This week, we are celebrating our favorite long little friends, snakes! Snakes can be scary for most children and people, as many species of them can be dangerous. However, it is important to get kids familiar with snakes, and reptiles in general, so that they learn that the outside world isn’t so scary after all. We’re making a fun and versatile DIY Snake, and doing it all in our Giant TeePee. Keep reading for how to make the snakes and tie them into your upcoming holiday!
Giant Teepee
Looking for a teepee that is both stylish and sizable? Look no further! Our Giant Teepee features a classic design and can accommodate an entire team of children in one inspiring play space. Featuring double-stitched seams for reinforcement, No-See-Um mesh for plenty of airflow, and G-3 Safety-Coated Super Poles, this teepee is guaranteed to keep little ones safe and comfortable while they explore their imagination within four tall walls.
There is also an easy-to-clean waterproof floor and an included carry bag to allow for imaginative play and easy storage, no matter the terrain. Made from durable polyester taffeta and a tight weave that protects from pesky bugs, real-life snakes, and mosquitos, this 60″ x 60″ x 96″ teepee is built to last. The door can be tied back with radius cut hook-and-loop fasteners while the tunnel port can be used as another entrance or place to attach one of our high-quality tunnels. The sky is the limit when it comes to our Giant Teepee!
DIY Snakes
Inspired by Super Fun Printables, this easy-to-make DIY is fun to make and can be a great keepsake. Cozy up inside your Giant TeePee and start crafting away!
What You Need
- Printable
- Colored paper- Letter and tabloid size
- Scissors
- Glue
- Coloring markers/pencils/crayons (optional if you don’t use colored paper)
How You Make Them
- Print printable on colored paper, or on white paper if you want the kids to color it
- Cut out the stripes, head, tail, and tongue
- Start creating the chain by gluing the ends on the stripes.
- TIP: We allowed for about an inch of overlapping. Also, make sure that the first and the last loop match up for the head and tail.
- Loop the head and tail to each end
- Fold the little notch and glue it
- Glue the tongue to the bottom of the head
- Start slithering away!
Make It a Keepsake
Snakes might be known for being sneaky and cunning, but they’re also amazing creatures. Our Snake DIY can not only kill a couple of hours of boredom around the house, but you can also turn it into a unique and sweet keepsake to look back on in the years to come. Turn it into a gratitude chain, Year of the Snake, or use it as an educational tool!
Gratitude Chain
Thanksgiving is coming up and, while we have another great Thanksgiving DIY coming your way next week, you can get started early by using our DIY snake as a Gratitude Chain.
In between steps 2 and 3 of the DIY, have your little one write down all the things they are grateful for on the slips of paper. It can even be just as simple as Mommy, Daddy, and the doggie!
Not only is it a great way to get in the Thanksgiving spirit, but looking back on all of the simple, sweet things that your little one is thankful for will bring a smile to your face in years to come.
Snake of the Year
It’s no secret that 2020 hasn’t been the greatest year, but there are still so many great things that have happened. Quality family time, learning new skills, redecorating and reorganizing, and many more have come through the silver lining of a dark year.
Sit down with your little one and, in between steps 2 and 3, write down all the unique things that have happened to your family this year, and keep it up as the weeks roll on!
Educational Tool
Snakes are amazing creatures — they are much more than slithering reptiles who bite. Use this opportunity to teach your little one all about snakes!
Some facts you can teach them are:
- Snakes are carnivores (meat eaters).
- Snakes don’t have eyelids.
- Snakes can’t bite food so have to swallow it whole.
- Snakes have flexible jaws which allow them to eat prey bigger than their head!
- Snakes are found on every continent of the world except Antarctica.
- Snakes have internal ears but not external ones.
- Snakes used in snake charming performances respond to movement, not sound.
- There are around 3000 different species of snake.
- Snakes are covered in scales.
- Snakeskin is smooth and dry.
- Snakes shed their skin a number of times a year in a process that usually lasts a few days.
- Some species of snake, such as cobras and black mambas, use venom to hunt and kill their prey. Read more venomous snake facts.
- Snakes smell with their tongue.
- Some sea snakes can breathe partially through their skin, allowing for longer dives underwater.
- Anacondas are large, non-venomous snakes found in South America that can reach over 5 m (16 ft) in length.
- Python reticulates can grow over 8.7 m (28 ft) in length and are considered the longest snakes in the world.
Let Us Know!
Did you make our DIY Snake? How are you starting to memorialize 2020 and get ready for the Thanksgiving holiday? Let us know in the comments below or reach out to us on social media. Happy crafting!