Godzilla Returns (Again)

Materials:

• Video camera
• paper bags
• toilet paper tubes
• art supplies
• cardboard boxes
• newspapers
• paper plate
• couch cushion
• table
• sheet

Directions:

Here's a winning activity for sci-fi fans that involves creating a monster right in your living room. Try these production and prop tips and ideas to get started:

• Paper-bag space helmets are easy to make; tape on toilet paper tubes to create a high-tech look. The monster can wear a decorated paper-bag mask.
• Couch cushions arranged in a tunnel make great caves for beasts to emerge from.
• For low-budget special effects, pause the camera, have all the actors freeze in place, then have the monster join the scene (appearing out of thin air) before restarting the camera.
• A cityscape can be created out of empty boxes, which will collapse dramatically when the monster stomps on them.
• A paper plate covered with aluminum foil makes a great flying saucer.

Recommend experimenting with different story ideas: For example, a scary visitor from another planet may turn out to be a good buddy after obvious (and amusing) language difficulties are overcome and fears are put aside.