Green Magpie: Summer 2021

The magazine of imaginative play for creative young minds The Summer 2021

e i p g a M Green

The Scrapstore Birmingham The green choice for craft resources

scrapstorebirmingham@gmail.com @scrapstorebirmingham www.facebook.com/birminghamscrapstore

Dear Green Magpie friends, Welcome to the Summer edition of the magazine for creative young minds!

Birmingham PlayCare Network has been championing for the child's right to play since 1995. As a registered charity based in Birmingham we support all children to access high quality play environments.

Our facility provides us with an endless supply of resources and materials that are donated by local businesses to reduce waste to landfill.

Some of these resources have been used to create the ideas in this magazine.

We know that 'Scrap materials and play ‘props’ provide the stimulus and building blocks essential for wild play to be effective. In artificial spaces they are provided by the service you provide.' Bob Hughes 2011. We also know that the more bits and bobs children can play with, the more creative they will become.

Please enjoy having a go at some of the activities included but REMEMBER small children will need to be supervised and older children might need a little bit of help.

We are all experts in play because we all have one thing in common - we were all children once and have played at some time in our lives.

So, this Summer, why not give play a go - try not to worry about what the end product will look like - remember it's the process children go through that is the most important part of play.

PRESENTS

Have fun, have a go……… let's get playing.

21ST JULY — 5TH SEPTEMBER 2021 Come and join the fun at one of our fabulous free summer holiday clubs across Birmingham! Daily activities and food open to children aged 5-16 years.

To find out more and to book on to a club near you, go to

www.bringitonbrum.co.uk Follow us on social media @BringItOnBrum

Shark Puppet You will need: •

Large foam tube

•

Small blue foam tube

• •

Black sock Card or flat foam for fin

1: With the open slot towards the bottom, cut the foam tube to make the shark snout.

(Tip: a bread knife works well – ask an adult for help) Draw around blue foam and cut 2 holes – one on each side – for the eyes. Slot in a small piece of blue foam.

Next, cut out 2 triangles, as shown above, to form the gills.

Alternative: Check out how to make a rocket flinger instead, using this QR code!

2: Cut out a fin shape from the thin black foam or a piece of card.

Make a slot in the top of your shark & pop in your fin.

Cut finger holes in the tip of the black sock so you can wear the sock like a fingerless glove.

Pop your shark over your arm & wiggle your fingers as the teeth!

When you’ve finished, why not create a story? What adventures will you have ?

TARGET WALL BALL HOW MANY CAN TAKE PART

AGE RANGE

PRIMARY

WHAT’S NEEDED

HOW TO SET UP

• Wall, door or fence • Something to mark targets with e.g. sticky notes, labels, hoops, chalk • Something to throw e.g. ball, bean bag, rolled socks, screwed up paper

Stick/mark targets on the wall making sure they are spread out.

Allocate a different number of points for each target. Mark a throwing line on the floor.

HOW TO PLAY Players throw the ball at the targets trying to hit as many points as they can.

Introduce minus scores so that players lose points for hitting the wrong target.

ADAPTATIONS • Change the distance between the throwing line and the wall • Add rules for throwing e.g. non-dominant hand, over-head, through legs

4

1 3

2

5

THROW LINE

Count up the points, who can get the most?

Players have to run to touch an opposite wall between throws

Try throwing the ball different ways and with your nondominant hand

S’Octopus Soak & Splash You will need: • •

Square of fabric – old T-shirt is perfect Stuffing or a sponge ball

• • •

Elastic bands Ribbon pieces (optional) Googly eyes (optional)

1: Using a large square piece of material, cut out 4 corners. An old T-shirt is great material to use Then cut as shown to make 6 strips on each arm.

Gather the material around a sponge ball or some stuffing from an old pillow. Secure in place with a rubber band.

Alternative: Use a coloured sock. Stuff the head, tie a knot, cut 8 legs. Tie knots in each leg………soak & splash !

2: Hold the head of your octopus between your knees and using 3 strands at a time, plait the legs…….8 in total.

Secure each leg with a rubber band & decorate with some ribbon.

Fill a bowl outside with some water & soak your octopus.

Why not make one with a friend and then have some fun outside throwing them to each other.

