This storytime was a big hit! Bringing in real balloons for the children would make it even better :)

TODDLER PROGRAM

OPENING SONG: The More We Get Together

OPENING RHYMES:

• Two Little Blackbirds (Soft and Loud)
• Open, Shut Them

BOOK 1: Pop! Went Another Balloon!  by Keith Faulkner
This is not only a balloon book but also a counting one -  great to get the group interacting!

FINGERPLAY/ACTION RHYMES:
Balloon
I’m going to blow up this balloon (make circle with hands)
And never, never stop. ( make circle bigger and bigger)
I’ll blow and blow and blow and blow and (pretend to blow)
POP! (clap loudly!)

Credit: Annes Library Life

Little Balloon
I had a little balloon (make a circle with hands)
That I hugged tight to me (hug self tight)
There was a great big BANG! (clap hands loudly)
No more balloon, you see.
But if I had this many more (hold up five fingers)
I wouldn’t hug them tight (shake head “no”)
I’d just hold onto the strings (grasp strings)
And fly them like a kite. (raise both arms high)

Credit: Youth Literature

Pretty Balloons
(Tune “Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star)
Pretty balloons in the air,
Lots of colors we see there.
Red, and yellow, green and blue
Can you see the colors too?
Pretty balloons in the air,
Lots of colors we see there.

** For this I made pretend balloons that the children held up when their color was called!

Credit: Canton Public Library

SONG: Can’t Wait to Celebrate by Jim Gill
from the album Irrational Anthem
Although this song isn’t balloon related, the group needed an active song and this is always a great go-to!

CLOSING RHYME: Tickle the Clouds

CLOSING SONG: Skinnamarink

CRAFT: Hot Air Balloons!
I was inspried by Pinterest for this craft! Have the ballon and basket already cut out and attached so the children just have to decorate! I attached them using pipe cleaners but you could also use ribbon. I left out crayons and pre-cut crepe paper for the chidren to use :) they loved these!

Credit & Instructions: Babies, Toddlers, & Preschoolers Oh My!

Template: Balloon & Basket

– Mollie

TODDLER PROGRAM

OPENING SONG: The More We Get Together

OPENING RHYMES:

• Two Little Blackbirds (Soft and Loud)
• Open, Shut Them

BOOK 1: All You Need for a Snowman by Alice Schertle

ACTON RHYME: Dressed for Winter
A hat goes on my head
A hat goes on my head
In winter time to keep me warm
A hat goes on my head

Boots go on my feet…

Gloves go on my hands…

Snowpants go on my legs…

***I actually brought items to get dressed into- hat, scarf, gloves, boots, etc. The group used actions to pretend getting dressed while I got all bundled up!

Credit: Miss Katie’s Storytime

ACTION RHYME: Snowflake, Snowflake
Snowflake, snowflake
twirl around.
Snowflake, snowflake
touch the ground.
Snowflake, snowflake
land on my nose.
Snowflake, snowflake
freeze my toes.
Snowflake, snowflake
in the air.
Snowflake, snowflake
tickle you everywhere!

Credit: Vibrant Librarian

ACTION SONG: I’m a Little Snowman
by Carole Peterson from the album H.U.M

Awesome action song to do with kids- they become great big snowmen!

Flannel Board: Mr.Snowman
I found this cute snowman flannel from Little Story Bug! Her site has a great video of the flannel song :)

Mr. Snowman needs a hat needs a hat (clap, clap)
Mr. Snowman needs a hat needs a hat (clap, clap)
Mr. Snowman needs a hat thats a hat and that’s a matter of fact
Mr. Snowman needs a hat needs a hat! (clap, clap)

more verses..
eyes – Mr. Snowman needs some eyes oh what a surprise
nose – Mr. Snowman needs a nose, a carrot I suppose
smile- Mr. Snowman needs a smile, he’ll have it in awhile
scarf- Mr. Snowman needs a scarf and he needs some buttons! Mr. Snowman needs a scarf and some buttons - I couldn’t rhyme with scarf so I added both in on that verse :)
arms- Mr. Snowman needs some arms, they’ll surely add some charm

Templates : Snowman & Snowman Parts

BOOK 2: Under My hood I Have a Hat by Karla Kuskin

ClOSING RHYME: Tickle the Clouds

TODDLER PROGRAM
We celebrated Christmas a little early because this week was my last storytime for the year! :( I will begin again in January so be sure to check back for new posts!

