I love teaching about Groundhog Day. Living just a few hours from Punxsutawney, it’s always a big deal in our area — and my students get so excited waiting to see if Punxsutawney Phil spots his shadow.
Over the years, I’ve found that Groundhog Day crafts paired with prediction writing are one of the easiest ways to make this day meaningful without overcomplicating it. When students can create something with their hands and explain their thinking, the learning really sticks.
Here are two Groundhog Day crafts I use in my classroom, along with prediction writing prompts that work well for a range of learners.
Paper Plate Groundhog Burrow Craft
A Groundhog Day favorite is a paper plate burrow craft where the groundhog pops up out of the burrow. This one is especially engaging and always gets lots of excitement.
To make the burrow, I prepare paper plates ahead of time by folding them in half and stapling the top and sides together. Then I cut an opening in the top half of the plate. The groundhog is attached so it peeks out, just like Punxsutawney Phil on February 2nd.
Once the burrows are ready, students decorate the outside to look like an underground home. This is where you can really let creativity shine.
Decorating the burrow
This is a great place to add texture and creativity. Depending on time and materials, students can:
- Paint the plate brown, tan, or gray
- Sponge paint for a dirt effect
- Tear small pieces of paper and glue them on for texture
- Add yarn to represent roots or tunnels
- Sprinkle coffee grounds onto glue for a realistic “earth” look
- Use cotton lightly stretched with paint for snow
Each burrow turns out a little different, which makes the display even better.
After the burrow dries, students color and cut out the groundhog pattern. I have them fold the bottom of the groundhog slightly and glue it inside the plate so it looks like the groundhog is popping out of the burrow.
Groundhog Day Prediction Writing
An optional extension to this craft is to have students complete a prediction writing prompt.
They can finish the sentence in different ways, depending on how you want to approach it:
- I predict the groundhog will see his shadow.
- I predict the groundhog will not see his shadow.
- Or they can pretend they are the groundhog and write:
- I predict six more weeks of winter.
- I predict an early spring.
Students can add pictures to match their predictions. These turn into an adorable and meaningful Groundhog Day display.
Groundhog Shapes Craft with Prediction Writing
One of my favorite ways to celebrate Groundhog Day is with a shapes-based groundhog craft. I love this one because we are working on shape recognition this time of year, so it’s a fun, seasonal way to review shapes by building a craft.
Students build a groundhog using simple shapes, then make a prediction about what they think the groundhog will do on Groundhog Day.
To make this work for different classrooms and time constraints, I do two versions of the Groundhog Shapes Craft:
✂️ Option 1: Full Cut-and-Glue Craft (More Hands-On)
This version is perfect if you have a little more time or want a more detailed craft.
Students:
- Cut out the groundhog body and shape pieces (eyes, nose, mouth, ears, teeth, paws)
- Assemble their groundhog using basic shapes
- Choose a prediction writing prompt (winter or spring)
- Write their prediction about whether the groundhog will see his shadow
I love using this version with kindergarten, first grade, or second grade students when we want to slow down and really focus on fine motor skills, shape recognition, and careful assembly.
🎨 Option 2: Low-Prep, Faster Version (Great for Younger Students or Busy Days)
This version is a time-saver and works beautifully for:
- Preschool or younger kindergarten students
- Shorter class periods
- Teachers who want the same learning outcome with less prep
Students:
- Color the groundhog and writing prompt directly on the page
- Glue on just a few facial features (eyes, nose, muzzle, teeth)
- Write or draw their prediction right on the template
Because the writing prompt is already included on the page, students can focus on expressing their prediction without needing as much cutting or assembly time.
Both versions create adorable displays and allow students to share their thinking — you can choose the option that best fits your class, or even let different groups use different versions.
Why These Crafts Work So Well
I love these Groundhog Day crafts because they:
- Encourage students to make predictions and explain their thinking
- Build fine motor skills through cutting and gluing
- Support early writing without feeling overwhelming
- Create display-ready work that students are proud of
- Naturally connect to lessons about shadows and weather
Most importantly, students stay engaged and excited — which makes Groundhog Day more fun!
Teacher Tip: Both of these Groundhog Day crafts create adorable hallway or bulletin board displays, and students love seeing how everyone’s predictions turn out. I like having students share their predictions aloud before we hang them up — it sparks great conversation and gets everyone excited for Groundhog Day.
If you would like to use these Groundhog Day crafts and prediction writing activities with your students, these projects are available together in one easy-to-use resource with all patterns, writing prompts, bulletin board letters, and step-by-step directions included — making prep quick and stress-free.
👉 You can find the Groundhog Day Crafts & Prediction Writing resource here.
Want to Extend the Learning?
If you’d like to turn Groundhog Day into more than just a one-day activity, you may also want to check out my Groundhog Day & Shadows Bundle. It includes interactive lessons, shadow experiments, a class book, a weather tracking activity, a book list, and more that build on these crafts and help carry the learning over several days.
👉 Click here to explore the Groundhog Day & Shadows Bundle.
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