Groundhog Day is on its way, which might make you wonder how you can celebrate this unique holiday. There aren’t as many community celebrations for this fun day, so people are mostly left to their own devices when it comes to finding fun for the holiday. There are many ways to embrace the day while allowing to have some fun as you prepare for a long winter or the early signs of spring. These ten ideas will allow you to save some money while you celebrate and won’t require you to spend the entire day on the celebration either, which is perfect for busy schedules.
1. Make a Prediction
Without a doubt, one of the first things you might consider doing for the holiday is making a prediction. You can do this before the actual holiday, but if you choose to wait until the day of the holiday to make your prediction then you will need to do so early in the morning. You can make a prediction based on your gut feeling, current weather trends, or the temperature of the day. Once you’ve made your prediction, write it down so everyone will know where you stand. To add even more fun to the prediction, you might offer a prize to the people that guess correctly. This could be a planned activity for whichever season comes out on top, some form of food or candy, and so on. This activity is fun for the household, classrooms, and the workplace.
2. Go for a Hike
Part of the beauty of Groundhog Day is it seems to be right in the middle of the beauty that winter and spring bring to the table. Thus, it makes a great time for a hike. Even if the groundhog does call for more winter, you might find that you see small aspects of spring popping up here and there. Of course, if the groundhog calls for spring, then you’ll probably want to use the time to cherish the last elements of winter before the warmer weather arrives. No matter what the verdict, there is something special about this in-between period that will make a hike feel even more exhilarating. Before you head out, make sure you dress for the weather though, as you don’t want to catch a cold as the beautiful season arrives.
3. Groundhog Snacks
One fun way to make the most out of the holiday is to embrace groundhog inspired snacks. You might start by creating pancakes in the shape of a groundhog. This is surprisingly easy to do and will allow you to have some fun with breakfast while getting the whole family in the mood to celebrate. If you’re looking for a cute afternoon snack, then you might consider making dirt cups with groundhogs instead of worms. These cups are pretty easy to make too, and the kids will have a blast working on them. A fun dessert is groundhog cupcakes. Simply make some chocolate cupcakes then construct groundhogs out of Reese’s cup, chocolates, icing, and more. This is a real treat that will help make any verdict taste sweeter. Of course, there are a lot more options to choose from, so surf the net if you’re low on ideas.
4. Groundhog Crafts
Another fun way to embrace the holiday is to add some crafts to the mix. This is a great way to help kids have some fun with the holiday. You might start by making groundhog puppets. This can be done in a number of ways. One is to have the kids color a picture of a groundhog and then cut it out. Then paint a Styrofoam cup or leave it white to represent the snow. Finally, add a popsicle stick to the groundhog and push the stick through the bottom of the cup. This will allow kids to pop the groundhog up and down. Another fun idea is to make groundhog masks that kids can wear to celebrate. You can also make crafts that are based around the weather or shadows. Your creativity is the limit here, but there are also lots of fun ideas online to check out too.
5. Media
One of the best things to do on Groundhog Day is to embrace the media. The weather isn’t always the best on this day, so spending time under some blankets is one of the best things you can do. One of the most iconic forms of media is the film Groundhog Day. This comedy starring Bill Murray has been loved for years and can be a fun way to embrace everything that Groundhog Day has to offer. However, there are also lots of books that are based around children. You will find that these can help bring the household together while also teaching kids about the holiday. There are plenty of other things you can embrace in the media too, so keep an eye out for fun ideas that suit your needs.
6. Watch the Groundhog Appearance
Without a doubt, one of the most common things that you can do on Groundhog Day is watching the groundhog come out of his hole. There is a special place in Pennsylvania where it all happens. If you’re feeling dedicated to the holiday, then you can always watch the groundhog in person. However, if you’re like most of us, you’ll probably have to stream it online. You will be able to see it on many news stations too, which is one of the easiest ways to embrace the holiday.
7. Make Winter/Spring Plans
After you figure out whether or not you’ll get to enjoy an extra bit of winter or some springtime fun, then you can start planning to make the use of the time. If winter is in the cards then you might consider adding in some extra sled rides, photographing some of the scenery or going on one last ice skating trip. However, if spring is on its way then it might be time to start clearing out the yard, planning spring sports schedules, or enjoying a bit more of Mother Nature. The time is also perfect for planning out Spring Break plans, so you can get the discounts you deserve. This will definitely allow you to enjoy the time without having to stress out over the little things.
8. Track Shadows
Since the groundhog makes his decision based on his own shadow, you might find that playing with shadows can be a fun way to celebrate the occasion. There is a lot that you can do to enjoy this. For instance, you can make shadow puppets, have someone trace your shadow, and so on. However, one of the best ways to truly embrace the season is to track your shadow. This is a great option for kids because it will also teach them about shadows. For instance, have children stand outside in the morning and measure their shadow. Then do this again in the afternoon and evening. This will show children how their shadow changes throughout the day. This can also lead to a conversation about the groundhog’s decision, so children can gain a better understanding.
9. Embrace the Astrology of the Holiday
Interestingly enough, Groundhog Day actually takes place during an astrological event, just like many of the other holidays do. This Groundhog Day, February 2, arrives right around the period of Imbolc which is right around the middle of the winter and spring solstice. These astrological readings were a major part of the way our ancestors predicted the seasons. There is a lot to learn about these astrological predictions too, so if you want to put your mind to good use on Groundhog Day then studying this is always a great option. There is plenty of information online, but you might also check out your local library.
10. Make Garden Plans
No matter what the groundhog says, you might take this day to start planning out your garden. If winter is going to be a little longer, then you might want to consider planting seedlings. These will work wonders in the home when it is still too cold for planting. You can plant seedlings in egg crates, cups and so much more. If you start them now, they can easily start budding before planting season arrives, which will allow you to have your garden before you know it. However, if spring is arriving sooner then you might want to make plans for the garden itself. This might involve clearing out dead plants and drawing up a blueprint for what the new season will bring. By doing this, you will be able to celebrate the change or lack of change in the season.
Groundhog Day might not be a huge celebration for all, but it can still be a lot of fun if you allow it to be. These ten ideas will allow you to truly have fun during the holiday while actually learning a bit more about it. Now, Groundhog Day can have even more meaning than you’ve ever thought possible.
