chd-actvites-msg - 7/3/11

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, chd-ck-clsses-msg.

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This file is a collection of various messages having a common theme that I  have collected from my reading of the various computer networks. Some messages date back to 1989, some may be as recent as yesterday.

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Thank you,
    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 advance and can be done with help from others, "I can't sew, but
I'll spring for the materials" "I'm tired of sewing, but I have all these
largish scraps" "If you make it, the Shire/Barony/Canton will pay for the
materials"....

Mugs - hot beverage cups made out of paper (the kind with the two little
handles that fold out) can be covered with fabric scraps (pre-cut) and
decorated with markers or fabric glue/gems, string. Yarn wrapped around the
two handles serves to hold them together and reinforce their strength. A
yarn loop off of the handle makes it possible to hang the "mug" from their
belts. The mugs will probably not last beyond the event - but that is less
important than the feeling of accomplishment and "fitting in" that the
project will engender.

Dyeing project (needs warm day or hot Hall to dry the finished projects):
use squirt bottle (the type found in hair-dye boxes and craft stores) to
hold a dye made of unflavored Kool-Aid. Outline design with fabric glue or
other substance that eliminates fiber bleed-through. Use the dye to fill in
the design area with color. Items that can be dyed: pouches, cheap muslin
tabards, napkins, "vivat" ribbons, favors, tippets...etc. One idea is to
create tabards and  a stencil for a Crusaders Cross, and then allow the
children to "take up the Crusade".

Story Sticks - Materials: Wide tongue depressors, markers, rubber bands (or
pouches). The children can have their storysticks pre-made for them, or
make them themselves, depending on the target age. Using a list of words
such as knight, king, sword, castle, ogre, bandit, forest... write one word
on each stick (on the end, to avoid sticky-finger syndrome). Each set of
sticks should have a healthy blend of words, atleast 12, better at 20. The
children can then use any method to select a small number of sticks
(tossing their collection into the air and using only the ones that land
face-up, having other children each draw a face-down stick and giving the
selected one back, closing eyes and grabbing four or five sticks). Each
child takes turns creating a story using the selected words - a bardic
challenge. The rubber bands or pouches are to keep their sticks from
getting scattered and lost.

Sticks and stones - materials: small sticks (available right now at the
dollar tree in bags of 300) and "stones" (hard candy or some other storable
item). Each child should get a kit that contains around 12 sticks and five
or so stones. These are so they can teach the game later. The game requires
two or more players (best with three). The non-guessers hide up to three
sticks in their hands, which they hold infront of them. The guesser then
guesses the TOTAL number of sticks being held by the players. If the
guesser is correct, they collect one "stone" from each player. It was a
surprisingly popular game at Crusades.

Fans - materials: poster paper (precut) or paper plates, glue, tongue
depressors, decorating materials. Use two tongue depressors to create a
handle for the fan (sandwich the paper between the ends of the depressors),
then decorate the fan surface. Hmmm... wrapping the handles with yarn would
be easy - and would create a "loop" to hand the fan from a belt....

Promissory Scroll Protectors - decorate manila file folders and give them
to the Royals (or Baron/ess) to hold/protect the promissories that are
awarded. Use crayon or pencil to decorate, NOT water-based markers!

Pouches can be pre-made from scraps and decorated onsite. Starting the day
with this activity gives each child something to hold all the little things
they seem to collect.

Sachets - candy molds can be filled with a solution of plaster of paris and
spices (or essential oils), then colored and sprayed with finish (hair
spray is a good fixative!). If the plaster of paris is mixed with a
water-and-glue solution, the molds will be less likely to break. The
sachets can be prepared as a gift to be given out at Court, or as 12th
night (or any other night) gifts, or to keep. They are very good for giving
your garb a "period" scent.


Subject: BG - Kids activities - was Eliminating Offices
Date: Tue, 23 Feb 99 12:06:36 MST
From: Aceia at aol.com
To: bryn-gwlad at Ansteorra.ORG

>Tabitha and I
>would like to start a guild to see that happen. it would meet once a
>month and kids could learn something fun - dance, a song, a craft, etc.
>I think MOC could be a valuable office in this capacity.

You might be able to get the other guilds to do 'demos' for our kids...
-Clothiers guild show them how to make something simple (Sewing cards for
the little ones and t-tunics or sewing samplers for the bigger kids)
-Bardic Guild could teach a story
-Music guild could teach simple music (notes in a scale, or rythems)
-Cooking guild could teach how to make lemonade or something else that is
easy (cooking is great with kids because everyone can participate)
-Herb guild could teach how to recognize poison ivy and poisonous plants
or how to plant and grow rosemary
-Brewers guild could teach how to make vinegar [side note - in my 6th
grade Latin Class we made vinegar the "Roman" way by putting squashed
grapes in a jar and sealing it for 6 weeks.  We had salads with our
vinegar on it...]
-Dance guild could teach a simple dance like Hole in the Wall
-Middle Eastern Guild could teach beginning bellydance or drumming (Kids
LOVE this)

