i will give low-budget tips with some time and effort spent
if you already know them beforehand, you can inform them start
collecting some drink cans (best to be 2 per kid)
if you do not know them beforehand, then you collect some drink
cans and bring it on that day
give them some uncooked green beans (you bring about 1
packet is probably enough) and ask them do some crafts. ask them
pour into the cans and bring masking tape to seal up the
opening. they can use it to liven up the event as a
percussion
mineral bottles can do the same job, just pour the green beans
inside and capped it up
regarding the idea of playing piano pieces to ask them
sing-a-long, my suggestion is give up. no matter be it kids,
adults, or old folks, i have found out the sound of the piano does
not "kick" them. they will stare in front and become
bored
the best idea is, you have to pre-check the place first, what is
the equipments down there. whether they only have a radio with
CD-player, or they have laptop with workable USB or CD-ROM,
or computer, and computer should have audio software capable
of playing mp3 or wma format (because it's for educational
purposes, some of them do not have internet connections or music
players installed), whether these are connected to the
amplifiers (if any)
then look for some children's songs (best if you knew what they
usually sang at the home), if not, look for very repetitive and
easy one, or very popular ones. then you have to go search
for the mp3 and depending on the facilities available at the place
of event, you either burn it into an audio-CD, or put your songs
into thumbdrive, or bring your own laptop and if you have not recce
the place beforehand, wise to bring some small power amplifier with
connections and plugs. the volume has to be loud enough not
for the kids to drown the sounds from the music
then you have to prepare a very simple song book at home using
powerpoint is enough. this is like a gift to the kids that
they can bring something home.
also prepare a gift-bag. inside you can include cheap
wrist band, chocolate, a written message on a self-made
bookmark.
for the activities, can incorporate dances with funny actions
with the song and make them stand up and move around
added:
i'm back, and i add on to the above
recce the place for space for ice-breakers games. suggestion:
4-legged race, straw in mouth pass rubber band, spoon in hand pass
ping-pong, musical chair. reward and prize encouraged.
depending on your budget and manpower available, can be done but
effort:
set-up different tables as mini-stalls. do your own placard with
different colours placards and markers design the "stall"
indicating what you selling. suggestion: source for
pre-packed ice-cream in foam box, samosa, pre-packed
sandwiches
ask the home permission first to bring outside food. check
with the home if Muslim students, source all food from halal
suppliers
ask the home whether can they sponsor drinks. children need
drinks to aid their eating. if possible, provide hot milo or
soya bean milk. other wise, set-up another imitation stall
and "sell" ribena or syrup from bottle
you and your companions teach the children some simple songs,
simple dance, simple cute movements beforehand in the morning. for
the children to "buy" their food, they have to do this before they
can get the food. engage them. and exceptions will
create unfairness.