Where the Wild Things Are Action Word Rumpus

It’s time for a new season of Virtual Book Club for Kids!  We have some great books for kids lined up for the year.  This month we are featuring Where the Wild Things Are by Maurice Sendak.  Get ready to move with this gross motor literacy activity!

Where the Wild Things Are Book and Activity

Full Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links.

The Book

In the Where the Wild Things Are, Max is causing lots of mischief and is sent to his room without dinner.  His imagination quickly sails him away to the land of the wild things where he becomes their king.  A wild rumpus is had by all until Max sends all the wild things to bed.  He then decides he misses home and sets sail to return.  A warm dinner is awaiting his return.

This classic book has entertained children for generations.  I love that is all about imagination!

The Activity

Time for action word rumpus.  This is an activity to work on gross motor skills and learn about action words (verbs).  It’s super quick to prep and you just need a big open space such as the yard or an empty room.

Materials needed: gift wrap roll, bubble wrap, sheer material (optional), tape, colored paper, and marker

First, make your super easy action word scepter.  We just made a ball out of bubble wrap and secured it with tape.  The cardboard roll slid right inside.  We added a little sheer material for flair.

On small colored pieces of paper write different action words (see below).

The king or queen of wild things is in charge of telling the wild things what action to perform.  A crown is optional.

He or she will place an action word on the scepter and make the grand announcement.

When it is time to switch actions, the king or queen should announce, “Be still!”

Then, switch the action word on the scepter and continue the rumpus.

action words to use:

roar

gnash your teeth (chomp your teeth)

roll (can be eyes, head or whole body on the ground)

eat

row (use arms to pretend row a boat)

climb

dance

run

jump

A super fun gross motor activity to compliment the classic, Where the Wild Things Are.

So, what books will be featured in this year’s Virtual Book Club for Kids?  Here is the lineup so you can plan ahead.

Check out all the other great posts that compliment Where the Wild Things Are from all of the co-hosts of Virtual Book Club for Kids.

Name Crown Craft by The Pleasantest Thing (name activities)
Where the Wild Things Are Counting Game by Mom Inspired Life (counting activities)
Wild Things Scented Monster Play Dough! by The Preschool Powol Packets  (sensory activities)
Where the Wild Things Are Treats by I Can Teach My Child (cooking)
Where the Wild Things Are Monster Glyphs by Inspiration Laboratories (science activities)
Where the wild things are – Mapping our Backyard Habitats by Rainy Day Mum (science activities)
Where the Wild Things Are Sand Tray Activity at Study at Home Mama
Where the Wild Things Are Gross Motor by 3 Dinosaurs (movement activity)