Story-Based STEAM Challenge - 'Balloons Over Broadway'

Our homeschooling method usually involves a lot of read alouds, preferring to use living books rather textbooks. One activity we love the most is story-based STEAM challenges. Since Thanksgiving is only a day away, for this week's activity I chose "Balloons Over Broadway" by Melissa Sweet.

"Balloons Over Broadway" is the story of Tony Sarg, the man who created the signature balloon puppets in the Macy's Thanksgiving Parade. The story is really interesting - I learned that Macy's first parade was put together because Macys wanted to do something for the holidays for their employees, most of whom were immigrants, and included live animals!

Anyway, this story inspired us to make our own balloon puppets. Since we don't have helium, we decided to make non-floating puppets like Tony Sarg's first version.

Squidgy found a balloon that kind of looked like a body and head so he decided to make a zombie. I got the idea to dig in our pile of newborn clothes that they dress dolls in and we found some clothes to dress up the zombie - who is now a baby zombie :-)

Lil C wanted to make a unicorn so I blew up one balloon smaller than the other so she could have a head and body. I tied the balloons together for her and then she was off figuring out how to make all the details. I was so impressed with how it came out! I'm not sure I would have thought of paper strips for the mane and tail. I happened to have 3 paint stirrers leftover so we taped them to the balloons for handles, but you could use wooden dowels, rulers...anything long and straight you find around your house.

Our second activity inspired by "Balloons Over Broadway" was Lego parade floats.

There's a heavy Disney theme in our parade but there are some ghosts thrown in, a Minecraft float, and Lil C made sure to add Santa and Mrs. Claus at the end just like in the read parade!