Disney Movie Week: A Thematic Unit You’ll Love – Take 3!
I enjoy a good week (or even a couple of days) of themed learning and activities! It’s been a go to in our house for the past three summers. If you haven’t yet read about why I create and use these “themed weeks”, then make sure to go here and here and get the quick overview!
This summer was the first year we didn’t do many since my youngest was born. Ultimately, since last year was our first year of fully homeschooling, I just personally needed a break for a bit!
A while back, I shared one of the Disney Movie Weeks we did a couple summers ago and promised that another would be coming down the road. Well, not only did a create a Disney Movie Week #2, but here is yet another one…I’m calling it Take 3. 🙂
This Disney Movie Week unit is designed to be done in a 5-day week where one movie is dedicated to each day. You can, of course, use the content however you’d like! Do only one a week, reserve them for random weekends or school breaks…the only less-than-optimal option is doing them all in one day…but who am I to stop you from doing that either! 😉
The five movies included in this unit are:
- Cars
- The Incredibles
- Monsters Inc.
- Finding Nemo
- The Lion King
Many of the activities listed for each movie will be linked in the Pinterest Board provided at the end of this post. Make sure you check that out!
Some of the links in this post may be affiliate links. If you make a purchase through one of these links, it will cost you nothing extra, but I will receive a small percentage back. Thank you for supporting my blog in this way! As always, I only recommend products that I would personally use myself!
Now let’s get to it!
Disney Movie Week – Day 1: Cars
Creative Learning and Fun:
- Create Radiator Springs
- Lay painter’s tape down across your floor in any road pattern you desire and then use Lego blocks to create some of the buildings to line the road with. Then use toy cars on the road and let their imaginations go!
- Wash the Car Together
- Have a “Drive-In” Movie to Watch Cars
- Make a Cardboard Box Car or use a laundry basket!
- Paint Wooden Cars
Fun in the Kitchen:
- Sweet and Salty Popcorn
- Mater’s Taters (just potato chips)
- Car-Shaped Sandwiches (use a cookie cutter)
- Spare Tires (chocolate covered mini-donuts)
- Stoplight Brownies
Get the Wiggles Out:
- Dance Party to Soundtrack
- Relay Races
Game Time:
- Toy Car Racing
- Monopoly Junior: Cars Edition
Watch:
- Cars, Cars 2, or Cars 3!
Read:
- Old New, Red, Blue – Step Into Reading Level 1
- Mater’s Birthday Surprise – Step Into Reading Level 2
- Driven to Win – Step Into Reading Level 3
- Fueled for Adventure – Golden First Chapters
- Cars, Trains, Ships and Planes – A Visual Encyclopedia
Disney Movie Week – Day 2: The Incredibles
Creative Learning and Fun:
- The Incredibles Movie Study (a great resource from Annette at the In All You Do blog!)
- Incredibles Mad Libs
- Writing Activity: What Would Your Superpower Be and Why? (Free Template Below)
- Edna Mode Mask
- Felt Popsicle Holder
- Printable Incredibles Masks
- Incredibles Slime
Fun in the Kitchen:
- Frozone Snow Cones
- Just use your favorite recipe!
- If you don’t have one:
- Blend ice in a high-speed blender.
- Either make a simple syrup and add coloring or buy fruit juice/punch to pour over ice.
- Incredibles Movie Popcorn
- Jack Jack Num Num Cookies…Just like the ones from Hollywood Studies in Orlando!
- Fruit and Veggie Tray
Get the Wiggles Out:
- The Incredibles Superpower Competition!
- Wear your masks and capes (if you have any) for this!
- First Event: Mr. Incredible’s Strength – who can do the most push-ups.
- Second Event: Elastigirl’s Stretchiness – who can stretch out to touch their toes the farthest.
- Third Event: Dash’s Run – who can sprint to the finish line the fastest.
- Fourth Event: Violet’s Disappearing Act – play hide and seek…last to be found wins.
- Wear your masks and capes (if you have any) for this!
