The Great Mouse Detective Movie: Educational Activities and Games for 2 to 5 Year Olds

Let's face it, kids love movies, but it's been proven that they should watch no more than 2 hours of TV a day. So why not combine their love of a movie and activities that will help them learn and grow? Following are suggestions for the movie The Great Mouse Detective released in 1986. These activities would also work well for preschool classes and party games for this age group.

Watch the movie

Let your kids watch the show while you prepare the activities for the rest of the day or attend to other responsibilities.

Rhyme Activity

Teach your child this rhyme. They will enjoy learning the actions and doing it with your over and over again.

Little Mouse

See the little mouse (make your hand look like a mouse)

Creeping up the stair (move your hand up your arm)

Looking for a warm nest

There oh, there. (have the mouse hide in the crook of your arm)

Read a Book

There are a lot of incredible books available to go along with the movie The Great Mouse Detective. Pick one you think your child would enjoy and involve them while you are reading. Ask them questions about the pictures and story. Following are a few suggestions of books to read.

• Detective Donut and the Wild Goose Chase (Trophy Picture Books) by Bruce Whatley and Rosie Smith
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• Whose Footprint Is That? (Animal Detectives) by Jacqui Brown
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• Basil in Mexico: A Basil of Baker Street Mystery by Eve Titus and Paul Galdone

Be a Detective

Off your child a magnifying glass and explain what a detective is. Have them look at things under the magnifying glass and tell you if they see things that they can't normally see without the magnifying glass.

Cat and Mouse Tag

Have your child pretend to be a cat and explain that you are a mouse. Crawl around and make squeaking noises. Hide under things and squeak until your child finds you. When your child catches you switch places.

Mouse Snack

Make peanut butter and jelly sandwiches and cut them to be shaped like a peanut. Offer cheese and crackers, and offer cut up fruit. Enjoy snacks that mice like.

Touch Detective

Put an item in a bag or box. Have your child touch and feel the item and see if they can figure out what it is. If they are having a hard time figuring it out, give them clues. Switch places and let your child put something in the bag or box for you to try and figure out.