Happy Hula in the Coola Day!
DEEP END LEARNING I February 1st
Get ready to add some tropical warmth to your day by celebrating Hula in the Coola Day on February 1st. Here are some fun activities and creative ideas to help you celebrate this quirky holiday with your kids.
Today is a great day to learn to dance the HULA! Watch this video for some basic hula vocabulary and an easy-to-follow guide on how it’s done.
Additional Activities
- Hula Dance Freeze: Play Hawaiian music and have the kids dance the hula. When the music stops, everyone must freeze. The last one to stop moving is out, and the game continues until one dancer remains.
- Hula Hoop Contest: See who can keep the hula hoop going the longest. You can also have variations like moving the hoop up and down the arms or walking while hula hooping.
Limbo with a Hawaiian Twist: Use a bamboo stick or similar pole and have the kids do the limbo dance under it. Each round, lower the stick a bit. Play Hawaiian music in the background to keep the theme.
Pass the Coconut: Similar to “Hot Potato,” but with a coconut. Kids sit in a circle and pass a coconut around while music plays. When the music stops, the one holding the coconut is out. Continue until one child remains.
Design Your Own Lei: Provide materials like yarn, straws, colored paper, and flowers for kids to make their own leis. Check out this DIY Lei Tutorial!
‘Aloha’ Greeting Game: Teach the kids how to say hello in Hawaiian. Wherever you visit during the day they must greet people saying ‘Aloha’ and include a fun gesture like a bow, wave, or shaka sign.
Books
“A is for Aloha: A Hawaii Alphabet” by U’ilani Goldsberry: This book not only teaches the alphabet but also delves into Hawaiian culture, including a bit about hula and island traditions.
“Hula for the Home Front: A Nanea Story” by Kirby Larson: Part of the American Girl series, this book is set in Hawaii during World War II and includes elements of Hawaiian culture and hula.
“Pele Finds a Home” by Malia Collins: A beautifully illustrated book that tells the story of Pele, the Hawaiian goddess of volcanoes, as she searches for a new home on the islands.
“Hula Lullaby“ by Erin Eitter Kono: A beautifully illustrated bedtime story that combines the gentle rhythm of hula with the soothing sounds of a Hawaiian night.
Videos/Documentaries
Fun Trivia
Did you know that in hula dancing, every hand movement tells a part of a story? Hula dancers use their hands to show everything from ocean waves to swaying trees!
Music Playlist for the Day
Recipe
Hawaiian Fruit Kabobs
Ingredients:
- Pineapple chunks
- Sliced bananas
- Grapes
- Strawberries
- Mango
- Kiwi, peeled and cut into chunks
- Wooden skewers
Optional (for dipping):
- Yogurt or honey
Instructions:
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Prepare the Fruit: Wash all the fruits. Cut the pineapple, bananas, mango and kiwi into bite-sized chunks.
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Assemble the Kabobs: Let your child thread the pieces of fruit onto the skewers. They can create patterns with the fruits like pineapple, strawberry, mango, banana, and kiwi.
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Enjoy: The fruit kabobs can be eaten as they are, or they can be dipped into yogurt or a bit of honey for extra sweetness.
Letterboard Quote
Shake your hips, do a twirl, let’s hula around the world!
Printable Resource
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