Lag B’omer – kids craft activity

Every child in Israel loves Lag B’omer (I don’t think I am overstating this). Besides the fact that it is a school holiday, it is also customary to have bonfires and play with bows and arrows.

Why? (your asking...)

I used to think it was to symbolize the victory of Bar Kokhba over the Roman’s (approximately 2000 years ago) but I have just been reading that there is a little more to it. The answer is wrapped with mysticism and mystery.
I’ll share the details with you on my next post. In the meantime you may want to take a look at the following craft activity. Be ware, you may get some dirt under your nails….

How to make a bonfire using modeling clay:


You will need:

• Black construction paper (we didn’t have any so we painted some paper in black)
• Modeling clay, make sure you have at least the following colors: orange, yellow, blue, and brown.
• Oil pastels (optional)
• Craft glue ( white glue)
• Brush
• Candle

How to:

1. Light the candle; watch the flame carefully and identify the colors it is made of, what is closest to the center of the flame and what is farthest.
   
2. smudge the modeling clay onto the paper in a way that will resemble flames. The modeling clay will stick to the paper.
   
   
   ^{Ori's(4) drawing} 
3. Add layers of colors, slowly building up your bonfire.
4. Add some brown modeling clay for the wood
5. Complete the drawing with people around the fire, marshmallow on a stick, stars, sparks etc.
6. Using a brush, apply glue over the modeling clay, it will dry clear and protect your drawing.
   
   ^{Ori's (4) drawing
   Zoe's (7) drawing}
   

Variation:
we didn't have black paper so we used blue paper, and brushed around our clay with black water color. The clay is oil base and will repel the water based paint. If it gets too dark, you may wipe it off with a towel.

You may scrape the clay and oil pastels with a pointy object, to add more texture to your drawing.

 

I will be back with more, promise.

tali

linked on Craft Schooling Sunday