Where is the Mouse?

Children love to look for things. They love the element of surprise when they find them. So why not incorporate it into their learning activities?

This game is a wonderful way to teach your child or class of children the different colors. They will be wondering which house that mouse is hiding in but of course you won’t let them look in the house unless they can tell you the color first. Then when they find the mouse it will be their turn to hide it so you or another child can guess where it is.

Materials you will need to make the game:

Construction paper of the eight different colors; red, blue, yellow, green, orange, brown, purple, and black. The size depends on how big you want the house to be.
Gray, or brown paper; whatever color you want the mouse to be
Colored markers or crayons or pencil crayons.
Child size scissors.

To make the houses:

Have your child draw a house on each different colored sheet of paper so you have a red house, a blue house, a yellow house, a green house, an orange house, a brown house, a purple house and a black house. Have your child cut out the houses.
Draw and cut out a mouse.

To play the game:

Lay the houses on the table or other flat surface. Ask your child to cover his eyes with his hands; no peeking. Hide the mouse under one of the houses. Tell your child he can look now. Then say, “Where is the mouse?” Have him say the color of the house he thinks the mouse is hiding in. Lift up the house he indicated. If the mouse is there say “Got you, mouse!” If he guessed wrong and the mouse is not there have him guess another color until he guesses the right color of house where the mouse is hiding. Now it is his turn to hide the mouse and your turn to guess.

This activity will help your child learn and practice several skills. He will identify the eight colors. He will create different designs of house shapes. He will cut along a designated line. He will practice his skill at handling scissors. He will also practice his social skills of waiting for his turn and interacting with you and other children as you include them in the game. Most of all he will feel the sense of accomplishment and closeness with you, his caregiver. Have Fun!

Ruth Willms is author of the Christian children's novel The Lion Tree and is co-owner of WAHM-Articles.com. Submit your best WAHM articles at www.WAHM-Articles.com and find high quality reprint WAHM articles for your publications.

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