A Fun Book about Friendship & “Ice Cream” Dough!
After reading “Should I Share My Ice Cream?” by Mo Willems we decided to make some 2-ingredient “ice cream” dough and open an ice cream shop! We were so excited when Piggie & Gerald stopped by with some friends from Toy Story, secret life of pets and a random alpaca to get some! 🙂 If you like simple, inexpensive, hours of not so messy sensory storytime fun; this one is for you! So, let’s get started…
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Summary of “Should I Share My Ice Cream?”
First, let me start off by saying, if you haven’t been introduced to the Elephant & Piggie books by Mo Willems…Welcome! You might know Author Mo Willems by some of his other works, including, the “Knuffle Bunny” series or “The Pigeon” series. But as much as we adore the Knuffle Bunny trilogy; Piggie & Gerald (the name of the elephant) are definitely our favorite! They are very funny beginning readers with simplistic drawings and text; that somehow always manage to deliver a great message (and lots of laughter).
“Should I Share My Ice Cream?” is no different. Gerald loves ice cream (who doesn’t?); so he gets one, but then he spends most of the story having an internal conflict over whether or not he should share it with his best friend Piggie. He imagines all these different scenarios of how it could turn out based on what action he takes. But of course, he takes so long debating it that his ice cream has melted away! 😮 Not to worry, I don’t wanna give the ending away but lets just say its happy, and it turns out differently than any of the ways he thought it might. Isn’t that exactly how real life works? Definitely worth a read!
2-Ingredient “Ice Cream” Dough?
You might be wondering… “What do you do with it?” or “How is this not just going to be a sensory mess?” There are many ways to answer these two common questions…
First, the most basic answer to “What you could do with “Ice Cream” Dough?” is… have Fun. Sensory play at its finest is not about “doing” something specific. It is about exploring, feeling, listening, watching, problem solving, creating, etc… This is an open-ended activity. Just as each child has their own unique personality, experience, and preference in play, the outcome of this activity is just as special.
As for the second question, Yes, this is could be potentially be messy; but if it gives you any comfort, I felt comfortable enough to set this up in a room I usually don’t even allow food or drink in! But, I hear you. I’ve been asked that question many times. Therefore, a detailed answer, along with strategies for successful messy sensory play, can be found by reading, “What about the Sensory Mess?”
What We Did with the 2-Ingredient “Ice Cream” Dough…
We tend to keep the activities as simple as possible around here. We’re not interested in complicated or costly. We are also all about fostering independence. So, for this activity my daughter took the lead (which is happening more and more!). 🙂
She decided we were going to open an ice cream shop. She asked for the “ice cream” dough to go into certain containers and was over the moon when I suggested we use a real ice cream scoop. We were a bit puzzled about what to use for the “cones”, but decided to go for a simple household item EVERYONE has…toilet paper rolls! We drew lines on them to make it a bit more realistic and she really loved it when they stood up on their own so her stuffed friends could enjoy their “ice cream” treat without her having to hold it for them.
Next, she got the measuring cup and filled it with water. I was puzzled for a moment; but then she explained its like they have in most ice cream places, to place the scoop. She even put on gloves to be sanitary. 😮 Once everything was all set up; she gathered some friends to be the customers and put me in charge of doing the voices, lol.
I won’t get into all the details; but I will say the alpaca was quite the drama queen and Piggie & Gerald stuffies showing up for the party was the cherry on top. I would suggest 2-ingredient “ice cream” dough sensory play if you’re looking for a simple, inexpensive, not-so-messy, and fun activity to connect with your child.
Materials We Used
- “Should I Share My Ice Cream? by Mo Willems (from the library or buy it here)
- Box of cake mix
- Container of colored frosting
- Bowl
- Whisk
- Ice cream scooper (or spoon)
- Containers to scoop “ice cream” dough from
- Sprinkles
- Toilet paper rolls
- Marker
- Customers (aka stuffed animals or toy friends)
*You could also incorporate money to work on math skills if you wanted!
Click HERE for Free Printable copy (Email Subscribers Only)
How to Make 2-Ingredient “Ice Cream Dough?
- Open the box of cake mix.
- Pour the cake mix into the bowl.
- Open the container of frosting.
- Scoop the frosting into the bowl.
- Use a whisk to mix it thoroughly.
- Once it looks mixed but crumbly, begin to knead it.
- Knead until it looks and feels like dough.
*Add a tiny amount of water if its too dry/crumbly. Not too much or it will become sticky. Click HERE for Free Printable copy (Email Subscribers Only)
Wait, There’s More…
I believe you can easily strengthen communication skills and foster independence all while playing and connecting with your child. To help you do this; I’ve created a FREE printable for each activity called, “Communicating & Connecting”.
It will give you a list of suggestions I’ve found very helpful as a Mom & as a special education teacher; to help you build lifelong skills. Please don’t feel obligated to do everything on the list (but if you do, you’re a rockstar 😉 ).
As a Thank You for subscribing; this is a special FREEBIE for our Email Subscribers Only. 🙂 Click here if you’ve already subscribed. Otherwise, Sign Up below to get the password & access to our entire FREE Printables Library today! 😉
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