Activity day girls: back to school fun

I am the activity day girls leader (girls 8-11) at our church, and I wanted to share what we did for our first back to school activity.  I always worry that what I plan isn't good, or enough.  But, the girls really liked this pencil craft with beads, and wire.  April had fun making more at home after the activity as well.

 

They also made a journal type page.  First, I gave them a big fat pencil to color, but I challenged them to try to color it in with shapes or lines.  Then they put it on a piece of construction paper, and wrote at the top:  My pencil will write... and they were supposed to write something down that they hoped to learn or do this school year.
 

We also did a general knowledge quiz game, had "recess" outside, and ate ice cream bars.  I think the girls had fun.  I mostly wanted to record this because April is a part of it, but also to share some ideas.