Monday Makery - Circus Creative

Come one come all to the Cirque de Sitting Room

With daughters who want to join the circus, who love nothing more than acrobatics and daring feats; walking imaginary tightropes dressed in tutus and striped tights, jumping hoops, stilt walking, grand introductory speeches standing high on stools, and hilarious attempts at juggling, it was obviously going to become the theme for next birthday. So, in preparation for Oona's 4th Birthday we got busy creating a circus....all whilst she was sleeping.
With balloons, a tightrope, a balance board, dressing up box, a flaming ring of fire and strongman weights it's all the daring fun of the fair with its vibrant colours and promise of performance. The girls woke up, ran away with the circus and were back in time for birthday cake!

Tightrope Walk

Imagine you're far up in the sky walking the wire as you navigate the tightrope.

Here's what you'll need:

• 1 wooden plank measuring 160cm L - 10cm W - 5cm D
• 2 wooden blocks 50cm L - 8cm W - 5cm D
• MT tape for decorating

Here's how:

1. Decorate the large piece of wood using MT tape making sure you cover all the corners. Create a stripe down the middle of the length of wood to give it the illusion of the tightrope.
2. Decorate the 2 blocks with matching contrasting colours.
3. Set the blocks under each end of the board and you're ready to go!

Use props, like an umbrella held high for theatrical effect!

Balance Board

How long can you balance for. Try to keep the edges from touching the floor as you thrill the audience and challenge others to do the same with the daredevil balance board.

Here's what you'll need:

• wooden board: 65 cm L, 22 cm W, 3cm D
• MT tape
• pool noodle / foam strips
• cutting knife/blade
• wooden pole / heavy duty cardboard roll: 60cm L, Diameter 6.5cm

Here's how:

1. Decorate your wooden board with strips of MT tape.
2. Measure 2 lengths of foam to match the width of the board and cut into it giving a slot of about an inch deep.
3. Slide on the foam to the edges of the board.
4. decorate the wooden / cardboard pole
5. set the board onto the centre of the pole and be ready to keep your cool as you try to stay balanced.

Strongman Weight Lifting

Who is the strongest of them all. Can you lift the wight above your head and prove to all that you've got the strength of a lion.

Here's what you'll need:

• wooden pole / length of bamboo 90cm L, 2.5cm diameter
• 2 balloons
• marker pen

Here's how:

1. decorate a thin wooden pole or length of bamboo with decorative tape.
2. adhere a balloon either end
3. using the marker pen write the weight of each balloon....... can you lift 50kg?

Ring of Fire

Would you dare take the leap with this death defying act and jump through a ring of burning fire. Roly-poly through the ring of flames and gracefully land upon a cushioned floor.

Here's what you'll need:

• Hula hoop; the bigger the better, ours has a diameter of 94cm.
• red tissue paper

Here's how:

1. Layer several sheets of tissue paper one on top of the other and fold in half.
2. Cutting away from the folded edge,  cut out a flame shape (a wriggly triangle). Repeat along the folded line until you have as many as you need.
3. Open up each doubled flame, fold over the edge of the hula hoop and use double sided sticky tape (or fold over ordinary sticky tape to create doubled sided) and tape the inside of the flames together securing it to the hoop.
4. Hang by attaching a length of strong string to either side to a high point on either side of the room, or if you're unable to hang have someone hold it an inch or two off the floor.

If you can't bring the circus to you; create it!

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