Fun Weave

Gather together: •

A stick

•

A pencil

• •

2 strong elastic bands Bits & bobs to weave with eg wool, feathers, beads, lace, ribbon, zips, trim, cord, fabric strips, grass.

•

A piece of cardboard from a cardboard box

1: Cut a piece of card a little bigger than the size you’d like your finished weave to be.

Cut 4 slots – 1 in each corner as shown below.

Next, cut several lengths of wool or string – each one 2 ½ times as long as your loom.

Collect an interesting stick from outside!

Take one piece of wool, double it over, and loop it over your stick to secure, as shown below. Repeat with other lengths of wool.

2: Snip slots into the bottom of your card – around 1cm in length.

Put your stick at the top, loop a strong rubber band over one end, pass around the back of the card, & loop over the other end of your stick to secure in place. Locate the rubber band in the cut outs you made to keep it in place.

Do the same thing with a pencil on the bottom of your card as shown here.

3: Take each piece of wool in order and pull it gently over your pencil and into the slot you made earlier. This forms the base of your weaving loom.

4: Tie a length of wool onto your loom.

You could thread the other end onto a large safety pin, or a hair grip to help you with your weave.

Weave under & over & have fun!

Use a comb or fork to bring the weave down to the bottom nicely.

5: Hunt around for some unusual items to weave in to your design…..feathers, different grasses from outside….experiment & have fun!

6: To finish – Gently ease out 2 pieces of wool at a time, & tie together to secure your weave at the bottom. Remove rubber band from stick at top.

ZONE STRIKE HOW MANY CAN TAKE PART

AGE RANGE

SECONDARY

WHAT’S NEEDED

HOW TO SET UP

• Balls (any kind) • Something to hit with e.g. racquets, bats, hands, feet • Cones/markers

Mark out a strike zone and a series of scoring zones and allocate points to each zone.

HOW TO PLAY For each round choose how to send the ball e.g. throw, kick, hit.

Players send the ball using the agreed method from the strike zone aiming to land the ball in a zone. Players score points for the zone the ball lands in.

ADAPTATIONS • Introduce fielders – if the ball is caught, the player loses points • Change the size/shape of the zones

1 PT What is the best way of sending the ball so it lands where you want it to?

Fielders run to touch baseline between every shot

5 PT

10 PT

20 PT

Fielders can only catch with one hand

Rubber Band Bird Try using your bird in your game of ‘Zone Strike’ instead of a ball one time.

1: Using the template, cut out your bird from foam sheet or card 2: Fold in half along ‘FOLD A” FOLD B

Glue or Sellotape body together – leave a bit of the tail unglued so it opens out.

FOLD A

FOLD C 3: Fold wings out, along ‘FOLD B’ and ‘FOLD C’ Slot a small rubber band onto 1 or 2 hair grips.

Slide the hair grips between the fold at the front (where the beak might be!)

Tape it in place so it’s secure.

4: Put a ‘thumbs up’ in front of you!....loop the rubber band around your thumb, pull bird back with your other hand, release & watch it fly!

Star Mobile You will need: B

• • • •

A

5 twigs Wool Rubber bands Card

C

1: To make basic star – collect 5 twigs of an equal length. Join first 2 together at one end with a rubber band at point B. Next, join point C with another twig. Keep joining the end of your last twig with a new one in the same way, until you’ve used all 5. Join the end of your last twig with the start of the first at point A. 2: To make a tassel – wrap wool around your fingers. Pass another piece of wool through the loops at the top & tie tightly.

A

Take wool off your fingers. Tie another piece of wool around all the wool at point A. Cut the loops at the bottom & fluff out.

3: To make a pom-pom – wrap wool around a fork.

With another piece of wool, double it up (for strength) and tie around the middle of ALL of the wool on the fork. Tip: Feed the wool through the middle prongs & tie before you take it off the fork. Tie it as tightly as possible.

Take it off the fork & cut the loops. Your pom-pom will be a bit sausage shaped – cut it to the shape you want. Leave the wool used to tie the middle, so you can hang it.

4: To make fabric feathers – The best fabric to use is a heavy cotton – like an old pair of denim jeans. You need a fabric which is going to fray, but also strong enough to hold its shape.

Mark out a feather shape on your fabric. Cut out.

Pull out threads on both sides, as in the picture below, until you are left with just a strip of woven material running down the middle. Glue or stitch onto your mobile.

5: Why not use some white card to make some mini polaroid-style photo frames for your favourite pics.

Decorate your mobile with wool, lace, beads…….anything you can find! If you have any broken bits of jewellery – they add a lovely bit of sparkle.

For a simpler craft – make your star framework and then wrap the centre with wool or fabric strips.

Pop some coloured ribbon on the points of your star.

Will you put eyes on your star? Is it a fun starfish?

If you could be an animal, what animal would you be?

What adventures might you have?

PENGUIN WADDLE HOW MANY CAN TAKE PART

AGE RANGE

PRIMARY

WHAT’S NEEDED

HOW TO SET UP

• Something to place between knees e.g. balloons, balls • Something to use as obstacles e.g. cones/markers, micro hurdles, bags

Mark out a course with a start and finish line

HOW TO PLAY Players place the balloon between their knees and walk from the start to finish line trying to keep the balloon between their knees. If they drop the balloon, they return to the beginning. Challenge players to see how fast they can make it along the course without dropping the balloon. Introduce obstacles along the course and hold races between players.

ADAPTATIONS • Change the size or number of balloons/balls • Change the length/shape of the course

Try it blindfolded with instructions from a partner

Time it - let’s increase the speed!

Try different routes

Crazy Castle Capers !

Cut & shape your foam to make mini sandcastles. A serrated knife works best – ask a grown-up for help.

Pop a plastic cup in each. Make some mini flags using paper, sticks & wool or ribbon.

Using your S’Octopus or a ball, see if you can get it in one of the cups, or knock them down !

Alternatively, pop the ball between your knees like in the Penguin Waddle – drop it into your sandcastle for points.

Play with a friend for the highest score!

Silky Smooth Playdough You will need: • •

Flour Hair conditioner

Pop a cup of flour into a bowl. Add a squib of hair conditioner. Mix & roll it together with your hands. Squelch - Squish

Add more conditioner as you need it, a bit at a time, until you have a lovely silky-smooth dough. If your dough becomes too sticky, simply add a bit more flour.

Try adding a little of these plant colourings to colour your dough. Mix with a tiny bit of water first to make a paste, then add to your dough. Mix together well with your hands….…What will you make with yours?

turmeric

paprika

beetroot

coffee

Secret Message Boat

FOLD

2: To find centre, fold in other direction & unfold.

Fold corner down using centre line as guide.

3: Turn over and repeat on the other corner.

4: Fold flaps up on both sides.

6: Put thumbs in the middle & open out until it makes a square.

Tuck corners of one flap under the other.

7: Fold up at both sides.

1: Take a sheet of A4 paper.

Write your secret message using a biro or pencil, then fold in half as shown. Tip: Use a pen / pencil that won’t run when wet.

5: If you want someone to read your secret message – Write ‘READ ME’ on the sail

8: Put thumbs in the middle & open out again until it makes a square.

9: Pull corners out & press flat.

Open out to make a boat shape.

Tip: Gently open out & tease to the shape you want. Some paper can be a bit stiff.

Now – pop it on the water & set sail! Is your friend across the other side, waiting to read your message?

Paper from an old magazine works well! or try using a page of this booklet.

Stick Buddies 1: Collect some interesting sticks from the ground, to make your stick buddies, & cut to size.

Paint your sticks if you’d like to, & let them dry.

2: Hold the arms across the back of the body & using wool or elastic bands, secure them together with a criss-cross motion.

Check out our video on how to make a stick buddy here

3: Using scraps of fabric, elastic bands & wool decorate your stick buddy.

Make large loops with wool, tie in the middle, & snip ends to make hair. Glue in place or use an elastic band to secure.

Does your buddy like to dance? Pop on some music & dance around together…….

We hope you’ve enjoyed making these crafts !

Before you recycle your magazine & left-over materials – why not pass them on to a friend to use? Check out our Youtube channel for more great makes!

Special thanks to all our donors & volunteers who make this possible.

For the resources in this edition, we especially thank:

Are you a business who would like to donate your CLEAN business waste to help reduce waste to landfill AND positively contribute towards children’s play? Contact us at scrapstorebirmingham@gmail.com