To spark imagination and inspire safe fun indoors, the C.S. Mott Children's Hospital's Camp Little Victor's summer series provides families with step-by-step, kid-friendly activities to enjoy, ranging from arts and crafts, fitness and motor skills to math and science projects and delicious recipes. Check out more Camp Little Victors activities. 

The last week of Camp Little Victors is ending with a "rawr!" with fun animal activities for you and your child.

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Finish out your home virtual summer camp by making animal bracelets and face masks, learning how arctic animals stay warm in the winter, creating delicious cheesy broccoli animal bites and making your own LEGO animals.

Arts & Crafts 

Animal Bracelets and Face Masks

Help your child use their imagination and creativity by creating these animal bracelets and face masks. Work together to make every animal and turn your household into a zoo, and see how colorful can you make your bracelets and masks!

Recommended ages: 3-7 years-old

What you'll need: 

• Printer

• Printing paper

• Animal bracelet and mask print out

• Crayons/markers/colored pencils

• Scissors

• Hole puncher

• String (for face mask)

Instructions:

Step 1: Print out the bracelet(s) and face mask(s) of your choice.

Step 2: Color and decorate your face mask and/or bracelet- be as creative as possible!

Step 3: Cut out bracelet and face mask print out.

Step 4: For the bracelet, cut along dotted line near bracelet "face" to connect the bracelet. 

Step 5: For the face mask, use a hole puncher (or scissors) to punch out the circles on the face mask, then tie string around the mask and wear your new personalized face mask! 

Inspired by Easy Peasy and Fun's Dinosaur Paper Bracelets for Kids.

Science & Math 

How Arctic Animals Stay Warm

Animals don't have winter coats in the arctic, so how do they stay warm in the frigid water? Teach your child about blubber with this fun, easy experiment they are sure to love. Have them name different arctic animals they think may have blubber after completing this activity. 

What you'll need: 

• Crisco/shortening

• Paper towel

• Ice

• Water

• Bowl

Instructions:

Step 1: Fill bowl with ice and water.

Step 2: Have your child stick their hands in ice water and see how long they're able to keep them in the ice cold water.

Step 3: Then, coat one finger with a thick layer of shortening to simulate blubber. Have your child guess how long they'll be able to keep their finger in the water now that it's covered.  

Step 4: Stick the coated finger into ice water. Have them count and see if their guess was right.  Discuss with your children the difference between the feel of the water with the "blubber" opposed to without the "blubber." 

Step 5: Clean off with paper towel and then wash with soap and water.

Inspired by Science Kiddo's How Arctic Animals Stay Warm.

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Food & Recipes 

Broccoli Cheddar Animals and Eggs 

You and your child can create cheesy broccoli animals and eggs that will make eating broccoli fun and delicious. Use animal-shaped cookie cutters, or just your hands to create animal eggs with your child. Either way, your child will eat their vegetables with a smile!

What you'll need: 

• 3 cups fresh broccoli florets, chopped fine 

• ½ tsp garlic powder 

• ¼ cup parmesan cheese, grated

• ¾ cup cheddar cheese, shredded 

• 1 medium egg 

• Aluminum (oven safe) cookie cutters, optional

Instructions:

Step 1: Preheat oven to 450 degrees Fahrenheit. Line a baking tray with aluminum foil and spray with cooking spray. 

Step 2: If using fresh broccoli, finely chop the broccoli and place in a bowl. Then cover with kitchen wrap and poke holes in the wrap to let steam out. Microwave for about 4 minutes, or until soft. 

Step 3: If using frozen broccoli, cook according to package directions.

Step 4: Once the broccoli is cooked, pat dry. Breakdown the broccoli into smaller bits by blending or mashing. 

Step 5: Add all of the ingredients to a large bowl and mix together to form a dough. 

Step 6: If using aluminum cookie cutters, grease the inside edges then set them on a baking sheet. Press the broccoli and cheese dough into the cookie cutter. Fill until 1/2-inch-tall, making sure to press into all the corners. 

Step 7: Otherwise (and for any additional mixture), form into egg-shaped tots about 2 inches long. 

Step 8: Bake for 18-20 minutes or until golden brown and crispy on top. 

If using the aluminum cookie cutters, make sure they cool off completely before touching. It's helpful to use a small knife along the edges to help the animals keep form.

Inspired by Dashing Dish- Cheesy Broccoli Tater Tots.

Fitness & Motor Skills 

Build a LEGO Fish and Squid

Help your child bring their favorite animals to life with this video. Learn to create a fish and squid from simple LEGO pieces that gives your little one a new toy to play with. How many animals can your family create with your imaginations? 

What you'll need:

• LEGOs (see beginning of video for specific pieces)

• Imagination!

Instructions:

Follow the video instructions for a step-by-step tutorial of building your favorite LEGO creations! If you don't have all of the LEGO parts, use your imagination and creativity to find a different animal to create. Don't forget to share them on Instagram or Twitter by tagging #MottCamp!