Materials
none
Instructions
1. First determine the best time to do this activity.
Author's Note: Our center closed at 6, and even when we combined
classrooms, most of the children were gone by 5:30. At 5:30, we had ten tired,
hungry, cranky children who were anxious to go home, so we made the "after
5 box."
2. Decorate a box in a festive manner.
3. Each morning, stock the box with at least three things for the children to do
after 5:00 (or a time when most of the children are gone). Items could
include a light snack, some stickers, a board game, a book, a story tape or
song, washcloths or wipes for hot and sweaty summer faces, a special
project, and so on. The activities don't have to be fancy. You could add a new
Frisbee, directions on how to play a new game, or puppets from another
classroom.
4. Ask different staff members to be responsible for the box every two weeks.
Even the cook and director can stock the box with a surprise! When everyone
participates, it doesn't have to be a burden to any one teacher.
5. The box is a good way to introduce new toys, games, or activities to a small
group of children, and it helps avoid conflicts when you introduce
something new to a larger group.
6. Since there are two or three activities in the box, it is also a good way to use
leftover craft supplies. Since the groups of children are smaller, three children
could make sock puppets and four could use leftover stickers to make
pictures.
7. Ask parents for suggestions or ask the children who stay late to each bring in
a game or book from home to put in the box.
