Activity 5: Ghosts
Part of Chalice Children
Activity time: 15 minutes
Materials for Activity
- Facial tissues, at least two sheets per ghost
- Rubber bands, one per ghost; small bands work best (so children don't have to double a band to fasten it)
- String or yarn
- Black markers
Preparation for Activity
- Cut string or yarn into 18-inch lengths (one per ghost).
- Make a ghost to show the children.
Description of Activity
What is one way to be in control of something scary? Put a ghost on a string!
Invite the children to the activity table. Show them the ghost and tell them they will each make a ghost-on-a-string to take home.
Roll one piece of facial tissue into a ball and place it in the center of another tissue. Pull together the four corners of the flat tissue above the ball and hold the corners together. Put a rubber band on the fingers of your other hand and slip the rubber band over the ball to create the head of the ghost. With a black marker, make two small dots on the head for the eyes. Invite the children to add any other features to their ghost.
Attach a length of string to each ghost by tying the string to the rubber band. Invite the children to help one another fly their ghosts-on-a-string around the room.
Variations
Bean Bag Game. Use the ghosts like bean bags. Invite children to try throwing their ghosts into a box or basket.
Ghost Zip Line. Connect a length of string or yarn from a high point, such as a tabletop, down to a lower point, such as the floor. Make sure the string is at a sharp angle. You might tie one end to a door hinge or window rod and the other end to a low chair leg. Fold a small piece of paper over the string to create a trolley for the ghosts. Attach the ghost on a string by clothespin to the paper and let 'er rip!
Including All Participants
If you make a zip line for the ghosts, a child can remain stationary, such as in a wheelchair, and still have their ghost fly.