Do you have kids who love to play dress-up? Do your children like making up their own plays or performances? If you do, together you and your family can make a circus act to perform for sick kids in your local hospital or their families at a Ronald McDonald House. You can also give a show for the neighborhood and ask for toy donations to help care for those children in need.
One of the hardest things to cure when you're in the hospital is boredom! If you decide to perform for the community, asking for a new toy donation as an entrance fee can help you collect items to put smiles on the faces of sick children. According to Children's National Medical Center in Washington, DC, here are some of the items pediatric units most commonly request:
Infants and Toddlers: NEW Baby blankets, (they can be hand made) Fisher Price toys, small plush toys, clothing
Elementary and Middle School: UNO cards, hand-held electronic games, coloring books, crayons/markers,
Adolescents: Board games, compact discs, disposable cameras, crossword puzzles, room decorations
G and PG films, video games and video game systems are also in demand. These can be put on a cart and wheeled from room to room. Ask your local hospital if they accept gently used videos and games- many do.
It's important to make sure all items (aside from videos, DVD's and video games) are brand NEW , clean, sturdy, and safe. Phone cards are good for every age. Not all kids in the hospital are local. Some could not afford to talk to their families without a gift of a phone card.
TV time. Check with your local hospital if all kids have access to TV. Some families might not be able to afford to rent TV's for their kids. Your family could take donations to be given to a kid with a chronic illness.
Also, if you live in an area with a Hispanic population, items in Spanish are always appreciated.
Materials Needed:
Construction paper
Markers
Dress-up clothes
Make-up (optional)
Gift bags (optional)
Steps Required:
- Sit down with your kids and let them decide what they'd like to perform. Dance routines, magic acts, singing, and dancing are all good ideas, but let your children be creative. If one family member has a big, booming voice, that person may want to be the “ringmaster,” and introduce the other acts.
- Look through your favorite dress-up clothes and find costumes that will match the acts you want to perform. If you need more clothes, try looking in the attic or visiting a local Salvation Army or Goodwill. With a few special costumes, you can turn your kids into Siamese Twins (two children in one outfit) or make your daughter the Bearded Lady (fake fur on the chin). Be creative — bright red lipstick can make clowns,
- Use the construction paper and markers to make invitations. Pass them out to friends and family, or give them to young people in the hospital. Make sure you name a date, place, and time when people can come see your circus!
- Practice your acts! Make sure everyone feels comfortable in their costumes and is ready to perform for the audience. No show is ever perfect, but the better you know what you're doing, the more fun you (and the audience) will have.
- If you're planning on performing for children in a hospital, make sure you have approval from the hospital staff. Also, you'll have to make sure your family is in good health for the performance, so you don't pass any germs to the kids.
- If you have toys to give away to the hospital kids, put them in the gift bags. Giving the toys to the kids can be part of your act, and will give the children in the hospital both a new surprise and a chance to be involved in the Carnival of Caring.
- If you're giving away gifts at the hospital, consider bringing extras for the siblings of sick children. Often the brothers and sisters are overlooked, and having a surprise just for them might make their days brighter.
- If you know a person in your family/friends who has died from an illness, consider dedicating the carnival to them. It's a nice memorial to someone who has made a difference in your family's lives.
- Most importantly, have fun!