OPENING SONG: If You’re Happy and You Know It

OPENING RHYMES:

• Two Little Blackbirds
• Open, Shut Them

FINGERPLAY: Santa
Here is the chimney (Make fist, enclose thumb)
Here is the top. (Palm of hand on top of fist)
Open the lid. (Remove hand quickly)
And out Santa will pop. (Pop up thumb)

BOOK 1: Pete the Cat Saves Christmas by Eric Litwin
Love Love Love this book! A great holiday book to share!

FINGERPLAYS & ACTION RHYMES:
I found many holiday fingerplays and rhymes to do… these are a few favorites!

Candy Cane Friend
I have a friend named Candy Cane. (point to self and then form a candy cane with fingers)
We go dancing down Sugerplum Lane, (dance with fingers)
While we’re doing the peppermint twist, (twist hips)
We blow each other a sweet candy kiss. (blow a friend a kiss)

Credit: Bright Hub Education

Reindeer
Santa’s little Reindeer (make antlers with hands on head)
All standing in a row (stand up tall)
When Santa comes (make big belly with arms and say ho ho ho) 
They bow like so (take a bow)
Then they fly to the left (put out left arm)
Then they fly to the right (put out right arm)
And when all the presents are delivered, they sleep all night. (pretend to sleep)

Credit: Bright Hub Education

Where is Santa?
Where is Santa? Where is Santa? (hands behind back)
Here I am! Here I am! (arms out in front making a belly shape!)
Merry, Merry Christmas! Merry, Merry, Christmas! (wave to everyone)
Ho! Ho! Ho!, Ho! Ho! Ho!
Repeat with elf, rudloph, frosty, etc.

Credit: Hollis Center Library

ACTION SONG: Jingle Bells
by Fisher Price from the album Christmas Sing-Along
We sang this song and used shakers for the jingle bells part! The kids had fun with this one because the second time around everyone sings the song very quietly and then gets loud!

FLANNEL STORY: Rudolph, Rudolph, What Will You Do?
Leah made this last year and it was such a hit with the kids I had to use it again! The template and rhyme can be found at Loons and Quines @ Librarytime

BOOK 2: How Do Dinosaurs Say Merry Christmas?
by Jane Yolen & Mark Teague

ClOSING RHYME: Tickle the Clouds

CLOSING SONG: Skinnamarink

CRAFT: Christmas Ornament
These simple and fun ornaments were made using Christmas foam stickers! Cut out a circle template and attach yarn so all the children have to do is decorate using stickers- no mess! To add some sparkle I sprayed each ornamnent with glitter spray (do the day before so they have time to dry). We had our stickers from a previous shopping trip but they can also be found here on Amazon.com.

Happy Holidays!

–Mollie

TODDLER PROGRAM

OPENING SONG: If You’re Happy and You Know It

OPENING RHYMES:

• Two Little Blackbirds
• Open, Shut Them

BOOK 1: Tip Tip Dig Dig by Emma Garcia
Great book that shows all kinds of construction trucks! Uses repetition when describing what each truck does (dig dig, push push, etc.)

FINGERPLAY: Where are Trucks? (Thumpkin)
Where is pick-up truck?
Where is pick-up truck?
Here I am. Here I am.
How are you today, sir? Very well, I thank you.
Drive away. Drive away.
(Tow truck, dump truck, moving truck, firetruck)

*I wanted to use little toy cars/trucks but couldn’t find any so made these stick trucks last minute! I did it once with the kids using our fingers so that they would know what to do and then I brought out these for the next few times.

Credit: Storytime Katie

ACTION SONG: The Wheels on the Truck
The wheels on the truck go round and round (roll hands)
Round and round, round and round
The wheels on the bus go round and round
All through the town

Repeat with…
The shovel on the truck goes dig dig dig
The bucket on the truck goes dump dump dump
The horn on the truck goes honk honk honk

*Asking the kids what else trucks do made for great interaction and some funny answers!

