Every year on February 2, a groundhog in a small town in Pennsylvania becomes famous for one morning. In 2027, Groundhog Day falls on Tuesday, February 2. Young children love the idea of an animal predicting the weather, and it is a perfect way to bring science, math and a little silliness into the middle of winter.

Here are simple Groundhog Day facts for kids and easy activities for PreK–2.

What Is Groundhog Day?

Groundhog Day is a fun tradition celebrated in the United States and Canada. The most famous celebration is in Punxsutawney, Pennsylvania. Early in the morning, crowds gather at a place called Gobbler’s Knob to watch a groundhog named Punxsutawney Phil come out of his burrow.

The legend says:

  • If the groundhog sees his shadow, there will be six more weeks of winter.
  • If he does not see his shadow, spring will come early.

For young children, you can say:

  • Groundhog Day is on February 2.
  • A groundhog named Phil comes out to “check” the weather.
  • Shadow means more winter. No shadow means an early spring.
  • It is a fun tradition, not a real weather forecast.

Where Did Groundhog Day Come From?

February 2 is about halfway between the shortest day of winter and the first day of spring. Long ago in Europe, people believed the weather on that day could tell them how much winter was left. In Germany, some people watched a badger or a hedgehog for its shadow. When German families settled in Pennsylvania, they chose the groundhog, an animal that lived all around them. The first official Groundhog Day at Gobbler’s Knob was held in 1887.

Groundhog Facts for Kids

  • Many names: Groundhogs are also called woodchucks. Some people call them whistle-pigs because they whistle when they sense danger.
  • Part of the squirrel family: Groundhogs are rodents, and they belong to the same family as squirrels and chipmunks.
  • Super diggers: They dig burrows under the ground with long tunnels and several rooms, including a room for sleeping.
  • Winter sleepers: Groundhogs hibernate in winter. Their heartbeat slows down, their body cools and they live on the fat they stored by eating all summer.
  • Plant eaters: They eat grass, clover, dandelions, berries and vegetables from gardens.
  • Growing teeth: Their front teeth never stop growing, so chewing keeps them the right size.
  • Not a great forecaster: When people compare Phil’s predictions with the real weather, he is right less than half the time.

The Science of Shadows

A shadow forms when something blocks light. On a sunny morning, the groundhog blocks the sunlight and makes a dark shape on the ground. On a cloudy morning, the light is soft and spread out, so there is little or no shadow. That means, in the legend, a sunny Groundhog Day brings more winter.

Easy Groundhog Day Activities for PreK–2

Shadow Tracing (Science)

On a sunny morning, take the class outside with chalk. Children take turns tracing each other’s shadows. Go back an hour later and stand in the same spots: has the shadow moved or changed size? Indoors, use a flashlight and a small toy animal to make shadows on the wall.

Will Phil See His Shadow? (Math)

Before February 2, each child votes with a sticky note under “Shadow” or “No shadow.” Count the votes together and compare: Which group has more? How many more? Kindergartners can build each number with cubes, and first and second graders can make a tally chart or bar graph. For more comparing practice, try our greater than, less than worksheets and our tips on teaching greater than and less than.

Groundhog Pop-Up Puppet (Fine Motor)

Children color a paper groundhog, glue it to a craft stick and push the stick through a hole in the bottom of a paper cup. Pop the groundhog up and down to act out the legend.

Build a Burrow (STEM)

With boxes, tubes and blocks, small groups build a burrow with a tunnel, a sleeping room and an exit. For more building challenges, see our screen-free STEM activities.

Six More Weeks? (Calendar Math)

Count six weeks on the calendar, starting from February 2, 2027. Six weeks is 42 days, which lands on March 16, a few days before the first day of spring on March 20.

Groundhog Day Words and Printables

Useful words to learn together: groundhog, shadow, burrow, hibernate, winter, spring, sun and predict. Turn them into a puzzle with our free word search maker, or count paper groundhogs with the ten frame worksheet maker.

A Little Fun in the Middle of Winter

Groundhog Day is a playful way to practice predicting, counting and observing, and to remind everyone that spring is on its way. Find more seasonal ideas in our seasonal activities and more hands-on science in our science activities.

More teaching guides for January and February: MLK Day, Lunar New Year, Black History Month, the 100th Day of School and Valentine’s Day.