chd-actvites-msg - 3/1/08
Suggestions and comments on various children's activities (other than games) for SCA events.
NOTE: See also the files: child-gam-msg, children-msg, toys-msg, dolls-msg, games-msg, games-SCA-msg, sports-msg, Toys-in-th-MA-art.
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NOTICE -
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This file is part of a collection of files called Stefan's Florilegium. These files are available on the Internet at: http://www.florilegium.org
I have done a limited amount of editing. Messages having to do with separate topics were sometimes split into different files and sometimes extraneous information was removed. For instance, the message IDs were removed to save space and remove clutter.
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Mark S. Harris AKA: THLord Stefan li Rous
Stefan at florilegium.org
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From: ejpiii at delphi.com
Newsgroups: rec.org.sca
Subject: Re: Activities for Children
Date: Tue, 7 Mar 95 18:38:13 -0500
Organization: Delphi (info at delphi.com email, 800-695-4005 voice)
To entertain our youngest members you can try reading them a fairy tale and
then making hand puppets out of rags. Then get the kids to act out the fairy
tale with the puppets. All the other stuff you carry around for them can be
incorporated. I also find that kids like to write the story themselves.
Puppet play can go forever. Supply them with soft bags and show them the basic
moves then stand back and giggle as they 'juggle'. Have them take turns being
'King or Queen' and let them make the laws.
They love to order adults around and in the SCA there are always people
who can be asked to play along for a few minutes.
Eddward
Newsgroups: rec.org.sca
Subject: Re: Activities for Children
From: una at bregeuf.stonemarche.org (Honour Horne-Jaruk)
Date: Thu, 09 Mar 95 08:15:42 EST
> Dottie Elliott (macdj at onr.com) wrote:
> : Specifically, I am looking for things to do with my 2 1/2 year old
> : son. However, I would welcome suggestions for any age child. It WILL
> : eventually come in handy. What kind of games are period? What type of
> : toys are period? We have a collection of wood blocks, a wooden horse and
> : cart and a large wooden horse and dragon. I need something more and
> : something that can entertain a group of children ages from 2 - 6 or so.
> : I will greatly appreciate all suggestions.
> : Thank you.
Respected friend:
Tops- fighting tops for the older ones. Rolling hoops (I believe
Brandies University still sells them, for the annual hoop-race.) Making
absolutely anything that can be served, by them, as part of the feast for
the Grownups - even a two-year-old can put stripes on a "cookie".
Lots and lots and lots of large-print, _accurate_, picture books
about our period. These actually serve a double purpose; If some chowderhead is
complaining, for no _good_ reason, about the inevitable play-noises of young
children, just hand him a book and say "He'll be nice and quiet while you read
to him." One, this gets the complainer to stop whining and do something useful
about the situation; two, if your child is getting over- wound, it will quiet
him down; three, it used to astound me (It doesn't any more) how often the
chowderhead suddenly stops being one when he's surrounded by the circle of
enrapt little faces that always seem to magically appear whenever a stranger
starts reading a kid's book aloud.
What's even more fun is the high percentage of ex-chowderheads who
find things in the simplest "meet the middle ages" baby's board book that
are genuinely new to them. I've spent entire events handing adult novices
my baby son's books and handling the "but Prince Valient never..." that
result from same. (That's why you should make sure the books are accurate-
your child learns, everyone else's child learns, chowderhead learns twice...
both that little kids aren't a bad thing, and that he doesn't know nearly
as much as he thought he did, about either little children or the middle
ages!)
It's probably too late for this one, but in general, one very useful
trick is to help your baby pick and use a "comfort object" that won't look
out of place at an event. If you get him used to a length of sturdy silk
instead of a smurf blanket, he'll feel and look better at events.
I'll try to find and post the "Stonemarche Baronial toybox wish
list", but it may take me a few weeks. In the meantime, all applicable
suggestions posted here will get added to that list when I do find it.
Good luck.
