MAKE IT YOURSELF

HANDS ON ACTIVITIES

Paper Skyscrapers

Build a 3D structure using paper and recycled materials.  

Aim Higher
Build the tallest structure you can using only paper and recycled materials. Try out different designs and materials. What worked best? Why do you think that worked?

Artistic Interpretation
Draw a picture of your completed structure and write about who lives there.

Did you know? 

There are so many different ways to do this activity! Have fun trying out different things and learning from each other!

Supplies Checklist:

  • Paper

  • Other recycled materials

  • Pencil

Robot Reboot

Design the perfect robot. What would it do? What would it look like? Why does the world need it? Draw your robot and label all its parts.

Transformers
Build a model robot or a robot costume using whatever recycled materials you have handy. Move and talk the way your robot would.

Moving Mechanics
 Have a robot dance party! What’s your favorite robot dance move?

Did you know? 

Kids gain confidence when they get to bring their ideas to life!

Supplies Checklist:

  • Paper

  • Pencils, crayons or markers

  • Recycled materials (optional)

Object Poetry

Gather interesting objects. On pre-cut slips of paper, have young poets write down 5-10 descriptor words for each object (like rough, smooth, blue, or heavy). Put them all in a “word basket” and have each poet choose 5-10 words. Arrange them on paper and fill in extra words to form a poem! 

Art Objects
Draw a picture that captures the feeling of your poem. 

Proud Performers
Read each poem aloud to the group. Poets can perform their own work or someone else’s!

Did you know? 

Describing objects helps kids connect words to what they see, which helps develop their reading comprehension.

Supplies Checklist:

  • Paper

  • Scissors

  • Pencils

  • Crayons, coloring pencils, or markers 

MAKE IT YOURSELF

MAKE IT YOURSELF

Alphabet
Scavenger Hunt

Cut four sheets of paper into eight pieces per sheet. Write each letter of the alphabet on a cut piece of paper. Place the letters around your space. Be creative, but make sure that everyone can see and touch them. Then start hunting for the letters! When you find one, name something that starts with that letter, like “A is for alligator!” Who can find them all?

Category Captains
Come up with categories your group is familiar with, like animals, sports, school, or objects in a house. When you spot a letter, name something that starts with that letter in your category. Do 10 jumping jacks if you draw a blank. 

Spelling Bee
Spell your name by running from one letter to another. Or try writing messages to your group, like “Hello friends!”

Did you know? 

Categorizing words helps kids form connections and build background knowledge, which strengthens their reading comprehension.

Supplies Checklist:

  • Paper

  • Crayons or markers

  • Tape