Turn an entertaining That’s Silly! illustration into a full-blown adventure that puts thinking, counting, learning, and creating front and center for your child.

Here’s How to Start

1. Count and play with numbers

• Point to the That’s Silly! illustration and ask your child, “How many funny monsters are in this picture? Let’s count them.”
• Then ask, “How many colorful animals are in the picture?”
• Have your sleuth-in-chief count all the monsters, animals, and people in the pictures. Did he find 17?
• Look for items that appear in multiples.
• How many spoons, water glasses, hats, plates, and plants can he find?

2. Sharpen her detective skills

Search for little details together.

• Can she find two alpacas?
• How about a three-eyed monster?
• A set of blocks on a tray?
• A waitress on a pogo stick?
• A sad astronaut and a peacock?
• A customer without a nose?

3. Stretch his imagination and let him figure out the ending

Ask your child what might happen next to the

• Waitress on the pogo stick
• Empty chairs and table
• Astronaut who looks unhappy

 Bonus question: What might put a smile on the astronaut’s face?

4. Be a vocabulary builder

Ask your child to name three words that describe

• A slice of bread (Hint: soft, white, tan, brown, chewy)
• How to use a pogo stick (jump, hop, bounce)
• The coat of a furry animal (scratchy, soft, smelly!)

Extend the Fun

5. Dine out

Find a family-friendly venue for this adventure.

• Check out menus online together. (If your child can’t read, look at pics.)
• Decide what to eat before you go.
• Dress up and use your best manners.
• Once seated, point out unfamiliar sights (exotic new dishes) and sounds (waiters shouting orders). Who knows? You might see a couple of friendly three-eyed monsters sitting nearby!

6. Dine in

Let your child create a menu.

• On a blank sheet of paper, have him print the name or find or draw a picture of the breakfast dish you’re serving (scrambled eggs).
• Let him add a handmade illustration of a chicken, egg, milk, juice, or cereal.
• Provide crayons, stickers, markers, pictures, glue, glitter, and more for creative fun.
• Encourage your child to add a price for every item that you’re serving. It’s another great way to play with numbers.

7. Set a table together

The forks in the That’s Silly! picture are out of place, and the super-sized spoon the dad is holding doesn’t look that useful.

• Show your child how to set a table.
• Let her place right-sized spoons, forks, and knives in the correct position.
• Arrange plain or fancy dinner plates around the table.
• Have your child add the napkins. 
• Consult the menu, serve the meal, and enjoy!
• Recruit a helper (guess who) for post-meal chores.