Some arts resources for children – March 2020
As there are lots of young people at home looking for activities, we thought we’d share some of the best ones we have come across. From downloadable colouring books for sports fans to making an insect hotel, here’s some activities that might help entertain, distract or even delight!
She Can illustrated by Chris Judge published by The Journal – short interviews with 21 sporting legends and great images to colour in of sporting icons like Katie Taylor, Ayeisha McFerran, Ellen Keane, Rachel Blackmore and many, many more.
Chris Judge is an award winning author and illustrator from Dublin. His picture books include The Lonely Beast series, The Great Explorer and TiN. He is the author of Brian and the Vikings and Brian and the Giant. Chris illustrated Roddy Doyle’s children’s book Brilliant and collaborated with comedian David O’Doherty on the smash hit, Danger is Everywhere!
If Chris’s drawings look familiar to some Kildare readers, he also designed the amazing mosaic at Scoil Bhride, Kilcullen
She Can – The Colouring Book for Tomorrow’s Sports Stars can be downloaded for free here.
More colouring book activity from Limerick-born (though Sydney-based) illustrator Damien Quinn – you can download his GAA Heroes Colouring Book HERE
Children’s writer Sarah Webb (remember her exhibition Blazing a Trail at Riverbank?) is working with the new MOLI Museum to produce daily activities- Creative Bursts. To get lost in a Creative Burst all you need is a pencil or pen and a notebook or piece of paper. The writing games and prompts are aimed at around age 9+ but could be done
with younger children if you give them a bit of help. Also included are more challenging story prompts for older or more experienced writers of around 11+ (every young writer is different).
Bright Sparks-Creative Bursts can be downloaded here.
Fighting Words have introduced a story starter to encourage creative writing for ages 7-12 years. Here’s what we got when we clicked on it…
There was a… tiger …called Jack.
Their greatest wish was.. to rule the world.
Their greatest fear was.. ballpoint pens.
Their best friend was… a unicorn called Skylar.
Fighting Words would love to read your stories. For details on how to send them, click here
Laureate Na nOg Sarah Crossan has been making live instagram broadcasts each day at noon with Poetry Challenges for teenagers – these are all available online, one of the most popular explore writing a parody, a love poem and learning a poem by heart!
For Younger Children
Chris Haughton has downloadable activity sheets based on some of his bestselling books Shhhh and Oh No George!
Ceol Connected are broadcasting on youtube with Tradoodle TV Artistic Director of Ceol Connected, Thomas Johnson has been exploring how children can meaningfully engage with music and song in an online world. Themes across the series include ‘Out on the Ocean’, ‘Busy Bugs’, ‘Jungle Trail’, and ‘Whistleberry Forest’, and children are asked to complete a fun task between one workshop and the next.The workshops are designed for children ages 3+, but it is hoped all the family can join in and have some fun.
Popular children’s writer David Walliams is reading a story a day here – Elevenses – The World of David Walliams.
Another company that’s very popular with our young audience, Branar Teater, have decided to make full length recordings of their shows available to view for a time online for families at home. Shows like Rockin’ Rhymes, Woolly’s Quest, Maloney’s Dream, How to Catch a Star have been appearing on their vimeo channel for a limited period – details here.
For nature fans Dublin Zoo have online webcams – including penguins and elephants! Tune in here.
Wildlife Watch (UK) have a fantastic range of nature activity sheets including how to create your own Seed Bombs, Insect Hotel or Nettle Soup!
Don’t forget, although their doors are shut, Kildare Library Service (and all the libraries) have fantastic online resources – there has been over 7000 new applications to Borrow Box since the closure.
Lastly, there’s a children’s book created by Manuela Molina – Covibook – available in multiple languages to explain Covid-19 to children under 7 – supporting and reassuring!