Storytime

Storytime: Scarves (Part 1)

I’m sure it comes as no surprise that I love using scarves in my programs. Who doesn’t love scarves?? I think parents enjoy them as much as the children do. I have compiled a list of the scarf songs and activities I use in my programs. The great thing about scarves is that you can modify them for any age group, even babies! Since I have such a large collection of scarf  activities and rhymes I will be posting it in 2 parts.

Activity Scarves from Lakeshore Learning.

 

Green Means Go
For this activity you can have children march around the room or in place if you are in a small area.
Green means “Go, go, go, go” (wave green scarf, have children quickly march)
Yellow means “Slow, slow, slow” (wave yellow scarf, have children slowly march)
Red means “STOP” (wave red scarf, stand still)
Go! Go! Go!
Slow…. slow…. slow
STOP!
(repeat until children are tired)

Source: Jbrary

Hey Diddle Diddle
Nursery rhymes are great to use scarves with. Typically, parents and children already know them so they can join in right away. Also, nursery rhymes are great for little minds (rhyming, builds memory, etc).
Hey diddle, diddle (wave scarf up and down)
The cat and the fiddle
The cow jumped over the moon (wave scarf over head)
The little dog laughed to see such sport
And the dish ran away with the spoon (hide behind back)

My Scarf Has Four Corners
My hat has four corners (place scarf on head)
Four corners has my hat
And if there weren’t four corners
If would not be my hat
(my blanket – cover lap with scarf)
(my cape – hold scarf over shoulders)

Source: Jbrary

Popcorn Kernels (Tune: Frere Jacques)
Popcorn kernels (wave scarves overhead)
Popcorn kernels
In the pot (bunch scarves up in fists)
In the pot
Shake it, shake it, shake it (shake fists)
Shake it, shake it, shake it
Til they pop (throw scarves)
Til they pop

Source: Future Librarian Superhero

Rain on the Grass
Rain on the grass (shake scraf on floor)
Rain on the trees (shake high)
Rain on the roof (hold scarf over head)
But not on me (drop scraf)
(Sun on the grass…)
(Snow on the grass…)
(Leaves on the grass)

Source: So Tomorrow
Video: Jbrary 

Scarves All Around
Up and down, round and round (circle scarf in air)
Put your scarf on the ground (lower scarf)
Over (wave scarf over lap)
Under (wave scarf below knees)
In between (wave scarf between legs)
Now my scarf can not be seen (close knees)
Scarf in front (wave scarf in front of you)
Scarf behind, now my scarf I cannot find (hide scarf behind back)
It’s in my left hand, in my right (put in left, then right)
My lovely scarf is back in sight (wiggle scarf)

Source: Loons and Quines

Twinkle Twinkle
Twinkle, twinkle little star (wave scarf over head)
How I wonder what you are
Up above the world so high
Like a diamond in the sky
Twinkle, twinkle little star
How I wonder what you are

Wind, Oh Wind
Wind, oh wind, oh wind, I say
What are you blowing away today?
Scarves, oh scarves, oh scarves, I say.
I am blowing the scarves away

Source: Mother Goose on the Loose

We Wave Our Scarves Together (Tune: For He’s a Jolly Good Fellow)
We wave our scarves together
We wave our scarves together
We wave our scarves together
Because it’s fun to do
Wave them up high
Wave them down low
Wave them in the middle
Because it’s fun to do

Source: Jbrary

Here are some great songs you can use if you don’t feel like singing alone! (A fair warning – most of these songs will be stuck in your head and your significant other might go crazy while you sing them cooking)

Let’s Go Fly a Kite
by Georgina Stewart
Track 1 of “Musical Scarves & Activities”

Have children dance around and wave their scarves overhead. 

Shoo Fly
Track 39 on “100 Sing-Along-Songs for Kids”
There are a ton of different CD’s and musicians who sing this song.

Have children try to hit imaginary fly with scarf.

I typically repeat each rhyme or activity 2-3 times, the first time it is usually me doing it by myself but by the 3rd time the children know the actions and love doing it with you. If you regularly use scarves in storytimes (like I do) you often hear squeals of glee when they see the box of scarves. I’d love to hear how you use scarves in your programs! I’m always interested in learning new songs and activities.

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