StickFiggy Saves the Day at the Doctor’s Office

We are now in week #2 of the MeMeTales/PBS Kids Readathon, and this week we are celebrating the theme of friendship with three free ebooks through the MeMeTales app. I know that my children have loved the MeMeTales ebooks, and we have enjoyed reading them over and over. One of my son’s favorite authors on MeMeTales is Jane Marshall, so this week we are excited that several of her StickFiggy books are free.

StickFiggy is my new BFF, because he saved the day at the doctor’s office today. I dread taking my children to the doctor. I don’t know if your kids are like this, but mine seem to go crazy the smaller the space we are in. If we go to the playground, they are calm. In fact, sometimes I have to make them get out of the swings and play. But when we get into the small, equipment packed patient room at the doctor’s office they just want to run around, climb up the exam table, and touch everything. So when I realized that my son was sick enough to warrant a check-up, I knew I better arrive with a plan for keeping his attention focused on something other than the biohazard box.

We had been reading our MeMeTales ebooks earlier in the day, and my son was captivated by the cute story StickFiggy Makes a Friend. While thinking about StickFiggy and the cute chick he meets and befriends, I had a sudden, crazy idea. Why not make StickFiggy play props? I had five minutes before we needed to leave the house. Could I do it?

I rummaged in the toy area and found a lingering plastic Easter egg, grabbed my duck from last week’s Readathon activity, and quickly made a stick man out of black pipe cleaners. The play props easily fit into my purse, ready to surprise my child with at the right moment. We also brought our Kindle to the doctor’s office. So, combined with reading MeMeTale books, playing with the StickFiggy play props, and resorting to Ant Smasher. We survived a visit to the doctor. Not bad.

I realize that {um . . . }you are probably a better housekeeper than me and actually throw away or neatly pack up your plastic Easter eggs. And, most of you probably don’t have pom-pom ducks floating around the house. So, I’ve put together a photo tutorial of how you can make a simple baby bird and StickFiggy for your kid to play with. Remember though, your play props don’t have to be fancy. After all, kids will spend hours playing with just a stick if you let them. Older kids may enjoy making the play props themselves.

I made the chick by gluing together yellow pom-poms, orange pipe cleaners, yellow feathers. If you choose to use hot glue (like I did) be sure to use caution gluing feathers.

Making StickFiggy was a little trickier. But, as you can see from the photo. I used two black pipe cleaners to form his arms, body and legs. I snipped off the extra pipe cleaner at the bottom of his feet and used it to make his boots and hat. If it looks too complicated, just make a stick figure!

Similar ideas: Charlotte at Make, Do, and Friend created a StickFiggy and chick too. I’m more than willing to admit that Charlotte is far more artistic than I am, so you really should take a peek at her creations because they are very cute! Also, Putti Prapanchakids created an adorable StickFiggy and chick using clay, pipe cleaners, and an Easter egg. 

And guess what? I have a surprise for you today. Jane Marshall has provided a special free printable just for you and your kids: Free StickFiggy Printable.

You can check out the StickFiggy site and our Friendship Pinterest board for more great Readathon activities.


What books do your kids love on MeMeTales?

Bethany

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Disclaimer: I will receive a free copy of the book I feature in exchange for posting an activity idea.