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!
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
Watch:
- Cars, Cars 2, or Cars 3!
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?
- 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 1 or 2
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 Movie
Game Time:
- Take Turns Telling Jokes (use a joke book if need be!)
- Monsters Inc. Puzzle
Watch:
- Monsters Inc. , Monster’s University, or Monsters at Work
Disney Movie Week – Day 4: Finding Nemo
Creative Learning and Fun:
- Learn About Coral Reefs
- Water Bead 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
Game Time:
Watch:
- Finding Nemo
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
- 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
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)
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!
