Activities

These activities, designed to work in both the home and the classroom, are great for kids between the ages of four and seven. While each is related to a specific Between the Lions episode—with special emphasis on early literacy—all of these activities can be used independently.

Animal Friends
Make up a story about two animals becoming best friends.

Animal Fun Facts
Talk about how animals are similar and different then use those ideas to make posters and play games.

Be a Poet
Write a "list poem," turn it into a work of art, then practice some other poems you know.

Big and Little
Compare the sizes of things around you, then figure out where in your house you could fit a whale!

Big Bad Wolves
Create a wolf book and find new ways to retell stories you know about wolves.

Bug Museum
Make bugs out of stuff you have around the house, then display them in your own museum.

Color Collection
Collect items of many colors, then arrange them to create a rainbow exhibit.

Dream Dinner
First, think of your favorite meal EVER. Then make a menu for your meal, and place cards for your family's dream dinner.

Dreams and Wishes
Make magic wands, think up some charms and spells, then work your magic!

Emotions in Motion
Act out different feelings and see if other people can guess your emotion.

Family Games
Build an obstacle course out of furniture and other stuff, then cheer on the contestants.

Family Tales
Write a story about a memory you have, then make it into a cool accordion book.

Fantastic Hats
Turn boxes and bags into fabulous hats and see how many different kinds you can make.

Follow the Directions
Write clues and hide them around the neighborhood to help your child find the hidden treasure!

Friendship Collage
Find photos of old and new friends and make them into a collage to hang on your wall.

Helping Out
Make "helping hand coupons" that promise to do something nice for people you know.

High in the Sky
Make starry wrapping paper, a shoebox constellation, and paper airplanes.

Imagine That!
Take turns drawing body parts to create the strangest creatures you've ever seen!

Is There a Writer in the House?
Find more things to write on like shopping lists, calendars, anything that has some blank space.

Jokes & Tongue Twisters
Make up your own silly versions of some classic jokes then make them into a keychain.

Jousting Knights
Ride pretend horses and have a jousting match to make new words from word parts.

Kids in the Kitchen
Use these recipe frameworks to design your own dishes and create a cookbook.

Make a Me Book
Make a book filled with different little-known facts about you.

Music & Dance
Put together musical instruments from household items then put on a concert!

Music Makes Me Feel...
Listen to different types of music, then describe how they make you feel. Draw pictures of those feelings.

Nature Buddies
Find things in nature and bring them inside to become pet rocks and plant pals.

On Stage
Bring your favorite story to life by making masks and acting it out on stage.

Party Time
Plan a party – from "to-do" lists and invitations to decorating cupcakes.

Pet Tricks
Make a poster or program for a show of pet tricks. Then put on a show with your stuffed animals and other toys.

Phases of the Moon
Observe the moon in all its different phases, then make a sky chart.

Spin a Story
Make up an exciting and silly story together by taking turns deciding what happens next.

Stormy Weather
Use household objects to make weather sounds and have your own mini-storm!

Watch This Ad
Think about what makes TV ads good or bad then write and perform your own.