Materials
Leaves, rocks, and twigs
Solid color T-shirts
Bleach (adult only)
Spray bottle
Instructions
1. Ask the children to choose a party hat.
2. Write the child's name on the inside of his hat with a permanent marker.
3. Squirt glue into shallow plastic plates. Place several cotton swabs onto the
plates.
4. Put pompoms on other plates.
5. Help the children put glue on their hats in several spots using the cotton
swabs. Then, encourage them to attach the pompoms to the hat.
6. Place the hat on its side to dry for several hours.
7. With the children, wear the hats to enhance a circus parade event, for dress
up, or for a birthday party.
More to do
More Art: Make animal masks using paper plates, tempera paint, crayons or
markers, glue, yarn, tissue paper, craft foam, and a hole puncher. Cut out two
holes for eyes. Punch a hole on either side of the paper plate and thread two
pieces of yarn through it. Decide what animal mask to create and decorate the
animal's face on the plate. Tie the yarn around the head to attach the mask.
Blocks: Add circus animals and a circus train to the Construction Zone.
Dramatic Play: Add Halloween masks and costumes or dress-up clothes to the
Dramatic Play Area and pretend to be at a circus.
More Dramatic Play: Create a clown center by placing washable face paints on
a table or make-up dresser complete with mirrors and diaper wipes. Take
pictures of the clowns.
Music: Play circus music while the children play in the centers.
