Alien Creations

Introduction	For the end of summer reading, I was looking for a program that wouldn’t require much guidance but would allow the kids to have fun. Solution: Food creations. Putting the spin of the summer reading theme, I came up with Alien Creations. I picked several different activities that the kids could easily create without much help.
Station 1: Melted Aliens	This was a super cost-effective food station. I pre-made green jello. I then had whipped cream and eyes for the kids to make their own melting alien. This was actually one of the most popular stations. Jello is a winner with the kids.
Station 2: Alien Family	This inspiration came from Newspaper Cat. However, I slightly modified it. I could not find white chocolate-covered pretzels to save my life, so I opted for regular pretzels. I then gave the kids squeezable frosting and M&Ms to create their own alien family.
Station 3: Alien Home	Since I was giving a TON of sugar, I wanted a healthy activity as an option. This station was not the favorite…for obvious reasons. The parents were grateful. The kids were more meh. I cut the rice cakes into half and had some bananas already sliced up. Peanut Butter was on a separate table. I did ask if there were any allergies to it before I opened it.
Station 4: Make Your Own Alien	This was the easiest station to throw together. I found random food items and created a buffet. The kids were able to go through and create their own alien. This was the favorite all-around. The kids asked if they could go through it several times. It might be the reason why so many left hyped up…

Pancakes and Pajamas

Introduction	Welcome – Bienvenidos
Action Rhyme	Mix a Pancake Mix a pancake, (roll hands over one another) stir a pancake (make stirring motions) Pop it in the pan (“Pop” down) Fry the pancake (Rock gently side to side) Toss the pancake (Jump up high with arms above) Catch it if you can (Bring baby down again) Source: King County Library System
Book	Llama Llama Red Pajama by Anna Dewdney
ASL	Pancake
Action Rhyme	Red Pajamas Tune: Bumpin Up and Down in My Little Red WagonJumping up and down wearing red pajamas, Jumping up and down wearing red pajamas, Jumping up and down wearing red pajamas Won’t you be my darling?Turning all around wearing red pajamas Turning all around wearing red pajamas Turning all around wearing red pajamas Won’t you be my darling? Source: King County Library System
Action Rhyme	There was a Little Man There was a little man And he had a little crumb (tickle baby’s cheek) And over the mountain he did run (run fingers over top of baby’s head) With a belly full of fat (jiggle baby’s belly) And a big top hat (pat head) And a pancake stuck to his bum, bum, bum! (pat baby’s bottom)Source: King County Library System
Action Rhyme	Dog is Sleeping Dog is sleeping, don’t wake it up. Dog is sleeping, don’t wake it up. Dog is sleeping, don’t wake it up. Now we’re very quiet. Shhhhh.WAKE UP dog, it’s time to play! WAKE UP dog, it’s time to play! WAKE UP dog, it’s time to play! Now we’re very LOUD!Cat is sleeping, don’t wake it up. Cat is sleeping, don’t wake it up. Cat is sleeping, don’t wake it up. Now we’re very quiet. Shhhhh.WAKE UP kitty, it’s time to play! WAKE UP kitty, it’s time to play! WAKE UP kitty, it’s time to play! Now we’re very LOUD! Source: MC Flannelfinger
Traditional	ABCs
Parachute	Five Little Monkeys Jumping on the Bed
Activity	We had some amazing volunteers who helped us make pancakes and serve them to our storytime patrons!

Time Travelers: Ancient Egypt

Introduction	American Girl is very popular in my library. However, while all are welcome to attend, the program tends to be heavily attended by our young female patrons. Hoping to expand programming to encompass all, I created Time Travelers. This program has similar characteristics of my American Girl program but offers a larger selection of themes (worldwide) and is not so girl-focused. I felt that most kids go through some Egypt phase, and this would be a good jumping off point.
Activity 1: Write like an Egyptian	My first activity was hieroglyphics. I’ve done this in the past, and I know kids get a kick out of writing their name in another language. I actually had some old promotional material that worked well for this activity. The kids got a strip with a hieroglyphic alphabet and then were able to write their own name. Would say this went much smoother for older participants than young participants.
Activity 2: Pyramid Experiment	Our second activity we talked about how the Egyptians possibly moved the large bricks to build the pyramids. The kids received a heavy tome and had to push it across the floor. Carpet obviously gives an advantage, but then we handed out pencils and the kids created a sledge. The kids then experimented with how fast they could move the books.
Craft 1/2:	This program wouldn’t be complete without some pyramid building. I found a cool pyramid craft involving cereal. We opted to use Cinnamon Toast Crunch, as it is also a tasty snack. Some kids built their pyramid ups or did them flat. The additional craft/activity was actually building pyramids out of styrofoam cups. Almost all the kids were determined to participate in this activity.
Activity 3: Mummies	Our final activity was mummies! Our maintenance department graciously donated toilet paper rolls to the program. I then had the kids race to wrap a family member/friend. Once they were all wrapped then the mummy was able to break out of their wrapping. We did this about three times!

