by Elena dal Friuli

Created on: May 21, 2010   Last Updated: June 14, 2011

Most children like the circus, with all those acts that are so interesting and fascinating. 

There are a myriad of available activities based on circus themes. These activities can be done before attending the circus, to build up anticipation or ease possible fears, or they can be done after visiting the circus, to bring back fun memories.

Let’stake a look at two different circus crafts for children. 

Clown Face

Although funny, clowns many times scare children, especially young ones. Perhaps, this activity can serve as an introduction to clowns so that they will not be scared once they see them in person. It is a very simple craft that can be completed by very young children as well. 

Materials needed:
White paper plates
Pencil
Markers
Yarn
Glue
Scissors
Small foam ball or pom-pom
Large Googly eyes

Directions:
1. The paper plate is going to be the base for the face. On the plate, draw the mouth of the clown. Color it with markers

2. Draw the background for the eyes and color it. When done, glue the Googly eyes on the background. If you prefer, you may draw the eyes as well.

3. Glue the small foam ball or the pom-pom in the middle of the space between the eyes and the mouth. This will be the nose.

4. Last, but not least, cut several strands of yarn of different length. These will be the hair. When done cutting, glue them to the rim of the plate, right above the eyes. 

Modification:
If you want the paper plate to be the clown mask, instead of gluing or drawing the eyes, make markings where the eyes of the child would be. Then, ask the child draw and color the background of the eyes. Finally, cut out where you marked the space for the eyes. 

As last step, with a hole puncher, punch two holes on the side of the mask and connect them with enough elastic to hold the mask on.

Circus Wild Animal Rink

This activity requires a bit more work than the previous one; therefore, it is more appropriate for older children.

Materials needed:
A cardboard box-tray (like the one small cans are carried in)
Popsicle sticks
Plastic lions and tigers
Floral wire
Hot glue
Caps from cans
Construction paper
Scissor

Directions:
1. Turn the cardboard box-tray face down so that the base of the box is facing you.

2. With the scissors, carefully cut slits, about one inch apart, large enough to fit a Popsicle stick through, but not too large that the stick will fall through.

3. When all the slits are cut, gently insert the Popsicle sticks all around, but leave about a two

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