Most Likely to Actually Work" or "Most Ridiculously Complicated."

5. DR. SEUSS ALGORITHM GAME
   Create a "What Pet Should I Get?" algorithm game where kids develop a flowchart or decision tree to help match fictional pets with their perfect owners. Include questions about habitat, diet, and special care needs for imaginary creatures. This combines computational thinking with creative writing as kids develop detailed profiles for both the pets and their potential owners.

MARCH 6 • OREO COOKIE DAY

National Oreo Cookie Day pays homage to every American’s favorite sandwich cookie. Since its debut in 1912, the Oreo has become a global snack phenomenon, with millions enjoying its classic combination of chocolate wafers and sweet cream filling. This day is all about indulging in Oreos while exploring their versatility and irresistible charm.

FIVE WAYS TO CELEBRATE OREO COOKIES DAY

1. BUILD AN OREO TOWER
   Host a friendly competition to see who can stack the tallest tower of Oreos before it topples. It's a simple yet fun activity that tests patience and balance! Give a prize for the tallest, most structurally complex Oreo tower. You can make it more of a learning experience if you point out principles of balance, weight distribution, and architectural design.To make it even more competitive, give each child a plastic placemat on which to build their tower. The game rule is that any oreo cookies that topple and land outside the placemat are fair game. Tip: Assure your kids are old enough to enjoy the free-for-all that is sure to ensue without sobbing over broken or stolen cookies.

2. OREO TASTE TEST CHALLENGE

   Explore the wild world of Oreo flavors with a blind taste test. From classic to double-stuffed, mint, and birthday cake, see which one earns the title of the household favorite. The flavors are endless. If you’d like a complete list of the 85+ oreo flavors, just click HERE

3. PACKAGING DESIGN
   Give your kids a white bakery bag to use as a canvas. Haul out your art supplies and include craft supplies like ribbons, glitter, and do-dads. Challenge them to make up the name of an oreo cookie flavor and design a package for it. Hang them in a gallery.

4. OREO ICE CREAM SANDWICHES
   Let kids sandwich their favorite ice cream flavors between two Oreo cookies. Add sprinkles or dip the edges in melted chocolate for an extra-special treat.

5. OREO PARTY

   Use the activities above and host an Oreo Party. Decorate with black and white balloons and streamers arranged to mimic Oreo's twisty pattern; large paper Oreo cookies on the walls made from black and white construction paper; jars filled with Oreos as centerpieces.
   
   If you need to swap or add some activites, consider handing out small cardboard pizza rounds to design their own oreo. You could also have a “Twist-off Contest” to see who can get the perfect separation. Also fun is the Oreo Face Race. Balancing a cookie on your forehead, the goal is to get it into your mouth without using your hands. First to succeed wins a prize.

MARCH 14 • CHILDREN’S CRAFT DAY

Children’s Craft Day is a vibrant nod to creativity and the joy of making things with your hands. It celebrates children's creativity and the importance of artistic expression by encouraging exploration of various craft techniques and materials.

FIVE WAYS TO CELEBRATE CHILDREN’S CRAFT DAY

1. SENSORY NATURE COLLAGES
   Take a nature walk and collect leaves, twigs, and flowers. Encourage your artists to focus on different sensory experiences - textured, aromatic, or interactive crafts that engage multiple senses. Use the treasures from your nature walk to make beautiful, sensory collages that reflect the season. It’s a perfect way to blend art with the great outdoors.

2. MYSTERY CRAFT CHALLENGE
   Assemble a “mystery bag” of random craft materials—pipe cleaners, buttons, felt, popsicle sticks—and challenge kids to make something unique from the supplies. Bonus points for adding a theme, like “space” or “under the sea”!

3. UPCYCLED TREASURES
   Teach kids about sustainability by turning household items—like jars, cereal boxes, or old socks—into fun crafts. For example, transform a sock into a quirky puppet or a jar into a glittery snow globe.

4. GLOW-IN-THE-DARK CRAFTS
   Add an element of surprise with glow-in-the-dark paint! Have kids decorate rocks, posters, or even T-shirts that come alive when the lights go out.

