Boredom Busters: Shadow Puppets

We are temporarily reviving our Children's Blog to provide some resources for families who are stuck at home during this period of social distancing due to COVID-19. We will put together a variety of activities for you and your families every day at 1:00 pm. Watch for weekend Boredom Busters on Saturday and/or Sunday. See which ones you can do, and if you get the chance, share the results with us on any of our social media platforms, which will be listed at the bottom of this blog.

Today's theme is Shadow Puppets!

Shadow puppetts are great for camping outdoors, or for having an indoor campout! Break out the flashlights and stretch out those hands!

Let's look at some different shadow animals!

Bunny:

Dog:

Bird:

Deer:

And so many more! Try some of these shadow puppet shapes out, then create your own puppet show!

Want to learn even more? Check out How to Make Shadow Puppets from Sesame Studios!

You can create shadow puppets with cut-out pieces as well! All you need is a flashlight, paper, scissors, and sticks, and you can create your own shadow puppet show, no hand-shapes needed!

Check out The Three Little Pigs done as a shadow puppet show! Or Where the Wild Things Are!

Hopefully these activities help break up the day, and get your family engaged in having fun with Shadow Puppets!

If your kids loved these activities, feel free to send us feedback or pictures on any of our social media platforms, linked below.

Library staff are available by phone (403-887-2130) or email Monday-Friday, 9:00 am 5:00 pm.

You can access all of our digital materials (eBooks, eAudiobooks, and more) through our website. If your membership is expired, or you need a membership, call us at 403-887-2130 and we can help.  
 
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Boredom Busters: Outdoor Acrylic

We are temporarily reviving our Children's Blog to provide some resources for families who are stuck at home during this period of social distancing due to COVID-19. We will put together a variety of activities for you and your families every day at 1:00 pm. Watch for weekend Boredom Busters on Saturday and/or Sunday. See which ones you can do, and if you get the chance, share the results with us on any of our social media platforms, which will be listed at the bottom of this blog.

Today's theme is Outdoor Acrylic!

DIY Cardboard Easel: https://www.artbarblog.com/diy-cardboard-easel/

Before we head outside to create some beautiful acrylic paintings, let's make a low-cost DIY easel. Perfect for if you have some cardboard boxes you've been meaning to recycle. Tape these cardboard easels into place, and you're set!

Like doing DIY projects? Check out DIY T-Shirt Crafts by Adrianne Surian!

Painting with Nature: https://www.notimeforflashcards.com/2012/07/painting-with-nature-simple-summer-crafts.html

Spread out some paper or set up your newly crafted easels, find some unique paintbrushes around you - from dandelions to grass to pine cones to branches with leaves. Make impressions with the leaves and flowers, or swirl the paint across the page and see how each one paints differently. Don't forget to take pictures of your masterpieces!

Want to learn more about what you're painting with? Check out Trees, Leaves, Flowers, and Seeds by Smithsonian Institution; DK.

Paint a Beach: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-u8YjPF2NFM

Using blues, whites, turquoise, tans, and yellows make for the perfect acrylic beach painting! Mix it up with some different colours, follow right along or change it up with your own additions. You can't go wrong when you're having fun! For extra inspiration, take your paint and canvas down to the beach and paint what you see!

Rainbow Sponge Painting: https://teaching2and3yearolds.com/rainbow-sponge-painting-on-the-easel/

Let's dial back the technical skills, and just have some fun with bright colours! Load up a wide sponge with the colours of the rainbow (or whatever bright colours you have) and make a wonderful, colourful mess!

Hopefully these activities help break up the day, and get your family engaged in making some outdoor-inspired acrylic paintings!

If your kids loved these activities, feel free to send us feedback or pictures on any of our social media platforms, linked below.

Library staff are available by phone (403-887-2130) or email Monday-Friday, 9:00 am 5:00 pm.

You can access all of our digital materials (eBooks, eAudiobooks, and more) through our website. If your membership is expired, or you need a membership, call us at 403-887-2130 and we can help.  
 
