Reading Aloud Activity

Posted on Dec 2, 2014 | Resources

Slippers

Suggested Age: 2-7

Submitted by Tisha Aragaki, State Librarian, Library of Hawaii

Books: Whose Slippers are Those? by Marilyn Kahalewai
whose-slippers-are-those

No Slippers by Mary Braffet
no-slippers

When I showed our children and parents this story time craft, there was an audible gasp. They were that excited to work on this! It’s a greeting card that opens to reveal what we in Hawaii call a “slipper” – as in “rubber slipper.” You might call it a flip-flop – complete with straps. It’s also kinetic, as you mount it in the card with a paper “spring,” and most of the components utilize recycled paper. Note that we pre-punched all the holes, as the ages of our crafters range from 2 to 7 years. Yes, their parents really get involved.

 

Activity: Slipper or Flip-flop Greeting Cards

Materials:

  • Colored card stock or Astrobright copy paper, 5-1/2” x 8-1/2”, folded in half widthwise
  • Slipper template: Adapted from https://www.activityvillage.co.uk/sites/default/files/pdf/Flip%20flops%20template.pdf See Slipper Template at the end of this “Materials” section.
  • Print the template on recycled paper in bright colors
  • ¾” x 6” Foam “tongue depressors,” cut to ¾” x 4-3/4”, then cut in half lengthwise, OR stiff 3/8” ribbon cut into 4-3/4” pieces
  • Scraps of paper cut into 5/8” x 3-1/2” pieces
  • Paper hole punch
  • Clear tape
  • Scissors
  • Glue
  • Crayons
  • Embellishments

Slipper Template

slipper-template

Instructions:

  1. For each card, take one side of a slipper and punch each hole 1.5 times so you have enough room to pull the straps through. Then pull both foam – or ribbon -“straps” through the “toe” hole to the backside, flatten and tape. Now, slip each of the other strap ends through a hole near the heel side and tape down.
  2. For the spring, fold two paper 5/8” x 3-1/2” strips at right angles, one on top of the other, and keep folding strips alternately until you run out of paper. Attach one end of the spring to slipper, the other to the card, angling slightly.
  3. Write a greeting on left page and embellish with crayons, paper or tissue scraps, small die-cuts, etc.

Note: original slipper template shows 2 sizes, for a “layered” look. I made a separate template using only the smaller size.