Activities for Kids: Week 4

Create a Fish Balloon Card

Scan the QR code to watch the Fish Balloon Card How-To Video visit

https://iframe.dacast.com/b/182094/f/1127610

Make a greeting card that has a (uninflated) balloon on the front and decorations around it that looks and feels like a fish!

Video/picture courtesy of Wolfner Library

Supplies:

• a balloon
• two different colors of construction paper, preferably one that matches the balloon and blue for water
• stick glue or craft glue (e.g. Elmer’s)
• a marker
• scissors
• one googly eye
  

Instructions:

1. Create fins for your balloon fish by cutting out two different sized triangles from the construction paper of the same color as your balloon
   1. You can do this by taking one edge of your construction paper, feel for the point and cut across
   2. To make a smaller triangle, feel for another edge of paper and cut closer to the point
2. The bigger triangle is going to go on top of the fish smaller triangle will go at the bottom of the fish
3. Cut a small heart to be the lips of your fish using the same paper
   1. Take one of those edges, cut up, do a little curve in, down, up again and curve around
4. Take the other construction paper, lay it down portrait style and fold the top part down to the bottom part to create the card
5. Take your glue, feel at the top until you are at about the center, move your finger down to about the middle and put a nice big dot of glue there
6. Take your balloon and put it down on to the spot you just glued
   1. The part of your balloon that you usually blow into is now the tail of your fish.
7. Take the bigger triangle, put glue all over the back side of it and put it at the top of the balloon, moving it underneath the balloon
8. Smooth the triangle down onto the paper
9. Take the small triangle, put glue all over the back side of it and put it at the bottom of the balloon, moving it underneath the balloon
10. Take your heart, glue it and you’re going to find the rounded part of that balloon and tuck the heart under that part
11. Push that down
12. Feel for the top part of the balloon where you put the bigger triangle, feel for the edge of that triangle to the left and move down to the balloon
13. Stick the googly eye on the balloon
14. If you feel like your balloon isn't as stuck as it should be to the card, you can go ahead and put a little bit more glue down where you think it needs to stay stuck and push the balloon down on that glue several times to get it nice and stuck
15. You can then use your marker to make bubbles, swirly lines for waves or some kelp
16. You can also add stickers or other things onto your card.
17. You can feel the lips, and the top, that googly eye, the body of the fish, as well as the bottom fin of the fish.

Congratulations!
You now have your very own fish balloon card.

Paper Bowl Jellyfish

One of the most fascinating creatures in the ocean is jellyfish with their unique shape and colors. These cute creations are great for kids or families to craft together. Have fun and craft on. Most supplies should be available at your local dollar store.

Supplies

• Small paper bowls
• Tissue paper (in any colors)
• Self-adhesive curly gift bow (in any colors)
• Googly eyes
• White string (to hang it)
• School glue
• Packaging tape
• Scissors

Directions

1. You can cut or tear your tissue paper into pieces. Use a few different colors if you want to make your jellyfish craft extra colorful.
2. Turn your paper bowl upside down and add school glue all over the bottom and sides. Put your tissue paper pieces all over your bowl, covering the bottom and sides completely. Add glue to any corners of tissue paper sticking up. Let dry completely.
3. Have an adult poke a small hole in the center of your paper bowl using the scissors. Push both ends of the string, tie a knot in the end, and tape it down inside the bowl.
4. Remove the adhesive backing from your curly gift bow and attach it the inside of the bowl. Position it so it hangs down from the center of the bowl.
5. Finish your cute and colorful jellyfish craft by gluing on googly eyes.

Courtesy of iHeartCraftyThings

Water Xylophone (Preschool)

Add different colors of food coloring and levels of water to six matching mason jars or glass bottles. Children hit the jars with wooden spoons or sticks. Talk about pitch, and ask children to predict what sounds the jars will make. Optionally, add ocean-themed silhouettes to the jars to go with the ocean theme. See video from Sidnie Srader of Dayton Public Library, Dayton, TX: https://youtu.be/WXX6DZJuStk.