Watching the opening ceremonies to the Olympic games made me want to jump up out of my couch and dance along with the athletes and performers. It is a time when all politics and global contention is set aside and the world comes together for two weeks to compete in sports. I find it an amazing time of the year when all could rally behind our representative countries to try to win the most gold medals possible. So to get the kids excited about the summer olympics we have introduced a variety of thematic arts and crafts one can do at home. Here are a couple:
Origami Olympic Rings
Materials:
6 inch square origami paper in red, green, yellow, blue and black
1 glue stick
Instructions:
Take the red piece of paper turn it upside down revealing the back or white side. Fold your square horizontally and then vertically to crease. Cut along one of the crease lines to reveal two rectangles.
Now fold each of the rectangles into thirds so that you end up with thin strips. Fold the two ends down at a 45 degree angle. Use a glue stick to apply glue inside the 45 degree angles so they remain. Before closing off all the rings make sure to interlock all the rings to resemble the way it is on the olympic flag. Fold the second strip of paper the same way and insert the ends of both arches with in each joint and glue them with in each other. Repeat the process with all all of the colors.
Flag Handprint Wreath
Materials:
White card
Coloring pens
Glue
Flag printables from the link below
http://www.activityvillage.co.uk/flag-handprint-wreath
Instructions:
Give each child a piece of white card and have them draw and cut out their hand.
Let each child decorate their card hand with the design of a different flag. For older children you could just give them the country name and have them research the design of their flag.