Clowns and Circus Theme and Activities
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Please be aware that some young children are frightened by clowns. Never force a child to go near or interact with a clown or clown image.
Clowns and Circus Songs and Fingerplays
The Little Clown
This little clown is fat and gray (hold up thumb)
This little clown does tricks all day (hold up next finger)
This little clown is tall and strong (hold up next finger)
This little clown is wee and small (hold up next finger)
And this little clown can do anything at all (hold up little finger)
Did You Ever See A Clown (Tune: Did You Ever See A Lassie?)
Did you ever see a clown,
A clown, a clown?
Did you ever see a clown
Move this way and that?
Did you ever see a clown
Move this way and that?
Move this way and that way,
Move this way and that way.
Did you ever see a clown
Move this way and that?
Walking Through The Circus (Tune: I've Been Working On the Railroad)
I am walking through the circus (walk in place)
Happy as can be (smile real big)
I am walking through the circus (walk in place)
Just to see, what I can see (make binoculars with hands)
I can see the clown laughing (ha, ha, ha)
I can see the elephant, too (make trunk motion)
I can see the lion sleeping (yawn)
Look out (make binoculars with hands)... because he sees you too
Clown and Circus Art Activities
Balloon Nose Clown Face
Use paper plate for making a clown's face and give children plenty of materials to decorate. Cut a hole in center and insert small red balloon for nose. Tape balloon to the back of the plate to secure in place.
Clown Collar
Make a clown collar by cutting out the center of a paperplate. Decorate.
Balloon Painting
Blow up small balloons. Have children dip them into paint then press gently on paper.
Clown Face Paint
Mix together:
- 1 tsp corn starch
- 1/2 tsp water
- 1/2 tsp cold cream
- 2 drops food coloring
Clown and Circus Math and Science
Animal Cracker Math
Line up animal crackers by pattern.
Circus Animal Classifying
Cut out a variety of circus animals, such as elephants, zebras, lions, monkeys. Have children name ways that they could group the animals. (Example: by color, size, how many legs they have, etc.). This activity reinforces grouping and matching skills as well as finding similarities and differences between items.
Balloon Sorting
Sort a variety of balloons by color or size.
Clown and Circus Motor Skills and Movement
Clown Shoes
Borrow some large men's shoes for the children to 'clown' around in.
Balloon Toss
Blow up balloons and have children try to keep them in the air for as long as they can.
Balance Beam
Walk on a balance beam like a tightrope walker.
Hula Hoops
Try hula-hooping. Have children try to jump through hoops.
Bean Bag Toss
Draw a clown on posterboard and cut out large section for clown's mouth. Hang from ceiling and have children take turns trying to toss bean bags into the clown's mouth.
Clown and Circus Snacks
Popcorn
Eat popcorn. Talk about how popcorn pops.
Clown Theme Books