Olympic Torch Craft for the Openning Ceremony

We’re in full Olympics-mode here. My kids first learned about the Olympics through D’Aulaires’ Book of Greek Myths and were thrilled to find out that there is a modern Olympic Games! Plus there will be mommy crafts! AND they get to stay up and watch part of the opening ceremonies!

We made a torch craft to get ready. My son actually got to carry the torch at his Gymnastics Expo, which was just about the cutest thing I have ever seen!

Materials:

• paper plate or oak tag (any color is fine if you want the modern, London version; brown if you want “traditional)
• tin foil
• tissue paper in red, yellow, and orange
• glue
• scissors
• tape
• pencil
• water bottle (optional: if you want to create the London “cheese grater” texture)
• flashlight (optional)

 Directions:

1. If using a paper plate for the base, cut from the edge to the center and roll up. If you are using oak tag, just roll in a cone shape. We used a paper plate but it was rather short. I think I would try oak tag next time. You can also use a small flash light as your base and cut out a hole so you can reach the switch.

2. If you want you can texture or punch holes in the tinfoil. We used a metal water bottle to do this. It ended up just crinkling away so I would recommending actually making the holes…or you can just stamp away for fun!

3. Wrap the foil around the base.

4. Cut or shred the tissue paper and glue it into the torch.

Play the anthem of the Olympics and have a relay and an opening ceremony!

  Educational Connections:

• Culture: Read the myth of Prometheus. Why is the fire so important to the Ancient Greeks? What does it symbolize in the modern Olympics? What other meanings can fire have?
• Language Arts: Write a short nomination for someone to carry the torch in the relay. Why should he or she have this honor?
• Geography: Trace the route of the torch from Greece to London. Where will the torch travel? How far will it go? Why does the torch always start in Greece?