People have been gathering in Punxsutawney, Pennsylvania, to celebrate Groundhogs Day since the late 1800s. In fact, the first Groundhog’s Day was on February 2nd, 1887. Thousands of people attend Groundhog’s Day celebrations yearly in Punxsutawney, Pennsylvania. Here are some Groundhog Day facts that may help answer those kid questions. Photo by Chris Flook. Here are some of our teacher team’s favorite fun Groundhog Day facts for kids: The most famous groundhog on Groundhog Day is Punxsutawney Phil, who lives in Punxsutawney, Pennsylvania. Phil isn’t the first groundhog to celebrate the holiday Amazing Groundhog Day Facts For Kids 2025. Punxsutawney Phil is the well-known groundhog who foretells the weather in Pennsylvania’s Punxsutawney. Tradition has it that winter will continue for an additional six weeks if a groundhog sees its shadow on February 2. Phil lives in Punxsutawney, Pennsylvania, where every Groundhog Day people wait for him to come out of his burrow. Legend has it that if Phil sees his shadow, six more weeks of winter will follow. Also known as woodchucks, groundhogs spend much of their days alone, foraging for plants and grasses and digging burrows up to 66 feet long. Groundhog Day is celebrated in the United States and Canada on February 2. On this day, according to tradition, people watch the behavior of a groundhog (also called a woodchuck) to find out what the weather will be like for the next six weeks. If the animal sees its shadow as it comes out of its burrow, there will be six more weeks of wintery Groundhog Day Facts. The first Groundhog Day celebration took place in Punxsutawney, Pennsylvania. Pennsylvania’s Punxsutawney Phil, the famous groundhog, has been predicting the weather since 1887. If a groundhog sees its shadow on Groundhog Day, legend says there will be six more weeks of winter. In some places, Groundhog Day is also known Learn Groundhog Day facts for kids. The weather-predicting animal on Candlemas usually was the badger, although regionally the animal was the bear or the fox.The original weather-predicting animal in Germany had been the bear, another hibernating mammal, but when they grew scarce the lore became altered. Groundhog Day is a holiday celebrated in the United States and Canada on February 2. On this day the behavior of a groundhog (or woodchuck) is said to predict the weather for the next six weeks. If the groundhog comes out of his burrow and sees his shadow, the weather supposedly will be cold and wintry. Groundhog Day, celebrated on February 2nd every year, is a quirky and charming holiday that offers a unique opportunity for young students to engage in fun and educational activities. On this day, people eagerly await the emergence of Punxsutawney Phil, a famous groundhog, to predict the arrival of spring. In 1886 the Punxsutawney newspaper declared February 2nd as Groundhog Day and named the local groundhog as Punxsutawney Phil. Since then the day and tradition has spread throughout the United States. Fun Facts About Groundhog Day. This day is the official holiday of the University of Texas at Irving where they have a big celebration each year. Groundhog Day may sound silly, but the traditions and little facts of the day really make it a fun one to share with your kids. You can stream Punxsutawney Phil coming out of his burrow on Feb. 2 1993 - Columbia Pictures releases the movie, "Groundhog Day," starring Bill Murray.In the years following the release of the movie, crowds numbering as high as 30,000 have visited Gobbler's Knob Quick Facts: – The famous groundhog who predicts the weather in Punxsutawney Pennsylvania is Punxsutawney Phil. According to this day’s tradition, if a groundhog sees its shadow on February 2nd, winter will last another six weeks. If he does not see his shadow that means spring will arrive soon. Groundhogs were not the first animal forecasters. Fun Ways to Use Groundhog Day Coloring Pages. Pair Coloring with a Story; Start the activity by reading a book about Groundhog Day or sharing fun facts about groundhogs. Then, let kids color pages featuring the furry weather predictor and related themes. This helps them make connections between the craft and the story. Add a Weather Lesson Groundhog Day Facts. The first Groundhog Day celebration took place in Punxsutawney, Pennsylvania. Pennsylvania’s Punxsutawney Phil, the famous groundhog, has been predicting the weather since 1887. If a groundhog sees its shadow on Groundhog Day, legend says there will be six more weeks of winter. In some places, Groundhog Day is also known See the fact file below for more information on Groundhog Day or download the BUMPER 22 worksheet pack which can be utilised within the classroom or home environment. Groundhog Day Origin: Groundhog Day celebrations began as part of the Pennsylvanian German tradition during the 1800s. Groundhog Day for Kids–a video; Groundhog Day Games; Groundhog Day Teaching Resources; History of Groundhog Day–from History.com; Punxsutawney Groundhog Club Website; Why Groundhogs Supposedly Predict the Weather–video; For the 100th day of school, here are resources (if these sound familiar, we updated last year’s list): Geography Phil lives in Punxsutawney, Pennsylvania, where every Groundhog Day people wait for him to come out of his burrow. Legend has it that if Phil sees his shadow, six more weeks of winter will follow. Also known as woodchucks, groundhogs spend much of their days alone, foraging for plants and grasses and digging burrows up to 66 feet long. Groundhog Day Kids STEM Activity. This Groundhog Day, mix a little science, art, and math for a hands-on STEM adventure! Get ready to predict—will your groundhog spot its shadow or not? This fun and interactive activity is the perfect way for kids to learn, explore, and celebrate the day in a totally exciting way! If your students enjoyed the groundhog shape matching, they might get a kick out of these ideas, too: Paper Plate Groundhog Craft; Groundhog Day Pancakes; Groundhog Finger Puppet Craft; Or do you already have a few favorite groundhog ideas up your sleeve?
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