Here are three engaging activities for 2-5 year-olds based on The Mistletoe Kiss, story to explore the polar night phenomenon in the Arctic Circle.
Art Activity: Polar Night Painting
Objective: Create a visual representation of the Arctic polar night and mistletoe.
Materials: Black and dark blue construction paper, white chalk, cotton balls, glue, green paper, and white stickers for mistletoe berries.
- Introduction: Show pictures of the Arctic polar night. Discuss how it’s dark for many days during winter, linking it to the story of The Mistletoe Kiss.
- Activity:
- Have children use white chalk to draw stars and the moon on the dark construction paper.
- Glue cotton balls to represent clouds or snow.
- Cut out green leaves for mistletoe and add whire stickers as berries to decorate the “night sky.”
- Outcome: A beautiful night scene that helps connect the story’s setting with real-world phenomena.
Drama Activity: Acting Out the Story
Objective: Encourage creative expression and understanding of the story.
Materials: Simple props (headbands, fake mistletoe)
- Introduction: Retell The Mistletoe Kiss in simple language, emphasizing how the sun’s absence makes the night longer.
- Activity:
- Assign roles (e.g., sun, mistletoe, Loki, Mother Nature).
- Let children act out characters’ reactions, showing joy when the sun returns bringing warmth and light.
- Outcome: Children internalize the story through movement and play.
Science Activity: Exploring Light and Dark
Objective: Demonstrate the concept of the polar night and light’s importance.
Materials: Globe, flashlight, and small objects to represent Arctic animals.
- Introduction: Show the globe and explain how the Earth tilts, causing long nights in the Arctic Circle during winter.
- Activity:
- Shine the flashlight on the globe to simulate sunlight.
- Rotate the globe to show how the sun disappears in the Arctic during the polar night.
- Let children place animal figures in the “Arctic” region and talk about how they adapt to the long night.
- Outcome: A hands-on experience that connects the story to real-world science.
These activities integrate storytelling with creative play and exploration, ensuring a holistic learning experience for young children.