Credit: Perry Public Library

FLANNEL ACTIVITY: Dump Trucks
Dump trucks, dump trucks,
Cleaning up the town.
Do you see any garbage lying around?
Pick up the trash and match it to a truck,
Soon the whole town will be all cleaned up!

* I ripped up scrap pieces of colored construction paper (yellow, purple, orange) and passed them out to the group. We sang the phrase 3 different times, each time referring to a new color dump truck. When their color “trash” matched the color truck they came up to throw it away! They loved doing this! Trucks available at clker.

Purple truck     Orange truck     Yellow truck

Credit: Miss Sarah Storytime

BOOK 2: I Love Trucks! by Philemon Sturges and Shari Halpern

ClOSING RHYME: Tickle the Clouds

TODDLER PROGRAM

OPENING SONG: If You’re Happy and You Know It

OPENING RHYMES:

• Two Little Blackbirds
• Open, Shut Them

BOOK 1: 10 Fat Turkeys by Tony Johnston

ACTION RHYME: Great Big Turkey
I’m a great big turkey
‘Cause I’m well fed.
Watch me spread my feathers.
Watch me bob my head.

When I strut around
I waddle, waddle, waddle.
And when I talk
I “gobble, gobble, gobble”.

I’m a great big turkey
And I’d love to stay.
But Thanksgiving’s coming.
So it’s time to run away!

Credit: Preschool Express

ACTION SONG: The Turkey Hop
by Carole Peterson from the album H.U.M
Really fun song to get the wiggles out! Everyone was moving around like little turkeys :) great actions too!

FLANNEL STORY: Did You Ever See a Turkey?
Did you ever see a turkey, a turkey, a turkey,
Did you ever see a turkey, with feathers so bright?
With red ones and orange ones and yellow ones and brown ones,
Did you ever see a turkey with feathers so bright?

Did you ever see a turkey, a turkey, a turkey,
Did you ever see a turkey, with feathers so bright?
With spotted ones and striped ones and sparkly ones and cow ones,
Did you ever see a turkey with feathers so bright?

*Leah made these last year and did such a good job I had to use them again :) The kids really really liked this one!

Credit: Miss Sarah Storytime

BOOK 2: The Thankful Book by Todd Parr

ClOSING RHYME: Tickle the Clouds

OPENING SONG: If You’re Happy and You Know It

OPENING RHYMES:

• Two Little Blackbirds
• Open, Shut Them

BOOK 1: Fly Blankie Fly by Anne Margaret Lewis

FINGERPLAY: Here is a Baby
Here is a baby (index finger)
Ready for a nap
Lay her down in her mother’s lap. (place finger in palm)
Cover her up so she won’t peek; (curl fingers around index finger)
Rock her till she’s fast asleep. (rock)

Credit: Perry Public Library

ACTION SONG: Dance to Bed, You Sleepy Head
by Shana Banana from the album Banana Bedtime
Great dance song that gives you specific actions to do! Mom’s will want it for real bedtime at home :)

ACTION RHYME: This is the Way We…
Use scarves to pretend getting ready for bed! Our next book was about getting ready for bed so this was a perfect activity for the group to do. They loved this and chimed in with what we should wash next!

This is the way we wash our face, wash our face, wash our face.
(rub scrunched scarf on face)
This is the way we wash our face,
When we get ready for bed.
—Wash our toes
—Wash our knees
—Wash our tummy

Credit: Librarian Lisa’s Storytime

FLANNEL ACTIVITY: Ten In The Bed
Templates are available from MakingLearningFun.com
Ten in the bed and the little one said “Roll over, Roll over!”

