Campfire Storytime #2

Last night was our second Campfire Storytime session of the summer (see the first write-up here). I took photos this time as promised, but due to the chilly, drizzly Ohio weather we were unfortunately indoors instead of on the patio. Here's what we did:


Song: "We're Going on a Bear Hunt"

You can do this a number of ways. I had discovered "Cool Bear Hunt" by Dr. Jean and just LOVE IT so I did a mash-up of the traditional song and hers.

(Have the kids march in place and repeat after you)

We're going on a bear hunt
We're gonna catch a big one! (spread arms out wide)
With big green eyes (make circles with hands by eyes)
And a fuzzy little tail (shake your bottom)

Look over there! (point in one direction)
It's some long, wavy grass
Can't go over it (motion w/ arm to go over something)
Can't go under it (motion w/ arm to go under something)
I guess we'll go through it!
(swish hands back and forth to make a grass sound)

We're going on a bear hunt
We're gonna catch a big one! (spread arms out wide)
With big green eyes (make circles with hands by eyes)
And a fuzzy little tail (shake your bottom)

Look over there! (point in one direction)
It's a cold, deep river
Can't go over it (motion w/ arm to go over something)
Can't go under it (motion w/ arm to go under something)
I guess we'll go through it!
(pretend to swim)

We're going on a bear hunt
We're gonna catch a big one! (spread arms out wide)
With big green eyes (make circles with hands by eyes)
And a fuzzy little tail (shake your bottom)

Look over there! (point in one direction)
It's a big, tall tree
Can't go under it (motion w/ arm to go under something)
Can't go around it (motion with arm to go around something)
I guess we'll go over it!
(pretend to climb up then down the tree)

We're going on a bear hunt
We're gonna catch a big one! (spread arms out wide)
With big green eyes (make circles with hands by eyes)
And a fuzzy little tail (shake your bottom)

Look over there! (point in one direction)
It's a cave
Can't go over it (motion w/ arm to go over something)
Can't go under it (motion w/ arm to go under something)
I guess we'll go through it!
(pretend to tiptoe)

Ok, stop! (stop)
Everyone get out your flashlights. (take "flashlight" out of pocket)
Turn them on. (pretend to click them on)
Uh oh...I see two big green eyes (make circles with hands by eyes)
And a fuzzy little tail (shake your bottom)
It's....A BEAR!

(run in place)
Everyone climb up and down the tall tree! (pretend to climb up then down the tree quickly)
Ok, now everyone swim through the cold river! (pretend to swim quickly)
Now go through the long, wavy grass! (quickly rub hands together)
We're at the house so open the door! (pretend to open the door)
Now close the door! (step through and close the door)
Now sit down! (sit)
Phew!
I am NEVER going on a bear hunt again!

Book: It's the Bear! by Jez Alborough

Song: "Tiny Tim"

I had a little turtle, his name was Tiny Tim (make turtle w/ one hand)
I put him in the bathtub to see if he could swim (pretend to swim)
He drank up all the water (pretend to drink)
He ate up all the soap (pretend to chew)
And now he's sick in bed with a bubble in his throat! (Hiccup!)


Book: The Seals on the Bus by Lenny Hort - This is a fun take on the
traditional song "The Wheels on the Bus". I sang along to the words in the book and had the kids do the motions/sounds with me.

Song: "Rum Sum Sum"

Rum sum sum, rum sum sum (pat legs)
Gooley gooley gooley gooley (roll hands)
Rum sum sum (pat legs)

Rum sum sum, rum sum sum (pat legs)
Gooley gooley gooley gooley (roll hands)
Rum sum sum (pat legs)

A raffi, a raffi (raise arms and wiggle fingers)
Gooley gooley gooley gooley (roll hands)
Rum sum sum (pat legs)

A raffi, a raffi (raise arms and wiggle fingers)
Gooley gooley gooley gooley (roll hands)
Rum sum sum (pat legs)

(Repeat, going faster each time)

Craft: Campfire Headband

This craft takes some prep in that you have to cut out the flames and headbands ahead of time, but the results are soooo cute. We gave each child a poster board headband that they could decorate with crayons. Then they could glue some flames on and tape mini marshmallows stuck on toothpicks.

Snack: S'mores snack mix and apple juice

While everyone enjoyed their snack, we gathered back together and I read two more stories:

Book: Falling for Rapunzel by Leah Wilcox - Poor Prince Charming. He just wants Rapunzel to let down her hair. But she's hard of hearing and lets some other things out the window instead! This story has a great rhyming cadence to it and is hilarious.

Book: Don't Let the Pigeon Stay Up Late! by Mo Willems - Perennial favorite Mo Willems hits it out of the park again. I read the pigeon's lines in the story and ask the audience if the pigeon can stay up late, get a glass of water, etc. I'm always met with a resounding "NO!"