Listening Games with Elephant and Piggie

Elephant and Piggie are the stars for this week’s Virtual Book Club for Kids with friendship as the theme. Should I Share My Ice Cream? by Mo Willems is the featured book. We’re sharing some listening games that help kids work on listening to others – a skill that’s necessary to be a good friend. Affiliate links are included in this post. Clicking on the book titles or covers will take you to Amazon.

Should I Share My Ice Cream? by Mo Willems

Elephant and Piggie books are my all time favorite books for early readers (and for families, too). The books are funny and we never get tired of reading the stories over and over again. Should I Share My Ice Cream? is a fun story about thinking of others and sharing with your friends. Gerald gets an ice cream and is about to eat it when he wonders if Piggie would like some, too. He spends much of the book trying to decide if he should share his ice cream. The story ends with a typical Elephant and Piggie twist.

Listening Games with Elephant and Piggie

Listening games are a great way to work on listening skills and following directions. For each of our listening games, we used Elephant & Piggie Plush Toys (affilate link). If you don’t have Gerald and Piggie, you can use any elephant or pig toys (or any of your favorite toys).

Gerald Says

Play this game just like Simon Says except Gerald plays the role of Simon. Have Gerald call out actions for your child. “Gerald says touch your nose.” “Gerald says hop like a frog.” My kids thought it was hilarious that Gerald was jumping around giving them commands. This game is also good to sneak in a little clean up. “Gerald says pick up 5 blocks…”

For younger kids, you might want to skip the part where you are out if you do something without Gerald saying to. For example: “Touch your nose. You’re out. I didn’t say Gerald says.” Only give commands that start with Gerald says. My toddler had trouble understanding when she was supposed to complete the action when we played the normal way.

Find Piggie

We love toddler treasure hunts. Hide the treasure (a toy pig) in plain sight. Then, give your child directions on where to find the toy. “The pig is in the purple bowl.”

Gerald and Piggie Obstacle Course

Create an obstacle course for Gerald and Piggie (or any toys). Then tell your child how to navigate the course one obstacle at a time.

“Have Gerald jump from one book to the next. Then, have Gerald climb up the stairs.”

Once Gerald has made his way through the obstacle course, let your child give you directions for taking someone through the course.

You can choose a different path each time you go through the obstacle course, so the listener has to pay attention to the direction giver.

More Listening Games

• L is for Listening Skills (3 Science Games to Play)
• Do 3 Things Listening Game
• Even more Listening Games to try

More Ideas from the Virtual Book Club for Kids

See more friendship themed activities inspired by Should I Share My Ice Cream?

Spelling Names Ice Cream Center from Still Playing School
Learning about Our Friends – Graphing Activity for Preschoolers from Rainy Day Mum
Friendship Ice Cream Is a Fun Way to Practice Sharing from Mama Smiles
Simple Friendship Concentration Game for Preschoolers from Toddler Approved
Kind Words Sensory Lesson from Preschool Powol Packets
Making Pumpkin Ice Cream with Friends from The Educators’ Spin On It
Cupcake Cones from Kori at Home
How to Make a Catapult Ice Cream Scoop Style from JDaniel4’s Mom
Paper Tube Friendship Bracelets from Clare’s Little Tots
How to Make a Colour Mixing Ice Cream from Peakle Pie
Preschool Pencil Control from CraftCreateCalm
How to Make Happy Faces in a Sand Tray from Big Owl Little Owl Witty Hoots
Share the Ice Cream Fine Motor Game from Views From a Step Stool
Pass the Ice Cream Sharing Activity for Preschoolers from Sunny Day Family
Gross Motor Core Strengthening Friendship Activity for a Group from Sugar Aunts
Friendship Ice Cream Throw from Adventures of Adam
Build 2D and 3D Ice Cream Cones with Friends from Kara Carrero
Piggie and Elephant Shapes Sharing Activity from Mosswood Connections

Also stop by the Virtual Book Club for Kids Facebook page to see what others are sharing!

See our entire Virtual Book Club for Kids book list here.

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