Other classes that might not be linked to certain guilds would be:
-How to Curtsey, Salute or Bow properly and proper forms of address (make
it fun by drawing titles out of a hat and they get to 'pretend' to have
that title)
-How to be a Page
-Hats for kids
-Embroidery or How to sew beads on cloth
-Leather crafts (When I was little, we made stamped leather bracelets)
-How to whittle or woodburning (For older kids only - Father/Son type
workshop)
-Fashionable hairstyles (mother/daughter type workshop)
-How to draw patterns for use in decoration (from sorting activities for
the little ones to simple repeating patterns up to knotwork)

There are a lot of neat craft kits out there that could be used as a
basis for some of the classes also.  I would be willing to help out with
this sort of thing.  I never much liked baby sitting, but at heart I am
still a teacher.

-Robin


Subject: Re: BG - Kids activities - was Eliminating Offices
Date: Wed, 24 Feb 99 08:10:50 MST
From: dewalden at flash.net
To: bryn-gwlad at Ansteorra.ORG

> additional idea ...
> ... squire 101: how to clean armour (g)

You joke, but it's really a good idea.  I remember Antoine putting little
Jonathon (Isedora's son) to work on his metal gorget a couple of years ago.  He
really worked hard on it and polished it up nicely!  Not something I think he would want to do on a daily basis, of course, but I think he enjoyed it that one
time! Some kids may even enjoy doing it on a fairly regular basis.  You never
know.

Yvette


Date: Sat, 31 Jul 1999 13:10:23 -0500
From: Rayne and Richard <PRIDEelectric at centuryinter.net>
Subject: Re: SC - Just to introduce myself

Also something I did long ago was, for a gosling "children's" activity, have
some large pieces of white posterboard.  Draw, in black bold markers, the
outline of a shield on the posterboard. (Do NOT cut the shield shape out)  Have
the children decorate the shields -  anyway they want - THEN cut out the shield
shape.  (Kids don't have to worry about staying in the lines this way) Have them
write their names on the back and use them to decorate the Hall.  The kids are
so proud to point out their artwork to parents and friends and they have
something to take home after the event.

Rayne
Meridies


Date: Sun, 14 Nov 1999 06:49:04 MST
From: YTHmin at aol.com
Subject: Re: ANST - Childrens Activities
To: ansteorra at Ansteorra.ORG

<<Greetings all!
I would like to know where I might find a good resource for childrens 
activities that are at least semi-period.  ANY help with this will be more 
than greatly appreciated.  Keep in mind I am looking for indoor activites as 
the event they will be used at is in February. Thank you.

Lady Aerin of Adlersruhe (MKA Melinda Kinser)
Event Steward of Bards & Arts IV>>

Here are a few ideas, if you need specifics e mail me 
make coins using plaster,
make paper and ink and then write a letter and seal it with wax ( teach 
caligraphy and the next thing you know you have your own scroll making work 
   force)
make pouches out of leather (if you can get leather punches - it's even 
   better)
make jester batons (a neat thing to do - work well with younger kids as well 
   as older kids)
make hats out of paper (or paper mache) 
make garland wreaths
make period game boards, let the kids decorate them and then store them for 
use at other events
make decks of cards, once again let the kids decorate them, make stamps out 
of potatoes and stamp the cards- thats always fun

Oh another good and fun idea is to select a fairy tale
and have the kids learn it. they can spend the day making costumes and then 
perform  before the court or such....if they can't memorize it have them 
perform the actions and parts as a creative reading...ie an instant play

Steve 


Date: Wed, 12 Jan 2000 00:19:40 -0600
From: "Debra R. Poole" <dpoole1 at airmail.net>
Subject: SC - Cooking in MOC

I hosted MOC activities at our local 12th night.  One of the activities I selected to do was redacting and cooking a period
recipe.  Of the 23 kids in MOC only one did not like what we did.  We made Brown Fries from Take a Thousand Eggs or More II.  The
Kids translated it into modern English and then we prepared the recipe.  It was by and far the most popular activity all day (and it
had some stiff competition like calligraphy and gold leafing on vellum).  I have not up packed all the MOC stuff yet but when I do I
will post the recipe if anyone is interested.  I was wondering if anyone else had ever done this with kids and what kind of success
they had.

Meredudd
Barony of the Steppes
Kingdom of Ansteorra


Date: Wed, 31 May 2000 01:03:10 EDT
From: <HRAFNASDOT at aol.com>
To: sca-arts at raven.cc.ukans.edu
Subject: Re: Cheap kids baskets

Do you have any pine needles available in your area?  they can be squashed 
into sections and wound with twine/cord, making a spiral shaped mat.  Very 
period, but I don't have the documentation.  Free materials make them a good 
start.  Rafia works as well if you use it in a flat, mat format.  The only 
problem I have with some of these materials is that I'm allergic.  Gloves 
help when first bending these types of shapes, check out the "little tykes" 
gardening jersey gloves.  

