We are crazy for rainbows and cuteness here! If you’re looking for a sweet and simple activity for the mid-term break, you can turn the humble paper plate into a vibrant rainbow. This activity can provide children with a sensory experience as they decorate their rainbows, and follow it up with singing Sing a Rainbow together. 

This activity is fun for:

• Birthday party craft
• Holiday craft
• Sensory activity
• Baby interaction (sing rainbow songs and wave the rainbow cloud about)
• Bedroom decor

Sing a Rainbow by Arthur Hamilton

Red and yellow and
Pink and Green
Purple and orange and blue

I can sing a rainbow
Sing a rainbow
Sing a rainbow too

Listen with your eyes
Listen with your ears
And sing everything you see

I can sing a rainbow
Sing a rainbow
Sing along with me

Materials 

• Paper Plates
• Scissors
• Paint
• Paint Brush
• Craft Glue
• Cotton Balls

1. Cut a paper plate in half.

2. Paint each colour on the semi-circle to create your rainbow. Think red and yellow and pink and green. Purple and orange and blue. Allow to dry.

3. Once dry, glue the cotton balls at the end of the rainbows for clouds. 

HELLO ADORABLE!

Here’s a cute craft you can whip up with your little ones and you probably have everything you need for this activity in your house right now.

This activity is fun for

• Birthday party craft
• Holiday craft
• Sensory activity
• Baby interaction (sing rainbow songs and wave the rainbow cloud about)
• Bedroom decor

Materials

• Template (print it here)
• Scissors 
• Felt pen
• Googly eyes (optional)

Instructions

1. Print the 2-page template by clicking the image below or click here.

2. Cut the cloud shape.

3. Cut out the rainbow rectangle, leaving a section of white along one of the short sides (to allow you to glue).

4. Glue along the short edge and place behind the base of the cloud.

5. Using scissors, cut in between each coloured line.

6. Repeat with all the lines until you have rainbow streamers coming from the cloud.

7. Draw in the face and add googly eyes with glue if desired.

Rainbow cuteness!

Making Rainbows isn’t only about a fun hour of music, movement and sensory play each week, we are about fostering connection and precious moments with your little one every day. If you have a spare five minutes, this is how you can turn a simple cardboard roll into a twirl of wind-catching rainbows. Babies will enjoy tracking the bright colours and movement and young children can blow or run with their rainbow streamers.

This activity is fun for

• Birthday parties
• Toddler play
• Baby interaction 
• Sensory activity
• Dancing

Materials

• Scissors
• Sticky Tape
• Paper Glue
• Cardboard Roll
• Crepe Streamers
• Template

Print the template

Click the template picture below for the free Rainbow Wind Catcher printable PDF file.

Instructions

1. Print & cut the rectangle template. You can download for free here.
2. Glue the template rectangle to a cardboard roll.
3. Cut sections of crepe streamers approximately a 20 centimetres length. You’ll need approximately six lengths.
4. Tape crepe paper lengths inside of cardboard tube and trim ends to desired length. They need to be short enough to move when you blow through the opening and long enough for movement.

   Tip: It’s easy to attach the streamers by using a section of tape on the streamer before attaching it inside the cardboard roll.

Game Ideas

1. Sing a Rainbow

Sing a Rainbow is a popular song that was written by American songwriter, Arthur Hamilton in 1953, and the world has enjoying singing it ever since. Delight your little one with this song while waving the rainbow maker around, tickle their arms with the soft streamers. Listen to Delta Goodrem’s whimsical version here.

Babies will enjoy the interaction, plus will be learning too! Dr Grant from Gateway Therapies says, “Babies are born with their visual acuity, processing and perceptual skills still developing. While they may struggle to see details, they are programmed to be interested in moving objects, and things that have clear outlines and contrast. A rainbow wind catcher can help your baby to practice focussing on and tracking moving objects. These skills are important later in life for tasks such as reading, and catching a ball. Plus, they will have fun and be engaged too.”

Sing a Rainbow by Arthur Hamilton

Red and yellow and
Pink and Green
Purple and orange and blue

I can sing a rainbow
Sing a rainbow
Sing a rainbow too

Listen with your eyes
Listen with your ears
And sing everything you see

I can sing a rainbow
Sing a rainbow
Sing along with me

2. Run a Rainbow

Young children can run in the backyard or park with the rainbow maker high above their head. Watch the wind tunnel through the roll making the colourful streamers fly in the air.

3. Blow a Rainbow

Young children (and parents) can blow through the cardboard roll to see how wild they can make the rainbow streamers fly.

4. Shake & Dance A Rainbow

The colourful streamers make for wonderful pom-pom shakers too. Put on your favourite music, spin, dance and shake away.

5. Do a Rainbow Party

Add some colour to your next rainbow themed party by providing a rainbow maker to enjoy and take home for each child. Children can even make their own with whatever coloured streamers they like.

About Making Rainbows

Making Rainbows is a Brisbane based business connecting children, families and communities through music, movement and sensory play. Find more details about the current class times and locations here.