April Themes and Resources | Your Morning Basket

The sun is shining more, spring bulbs are blooming, and the kids and adults alike are ready to get outside. It is undeniable that spring is in the air! It is a great time to observe the changes in nature, but weather can still be unpredictable–April showers do bring May flowers after all. Our nature study, liturgical living, food, books, and learning ideas will get you started for a month of family learning fun.

Nature Study In April

Animals that we have not seen all winter are out of hibernation and birds are migrating, what animals can you put in your nature journal? Don’t forget the animals inside your home, observe your pets too. It is also time to get out into the garden, just be sure to check your zone to see if it time to plant where you live.

Pink Moon
National Pet Day (11) Read this fun article about hero pets. Learn about some presidential pets that have lived at the White House!
Celebrate Marguerite Henry’s birthday (13), the author of Misty of Chicoteaugue, by learning more about the Chincoteague Wild Ponies.
National Gardening Day (14) – Use left over cuttings and pits from your kitchen to grow your own garden. If you don’t have the inclination or space to have a big garden, container gardening might be ticket!
Audubon Day (26) – Look at some of John James Audubon’s beautiful works of art. Go observe some of the birds in your own yard or neighborhood. Add one to your nature journal or start a life list.
National Arbor Day (29) Go plant a tree!

Faith Themes In The Month of April

Most years Holy Week and Easter fall in the month of April.

Palm Sunday (2) – Make a cross from you palm fronds. Enjoy this poem by GK Chesterton.
Holy Week – Here are a number of faith-filled ideas.
Easter (9) – How will you keep Christ at the center of your Easter celebrations?
Divine Mercy Sunday (16) – Here are a number of ideas including some pretty yummy looking pancakes.

Food And Family Themes In April

There are lots of food related days this month, here are just a few. If your kids are like mine, they will likely be full of sugar from Easter candy, so we’ll be having burritos. Of course, there is always room for tea…

National Peanut Butter and Jelly Day (2)
National Burrito Day (7) – Make and eat your family’s favorite burritos.
National Grilled Cheese Sandwich Day (12) – Make and eat grilled cheese sandwiches.
National Animal Cracker Day (18) – Learn some fun facts about animal crackers, make your own, or simply grab some at the grocery store for a snack.
National Banana Day (20) – Learn about how bananas grow. Have a banana or make a banana dessert like banana bread or banana pudding.
National Tea Day (21) have a tea party! Explore how here.
National Jelly Bean Day (22) Do some jelly bean math!

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Books Perfect For April Learning

It’s the perfect time to cozy up with a good read. Enjoy these selections that celebrate the nature and holidays of this month.

The Tale of Three Trees: A Traditional Folktale by Angela Elwell Hunt
Teammates by Peter Golenbock
Animal Strike at the Zoo. It’s True! by Karma Wilson
Home Run: The Story of Babe Ruth by Robert Burleigh
Casey at the Bat by Ernest L. Thayer and Martin Gardner
The Boy Who Drew Birds: A Story of John James Audubon by Jacqueline Davies
From Seed to Sunflower by Mari Schuh
My Garden by Kevin Henkes
Misty of Chincoteague by Marguerite Henry
An Illustrated Treasury of Hans Christian Andersen’s Fairy Tales: The Little Mermaid, Thumbelina, The Princess and the Pea and many more classic stories by Hans Christian Andersen
How Many Jelly Beans? by Andrea Menotti
Me on the Map by Joan Sweeney
J Is for Jazz: A Roaring Twenties Alphabet by Greg Paprocki
Beezus and Ramona by Beverly Cleary

PinThe Tale of Three Trees: A Traditional Folktale PinTeammates PinAnimal Strike at the Zoo. It’s True!PinHome Run: The Story of Babe Ruth PinCasey at the Bat (Dover Children’s Classics)PinThe Boy Who Drew Birds: A Story of John James Audubon (Outstanding Science Trade Books for Students K-12)PinFrom Seed to Sunflower (Start to Finish, Second Series)PinMy Garden PinMisty of Chincoteague PinAn Illustrated Treasury of Hans Christian Andersen’s Fairy Tales: The Little Mermaid, Thumbelina, The Princess and the Pea and many more classic stories PinHow Many Jelly Beans?PinMe on the Map PinJ Is for Jazz: A Roaring Twenties Alphabet (BabyLit)PinBeezus and Ramona Movie Tie-in Edition (Ramona, 1)

April Field Trips For Your Homeschool Study

Lovely spring temperatures are here! Get outside and enjoy the local park or zoo.

Visit your local zoo. April 8 is National Zoo Lovers Day!
Go to watch a local baseball game. It doesn’t to be a professional game, even the Little Leagues will appreciate your support.
Go to the park. Take a day to just enjoy the lovely spring weather.

Enter your email to download our printable themes checklist and monthly calendar.

Crafts And Activities For April Learning

It’s a big month of birthdays and celebrations this month. Let us help you with some fun ideas.

National Humor Month. Find a new joke to tell your kids or for your kids to share.
National Poetry Month. Pick a poem to carry in your pocket for the month or try reading a new poem everyday.
It’s Jazz Appreciation Month. Take some time to learn a little bit about jazz music. Listen to some different artists you may just find a new favorite!
Hans Christian Andersen April 2. Read one of his famous stories.
National Read a Road Map Day (5) – map out a real trip or a dream vacation.
Beverly Cleary birthday is April 12. It is the perfect day to D.E.A.R – Drop Everything And Read!
National Scrabble Day (13) – Play a game!
Jackie Robinson Day (15) Learn more about this incredible baseball player that broke the lines of segregation in baseball and why his number 42 is retired from all teams in Major League Baseball.
Shakespeare’s birthday is celebrated April 22. Celebrate with a Shakespeare birthday party or some other Shakespeare resource. We have a list here.
National Skipping Day (24) – Skipping rope is a fun way to get in some exercise.
Babe Ruth Day (27) – More baseball! Check out Babe Ruth’s stats in the Baseball Hall of Fame. Watch a baseball game together or go outside and play baseball.

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More Monthly Themes

Want more monthly themes for your homeschool? Check out these other posts!

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Pam

Pam is the author of The Your Morning Basket Guide and Plan Your Year: Homeschool Planning for Purpose and Peace. She also is the host of three popular podcasts -- The Homeschool Snapshots Podcast, Your Morning Basket, and The Homeschool Solutions Show. She lives in the Deep South with her husband and three kids, where she is the go-to lady for great curriculum recommendations or a just a pep talk on a rough day.