Here is a wonderful, inexpensive family activity:
Make Dream Catchers Together.
“The Legend of the Dream Catcher
As the legend goes, the Dream Catcher was used by the Woodland Indians and was hung close to where they slept. The Indians believed that Dream Catchers would catch all the dreams whether they were good or bad. The bad dreams would get caught up in the webbing and be held there until first morning light when the sun would burn them off. The good dreams were also caught and held in the center of the Dream Catcher. These dreams would filter down into the feathers and be held there, only to return another night to be dreamed again.” (from the PlayConnection curriculum)
How to Make A Dream Catcher with Your Children:
Materials: paper plate, a hole puncher, a few beads, feathers, markers and glitter glue if you have some.
1. Cut out the center of the paper plate and punch 5-6 holes around the edges.
2. Help you child write down their dreams and aspirations around the rim of the Dream Catcher. Make one with them and discuss your dreams together. Sharing dreams and fears with your children is an excellent way to connect with them.
3. Tie the yarn onto the top hole, add a bead, weave into another hole, add a bead and so forth until your Dream Catcher is fully webbed. Odds and ends can be added for decoration and this is a great way to use up left-over craft supplies.
4. Tie another short piece of yarn to the bottom hole so that the ends of the yarn hang down (see picture.) Tie a feather to each end.
5. Hang above your child’s bed (a thumb tack in the wall above the bed works well.) Be sure to read them the Legend of the Dream Catcher.
