Summer
Activity:
Olympic Wreath
If an Olympic athlete won an event during the ancient Olympic Games, a wreath woven out of olive branches —symbolizing peace in ancient Greece—was placed upon his head. Times have certainly changed, but why not pay homage to this ancient tradition with a modern-day version of this wearable wreath? Your kid learns a little something about the ancient Games as he enjoys this fine motor skill-boosting craft that utilizes nature as its main ingredient.
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What You Need:
- Construction paper (white, green, or brown is best)
- Stapler
- Scissors
- Leaves (green ones if you can find them, or small delicate twigs)
- Glue (white craft glue)
What You Do:
- Cut a 2-inch wide strip of the construction paper, utilizing as much of the length as possible.
- Measure the circumference of your child’s head using the strip and staple it together—away from your child’s head—so that it fits snugly.
- Have him go outside and pick the leaves he wishes to use. The traditional wreaths were green, but he can choose leaves of any color, or even twigs, for his headpiece.
- Using white glue, have him attach leaves along the headband until there are more leaves visible than paper. Encourage him to overlap the leaves and twigs. If he can’t find enough leaves outside, invite him to cut out leaves using different shades of construction paper and glue those on.
- Make sure to let them dry before he wears the headpiece, so the leaves don’t fall off.
Once it has dried completely, place the crafty crown upon his head! Have some pretend-play fun by encouraging him to imagine what an ancient Greek Olympic ceremony might have looked like, and then try re-enacting it.
