Before you go
Make a rainbow search grid (ages 2 to 5)
In their day-trip diaries, children can draw a grid four squares across and four down. Starting at the top left-hand corner, every second square is colored a different color. The finished grid will have two columns of colored squares next to two columns of blank squares. The grid will be used in the Rainbow search at the market.
Make a market bag (ages 2 to 5)
(Time required: 20 minutes)
Adult assistance required
Supplies
• Paper grocery bag
• Child-safe scissors
• Nontoxic markers or waxed crayons
• Colored or white paper
• Grocery flyers and magazines
• Nontoxic white glue
• Stapler
• Masking tape
Instructions
1. Cut paper bag down to 8 inches (20 cm) high.
2. Take the paper removed from the top of the bag and cut a 2 inch (5 cm) -wide strip. Fold strip in half.
3. Draw, color and cut out pictures of fruits, vegetables or other market-related items and glue to the bag.
4. To form the bag's handle, securely staple the folded strip to the center point on each side of the bag. Allow at least 2 inches (5 cm) of the handle to overlap the sides of the bag, then staple a number of times for strength. Apply a strip of masking tape to the backside of the handle for added durability.
Make a market bag (ages 6 to 10)
(Time required: 30 minutes)
Adult assistance required
Supplies
• Old sheet or towel cut to 16 x 40-inch (41 x 102 cm) (adjust length to suit child's height if necessary)
• Needle and thread if hand sewing (or use a sewing machine)
• Long shoelace
• Large safety pin
Instructions
1. Fold sheet or towel in half, with patterns, if any, facing in. The 20-inch (51 cm) edges form the left- and right-hand sides of the bag.
2. Hand-stitch or use a sewing machine to sew the 20-inch (51 cm) sides of the bag. Make stitches close together for added strength.
3. Fold the top of the bag down 1/4 inch (.5 cm), then fold down 1-inch(2.5 cm). Sew along the double-folded bottom edge. Leave 1/2-inch (1 cm) open at the end to feed the shoelace through.
4. Attach the safety pin to the end of the shoelace and feed it through the opening. Knot the ends of the shoelace.
5. Invert bag so that the right side of the fabric faces out. The bag is ready to carry to the market!