Another type of basket can be made with old macrame' hemp, cotton cording or 
paper (I forget the decorating term) cording that one uses for decorating 
baskets.  You use the 1/4 to 1/2 cord as a base, wrap it with yarn.  On the 
wrapping yarn, keep a needle on the end and every inch or two sew it to the 
existing spiral with a figure '8' stitch/wrap.  It sounds complicated but it 
becomes very simple and is the basis for modern art baskets - there is 
documentation for this style as well but I still don't have all my basketry 
books in one spot.  

For ease of a kit and instructions - by all means I agree and highly 
recommend the Boy Scout type.  If you just want to teach technique, the above 
methods can be very inexpensive.  Good Luck.  BTW- I am sure you are familiar 
with this but - fine motor skills like this are demanding quite a lot from 
anyone age 9 or younger - it is not impossible, but they will take more one 
on one teaching than the older kids.  I've come up with projects that I've 
simply had to postpone for older groups because I overestimated the skills 
level of the little ones involved.

Happy Basket Making

Asa Hrafnasdottir


Date: Wed, 31 May 2000 07:24:14 +0100
From: "Melanie Wilson" <MelanieWilson at bigfoot.com>
To: <sca-arts at raven.cc.ukans.edu>
Subject: Re: Cheap kids baskets

>Do you have any pine needles available in your area?

Afraid not the Viking burned most of the or used them for ships centuries
ago :)

> they can be squashed
into sections and wound with twine/cord, making a spiral shaped mat.  Very
period, but I don't have the documentation.  Free materials make them a good
start.  Rafia works as well if you use it in a flat, mat format.  The only
problem I have with some of these materials is that I'm allergic.  Gloves
help when first bending these types of shapes, check out the "little tykes"
gardening jersey gloves.<

Yes Rush, Iris, gladioli can be used this was too, but it is pretty
expensive. I'm doing 30 plus kids in 4 sessions at a museum, not just my
kids unfortunatly !

>Another type of basket can be made with old macrame' hemp, cotton cording
or  paper (I forget the decorating term) cording that one uses for decorating
baskets.  You use the 1/4 to 1/2 cord as a base, wrap it with yarn.  On the
wrapping yarn, keep a needle on the end and every inch or two sew it to the
existing spiral with a figure '8' stitch/wrap.  It sounds complicated but it
becomes very simple and is the basis for modern art baskets - there is
documentation for this style as well but I still don't have all my basketry
books in one spot.<

I know the type don't worry :)

>For ease of a kit and instructions - by all means I agree and highly
recommend the Boy Scout type.  If you just want to teach technique, the
above methods can be very inexpensive.

Again too expensive for the amount  (at least if I'm correct in looking at
the equivalent I think here eg cardboard flower type shape) runs at eq of $3
each, museums are very poor here !

>  Good Luck.  BTW- I am sure you are familiar
with this but - fine motor skills like this are demanding quite a lot from
anyone age 9 or younger - it is not impossible, but they will take more one
on one teaching than the older kids.  I've come up with projects that I've
simply had to postpone for older groups because I overestimated the skills
level of the little ones involved.<

I'm not sure what ages they will be, but yes I agreed, I've tried a few
ideas out on my 6 year old, who is very craft aware/interested, she found
basketry boring, but could do it, So I think I'll dump that idea and go for
Ugly mugs pots and bread instead !

I was pretty dubious to start with, but thought I'd run it past the list to
see if anyone had any good ideas, you have BTW but for I think older ones.

Thanks again

Mel


Date: Wed, 12 Jul 2000 23:57:37 -0400 (EDT)
From: Jenne Heise <jenne at tulgey.browser.net>
Subject: Re: SC - RE: sca-cooks V1 #2436

> << Hm. I had them grind scented spices together to make a powder that they
>  mixed with corn starch to make a scented powder to take home.  >> 
> I'm sure it was. What evidence do you have that cornstarch was even remotely 
> used in SCA period? Isn't such a substitute for whatever was actually used 
> not a little deceptive in presenting historical information to the public?

Well, Ras, if I claimed that it was a period ingredient rather than a
substitute for orris root which is too expensive to give away, and if I
actually told the kids they were making a 'real medieval' thing, it
certainly would be deceptive. 

In the case I was mentioning, it was a pretty much spur of the moment
thing-- the kids were mushing things in the mortar and I asked them if
they wanted to take it home; they wanted to know what they could do with
it, so I showed them a powder made with orris root that I had, and said
that I did not have orris root to give away but I could give them some
corn starch which wasn't medieval. Maybe it was deceptive, Ras. I probably
won't do that again. 

