Finished Family Mobile

STREAM Activity: Family Mobile

Honor Your Ohana Through Art!

Activity best for children ages three and up

Hawaii, a beautiful island state in the Pacific Ocean, known for its stunning beaches is also an island rich in tradition and culture. At the heart of Hawaiian heritage is family or as it’s called in Hawaiian, “ohana.” Ohana means more than just family, it represents the idea that everyone in the community is welcomed and supported. One way Native Hawaiians share their stories is through hula, a beautiful dance that isn’t just about movement. It’s a way to pass down history by connecting the past, present, and future!

That’s why celebrations like Asian American and Pacific Island (AAPI) Heritage Month are so special. AAPI month celebrates people whose families come from places like Hawaii, Japan, the Philippines, and many more! This month helps us learn and appreciate the many cultures that shape our world. All throughout May, the museum will be sharing AAPI stories and characters through books and activities. For this craft, we’ll be inspired by the spirit of ohana and create our own family mobile, to celebrate the people in our lives who feel like family.

VOCABULARY

  • Ohana: A Hawaiian word that means family, including close friends and community.

  • Hula: A traditional Hawaiian dance that tells stories through movement.

  • AAPI (Asian American and Pacific Islander): a group of people in the U.S whose families come from places like Hawaii.

MATERIALS

  • Cardstock

  • Ribbon

  • Crayons

  • Scissors

  • Hole puncher

DIRECTIONS

STEP 1

Design and decorate the topper for your mobile. It can be anything you want! Perhaps something that represents your family or you!

Star topper for mobile

STEP 2

Set the topper aside and cut out a couple of white squares. This will represent the members of your family! Use your crayons to draw your family on each square.

Drawn family on white squares of paper

STEP 3

Once finished, use a hole puncher to punch a hole for each person on the topper and on the portraits. Make sure your topper is large enough to fit all the family members you are creating.

Hole punch your family drawings and topper

STEP 4

Use a string or ribbon to connect your family portraits to your topper. You can make them as long or short as you wish. After you have attached the ribbon to both the topper and portrait, tie a knot in the back!

String to tie topper and family drawings together