Animal Bag Costume

[20 Minutes]

Recycle your grocery bags to make costumes for your child's imaginary play.

You'll need:

• brown paper grocery bags • yarn • scraps of paper • fabric scraps • crayons or markers • glue • scissors (ADULT USE ONLY)

What to do:

1. Place the bag over your child's head to mark where the eye holes should go. Remove the bag and cut two eye holes. (Your child may wish you to cut out a circle so that her whole face shows through.)
2. On each side, cut an upside-down "U" shape so the bag can be slipped over her head and shoulders, leaving her arms free.
3. Let your child use crayons and markers to decorate the bag to look like her favorite animal.
4. Help your child glue yarn, paper, fabric, and faux fur. Use these materials for a mane, tail, etc.

How to use:

1. While she is wearing the animal costume, encourage your child to act like her favorite animal.
2. Talk about the animal and discuss where it lives, what it eats, and how it moves.

Let's Talk: Ideas to Explore Together.

• Are you a "big" or "little" animal?
• Can you make sounds like the animal?
• Do you live on a farm or in the jungle?

Useful information:

While you are having fun together, this activity helps your child develop small muscle skills and language skills.