“Diary of a Wimpy Kid” Programming Ideas

The “Diary of a Wimpy Kid” series by Jeff Kinney is still popular with readers grades 3-6, and a program based on the books is sure to be well attended, especially by boys. Here are some ideas adapted from Sarah Mae Harper, of the AC Bilbrew Library in Los Angeles County, which she posted to the PUBYAC listserv. These program ideas celebrate Diary of a Wimpy Kid: Cabin Fever, published by Amulet on Nov. 15, 2011. Set during a blizzard, this type of program would be great to hold during Winter/Christmas vacation, when the tweens are likely to come to the library for something to do.  You could also adapt some of these ideas if you are promoting the newest Kinney book, Diary of a Wimpy Kid: The Third Wheel, set for release on Nov. 13, 2012. It concerns Greg and his friends planning for the middle school Valentine’s Dance.

Snowball fight with:

  marshmallows

  crumpled newspaper

  athletic socks

  bath poufs

  pillow stuffing

  crumpled paper

This can also be a literacy activity, where you have the kids write a snow or winter related word on each of 3 pieces of paper, which they make into snowballs. Then, you have the snowball fight. After the fight, each kid picks up 3 snowballs and uses their 3 words in a poem or sentence about snow/winter.

Plastic bags
1. take a white plastic bag
2. holding the bottom with one handle, squeeze it through a circle made from your other hand’s thumb and forefinger so the bag becomes a thin tube.
3. fold the tube in half, and half again
4. secure the middle with a rubber band
5. cut the edges off
6. poof it up
7. toss it in the air!

Cabin Fever games/activities:

  Mad libs (maybe with a passage from the book)

  Board games

  Card games

  Pillow forts

  Dress-up

  Simon says

  Indoor bowling

  Singing

  Audio books

  Cabin fever song from Muppet Treasure Island

  Jigsaw puzzle (maybe one of the Wimpy Kid ones)

  Contact Abrams about book release swag issuu.com/hnabooks/docs/cabinfevereventkit

  Unwrap Hershey kisses while wearing bulky gloves

  Minute To Win It games

  Decorate “lockers” out of craft paper on the wall

Snow games:

  Snow shovel race with balloons

  Snow clothes race

  Ice skating with stocking feet on tiled floors or on wax paper or paper plates on carpet

  Bucket of “snow” with “treasures” buried

Snow crafts:

  Snow globes

  Snow flakes

  Igloo out of milk jugs

Snow Decorations:

  Cotton batting

  Snowflake wrapping paper

  Instant snow powder:
www.yourstoreonline.net/instant_snow_powder/id2040547/product.html?gclid=cjtqoobdiawcfyqm3godarw4ng
or snowinseconds.com

  Turn of the lights and break out the flashlights

  Styrofoam peanuts for snow/snow angels

Food and Drinks:

  Pretzel log cabins

  “gross” food