Game Time:
Watch:
- The Incredibles
Read:
- Super Heroes Storybook – Strong and Brave Bible Heroes
- The Incredibles Little Golden Book
- The Incredible Dash – Step Into Reading Level 3
Disney Movie Week – Day 3: Monsters Inc.
Creative Learning and Fun:
- Roll-a-Monster Dice Game
- Build a Monster
- Writing: What Makes a Good Friend?
- Learn About Electricity and Battery Power
- Mike and Sully Craft
- Monster Masks
- Monster Slime
- Design a Door
Fun in the Kitchen:
- Monster Crunch
- Dipped Pretzel Rods
- Monster Smoothies
- Sl-EYE-ders (sliders with an eyeball of some sort on top!)
Get the Wiggles Out:
- Use Monster Masks to Act Out the Movie
Game Time:
- Take Turns Telling Jokes (use a joke book if need be!)
- Monster Matching Game
Watch:
- Monsters Inc. , Monster’s University, or Monsters at Work
Read:
- Monster’s Inc Storybook Collection
- Boo on the Loose – Step Into Reading Level 2
- The Monster at the End of This Book
Disney Movie Week – Day 4: Finding Nemo
Creative Learning and Fun:
- Learn About Coral Reefs
- Water Bin (with Finding Nemo Figurines or any small ocean toys)
- Writing: Compare and Contrast Marlin and Dory
- Sea Anemone Pipe Cleaner Craft
- Art for Kids Hub: Nemo Drawing
- Coloring Pages
Fun in the Kitchen:
- Goldfish
- Shark Teeth Muddy Buddies
- Use your favorite Muddy Buddie (or Puppy Chow) recipe but substitute Bugles for the Chex cereal.
- Starfish Sugar Cookies
- Octopus Hot Dog with Shells and Cheese
Get the Wiggles out:
- Go Swimming or to the Beach
- Check Out a Local Aquarium
Game Time:
- Go Fish
- Ocean Bingo – this is an awesome, high quality version that we love!
Watch:
- Finding Nemo and Finding Dory
Read:
- Just Keep Swimming – Step Into Reading Level 1
- The Fascinating Ocean Book for Kids
- The Big Book of the Blue
- This is Crab
- Dory’s Story – Step Into Reading Level 2
Disney Movie Week – Day 5: The Lion King
Creative Learning and Fun:
- The Lion King Movie Study
- Research Lions
- Try Learning Some Words in Swahili
- Start with the ones from the movie:
- Simba – lion
- Rafiki – friend
- Nala – gift
- Sarabi – mirage
- Pumba – slow-witted
- Shenzi – savage
- Banzai – skulk
- Start with the ones from the movie:
- Paper Plate Lion Mask
- Shadow Art
- Art for Kids Hub: Lion
- Lion King Puzzle
- Coloring Pages
Fun in the Kitchen:
- Dirt Dessert with Grubs (Gummy Worms)
- Simba’s Sunrise Punch
- Animal Crackers
- Timon’s Pecan Pesto Grubs
Get the Wiggles Out:
- Dance Party to Soundtrack
- Visit Your Local Zoo and Check Out the African Animals
Game Time:
Watch:
- The Lion King, The Lion King 1 1/2 (A Personal Favorite!), The Lion King 2: Simba’s Pride, The Lion King (Live Action)
Read:
- The Lion King – Disney Animated Classics
- Nala and Simba – Step Into Reading Level 2
- The Lion King – Big Golden Book
- All Things Lions for Kids
Pinterest Board
Here’s where you’ll find many of the above listed activities. I tried my best to match the name of the activity to the title of the pin so hopefully you can easily find what you’re looking for!
Remember that you can do as many or as few of these activities as you want. My goal in this post is simply to share with you this themed week in the way I plan it for myself and organize it in such a way that you can do it, too…in half the time!
What are some of your favorite Disney Movies? Which ones would you like to see in a future Disney Movie Week? Let me know and maybe you’re choice will make the cut!
Happy Planning!
