daily activities

NEXT DAY

Circus At Home

Juggling and Prop Manipulation

Welcome to your first day in the circus! Today, we'll start with the most quintessential of circus arts: juggling. You'll learn the basic techniques, first by practicing with grocery bags (yes, you heard that right!) and then with DIY juggling balls. Like other skills this week, learning to juggle might take you an hour, or it might you take weeks—but practice every day, have a little patience, and try your best. Every circus star started exactly where you are today.

DAY 1

what you’ll need

Your Camp Kinda toolkit
6 balloons (optional: 3 of one color, 3 of another)
Rice
A kitchen funnel or one made of paper
Tape
3 plastic grocery bags

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FOR PARENTS

Ask About Today

If you could juggle anything, what would it be and why?

Dinner Discussion

Let’s play “Rose, Thorn, and Bud.” Share one "rose" (a small win or something positive that happened today), a "thorn" (a challenge you experienced or something you may need support with), and a "bud" (a new idea or something you are looking forward to learning about this week).

Skip the Ads

Unfortunately, online videos often start with short advertisements. Remind your campers to click the "Skip" button as soon as they can to move ahead to the video.

explore

45-60 minutes

Learn From the Best

Before you can juggle, you’ve got to learn from the best jugglers of the past and present. Start with an amazing performances by modern-day master juggler and Big Apple Circus performer Alexander Koblikov.

Remember: Online videos often start with advertisements. (Annoying, we agree!) Click the "Skip" button as soon as you can to move ahead to the video.

The History of Juggling

Thom Wal wrote an entire book on the history of juggling. It was inspired by his worldwide travels with the circus. Learn more about how his worldwide travels with the circus inspired him to dive deeper into the history of his art form.

Cutting Edge Juggling

These jugglers are taking their art to a whole new level. Watch this video from Great Big Story to see them juggle pizzas, cards, yo-yos, and even engage in "combat juggling" — a real sport!

Juggling Facts

Did you know juggling has been around for more than 4,000 years? Learn more about the history of this classic circus art.

Juggling, Cirque du Soleil Style

Cirque du Soleil is famous for its mind-blowing sets, beautiful costumes, and incredible acrobatics. But in between all that, there's also some amazing juggling. Settle in for a 30-minute tour of some of the best juggling performances in Cirque du Soleil history. Which is your favorite?

create

30-60 minutes

DIY Juggling Balls

Yes, you can make your own juggling balls from balloons, rice, and a couple other handy items. Check out these step-by-step instructions and give it a try. (And ask for help if you need it!)

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Be Safe: Juggling balls can be made from a lot of household items—even balled up socks. But remember, they're for juggling, not for hurling at your family members (or pets).

move

30-60 minutes

Plastic Bag Juggling

Plastic bags...bad for the environment, good for learning to juggle. Grab three of them, start with this Juggling How To Video from the DIY Circus Lab, and follow along with the steps. (Don't be discouraged: It's a lot harder than it looks.)

Pro Tip: Start with one plastic bag, then add another. Once you've mastered juggling with two, try adding a third.

Challenge Yourself

Take your juggling even further: How many times can you catch the bags without dropping a single one? How high can you throw them? Once you're up to three bags, aim for 22 successful catches. Can you get there?

Advanced Juggling

Too easy? You’re ready to grab those juggling balls you made this morning. Just like with the grocery bags, start with one, then graduate to two, and finally add a third. Aim for 22 successful catches! Remember, this isn't easy. But that makes it all the more exciting when you do get it right. (Right?)

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