With Spring, Easter and the new live action Peter Rabbit movie all upon us, it is the season for a bunny themed story time.
This one has it all – great books to read aloud, fun rhymes and songs to sing together, and a bunch of great activities to get your kids moving, thinking and learning. So, without further ado let’s hop in… (too cheesy?)
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Peter Rabbit Inspired Story Time
Featured Book: The Tale of Peter Rabbit by Beatrix Potter
This week’s Virtual Book Club for Kids book is the story of Peter Rabbit. If you haven’t read this classic now is the time because the movie version is just coming out and this beloved tale is about to entertain a whole new generation of kids.
Peter Rabbit is a mischieveous rabbit who wanders into Mr. McGregor’s garden despite his mom’s warnings because he just can’t resist. Kids understand that feeling of temptation and hopefully learn something from Peter’s eventful garden trip.
Note: If you are reading doing this activity / story time with a toddler then I highly recommend this Touch and Feel version of the story.
More Great Read Alouds about Bunnies:
Guess How Much I Love You by Sam McBratney Illustrated by Anita Jeram
This is one of the sweetest books around. It is the story of a parent and a little bunny who are discussing love which is such a difficult concept to explain to a child. I love the warm illustrations that capture the relationship between a parent and child. Side note: If you are looking for an adorable gift for a new mommy – this gift set is darling – but back to the read aloud! This is a good one to read aloud with toddlers and younger preschoolers.
No Bunnies Here! by Tammi Sauer and Ross Burach
Sauer and Burach both do humor so well. Seeing them paired together is a read aloud fan’s dream come true. NO BUNNIES HERE is made for reading aloud and definitely diverges from the others on this list. While the others have a muted palate this is bright and colorful. While others are more on the quiet side, this is full of highly emotional text that begs you to read it aloud and be dramatic about it. The premise is a wolf comes to a neighborhood of bunnies and the main character, a bunny, is determined to convince him there are no bunnies around. It’s comedic, it’s ridiculous, and it’s perfectly written to put it’s audience into a fit of giggles.
Yoga Bunny by Brian Russo
Since my focus this week is movement I had to include this Yoga Bunny book. It is a cute book about a bunny who tries to convince his animal friends to try yoga to help with their various problems. The illustrations are sweet and I’m a sucker for books that encourage kids to get up and move.
Songs about Bunnies
- This is the Way the Bunny Hops (watch on YouTube)
Note: if you don’t want to sing about Easter just change the last line to “all through the day” - Little Bunny FooFoo (watch on YouTube)
- Little Bunny in a Hat Rhyme (watch on YouTube)
Note: You can do this with a puppet like this one.
Peter Rabbit Story-Telling Movement Activity
In the story of Peter Rabbit there is a back and forth adventure while Peter sneaks veggies and tries to stay away from Mr. McGregor. This movement activity is inspired by the story of Peter Rabbit and is a fun way to get up and move while re-counting the story.
Materials
- Copy of the Free Peter Rabbit Movement Cube Printables
- Tape or Glue
- Scissors (for adult use)
- Movement Cube – Find Directions Here
Beforehand
- Make sure you have enough space for everyone to move around a bit. You will be running (at least in place if not in a circle) and jumping.
- Tape or glue the pictures from your printable onto the sides of the cube to make your movement cube.
Activity
- Read or Tell the Story of Peter Rabbit
- Show your kids the movement cube. Explain what each picture means. The key is below.
- Then have everyone stand up.
- Take turns rolling the cube and then everyone acts out the action shown.
- Repeat until everyone has had at least one turn.
- Then have everyone hop “back to their tree, lie down, and go to sleep” just like Peter does at the end of the story.
Peter Rabbit Movement Cube Key
Peter Rabbit = Hopping
Boots = Mr. McGregor is Coming so RUN
Carrots = Stop and Munch
Fence = You found a hiding spot, Crouch low and Count to 5
More Bunny Themed Activities
Are you a member of the amazing Weekly Virtual Book Club community on Facebook? It is free and fantastic weekly fun. Together a team of co-hosts (including yours truly) share a favorite children’s book and related activities each week. Join our community of over 6,000 creative parents, teachers, and childcare providers!
These are the activities from our team of co-hosts this week! I can’t wait to see what you do with our bookclub book this week.
Literacy Activities
- Hop the Alphabet Bunny Game from Mama Smiles
- Jumping Bunny Cup Craft from To Be A Kid Again
Math Activities
- Peter Rabbit Felt Easter Craft from Teach Beside Me
- Peter Rabbit Shape Matching Game from School Time Snippets
- Bunny Color Hunt for Toddlers from Toddler Approved
- Count and Pick Carrot Patch from Rainy Day Mum
Science Activities
- Peter Rabbit Map Making and Modeling Activity from Inspiration Laboratories
Fine Motor
- Fine Motor Bunny Stamp Painting Activity from The Educators’ Spin On It
Don’t Forget: Peter Rabbit Movement Cube Printables
