Big Programs for Little Kids
Name of program
Percy Jackson Party: a Camp Half-Blood Regional Meeting
Ages
Elementary Age
Theme
A party based on the series, Percy Jackson and the Olympians by Rick Riordan.
Books to Read
A page or two from The Lightning Thief by Rick Riordan
Or have a ‘reader’s theater’ based on chapter two.
Tell a little bit about the author Rick Riordan – especially how to pronounce his name – Ryer-den (first syllable rhymes with fire)
Books to Booktalk
The Percy Jackson and the Olympians series:
The Lightning Thief
The Sea of Monsters
The Titan’s Curse
The Battle of the Labyrinth
Greek Myths J292
Hour of the Olympics by Mary Pope Osborne
Ancient Greece and the Olympics: a Nonfiction Companion to Hour of the Olympics by Mary Pope Osborne
Mary Pope Osborne’s series Tales From the Odyssey
Nametags
Have the kids make nametags with their names in English and ancient Greek.
Activities
Word Search Raffle. Have the kids fill it out either before, during, or after the event. Pull out a winner from the entries. A Greek Mythology book makes a great giveaway.
The Claiming Ceremony: The kids or demigods, can consult the oracle to find out which Greek god will claim them. Use the Oracle’s wheel included. You can then divide the kids in groups according to their god for games. You can also do this online at www.percyjackson.co.uk/site/pj_fun.php . Or you can have fun with this site by visiting the Oracle. You can ask yes or no questions that the Oracle will answer. Another fun online game is “Rockabye Cerberus” at http://www.abc.net.au/arts/wingedsandals/games/cerberus.htm
Musical gods: Play some ancient Greek music and have the kids try to land on pictures of the various Greek gods you have laminated and taped to the floor.
You could use old sheets to wrap togas around everyone.
Olympian Games could include, foot racing, javelin throwing (with pool noodles), three-legged racing, arm wrestling, and discus throwing (with Frisbees).
Prizes
Lightning Thief trading cards.
Rick Riordan’s books.
Craft
Decorate butterfly wings to wear
Treats
Ancient Greek food such as bread dipped in olive oil, snails, jujubes (Greeks ate a fruit called jujube but the kids would like the candy better), olives, grapes and figs.
“Nectar” punch or soda
“Ambrosia” brownies or cookies – Don’t eat too many, or you might go up in flames!
Lightning-bolt-shaped cookies
Fresh strawberries (from Camp Half-Blood)
Hand-outs
A butterfly ring to color at home
Take Aways