For an organized craft activity involving mortar and pestle that is quite
affordable and can be documented to 1606, you can try this recipe from
_Ram's Little Dodoen_:

"Take drie rose leaves keep them in a glasse which will keep them sweet
and then take powder of mynte, powder of cloves in a grosse
     powder, and putte the same to the Rose leves thanne putte all these
togyther in a bagge and Take that to bedde with you and it wyll
     cause you to sleepe and it is goode to smelle unto at other tymes."

Make up the bags ahead of time, and bring ground cloves and dried roses
and mint. Have the kids grind up the mint and add the ground cloves, then
mix it with roses and put in one of the bags and tie with a ribbon or sew
shut.

BTW, Ras, that lack of documentation that I found in response to your
question about medieval potsmoking has come in very handy for demos with
older teens.

Jadwiga Zajaczkowa, mka Jennifer Heise	      jenne at tulgey.browser.net


(From the SCA-Potters at egroups.com digest)
Mon, 10 Jul 2000 16:09:15 PDT
From: "Caitilin McAllister" <caitilin_mcallister at hotmail.com>
Subject: clay medallions

i was thinking of doing a project with the kids.....was curious how accurate
clay medallions would have been? is there a clay that the kids could work
with in the morning that would be dry by the evening without the use of an
oven? and if so where can i get it at?

Caitilin MacAllister ICQ # 70756597
Canton of Aston Tor
Barony of Forgotten Sea
Kingdom of Calontir
http://www.geocities.com/eastcoastdepsteward/


Date: Mon, 10 Jul 2000 21:52:48 -0500
From: "Jan Drake" <drake at netusa1.net>
Subject: Re: clay medallions

There is a self-hardening clay that I get from American Art Clay Co.  in
Indianapolis, IN.  We used it at Pennsic last year for a children's class to
teach some basic forming techniques.  The kids had a great time and some of
them were quite good.

The Brickyard is the name of the retail shop.  The number is 1-800-677-3289

Elayne


Date: Mon, 10 Jul 2000 23:23:22 EDT
From: DianaFiona at aol.com
Subject: Re: clay medallions

caitilin_mcallister at hotmail.com writes:
<<
 i was thinking of doing a project with the kids.....was curious how accurate
 clay medallions would have been? is there a clay that the kids could work
 with in the morning that would be dry by the evening without the use of an
 oven? and if so where can i get it at?
  >>

    I've done stamped clay medallions for site tokens and such, and, having a
bit on hand, have made a stamp or two out of the stuff called "Air-dry"
clay--or something close to that, at least! It dries harder and sturdier than
regular clay, and is not supposed to be fired. It's used for projects with
kids a lot and may suit your needs here. It can be painted with acrylic
paints, I believe, and varnished over that, but it still won't ever be at all
waterproof, so it's use is restricted to decorative items only.

    I've seen this for sale in in small, expensive boxes at art stores. I
doubt many ceramic shops would carry it in larger quantities, but you can
always ask........ :-) I would expect that most clay medalions, of whatever
type, would dry in an afternoon if left outside in the summer heat, so you
are probably safe there, no matter what kind of clay you choose.

                Ldy Diana


Date: Tue, 11 Jul 2000 03:48:19 EDT
From: mercy67 at aol.com
Subject: Re: clay medallions

<<
i was thinking of doing a project with the kids.....was curious how accurate
clay medallions would have been? is there a clay that the kids could work
with in the morning that would be dry by the evening without the use of an
oven? and if so where can i get it at?
>>

There are air drying clays that never have to be fired.  There is also made
by the same people who make playdough this cool clay that when you soak it,
it turns rock hard.  Then the kids can play with them.

If you use regualr clay and it's thin, it should dry in a few hours in the
sun.  I think the playdough stuff is faster...I think you soak it for a few
hours. <A HREF="http://www.dickblick.com/categories/clay">Clay and Modeling
Materials</A> this is Dick Blick link (heh...it rymes) and this is their
section on clays.  Take a look.  I think you can get most of the airdrying
stuff from most craft stores.  Lagunaclay.com also is a good place for the
airdrying clay and regular clays.

--Mercy


From: Eric Brown <eric.brown at mm-games.com>
Date: December 14, 2004 11:34:35 AM CST
To: Barony of Bryn Gwlad <bryn-gwlad at ansteorra.org>
Subject: RE: [Bryn-gwlad] children's activities at Candlemas

> at Candlemas.  I'm rounding up the materials for two tablet weaving
> classes, one on mosaics, and a cardboard-castle building activity prefaced
> by a brief discussion of the medieval significance of castles.  I'm
> teaching the tablet weaving myself (morning and afternoon) but would be
> happy to defer to someone more expert for the mosaics and castles.

It's not mosaics, but I've always thought this would be an excellent  
children's activity...

http://www.whitewinds.co.uk/acatalog/ 
White_Winds__White_Winds_Mini_Brass_rubbing_Kits_43.html

I think these are 9" tall, they are plastic kits that let you make  
brass rubbings off them.

about $4 per plastic casting.

They have resin casts that look realistic, the 14" ones are about $65.

I THINK I remember Sentri and Juliana doing this long long ago.

Cal-


Date: Wed, 28 Sep 2005 15:28:26 EDT
From: Devra at aol.com
Subject: [Sca-cooks] Re:kids' activities - commercial plug
To: sca-cooks at ansteorra.org

> We're working on having more activities for children in our Barony as
> well...could you send me a copy of this also?
>
> Kiri

I sell a nice book aimed at kids 6 - 12 with lots of good activities.  
It's called 'Days of Knights and Damsels', and sells for around $14.95.  
You can probably get it at your local library.

      Devra the Avaricious

Devra Langsam
www.poisonpenpress.com


Date: Wed, 28 Sep 2005 15:56:49 -0400
From: <mollirose at bellsouth.net>
Subject: Re: [Sca-cooks] Re:kids' activities - commercial plug
To: Cooks within the SCA <sca-cooks at ansteorra.org>

I bought this book almost 5 years ago when I first working with  
children in my local group. Thumbs up, very nice.

Molli

> I sell a nice book aimed at kids 6 - 12 with lots of good activities. It's
> called 'Days of Knights and Damsels', and sells for around $14.95. You can
> probably get it at your local library.
>      Devra the Avaricious


From: zubeydah at northkeep.org
Date: January 21, 2008 8:54:52 AM CST
To: "Kingdom of Ansteorra - SCA, Inc." <ansteorra at lists.ansteorra.org>
Subject: [Ansteorra] 'Dreams', Youth, Persona

I don't particularly like *most* children -- especially rude, noisy children. 
Much of that comes from growing up in a home where children were seen but not 
heard, reinforced by the application of a belt, in puritanical New England. 
Seeing kids running amuck at events was a source of ingrained irritation and 
frustration. 

So I decided to try and do something about it, with a vast amount of help from 
House Halfiras and Syr Owen ap Aeddan and his squires, among others.

Last year, at Northkeep's Castellan event, there was a "Young Ladies Salon and 
Tea" and we had twelve girls attend. They enjoyed lessons on how to curtsey, 
how to sit down when wearing a skirt, how to use 'inside voices' and got to 
hear and participate in round table discussions on the qualities of a lady - 
from both a female and male perspective. There were handouts. Each young lady 
received a gift basket filled with items essential to every Lady: a mirror, a 
favor to give, a fan and hanky, etc. We then had a delightful and delicious 
lunch, where table manners were discussed. We went over materials provided by 
the ever gracious Tessa of the Gardens. We got to demonstrate our curtsies for 
His Royal Majesty. It was a very special time, even for someone who doesn't 
particularly like children. :)

At this year's Castellan, there will be a "Young Gentleman's Salle" for boys 
ages 7 to 12, set around the same sorts of themes: Gentlemanly behavior for 
young boys, how to bow, ways to increase one's manners, taught by individuals 
who are examples to those around them. I hope that it will go off as well as 
last year's event.

I figure I don't like the problem... so the only thing to do is to help create 
a solution.  Three birds (noisy kids, nothing interesting for them to do, and a 
lack of interest in THEIR persona development) with one stone seems like a good 
idea.

If you're interested in more info on the Salle (or Salon), have a child who 
would like to participate (first 20 rsvps only), or would like to be a guest 
teacher, please contact me off list.

- Zubeydah Jamilla al-Badawiyyah


From: "Dr. C. M. Helm-Clark Ph.D." <cat at rocks4brains.com>
Date: January 20, 2008 8:21:08 PM CST
To: "Kingdom of Ansteorra - SCA, Inc." <ansteorra at lists.ansteorra.org>
Subject: Re: [Ansteorra] children and teen activities in the SCA

> Currently, if you want teens and children to participate the
> parent (responsible adult) has to be willing to take time from his or

Please take no offense since I mean my comments in the
general, not personal, sense.  Your post makes it clear
that you are an involved and concerned adult when it
comes to kids at events.  But you have addressed something
near to my heart and so I feel I should explain myself.

I have lived in 6 kingdoms (Ansteorra will be kingdom 7)
and have observed that different patterns seem to hold
in different places for kids at events - and every kingdom
approaches and treats kids activities differently. I'm not
from around these parts (yet).

Now I was once was a legal guardian of and had living with
me a rather typical obstreperous young boy for a while. After
some years, things smoothed out for his post-divorce parents
and he was no longer lived with me nor was my responsibility
as far as the state of California was concerned. By the time
he was a teenager, his dad and step-mother would drag him to
events because they didn't trust him enough to leave him at
home. (Good thing he lived most of the time with his mom,
who trusted him enough to leave him at home alone, because
he _was_ a trustworthy teen.) I will leave you to fill in
just how much time his father and step-mother devoted to him
while at events (try zero...). Parents like this deserve to
be thumped in my opinion. The kid would come find me at
events because he knew I would have books on topics he liked
to read - and would borrow a book, find a quiet corner and
read (which is what he did a lot when he was in high school
anyway - he was deep into SciFi and still is.) The kid didn't
want to be there and he wasn't the only teen I knew in that
boat.  I started bringing premade packs of Magic the Gathering
cards and a box of the Paranoia RPG for the kid and two other
teens I knew in the same situation to use to kill time at yet
still another SCA event they didn't want to be at. I knew what
books and games would interest these boys and kept them on hand,
just in case, because their parents weren't as thoughtful. Need-
less to say, these sorts of parents are not my favorite people.

The West has a formal page school system and several other
activities that are traditionally taken up by kids at events,
like being list pages and helping to serve at feast. A good
friend of mine was one of the folks who had set up a similar
page school system in the Middle. But if a kid isn't interested
in any of those activities, then they are out of luck. Now my
charge was never really into page school though he liked to
serve feasts and do the list page thing when he was in grade
school.  Otherwise, when he was with me at events, I had to
dedicate time to make sure he had something to do and had a
safe place to do it in, whether he was playing with other kids
on site or just building stuff with his constructs set (I guess
I just dated myself there...). I would not have been able to do
it without help from friends and other parents/guardians. As a
kingdom officer, I could never done it alone.

It has to go without saying that if you have a kid with you,
you have spend time and be responsible for that kid. The kid's
needs have to come before the parent's/guardian's pleasures.
There are things kids can't do for themselves and if you just
dump the kid on the event and assume they get taken care of or
will take care of themselves, especially when they are young,
that's just not acceptable.  People who do stuff for kids at
events are wonderful but it makes me see red to see them and
their time abused by irresponsible parents and caretakers who
just dump their kids who just might not be interested in the
SCA. And I assume we all already agree that it is not kosher
to treat the local SCA folks who run youth stuff as a baby-
sitting service. Very uncool. These things might not happen a
lot here but I have unfortunately have seen it happen elsewhere.

If I could dictate how the world worked, the needs of your kids
would take precedence over your incidental hobby, which the SCA
qualifies as.  I get just a little rabid around the edges when
kids get neglected.  I try to hide the claws and fangs where no
one will see them but sometimes people spot them...  ;-)

Things got so bad in one kingdom where I lived that it was put
into kingdom law that any kids found at events without super-
vision by a babysitter or responsible caretaker, those parents
or guardians and their kids were subject to level 2 banishment
instantly (obviously this was before the most recent revision of
the SCA rules on sanctions).  The kingdom ended up paying a
hefty sum of money to undo the damage from the vandalism caused
by a handful of unsupervised older kids at a crown tourney. The
2 families involved got shown the door. One of my best friends in
the SCA handled the legal end for the kingdom on a pro bono basis
with the fairgrounds where this happened with the result that we
did not lose the use of that site like we had at other places in
the past. And this incident was not the worst I have encountered
in the SCA. I would not be adverse if every kingdom enacted similar
strictures and regret the necessity where such things have already
happened. Stuff like this is a long way down the road from Diana's
backyard tourney and medievally-themed going-away party in 1966,
and I believe it hurts us every time something like this yanks our
attention away from that splendid original vision those folks had
on that May afternoon in Berkeley 42 years ago where every fighter
was noble and puissant and every person championed was (to quote
Diana herself) indeed worthy of all honor.

When you live in awhile in one kingdom, it can seem like it is the
whole world - and it's easy to forget that other SCA kingdoms can be
very different places. (I've been to Lochac. Now that's different!)
Artemisia, kingdom #6 for me, has no hefty page school system and
none of the traditional "kid roles" like list pages in the West.
Artemisia does, however, have the best youth boffer activities I
have ever seen, and I've seen a few over 27 years in the SCA. In
every way, the boffer tourney circuit is exactly the mirror of the
rapier and heavy fighting circuits in Artemisia but the kids do
most of the work running the tourneys, from heralding fights to
doing the fighting. The kingdom lists office has recently started
running several of the youth boffer tourneys - all of this under
the eye of a dedicated crew of adults who love running the youth
boffer circuit. The guy who really made it happen for the kingdom
got a pel for it not too long ago. Recently, at many events, the
main list field has begun to be reserved for part of the day for
the boffer tourney and most everyone watches the kids fight with
the same interest as they watch the rapier and heavy fighters. I
have no idea how this magic thing has come about but I find it
really wonderful and I expect I'll miss it when I move here in 2
weeks. Artemisia is a low-population kingdom spread over 5 states
but what they've created with the youth boffer fighting is really
very special. One of the local "boffer" teens recently asked most
forthsoothly, on his knees!, for a favor from one of the little
girls that a member brings along to fighter practice (where there
is an area dedicated for the boffer fighters to practice...). Who
says chivalry is dead? Certainly not those kids!