Pirates – Preschool

Introduction	Welcome – Bienvenidos
Book	Kindergarrrten Bus by Mike Ornestein
Finger Rhyme	Ten Little Pirates Ten little pirates stood in a row, (Hold up 10 fingers.) They bowed to their heads to the captain so! (Lower and raise fingers.) They marched to the left; (March hands to left.) They marched to the right. (March hands to right.) They shouted yo ho! (Cup hand by mouth.) And gave their captain a fright. (Hands over heart.) Source: Sunflower Storytime
Book	Squirrel Me Timbers by Louise Pigott
ASL	Boat, Water
Action Rhyme	Yo-Ho a Pirate’s Gold A jumping we will go, (jump) A jumping we will go, Yo-ho a pirate’s gold, A jumping we will go. A swimming we will go, (pretend to swim) A swimming we will go, Yo-ho a pirate’s gold, A swimming we will go. Running, dancing, spinning, etc Source: Artsy Toddler Storytimes
Action Rhyme	Row Your Pirate Ship Row, row, row your ship, gently across the sea, (pretend to row) Yo-ho, yo-ho, a pirate’s life at sea. Scrub, scrub, scrub the deck, gently across the sea. Yo-ho, yo-ho, a pirate’s life at sea. Furl, furl, furl your sail, gently across the sea, (move hand over hand as if pulling a rope). Yo-ho, yo-ho, a pirate’s life at sea. Sway, sway, sway your ship, gently across the sea, (sway body side to side) Yo-ho, yo-ho, a pirate’s life at sea. Source: Cannot remember where I obtained this rhyme from.
Action Rhyme	Walk the Plank I placed a large wooden board plank on a blue sheet and threw my shark puppet on the ground. I played Baby Shark while the kids walked across the plank. Source: Fun-a-Day
Dance Song	Row, Row, Row Your Boat
Dance Song	The Silly Pirate Song by Jack Hartmann
Cool Down	ABCs, Count to 10
Goodbye Song	It’s Time to Say Goodbye

Craft: Craft Credit was merged between this site and this site.
E68AB3E2-AA7F-41CB-993D-554BDB5E5204

Pirates – Toddler

Introduction	Hello Everybody, Yes Indeed
Action Rhyme	Pirate Ship, Pirate Ship Pirate Ship, Pirate, Go So Slow (stamp feet slowly) Pirate ship,Pirate Ship, Go so Fast (Stamp feet faster) Pirate Ship, Pirate Ship Step on the gas! (stamp feet very fast) Source: King County Library System
Book	Pirate Nap: A Book of Colors by Danna Smith
Nursery Rhyme	A Sailor Went to Sea A sailor went to sea, sea, sea, To see what he could see, see, see. But all that he could see, see, see Was the bottom of the deep blue sea, sea, sea.
Book	Pirate Potty by Samantha Berger
Sign Language	Water
Traditional Rhyme	This is Big, Big, Big/Clap, Clap, Clap Your Hands
Action Rhyme	Yo-Ho a Pirate’s Gold A jumping we will go, (jump) A jumping we will go, Yo-ho a pirate’s gold, A jumping we will go. A swimming we will go, (pretend to swim) A swimming we will go, Yo-ho a pirate’s gold, A swimming we will go. Running, dancing, spinning, etc Source: Artsy Toddler Storytimes
Action Rhyme	Walk the Plank I placed a large wooden board plank on a blue sheet and threw my shark puppet on the ground. I played Baby Shark while the kids walked across the plank. Source: Fun-a-Day
Dance Song	Row, Row, Row Your Boat
Dance Song	The Pirate Song by Carole Peterson
Cool down	ABCs, Count to 5
Goodbye Song	Say Goodbye

Craft: Craft Credit was merged between this site and this site.
E68AB3E2-AA7F-41CB-993D-554BDB5E5204

American Girl – Holiday Fashion Show

Introduction	For my final 2018 American Girl program, I decided to go more modern girl. I actually had a young patron request that we do something with dresses, so voilà, “Fashion Show” was born. I wanted several activities to keep the kids busy.
Make a bracelet	Beads are a guarantee craft and the kids always love them. We have a whole bin full of beads and I just threw a bunch of string and beads out and let the kids go to town.
Doll Dress	The kids always go gaga for anything they can make for their dolls, and I thought a tutu in honor of the The Nutracker would be really fitting. I dug around the internet to find instructions (instructions 2) that would be the easiest for the kids. Full disclosure: adults still need to help if you have a younger crowd. I bought the fabric from JoAnn Fabric and Craft because…coupons. Rhinestones are a must. Who doesn’t want a razzle dazzle tutu.
Cookie Decoration	The holidays are not complete without your 500 cookies galore, so my super awesome coworker made me a huge batch of cookies. We kept the frosting easy and threw out a ton of sprinkles.
Fashion Show	Our final activity was walking the red carpet. I purchased a red carpet off of amazon and jazzed up a door with some fringe. The kids then walked the carpet while I had a volunteer act as the paparazzi to take their pictures. Our department invested in a a portable Polaroid printer. Super awesome since we can just print the pictures as we go. The kids also love that their pictures have the option to become stickers.
	*We have pictures of the fashion show, but cropping the pictures do not do the pictures justice.