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Boredom Busters: Origami 3.0

We are temporarily reviving our Children's Blog to provide some resources for families who are stuck at home during this period of social distancing due to COVID-19. We will put together a variety of activities for you and your families every day at 1:00 pm. Watch for weekend Boredom Busters on Saturday and/or Sunday. See which ones you can do, and if you get the chance, share the results with us on any of our social media platforms, which will be listed at the bottom of this blog.

Today's theme is Origami 3.0!

Origami Dog: https://www.instructables.com/id/Origami-Dog/

Follow these folds to make your own origami dog. Or try this version for an origami puppy face! You don't need origami paper to make these crafts, just make sure whatever paper you're using is a perfect square!

When you're done, check out Big Dog ... Little Dog, by P.D. Eastman or Dog Man #1 by Dav Pilkey on cloudLibrary!

Origami Crow: https://www.thesprucecrafts.com/make-an-origami-crow-for-halloween-4097036

This one's a little more complex, but the end result is awesome. With a little practice, you could have a whole army of these crows for Halloween!

Origami Cat Finger Puppet: https://www.thesprucecrafts.com/origami-finger-puppet-tutorial-2540979

You can make your own adorable set of finger puppets! Start with kittens, then foxes, and even bears! Build your assortment of animals, then incorporate some dramatic play with a puppet show!

Hopefully these activities help break up the day, and get your family engaged in creating more origami creatures!

If your kids loved these activities, feel free to send us feedback or pictures on any of our social media platforms, linked below.

Library staff are available by phone (403-887-2130) or email Monday-Friday, 9:00 am 5:00 pm.

You can access all of our digital materials (eBooks, eAudiobooks, and more) through our website. If your membership is expired, or you need a membership, call us at 403-887-2130 and we can help.  
 
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Boredom Busters: Duct Tape Crafts

We are temporarily reviving our Children's Blog to provide some resources for families who are stuck at home during this period of social distancing due to COVID-19. We will put together a variety of activities for you and your families every day at 1:00 pm. Watch for weekend Boredom Busters on Saturday and/or Sunday. See which ones you can do, and if you get the chance, share the results with us on any of our social media platforms, which will be listed at the bottom of this blog.

Today's theme is Duct Tape Crafts!

Duct tape crafts are so versatile and creative! They can be as colourful and intricate, or as simple and delicate as you want them to be. Have a look at Duct Tape Discovery Workshop on cloudLibrary for some ideas, then let's check out some of these fun ideas you can try at home!

Duct Tape Cat Ears: https://www.duckbrand.com/craft-decor/cat-ears

Animal ear headbands are back in fashion, so make your own funky and unique pair! These supplies can be bought fairly inexpensively at the dollar store, or see what you have lying around at home that you can use!

Duct Tape Sword and Shield: https://30minutecrafts.com/2014/03/duck-tape-sword-shield.html

This is a fun craft that incorporates dramatic play! Use plain silver duct tape for this one, or jazz it up with some funky designs! Let your creativity flow!

Duct Tape Shakers: https://www.thecrafttrain.com/duct-tape-and-milk-bottle-cap-shakers/

Raid your recycling bin for this project! Put together milk bottle caps, beads, and duct tape for some small and cute sensory shakers! Add some decorations with duct tape shapes or stickers, and get shaking! While you have some bottle caps handy, try this Bottle Cap Checkers project!

Duct Tape Fairy Bracelet: https://www.creativegreenliving.com/2013/08/outdoor-childrens-activity-make-fairy-bracelets.html

Take this project on the move outdoors! Wrap a piece of duct tape loosely around your wrist - tape side out - and start exploring! Add treasures to your bracelet as you explore, then rediscover them when you're done, carefully cutting off the tape. Take pictures of your sensory/nature craft, or wrap it in plastic/frame it as a keepsake!

While you're searching for fairies, check out Tinkerbell and the Great Fairy Rescue on cloudLibrary!

Hopefully these activities help break up the day, and get your family engaged in Duct Tape Crafts!

