[Kristine233]

OK, I have a challenge, lol. I'm a preschool teacher for a YMCA program, this also means that when our local YMCA does community events that are preschool geared I get asked to come in and do the planning, setup and running of the preschool stuff. I've done this in the past but we've always had a clear cut theme so its been easy to come up with 3 or 4 craft stations for the parents and kids to go to. I need help this time!

The theme is more like family togetherness. Its predicted to have about 200 families at the event and I have a 1 hour time slot to fill with preschool activities. I have a non-existent budget, so super fancy is out. I also have to cut everything and get stuff ready myself. I have volunteers for the day of and do have aids that can help with SOME stuff leading up to it but I have to do the majority of prep.

So far I have them making paper kites, and then 2 activities (bean bag balance with cute action cards and home made playdough fun)... I need 2 more artsy craft type stuff. We love to do painting BUT with this event families go do a "fun run" event after... so carrying around a wet painting is a no-go. See where I'm running into roadblocks here?

Anyone have ideas?

Thankyou in advance for any suggestions you girls might have!

 

[LaughingHyena]

how about some finger puppets like these.
http://www.enchantedlearning.com/cra...ets/twofinger/

I just ran thin card through my printer. Assuming that the children will have parents with them I would not bother cutting them out. Let the parents do it

You can make nice window decorations with clear sticky plastic. Cut into a rectangle and remove the backing from half of it. Give the kis tissue paper, sequins etc to stick on. When they are done peel the backing of the other half of the rectangle and fold it over to enclose everything.

These were a hit at our toddler group.
http://www.enchantedlearning.com/cra...inbowstreamer/

 

[lach]

I like the finger puppet idea. You could also make puppets and glue them to popsicle sticks: have pre-printed Adult and Child puppets... also a variety of pets (dog, cat, fish, etc) and the kids can recreate their family as puppets: pick out the appropriate pictures, color, glue to the sticks.

Maybe they could make placemats? Family togetherness = eating together? They could collage cut out cutlery, plates, and cups onto a placemat and then decorate as they see fit (draw their favorite foods, or just color at will)

 

[SuzyLee]

Every idea I have involves wet paint. Do most people drive so they could drop off crafts in their car?

I like the rolling marbles painting activity. You tape a piece of paper in the bottom of a pan, and drop a few paint cover marbles in the pan and roll them around. Even very young toddler get a kick out of it.

The other idea I had was "stamping" with produce cut into shapes. You could have the moms/dads each carve a stamp out of a potato, apple, etc, and let the kids stamp artwork.