Mo Willems Books: Don't Let the Pigeon Drive the Bus Rhyming Activity

It’s a new season of Virtual Book Club for Kids! I’m so pleased to be participating again this year. We all know I’m up for anything that celebrates books and reading activities. The first featured author is Mo Willems. Oh how my boys love Mo Willems’ books!!! In fact, we featured Mo Willems for our summer story time series.

But first, let me tell you a little bit about how Virtual Book Club for Kids works. The Educators’ Spin On It, Toddler Approved and Rainy Day Mum have put together a wonderful line-up of great authors to explore. On the second Thursday of each month, talented bloggers will be sharing one of the three featured books by the highlighted author that month. Each blogger will share an activity or craft to compliment one of the three books. You are invited to try out as many of the ideas that you feel would be a good fit for your kids.

Now, onto the Mo Willems book we chose this month.

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Mo Willems’ Books

We love so many of Mo Willems’ books from Knuffle Bunny to the Elephant & Piggie books to the Pigeon books. For this post we are focusing on Don’t Let the Pigeon Drive the Bus.

The Book: Don’t Let the Pigeon Drive the Bus

In the story the bus driver steps away and asks the reader to watch his bus and not let the Pigeon drive it. Well, Pigeon enters the story pleading with the reader to please, please, please let him drive the bus. When his pleading is to no avail, he loses interest and starts dreaming of the next vehicle he would like to drive.

The Activity: Rhyming Pigeon Race

The Object:

Reach the finish line (the bus) by naming rhyming words.

Set Up:

1. Create a bus for your finish line. We used a recycled cardboard box. I cut out basic shapes (4 square windows, 1 rectangle door, 2 circle wheels, 1 octagon stop sign and 1 rectangle bus sign). Together we talked about the shapes and glued them to the bus.

2. We also created pigeon headbands to wear for the race. We used a brown paper bag to create the headband. Then, we added the pigeon head which is pretty easy to do with a few ovals.

3. You will also need a set of move cards. Move cards have the number 1,2,3,4 and no written on them. I’ve made those for you so all you need to do is print them out and cut them apart.

4. You will also need a Rhyming Word List which I also have prepared for you. I chose words from the story. You can use any words for this activity though.

Play:

This activity works best with 1-6 children.

Each player puts on their pigeon headband and stands at the start line. The adult calls out a word to the first player. That player has to name a word that rhymes with the given word. If they answer correctly, the adult turns over one of the move cards. The player gets to hop the number of spaces according to number on the card. If the no card appears, they can’t move at all for that turn. Play continues for each player. The first player to reach the bus wins.

Variation: Instead of rhyming words you could also use flashcards with letters or sight words to identify instead.

Now, it’s time to explore some other great activities and crafts to compliment Mo Willems’ books.

Check out these great posts.

Don’t Let the Pigeon Drive the Bus Activities

Cardboard Box Bus Craft & Number Game for Kids by Toddler Approved

Don’t Let the Pigeon Drive the Bus Activity by Coffee Cups and Crayons

Don’t Let the Pigeon Drive the Bus Puppets by Playdough to Playto

Don’t Let the Pigeon Drive the Bus: Puppets, Crafts and Storytelling by Playing with Words 365

Letter B is for Bus Craft by Royal Baloo

Pigeon and Bus Activities inspired by Mo Willems by The Educators’ Spin On It

Pigeon Rhyming Race Activity by Growing Book by Book

Pigeon Handprint by Mama Miss