Yours in service to the Society-
(Friend) Honour Horne-Jaruk R.S.F.
Alizaunde, Demoiselle de Bregeuf C.O.L. SCA
Una Wicca (That Pict)
From: ej613 at cleveland.Freenet.Edu (Maureen S. O'Brien)
Newsgroups: rec.org.sca
Subject: Re: Activities for Children
Date: 13 Mar 1995 04:07:36 GMT
Organization: Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH (USA)
>chowderhead suddenly stops being one when he's surrounded by the circle of
>enrapt little faces that always seem to magically appear whenever a stranger
>starts reading a kid's book aloud.
Also, telling a story to kids fascinates them. No matter how good, bad,
or indifferent the telling, they can't _believe_ that someone is actually
just coming up with the words that make the tale. I can still remember
how proud I was when I saw my little cousins' eyes widen as I told them
fairy tales they had heard from books and videos -- but never from a teller.
And when they hadn't heard the tale before - well! One of them said, "Your
tummy is full of stories!"
(Still don't know where the tummy came in.)
Singing to kids is also fun. Ballads, rounds, whatever.
Btw, I'm sure many minstrels\storytellers\etc. would love to work with
kids. It's a great performance practice. And if, after you try, you
encourage the kids to tell _you_ a story -- or if you help them to _learn_
the song -- well, both you and the kids tend to learn something and it's
at least twice as much fun!
--
Maureen S. O'Brien We are like the roses ---
ad451 at dayton.wright.edu We are forced to grow.
Newsgroups: rec.org.sca
From: Brian <bbrunner at sdsp.mc.xerox.com>
Subject: Re: Activities for children
Organization: Xerox Corporation
Date: Thu, 26 Sep 1996 17:19:44 GMT
Paulette Lashley wrote:
> I have recently been given the task of searching for activities for
> children at events. I hope to collect suggestions for both physically
> active types as well as "quieter" ones so I can intermingal the two.
> If you have great sources I need to consult or suggestions
> of games/activities you have used or seen I would love to
> hear from you.
>
> Rosamund of Akeru Thunder
Coloring is a common pastime, but make a change:
make your own pages-to-be-colored, of shields w/charges,
and key the areas to be colored with Heraldic color/metal names.
They color, and learn to name things.
Candle-making is a blast, requiring glass jars and colored wax
that is ground to powder and put in salt shakers (a la
pepper shakers at the pizza place)
Ring toss, hunker-hauser, tug-of-war, etc.
Read them stories, even Monmouth's Arthur fiction; Beowulf would
be better. If you can project characters with voice,
several Icelandic sagas make great telling, e.g. Kormac the
Skald or Grettir the Strong.
Get a hand-puppet, and work up a skit. Great way for enhancing
the reading of a story. Practice weird growling voices
for the puppet, and interrupt yourself frequently. You don't
have to be good, just interested in the childrens' enjoying
their own suspension of disbelief.
If you're in the Kingdom of the West, get pool noodles, cut
them in half (1 long -> 2 short), shape child-sized grips in
them, and teach them Rapier.
Kids are fun.
Brian/Hrolf
From: petrie at uslink.net (John Petrie)
Newsgroups: rec.org.sca
Subject: Re: Activities for children
Date: 27 Sep 1996 06:50:08 GMT
Paulette Lashley wrote:
> I have recently been given the task of searching for activities for
> children at events. I hope to collect suggestions for both physically
> active types as well as "quieter" ones so I can intermingal the two.
> If you have great sources I need to consult or suggestions
> of games/activities you have used or seen I would love to
> hear from you.
>
> Rosamund of Akeru Thunder
1)start a box/chest of older clothing that people no longer wish so the kids
can play dress up. Kids love to dress up and play.
2. For smaller children make edible play dough (using powdered milk and peanut
butter [1 cup peanut butter, 1/3 cup powdered milk and a dash of honey]). Let
them eat their creations when done.
3. make masks using paper plates. cut the plate into halves and then use a
craft stick ( shaped like the stick from a popsickle) to provide the handle.
