Storytime: Camping

Discussion Questions: 

What does it mean when we go camping?  How is it different than staying home?  What are some things that we do on camping trips? 

Story Selections:

   

Story (Monday): Night Animals by Gianna Marino*

This story was fun, but took a bit of explaining for the younger attendees.  I suggest using it for ages 3-5 in storytime.
 

Story (Tuesday): Sheep Take a Hike by Nancy Shaw*

This was much better received by the older and younger crowd.  Our storytimers love Shaw's sheep stories and get surprisingly invested in their misfortunes and the outcome of the story.

Scarf Rhyme: Popcorn Kernels 

Popcorn kernels (repeat) 
In the pot (repeat) 
Shake them shake them shake them (repeat) 
Till they pop! (repeat)  

Scarf Rhyme: Campfire Hokey Pokey 

You put your marshmallow in, you take your marshmallow out 
You put your marshmallow in and you shake it all about 
You do the campfire pokey and you turn yourself about, 
That’s what it’s all about! 
(Other verses include hotdog, potato, popcorn, etc.)  

Scarf Rhyme: Scarf is Sleeping

Scarf is sleeping Scarf is sleeping don’t wake it up 
Scarf is sleeping don’t wake it up 
Scarf is sleeping don’t wake it up 
Now we’re very quite. Shhh…  

Wake up scarf, it’s time to play! 
Wake up scarf, it’s time to play! 
Wake up scarf, it’s time to play! 
Now we’re very loud!

(repeat "Scarf is sleeping" verse)
 

Story: Maisy Goes Camping by Lucy Cousins*

A perfect story for this theme!  We practiced counting and enjoyed guessing who would (and would not) fit in the tent.

Craft: Cardboard S'mores (inspired by a Blogspot image)

• Pre-cut 1-inch squares of cardboard (thick)
• Pre-cut 1-inch squares of brown cardstock
• Cotton balls
• Glue
• Marker

This was a "product" craft, but allowed kids to work on the logic of putting together a s'more and they then decorated the top "cracker" (some were much more creative than others during this part).

*Links for books are to Amazon; I am not affiliated with the company.