Becoming Someone Else

 Now how about a change of character? 

Not literally, obviously. Here's a chance to explore a different creative side.

Month 8 - Bite 21

Why not let the children loose on some old clothes for a dressing up session? Do you have any old gear that you sorted out during your wardrobe purge that they could experiment with. The items don't have to be used for their original purpose. A skirt could become a superheroes cape or a scarf could turn into a sash  or sword belt.

Let their imaginations run riot as they role play themselves through what's available.

Take note of anything they wish they had - 'if only we had something for a tail', 'what can I use as wings?', 'all I need is a witch's hat'. 

That list will come in handy tomorrow!

Month 8 - Bite 22

Now they can design some costumes of their own. That tail could be made of some left over yarn attached to elastic or a belt. This one I made for a World Book Day for the Big Bad Wolf. It took forever to brush, straighten and fluff after I saw a video of how to do it. Yours doesn't have to be so fancy!

Wings could be conjured up from some filmy fabric attached to bent coat hangers or a witch's hat made from card. You can whistle up a stick as a magic wand or a pillow case for a Pharoah's tunic. I love the usefulness of old pillowcases. Just a slit and cut here and there turns them into a variety of costume basics (watch out for more pillowcase stuff in October and December!).

There are plenty of templates online for masks of different varieties and cardboard cut out stethoscopes for budding doctors or vets.

What will your designers go for?

Month 8 - Bite 23

Now they've got costumes and have practised dressing up, what will they do with their new characters. Plan an entertainment. It could be miming or acting out a favourite tale with a narrator telling the story. They might choose to improvise a dramatic scene or two - suggest a few of your own for example Harry Potter and a Wolf go shopping and see a butterfly taking sweets from a shop - what happens next? They may have some ideas for plays of their own or have found a script at the library that they want to act out. Alternatively there's the chance to put on a musical show with them pretending to be a number of different singers or bands.