If your kids loved these activities, feel free to send us feedback or pictures on any of our social media platforms, linked below.

Library staff are available by phone (403-887-2130) or email Monday-Friday, 9:00 am 5:00 pm.

You can access all of our digital materials (eBooks, eAudiobooks, and more) through our website. If your membership is expired, or you need a membership, call us at 403-887-2130 and we can help.  
 
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Boredom Busters: Stamp It Out

We are temporarily reviving our Children's Blog to provide some resources for families who are stuck at home during this period of social distancing due to COVID-19. We will put together a variety of activities for you and your families every day at 1:00 pm. Watch for weekend Boredom Busters on Saturday and/or Sunday. See which ones you can do, and if you get the chance, share the results with us on any of our social media platforms, which will be listed at the bottom of this blog.

Today's theme is Stamp It Out!

Homemade Stamps: http://www.playideas.com/25-super-crafty-diy-stamps-for-kids/

Try some of these homemade stamp ideas, from wine corks to bottle caps, to vegetable or stones ... even a toilet paper roll will work for a stamp! Leave it as a circle, bend it into a heart, or glue a few together to make a flower shape. The possibilities are limitless!

DIY Stamp Pad: https://www.scholastic.com/parents/school-success/learning-toolkit-blog/make-your-own-stamp-pads.html

Some upholstery foam or a sponge work great for creating your own stamp pad. Get a little creative and try cutting your stamp pad into some fun shapes too!

Bingo dabbers also work great for wetting stamps!

Stamping Patterns: https://frugalfun4boys.com/creating-patterns-with-paint-stamps/

Combine a little art and math with these apple print math patterns or geometric shape printing! Try out some of your DIY stamps and create some intricate or repeating patters. Frame the edges of a colouring sheet or new painting. Make a beautiful and unique piece of art to hang in your room. The only limit is your creativity!

Hopefully these activities help break up the day, and get your family engaged in painting a story!

If your kids loved these activities, feel free to send us feedback or pictures on any of our social media platforms, linked below.

Library staff are available by phone (403-887-2130) or email Monday-Friday, 9:00 am 5:00 pm.

You can access all of our digital materials (eBooks, eAudiobooks, and more) through our website. If your membership is expired, or you need a membership, call us at 403-887-2130 and we can help.  
 
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Boredom Busters: Paint a Story!

We are temporarily reviving our Children's Blog to provide some resources for families who are stuck at home during this period of social distancing due to COVID-19. We will put together a variety of activities for you and your families every day at 1:00 pm. Watch for weekend Boredom Busters on Saturday and/or Sunday. See which ones you can do, and if you get the chance, share the results with us on any of our social media platforms, which will be listed at the bottom of this blog.

Today's theme is Paint a Story!

We're doing some special painting at the library today, so today we're going to look at some fun painting/art projects and ideas!

Story Stones: https://artfulparent.com/story-stones-ideas-storytelling-rocks/

This idea combines art and storytelling in a super simplistic and creative way. Similar to using feltboard pieces, you can draw or paint the images you'll need to tell your story, and then you can bring forward each stone as you get to the relevant point in the story.

Check out Stone Painting for Kids by Sehnaz F. Bac or request Paint It: Creative Ideas for Craft Painting Projects by Nicole Trollinger.

Flipbook Animation: https://thekidshouldseethis.com/post/how-to-make-a-flipbook-andymation

This project take a little more patience, but the end results are amazing! Check out some of videos of flipbook animation to get an idea of the process, and then grab a stack of papers and start creating! Take a video of the finished project, and you could turn your art into film-making!

See how you can incorporate flip books into story illustration with Pencil: a Story With a Point by Ann Ingalls. Place a hold on your copy now!

Giant Comic Art: https://www.whatdowedoallday.com/make-your-own-giant-comic-strip/

This is a great activity that can be repurposed in many different ways. Tape together some poster boards, pull out some butcher paper, or even use a sidewalk as a blank canvas with some chalk paint! Make the biggest and most colourful story you can imagine! Incorporate some dramatic play when you read it out - give each character a different sound or or accent. The fun is limitless!

