Explore Polar Habitats: A Hands-On Arctic and Antarctica Homeschool Unit

If your homeschool could use a breath of frosty air (and maybe a mug of cocoa), it’s time to pack your parkas and head north—or south! Our Explore Polar Habitats Unit Study takes kids on a hands-on adventure through the icy worlds of the Arctic and Antarctica. Think penguins and polar bears, auroras and icebergs, art projects that sparkle, and experiments that make science come alive—all bundled into one cozy, open-and-go crate.

It’s everything you love about winter learning: curious kids, (manageably) messy art, real science, and zero stress about gathering supplies.

The polar regions are home to some of the most extreme conditions—and most fascinating creatures—on the planet. In this unit, your kids will explore the differences between the Arctic and Antarctica, learn about incredible adaptations of polar animals, and create beautiful art inspired by icy landscapes and northern lights.

We focus heavily on animals and nature in this unit, and we use our spine nonfiction book, DK Eyewitness: Arctic & Antarctic, to guide the learning. Each section of the guide connects to specific pages in the book, so you always know where to start!

We also dive into The Very, Very Far North by Dan Bar-el, a cozy and clever chapter book that’s perfect for a family read-aloud. With hot cocoa in hand (yes, we include that too), you can follow the adventures of Duane the Polar Bear and his animal friends while exploring themes of friendship, wonder, and the beauty of the unknown.

This all-inclusive homeschool unit brings the frozen frontiers right to your kitchen table. Inside, you’ll find over 25 hands-on activities across art, science, geography, literacy, and more—plus a collection of engaging books to guide your journey.

The crate includes:

• A step-by-step printed activity guide (with over 25 activities)

• Themed books, including Eyewitness Arctic & Antarctic, The Very, Very Far North, Emperor Penguins, and Northern Lights

• High-quality materials like Safari Ltd. Arctic & Antarctic TOOBs, Colorations acrylic paints, and a full brush set

• A Polar Journal for recording discoveries, sketches, and creative writing

Every activity is clearly labeled, fully prepped, and ready to go—because learning shouldn’t require 12 trips to the craft store!

Get ready to paint, experiment, read, and explore your way across the poles—every project in this unit brings Arctic and Antarctic learning to life in a totally hands-on way.

Bring the frozen landscapes to life through stunning art projects inspired by polar light and wildlife. Kids will paint dancing penguins, glowing northern lights, and icy polar bears—all while experimenting with techniques like double loading, splatter painting, and mixed media layering. 

From icy experiments to hands-on sensory play, this unit makes science feel like pure magic. Your child will test how blubber keeps animals warm, explore how melting ice sheets raise sea levels, and even create a “snowstorm in a cup.”

The sensory play bin adds an extra layer of discovery—combining water in two states of matter and playing with polymers that transform magical Insta-Snow into fluffy, frozen fun. Through every activity, kids see big scientific ideas like insulation, density, and climate in action—no worksheets, no boredom, just real, tangible learning.

This unit’s literacy tie-ins are just as rich as its art and science. Kids will fall in love with The Very, Very Far North by Dan Bar-el, following Duane the polar bear and his charming friends in a story that blends humor and heart. Discussion questions, art tie-ins, and rich hot cocoa (yes, we include that, too!) turn reading into a family book club experience.

They’ll also enjoy creative writing through poetry (Northern Lights Diamante Project!), journaling in a special Polar Journal, and even cursive practice that ties in beautifully with their polar learning theme.

Students will learn to compare the Arctic and Antarctica using dry erase Venn diagrams, explore how Indigenous peoples live in polar regions, and use animal figurines to sort and classify species native to each pole. The final Polar Habitats Diorama lets kids put it all together—creating their own miniature world of ice, snow, and animal life.

We built this unit to bring families together—to make learning feel like something you get to do together, not something you have to do.

Some of our favorite family moments from this unit include:

• Mixing up sensory snow and watching it come to life in your own icy habitat.

• Sipping hot cocoa during your Very, Very Far North family book club.

• Giggling as everyone waddles through the Penguin Egg Challenge.

• Sitting side by side painting polar bears and northern lights while snow falls outside.

These are the homeschool days that don’t just check a box on the planner—they become the stories your kids will tell later. The ones where science happened at the kitchen table, art supplies were spread across the floor, and everyone ended up covered in glitter but smiling anyway.

Because at its heart, Explore Polar Habitats isn’t just about Arctic animals or icy experiments—it’s about connection. It’s about slowing down, creating together, and seeing your child’s eyes light up as they discover something new right in front of you.

Prefer a plan? We’ve got you. The free 6-week pacing guide (included with your purchase) outlines exactly which activities to do each week. Whether you follow it to the letter or mix things up, it’s the perfect companion for families who like a little structure with their adventure.

For those who love library runs, our free printable Polar Habitats Book List is a must-have. It includes picture books, nonfiction titles, and early chapter books about polar animals, explorers, and icy ecosystems—perfect for extending the learning beyond the crate.

Because it’s more than a study of ice and snow—it’s a celebration of curiosity, creativity, and connection.

Families especially love that this unit:

Whether your homeschool runs on schedules or spontaneity, Explore Polar Habitats fits right in. It’s open-and-go, beautifully curated, and designed to help kids fall in love with learning—even when it’s freezing outside.