Mittens Hide a Snowball

 

I've been using this variation on the Little Mouse Hiding in a House game for years.  I thought I'd share it in time for Winter themes at Storytime!  This website has several great ideas to use with preschoolers!

Where’s the Snowball?

http://tonsoffunpreschoolactivities.blogspot.com/2011/01/tot-school-mittens.html

Snowball, snowball cold and round

behind which mitten can you be found?

I have always just used the one snowball to find but this time I might 'hide' other funny things behind the other mittens. It makes for a silly, fun activity! I cut my mitten shapes about 8 inches so that leaves me plenty of room to hide funny things.  I cut my snowball shape from batting so it is flat and keeps it's shape.  Mittens and snowballs are so much Fun with Friends at Storytime!

        

Birthday Presents!

 I adapted a rhyme from In The Children's Room blogspot to make a different felt set.  My version is called Birthday Presents!.  This was a super easy and quick set to make! I already had the variegated color yarn to make the pom pom style bow for each present.  I will hide the items behind the boxes and reveal the 'present' as we play. They never get tired of this technique! You can make your 'presents' reflect your kiddo's interests. I printed and laminated and cut out each item.  I just put a small piece of tape on the back to hold it until we 'open' the present.  I did add a piece of Velcro to the top of each felt piece to hold it as we're handling it.  You can always play, Which One's Missing? after you have all the items showing! Birthday presents are so much Fun with Friends at Storytime.  Check out my other Birthday themed posts Here! 

Shy Little Penguin

 

Here's a find the penguin activity like the Little Mouse Game. I can't remember where I found the rhyme though...I don't remember if I made it up? Anyway, here it is!

Shy Little Penguin

Shy Little Penguin, quiet as can be, Where are you hiding?

Let's take a look and see!

  

Penguins are so much Fun with Friends at Storytime!!

Where is Bear Sleeping? Revisited!

 

So...I made a set of caves for a pellon bear HERE.  We are planning a Bear storytime soon but I couldn't find my original set! What to do??  Yeah, losing a set is a good excuse to remake it and tweak it to be bigger and 'better' this time. LOL!  I made my caves to be about 5 by 6 inches and decided to have another animal behind each cave until at last, we find the bear.  I Googled images of cute hibernating/sleeping animals and then laminated and cut them out.  Here's some rhymes to use with the this set.    

                    

  We're having so much Fun with Friends ... and bears! at Storytime!         

Let's Find a Pearl for the Pail

I saw this cute shell game at Storytime in the Stacks and wanted to tweak it a little and use it this summer with our kiddos at Storytime! We have a lot of really young kiddos so we need to keep it fairly simple but they love to interact with the felt board. This kind of game helps them learn to wait for their turn, follow instructions and enjoy the anticipation and fun of discovery!  Plus...I love watching them play these games 😍.  My plan is to call them by name to come choose a shell. When they discover the 'pearl' they put it in my beach pail! If they can I'll ask them to tell me the color too. I'll take the shell shape down as it's chosen just to speed up the process.  I made 21 shells so we should be good! I did add a piece of velcro to the back of the grey back to hold it on the board as we try to lift the colored front shape.  I did make an alternate rhyme instead of my naming the color shell, I changed it to "Little Clam, Little Clam"  Here's a link to my doc.   Little Shell, Little Shell.

Going to the beach at storytime is so much Fun with Friends!

                         

Knock, Knock Who's There?

Miss Melissa, our young child librarian wanted to do a storytime theme about Neighbors. We have been doing storytime themes that start with a nursery rhyme. This week is Wee Willie Winkie.  So, we were brainstorming and here's the result! I made 10 doors that were big enough to hide the children that I've made over the years.  Here's my rhyme to play a version of Little Mouse except there is someone behind every door.  A Neighbor Behind the Door. I did make a brown door but we ran out of room on our flannelboard.
This game is always Fun with Friends at Storytime!

Little Mouse has a New House!

Little Mouse is in the market for a new house.  I recently remade my Little Mouse set and I'm super happy with the little houses! I used a Google image and deconstructed it for my houses. My little mouse is Pellon painted with acrylic paint and a black fabric dot eye. He's flatter and less likely to make a bump under the house and give away his hiding place. This classic hiding game is always a hit and so much Fun with Friends at Storytime! 

