Welcome to the Critter Quest Activity Corner! Here, curious minds can play, build, explore, and discover right alongside the friendly critters of Prairie City. From puzzles and hands-on craft ideas to brain-teasing challenges, and mini-games inspired by the stories, there’s always something inspiring to try. Whether you’re puzzling with the Brainy Bunch or helping Tilly on one of her wisdom-filled quests, each activity is designed to spark imagination, nurture learning, and fill the day with playful joy!
The Trials of Wisdom
The Trial of Listening: “The Whispering Wind Game”
From the Book: Tilly just comes upon a whole world that she’s never known before. It’s governed by rules and practices that are mostly new to her, and must carefully listen to instructions.
Skill: Careful listening & attention, teamwork.
How to Play:
One player becomes the Whispering Wind and gives instructions like:
- “Take three tiny steps.”
- “Spin like a slow leaf.”
- “Point to something blue.”
- Hop 2 hops to the right etc…
The instructions come together as a set of directions that, when used together and in the right order, will lead the team to their reward.
Everyone must listen closely. Variants may be used, like whispering or reading out the directions a first time, then explaining the rules and allowing the team to get organized and ready for a second reading.
Wisdom Message: Quiet attention helps us notice what others miss. We all hold a piece of the key to success, teamwork breaks big challenges into smaller ones.
The Trial of Curiosity: “The Question Pebble Pass”
From the Book: Tilly learns that asking questions leads to understanding.
Skill: Curiosity & formulation of inquiry, taking turns and respecting others’ opportunities and input
Materials: One smooth pebble (or button).
How to Play:
Pass the pebble around a circle. Whoever is holding it must ask a question beginning with “I wonder…”
Examples:
- “I wonder how tunnels are made?”
- “I wonder what chickens dream about?”
- “I wonder why water wiggles when it laughs?”
There are no answers, only wonders, though it may help to log the queries for other activities.
Wisdom Message: Asking questions is a powerful form of learning.
Trial of Kindness: “The Gentle Help Relay”
From the Book: Tilly learns early, while observing the Brainy Bunch, that with a friendly helping hand, a big challenge can become more approachable, maybe even a fun set of activities.
Skill: Cooperation & kindness
Materials: A few lightweight objects (books, plushies, little bags).
How to Play:
Set objects at one end of the room. Children form a “tunnel line.”
The goal: Work together to pass each item gently down the line — no hurrying, no dropping, and especially no bossing.
If someone struggles, the rule is: Offer kindness first — help second.
Wisdom Message: Real wisdom shows in how we care for others, and the how is at least as important as the help that we give.
The Trials of the Worm Train
The Trial of Coordination
Theme: Movement, rhythm, and fun
Kids become “Worm Train cars” and wiggle, twist, and slide through a tunnel path while music plays. They must follow the rhythm of the song — faster, slower, or changing moves — keeping the train grooving together.
Learning focus: Coordination, rhythm, motor skills, teamwork.
The Trial of the Junction Beat
Theme: Music-based problem solving
Like in the game, at various tunnel junction, the Worm Train “pauses” for rhythm challenges: This can be a musical challenge as: clap, stomp, or tap a beat sequence, or a query/answer type challenge, to unlock the next part of the tunnel. Each correct sequence keeps the train dancing along. At each wrong answer, the train takes the wrong turn towards a predetermined goal, while each right answer takes a turn closer to it.
Learning focus: Memory, pattern recognition, sequencing, auditory skills or general Q&A practice.
The Trial of Thoughtfulness
Theme: Mindful movement with reflection
While the train boogies along, kids pause at “Wisdom Wiggle Stops” to share a clever thought, something they’re grateful for, or a tiny act of kindness — then return to the dance.
Learning focus: Emotional intelligence, mindfulness, verbal expression.
The Trial of The Conductor’s Codes
Theme: Music, logic, and decoding
The train listens to “secret tunes” or rhythms the Conductor plays(these could be as simple as classic nursery, holiday or other popular songs that the kids are familiar with). Kids must figure out the pattern — faster, slower, short, long beats — to keep the Worm Train moving and boogying along the tunnels.
Learning focus: Auditory discrimination, pattern recognition, sequencing, critical thinking.
The Trial of the Grand Parade
Theme: Celebration, music, and storytelling
At the journey’s end, kids create a mini parade with music, chant, or dance, mimicking the Worm Train’s moves. They can invent new “boogie steps” or tell short stories with their movements as the train dances through tunnels.
Learning focus: Creativity, rhythm, storytelling, collaboration.