Maple Syrup Book List & Activities

As winter frost melts into the first warm days of spring, maple syrup season has officially arrived. While many of us are planning our spring gardens, this time of year is also perfect for celebrating the sweet tradition of maple sugaring. Join our Orchard & Hive librarian Granny Smith for a storytime that explores the science and traditions of harvesting maple syrup with family and friends.

Favorite Read-Aloud Books About Maple Syrup Season

1. Maple Syrup Season by Ann Purmell and Jill Weber
2. Taffy Time by Jennifer Lloyd and Jacqui Lee
3. Maple Syrup from the Sugarhouse by Laurie Lazzaro Knowlton and Kathryn Mitter

In Maple Syrup Season, we followed a hardworking family as they collected sap from maple trees and transformed it into golden syrup. The children were amazed at the process and how much care and effort goes into every drop. Then, in Taffy Time, we traveled to Sugar Hill Farm to learn how maple taffy candy is made by pouring hot maple syrup onto fresh, icy snow. We wrapped up our maple syrup storytime with Maple Syrup from the Sugarhouse, a heartwarming tale that celebrates community, neighbors, and the joy of working together during maple sugaring season.

Maple Syrup Story Activities

After our maple syrup read‑alouds, the children sequenced the events to retell their favorite stories – a wonderful way to build comprehension and connect with seasonal traditions. I asked if they had any special ways of welcoming spring at home. One child shared that her family plants a garden each year, tucking tiny seeds into the soil and dreaming of the harvest to come. Another said he knows spring has arrived when the days turn warm and baseball season begins; his grandpa always takes him to opening day.

Maple Syrup Experiment

Then, we used a hands-on experiment to model how sap becomes syrup. To simulate the process, we filled one bowl with plain water and another with a sugar-water solution to represent our “sap.” We placed both bowls under the warm, early spring sun and monitored them over several days.

Through our observations, we noted that while the plain water evaporated steadily, the sugar-water mixture changed consistency. The kids discovered that as the water molecules escaped into the air through evaporation, the sugar molecules remained behind, becoming increasingly concentrated. This demonstrated the core principle of maple sugaring: by removing water – whether through slow evaporation or boiling – the remaining liquid becomes a dense, sweet syrup.

Maple Syrup Relay Race

In the spirit of teamwork, we played a Maple Syrup relay race that brought maple sugaring to life! Follow the directions below to bring this fun game to your storytime!

Race Prep

• Use masking tape to create two starting lines, one for each team. These lines will be your “maple trees.”
• On the opposite side of the room, make two finish lines – your “sugarhouse.”
• Use two more strips of tape to create the relay paths from tree to sugarhouse.
• Place one bucket at each starting line.
• Optional: Add obstacles or make designs with the masking tape along the path for older students who need an extra challenge.

How to Play

1. Divide children into two teams and form two lines.
2. The first player from each team picks up their bucket “filled” with maple sap.
3. Players follow the path to the sugarhouse. If they step off the tape, they’ve “spilled” the sap and must return to the maple tree to start again.
4. Once they reach the sugarhouse, they run back to the maple tree and pass the bucket to the next player.
5. The first team to have all players complete the course wins!

Maple Syrup Snacks and Community Activities

No maple syrup storytime would be complete without a sweet treat to match the season. We enjoyed a taste of maple taffy, but you could also host a pancake breakfast for a wonderful way to bring your school or community together. Events like these are perfect for celebrating maple syrup season, building connection, and even raising funds for your classroom or local programs.

As the last drops of syrup are poured and our stories come to a close, I hope this little journey through maple sugaring season fills your spring with wonder. Whether you’re reading picture books, trying maple taffy, or gathering your own community for a sweet celebration, there’s magic in celebrating the rhythms of the season.

Until next time, happy reading!
Granny Smith