12" x18" green and red construction paper cut into 1 1/2" x 12" strips (10 in all)
paper cutter
scissors
The mkeka is a mat, usually made of straw, displayed on the family's table at Kwaanza time. This project is a paper weaving.
To prepare the background mat for weaving, fold the paper in half. Next, using a paper cutter, make long, vertical slits starting at the fold of the paper and ending at least one inch from the edge of the paper to prevent tearing. (Make slits about 1 1/2 inches apart leaving one inch from the top and bottom)
Weave in an over-under pattern, alternating the two colored strips. Secure each strip with glue. When weaving is complete, fringe the sides.
games to play...
songs to sing...
Stuff The Turkey
Brown paper bag
two small brown lunch paper bags
newspaper
tissue paper
tape
stapler
glue
Fold down about 4" of the large brown bag - keep the fold inside. Fold and staple in each of the four edges of the bag so that the opening is smaller. Smooth out the opening to make it rounded. Stuff the two small paper bags with newspaper. Twist the top of the bags and tape to form the drumsticks. Cut strips of the red tissue paper and glue around the twisted top of the drumsticks for decoration. Glue the drumsticks on the sides of the "turkey". For the stuffing, wad up pieces of the newspaper and tape together to form balls.
TO PLAY: Players stand back about four feet and take turns tossing the "stuffing" into the "turkey". See who can get the most in.
This is sung to the tune of the Hokey Pokey but the children will pretend that they are turkeys as you all sing things like:
You put your right wing in, put your right wing out, You put your right wing in and you shake it all about. You do the Turkey Pokey and you turn yourself around. That's what it's all about.
You put your left wing in, put your left wing out, You put your left wing in and you shake it all about. You do the Turkey Pokey and you turn yourself around. That's what it's all about.
You put your red beak in, put your red beak out, You put your red beak in and you shake it all about. You do the Turkey Pokey and you turn yourself around. That's what it's all about.
clean paper towel tube
glue
construction paper
scissors
acorns
Cut a ring off of the paper towel tube about 2 1/2 inches. You can paint this, or leave it brown. Cut out different colored leaves from the construction paper. Glue the leaves to the top of the ring. Then add a couple of acorns for a finishing touch.
Here's a snack your kids will love! Take a pint of vanilla yogurt and put it in a bowl mix it with granola cereal, stir and serve it. It's a great snack idea.
Enter to win these great hardcover books to read to your little ones or give as a gift. 