Let's go out… to the circus
The circus is in town, lets head to the tent to see what kind of sensory journey we can go on. Watch the acrobats fly high, hear the motorbikes roar and maybe have a giggle with the clown.
Roll up, roll up, let's head to the circus
Make your journey more sensory. Try using any of these items while watching. Don’t worry if you don’t have everything or there are things you don’t want to include. Make your sensory journey one you will enjoy.
- Say hello: Look at yourself in a mirror.
- Touch: Use crash mats and an exercise ball to pretend to be acrobats.
- Smell: Lay some straw on the floor and notice the smell.
- Taste: Try some popcorn as a snack.
- See: Look at some colourful fairy lights, LED wands or spinners.
- Sound: Play circus music or make the sound of a noisy motorcycle.
Welcome to the greatest show
Beneath the tent where bright lights glow,
The circus starts, a wondrous show.
With gasps and cheers, the crowd's alive,
As magic blooms and thrills arrive.
Enjoy the show!
Let's get active
- Use a camping tent to recreate the big top
- Fairy lights or a disco ball and torch make an instant light show
- Scatter straw on the floor to add the touch and smell of the circus
The sounds of the circus
The circus can be noisy, filled with music, laughs and cheers.
If it’s a little too loud, you can always cover your ears.
The performers hear the crowd when they perform an amazing feat.
The crowd show their appreciation by clapping their hands, and stamping their feet.
Let's get active
- Try on a pair of ear defenders to feel how the sound changes
- Talk about the sounds you might hear at the circus
- Sing the tune to your favourite circus song
- Pretend to be a crowd and cheer and clap for each other
Bouncing high in the air
Watch the trampolinists, who bounce and flip so high.
The trapezists perform tricks as they soar through the sky.
These amazing men and women almost look like they can fly.
If you have your own trampoline, you could give it a try?
Let's get active
- A small trampoline helps you to bounce very high
- Make oohs and aahs when someone does a trick
- Play some circus music to create a fun atmosphere
Face painting
Oh, you have to try getting your face painted bright,
With colours and creatures, it’s pure delight!
A lion, a rainbow—whatever you choose,
You'll feel like magic, there's nothing to lose!
Let's get active
- Get an adult to help you to paint your face as your favourite animal
- If you don’t like the feeling or texture of paint, then colour or decorate a picture or masks instead
Send in the clowns
When you go to the circus, you might see a clown.
With big shoes, a red nose, all squishy and round.
One thing that clowns love, is to have a little joke.
So if you see a water pistol, be careful, you might get soaked.
Let's get active
- See if you can make a balloon animal, it’s harder than you think!
- Put on a red nose and act like a clown
- Use a water pistol to play a prank on someone
It's not a dragon, but watch out for the fire breathers
Have you ever seen a person spit fire?
Like a dragon they puff their flames ever higher.
First they stand still, and plant their feet.
Take a breath, blow the flames, you can feel the heat!
Let's get active
- Create pretend flames with red, orange and yellow crepe paper.
- Hold some glitter in your hand and blow like a fire breather
- Touch some shiny paper and notice how it sparkles like fire
Round and round they go
There’s a metal ball in the ring but it’s empty inside.
I see people and motorbikes, are they going to ride?
As they gather their speed and stick to the wall.
They ride upside down. I hope they don’t fall!
Let's get active
- Use a hamster ball filled with marbles to create a miniature stunt show
- Try to spin, shake and twist ball to make the marbles move
- Create the sounds of the motorcycle engines
Tumbles, flips and rolls
The gymnasts delight with their balance and tumbles.
When the people applaud, the whole tent rumbles.
It takes bravery, balance, concentration and strength.
Use the beam or the ball, can you roll the whole length?
Let's get active
- Take some time to safely roll and balance
- Use crash mats, an exercise ball or a bench
- Try lying in a hammock and rocking from side to side
Where next?
Discover more from around Bitesize.
Let's go out... to a forest. revision-guide
Lets go on a sensory journey to a forest
Let's go out... into space
Let's go into space for an out of this world sensory trip
The Parents' Toolkit. collection
Activities, advice and personal stories about parenting and special educational needs and disabilities to help you support your family.
More on Sensory stories
Find out more by working through a topic
- count2 of 10
- count3 of 10
- count4 of 10
- count5 of 10