Anyway, I pray I have not offended you with stating my opinion
on these subjects.  Please remember that in any discussion on
an SCA list, I consider all to be my friends, though I may
sometimes "agree to disagree" with some of those friends. Recall
too that opinions are like sphincters:
everyone has got one...   ;-)

I remain your friend,
Therasia von Tux,
no longer lurking,
moving to Ansteorra in 2 weeks


To: Authentic_SCA at yahoogroups.com
Subject: Re: Pied Piper activities
Posted by: "mary_m_haselbauer" mary_m_haselbauer at yahoo.com   mary_m_haselbauer
Date: Wed Sep 3, 2008 1:06 pm (PDT)

Making and/or racing hobby horses.

Kids like helping. A group of young girls went around a symposium event 
this weekend asking people if they'd like water in their mugs. They'd 
fill them up and bring them back. It was very hot and this was extremly 
helpful. 

Dress up - our current MOY has a bunch of garb and scarves and beads. 
You'd think SCA kids would already be "dressed up" but they love it. 
I've been thinking of making tabards that suggest different SCA jobs 
(seneschal, marshal, etc) but are somehow designated as kids.

Leather balls are period and easy to make. 
http://aelflaed.homemail.com.au/doco/balls.html

Slaine
B3R Calontir


To: Authentic_SCA at yahoogroups.com
Subject: Re: Pied Piper activities
Posted by: "Chris Laning" claning at igc.org   chris_laning
Date: Wed Sep 3, 2008 2:05 pm (PDT)

Madeleine wrote:
>It seems by all the broken links I have found that this
>officer position seems to have fallen by the wayside in alot of
>different kingdoms/branches. 

You might also be missing some places where children's activities *are* taking place because they have been re-named. Try searching also under headings such as Youth or Children's Activities or Page School, for instance.

Christian de Holacombe


To: Authentic_SCA at yahoogroups.com
Subject: Re: Pied Piper activities
Posted by: "Terri Morgan" online2much at cox.net   thatdamehrothny
Date: Wed Sep 3, 2008 2:18 pm (PDT)

> Soap or candle carving.

This would be the season to stock up on "pumpkin carving kits" so the safe
knives are available - and gourd carving, especially to make a candle
lantern, would be fun any time the things are cheaply available.

I have a copy of a 16th-century woodcut showing a young boy standing on a
landing above a few other children. On the rail in front of him is a shallow
dish and in his hand a short tube or pipe - he is blowing soap bubbles,
which the kids below him are chasing.

Mylar tape over one end of a can that has had both ends cut off makes a good
drum. Making and decorating the drum can lead to learning how to use it, if
you have anyone who is good at that and is willing to teach the children
basic rhythms, and Master Dave'ed's pony-bead method of recording drumming
rhythms are yet another activity.

Making a gaming pouch (circle or square of fabric or leather with the game
board drawn/incised on the interior with a drawstring around the outer edge
to form a carrying pouch) and then learning how to play - and then learning
how to compete in a game's tourney is another good activity.

So is "red light/green light" using "lay one/hold" for the smallest children
as it teaches them an important safety habit.

Hrothny


To: Authentic_SCA at yahoogroups.com
Subject: Re: Pied Piper activities
Posted by: "Lilinah" lilinah at earthlink.net   urtatim_alqurtubiyya
Date: Wed Sep 3, 2008 6:12 pm (PDT)

Note that the gingerbread recipe recommended requires NO baking. It 
is primarily bread crumbs, honey, and spices. It will require some 
adult supervision :-)

Also, Elisabeth said
>1. You could have them create favors to bestow upon their favorite
>fighter. Maybe using scuplty and ribbon.

I assume by "scuplty" that what was actually meant was "Sculpey". 
This is a modern polymer "clay" and requires baking. There are 
several other similar products, such as "Fimo", although "Fimo" needs 
a bit of pre-work to soften it up before little hands can use it. 
Sculpey tends to be softer.

While polymer clays are fun to use and generally easy to model with, 
the objects made from it must be baked to harden them, and must be 
baked in an oven that is NOT used for food. One could have, for 
example, a dedicated "toaster oven" that is ONLY used for such 
projects. In the context of "Page School" this baking would need to 
be done by an observant adult in a well-ventilated place.

So ultimately they're not historically accurate (the focus of this 
list), expensive, and probably not so great for the environment.

I also used a type of modern "clay" that looks like clay (red-brown) 
that air-hardens. A quick web search (using the search parameters 
"air dry" and "modeling clay") turns it up at a number of on-line art 
supply sources. It does take about 24 hours to dry. Apparently some 
also come in white. They are declared to be "non-toxic" but i don't 
really know what they're made of.

Another useful modeling substance is papier mache/paper-mache. I've 
bought packages of nearly powdered paper, which can be mixed with 
water and flour paste or white glue and then modeled like clay for 
small objects. However Elmer's really is NOT what it used to be (a 
milk by-product) and i don't use it anymore, whereas flour paste is, 
if not SCA-period, at least historical, and safe. And there's always 
the paper-strip type of paper mache over forms, such as balloons. Not 
SCA period, but suitable for little kids.