Learn how to create your own Comic Strip From Start to Finish, with Art Roche! Put a hold on your copy now!

Hopefully these activities help break up the day, and get your family engaged in painting a story!

If your kids loved these activities, feel free to send us feedback or pictures on any of our social media platforms, linked below.

Library staff are available by phone (403-887-2130) or email Monday-Friday, 9:00 am 5:00 pm.

You can access all of our digital materials (eBooks, eAudiobooks, and more) through our website. If your membership is expired, or you need a membership, call us at 403-887-2130 and we can help.  
 
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Boredom Busters: All About Animals!

We are temporarily reviving our Children's Blog to provide some resources for families who are stuck at home during this period of social distancing due to COVID-19. We will put together a variety of activities for you and your families every day at 1:00 pm. Watch for weekend Boredom Busters on Saturday and/or Sunday. See which ones you can do, and if you get the chance, share the results with us on any of our social media platforms, which will be listed at the bottom of this blog.

Today's theme is All About Animals!

There is no topic that really excites our children of any age more than talking about animals! It's a great theme to encourage lots of activities like reading, researching, drawing, colouring, crafting, and even dancing! And most importantly, children will learn to love, care for, and respect animals. So here are some ideas for you in the afternoon or on weekends: All about animals:

Behind the Scenes at the Zoo: https://www.calgaryzoo.com/blog/tag/behind-the-scenes-programs/

The Calgary Zoo has published a series of behind-the-scene videos of many of its animals, as well as interesting information about animals, how the zoo works, green spaces, etc., and it is just as good as if you were there, listening to the zookeepers' talks. Check it out, find your favourite animal, and get your daily dose of animals!

One of my favourite animals are the zebras!

Sea Otters: https://www.vanaqua.org/explore/exhibit-sea-otters

These cute and fluffy animals are adorable to watch. Did you know little cubs love to wrestle! Watch the video from the Vancouver Aquarium and learn about them, or you can check them out in this Live Stream!

Animals LOL!: https://kids.nationalgeographic.com/videos/animal-lol/#/1150430787953

Elephant party? Duck Bathroom Pass? Check out these fun videos and more on Kids National Geographic! They have tons of great activities, videos, quick facts, photos, games, and more! Check out their magazines on RBDigital Magazines - just sign in with your library card! Is your card expired, or do you need to get one? Give us a call at 403-887-2130, we can help you get connected!

Get Crafty with Cartoon Animals: using models of your favourite animal(s) - maybe a cat, dog, chicken, or crocodile - draw their body, legs, lower jaw, eyes, etc. Colour it with markers, then cut out the legs, tails, and jaw and attach it with the fasteners. Make your animal dance, run, move, or flap their wings or tails.

Materials:

- bristol board/cardstock

- coloured markers

- scissors

- round head fasteners

When you're done those, try out a different canvas! Make a paper mache balloon, and once it's dried but before you pop it, paint your favourite animal on it!

Get Moving with Animal Shapes: this is an excellent game to increase physical activity levels and creative movement!

Arrange the kids in a circle or line, start asking one of the kids to do any animal movement that they like, then have the rest imitate the movement. Each kid will have a turn to create an animal movement. You can also add music or animal sounds!

(Adaptation from: Virgilio, S.J. (2006). Shaped Around. In Active start for healthy kids: Activities, exercises, and nutritional tips (p. 121). Champaign (IL): Human Kinetics. 

Hopefully these activities help break up the day, and get your family engaged in learning all about animals!

If your kids loved these activities, feel free to send us feedback or pictures on any of our social media platforms, linked below.

Library staff are available by phone (403-887-2130) or email Monday-Friday, 9:00 am 5:00 pm.

You can access all of our digital materials (eBooks, eAudiobooks, and more) through our website. If your membership is expired, or you need a membership, call us at 403-887-2130 and we can help.  
 
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