Most fire departments are very willing to do community outreach. I don’t usually do storytime themes this specific, but when we do our firetruck visits, these activities come in handy!
Books
Hugo the Flying Firefighter by Lorette Broekstra
Firefighter (Busy People series) by Ando Twin and Lucy M. George
Fire! Fuego! Brave Bomberos by Susan Middleton Elya
Firefighter Ted by Andrea Beaty
Activities
“Hurry, Hurry”
A fun action rhyme- tots and preschoolers alike love this one!
“Hurry, Hurry”
(to the tune of “10 little …”)
Hurry, hurry, drive the fire truck (pretend to turn wheel)
hurry, hurry, drive the fire truck
hurry, hurry, drive the fire truck
ding, ding, ding, ding, ding (ring a bell)
…turn the corner (lean to one side and then the other)…
…climb the ladder (pretend to climb)…
…spray the water (pretend to spray water)…
Slowly, slowly, let’s sit down
slowly, slowly, let’s sit down
slowly, slowly, let’s sit down
now we’re ready for a story!
“Five Brave Firefighters”
For this activity, you’ll need 5 firefighter flannels and bells to hand out the tots. I handed out little wristlet bells and I used the tamborine to add the loud factor! In between each verse, ring, ring, ring your bells!
“Five Brave Firefighters”
Five brave firefighters
sleeping in a row
ring goes the bell
and down one goes…
four, three, two, one…
“I’m a Little Firefighter”
This is adaptation of “I’m a Little Teapot.” I always start these types of adaptions by having us sing the classic version first and then telling them we are going to sing it againn, but this time “I’m going to change the words!”
“I’m a Little Firefighter”
(to the tune of “I’m a little teapot”)
I’m a little firefighter, dressed in red
with my fire hat upon my head
I can drive the firetruck, fight fires too,
and help to make things safe for you!
Conclusion
These activities can also be used for Transportation Storytime. For me, personally, a storytime this narrow is restricting and repetitive, but if you have a firetruck visit, they are very useful!
