Using youth-sized socks, children can create tortoise and hare puppets. A green sock is an ideal color for the tortoise and a white sock for the hare. Have children decorate the puppets to resemble the characters. Cut out the hare's long ears using foam board and create a tortoise's hard shell using half of a Styrofoam ball. You'll also need fabric glue, paint and cotton balls for the hare's nose.
To incorporate a physical fitness activity into the lesson, have children race each other outside. Before the race, remind the children that perseverance wins the race and everyone who finishes the race is a winner. When children have finished running, have them create prizes for classmates. Using yellow construction paper, markers and scissors, have the children create gold medals. As the little ones are working on their crafts, remind them to remember the tortoise when striving to accomplish goals. Have children give their gold medal crafts to a classmate for a job well done.
With a few supplies, children can create a craft that moves. Divide children into groups of two and assign one child to create a tortoise and the other child a hare. Give each group green and white construction paper, glue, markers, and scissors. Have each child create their assigned hare or tortoise using the art supplies. Have them create small characters the size of their palms. Give each child a paper clip, and have them glue their paper clip to the back of their character. Distribute one cookie sheet and two magnets to each group. Show them that by placing the magnet on the back of the cookie sheet, they can move their characters.
Many children enjoy playing make believe, and having them create masks that relate to "The Tortoise and Hare" will allow them to role play and engage in a craft activity. Give each child a paper plate and art supplies such as markers or crayons. Tell them to choose to create a hare or a tortoise, and create the character's face using any available supplies. Have them glue a wooden craft stick to the bottom of the mask for support.