Socks in the spotlight - sock monsters and shoebox theatre





I’ve parented through everything from Ninja Turtles to Teletubbies, but questions like: “Where does the light go when you turn it off?”, “Why doesn’t our dog have a belly button?” and “Where do odd socks go to die?” still catch me out. And I still find dirty socks on the couch. Thinking back, I devised an effective remedy for that one with my ‘big boys’: first I introduced a clothing allowance and then I started snipping the ends off any socks found on or around the couch. That kept them on their toes. They got the message and only a couple of socks had to bite the dust – not that it’s dusty under my couch …
It broke my principle of making things last, but odd socks fit in nicely with this week’s theatre theme and my general aim of keeping one step ahead, channelling children’s imagination − rather than following them around wiping it off the walls. Sock monsters are easy and fun. Try the sock on your child’s hand – heel over the knuckles with toes forming the mouth – and mark the eyes etc before sticking or sewing them on. Fabric can run, so test it in water before using it on pale socks. You might want to wash the socks first too.

 

Make up your own storylines or raid your bookcase for ideas:
Little Red Riding Sock, The Ugly Sockling or,
my personal favourite, Goldisocks and the three bears. 



What big ears you've got Watson...and one of them is inside out!
Hope he doesn't see those 'skellybone' trousers and fancy a bite to eat...  



 Film the show and you’ll have ‘footage’ to show relatives.

Our homemade theatre really is out-of-the-box. A shoebox. After reading a book or watching a film, hold a brainstorming session on characters and plot. Draw or cut backdrops from old magazines, or printouts, use figures from your toy box taped to kebab sticks, design costumes and ultimately film their own sequel. We used cutouts stuck on bases from an old board game to make them stand up. Cut holes in the side of the box so you can hold the sticks and move the figures as the plot unfolds. Disney recently took over Star Wars, so you can challenge your kids to get out their LEGO and produce the next Star Wars adventure - The Empire Has a Socking Great Monster Adventure?