Patrons enjoy dragon stories and make their own dragon egg to take home.
Advanced Planning
Our goal was to host a dragon-themed program for our county's literacy celebration. We started planning two months in advance, purchased materials, and advertised the event.
The books we read were There's a Dragon in the Library by Dianne De Las Casas and Waking Dragons by Jane Yolen.
Marketing
The program was promoted through Facebook events and groups, as well as a flier in the library and at our local store. We were successful with 24 eggs made and taken home. A local second-grade teacher brought her class on a field trip.
Budgeting
We purchased 30 styrofoam eggs. You could use plastic Easter eggs and tape them closed, or tinfoil for other options.
We also purchased a 5-lb tub of air-dry clay, 2 dozen dragon eye beads, and 2,000 assorted gems. We spent just about $50 total.
Day-of-event Activity
We set up the storytime area with chairs and the dragon books and placed three tables in different areas of our very small library. Each table had eight paper bowls with a ball of clay, an egg, and one dragon eye in it. In the middle of the table, we placed two bowls of gems to share.
Children mashed and spread the clay over the egg, then pushed gems into the clay. They were told they could paint with watercolors at home once the clay was dry. Just one staff member was present, but the teacher and aide helped children during the craft.
Program Execution
24 children attended and really enjoyed creating their own dragon egg.
Advice
The dragon eye beads were a big hit and it was well worth adding those.
Wet wipes at the tables would have been helpful after working with the dry clay.
Pushing the gems and beads deep into the clay would keep them from falling off after drying, so a thick layer of the clay is better than a thin layer.
Supporting Materials
Slideshow Images
More Programs
Geode Skulls
Audiences:
Art Around the World
Audiences:
