Need an activity for kindergardeners (at least 40 min. long)

Question

I am a counselor at a day camp and I need to run a fun, exciting, and creative activity for kindergardeners. It needs to take at least 35 min. It needs to be good for both boys and girls! I would love if it could be an arts and crafts activity, however if you have any activity please list it. The most important thing is that the kids will have a ton of fun! Thanks and who ever gives the best, MOST CREATIVE, answer will get 10 easy points! Thanks for helping me!!!

Answer 1

Wow thats a long time for kindergarten age so firstly GOOD LUCK! You'll need to ensure that the activity is monitored by adults, equipment is readily available and that the kids attention is focused else you'll soon start having behavioural issues, running around etc.

Creative ideas:

-a large model---have bamboo canes dug into garden or plastic coated grden fencing (the type used for flowers to grow up on)....have a range of ribbons ,CDs, bells, pasta, string etc etc and children can make a children free choice model for all the camp to see! You could choose a theme etc-under the sea and children need to make an under the sea model-could have green ribbon for sea weed, children can make fish etc.

-small models-collect lots of 'junk' things like empty bottles, cereal boxes, milk bottle lids, glitter etc-let the children design a model can be anything from a boat to rocket, house to doll. It's free expression so they cant go wrong.

-Masks-maybe make masks to be used in a play or sing along-think of a song, story, nursery rhyme etc the kids know well and ask them to make characters.

Non arts ideas:

-A physical game-maybe at a park area, or make an obstacle course....it will keep attention as they arent expected to sit and listen whole time!

-Music and movements-play musical chairs, musical bumps etc...this is energetic and fun and can last a while :)

-Pirate play-have a treasure hunt where you hide coins (tin foil circles) and children have to find them...can extend this-eg: first kids make their own costume, masks, swords etc. You can make pirate treasure map on computer for them to follow "x marks the spot" (but have several x's and treasure).

Answer 2

Though not very creative...it's tried and true :-)

During my summer camp days, I supervised Kindergarten and First grade.  We broke up into groups 1 day a week and we each did "specials".  I was working with color exploration and their favorite activity was to make non-cook playdough. I made a visual for them to follow and well as verbally going through the steps.  I had multiple measuring cups and containers.  We did coloring mixing along with it.  They needed the dough in a baggie.  I think their favorite part was getting to take it home.  

Answer 3

play set =)

Answer 4

Fuse beads are fun for kids (my campers loved them)

Paper mache takes 4-ever

or blow a balloon up and have the kids dip yarn in glue and put it  around the balloon randomly(very loose) and after a couple days  pop the balloon and the yarn retains the shape of the balloon

Make a mural of the ocean

We  did a project and we read the "Recess Queen" and had the student design a playground by folding,cutting and  rolling paper to make it a 3D play ground.(this took a while)

We also studied  Piet Mondrain( the Dutch artist) and I had black strips of contruction paper and the children make  designs w/ the strips of the black paper. After they filled the white spots w/ primary colors(red,blue, yellow) My campers liked this project

artprjectsforkids.com has great ideas as well.

You can make homemade play doh

Answer 5

http://familyfun.go.com/arts-and-crafts/...

http://www.wilderdom.com/games/IdeasSumm...

http://www.ultimatecampresource.com/

http://search.yahoo.com/search?ei=utf-8&...

Answer 6

Use craft sticks (popcycle) or toothpicks and make a replica of the camp. Encluding a fire pit - etc

Make soft dough pretzels and eat them at the end of the day.

Answer 7

40 minutes seems like a long time... but if you present the activity, pass out materials, explain again how to use materials and allow ffor the children's exploration and use of materials... the time will fly. A good idea is to have a second level activity available, something you can add to the activity for those who are losing interest or have completed the project as far as materials allow. Ok, now for ideas.... Goo/Flubber: mix white elmers glue and white(not blue) liquid starch in equal parts, mix it with hands until it forms  into a lump. Drops of food coloring can be added. Let every one use only red... then let them chose to add either, yellow (creating orange), or blue (creating purple).

The flubber can be stored in gladware or any reycled plastic container with a lid (like frosting cups, yougurt cups). If you need to expand this activity, offer them plastic knives, or river stones or just popsicle sticks tso they can manipulate the flubber in new ways. Note: this will stick to clothes!

Other idea: Soapy Dough (playdough recipe using handsoap) The children can mix it at the table and color it and then shape it. No hot water or cooking needed! http://www.escapadedirect.com/soapydough...

Good luck.( Bring a Sharpie to label the containers with the children's names!)