Beatrix Potter Party: 10 Amazing Activities & Crafts
Whether you’re celebrating Peter Rabbit and Beatrix Potter (her birthday is July 28!) or throwing a springtime garden party, these activities and snacks are perfect for ages 3 to 8. This event outline features a reading of The Tale of Peter Rabbit, two movement songs, crafts, games, and snack stations for families to enjoy at their own pace. Use the outline described below, or pick and choose your favorite elements to add to your next Peter Rabbit-themed event!
Beatrix Potter Party Promotional Description
The promotional description for this program was: “Join us for a story, games, crafts, and tasty treats as we celebrate The Tale of Peter Rabbit author’s 150th birthday! For ages 3 through 8 from 10 AM-11 AM.”
Beatrix Potter Party Introduction Script
Gather attendees and offer an introduction to the event and life of the very talented Beatrix Potter. Here is a sample script:
Welcome to our Beatrix Potter Party! I’m Librarian Marta. Today we’ve picked out a story and two songs to share with you to celebrate Beatrix Potter’s birthday. After that, you’ll have the opportunity to enjoy some fun games, crafts, and tasty treats. Does anyone know who this character is? [Show an image of Peter Rabbit from the recent animated movies.] Yes! This is Peter Rabbit. What about this character? [Show original illustration of Peter] This is Peter Rabbit, too! He was created by author and illustrator Beatrix Potter in 1901, over 100 years ago! Beatrix Potter wrote and published 28 books, many filled with adorable animals.
As a child, Beatrix Potter frequently brought home birds, mice, frogs, and even snakes to keep as pets. Would your parents be happy if you brought home a snake?! She loved to draw pictures of these and other creatures wearing clothes and acting like humans.
The Tale of Peter Rabbit Read Aloud
You can’t beat a classic reading of The Tale of Peter Rabbit. However, most print editions are too small to share with a crowd. I recommend inserting illustrations into a PowerPoint to enhance your read aloud or sharing the board book version.
Beatrix Potter Movement Songs
Use these bunny-themed movement songs to get the wiggles out following your read aloud. Then, set participants free to enjoy the craft and activity stations at their own pace.
10 Little Bunnies
One little, two, little, three little bunnies
Four little, five little, six little bunnies
Seven little, eight little, nine little bunnies
Ten bunnies hopping all around
Hop, hop, hop, hop, hop little bunnies
Hop, hop, hop, hop, hop little bunnies
Hop, hop, hop, hop, hop little bunnies
Bunnies hopping all around!
(Feel free to count down from ten too.)
If You’re Benjamin Bunny Hop Around
Distribute character cards for children to hold or wear (punch holes and string with yarn to make necklaces ahead of time). Introduce each character and practice motions for each one. Next, ask the children to sit and listen for their character’s name. When their character appears on the screen or their name is called, stand up and do their moves per this Potter version of “If You’re Wearing Red Today“:
If you’re a Puddle-Duck, a Puddle-Duck, a Puddle-Duck
If you’re a Puddle-Duck, stand up and waddle around!
If you’re Tom Kitten…stand up to meow and scratch!
If you’re Benjamin Bunny…stand up and hop around!
If you’re Squirrel Nutkin…stand up and shake your tail!
Beatrix Potter & Peter Rabbit Party Activities
Garden Sensory Dig
Fill a plastic pool or bin with soil and fun items for garden-themed play. We’ve had fun adding plastic bugs, frogs, trowels, onion sprouts, and carrot sprouts.
Beatrix Potter Character Scavenger Hunt
Print illustrations from Potter’s books and hide them throughout your building. Encourage participants to cross off each character when they find it and return their sheet to you or your service desk for a small prize (such as stickers, temporary tattoos, pencils, etc.). Here is a free sample PDF of the Beatrix Potter Garden Hunt sheet.
Do you have a great outdoor space? Take the scavenger hunt outside! Print and laminate your characters, then tape them to paint sticks or tent stakes. Stick them in the ground throughout your building’s landscaping or garden.
Peter Rabbit Flip a Flower Pot Game
Ellison Die Cut flower pots were taped to a board with Peter and a few other characters hiding underneath. Flip the pots up until you find Peter!
Mr. Jeremy Fisher’s Lily Pad Hop
Print, cut, and laminate lily pads and tape them to the ground. To avoid damaging your library’s floor, use painter’s tape to adhere lily pads to the floor. For outdoor lily pad hops, duct tape works best. Use this Lily Pad template and tips from the blog Toddler Approved.
Mr. MacGregor’s Vegetable Toss
Toss plastic vegetables into the basket before Mr. MacGregor sees you!
Beatrix Potter Party Crafts
Peter Rabbit Party Hats
Supplies needed include a cardstock template, construction paper strips, crayons, scissors, tape, and staplers. Here is a free Rabbit Ears Party Hat template.
Peter Rabbit Paper Dolls
Supplies needed include a white cardstock template, crayons, and scissors. If you’re sewing savvy, you can make felt blue jackets for attendees to dress up their paper dolls. Here is a free Paper Peter Rabbit template. The original is from 504main.com, but I resized it to fit two per page.
Beatrix Potter Party Snacks
Carrot Sticks & Blackberries
Like Peter Rabbit’s siblings had for supper!
DIY Garden Cupcakes
Ask your local grocery store to provide unfrosted chocolate cupcakes. Set out chocolate frosting, oreo crumb “soil” to sprinkle on top, and any bug or vegetable-themed candies you can find for participants to decorate their own cupcakes!
More Resources
The World of Peter Rabbit Beatrix Potter Teaching Pack
Activities, crafts, and printables from the official World of Peter Rabbit.
Peter Rabbit Printables from Brightly
Excellent collection of printable coloring pages, crafts, mazes, and more.
Visit The Youth Desk’s Programs page for more event ideas and fun!