My Lovey Friend!

We just did a sweet program about having a 'Lovey'.  I made up a rhyme with an activity for our program. Since not every child has a teddy bear as their lovey I made it a little more inclusive, LOL! Here's a link for the rhyme 'Where's Teddy?'  I saved the Google images that I used on that link also. I printed them, rough cut so that I could laminate 2 images at a time in our little laminator, cut them out and put a dot of Velcro on the back of the big pieces. I used a piece of double-sided tape on the backs of the 'lovies' so that there is no bump under the big pieces. I set up the board with the teddy bear last. I set up the activity before the kiddos came. This way the kiddos didn't see that there was something behind every item. I let the kiddos come up and check under each item for teddy. I used the different lovies so that each kiddo finds something! So much fun! After that game we played 'Which One is Missing?' with the lovies. Talking and Playing are those ECRR components covered with this activity.  

This turned out to be a really fun theme that seemed to 
resonate with the littles in my storytimes this week! I used this precious book at both my toddler and preschool sessions and it was a big hit! I also used Knuffle Bunny with the older set. When I introduced it I heard a child say, "I love that book!". Yay!!

We offered a Home Extension based on the illustrations from Sam and Jump. Those kiddos love something with a handle!! We had a picture of our mascot puppet, Harvey cut out so that he would tuck into the bucket shape.  I suggested that they use Harvey to play a hide and seek game at home later. I heard caregivers affirming that idea! Love when that happens! We love our 'Lovies'! and have Fun with Friends at Storytime!! *update: I had a caregiver tell me the next week that they had played with Harvey all week! Love it!!

There are other ideas this week @ Flannel Friday Roundup. Check out the wonderful resources on the Flannel Friday Pinterest Boards. Here's the link for the official Flannel Friday blog for more info! 

Shy Ladybug!

I've got my version of the ladybug, Little Mouse rhyme and game to share today. There are many ladybug posts on the Bugs - Flannel Friday Pinterest board but I'm adding one more. I can't remember where I found it but I thought it was really cute!  Here's the rhyme;
'Ladybug, Come Out and Play'
Ladybug, ladybug, come out and play.
Where are you hiding from us today?

I just free hand cut out the big pieces and the ladybug is an Ellison diecut so that was easy! I added a small piece of velcro on the backs to make sure the flowers and leaf stay on the board as we look for the shy ladybug. I have a filefolder ladybug post HERE too. Ladybugs are so much buggy Fun with Friends at Storytime!  There are other ideas this week @ Flannel Friday Roundup. Check out the wonderful resources on the Flannel Friday Pinterest Boards. Here's the link for the official Flannel Friday blog for more info! 

I See the Moon!

      

I love variations of the Little Mouse, Little Mouse hiding game.  I found this rhyme on so tomorrow blogpost .  I tweaked my rhyme and pattern a little and since I have a circle diecut I just used it for my moon. I added some shiny glitter glue and we are all set for some fun! This will be a great time to use Laurie Berkner's wonderful song, 'Moon, Moon, Moon'. I sing this song as a lullaby when my grandsons sleepover!  Here's my take on the rhyme:    

                            Little moon, little moon, playing hide and seek

                            Are you behind the purple*  cloud? Let's take a peek!

Just change the color at * each time.  I also hide a small star shape behind the other clouds til we 'find' the sleepy moon! LOL!  They love this game. 

Singing and playing are so much Fun with Friends at Storytime! There are more great ideas on the Flannel Friday Roundup! Check out the wonderful resources on the Flannel Friday Pinterest Boards. Here's the link for the official Flannel Friday blog for more info!

We're Having a Ball!

I was inspired by Emily @Literary Hoots's post about footballs to make my own set of football helmets and footballs. I had to add some shiny sequins to my set. :)  We had some foam sport ball peel and stick stickers so I adapted the little song/rhyme about pumpkins to be about the different sports balls.  The Sports Balls We put them on popsicle sticks and had fun with these!! I also adapted the classic Little Ball, Big Ball rhyme for the Google images ball set for each sport.  After we did the rhyme I took off all but the 4 big balls and we played, 'Which One is Missing?". They never get tired of playing that game!

                                                                   Little Ball, Big Ball

                                                                     A little ball, a bigger ball, a great big ball I see.