5. MINIATURE DIORAMA 

   Provide shoeboxes, figurines, and craft supplies for kids to build miniature dioramas of their dream worlds—be it a dinosaur jungle, fairy garden, or futuristic cityscape.

MARCH 14 • BUTTERFLIES DAY

National Learn About Butterflies Day transforms scientific learning into an immersive, hands-on exploration. Raising awareness about these delicate pollinators and their critical role in ecosystem health, this day promotes butterfly conservation. Alas, where I live, we have quite a wait until our butterflies arrive, so we would save these ideas for later.

FIVE WAYS TO CELEBRATE BUTTERFLIES DAY

1. BUTTERFLY WINGS’ SECRET MESSAGES
   Show pictures of different butterfly wing patterns. Discuss how they can mean:

   • "Stay away, I'm poisonous!"
   • "I'm looking for a mate!"
   • "I'm trying to blend in!"
   Give each student colored paper. Have them create three sets of butterfly wings that communicate: a warning message, a friendly greeting, or a camouflage pattern. Encourage symmetry in designs. Have kids label what each pattern means on the back of the paper.
   Now it’s time for the Pattern Recognition Game. Display the kid-created wings. Everyone guesses what each pattern means. Kids explain their communication choices.

2. BUILD A BUTTERFLY FEEDER
   Show kids how to make a simple butterfly feeder. On a shallow dish or plate, place a sponge soaked in a sugary water solution. It will attract butterflies to feed on the liquid by landing on the plate and accessing the sugar water through the sponge. This makeshift food source for butterflies welcomes them to your yard or garden.

3. FLY YOUR WINGS
   Use cardboard, markers, and glitter to help kids design and wear their own butterfly wings. Stage a "butterfly fly-in" afterward to practice butterfly movements.
   • Rapid wing fluttering = excitement.

   • Slow wing opening and closing = warming up.

   • Quick closing = danger nearby.

4. BUTTERFLY LIFE CYCLE COOKIES
   Bake cookies that illustrate the butterfly’s life cycle. Use frosting, sprinkles, and candies to create the egg, caterpillar, chrysalis, and butterfly stages. It’s a delicious way to teach biology!

5. PLANT A BUTTERFLY GARDEN
   Teach kids about pollinator-friendly plants like milkweed, zinnias, and marigolds by planting a small inexpensive butterfly garden. This activity combines gardening and conservation in a meaningful way. A trip to pick out their plants at a nursery can add to the fun.

MARCH 20•THEATRE DAY

World Day of Theatre for Children and Young People celebrates performance as a powerful tool for education, empathy, and social transformation. It lets kids step into the spotlight and unleash their creativity through theatre.

FIVE WAYS TO CELEBRATE THEATRE DAY

1. PUPPET SHOW
   Craft puppets from socks, paper bags, or cardboard and let kids perform their own play. Encourage them to write a short script or improvise a story for their audience. Don’t forget to make a play bill too!

2. STORYTELLING CIRCLE
   Host a storytelling session where kids take turns adding to a story. Use props like hats or wands to inspire creativity and let the tale unfold in unexpected ways.

3. MINI THEATER SET
   Have children construct a miniature stage using shoeboxes or cardboard. They can add backdrops, props, and characters to create their own theatrical scenes.

4. COSTUME CREATION WORKSHOP
   Dive into the world of costumes by letting kids design and wear outfits made from items you have around the house. Host a mini fashion show or reenact a favorite play.

5. THEATER IN THE WILD
   Take the theatre outdoors! Create a short play inspired by nature and have kids perform in the backyard or park. Natural settings make for a magical stage.

MARCH 20•FROG DAY

World Frog Day hops into the spotlight to honor our amphibian friends. This day raises awareness about the importance of frogs in our ecosystems and the threats they face, including habitat loss and climate change. Frogs are fascinating creatures, with over 7,000 species around the globe, playing a crucial role as both predator and prey in the food chain. Beyond their ecological importance, frogs are often seen as symbols of transformation and adaptability. Here’s some ideas to helo you make World Frog Day a ribbit-ing success with children? Here are five creative and fun ways to celebrate.

