Dragon footprints

The Welsh National Flag consists of a red dragon on a green and white background, you may want to use these colours for your dragon footprints

• Make dragon footprints using paint, water, shaving foam or play dough
• Think about size of your prints and space needed
• Make a footprint path or a giant dragon foot treasure hunt

Extending this learning

• Encourage the children to move like dragons. You could sing the traditional Welsh heno heno nursery rhyme swapping the words to sing instead ‘heno heno hen ddraig bach’
• Visit the library to encourage the children to find books relating to dragons. The Play to Learn and in particular 'Megan a’r Ddraig Fach' book which is a useful bilingual resource

St Dwynwen's Day

St Dwynwen’s Day is the Welsh equivalent for Valentine’s Day, as Dwynwen is believed to be the patron saint of lovers in Wales. It is celebrated annually on the 25th January. How will you celebrate this day in your setting?

• Search the internet and books for pictures of love spoons or use real examples found in charity shops or car boot sales
• Discuss the symbols used on love spoons with children, each has a meaning
• Design love spoons with the children on paper or using salt dough that can be baked and decorated

Extending this learning

• Find an age appropriate book or online resource that tells the story of St Dwynwen and help pass on the traditional tale
• Support the children to write a message to accompany the love spoon gift to who they are giving it too

Welsh recipe book

Wales in known for its many unique and traditional foods. What do you have locally?

• Ask the families you work with to share their traditional Welsh recipes and any photos they may have
• Working with the children in your care create a recipe book for the setting and share with parents and carers

Extending this learning

• Have a go at the recipes included later in this pack. Make a shopping list with the children and visit your local shop
• Plant your own flowers and vegetables that have significance to Wales, think about daffodils and growing leeks that could be used in the cawl recipe

Become a knight

Did you know that Owain Glyndwr, the last Prince of Wales wore protective armour to protect himself from being hurt in battle?

• Dress up as knights, making your own costumes using recycled material
• Research and talk with children about the armour and how costumes would be worn throughout the ages in Wales and for various events

Extending this learning

• Visit a local castle or consider a virtual online visit to grow the children’s knowledge and understanding of life in Wales through history
• Create a castle in your setting to support role play using either cardboard or materials you have for den building inside or outside

The Eisteddfod

An Eisteddfod is a Welsh language festival celebrating Welsh language literature, music and performance.

• Hold an Eisteddfod in your setting and have children read a Welsh poem or story, sing a Welsh song or perform a Welsh folk dance in front of their families and friends
• Dress up in traditional Welsh costumes, you may have these in your dressing up box

Extending this learning

• Introduce the Welsh Mr Urdd song for the children to learn and possibly perform together
• Create red, green and white bunting to decorate the setting for your Eisteddfod (these are the colours of the Welsh flag and also the colour of Mr Urdd)