Spark Your Imagination: I Ain't Gonna Paint No More

Spark Your Imagination is a weekly program, held Mondays at 1pm, for all ages where we go beyond the pages of a book to explore and create. This program is new this summer and still growing.
This week there were 29 in attendance.

Rachel is the presenter for this program and felt it was the most successful Spark yet. Definitely one that could be repeated in the future.

 

 

Materials used:
-face paints
-watercolor pencils
-finger paint
-wipes
-brushes
-cups or tubs with water to clean the brushes and dip watercolor pencils in

What worked and what didn't
What worked was that I had painted myself with each medium to show them the sort of effects they could get, and our volunteer did the same.

What I would have done differently is put signs out. Even though I repeated over and over that these were safe for skin, and easy to clean up, I still had hesitant parents who almost didn't let their kids participate. The only reason I didn't put out signs was because I didn't want that to become the object they painted. The only other hiccup we experienced is that if the watercolor pencils get too soggy they are difficult to sharpen, but I just suggested they try the other paints.

This was the perfect book/activity combo. I printed out a take home sheet to make bathtub paint, so they would continue the activity at home.

 I really appreciated that most of the parents just let their kids at it, and didn't care that they painted all over their face, and the others who were hesitant lightened up once they saw the other kids get all messy.

 

Dance Party in the Library

Dance Party is for all ages and we schedule it every Monday during the summer from 10:30 to 11:30. The program is drop in, however, so folks can come any time during that hour. Attendance runs between 65-110 people. This is the third year we've done Dance Party and I don't anticipate it will be our last.

This program is so simple, it's ridiculous.

What you need:
-A room
-Music! We have a sound system and an iPod on which I have made a playlist, but CD's and a boombox would work, too. Most the music comes from Freegal.
-Things to dance with. You don't need a lot, but some people feel better with a scarf or shaker in their hands. I pull out different things each time: scarves, bells, dancing ribbons, egg shakers, etc.
-People. Don't worry, they will come.
-Comfortable shoes and cool clothes, because you will be dancing your tail off!

There are only 2 rules: everyone, especially parents, must dance while in the Dance Party room and everyone must be safe and kind to each other. If grown ups don't dance I go dance next to/with them until they do. Which is pretty much the best way to enforce rules. 

Our Dance Parties are not structured because I like seeing kids dance any way they want, instead of how we tell them to. There are a few songs on the playlist, like the Cha Cha Slide which some kids love because they can follow the directions and feel like they have accomplished something amazing. Basically, there's something for everyone! And when Splish, Splash comes on, it's bubble time (totally optional, but it's pretty fun)! Bubble time is blurry time (pictured below)

If you are interested in our playlist, let us know in the comments and we'll get it to you.