Mystery Pantomime

1.

In this youthful version of Charades, children pantomime a familiar theme. Some possibilities: eat food (twirl spaghetti, sip soup, peel a banana, lick an ice cream cone, drink with a straw), animal movements (elephant, kangaroo, rabbit, snake), and jobs
2.

After lots of first-hand experiences—creative movement (fingerplays such as Johnny Hammers With One Hammer), pretend play (see How Animals Move), music (;The Elephants;), and acting out favorite stories—children will confidently approach this new challeng
3.

At first, you may need to demonstrate how this Creative Experience works. Help children write and read their cards. Soon they will be able to do this independently.
4.

With your friends, choose a theme with fun things to act out. Let’s say the theme you pick is a carpenter.
5.

To make cards: On an index card, write your idea for pantomiming something a carpenter does, such as pound nails, use a tape measure, or saw wood. With Crayola® Washable Markers, write the words and illustrate the activity. Make several different cards wi
6.

To pantomime: Mix up the cards that you and your friends made. One child at a time chooses a card and decides how to act out the idea.
7.

Pantomime the activity for the group. Who can figure out what you’re doing? That person gets the next turn. Make new cards often.