Don’t forget to celebrate Groundhog Day on February 2! Whether it’s early spring or six more weeks of winter from Punxsutawney Phil, you can enjoy the holiday with local events, cute snacks and even a moment or two of active learning. 

Local Celebration

Flight of Macaws: A Virtual Groundhog's Day Celebration with the Little Rock Zoo

The Little Rock Zoo will celebrate Groundhog's Day in a very unique way. Join the zoo Live via Facebook in Café Africa for a fascinating flight of the macaws! Who needs Punxsutawney Phil when we have these fabulous birds?

They will predict whether we have more months of winter or if spring is on its way. What will the prediction be?

When: Feb. 2 | 11 a.m. Where: facebook Cost: Free More info: website

Snack Inspiration 

Is it even a holiday without food? Here are a couple sweet traditions to start for this (sometimes neglected) holiday.

Groundhog Pancakes

via the Joys of Boys

In our family, we’ve started a tradition of special breakfasts on minor holidays. And many of these include pancakes (think red velvet for Valentine’s Day or pumpkin for Halloween). This little guy may have to join their ranks!

Ingredients:

  • pancake batter of choice

  • chocolate chips 

  • marshmallows 

  • bananas 

  • cinnamon 

For full recipe, click here. 

Groundhog Day Dirt Cups

via Thrilled by the Thought

Add a groundhog printable to the perennial kid fave “dirt cake” and BOOM, you’ve got yourself a perfectly-themed, crowd-pleasing snack. 

Ingredients:

  • 1 large package chocolate sandwich cookies

  • 1 cup powdered sugar

  • 1/2 stick softened butter

  • 8 ounces softened cream cheese

  • 2 boxes instant vanilla pudding

  • 3 1/2 cups milk

  • 12 ounces whipped topping 

For full recipe, click here. 

Enrichment Activities 

This holiday gives you the chance to read with your kid and introduce topics on wildlife, weather and shadows. Go groundhogs! 

Explore CALS

My answer for almost everything: find a book on it! And CALS has plenty of cute picture books and non-fiction options to dig deeper into the holiday.

Start your search here! 

Active learning: Shadow Race

via ReadWriteThink.org

This activity is inspired by the Shel Silverstien poem "Shadow Race" from his collection "A Light in the Attic." After reading the piece together, make a hypothesis with your kids and go outside to test it. I give this one bonus points for combining poetry, science and outside time! 

For full instructions, click here.