These masks are easier for kids since they are less like to limit vision
(They just hold up the mask when they want to wear it) Provide construction
paper, glue, tape, feathers, glitter, etc.
4. Get a huge peace of paper and have them draw a village or a castle. For
little kids draw in some of the main roads or castle and then let them fill in
the rest. This activity will work for older kids also. ( I wouldn't recomend
kids under 5 working with older kids on this.)
5.Make paper dolls and then provide xeroxed sheets of 'clothing' to collor and
cut out' Girls especiall like this, but make sure to make 'boy' dolls also.
6. Make beads!!! I think the recipe is 1/3 cup salt, 1/3 cup corn starch and
colored with 1/4 cup paprika. Try this recipe at home first to check on the
correct amount of ingredients. Add water slowly to get to the right
consistency. Have kids make beads or medalions . The beads are generally dry
if placed in a dry warm are over night. They can be strung and worn. You
might need a pencil or a nail to re-open the holes that close in the drying
process. WARNING these beads turn to goo if they get wet.
THese are just a few ideas off the top of my head. I volunteer at the local
elementary school and have helped out with many different activities. The best
thing to remember is to not let the group get out of control or it will be a
miserable afternoon. Have the kids make up their rules and then have them
stick with them.
WyldRose
kidkaos at uslink.net
Newsgroups: rec.org.sca
Subject: Re: Activities for children
From: Holly_Sullivan at elric.maximumaccess.com (Holly Sullivan)
Date: Sat, 28 Sep 96 18:53:46 PDT
Organization: The Techno-Mages' Guild * DLG Pro HQ
> Paulette Lashley wrote:
> > I have recently been given the task of searching for activities for
> > children at events.
Brian gave you some excellent suggestions, and I have another one to add..
get some FIMO or Sculpey polymer clay (Sculpey is generally a bit cheaper,
as well as easier for the children to work) and have them make some Viking
beads. At Costumer's Guild last month here in Calafia, a talented
gentleman taught us all how (mainly grownups, some kids) how to do this..
and he had a book showing actual Viking beads from gravesites that were
-identical- in pattern and color to the ones we had just spent the evening
making. (He showed us the book after the class, while we were waiting the
half hour needed to bake the beads in a low temp oven.) Great fun too.
From: boofull at cris.com (Jaz Gordon)
Newsgroups: rec.org.sca
Subject: Re: Activities for children
Date: Wed, 02 Oct 1996 06:24:06 GMT
Organization: Concentric Internet Services
The Barony of Dragonsspine page has a full page of kids' activities.
It's URL is:
http://www.usa.net/~norseman/dragon.html
Jaz Gordon (Mirya Mulrainey, Barony of Caerthe, Kindom of the Outlands)
boofull at cris.com
Canton of Hawk's Hollow: http://members.aol.com/boofull/canton.html
Barony of Caerthe: http://members.aol.com/boofull/barony.html
From: nzsm at spis.co.nz (SPIS & NZ Science Monthly)
Newsgroups: rec.org.sca
Subject: Re: Activities for children
Date: Tue, 08 Oct 96 22:44:48 GMT
Organization: South Pacific Information Services Ltd
petrie at uslink.net writes:
>>Coloring is a common pastime, but make a change:
>> make your own pages-to-be-colored, of shields w/charges,
>> and key the areas to be colored with Heraldic color/metal names.
>> They color, and learn to name things.
Take an old plain blanket and applique simple shields on it. Make up
flattish bean bags with matching devices and use it as a toss game. Can toss
for matching charges, tinctures etc. (It's something I've been meaning to do
for a while -- the bean bags are a great way to use up the circular bits cut
out of the innumerable flat caps produced here...)
>>Ring toss, hunker-hauser, tug-of-war, etc.
Lots of good running games such as bullrush or barley corn (variants on
running across a field and avoiding being tagged).
