During the pandemic, we’ve needed to interact with our home spaces in new and creative ways—as gyms, classrooms, offices, and more. Perhaps we’ve lost that space for rest and safety—our sanctuary space. In this activity, create a brand new sanctuary space in your home inspired by artwork from The Long Dream.

A sanctuary is a place set aside for rest and safety. Sometimes it is an area for birds to live, or a special holy place in a church or temple. For these sanctuaries, focus on making a space for your body to feel comfort and joy!

Create

This activity is great for 3–6 year olds and their adults.

BUILD YOUR SPACE

1. Think about where in your home you could make a new space. Do you have a favorite cozy corner or a bright, sunny spot by a window?
2. Gather some materials to help create a new structure. You could use chairs, bed sheets, blankets, or couch cushions. You could also experiment with unusual objects, like oranges.
3. Build a new space together! Do you want it to have a roof? A big open top? How many walls do you want? How could you build a space by balancing or creat ing patterns with objects.

MAKE IT YOURS

1. Make the inside extra cozy with pillows and blankets.
2. Gather two or three things in your home that make you feel safe or joyful and use them to decorate the inside of your sanctuary. Maybe it’s a favorite stuffed animal or book, or a picture of someone you love.

SPEND TIME IN YOUR SANCTUARY

1. Take time to connect with your body. I like to do this by taking three big slow breaths in and out while giving myself a hug.
2. Choose an activity to do that makes you feel happy or cozy! Some suggestions could be: Read a book out loud together. Have a micro dance party or listen to your favorite song. Take a nap. Make a drawing using only your favorite color.

DOCUMENT + SHARE

We’ll be featuring different families’ sanctuaries on the MCA Family Day facebook page so that we can share inspiration with each other.

REFLECT

• Did this activity make you think about your home differently?
• What are some of your favorite spaces outside your home? Why are they your favorites?