Materials
plastic or fabric haircutter's cape (a wrap-around skirt with Velcro closures
works great)
one small plastic comb for each child
one large chair
several small chairs
two or three small square tables
old magazines or comic books
cardboard or cardstock paper
markers
pretend cash register
pretend money
old (non-functioning) hair clippers
old posters and hairstyle books from barber shops
Instructions
1. Invite a clown to visit the classroom. Ask him or her to come dressed but
without makeup. Ask the clown to apply makeup in front of the children, and
talk with the children about what it means to be a clown.
2. Put the clown clothes, hoops, stuffed animals, and a full-length mirror in the
housekeeping area, and the batons, balance beam, and tumbling mats in the
block area.
3. Decorate the room with colorful streamers.
4. Let the children experiment freely with the materials during center time.
5. If the children wish to wear clown makeup, and if you have parents'
permission, use the recipe below to make clown makeup and help the
children apply it.
6. Encourage the children to dress like clowns and perform tricks with the
hoops and stuffed animals. Other children can line up chairs and sit in the
audience.
7. Create a flyer for a clown show and distribute it to other classrooms. Invite
the other children to come see the show.
8. Take a photo of each child dressed as a clown and display the photos in the
room.
9. Let the children dance freely to circus music, and have fun!
Clown Makeup Recipe
4 tablespoons shortening
10 tablespoons cornstarch
1 tablespoon flour
1/4 tablespoons glycerin
food coloring
Use a rubber spatula to blend the first three ingredients into a smooth paste.
Add glycerin and blend again. Divide into smaller portions. Mix each portion
with a few drops of food coloring for a variety of colors. Use fingers to apply the
makeup sparingly to children's faces. Remove the makeup with cold cream,
shortening, or baby oil.
Note: Get parental permission before applying the clown makeup to any child!
