If you are from the Midwest, then you know that January in Michigan is cold and snowy. By the end of the month, both the kids and parents have been cooped up too long and are going a bit stir crazy. This program idea came out of both that and something that I used to do when I was little-make masking tape roads for cars.
I started by booking the largest room in our library-the auditorium. Our auditorium easily fits 200 people, while our Activity Room where play times are normally held fits 20. We advertised it as bring your own cars and I used 3 rolls of masking tape to make giant roads all over the floor.
Kids came in by the truckload for this program and actually brought their own cars! They played in groups, they had races, and some even drove around the "roads". It was great. Parents thought that this program was awesome and asked when we could do it again.
After an hour or so, they all started picking up and leaving as many headed off to preschool. They also had great fun pulling the masking tape off of the floor and making my giant tape ball.
While my goal for this program was a giant play time based on a theme, if you want to add early literacy components to it, check out Amy's awesome post from this week about Tape Town.
Welcome to the Valentine's Extravaganza edition of Flannel Friday! We've got some great Valentine's ideas for you, along with some other fun. Without further ado...
It is retro day at Fun with Friends at Storytime as she brings back her very first post! Kathryn shows off her Five Cupcakes for Valentine's Day. Yum!
I saw this next post by Katie and immediately started singing the song-it's that fun! Check out There's a Little Wheel a-Turnin' in My Heart at Story Time Secrets. You will be singing it too!
Lisa at Thrive After Three shows off one of my favorite books for Baby Story Time-A Kiss Like This by Mary Murphy. If you haven't read the story before, you will want to check it out as it can fit multiple age groups. Plus, making kissing noises is too much fun!
Katie from Storytime Katie shows off another of my favorite things to do in Baby Story Time-The Shape Game! This fun game was inspired by Brooke at Reading with Red.While I use it with babies, you could definitely use it with 2 and 3 year olds too.
Just in time for your winter story time themes, Amy at One Little Librarian shows off her Five Little Olafs. If your kiddos are also still Frozen crazy, this will be a hit!
Do you wanna build a snowman? Sandy at Storytime Sparks has you covered with three snowman building rhymes and flannels, including one for Valentine's Day!
If your February schedule isn't set, you may want to check out Take Your Child to the Library Day. Jane at Piper Loves the Library shows off her awesome Pigeon plans. I am already trying to figure out how I can adapt it here.
There are two big announcements from Flannel Friday this week! 1. Anne and Melissa, two of our founders, will be hosting the first Storytime Petting Zoo at ALA Midwinter. It will be Saturday, January 31 at 2, after Guerrilla Storytime. I am jealous of everyone who will be attending as it will be great fun.
2. To help celebrate Flannel Friday's 4th birthday, we have something fun planned for the week of March 4-our first Guest Post Palooza. If you have always wanted to participate, but don't have a blog, this is your chance. Our current bloggers will host your guest post so sign up today! We are also looking for current bloggers to guest host so stop by to also sign up.
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