Weather Prediction Activities for Groundhog Day

We predict your child will have lots of fun with these Groundhog Day prediction activities!

Preschool and Kindergarten Groundhog Day Activities

I’m a Little Groundhog

Original Author Unknown
(Tune: I'm a Little Tea Pot)

I'm a little groundhog short and stout.
On February second, I will come out.
If I see my shadow, they will shout,
"Six more weeks of winter no doubt!"

Groundhog Day: Making a Prediction Based on Weather Data

In Punxsutawney, Pennsylvania, tradition states that if resident groundhog, Punxsutawney Phil, sees his shadow on February 2nd, winter will continue for six more weeks. If he does not see his shadow, spring will come early.

After explaining this tradition to children, introduce the activity. Tell children that they will make a prediction about whether Punxsutawney Phil will see his shadow after collecting weather information for one week. Explain that making a prediction means forming an idea about a future event based on information that has already been learned. To make a prediction, all possible outcomes must be considered.

One week before Groundhog Day, have children track the weather daily. Choose one child per day to announce the day's weather and place the matching weather card on the board.

groundhog day weather prediction preschool activity

Preschool Activities:

Media Root

Weather Cards (Available inside our KidsSoup Resource Library)

Have each child record the weather on his/her own weather chart.

Preschool Activities:

Media Root

Weather Report Chart on Kidssoup

On the day before Groundhog Day, have children review their weather charts and decide if the weather was mostly sunny or mostly cloudy/rainy/snowy. Explain that shadows occur when the sun is shining and an object (person, place, or thing) blocks the sun's rays from hitting the ground. Based on their weather charts, children need to decide what they think they weather will be like the next day. Then, they need to make a prediction about whether the groundhog will see his shadow. Make a class graph that shows how many children predict the groundhog will see his shadow and how many predict that the groundhog will not see his shadow.

Preschool Activities:

Media Root

Let each child color a groundhog and place it in the "yes" or "no" column to show his/her prediciton.

Free Groundhog printables:

Preschool Activities:

Media Root

Preschool Activities:

Media Root

Preschool Activities:

Media Root

Groundhog Day Craft

Groundhog and his shadow preschool craft and activity

Preschool Activities:

Media Root

On Groundhog Day, check the Punxatawney Phil Webcast to see if the groundhog sees his shadow or not. Then, review the class graph to see how many children predicted the groundhog's action correctly. Follow-up by continuing to record weather data for six more weeks to check the groundhog's accuracy. Explain to children that even groundhogs aren't always right.