1. Craft Dough People
At the festival, each kid makes five faces of different colors, all constructed from the same plain craft dough. Colors that represent the brown, beige, red, gold and mixed races are added to each part. Relief sculptures of faces are created providing an inspirational example that all people are made from the same materials, flesh and blood. Therefore, we should all be treated with equal respect.
Attendance is limited.
REGISTER NOW so that your child/children can enjoy this creative and enriching activity.
To REGISTER, please email the name and age of the child, as well as the name and phone number of the adult to: Susan@AllPeoplesDay.org
Craft Dough People Projects are divided into two age groups:
1. Ages 4-11 create the 5 faces on their plates & sing a song or recite a poem at the celebration.
2. Ages 12-Adult form teams of five with every member making one large face on a plate. Each face in a team is a different color. These faces are attached to strings and worn around the neck. Then skits are performed by the teams disproving prejudice lies.
Instructional video…
How to Make Craft Dough People for Kids Ages 4 to 11 (Click on this link, or click on image)
A step-by-step tutorial on making Craft Dough People for kids ages 4 to 11 with assistance from parents or other adults. It shows how to create faces with different skin tones – brown, beige, red, gold, and a mix. They experience firsthand the concept that all these Craft Dough People are made from the same plain dough just like all real people are made from flesh and blood and therefore everyone should be treated with equal respect. © Elliott A. Schwartz
2. The Symbol Project
- The original ALL PEOPLE’S DAY symbol contains four color-family groups: beige, brown, red, and gold.
- Each family is from a different continent, racial group, and culture.
- Different ages are represented and there are equal numbers of males and females.
- The family groups cross their hearts with their arms and hold hands hoping for peace and understanding.
- They all hold hands in a circle surrounding the world since we are really all one family.
- At the festival kids create their own families that cross their hearts with their arms like the original symbol. The families are taped together on a board holding hands with other multicultural families.
3. Origami Cranes Peace Project
There is a popular Japanese belief associated with cranes. It says if a person can fold a thousand origami cranes, the gods would grant them a wish. There is a poignant story that illustrates this, a story of World War II and a wish for peace by Sadako Sasaki, a young Japanese girl.
Participants learn about the dangers of nuclear proliferation and the rights to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. A hopeful vision for peace is launched through Sadako’s story Participants then understand a deeper meaning behind the craft as they fold the peace cranes.
Poem and Gestures by Arun Gandhi — Mahatma Gandhi’s Grandson
The Gandhi peace poem with hand gestures is performed at each festival…Arun Gandhi, Mahatma Gandhi’s grandson who wrote this, was on our board of directors. He passed away in 2024 and we miss him
(For each line, the leader says the line & performs the gesture, then does it the 2nd time with the participants.)
| I offer you peace | —> Palms up & front |
| I offer you friendship | —> Fold hands |
| I offer you love | —> Hands on heart |
| I see your beauty | —> Hands to eyes |
| I hear your needs | —> Hands cup ears |
| I feel your feelings | —> Hands crossing chest |
| My wisdom comes from a higher source | —> Left hand on chest; right hand on right temple & up |
| I salute that source in you | —> Hands together under chin |
| Let us work together | —> Hands folded |
| Raise your arms and say | —> Happy All People’s Day … (We added this) |