My templates for the flannel board are available here:

• Ten in the Bed -1
• Ten in the Bed -2

BOOK 2: Cornelius P. Mud, Are You Ready for Bed?
by Barney Saltzberg

ClOSING RHYME: Tickle the Clouds

CLOSING SONG: Skinnamarink

CRAFT: Sleeping Teddy Bear!
This craft was too cute. First, cut out a teddy bear template from clker. Then to make the beds, I stapled folded pieces of felt together! The kids colored the teddy bears and then put them to bed :)

Credit: Miss Sarah Storytime

–Mollie

TODDLER PROGRAM

OPENING SONG: If You’re Happy and You Know It

OPENING RHYMES:

• Two Little Blackbirds
• Open, Shut Them

BOOK 1: Dino Pets by Lynn Plourde
I absolutely love the illustrations in this book! It’s also a rhyming book which is a plus :)

FINGERPLAY/ACTION RHYME: Dinosaurs
Spread your arms, way out wide
Fly like Pteranodon, soar and glide
Bend to the floor, head down low
Move like Stegosaurus, long ago
Reach up tall, try to be
As tall as Apatosaurus eating on a tree
Using your claws, grumble and growl
Just like Tyrannosaurus on the prowl!

Credit: Storytime Katie

ACTION SONG: We Are The Dinosaurs
by Laurie Berkner from the album The Best of the Laurie Berkner Band

FLANNEL STORY: 5 Enormous Dinosaurs

Five enormous dinosaurs letting out a roar.
One stomped away (stomp, stomp, stomp stomp)
and then there were four.

Four enormous dinosaurs knocking down a tree. Clunk!
One stomped away (stomp, stomp, stomp stomp)
and then there were three.

Three enormous dinosaurs eating tiger stew. Ew!
One stomped away (stomp, stomp, stomp stomp)
and then there were were two.

Two enormous dinosaurs sitting under the sun.
One stomped away (stomp, stomp, stomp stomp)
and then there was one.

One enormous dinosaur having no fun.
He stomped away (stomp, stomp, stomp, stomp)
and then there were none.

Credit: Story Time Secrets

Template for flannel available at Mel’s Desk

BOOK 2: Dinosaurs by Simms Taback
This book is great because it is a giant fold-out book! The children loved to see the BIG dinosaurs come to life!

CRAFT: Dino Eggs!
This is a really cute craft that is so easy to do- all the kids have to do is color and glue! First, cut out the eggs and attach paper fastener so those are ready to go. Then cut out the dinosaurs so all the kids have to do is decoarte and attach their baby dino to the back! Instructions and egg pattern are available at Busy Bee Kids Crafts and the baby dino can be found at Activity Village

ClOSING RHYME: Tickle the Clouds

TODDLER PROGRAM

OPENING SONG: If You’re Happy and You Know It

OPENING RHYMES:

• Two Little Blackbirds
• Open, Shut Them

BOOK 1: Pumpkin Trouble by Jan Thomas
Ok, so I got a little carried away with Jan Thomas’s books these past few weeks but this is the last one :) Our library just got this book  in and once I read it I knew I had to use it for Halloween storytime. Pumpkin Trouble is too funny and the kids LOVED it!

ACTION RHYME: Pumpkin, Pumpkin
Pumpkin, pumpkin, big and round, (Make big circle with hands)
Sitting on the cold, hard ground. (Touch the ground)
Soon I’ll pick you off the vine, (Pretend to pick a pumpkin)
Give you a name, and make you mine (Hug pumpkin tightly)
Carve a face for all to see, (Point to face)
Add a candle for Halloween glee! (Clap your hands)

Credit: Storytime Katie

FLANNEL STORY: The Mouse’s Halloween House
Template and story from: Mother Goose’s Playhouse by Judy Sierra
In this story, little mice nibble windows and doors in their big orange house until it becomes a Jack-o-lantern.

BOOK 2: Brooms Are for Flying! by Michael Rex
This is a great book to use for storytime because it gets the children up and doing the actions the whole time!

ACTION RHYME: A Little Witch
A little witch in a pointed cap (make cap on head with hands)
On my door went tap, tap, tap. (do knocking motion)
When I went to open it, (pretend to open door, use squeaking sound effects)
She was not there.
She was riding on a broomstick, (put right fist on left wrist and move left arm upward)
High up in the air!

Credit: Little Story Bug

ClOSING RHYME: Tickle the Clouds