The Happy concept should be an ongoing, daily, and year-round event. Meeting Happy is an important part of our offer to families and will make positive childhood memories for our youngest guests. But there are many ways of letting Happy be present in our activities even when he is not able to appear in person.

There are three levels of activities within the Happy concept. Choose SMALL if you do not have colleagues to support you; MEDIUM if you have one activity host but no mascot performer; or LARGE if you have at least one activity host and a mascot performer. Of course, you can choose to implement parts of all three levels of activities in your schedule, if possible.

It’s important to be familiar with Happy’s story and the concept framework if you are running or supporting any of these activities. You can read all about it on the Brand portal.

These activities can be offered without an activity host. Some preparations are needed of course.

In the Happy World playroom, put out a selection of Happy craft sheets and pens. Check the room a couple of times a day to make sure the art materials are tidy and to see if you need to put out more sheets or pens.

Framed instructions are placed on the table, inviting children to “Fold a Happy-ship together with your parent!” Make a sample paper boat and leave on the table for inspiration.

These activities require one host. For impact, combine with the SMALL activities and let the host help children with those crafts. MEDIUM activities should be scheduled for specific times and promoted throughout the day.

This is a traditional treasure hunt but with a twist. Prepare all the clues and treasure box and position them in the right places before the scheduled start time. Begin with a little storytelling and you will create an exciting and unforgettable treasure hunt for the families! Make sure the parents follow along – you are not responsible for bringing the kids around the ship.

Some small preparations and purchases are needed to get started the first time you run this activity.

Materials

• Old-looking small box, filled with candy/giveaways locked with a three-number code lock. (Numbers 8,1 and 3.).
• Hiding place 1: Message with questions to get the code to the box (8,1,3) and the location of the treasure box.

LETS GO!

Step 1: Gather in the entrance hall.

“Since I got to know Happy I have heard many exciting stories about his adventures down in the ocean and here on board. And one is particularly interesting. There is a rumor that there is treasure hidden on the ship.

Happy told me that we can find a clue if we search in the right place. He said: [for example]“its hidden where us humans eat our food”. Does anyone know what he could mean by that? Okay! It must be in the Taste restaurant. Let’s go, all together!”

Step 2: At the named hiding place, you find a piece of paper with three questions and another clue for the final hiding place of the treasure box.

• How many legs does a spider have?
• How many fins does a porpoise like Happy have on its back?
• How many sides does a triangle have?

Clue for hiding place: “The box is located where you can buy toys and candy” ie. the Shop (or a similar place where a customer will not accidentally find the box and take it).

Step 3: At the named hiding place.

How can we open it? Any idea on what the code is?

If needed read the questions again to the children and have them answer.

Open the lock using the answers to the clues: 8,1,3.

Materials

• Happy fishing pond, fishing rod with clothes peg
• Candy/gift bags
• Music player - The Happy Song

LETS GO!

The kids form a line and each one gets to cast the fishing rod to catch a gift. It’s crucial that the line moves forward quickly. Create a fun atmosphere for the kids waiting in line by playing music from a small music player. Play the Happy Song and other child-friendly music.

If you have two hosts.

One leads the fishing activity while the other keeps the children in the line amused, for example by:

• playing the Happy Song and teaching the dance moves
• running a meet-and-greet so that Happy can hug everyone in the line
• making a wave
• playing games with a (very) soft ball or balloon, back and forth in the line, over the heads and under the legs
• sending a high-five back and forth, how fast can we do it?
• playing charades – the host imitates various animals and the kids in the line guess what they are

These activities require at least two hosts. For impact, combine with the SMALL and MEDIUM activities. These activities should be scheduled for specific times and promoted throughout the day.

This is our most important Happy activity. It gives kids a chance to meet Happy in person. Set up times and meeting points for a simple meet-and-greet that can include hugs, high fives, a little dancing around, photo opportunities, and conversations.

The mascot performer and the storyteller are equally important to the success of this activity. The storyteller is Happy’s voice and the one bringing the character to life and sharing Happy’s story.

Meet-and-greets are a great opportunity to spread the Happy concept purpose and content. Talk with the kids about how to be a good friend, and about the importance of taking care of our oceans. But most importantly, make sure each child is being recognized by Happy. He is very curious and keen to get to know them!

Wearing the mascot costume is not an easy task, but you will be absolutely adored by the children. Use that energy and make Happy come to life. With a little help from your storyteller, you can really engage them in the story.

For more information and tips on running a meet-and-greet, or maybe the script for the Happy Show, please advise the other tabs in this manual.

Good luck and have fun Happy people!

The show is, just like Happy’s own backstory, a story about taking care of the environment and how much we can accomplish if we work together. Happy and his storyteller are about to tell the children about Happy and his adventure in Happy World. Happy is in charge of hiring actors and decorating the stage. The storyteller finds out that Happy has other ideas.

The show is meant to feel like a spontaneous Happy-ning. It can be performed on a small stage, or directly on the floor. A Happy World backdrop is nice but not necessary.

You will need some rehearsal time. Follow the scripts word for word, or feel free to improvise details if required. Many changes, shortenings and improvements are usually made during rehearsal and during the season when putting on a play. Please feel free to do so if necessary.

The show is performed by Happy and one storyteller. All the actions and gestures performed by Happy are translated into lines by the storyteller. The script contains suggestions of gestures. If possible, a third person to help with music and mascot safety would be great.

The show takes around 15 minutes to perform. After the show, the mascot performer will still be able to carry out a 15-20 minute meet-and-greet.