S'More Camping Fun: A Camping Hat

Our theme this week was "S'More Camping Fun". I did a little write up about what we did last year. You can find it here. This year we added in a way cute camping hat. We originally found the craft at Education.com created by Brooke Williams. You can find that post here. 

We changed the hat a little bit. We used pipe cleaners instead of real sticks. I would have loved to use real sticks, but the idea of finding sticks for over 300 children was overwhelming. We also used min marshmallows instead of regular size ones. I think the regular sized marshmallows would have caused the pipe cleaners to bend. 

The kids worked on putting the triangles together biggest to smallest. 

The kids also put the marshmallows onto the pipe cleaners. We talked about gently  holding the marshmallow so that they wouldn't get squished. 

Many of the teachers loved the hats so much that they made one for themselves. 

The kids attached the pipe cleaners to the brown band using masking tape. 

The craft was enjoyed by everyone. There were only a few cases of the kids eating the marshmallows off of the hats. One kid was even seen eating the marshmallows off of his friend's hat during storytime. I can't blame them. Marshmallows are yummy! 

S'Mores and More

I have an amazing job! I am a Storytime lady! My days are filled with books,crafts, games, and songs. I work for a childcare company with five locations within a twenty mile radius. Each day I visit a different center for storytime. During the school year, I have storytimes for children ages 18 months to 5 years. During the summer, I work mainly with the 3 to 5 year-olds. It is a great gig! I am able to combine my joy of working with children and my love for children's literature.

This past week our theme was, "S'More Camping Adventure." 

We started out our time gathering the children together on the story carpet. I brought out my large hiking backpack. Inside the bag I placed items that we might take a long on a camping trip!

The children were then invited to the tables to make an indoor S'more!

The children spread chocolate frosting and marshmallow fluff onto graham crackers for a delicious treat!

Here I am wearing my "camping hat" that I have had for over twelve years!

We spread blankets around the story area. The children enjoyed an indoor picnic while listening to a story!

Here is my parter-in-crime, Steffanie reading the children a book. We chose, "Curious George Goes Camping" by Margret & H.A Rey's.

I created a few animal footprint cards using pictures I found on online. One side had a picture of the animal tracks.The other side had a picture of the animal that made the track. We asked the children what animal they thought made each track. The bear track was the most identifiable to the children. You wouldn't believe how many children thought the raccoon track was made by a dinosaur.  

Next, we went outside to the playground. We had set up some bulletin board paper on the ground. The children used their feet to create tracks of their own!

The children used a kiddie pool to clean the paint off of their feet.

This week was extremely hot. It was 102 degrees on this day, so back inside to cool off. We sang our own version of, "Going on a Bear Hunt!"

Going On A Bear Hunt

(A repeat after me song)

We're going on a bear hunt

I'm not afraid.

Got a real good friend, by my side.

Oh no! What can it be?

A field full of grass!

We can't go over it!

We can't go under it!

We can't go around it!

Guess we have to go through it.

(Pretend to walk through a field)

Repeat first part and then add in other things you might see...

A field full of mud

A strawberry patch

A rickety bridge

An ice cream shop

A very tall tree

Last verse

Oh no! What can it be?

A deep dark cave!

We can't go over it!

We can't go under it!

We can't go around it!
Guess we have to go in it!

I see to big yellow eyes!

Two furry ear!

A big furry body!

IT'S A BEAR

Run!

Said Really Fast

Climb up the tree

Climb down the tree

Into the ice cream shop

Out of the ice cream shop

Over the bridge

Through the strawberry patch

Through the mud

Through the grass

Open up your door.

Close the door.

Lock the door.

Sit down!

I'm not afraid!

We ended our time by reading,"Scare a Bear" by Kathy-Jo Wargin. This is a great rhyming book! A huge hit with the children.

This coming week our theme will be, "Ahoy Matey."  We have some great stories, a scavengar hunt, and a fun craft planned! Can't wait to share it with you!