Just like I need my morning coffee, my kids need a way to wake up gently too. One way to do that is with a fun morning activity designed to get their creative juices flowing set out on the table the night before.
Kids get dressed fairly quickly when they know that there is a surprise in store, and while they are creating, I can sip my coffee in peace and check in with the world.
Another benefit of creative morning tables is that you can link them with things you are currently studying. Instructions can let them practice their reading skills. And projects and prompts can link to science, math, language arts, or anything in between.
Lest you think that these ideas are long and complicated and involve an hour of your time, I’m here to show you 5 quick and easy ideas for your own creative morning table.
Wanted Poster
I did this to my poor husband one morning. I encouraged my Sparklettes to draw a picture of their dad on the poster, and then hunt him down, and take his fingerprints. Not only did kids get to flex their creative portrait skills, they also thought it was hilarious that they got to catch the bad guy.
Kids can also turn this idea into a self-portrait and take their own fingerprints. It’s a wonderful addition to a unit on forensics, and paired with Clue, or Outfoxed for younger kids.
You can find free printables for the posters online, but kids will also love making their own and practicing their lettering skills too.
Gem Mandalas
I’m in love with those little acrylic gems you get at Michaels or find in bulk on Amazon. But once you get them, what on earth do you do with them?
One thing to encourage kids to do is to build a mandala or work on the concept of symmetry. Kids can do this on the floor, put it on a piece of paper for a beautifully colored backdrop, or you can also put them on a sheet of contact paper to lightly stick them into place.
Dragon Eggs
Those acrylic gems also make wonderful additions to dragon eggs.
Ball up a piece of aluminum foil, and use any colors of model magic to cover the foil and slowly create an egg shape. Kids can create swirls, mix colors, and even use markers to color the model magic if they’d like.
Add the gems, pressing just hard enough so that they sink in. After all, these eggs need to sparkle because we know dragons love treasure.
Surprise Drawing
Putting an item out that kids weren’t expecting – in this case, a vase of new hydrangeas, is a treat. When kids weren’t expecting the item, they are more likely to want to study it closely – through their eyes, and all of the rest of their senses.
And asking the kids to try to draw it encourages them to draw from observation, training those art skills.
Consider getting a sketchbook for all of their surprise drawing prompts so they can have the memory of all of the things that appeared on the table overnight while they were sleeping. Pure magic.
We would love it if you’d share!
Don’t forget to tag us at @soulsparklettes on social media if you do any of these activities with your kids or students – we love to see what you create!
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