Happy Holidays from Spellbound Theatre

By Haven Mitchell-Rose 

The Holidays are almost here! That means fun in the snow and warm mugs of cocoa. It also means being surrounded my your loved ones and many, many children. How will you ever keep all of these little ones entertained? Spellbound Theatre is here to help with these holiday-inspired creative play activities!

Collaborative Holiday Image 

Not only is this a great way for your child to explore what they Holidays mean to them, but it makes a lovely wall decoration for any holiday parties you might be hosting 

Materials 
Large sheet of paper (the back side of an expanse of wrapping paper works nicely)
glue/ tape 
smaller paper (copy, construction, or both)
pencils/ markers/ crayons etc. 
stickers/ glitter/ feathers (optional) 

Step 1: Secure the large piece of paper to the wall. You can choose to add a title such as "Happy Holidays!" or "My favorite thing about the holidays is..."
Step 2: Present child(ren) with smaller pieces of paper and arts supplies. Encourage them to draw their favorite thing about the holidays 
Step 3: Help them add their finished creations to the large piece of paper, and VOILA! you and your family have a beautiful and meaningful holiday decoration! 

 A New Oral Tradition 

Each tradition has its own holiday stories, that have been passed down from generation to generation. But, what would happen if instead of stories being told by elders to children, kids got to tell the elders their own version? In this next activity, you will find out! 

Materials: 
An open space
Some good stories 
You imagination 

Step 1: The Child(ren) is the narrator. What they say goes. (S)he will chose a story to tell - it can be a traditional holiday tale, a year round family favorite, or a new story that the child makes up on the spot
Step 2: As the child narrates adults/ other children will act out the story that is unfolding
Step 3: Ensure that all children present (who wish to) get a chance to narrate, and who knows? Maybe you and your little one(s) will create a brand new holiday tradition! 
*Challenge: Which kid can come up with the SILLIEST story? Which grown up is most COMMITTED to acting it out? give awards for each. 

As always, please share any festive pictures/ videos you take to our Facebook Page with the hashtag #Spellboundholidays

A variation on the "Collaborative Holiday Image" from a Free Family Arts Day this past summer. Info on future Free Family Arts Days is coming soon!