Play Silk Activities

We have a number of play silks of different sizes but I thought a really big one would be fun for my daughters to use. Since learning how easy it is to dye them myself, and save money, I have been buying from Dharma Trading Co. (link on side of blog). This one is the Silk Sarong Habotai (10 mm 43.5 x 72). I like the 8mm or 10 mm because they don't rip easily compared to thinner silks.



There are different ways to dye the silks. The method I use is hot water in a bowl, 1/4 cup white vinegar per quart of water (I used 4 quarts for this one) Add in kool-aid or in this case Crystal Light Classic Orange Flavor and mix well. I usually pour in 3 or 4 single serving packets for light colors and less for darker powders. Stir the silk around in the mixture until the desired color is reached. Rinse the silk until it stops bleeding color. (The darker the color the longer you will need to rinse)



We have been doing circle time (finger plays, movement, songs) before going outside or in place of going outside if the weather is bad. I have discovered, the best way to use our new play silk, is like a parachute for circle activities. My daughters love it and it really gets some energy out. Here are some ways we used it:

Row, row, row your boat: Sitting, everyone holds a corner and we gently rock back and forth while singing.

Ring Around the Rosie: Holding corner walking in a circle

Pop Goes the Weasel: Holding onto a side we walk in a circle, when we sing "pop" we lift it up into the air.

There Was a Man: Walk in a circle while holding onto a side. And sing or say:

There was a man in our town

Who went for a walk one day

But the wind blew so hard

He turned around and walked the other way.

(Substitute hop, skip...)

When the Parachute Goes Up (Sing to the tune of If Your Happy and You Know it)

When the parachute goes up stomp your feet
When the parachute goes up stomp your feet

When the parachute is high and floats up to the sky
When the parachute is goes up stomp your feet.

(Replace stomp with shout hurray, lift your knees, jump up high...)

I would love to find more activities and songs, so if I do I will add it as a download under printables and resources. I have also been updating the poems and finger plays as I find them (I just can't stop looking for more!) So check there too every once and awhile.