| Craft: Balloon Person | | | | pan, the coathanger will fit. Wave your |
| Activities: Balloon Hot Potato, | | | | coathanger loop in the air and rotate it |
| Homemade Bubble Makers, Balloon Eggs, | | | | to finish a bubble. |
| Tarp Toss | | | | Probably the simplest bubble maker of |
| Snack: Balloon Snack | | | | these three is the plastic six pack |
| Reading Selection: Bubbles, Bubbles | | | | holder. You don't have to change it at |
| by Kathi Appelt Craft | | | | all, just dip it in the solution and |
| Balloon Person | | | | wave it around for instant bubbles. |
| Need: | | | | This activity is great for all ages. |
| # Balloon | | | | Children love bubbles and they have fun |
| # construction paper | | | | making their own bubble machines. |
| # tape | | | | Challenge your children to come up with |
| # yarn | | | | inventions for new bubble makers using |
| # markersBlow up the balloon to make a | | | | different objects around the |
| small head. Cut out an outfit for the | | | | house!Balloon Eggs |
| body(one piece). Take strips of paper | | | | Need: |
| and fold accordian style to make legs | | | | # Balloons |
| and arms. Tape the arms and legs to the | | | | # Paper Mache |
| outfit. Then make shoes and glue on to | | | | # Markers or CrayonsBlow up your |
| the bottom of the feet. Trace the | | | | ballon, put paper mache' around the |
| child's hands, cut out and glue to the | | | | ballon and let it dry, |
| end of the arms. Draw a face on the | | | | When the mache' hardens you have what |
| balloon and attach yarn or crete paper | | | | looks like a large Egg. Decorate with |
| with tape for the head. Also, attach a | | | | markers or paint. You can even use it as |
| long piece of yarn to the top so you can | | | | a Pinata!Tarp Toss |
| hang it up!! Activities/Games | | | | Need: |
| Balloon Hot Potato | | | | # 1 tarp or blanket |
| Need: | | | | # tennis balls or inflatable ballsHave |
| # Water balloons | | | | the children each grab an end of the |
| # water | | | | tarp. They each take turns throwing a |
| # swimming pool (optional)Fill balloons | | | | tennis ball onto it, and shaking |
| with water, tie end. Have children | | | | (bouncing) it. See how many balls you |
| gather in a circle. Carefully poke | | | | can toss up without any falling off! |
| several (4-6) holes in the balloon. | | | | It is a great game if you do not have a |
| Children will pass the balloon around | | | | parachute. Snack |
| the circle, trying not to be the one | | | | Balloon Snack |
| holding the balloon when it runs out of | | | | Need: |
| water! To make it even more fun, | | | | # Rice cake |
| especially if there are more than 6 | | | | # frosting |
| children, have them pass 2-3 balloons at | | | | # food coloring |
| the same time. If you are playing near a | | | | # string licoriceMake colored frosting |
| pool or lake, the child who is holding a | | | | by adding food coloring to the vanilla |
| balloon when it empties has to jump in! | | | | frosting. Give each child a rice cake |
| Make sure to dispose of deflated | | | | and a small cup with the colored |
| balloons.Homemade Bubble Makers | | | | frosting they choose. Let the children |
| Need: | | | | use craft sticks to use as spreaders. |
| # home items such as: | | | | Have the children decorate their rice |
| # string | | | | cake with frosting. Use the string |
| # straws | | | | licorice as the balloon string. You may |
| # coathangers | | | | want to decorate even more with tube |
| # plastic six pack holders. | | | | icing or other confections. Have fun! |
| # Liquid diswashing soap and waterUsing | | | | Reading Selection: |
| just two straws and string, you can make | | | | Bubbles, Bubbles by Kathi Appelt |
| a simple bubble maker. Just tie a piece | | | | |
| of string through two straws to make a | | | | Please use care when using balloons |
| collapsible frame. Holding the straws, | | | | around small children. Balloons can be a |
| dip the frame into the solution of water | | | | choking hazard.Pam Lester is a former |
| and dishwashing soap and carefully lift | | | | art teacher and mother of 2. She is the |
| it up and pull it towards you. Flip the | | | | owner and creator of and The sites |
| frame up or down to break off a bubble. | | | | offer free kids crafts, recipes, games |
| Another simple bubble maker is made by | | | | and activities for parents, teachers and |
| bending a coathanger into a loop. If you | | | | caregivers. Please visit TheIdeaBox for |
| put your bubble solution in a frying | | | | more great ideas! |