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...
Balloon Battle
balloons
string
inflated balloons
Designate a certain color for each team. If you have a LOT of children you can have more teams or you don't have to have teams at all. Tie a balloon to each players ankle. Each team tries to burst the other's balloon first. The team with the last balloons wins. As your balloon is burst, you withdraw from the game.
waxed paper
styrofoam ball
glue
yellow tissue paper
pipe cleaners
beads
glitter
Place a piece of waxed paper down to protect your surface. Mix 2 parts glue to 1 part water. Tear tissue paper into small 1 - 2 inch pieces. Coat a section of foam ball with glue mixture, cover with pieces of torn tissue paper. Coat over the tissue with glue to smooth down. Repeat this until ball is completely covered. While ball is still wet, give it a sprinkle of glitter. Let ball dry completely. Cut the pipe cleaners in half and stick them into the foam ball in a row. Continue this till a row of rays are around the ball. Now you can either leave the pipe cleaners straight or you can get creative and make them bent or spiraled. Add a pony bead to the end of each pipe cleaner and twist to secure. Attach string and hang.
A fun small plastic dish or bowl
1 Whole Graham Cracker
1 tablespoon cream cheese
1 tablespoon strawberry preserves
This is a dump recipe. Get a large bowl and dump all ingredients into it. Mix well with clean hands. Store in individual sized snack bags that kids can grab and take along.
This month we are giving away some wonderful prizes geared toward kids! Three baseball themed coloring books and a fun exploration book for kids/ 