>>Read them stories
Don't forget songs too -- you can have lots of fun with adapated sursery
songs and there are older versions of common ones, such as Three Blind Mice.
"Tomorrow the Fox will come to Town" goes down a treat with toddlers if you
substitute various animal noises for the "hoop, hoop, hoop, hoop, hoop" bit.
>3. make masks using paper plates. cut the plate into halves and then use a
>craft stick ( shaped like the stick from a popsickle) to provide the handle.
Hey, forget the craft stick -- ask any archer for broken arrow shafts. You
can tape the ends if you're worried, but it's one of the few uses I've found
for the damn things. (Any other ideas appreciated -- we have lots!)
>5.Make paper dolls and then provide xeroxed sheets of 'clothing' to collor and
>cut out' Girls especiall like this, but make sure to make 'boy' dolls also.
Can do hard card bodies and provide garb and armour for dressing too.
>6. Make beads!!! I think the recipe is 1/3 cup salt, 1/3 cup corn starch
and >colored with 1/4 cup paprika.
Or do rosary beads -- old garb recommended for this.
katherine kerr of the Hermitage (who is looking forward to playing with her
offspring in divers manners)
==========================================================================
New Zealand Science Monthly -- NZ's only general-interest science magazine
nzsm at spis.co.nz * Fax: +64-3-384-5138 * Tel: +64-3-384-5137
P.O. Box 19-760, Christchurch, New Zealand
From: Staff <betpulib at ptd.net>
Newsgroups: rec.org.sca
Subject: Children's Historical Activities--A Resource
Date: 11 Apr 1997 14:16:15 GMT
Organization: Bethany Public Library
Greetings to all the Children's Officers and Parents who read this
missive.
I am Lady Aoife Finn, a Modern Librarian and Former Children's Officer,
and I am a mom as well.
My Library just made a purchase I think will be welcomed with open arms
by all those seeking to find relevant history related activities for the
children who attend events, large Wars, etc.
The Book we purchased, as a test for the series, is called Make It
Work!History---The Roman Empire. There are a number of books in the
series, whith new volumes currrently still in production. It is produced
by World Book (yep, the Encyclopedia people), and I purchased it through
Amazon Books over the 'net for 12.99 (cover price 13.95).copyright 1996
Two-Can Publishing, ltd., ISBN 0-7166-1728-5 (pbk) 0-7166-1727-7 (hbk)
For more information on the series from World Book products, call
1-800-255-1750, x-2238
This book gives a kid's-eye-view of the history of the roman empire, and
covers citizens from every walk of life, covering both myth and reality.
The best part of the book are the numerous projects (complete with
materials list) that are kid oriented and tested, and are designed to
emulate some aspect of history in a child-safe manner. In particular,
this book gives directions for making a tunica, belt and the pins to hold
it up (pins made safely!), how to make a pair of roman sandals, complete
with pattern, How to wear a toga (simplified), how to make a laurel
wreath, how to make a roman brooch, how to make a mosaic, how to make a
honey omlet, how to make grape punch, how to dine, roman style, how to
make a roman toy doll, how to make a writing tablet, how to make a face
pot, how to make a votive offering, how to make knucklebone dice, how to
make a roman drum, how to make a pair of armored shoes.
As you can see, this is an amazing book and a great resource for
children's activities. This is just the first book. My Library, upon
inspection, plans to buy the set (lucky me), but I strongly encourage all
those planning children's activities in the SCA to take a look at them
all at their local library. They might be available through Inter-library
Loan if they are not classified as reference books (which can never be
taken out of the Library).
Respectfully submitted this 11th day of April,
Aoife
Subject: Kingdom Crusades, "kid stuff", part one
Date: Tue, 20 Oct 1998 13:31:20 -0400
From: "Rowanwald Central" <rownwald at gte.net>
To: "Merry Rose" <atlantia at atlantia.sca.org>
CC: "Ceridwen ferch Owain" <cfowain at aol.com>
You all know those long trips home - seatmates run out of things to talk
about, some sleep, and others spend the hours thinking of things to
make/acquire/improve. Such were the direction of my thoughts while
traveling home from the Crusades. I was thinking about kid's stuff.
