Camping with friends with mini sleeping bag craft

Many kids including those with autism like to know what's going to happen with something new. This could be a new place, new experience or even new people.  Some of our kids friends are going camping for the holidays.  Jane has even asked if maybe her friend can camp over.   This would be a big thing and I'm not sure we are quite there yet.  But we have been doing things recently to prepare the kids for a camping holiday and this easy motor-skills craft activity gets kids set for the idea of sleeping in a sleeping bag.
We used:

•  Cut out camping bed and pillow
• A boy in his pyjamas
• Materials or paper to make the sleeping bag
• Glue stick

If your kids need practice using scissors then they can help cut out the shapes first. Easigrip scissors can sometimes be easier for little hands or ones that need help with the scissor action.  If you are very crafty you can make a bag out of material for your little camper.  We also found a sunglasses sleeve worked really well.  Alternatively cut a rectangle out of paper of material that is slightly larger than the bed and then carefully glue around the edges.  This will mean to can still slip your little kiddie inside their bag. 

Why not try colouring or painting the little kids PJs too?  You could even try dressing the kiddie in PJs just like your child's to make it more familiar.   

It's quite fun and certainly gave our lot the idea about sleeping bags. If we are able to get the children all prepared and comfortable with camping then we can tackle Jane's idea of having friends camp over too.  Perhaps we can make sleeping bags with our friends in too?  What are you doing to prepare for the holidays?

This post also supports the #wetalkmakaton sign of the week - 'friends'

Links
Our blog - Turning fears into fancies on holiday
Our blog - Spring Tree Craft activity
Our blog - The miracle of light through a curtain: Autism and Sleep