                                                                    Can you count the *basketballs?  1-2-3.

 It's so much Fun to play with Friends at Storytime! There are more great ideas on the Flannel Friday Roundup. Check out the wonderful resources on the Flannel Friday Pinterest Boards. Here's the link for the official Flannel Friday blog for more info! 

Fun at the Beach!

I know it's the middle of winter but I need some sand and sun and warm weather. I'm longing for summer. This is my mid-winter virtual beach trip. To The Beach by Thomas Docherty has a little boy that utilizes any way he can to get to the beach! I totally agree with his single-minded focus! This is a great read for preschool storytime. I've also used Going to the Beach by scanning and enlarging the pages. I mounted each page on yellow construction paper and laminated them. I have the text on the back of each laminated sheet to make it easier to read. The pictures are clear and uncluttered and there is minimal text.  I was inspired to make a set of sandcastles after seeing this post @Story Time Secrets. Her rhyme is great with a cute ending!  I made my sandcastles out of felt with added shell sequins for some shine! Each of my sandcastles has a different colored flag on a toothpick pole. I cut the shapes out freehand after looking at some Google images. 
Easy peasy!

I use a beach version of the Little Mouse game but it's with a little whale and colored pails.  The rhyme is: 
Little Whale, Little Whale 
Are you hiding in the ___ pail? 
I had to stiffen the felt handle pieces with white glue on the back and of course add some shiny sequins.  The little whale (now that's a contradiction in terms!) is made of Pellon that I colored with color pencils and outlined with a black Sharpie. I think he's adorable! Going to the beach (even in the winter) is so much Fun with Friends at Storytime.
The rest of the Flannel Friday roundup is @ What Is Bridget Reading?. Be sure to check out the Flannel Friday Pinterest Boards for other great ideas!

Pigs and Pancakes

Pigs are fun and who doesn't love pancakes? Put them together and you have a recipe for FUN. A coworker shared this rhyme/game and pattern with me. (Thanks Louise!)  Here's the link for the rhyme and instructions on how to play. I tweaked it a little (5 instead of 6 piggies). This could be used with a Piggy or Farm theme or a Pancake or Breakfast theme. The kiddos really enjoy this one!

Pigs and Pancakes are a lot of Fun with Friends at Storytime!  Lisa @ Libraryland has the rest of this week's roundup. Have questions about Flannel Friday? Check out the Flannel Friday official blog.  Be sure to  join us on the Flannel Friday Facebook page and enjoy the great Flannel Friday Pinterest boards too!

Home Sweet Library Home

Our library branch is closed for renovations...boo-hooray! Sad to be closed and working somewhere else for the duration. Glad to be getting our branch spiffed up! So to talk about it we did a House/Home theme our last week and featured the book Library Mouse; Home Sweet Home by Daniel Kirk. We had to tell/talk through this book with the toddlers but everyone still seemed to like it! We played a version of the Little Mouse game using Google images of Sam and Sarah from the book. This was a BIG hit!  We also used, Mouse Mess by Linnea Riley and Building A House by Byron Barton. We used the finger play, 'Here is a House' (check out Storytime Katie's house blogpost for the words) and a cute little rhyme with the house felt set below. We had a great Home Extension to hand out too! This was a fun and easy theme! We were able to explain to our little kiddos about what would be happening and teach them a big word; 'renovation'.   

Here is the roof for the house so good (put up roof)

Here are the walls, made of wood. (put up brown square)

Here are the windows to let in the light. (add windows)

Here is the door shut so tight. (add door)

Here is the chimney, straight and tall (add chimney)

Here is our house for one and all!      

 (I can't find an original source.)  

Houses are a lot of Fun with Friends at Storytime.  The Flannel Friday Roundup is hosted this week by Anne at itsybitsymom!  Have questions about Flannel Friday? Check out the Flannel Friday official blog.  Be sure to  join us on the Flannel Friday Facebook page and enjoy the great Flannel Friday Pinterest boards too!

