3 Creative Play Activities Using Colourful Fabrics

Some of the fondest memories I have of my childhood was when I was able to dress up in all sorts of different clothes and fabrics. Now that I have a daughter I get to relive this all over again. Check us out below; we’re dressed up as DJ Lance from Yo Gabba Gabba (don’t worry if you don’t know what this is, before I had my Little Miss Two I didn’t know either!!)

I really enjoy using creative play as part of my teaching and learning as it lets kids express themselves, allows them to use their imagination, helps to develop self-confidence and allows for exploration. All of these things can then assist students in their learning.

I wanted to share with you 3 ways that you can use fabrics in your class to encourage your students to explore their creativity. The activities are best suited to junior primary: K-3.

For these activities you will require different types and lengths of fabrics. You’re looking for fabrics that have vibrant colours, different textures, that are various sizes and that are opaque and transparent. Look for fabrics that are from the end of the roll, are off cuts or that have imperfections. Scarves are also great to use. You will need a large open space for the activities.

1. Fabrics Everywhere

• Get your students to spread the fabrics over the room so that they are not touching.
• Have students follow your instructions to run, walk and jump over the fabrics.
• Next get your students to select one of the fabrics and throw it into the air.
• Have your students tell you what shapes the fabrics make as they fall to the ground.
• Get your students to try and move their bodies into the shapes of the fabrics and then move around the room as these shapes.

2. Dressing Up

• Get your students to spread the fabrics over the room.
• Allow your students to move in and around the fabrics, they stop when the teacher calls, ‘freeze’.
• Students use the fabrics around them to place on different parts of their bodies.
• They can use the fabrics on their head, arms, neck, shoulders, torso, legs and ankles.
• Next get the students to find other people who are dressed similar.
• When students are in small groups get them to design a scene that incorporates how each student is dressed.
• Allow each group to share their scene with the class.

3. Sorting

• Discuss with the students earth, air, fire and water. Allow your students to tell you what they think of when they hear these words. Prompt students to also talk about the types of colours they associate with these words.
• Have the students sort the fabrics into 4 piles: earth, air, fire and water.
• Split your students into four groups and assign them to the 4 different piles of fabric.
• Have the students use the fabrics in their pile to create a collage relating to their key word (earth, air, fire and water). The collage can be flat on the floor as well as 3D.
• Allow the groups to view each other’s collages.

I just love playing dress ups and I hope these 3 ideas have inspired you to try some creative play in your class.

I’d love to hear from you, how do you incorporate creative play into your teaching? Use the comments below to share your tips and questions.