You may or may not know that Apollo is rather obsessed with penguins right now. I don’t know what started it, but his interest is growing daily. The last couple of times we have gone to the library, we have come home with stacks of penguin books. Perusing penguin books one day, my eyes fell upon Mr. Popper’s Penguins…which made me remember the movie Mr. Popper’s Penguins (<— contains a bit of crude humor). I’m no Jim Cary fan, but I remembered the movie being pretty funny when we watched it a few years ago. So, I hatched the plan to surprise Apollo with a Mr. Popper’s Penguin Party for our family movie night.
Post contains affiliate links.
I have to confess…I kind of ran out of time and our party turned into an Eat Yummy Penguin Themed Snacks For Dinner While You Watch A Movie Night. But you know what? The kids loved it and I don’t think they even noticed the difference.
Penguin Party Foods:
Goldfish crackers. Or if you’re lucky, you can find off-brand Penguin crackers like I did!
Teddy Grahams. You know, because polar bears like to eat penguins. Or something like that.
Swedish Fish. Because penguins eat fish. Only Swedish Fish are way better than the slimy ones found in the ocean. Except for smoked salmon. Yum.
Snack Mix. Just be sure to label it Krill Mix.
Apple Sauce Pouches. AKA: Regurgitated penguin food. That is, after all, how the mama and daddy penguins feed their babies. By regurgitation; not apple sauce pouches.
Juice Pouches. AKA Seaweed Slurpees.
Cheese Cake: Or, a floating iceberg. Cover with your little penguin friends and some Swedish Fish and you are set!
Jalapeno Poppers: Mr. Penguin’s Poppers. So yummy!
The kids were delighted and I was delighted for an easy dinner. If you can call it dinner. Which we did.
Here are a few of our favorite penguin books:
364 Penguins by JeanpLuc Fromental
This story begins when a single penguin arrives in the mail. One penguin is manageable. But what if a penguin a day for a year arrived? Then you might have a bit of a problem. That is what this 365 Penguins is about. This book is oversized and has large black, white and orange illustrations. My favorite part is the math concepts that are covered as the family tries stacking, sorting and organizing a growing number of penguins.
Mr. Popper’s Penguins by Richard and Florence Atwater
We read this book aloud a few years ago and the kids loved it! It follows the Popper family who raises a brood of penguins and tells about the adventures they have. Funny, short and easy to read out loud.
A Mother’s Journey by Sandra Markle
I love the beautiful paintings in this book! A Mother’s Journey follows a penguin mother as she leaves her mate and egg behind and goes on her journey to find fish and eventually come back and join her family. Apollo and I both enjoyed this book together.
—
We did brainstorm a few game ideas such as Pin the Penguin on the Iceberg and a balloon popping game, but we didn’t actually get around to playing them. Are you wondering why no children are in these photos? That’s because I took pictures before we started then put my camera down so I could be mom instead of photographer.
—
Have you read Mr. Popper’s Penguins? How do you think it compared to the book?
I love the book. I don’t go for the movie at all. I’m continually in awe of your energy and creativity in putting together theme parties! If you ever get the chance to take him there, Apollo would love the penguins at the New England Aquarium in Boston: http://www.neaq.org/animals_and_exhibits/exhibits/individual_exhibits/penguin_exhibit/
They have a penguin blog!
I remember taking my oldest–now seventeen–there when he was small enough to ride on my shoulders. He was so excited at the sight of the aquatic creatures–bounced and kicked so much–that he managed to dislodge my contact lens.
I didn’t particularly enjoy the movie either, but knew Apollo would love seeing the penguins in action! Thanks for the link, I will definitely show him the blog. There are penguins at the zoo in Seattle and Apollo has seen them many times…though I’m not sure he remembers. Kind of makes me want to take him down there again!
Love your themed parties! What about the Tacky the penguin books?!? My kids love them! Maybe too young for your set?
I’ve never heard of Tacky the Penguin…I’ll have to go look it up!
I’m 30 and am still in love with penguins. I adore Mr Poppers Penguins (the book) I confess I’m kind of like him and would like a penguin for a pet. But the movie was so disappointing. Cute if you haven’t read the book. Movies never live up to my expectations of the book.
Yes, I didn’t compare the movie to the book (in my mind). Really the only similarity is a guy named Mr. Popper who owned penguins. I knew Apollo would get a big kick out of seeing all of the naughty penguins; which of course he did. On the down side, at one point during the movie he stuck his head under a blanket and was crying. When I asked what was wrong he said he just “really wanted a pet penguin”. Poor guy. Reminds me of the time he was upset for weeks because he couldn’t be a panda when he grew up!
I suggest watching happy feet!
I hated that movie…Apollo thought it was okay. I was actually surprised as we have learned more about penguins, how accurate a lot of that was. I had no idea penguins sang to each other…Apollo did name his stuffed penguin (that he got for Christmas) Gloria.
I assume you have seen ” March of The Penguins” that’s the documentary that won an Academy Award that is narrated by Morgan Freemen. It is amazing from what I remember. My kids loved it. Especially watched the female pass the egg ever so gently in sub zero temps to the male penguin. Now that’s what you should be watching. I’m sure you’ve seen it. I think it came out in 2005.
My son fell in love with penguins watching old chilly willy cartoons.
I strongly disliked Mr poppers penguins, have watched happy feet so often I dream it but didn’t like it much either.. I did really like March of the penguins.