Mrs Frisby and the Rats of NIMH - Book-Themed Activities
By Lily | Published 1 May 2023 | Goodreads Rating 4.16 | This post may contain affiliate links.
We’ve curated a list of educational games and activities inspired by Mrs Frisby and the Rats of NIMH. Be sure to try some (or all!) of these ideas to make reading fun for your child, while creating special memories for your family along the way!
Mrs. Frisby and the Rats of NIMH is a classic children's book written by Robert C. O’Brien. It tells the story of a brave widowed mouse, Mrs. Frisby, and her encounters with a group of intelligent rats who have escaped from a laboratory where they were experimented on.
Kids will love this book because of the adventurous plot, the relatable characters, and the themes of friendship, and bravery. Here are some ideas to bring the story to life and create memorable experiences as a family!
10 Activities for More Reading Fun of Mrs Frisby and the Rats of NIMH
Activity 1: Build a model of the rats' underground world!
Have your kids create a model of the intricate tunnels and chambers of the underground world of the intelligent rats of NIMH! Look around the house for material like cardboard boxes, toy figures, legos and other craft supplies. Encourage them to be creative and use their imaginations as they construct little rat homes and shops. For fun inspiration, check out the Youtube channel of @Mister Hamster with the many clever and awesome mazes for his hamster! The video below has more than 350 million views in just over two years!
No hamsters were harmed in the creation of this video! ;-)
Activity 2: Plan a scavenger hunt out in nature!
A scavenger hunt is a great activity to recreate how the animals in the story created their habitat by foraging for items in nature. To get started, you'll need a few supplies like plastic bags, binoculars, a small journal, a pencil, bug spray, and a magnifying glass. Below are some items to find, things to listen for and smells to discover during the scavenger hunt. You can adjust the list of items to find depending on where you live and the time of year. For example, at night, you can have kids search for lightning bugs.
Items to Find: Find three different types of leaves, animal tracks, insects or types of birds. Find a spider web, a small rock or pebble, a feather and a bird’s nest.
Things to Listen For: Listen for an animal sound, the crunch of leaves, the sound of insects, running water, the wind blowing through the tree.
Things to Smell: Sniff out the fresh air; grass, a flower, a pine or cedar tree and even mud!
Or, simply download this free Nature Walk Scavenger Hunt printable from Reading Quests to get started right away!
Activity 3: Schedule a family movie night!
Mrs. Frisby and the Rats of NIMH was adapted into a movie called The Secret of NIMH which was released in 1982. The movie follows the basic plot of the book, but there are some differences in the details and the characterization of the animals. For example, in the movie, Mrs. Frisby's name is changed to Mrs. Brisby. Additionally, some of the characters are given more prominent roles, while others are downplayed or eliminated entirely.
The movie was well-received by critics and audiences alike and is considered a classic of animated cinema. It features stunning animation and a powerful musical score by Jerry Goldsmith. However, some fans of the book have criticized the movie for its departures from the source material and for simplifying some of the more complex themes and characters. Despite these criticisms, "The Secret of NIMH" remains a beloved adaptation of "Mrs. Frisby and the Rats of NIMH" and is often cited as one of the best animated movies of the 1980s.
Activity 4: Learn more about rats!
Kids may find it interesting to learn more about rats because they are fascinating and complex animals with a long history of interaction with humans. Rats are highly intelligent and social creatures that exhibit a wide range of behaviors and emotions. By learning more about rats, kids can gain a greater understanding and appreciation of the natural world and the role that animals play in our lives. Additionally, by exploring the complex relationship between rats and humans, kids can develop a greater sense of empathy and responsibility toward all living creatures.
Here are several books, both fiction and non-fiction, that can introduce kids to learn more about rats:
"The Tale of Despereaux" by Kate DiCamillo - This award-winning children's book tells the story of a brave mouse named Despereaux and his adventure which explores themes of bravery, forgiveness, and the power of friendship. And a lot of soup!!
"Rats! The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly" by Richard Conniff - This non-fiction book provides a comprehensive look at the world of rats, exploring their behavior, biology, and relationship with humans. It also discusses the ways in which rats have been both helpful and harmful to human societies.
"The City of Ember" by Jeanne DuPrau - Though not specifically about rats, this post-apocalyptic novel features a society of people who live underground and are plagued by giant rats that threaten their survival. The book explores themes of environmental degradation, resource depletion, and the resilience of the human spirit.
Activity 5: Conduct science experiments at home!
The rats in the story are intelligent and resourceful, so try conducting some science experiments with your kids that relate to the themes of the book, such as building a simple machine or creating a maze for a pet. Research the science behind the book, such as the topics of animal intelligence and genetics.
For easy science experiments, visit @Fun Science for activities that are easy to do at home and that will amaze your kids!
Activity 6: Free learning resources to strengthen reading comprehension!
Check out the free printables from Reading Quests to help with your child’s reading comprehension of this book. Great for struggling readers!
Vocabulary.com is a great resource to test your child's knowledge, as well as spelling acumen of words learnt from Mrs Frisby and the Rats of NIMH.
Reed Novel Studies also has a free novel study for Mrs Frisby and the Rats of NIMH!
Activity 7: Create a 3-minute play or skit from a scene from the book!
For younger kids, a fun activity is to make an entire family of paper mice and rats! Here are two fun versions to to consider! The first is an easy paper rat craft from Kids Craft Room which includes a free printable template. From @KIDS crafts is an adorable paper mouse craft that is super easy to make!
Activity 8: Create a 3-minute play or skit from a scene from the book!
Have your children create a 3-minute skit or puppet show based on the story. Encourage them to act out their favorite scenes and use their imaginations to add their own twists to the story. Assign parts to family members and have fun with the performance. Take inspiration from @Elephant and Worm, a Chicago-based theatre company and their performance of Mrs Frisby and the Rats of NIMH produced from one of their theater and movie summer camps!
Activity 9: Make a map of the farm!
The Fitzgibbon family are the human family who owns the farm where Mrs. Frisby and her family live. Together as a family, draw a map of the farm of how you and your kids envisioned it looking including all the key locations in the story such as the stone, the rosebush, and the owl's tree. Use this map to play games and create your own stories.
Activity 10: Organize a book-themed picnic!
Have a picnic in the local park or even in your backyard, just like Mrs Frisby and her children did in the book! Together with your kids, organize rat-themed food like cheese cubes, leaf shaped sandwiches, maple syrup cookies, etc. Talk about the importance of sharing and helping others, like the rats did for Mrs. Frisby. And, re-read your favorite parts of the book together!
REWARD: Celebrate Mrs Frisby and the Rats of NIMH!
When your child has finished reading the book and completed any of the above activities, download this FREE book-themed artwork to hang or frame in your child’s room as a keepsake of this special book!