FIVE WAYS TO CELEBRATE FROG DAY

1. FROG ART STUDIO
   Transform a plain afternoon into a frog-inspired art session. Use recycled materials to craft frog masks, paint vibrant tree frogs, or even create frog puppets for storytelling. Add a fun fact challenge: for every frog they draw, kids share one fascinating fact about their chosen species.

2. FROG HABITATS
   Bring out the inner conservationist by building a mini frog habitat. Gather a shallow container, some pebbles, soil, water, and plants to create a little wetland. Discuss the importance of clean water and shelter for frogs and how pollution impacts them. Bonus: If you have a pond nearby, take a trip to observe frogs in the wild!

3. FROG CHOIR
   Take a nighttime walk to listen for frog songs. Bring along flashlights and a guidebook or app to identify the different frog calls. For a creative twist, record the sounds and encourage kids to "compose" their own frog-inspired music. They can mimic the croaks, chirps, and trills using musical instruments or their voices.

4. FROG OLYMPICS
   Host a Frog Olympics in your backyard or local park! Children can mimic frog movements like long jumps, lily pad hopping (using cut-out paper circles), and "catching flies" with sticky Velcro balls. Add a science twist by learning about how frogs’ powerful legs and sticky tongues help them survive. Award "gold medals" for the froggiest leaps!

5. FROG CUISINE FOR HUMANS
   While actual frogs may not be on the menu, you can prepare frog-themed snacks like "frog-eye salad" (made with tiny pasta), green cupcakes with candy frog toppers, or cucumber "lily pad" bites. Pair snack time with a kid-friendly frog documentary for an educational twist.

MARCH 21 - POETRY DAY

World Poetry Day is a UNESCO-declared occasion that honors the art of poetry and its ability to capture the essence of life. From haikus to ballads, poetry invites us to slow down, reflect, and connect with our inner emotions. So, how can you make World Poetry Day unforgettable for kids? Let’s explore five creative ways to celebrate.

FIVE WAYS TO CELEBRATE WORLD POETRY DAY

1. OPEN MIC NIGHT
   Host an open mic night at home. Invite kids to perform their favorite poems or their own creations. To make it extra special, decorate the room with fairy lights and provide a microphone or a fun stage setup. For shy participants, a puppet or stuffed animal can be a stand-in performer!

2. POETRY SCAVENGER HUNT
   Design a scavenger hunt with poetic clues leading to hidden treasures (like books, snacks, or small toys). Each clue could be a rhyming riddle or a short verse. This activity combines the thrill of discovery with the joy of creating and solving poetry!

3. MAGNETIC POETRY PLAY
   Turn your fridge or a magnetic board into a poetry playground! Use magnetic poetry kits or create your own by cutting out words from old magazines and attaching magnets. Encourage kids to experiment with silly or heartfelt combinations. Challenge them to craft a short poem about a favorite memory or their wildest dream.

4. NATURE WALK POETRY
   Take a stroll outdoors and gather inspiration from nature. Encourage kids to jot down what they see, hear, and feel—from chirping birds to rustling leaves. Back at home, help them turn their notes into a beautiful nature-inspired poem. This is a great way to blend mindfulness with creativity.

5. BLACKOUT POETRY ART
   Provide kids with old newspapers or magazines to create blackout poetry. They’ll choose words or phrases that stand out and black out the rest of the text to reveal a hidden poem. To make it even more artistic, encourage them to decorate the page with drawings or patterns.

MARCH 23 • WORLD MATH DAY

World Math Day makes math fun and engaging. The day aims to promote the joy of mathematics and improve number skills worldwide. With its focus on making math exciting and accessible, this day encourages kids to tackle challenges, explore problem-solving, and see the beauty in numbers.

