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The best way to amuse children as they wait for everyone to arrive is to set up a simple, easy-to-do activity in which they can work at their own pace but can also interact with the rest of the group.
Games:
What you need:
How to Play:
- This game is best held outside or in a spacious room.
- Choose partners, lining them up back-to-back at a starting line. Place a balloon (not a helium one) between their backs so that they must hold it there and not let it fall to the ground (emphasize that no hands should be used).
- As soon as an adult says "Go!" -- the pairs must take off in this position, shuffling their way toward the finish line. If the balloon pops or drops, an adult says, "Safety violation!" and the pair must return to the starting line for a replacement balloon and start all over.
- The first Safety Patrol pair to cross the finish line wins!
Lou and Lou work great together, and this game teaches children how to do just that.
What You Need:
- Woman's scarf or a man's tie
How to Play:
- Pair children up
- Secure their right legs together with the scarf or tie. Ensure it is not too tight but secure enough to keep their legs together.
- Before children race, ask if there are any "safety violations" such as untied shoes, branches hanging too low, or obstacles on which someone could trip.
- Have an adult say "Go!" -- and have the children race to the finish line.
- You can repeat several times and have the children use different partners.
Activities:
Directions:
- Download Lou and Lou: Safety Patrol badges here.
- Download ID cards here.
- Have crayons and markers on hand and have guests color the badges and ID cards. Make sure they print their name (or get help doing so) on them too!
- Tape the badge to each child's shirt.
Children love to pretend and model the world around them. If it's possible to hold your party outdoors, create a Safety Village there that includes several ride-on toys/cars, wagons, scooters, tricycles, etc. and set it up like a little downtown area.
Before the party:
- Assemble several wheeled toys in one area
- Collect/borrow enough small-sized helmets for each guest
- Rope off particular areas or make a "road maze" using reflecting tape or "caution" tape.
- Hang or post several easy-to-understand traffic signs around the "driving" area. These should include "Stop," "Slow," "No Stopping," and "Crosswalk."
- Draw several crosswalks that cross through the driving area.
At the party:
- Have an adult dressed in an orange safety vest (much like that of a crossing guard). The adult should also have a whistle on a string around his/her neck and, if available, a hand-held STOP sign.
- Choose about two-thirds of the guests to ride a wheeled toy -- the remaining guests get to stroll through Safety Village.
- Talk with the children about what kinds of things they might see and might need to pay attention to. Things to watch for could include people not walking in the crosswalk, drivers not stopping for people in the crosswalk, drivers not wearing a helmet, drivers talking on cell phones, children reading a book while crossing the street, etc.
- Instruct the children to begin riding and walking through Safety Village but warn them that they must follow the safety rules, or the Safety Patroller will blow the whistle and write you a "ticket."
- Once children get the hang of what the adult does, try letting them take a turn at being the Safety Patroller! At some point, the kids might just appreciate some "downtime" in which they can ride the toys and play in the yard with no planned activity occurring.
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