Should I Share My Ice Cream? A Circle Time Activity
"Should I Share My Ice Cream?" by Mo Willems is a perfect circle time read-aloud — it's funny, short, and opens up a genuine conversation about sharing and kindness. This follow-up activity keeps the energy going while giving every child a chance to practise both the act and the language of sharing.
What You'll Need
"Should I Share My Ice Cream?" by Mo Willems, a piece of construction paper, and either a ball of yarn or a large pom-pom.
How to Do the Activity
Read the book together at circle time.
After reading, roll a piece of construction paper into a cone shape — this is your ice cream cone. Use a ball of yarn or a large pom-pom as the "ice cream scoop" on top.
Start the activity by holding the cone and saying: "I'm going to share my ice cream with [child's name]." Then pass the cone to that child.
That child passes it to the next child and says the same phrase with the next child's name.
Repeat around the whole circle until everyone has had a turn.
Why This Activity Works
The physical act of passing the cone connects the language of sharing to a real gesture. For young children, this kind of embodied learning — doing the thing while saying the thing — helps the concept stick much more than discussion alone.
The repetitive phrase also gives reluctant speakers a safe structure. Every child says the same sentence, so no one has to come up with their own words. Children who are shy often find this kind of scripted, supported participation much more comfortable.
Frequently Asked Questions
What if a child doesn't want to pass the cone?
Completely fine — offer them the choice to pass quietly without saying the phrase, or to hold it for a moment before passing. Social-emotional activities work best when participation is never forced.
Can we do this activity without the book?
Yes, though the book sets up the context beautifully. If you don't have a copy, you can simply start by talking about a time someone shared something with them, then move into the activity.
How many children can participate at once?
This works well for circle groups of any size — 5 to 25 children. Larger groups just mean more turns to practise the sharing phrase, which isn't a bad thing!