Activities for kids

[Emma]

I've left a message for Ruth Pelham, who does music mobile and was at the last GA.

I'm planning to bring watercolors. Anyone have access to large quantities of one-side-used paper? Please put the word out to collect that! Also we need crayons, markers, etc. Paper towel tubes and tape would allow the kids to make signs if they want.

How much do we want organized activities, and how much do we want an unstructured gathering space?

[rcdrake]

Oct 18, 2011 11:37:27 GMT -5 Emma said:

How much do we want organized activities, and how much do we want an unstructured gathering space?

Structured would keep kids eager to be there, I would think. It will also make it easy to corral them.

I have been reading over my book of cooperative games. Some of that?

[neveridle]

I agree about structure making it easier to keep the kids interested. Cooperative games could be great, and I'm sure they'd love sign making.

Also, maybe some simple puppet making stuff? Rose, when you ewre making your puppets, did you come across anything that might be really easy for kids to do?

Another idea could be a community box of books for kids who might be feeling the need for a little quiet/down time?

--Sarah

[rcdrake]

Painting faces is the thing that is easy for kids, but I'd need to have a bunch of faces ready, and I won't. I can bring unpainted the sun that I am making to designate kidspace as such, but then we'll also need smocks because this has to be painted with acrylics.

[Emma]

eh, let's keep acrylics to the adult sign-painting area, and parents can bring kids over there if they want to.
My sister does puppet making workshops with kids and said she might come up. I'll talk to her. If not this wknd, then probably next.
I am kind of a cooperative games geek. This does not mean I remember exactly how many of them go, enough to lead them, but I kinda <3 them. :>
My expressive arts teacher has at least one book of "New Games" that I could borrow and copy stuff from. Not sure if I can get in there by Friday but I'll ask her.

[Emma]

Anyone else want to try to bring some relevant kids' books? You could retain possession of them, and read them to whatever group of kids is there & possibly discuss afterwards.

We should totally have a kids' GA at some point! Or at least a kids' open mic.
Maybe at an after-school time, like 3:30pm on a weekday?

Actually, there really should be a teen caucus, too... hrm...

[rana]

I'll definitely bring books with me when I'm there. Cardboard and markers are good for kid's signmaking . A lot of older kids get really into it.

I think we should always have unorganized stuff (art, books, etc.) available and structured stuff ready to go whenever we seem to have a group of kids that needs it. One great thing is that we're in a big park with plenty of room to run and play.

I love the idea of the kids helping paint the big sun. That will also help them recognize it and they can use it to find the kid's area if they get lost.

[tainapoet]

I can bring some books and fun things. -Taina

[liliballesq]

I'm not apart of the working group, but I have a bunch of supplies sitting in my storage unit somewhere. So if we can get past this weekend, i'll look through my stuff and gather kids friendly stuff. I.e, extra machine wash markers, coloring books, etc.

[pinkoblues]

HALLOWEEN. There is an ideas exchange in direct action about Halloween. The conversation is spilling over to things involving kids. Anyone who has ideas about halloween activities is encouraged to take part and it would be great if the kids wg put out their own thread as well.