Ways to Play on Groundhog Day

Will Queen Charlotte see her shadow?

It's Groundhog Day! Of course a groundhog seeing his shadow is far from a scientific method of predicting weather patterns. You could probably flip a coin and have about as much accuracy in knowing whether spring will come sooner or later, but I'm still hoping that Queen Charlotte — Charlotte's resident groundhog — doesn't see her shadow today. 

Last year was the newly crowned Queen Charlotte's first season to make a prediction at the Charlotte Nature Museum, and she kept it a private affair as she was still adjusting to her new digs (no pun intended). This year, she's making a public appearance with a host of activities planned as well at Charlotte Nature Museum from noon-3 p.m.

A little more north of town, Reedy Creek Nature Museum is hosting Groundhog Galore event where little ones can learn about groundhogs, make a puppet and go on a search for groundhogs at the preserve. It starts at 10 a.m.

And if you're just looking for something to do at home with your preschooler, you could print these cards for a game of Groundhog Day Shadow Matching or make this groundhog mask. Big kids may like reading these facts about the "secret life of groundhogs."