Witches – Preschool

Introduction	Welcome – Bienvenidos
Book	What’s in the Witch’s Kitchen by Nick Sharratt
Action Rhyme	Witches Pot Boiling hot, boiling hot What shall we add to the witch’s pot? Boiling hot, boiling hot We’ll add some ______to the witch’s pot. Source: Jbrary
Counting Rhyme	Five Little Witches Five little witches sitting on a gate. The first one said, “I’m glad it’s getting late.” The second one said, “There are spiders in my hair!” The third one said, “Well, I declare!” The fourth one said, “Trick or treating would be fun!” The fifth one said, “Let’s run and run and run!” So, Wooo oooo went the wind. And out went the lightAnd the five the little witches flew out of sight! Sources: Preschool Favorites: 35 Storytimes Kids Love by Diane Briggs
ASL	Witch
Action Rhyme	Witch on the broom (Sung to The Wheels on the Bus)The witch on the broom goes hee, hee, hee, hee, hee, hee The witch on the broom goes hee, hee, hee, All through the night.Other verses: The ghost in the castle goes boo, boo, boo The werewolf in the field goes hoooooowl The Frankenstein goes stomp, stomp, stomp The cat at night goes meow, meow, meow Source: King County Library System
Action Rhyme	Witches Come on Halloween Tune: Camptown RacesWitches come on Halloween, Heh-heh, heh-heh! Watch out now or you might scream, Heh, heh, heh, heh, heh! Pumpkins shining bright, With their candlelight. Ghosts and goblins coming, too. Watching out for you—Boo! Source: Piggyback Songs: Seasons & Holidays
Action Rhyme	Witchy Song I’m a witch.Boom! Boom! (clap, clap) I’m a witch. Boom! Boom! (clap, clap)With a pointed hat on my head…(hands form a hat) I jump on my broom (pretend to jump on broom) And I sweep the sky (sweeping motion) While children are in bed (head resting on hands) Source: Step By Step
Game	Pass the Witch’s Broomstick Tune: If You’re Happy and You Know ItPass the witch’s broomstick ‘round the circle here. While you hear the music playing, do not fear. But if the music stops, or if the broomstick drops, You will ride the broomstick while the goblins cheer! Source: Preschool Express
Action Song	I’m a Little Witch Tune: I’m a Little TeapotI’m a little witch with a big black cat (pretend to pet cat) Here is my broomstick. (Hold imaginary broom) Here is my hat. (Pretend to place hat on head) You’d better be careful. (wag finger) You’d better beware. ‘Cause I might give you a great, big scare. Boo! Source: Preschool Favorite: 35 Storytimes Kids Love by Diane Briggs
Dance Song	Un Poco Loco
Dance Song	Witch Doctor
Cool Down	ABCs, Count to 15
Goodbye Song	It’s Time to Say Goodbye

Craft: Credit to Fun-A-Day

Witches – Toddler

Introduction	Hello Everybody, Yes Indeed
Book	Happy Halloween, Witch’s Cat by Harriet Muncaster
Nursery Rhyme	Soft Kitty Soft kitty, warm kitty, Little ball of fur. Pretty kitty, sleepy kitty, Purr, purr, purr.
Book	Zip! Zoom! On a Broom by Teri Sloat
ASL	Witch
Counting	Halloween Witches Tune: Ten Little Indians One little, two little, three little witches (count out three fingers) Flying over haystacks (Fly hand up and down)Gliding over ditches Slide down moonbeams without any hitches (glide hand downward) Heigh-ho! Halloween’s Here! Source: 35 Preschool Favorites: 35 Storytimes Kids Loves by Diane Briggs
Action Rhyme	Late Last Night Last night or the night before, Twenty-four witches came knocking at my door. I gave them candy but they wanted more. I didn’t know what to do, so I shut the door! Source: Preschool Express
Action Rhyme	Witch’s Snack A very old witch was stirring a pot. Oooooooooo two little ghosts said, “What has she got?” Oooo…Oooo…Oooo…Oooo Tippy-toe, Tippy-Toe, Tippy-toe Boo! Source: 35 Preschool Favorites: 35 Storytimes Kids Loves by Diane Briggs
Action Rhyme	Ghosts and Goblins Tune: Frere Jacques Ghosts and goblins, ghosts and goblins All Around, all around. Witches on their broomsticks, Witches on their broomsticks, Halloween, Halloween. Source: Piggyback Songs: Seasons & Holidays
Dance Song	Stirring Our Brew and 3 Little Witches by Dr. Jean
Cool Down	ABCs, Count to 10
Goodbye Song	Say Goodbye