June 12: Magic Day

image from stevo.tv

In celebration of Magic Day, let kids put on a magic show!

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Magic Show

Materials:

• Resources for magic tricks
• Props as dictated by the tricks kids choose

Directions:

1. What kind of magic show will this be? A one-person show or several people performing?
2. Does a one-person show require assistants?
3. Look at your library or do online searches for tricks. Kids may also know tricks they want to perform.
4. Have performer(s) determine what materials are needed for the tricks and who needs to provide them. (Will the kids bring them? Do they need the program to provide materials? Are these materials at the site? Is there anything which needs to be purchased? Do you need to post lists for families of supplies you need?)
5. Is this show just for other kids in the program or for a wider audience? Do kids need to make invitations or announcements about the show?
6. Where will the magic show be performed?
7. Practice, practice, practice! In practice, watch to see if kids are giving their secrets away. Also check to make sure they can be heard. Is a microphone available?

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Source(s): 100 Drama Activities for Kids (activity J4)

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Check out the full June calendar. It includes floating holidays, specialty weeks, and specialty months.

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August 4: Twins Day

image from parentdish.com

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Mirror Twins

Materials:

• Stage area should ideally be a wide doorway which kids can walk across, but audience can sit in front of and see
• No props necessary, but could be available (would need two of each prop)

Directions:

1. There is a classic scene from a Marx brothers’ movie in which one character imitates another to make it appear the first character is seeing himself in a mirror. This is a great activity to get kids focused on the physicality of stage movement, as well as working on timing and just being silly.
2. This is a great game to do with a larger group. Most youth will serve as audience members, but everyone can have turns on stage if kept short.
3. Two performers are on the stage area. One is the “actor” and the other is the “mirror.” The actor’s job is to perform simple activities for the “mirror” to imitate.
4. Remind kids that this works best when the actor moves at a reasonable pace. The slower the actor moves, the easier it is for the mirror to imitate.
5. The best activities allow the “mirror” to do some guessing about what comes next. For example, if the actor performs something with a sequence (like getting up in the morning and get dressed), the “mirror” will have a better idea of what to expect. Also good are large motor activities (climbing a ladder, sports, etc.).

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Source(s): 100 Drama Activities for Kids (activity G7)

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Check out the full August calendar. It includes floating holidays, specialty weeks, and specialty months.

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Hundreds of Simple Activities for Kids

On Saturday, I conducted a workshop designed to provide families with ideas for simple activities to do at home. Thanks to the 40+ adults and kids who participated and thanks to Blue Valley Library for hosting the event.

Playing off Toolbox Training's series of 100 Activities for Kids books, the room was set up in six areas, each with various activities which could be done cheaply at home. Participants could engage in the activities and write down additional ideas. Here's the ideas which were written down:

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ART:

• Keep a tub of basic supplies on hand
• Keep a tub of recyclable materials
• Provide a variety of kinds of paper
• Create and have fun!

Check out Toolbox Training's book 100 Art Activities for Kids for more ideas:

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COOKING:

• Texture tub
• Let kids use real dishes instead of play dishes
• Include empty food containers with kids' dishes
• Kids can serve adults and tell what foods they are serving
• Kids can help measure ingredients in recipes

Check out Toolbox Training's book 100 Cooking Activities for Kids for more ideas:

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DRAMA:

• Create themed prop boxes
• Keep a tub of dress-up clothes
• Keep old Halloween costumes

Check out Toolbox Training's book 100 Drama Activities for Kids for more ideas:

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GAMES:

• Keep leftover game pieces to make new games
• Keep a tub of travel-size games
• Encourage kids to make up their own games
• Let kids make up their own rules for familiar board games

Check out Toolbox Training's book 100 Games Activities for Kids for more ideas:

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MUSIC:

• Have kids illustrate lyrics to songs
• Keep a crate of instruments on hand
• Make instruments

Check out Toolbox Training's book 100 Music Activities for Kids for more ideas:

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SCIENCE:

• Find books with animals' lengths and weights and then use yardsticks and scales to measure them
• Play a game of trying to identify leaves and rocks
• Put together a kit of basic science experiment tools (magnifying glass, ruler, string, graph paper, etc.)
• Put bugs, dirt, and grass in a jar to observe
• Gather unusual objects and let kids guess their purpose

Check out Toolbox Training's book 100 Science Activities for Kids for more ideas:

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Book: 100 Drama Activities for Kids

These activities encourage pretend play and performing, formally and informally, on the stage or behind the scenes. They are divided into the following categories: prop boxes, props & costumes, puppetry, scenery and set design, music & sound, body movement – solo, body movement – interactive, voice, acting games, and performing. 130 pages. Catalog number: DRBK0712; Price: $9.95 Also available from Amazon.com.