Sometimes when it rains, children may feel cooped up and exhibit challenging behaviors. Teachers have to create their own sunshine inside by finding ways to keep children active and engaged indoors. Help children create their own sunshine band hats & form their own sunshine band to chase away the clouds and rain with this activity! The noise may wake up the whole school, but marching is a good way to stimulate the brain and have some active fun. For more ideas that make being stuck inside fun, get the book Rainy Day Activities by Dr. Jean Feldman.
Materials
- Newspaper or Newsprint
- Markers or Crayons
- Paper Scraps
- Glue
- Musical Instruments
- Lively Music
What To Do
- Make a paper hat for each child from newspaper or newsprint by folding the paper in half, then folding each top corner down, then folding up the bottom on both sides, and "fluffing" up both sides to create a hat. (See diagram below.)
- To decorate the hats use crayons, markers, or art scraps and glue.
- Next, have each child choose a musical instrument. (If you don't have enough to go around, give them blocks to tap, or two paper plates to use like cymbals.)
- Let the children put on their hats and march around the room as you play some lively music or sing songs. You could eve March around the halls of your school to add a little novelty and bring hoy to the other classes.
More to Do
Sing the Sunshine Band Song (to the tune of "Old MacDonald") below:
(Teacher's name) had a band.
E I E I O
And we are that Sunshine Band.
E I E I O
So all join in, put on a grin
We're on our way, it's a happy day.
We are the Sunshine Band.
E I E I O