FIVE WAYS TO CELEBRATE WORLD MATH DAY

1. MATHEMATICAL ART
   Introduce kids to math-inspired art, such as creating patterns with tessellations or exploring the Fibonacci sequence with spirals. Let them design their own geometric masterpieces using rulers, compasses, or digital tools. Discuss how math influences art and nature. The Institute for Art Integration and STEAM offers some great math-inspired art activities for kids right HERE

2. MATH IN THE KITCHEN
   Cooking is a delicious way to explore math concepts like measurements, fractions, and conversions. Have kids help measure ingredients for cookies or calculate portions for a recipe. Turn it into a challenge: How many cookies will we have if we double the recipe? Here’s eight math-filled cooking activities for kids. Click HERE

3. MATH ESCAPE ROOM
   Create a math-themed escape room at home. Develop puzzles and riddles involving basic arithmetic, geometry, or logic to "unlock" the next clue. Set the scene with a treasure hunt or a mission to save the world. This activity combines teamwork and critical thinking for a memorable experience. Magicore Learning offers free escape room resources HERE

4. MATH WALK
   A "math walk" incorporates mathematical concepts into a walking activity by counting objects, identifying shapes in the environment, measuring distances, or observing patterns in nature, essentially turning everyday surroundings into a learning opportunity for math skills; some ideas include counting specific items like cars, trees, or steps, measuring the circumference of tree trunks, identifying geometric shapes in buildings, or exploring repeating patterns in leaves or fences.  This is a superb resource for creating a Math Walk. Click HERE

5. FRIENDLY MATH COMPETITIONS
   Host a mini math competition with trivia, speed challenges, or mental math games. Keep it lighthearted with small prizes or funny titles like "Master of Multiplication" or "King of Calculations." This activity can build confidence and celebrate kids’ math skills. A website called “Figure This” offers a host of fun family math competitions to get you started. Click HERE

MARCH 29 • MERMAID DAY

Mermaid Day is a magical occasion to dive into the enchanting world of mythical sea creatures. While its origins are murky, the day is widely embraced by lovers of folklore and fantasy. Mermaids, with their shimmering tails and captivating songs, have inspired stories, art, and imaginations for centuries. This whimsical holiday is perfect for immersing kids in a world of creativity and wonder. Help them make a splash!

FIVE WAYS TO CELEBRATE MERMAID DAY

1. MERMAID DANCE PARTY
   Create a playlist of ocean-themed songs and host a mermaid dance party. Kids can move like mermaids, pretend to swim, or "splash" to the beat. Incorporate scarves or ribbons to mimic underwater movement. I couldn’t believe my eyes: there’s actually a website called “Ocean-themed Songs for Kids.” Click HERE

2. MERMAID TREASURE HUNT
   Hide "treasures" like shells, pearls (plastic beads), or shiny coins around your home or yard. Create a treasure map with riddles or clues that lead to each hidden item. Try to combine imagination with problem-solving for a fin-tastic adventure!

3. MERMAID CRAFTS
   Set up a crafting station with materials like glitter, sequins, and fabric to make mermaid crowns, wands, or tails. Encourage kids to invent their own mermaid characters and back story, complete with names and special powers. A simple internet search will offer thousands of mermaid craft ideas for various ages and abilities.

4. OCEAN-INSPIRED SCIENCE LAB
   Teach kids about real marine life with a science twist. Set up simple experiments, like exploring saltwater density with floating objects or creating "ocean jars" with blue water and oil. Discuss the importance of protecting our oceans and marine creatures. Here are some wonderful ocean experiments for kids from Science Fun’s website. Click HERE

5. UNDERWATER STORYTIME
   Transform story time into an underwater adventure. Dim the lights, make a space on the floor using blue sheets or fabric for a watery effect. Scatter some sea shells. Add background sound effects like waves or bubbling water to enhance the experience. Read mermaid tales or watch mermaid movie. Dress up as mermaids or sea creatures to join in the fun.

MARCH 17 • ST. PATRICK DAY

Please enjoy this Granny Bunny Fun newsletter from the archives. The entire issue is devoted to some of our St. Patty’s Day fun. Click HERE

WISHING YOU LUCK & LOVE