An excellent resource is Stefan's Florilegium. There's a whole 
section on children, and several topics look as if they would be 
useful to you
http://www.florilegium.org/files/CHILDREN/idxchildren.html

You can also find a few versions of period gingerbread to use with 
your children:
http://www.florilegium.org/files/FOOD-SWEETS/gingerbread-msg.html

Here you will find projects that are closer to "SCA-period".
-- 
Urtatim (that's err-tah-TEEM)
the persona formerly known as Anahita


To: Authentic_SCA at yahoogroups.com
Subject: Re: Pied Piper activities
Posted by: "Jewel" avani_pari2 at yahoo.com   avani_pari2
Date: Wed Sep 3, 2008 6:53 pm (PDT)

In Atlantia, the officer position is "Minister of Minors"...MoM.

I have helped with Children's Corner activities in my kingdom, and ran
one once (I hope to do more, but not without assistance!). Here are
some things we did:

-Made hobby horses out of wooden rods from Home Depot and socks, that
each child decorated, sewed yarn into to make a mane, and stuffed with
cotton batting. Then they named their trusty steed, and we had a race.
I also had a few store-bought hobby horses for children who wanted to
race, but didn't get a chance to come make a horse earlier in the day.
These horses were "for rent," and the child had to pay for it with a
song, a poem, a story, anything they could think of to show they
reeeally wanted the horse :P

-Made little bound books. I had pre-punched holes in paper and
construction paper. They decorated the construction paper, then I
showed them a period binding method (this is better for 6+)

-Treasure hunt! We in Atlantia do lots of treasure hunts. This is best
if different camps and merchants agree to be involved in it. There are
two types: information hunts and item hunts. I did a hunt for sheep
that "lost their way." These were little stuffed sheep (I happen to be
lucky enough to know a Scadian who collects stuffed sheep, and has
over 30 of them. I have also seen hunting for eggs...anything would do. 

I also did a hunt that went with a book I read, called "Marguarite
Makes a Book." I read the book to them, which is about a little girl
who helps her papa make a medieval book (this is a GREAT scribal
introduction book, has good details). I had a 'list' of items that the
children needed to find, such as a feather for a quill pen, an egg
(ours were plastic) to make glair, and paper for the pages. This list
was in pictures, not words, so the ones that couldn't read yet could
participate too. The one who came back with all of the items first got
a prize...if I do it again, the prize will be a beginner's scribal
kit. (Can you tell I like to promote the scribal arts? *giggle*)

An 'information' hunt would be for older children, requiring them to
find certain people, and ask them a question and learn from them.
Examples of such would be "Find Sir Axel and ask him to explain the
Code of Chivalry. Then write down a brief explanation of it on your
paper." or "Seek out the crew of the pirate ship, the Dark Lady, and
inquire as to what the blazon of their ship's flag is (it's 2 rapier
swords crossed with a 'per pale' background...pretty simple). This is
great for children 10+, and teenagers can sometimes enjoy it,
especially if it's got a mixture of easy and challenging ones. You
could also put things in there like "Go to the archery field and wait
your turn to shoot off three arrows. Have the archery marshall sign
your paper and write down your score." Fun things like that that get
them to try new things...

I've also wanted to do gourd painting. Take a bunch of small gourds;
each child gets one. They need to be the weird shaped ones. Ask the
kids what their gourds look like (often they will say animals, or a
fruit, or something basic like that), then they paint the gourd to mae
it look like that thing. I have seen children do some fascinating
things with gourds. As a child myself, I painted a gourd to look like
a swan for my grandmother who loves swans. She still has it, and it
really does look like a swan.

Lady Julienne fille Gaspard, mka Jewel Shuping


To: Authentic_SCA at yahoogroups.com
Subject: Re: Pied Piper activities
Posted by: "Dave & Megan" danhorn3 at cogeco.ca   vortexshadow
Date: Fri Sep 5, 2008 6:58 pm (PDT)

I keep thinking I'll volunteer for children's activities one year rather 
than doing everything else, and I'd like to try this
http://www.mrmcgroovys.com/t-plans-cardboard-castle.aspx

Gwenhyfar


To: Authentic_SCA at yahoogroups.com
Subject: Re: Pied Piper activities
Posted by: "Madeleine Delacroix" madeleinedelacroix at yahoo.com   madeleinedelacroix
Date: Sun Sep 7, 2008 3:27 pm (PDT)

"Dave & Megan" <danhorn3 at ...> wrote:
> I keep thinking I'll volunteer for children's activities one year
> rather than doing everything else, and I'd like to try this
> http://www.mrmcgroovys.com/t-plans-cardboard-castle.aspx

That is very cool...our shire doesn't have space to make something
like that, but I bought a little wooden castle at our local Goodwill
that I am going to make templates of and make a few more, except for
the towers, it all comes apart for storage. In an informal poll I
took, it seems we have most under 5, they would find playing castle
fun (if they are anything like my 3 yr old).

Madeleine Delacroix

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