Nursery World - What shall we do now?

This spring's fine weather has got most of us out in the garden or park earlier than expected. If the children in your care have ever taken part in a water balloon fight on a warm day, they'll know how much fun such messy and harmless play can be. Here's a way to add to the excitement by introducing a space theme. Each player will need six paper plates, or circles cut from card. They should decorate these as planets, making them as weird and wonderful as possible - perhaps there's a planet that's green with pink spots, or maybe a world that's covered in glitter?

Each player will need six paper plates, or circles cut from card. They should decorate these as planets, making them as weird and wonderful as possible - perhaps there's a planet that's green with pink spots, or maybe a world that's covered in glitter?

While these are drying, create an 'alien' costume for each player. Use craft materials and any bits and bobs you can find around the house to transform the children into creatures from outer space. You could make a third arm by cutting the sleeve from an old shirt and stuffing it with socks, then pinning it to their clothes. Or create horns by painting two toilet roll tubes and tying them in place with a piece of ribbon (don't use string in case it cuts into their skin.) How about a tail? Wrap some wool around a scarf and tuck it into the back of their trousers.

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