Elmer Elephant's Trunk is STUCK!

Here's a simple skit I incorporated into a recent story time. It was a story timer's birthday (I knew in advance) so I threw this in and it was successful.

Puppet:
elephant

Props:
flower
pepper
**could use a feather
faux cupcake
party hat

I put a party hat on Elmer before I put him in my puppet bag; I also had his trunk pulled all the way in.
When I pulled him out of the bag, I asked the children if something looked different about Elmer. They told me he was wearing a hat--one child asked where his trunk was. I pretended Elmer was whispering in my ear. I pulled the cupcake out of my bag and told the children that today was Elmer's birthday, but he couldn't enjoy his cake because his trunk was stuck!

So we brainstormed ideas. I tried holding a flower under his nose, thinking maybe he was allergic, but that didn't work. I tried shaking pepper (pretending to shake) under his nose, but that didn't work. Then, I tickled him. THAT worked! His trunk popped out and he could enjoy his cake.

(You could use a feather to tickle him; I just used my fingers and it was fine.)

Super simple.

Rhyming Dust Bunnies

I'll admit it:  I am wild about Pinterest. I re-pin many craft ideas on a story time pinboard, and this was an idea I ran with, combining the craft with a rhyme I modified.

I made four yarn pom poms (Ed, Ned, Ted, and Bob) from the book, Rhyming Dust Bunnies by Jan Thomas. I went through the rhyme and then handed out our bean bags and had children pretend the bean bags were dust bunnies. We recited the dust bunny rhyme together.

It was very simple and effective. We all got a chuckle out of it.

Props:
four yarn pom poms (instructions found readily online)

Book:
Rhyming Dust Bunnies--Jan Thomas


"Ed, Ned, Ted and Bob are Bouncing on My Head!"
or  "I Met a Little Dust Bunny"

I met a little dust bunny, he said his name was Ed;
and all he ever wanted to do was bounce upon my head!
Bounce upon my head! Bounce upon my head!
All he ever wanted to do was bounce upon my head.

(Bounce the pom pom on your head. Repeat with each one.)

For the tune, see this video:  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VOAQakCZbAQ&feature=share&list=PLeQ12HBJmWnBKdwNhgB4EVrvvgVYQRot0

You could also easily add more verses, if your audience was interested. For example, jump upon my bed, bounce beneath my bed, etc.