Children's activities at many events suffer from lack of
medievally-oriented themes, understandably, since we are somewhat dependent
upon modern resources for supplies. But it shouldn't be that way, needn't
be that way - we have many talented people who can adapt or modify things
modern into things medieval(ly flavored). And if they all made just one
half-hour game or craft kit in advance (say for 20 children), we'd be
overwhelmed with things to do each event. So I am posting some ideas here,
requesting that you exercise your fertile brains to post something
yourself, and challenging you to put together one kit - stored in a
zip-lock bag with directions for the activity printed on a piece of paper
inside so that YOU DON'T EVEN HAVE TO BE THERE (as long as some volunteer
is there to read your directions). This means that fighters, archers,
merchants, A & S organizers, cooks, trolls, and all other event-involved
persons of talent can support our younger members without talking away from
their own persuits. So on to the list....
Court Ribbons: strips of finished cloth, fabric glue, decorations or
stencils and fabric paint/markers. The children can craft their own (or
gift, or prize) ribbons to wave during the "vivat" portion of Court.
Canton, Shire, Baronial or Kingdom color themes would be nice....
approximate cost for 20: under $10.
Game:Pirate's Treasure (or Dragon's Horde, or whatever thematic title you
dream up): Round Balloons, a string, a stake (or an old Nissan car key) and
some sort of hard candy or other multiple-round/multiple winner prize. To
play the game, arrange the children in a circle around the staked string.
Attach an inflated balloon to the string (blowing up the balloon can be a
"prize" or Honor in itself). One child is the "dragon", the other is the
"knight". With hands clasped behind their backs (an important safety
feature), the knight has 10 seconds to get past the dragon and pop the
balloon (removing the protection spell, as it were). If the knight
succeeds, s/he become the new dragon. If the dragon succeeds, s/he
continues to protect her/his horde - I'd suggest that the dragon get
"magically" turned into a dwarf after three successful rounds so that the
other children get a chance at it. The winner of each round gets a small
prize. Try to ensure that each child comes away with a prize, even if they
must be rewarded for honorable behavior, excellent maneuvers, kindness to
opponent or some such. There should be no "losers".
Belts - supplies needed: round rings (key rings can work and are cheaper to
acquire at some craft stores), fabric strips made of wide bias tape or
fabric cut and pre-sewn, a rivet or grommet kit, hammer, some form of
decoration for the belt (studs,rivets or such to hammer on, or fabric glue
and decorations, or fabric paint/markers). If you use a grommet kit that
contains the long (usually blue) tool designed to hold grommet(or snap) and
fabric together (which also serves to keep fingers away from the strike
area), the children can hammer with delight - always a fun activity, and a
taste of making their own armor or garb... cost: variable due to supplies,
under $20
Belts II - supplies needed: round rings, three or more colors of heavy
yarn. Divide the children into couples. Cut the yarn into 72" lengths,
gather the lengths into "clumps" of three, loop the middle of each clump
through the ring and then have one child hold the ring while the other
braids or knots their belt. Try to team up children who know how to braid
with ones who need help (to encourage teamwork and courtesy). cost: under
$12
Duck, duck, goose is (so far we know) a period game - only an instruction
sheet is needed.
Red light/green light can be renamed "Lay on/Hold" and serve the purpose of
teaching children to stay still when a hold is called.
[Submitted by: rmhowe <magnusm at ncsu.edu>]
Subject: Kingdom Crusades, kids stuff II
Date: Tue, 20 Oct 1998 14:17:42 -0400
From: "Rowanwald Central" <rownwald at gte.net>
To: "Merry Rose" <atlantia at atlantia.sca.org>
More ideas (didn't want my message to be toooo long). Keep in mind that
while some kits are more cost or prep-time intensive, they are made at your
leisure in