The Hobbit - 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 The Hobbit. 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!
Follow the story of Bilbo Baggins, a hobbit who leads a peaceful life until a group of dwarves comes to his doorstep with a dangerous mission. Together, they embark on a journey filled with magic, danger, and mythical creatures, all to reclaim their stolen treasure from a fierce dragon named Smaug. The Hobbit is a thrilling tale of bravery, friendship, and unexpected discoveries that will keep your kids on the edge of their seat until the very end.
Here are some ideas to bring the story to life and to join Bilbo on the journey!
5 Best Activities to Bring The Hobbit to Life
Activity 1: Learn about the amazing author J.R.R. Tolkien!
It really takes a brilliant mind to write The Hobbit, along with the Lord of the Ring series. And often, I find it fascinating to learn about the author’s background to understand how this creativity forms!
There are plenty of biographies of The Hobbit’s creator, but this review from C.S. Lewis (author of the Narnia books) has some interesting details about their relationship and their shared interest in fantasy literature. J.R.R. Tolkien was truly a generational talent.
Activity 2: Play the Sound of the Shire against the backdrop of your life!
“If more of us valued food and cheer and song above hoarded gold, it would be a merrier world.” - Thorin Oakenshield
This beautiful symphony evokes so many emotions and fills me with a sense of nostalgia, purpose and comfort that I can't begin to describe. Perhaps it’s because the Shire represents the safe, homely, comfortable place that many of us are seeking in the chaos of today’s world.
I listen to this magic and I am no longer a stressed-out working mom trying to juggle it all but a tiny Hobbit in the Shire, reading a book under the tree. Ever since then, no matter what happens, no matter how old I get, I know it'll all be ok.
So pop on this soundtrack as you and your children go about doing every-day activities, from washing dishes to making dinner or even doing homework!
Activity 3: Check out these assortment of activities for The Hobbit!
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Random House Teacher's Guide
From Random House is this 24 page PDF Teacher’s Guide with discussion questions, vocabulary, and writing ideas for children.
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The Hobbit: An Unexpected Party Menu and Recipes
From @In Literature is a hub of recipes seen served at Bilbo Baggins’ during the Unexpected Party.
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Make a Fierce Origami Dragon
Watch this video on how to make a fierce origami dragon by Jo Nakashima, a Brazilian nikkei and origami artist/Youtuber.
Activity 4: Family Movie Night!
While the movies generally follow the basic plot of the book, there are significant differences in terms of tone, characterizations, and storyline. The book provides a more detailed and immersive experience, allowing readers to fully immerse themselves in the world of Middle Earth while using their own imagination to visualize the characters and settings. The writing style of J.R.R. Tolkien is also a standout feature, with its rich language and vivid descriptions.
On the other hand, the movie adaptation directed by Peter Jackson offers stunning visuals and special effects that bring the story to life in a new way. The movie version is much longer than the book and includes several new storylines and characters that were not in the original book. For example, the character of Tauriel, a female elf, was created specifically for the movies and does not appear in the book. The movies feature a lot more action than the book, with several extended battle sequences that were not present in the original story.
Ultimately, whether the book or movie is better depends on individual preferences. For those who enjoy a more immersive and imaginative experience, the book may be the better choice. For those who appreciate stunning visuals and a more action-packed experience, the movie may be more appealing. The book also has a more lighthearted and whimsical tone, while the movies are generally darker and more serious.
Activity 5: Pick Up these special collections of The Hobbit as a keepsake!
Activities & Gift Ideas to Celebrate The Hobbit
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