STEAM Storytime is a collection of STEM activities inspired by your favorite picture books. Use your favorite read-aloud books to create fun and hands-on ways to challenge children’s thinking and problem-solving skills in preschoolers.
STEAM is the combination of Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, and Math that helps promote essential 21st-century skills, which is important in preparing our children for an unknown future.
For this STEAM activity, we were inspired by the book, Balloons Over Broadway written by Melissa Sweet. The book tells the story of how the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade started and the man, Tony Sarg who engineered the first balloon floats. I love that the book shows the struggles he encountered and how he used his problem-solving skills to create a parade that everyone still enjoys today! Read below for our full activity.
If you are interested in the full printable lesson for Balloons Over Broadway, check out our Thanksgiving STEAM Experience Bundle.
STEAM Challenge: Can you create your own balloon parade?
Objective: Learn about the history of the Macy’s Thanksgiving Parade and create your own balloon parade.
Materials:
- Balloons Over Broadway written by Melissa Sweet
- Balloons
- Construction Paper
- Tape & Scissors
- String or Ribbon
- Paint Stir Stick or Ruler
- Helium-filled Balloon (optional)
Teaching Strategy:
Read the book, “Balloons Over Broadway”.
Blow up a balloon and tie it closed. Use the art materials to create your own unique balloon puppet.
Tape a wooden paint stick or ruler to the back of your balloon.
Take the balloons outside and make a balloon parade.
(Optional) Compare your balloon to a helium-filled balloon. How are they different?
Get the full lesson inside our Thanksgiving STEAM Bundle!
Check out the Thanksgiving STEAM Experience
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