Take a kit home and use the activity ideas below as inspiration for your playtime! Each week brings something new. Kits are available at the Youth Desk while supplies last.
Shaving Cream Sheep Shearing
Materials: Shaving cream, picture of a sheep placed in a sheet protector (or laminated), popsicle stick
*Come to the Youth Services Reference Desk to pick up a kit with materials (while supplies last).*
What: First, use your shaving cream to make your sheep picture look extra fluffy. Then, it is time to shear the sheep! Use your popsicle stick, fingers, or other tools to give your sheep a haircut. Put other pictures in your sheet protector and cover them with shaving cream. Reveal the pictures below by removing the layer of shaving cream.
Why: Drawing shapes, molding, and manipulating the shaving cream is actually practicing pre-writing skills! Remember that every child has a different level of tolerance for messy play. Your child may dive right in, or just use a fingertip-- either is fine! Over time, you may find that children who were reluctant at the start will become bolder through regular messy play opportunities.
Extra ideas:
*What is shearing? Read this funny picture book about Sheep Sheep on shearing day.
Sheep Dog and Sheep Sheep: Baaad Hair Day by Eric Barclay
*Sing "Baa Baa Black Sheep" together. Mix it up by making up your own lyrics and choosing who should get the bags of wool. For example:
Baa baa black sheep
Have you any wool?
Yes sir, yes sir, 4 bags full.
One for Gramma, one for Rover, one for Dada, one for me!
*Draw pictures or practice writing letters in your shaving cream.
*Tired of shearing sheep? Turn your shaving cream into a full moon and poke holes with your finger to be the craters. Add some washable paint to the shaving cream to mix and swirl! Or, toss in some plastic toys and give them a foamy bath.
I would love to see you busy playing! Please send a picture to clewis@egvpl.org if you would like to share.