Plan a circus unit for your young children

Stories about the circus are a good addition to your circus unit. Kids will enjoy Olivia's silly antics in "Olivia Saves the Circus" by Ian Falconer. "See the Circus" by H.A. Rey has fun flaps for kids to lift. Other books to read are "If I Ran the Circus" by Dr. Seuss, "ABC is for Circus" by Peter Hruby, "Clifford at the Circus" by Norman Bridwell and "Paddington Bear at the Circus" by Michael Bond. Find these and other books about the circus at your local library; the main branch of the Peoria Public Library is located at 107 N.E. Monroe, Peoria, Ill.Children will enjoy eating fun circus snacks. Popcorn is a common circus treat, so pop a batch to share with your kids. A scoop of ice cream in a dish can be topped with a sugar cone to look like a clown wearing a hat; use chocolate chips, small candies or raisins to add a face. Cotton candy, peanuts, animal crackers and candy circus peanuts are other good circus snacks.Children will enjoy making circus crafts. One easy project is a thumbprint balloon picture. Kids press their fingers onto washable ink pads, then press the ink onto a sheet of paper. Next, add strings to the fingerprints with a pen or a marker. Finger puppets are fun to make and play with; circus figures for the puppet can be printed from First Palette. Color the characters, cut them out and affix them to paper loops. A clown mask made from a paper plate is another fun project that kids can play with after it is completed.View the list »
Many circus-themed printables are available for free online. Homeschool Creations has a Circus Preschool Pack; two of the resources from this set are pictured here. Other items in the set include tracing pages, sorting activities and word family sheets. ABC Teach has circus printables, including writing prompts and a word search. Some ABC Teach's items are available to subscribers only, but many are free to the public. Coloring Castle offers coloring sheets with clowns and circus tents. Craft Jr. has a printable circus matching game.

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A trip to the circus is entertaining for both kids and adults. Bring a taste of circus merriment into your home with a thematic unit study. Check out this list for ideas of fun and educational big top activities that your young children will love.

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Your family can also learn the history of the circus during your unit study. Lela Davidson has an article for kids all about the origins of the modern circus. This article also includes information on circus superstitions and trivia.

As a special addition to your unit study, you might want to visit a real circus. The Gamma Phi Circus at Illinois State University in Normal holds performances every April. Their shows include clowns and gymnastic acts. This is the United States' oldest collegiate circus, and your whole family will have a good time at one of their shows.

Your young children will have a great time learning and playing as you engage in circus activities together. View this list for suggestions of printables, crafts, snacks and books that will make your circus unit come alive with the excitement of the big top.

View the list
  • Many circus-themed printables are available for free online. Homeschool Creations has a Circus Preschool Pack; two of the resources from this set are pictured here. Other items in the set include tracing pages, sorting activities and word family sheets. ABC Teach has circus printables, including writing prompts and a word search. Some ABC Teach's items are available to subscribers only, but many are free to the public. Coloring Castle offers coloring sheets with clowns and circus tents. Craft Jr. has a printable circus matching game.
  • Children will enjoy making circus crafts. One easy project is a thumbprint balloon picture. Kids press their fingers onto washable ink pads, then press the ink onto a sheet of paper. Next, add strings to the fingerprints with a pen or a marker. Finger puppets are fun to make and play with; circus figures for the puppet can be printed from First Palette. Color the characters, cut them out and affix them to paper loops. A clown mask made from a paper plate is another fun project that kids can play with after it is completed.
  • Children will enjoy eating fun circus snacks. Popcorn is a common circus treat, so pop a batch to share with your kids. A scoop of ice cream in a dish can be topped with a sugar cone to look like a clown wearing a hat; use chocolate chips, small candies or raisins to add a face. Cotton candy, peanuts, animal crackers and candy circus peanuts are other good circus snacks.
  • Stories about the circus are a good addition to your circus unit. Kids will enjoy Olivia's silly antics in "Olivia Saves the Circus" by Ian Falconer. "See the Circus" by H.A. Rey has fun flaps for kids to lift. Other books to read are "If I Ran the Circus" by Dr. Seuss, "ABC is for Circus" by Peter Hruby, "Clifford at the Circus" by Norman Bridwell and "Paddington Bear at the Circus" by Michael Bond. Find these and other books about the circus at your local library; the main branch of the Peoria Public Library is located at 107 N.E. Monroe, Peoria, Ill.
View the list
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, Peoria Homeschooling Examiner

Meghan Ross is a homeschooling mother of two young children in central Illinois. She has been working with children for 15 years, in church, public school, and homeschooling settings. She believes that good books and hands-on activities make lessons come to life for both children and the adults...

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