Tooth Fairy game

February is National Children's Dental Health Month so I thought this felt set would be a great addition to my previous 'teeth' theme posted here.  I found some resources at the American Dental Association's website.  I found an old set already made in the files at my library and couldn't wait to make my own set. Here's the game and printable patterns at Making Learning Fun.  I enlarged and tweaked the pattern a little and added glitter and gems and ribbon and some slick fabric paint to make my set.  I plan on using this like the Little Mouse hiding in the color House game.  We'll identify the colors of the pillows and then help the Tooth Fairy look for the teeth. There was a cute rhyme in the library's set that someone must have added; "Children, children look and see. Can you find the tooth for me?"  I know this is going to be a LOT of Fun with Friends at Storytime!

I found this Tooth Fairy Flannel Friday post at Storytimes with Moxie. Here's another cute post with a tooth fairy too. The Flannel Friday Roundup is hosted by Lisa at Thrive after Three!  Have questions about Flannel Friday? Check out the Flannel Friday official blog.  Be sure to  join us on the Flannel Friday Facebook page and enjoy the great Flannel Friday Pinterest boards too!

A Gift for Mommy

I am looking forward to Mother's day next week!  I always like to do a Mother's Day theme for preschool storytime. It's a BIG hit with the mommys and grandmothers that come to storytime!  I have two books that I ALWAYS use;  My Mom by Anthony Browne and My Mommy Is Magic by Carl Norac. I loved this CUTE felt set and song at Storytime ABC's, so I made my own!  For laughs and so much fun, we sing 'Mama Don't Allow'.  I wanted one more flannelboard rhyme and couldn't find one I wanted to use so...I made up my own.  I found Google pictures for each item and of a child kissing his mom. The color words are links to a Google page.  I printed and mounted each picture on bright green paper and laminated them.  I flip the papers as I say the rhyme.  I think it will lead to some discussion about what gifts we'd like to give to our mother for Mother's Day. Here you go:

                                                                A Gift for Mommy

By Kathryn Roach

I want to get a gift for Mommy

For this Mother’s day

Let me think, what could I find?

I don’t have money to pay!

I know she likes some fancy shoes

I bet she’d like them blue!

Maybe a fancy, party ring?

A lovely purple one could be the thing!

A mug for the coffee she likes to drink?

I know she likes the color pink!

Or a purse to carry all her stuff

A red one might be big enough!

An orange scarf, fresh and light,

With white polka dots, could be right!

I know what I can give to Mommy

I know that this won’t miss!

I’ll tell her, “Mommy, I love you”
With a great big hug and kiss!

I have adapted Jane's (Piper Loves the Library) adorable version of the Little Mouse hiding game to be a Mother's Day version.  I already had 3 felt houses for the original version of the game, so, I just made two more color houses,  a mother mouse and felt cheese. In my game little boy mouse is looking for a piece of cheese to give to his Mother mouse for Mother's day. I hid other small things behind each house and he even finds one piece of cheese.  He's so hungry and it smells sooo good that...he eats it! Oh no!  But, he finds another piece of cheese (in the last house) to give to his mother. (We all know, don't go grocery shopping on an empty stomach! LOL!)    I call my version, 'Where's the cheese for Mother Mouse?'  I have a purple house that I forgot at work.  The pattern for the mice came from Feltboard Fingerplays by Liz and Dick Wilmes.  The mice are made out of pellon and the houses and cheese are felt.  Notice that Mother mouse has shiny gold earrings? ...little things... LOL! 
I have as much fun as the kiddos that come to Storytime!

Happy Mother's Day!!

Do You Feel Lucky?

I know St. Patrick's Day is gone but as I was putting away some of the files I used from last month I saw this one and I wanted to share it with you.  This is a version of the classic, Little Mouse...hiding in the color house game.  I made a small 'pot of gold' out of black felt and gold sequins and the other pieces are about 6-8 inches so that I could 'hide' the pot of gold.  I just had to add some glitter ;)  and the mushroom material is a fabric swatch from a sample book that was donated to the library.  Actually the polka dots inspired the whole set because I really wanted to make a mushroom with it and then I needed a way to use the mushroom and one thing led to another...

I made up a little rhyme I say and then the children guess where the leprechaun has hidden his pot of gold.

"Do you feel lucky? Let's be bold! 

Let's see if we can find the leprechaun's pot of gold!"

This game was a big hit!  The only problem was that the sequins made the pot of gold a little lumpy and the older kids picked up on that quickly!  Anyway, we all enjoyed the game and talking about what we'd do if we really found a pot of gold.  Lot's of fun at Storytime!