DO IT YOURSELF PROGRAMMING
Last month, we offered an outline for a fun Do-It-Yourself craft and game program on Music for those doing the “Libraries Rock” summer reading program. This month, we offer ideas for a hands-on program for those using the travel theme of “Reading Takes You Everywhere!” which is sponsored by the California Library Association and iReads.
Icebreaker: Give each child a simple Passport as they enter, with a place to rubber stamp for each station. The stations represent the continents they “visit” as they travel around the world at your event. Decorate with lots of maps showing the continents and countries. Play international music and do some simple folkdances from various countries to get everyone in the mood.
Refreshments: Offer snacks from around the world, such as Chinese almond cookies, Mexican pan dulce, Scottish shortbread cookies, Canadian McIntosh apple slices, and so on. Be sure to note where the snack originated with signage and with tabletop flags designating the various countries.
Games and Activities
Korea/Asia: Jegi Chagi is a Korean game similar to Hacky Sack. Participants can make and decorate their own using plastic grocery bags, coins or metal washers, and twist ties. Then, you can have players compete to see who can keep their Jegi Chagi in the air the longest, following these instructions – https://kpopjacketlady.com/2016/06/14/jegi-chagi-a-korean-hackysackshuttlecock-type-game/.
Antarctica: Have a relay race, where teams have to put on and take off sweaters, coats, mittens, socks, boots, wool hats, and other cold weather clothing.
Mexico/North America: Balero is a popular cup and ball game played in Mexico and other areas of Latin America. Make your own – www.pbs.org/parents/crafts-for-kids/diy-toy-cup-ball-game/. Then, compete to see who is the fastest at catching the ball in the cup.
England/Europe: Pass the Parcel is similar to musical chairs – a box is wrapped in several layers of paper. Kids form a circle and pass around the box, while music plays. When the music stops, the person with the parcel takes off one layer of the paper. Start the music again and repeat the action. The winner is the person who removes the final layer of paper; they win the prize inside the box.
Inuit/Canada/North America: Kneel Jump is a simple traditional Inuit game. Players kneel on the ground. When you say “go,” they spring forward to jump as far as they can. The person who jumps the farthest wins.
Crafts
Africa: Make Mancala games out of egg cartons – www.instructables.com/id/Make-Your-Own-Portable-Mancala-Set/. 
Ghana/Africa: Make Adinkra cloth, similar to that of the Ashanti people of Ghana. Make stamps out of foam and use the stamp and tempura paint to decorate muslin. Younger children can draw their design on the foam and let a teen volunteer use the knife to cut out the design – www.pbs.org/wonders/Kids/kids.htm.
China/Asia: Make simple paper lanterns out of red construction paper – www.activityvillage.co.uk/chinese-lantern-craft-2. Make plenty to decorate the area for your event; even preschoolers can make these.
Brazil/South America: Make rainsticks to celebrate the Amazon rainforest – https://happyhooligans.ca/rain-sticks/. Or, make these paper plate Carnival masks – https://happybrownhouse.com/paper-plate-carnival-masks/ .
Egypt/Africa: Make one of the Egyptian costume items seen here, such as the collar, bracelet, or headpiece – www.daniellesplace.com/html/egyptian_crafts.html.
Penny Peck, San Jose State University iSchool
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