So this year I decided to try something new for Hop Tu Naa with my niece’s preschool group. Halloween’s everywhere here but being Manx myself, I wanted the kids to experience our island tradition properly.
Prepping the Stuff
First I raided my craft cupboard for supplies – cardboard tubes, paint, construction paper. Grabbed some turnips too since pumpkins ain’t authentic for Hop Tu Naa. Nearly sliced my thumb carving one! Note to self: pumpkin guts are way easier to scoop.
For songs, I picked two classics:
- Hop Tu Naa (the “old woman, old woman” one)
- Tea-totum (with the knocking rhythm)
Practiced while washing turnip slime off my hands. Sounded like a dying seagull at first.
Activity Time Chaos
Gathered five hyper four-year-olds after snacks. Started with the turnip carving – big mistake. Timmy immediately poked his finger in dripping paint and drew on Sophie’s arm. Had to pivot quick to mask-making instead.
Cut eyeholes in paper plates while kids went nuts with glitter glue. Glitter still in my hair three showers later. We stuck feathers and yarn for hair. My masterpiece looked like a exploded chicken.
Singing Shenanigans
Tried teaching “Tea-totum” with knee-slaps. Total disaster. Kids just screamed and slapped each other’s thighs. Moved to “Hop Tu Naa” holding hands in a circle. Little Maya SCREAMED the lyrics like a tiny heavy metal singer. Nearly burst my eardrums.
What Actually Worked
- Turnip lantern parade in dim hallway (used phone flashlight)
- Bobbing for apples instead of turnips (way less choking risk)
- The creepy ghost story I made up – they loved screaming “BOO!”
Finished with sugar cookies shaped like turnips. Watched them inhale cookies like piranhas while Maya still belted out “HOP TU NAAAA!” randomly.
Massive mess after but worth it. Those glittery masks coming outta nowhere all afternoon made me jump every time. Kids still ask about the “scary potato song” weeks later.
