A while back I wrote a post with 5 ideas for an Around the World in 80 Days theme for this site. This is the big, burly version…the upgrade, if you will.
While an “Around the World in 80 Days Theme” could be an “International Theme”, in the book only certain cities and countries are written about:
London, England- Suez, Egypt
- Bombay, India
- Calcutta, India
- Victoria, Hong Kong (under British rule)
- Yokohama, Japan
- San Francisco, CA, USA
- Omaha, NE, USA
- New York, NY, USA
The 2004 movie adaptation (the one most kids will know) veered away from the book a bit in locations and a lot in content.
- London, England
- Paris, France
- unidentified area of Turkey
- Agra, India
- Lanzhou, China
- San Francisco, CA, USA
- unidentified western desert of USA
- New York, NY, USA
For this post, we are going to stick mainly with the book version.
DECORATIONS
Phileas Fogg took different modes of transportation to get around the world. Though he didn’t take a hot air balloon in the book, he did take one in the movie. The biggest portions of his trip were by train and boat. Below are some ideas for decorating around transportation used to get around the world in 80 days in the 1890s.
Trains
Creating a cardboard or butcher paper train to stick on a wall. While the photo here is a standee for Vacation Bible School, it is a good example of what you can make…or you can just buy something like it online.
Then add a few crossing signs. Again, you can make them or buy them.
It would be great to have railroad tracks lead to different activities or the different countries that the train would travel to. Get out your duct tape. I also like the crumpled brown paper to make it look like a cave-like tunnel entrance.
If you have a little extra money in the budget consider renting a train bounce house. Each time the groups travel to a different location they have to “take the train”.
Ships
The steamer ships of the late 1800s could be drawn on butcher paper as well.
Or, you can decorate a room like you’re on a cruise ship…
Hot Air Balloon
You could also make a few Chinese lantern hot air balloons and hang them up. Although, I would purchase some small baskets from a place like Cost Plus World Market instead of using the little plastic pails in the photo.
- Material: paper, metal
- In the shape of a hot air balloon.
Other
Placing posters around is always fun.
- Each unframed print measures 11" X 14"
- Printed using high quality inks
Luggage and steamer trunks are another nice touch. Check Craigslist for items like this.
I would also recommend either inexpensive wall clocks or fake ones on butcher paper, each positioned to different time zones.
- 10 Inch clock. Large black bold numbers against white face background creates easy...
- Silent non-ticking mechanism with sweeping movement. enjoy a quiet environment!
Create some wanted posters with the faces of your staff and hang them around camp.
PAGE 2 – Opening Activities and London, England
PAGE 3 – Paris, France
PAGE 4 – Bombay, India
PAGE 5 – Hong Kong, China
PAGE 6 – Yokohama, Japan
PAGE 7 – San Francisco and New York, USA
PAGE 8 – Cultural Mistakes
I love your ideas and creativity!
Thanks, Sandi. I really appreciate the kind words. This post took a long time to put together, but it was one that I had wanted to write for a while.
What a great post I really did enjoy! May I ask where you obtained the back drops from? Lovely and LOVE the book!
Thanks, Joanne. I like Shindigz.com for back drops. Occasionally, I can find something on OrientalTrading.com as well.
You ideas are creative and easy to use. For our summer camp in India, i have this theme for a week. Kids are given passports and campers are travelling to Africa in the theme. In craft we are creating tribal costumes using paper and beads. Wearing these costumes kids will have a tribal dance performance. So much of fun with this theme.
Thanks, Sangeeta. I am glad you are finding the ideas useful. Good luck with your camp.