I admit that I love theme weeks. For all the extra work that it brings, I know the kids and coaches love it in the end — making it all worth it!
A couple weeks ago we had Minion Week! It was a big hit! Here are a few of the highlights…
Take Your Picture with a Minion!
This little station was in our lobby so kids (or dorky staff like me in this photo!) could take their picture with a “life size” minion. Other than being an added element of fun, the hope is that parents would take photos of their child and post it to social media with our name and signature hastag prominent enough to advertise a bit for us.
The goggles were an added fun component, but didnt’ last the week out in the lobby — I should have got a hook to hang them on that only adults could reach for the photo!
Minion Plates!
This was a simple decorating idea — yellow plates with minion eyes on it. We printed the eyes on paper and cut them out (google minion eye prinatbles — there are many options!). We glued them on and then voila! Minion faces! We usually tape things up on the back wall for theme weeks, like in the photo. Otherwise it looks pretty boring!
Minion Balloons!
Kids love balloons! Coaches used them for:
– Free play
– Hold over head while walking on beam, jumping on tumble track…etc.
– Hold in front and touch knee to balloon while marching (floor or beam)
– Practicing tossing & catching (on floor or beam)
– Games like “keep up”
– V-snaps (or modified sit-ups) where kids hold balloon and touch them to their toes
Minion Cups & Cylinder
These minion cups were probably my favourite multi-use prop. To make the them, I just painted eyes and and a blue stripe on yellow paper cups from the dollar store. They acted as mini-pylons, small obstacles and for some simple games (like builders & bulldozers).
One of the best ideas one of my staff had was the kids were given a stack of cups and after setting them down onto the beam one at a time (trying not to fall off), the kids had to step over each one. Then they had to turn around to pick them backup. It was a great way of teaching kids how to move between various levels – standing, crouching, etc.
Freeze Ray!
This one was just for fun! The kids would jump off a block/mini-tramp/whatever and the coach would zap them with a “FREEZE RAY” – thekids would have to hold their safe landing position until it “wore off”.
Note, the freeze ray is actually a bubble gun!
Matching Cards
Another multi-use prop… this one made from yellow cue cards and blue/white/black paper. Typically they were used in various variations of a matching game in their warm up (for example, everyone moves around until the coach says “Freeze!”, and then one child will flip 2 minions at a time until they get a match. Repeat until all are matched). There are limitless ways to use these types of props….
Skill Cards
These skill cards can be flipped over and then kids have to pick one to show to demonstrate to the rest of the group (or do together). Can be used on floor or beam.
Just another way of decorating the equipment. Balloons with faces everywhere!
And there you have it — Minion Theme Week!
Have you ever done this theme? If so, what did you do to incorporate minions into the program?
