Ahh, March… one of my favorite times of year! The Library is gearing up to celebrate the onset of spring with the systemwide theme of “health and renewal.” Now that vaccinations are finally happening, and with a lowering of our countywide COVID-19 cases, I think all of us are feeling a little more hopeful that change is in the air.
With health and renewal in mind, I decided to introduce one of my favorite craft activities: the whipper-whopper. This simple craft will inspire the whole family to go outside, get a little exercise, and soak up some fresh air and sunshine.
If you have a chance, stop by the Ashland Library for a Take and Make kit with all the supplies to make this craft activity. Otherwise, the instructions below will provide you with what you need to know to create this craft at home.
First, download this template and print it out on cardstock. If you don’t have cardstock, you can print it out on regular paper; it won’t hold up as long, but it will work. Don’t forget you can always go to your library to print something out there as well.
Put the template aside and gather your materials:
- Scissors
- Crayons or markers
- About 24 inches of yarn or string
- Hole punch
- A pony bead is optional
After you’ve gathered all your supplies, it’s time to cut out your template. The template I’ve shared includes the outline for two whipper-whoppers.
Before you begin, it’s important to note that you DO NOT CUT on the dotted lines.
Cut down the middle of your paper to separate the two whipper-whoppers. Pick one and trim around the edges.
Notice that there is a line between the number 1 and 2. Use your scissors to cut down to the dotted line, and then stop cutting.
Now take your scissors and cut the diagonal lines below the numbers 3 and 4.
It is time to decorate your whipper-whopper. I use geometric designs, as they look neat when the whipper-whopper is flying. Whatever your child decides to draw is fine; it all looks great when the whipper-whooper is sailing through the air.
Punch a hole at the end of the whipper-whopper by the numbers 3 and 4. Take your pony bead, if you have one, and thread your yarn or string through it and tie a knot.
Thread yarn or string through the hole you have just created. If you don’t have a pony bead, don’t worry, just tie the tread through the hole. Your whipper-whopper will still work.
Now, take flap 1 and fold it up toward the ceiling. Take flap 2 and fold it down toward the floor. Repeat with flap 3 and 4.
Congratulations! Now your whipper-whopper is done. Hold your arm out behind you and run! If your child is younger, you can start by letting the whipper-whopper hang down in front of you and slowly move your hand back and forth. You’ll get a lovely spin going that most children find fascinating.
This week’s storytime short features the book Someone Bigger by Jonathan Emmett, a book about a boy, his dad, a kite, and the adventure they have on a very windy day. For even more stories about the wind, check out this booklist titled When the Wind Blows. You can also pick up a Blustery Day Take & Make kite kit from the Butte Falls, Eagle Point, Prospect, Shady Cove, or White City libraries.
Interested in finding out what other great programs are being offered around the library’s theme of health and renewal? Pick up or download the spring event guide, or visit our online events calendar for more information.