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“Mashed Potatoes” – A Silly Listening Game

Did you know that listening comprehension is directly related to reading comprehension? It’s true! But helping your child build listening comprehension skills doesn’t have to be boring.

Here is a fun—and sort of silly—way to work on listening skills with your children.

download Mashed Potatoes - a silly listening game

Instructions for “Mashed Potatoes”

  1. Download and print the mashed potatoes, question cards, and serving spoon.
  2. Cut out the activity pieces and laminate for extra durability.
  3. Gather around the table and get ready to giggle!

Playing “Mashed Potatoes”

Place the question cards in a pile on the table.

mashed potatoes listening game playing pieces

Explain to your child that you’re going to ask some questions, but that the answer to every question must be mashed potatoes!

dad asking questions in mashed potatoes listening game

Read a question to your child.

What do you use to wash your hair?

And wait for the silly answer.

Mashed potatoes!

Boy laughing at answer in mashed potatoes listening game

As you play, encourage your child to visualize each silly scenario as he answers the questions. For some added fun, your child can pretend to eat a big spoonful of mashed potatoes as she answers each question.

girl eating mashed potatoes in game

More Ways to Play

Don’t be afraid to get silly with this activity. Here are a few additional ideas:

  • Have your child help you think of more questions to ask.
  • Instead of answering mashed potatoes, come up with some other silly answers such as broccoli soup, chocolate pudding, or applesauce.
  • Play this game at the lunch table and take a bite of real mashed potatoes after each question is answered!

Is there a silly listening game that you enjoy playing with your child? I would love to hear about it in the comments below!

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Kathy Doby

says:

My grandson loves silly games like this! He can’t wait to read the phrases or sentences in our lessons because we try to add “Superman underwear” in as much as we can. Sometimes the visual is really funny! “The yak ambled sadly in his Superman underwear, and let out a sigh” lol

Robin

says: Customer Service

Kathy,
It sounds like your grandson is a funny kid! What fun you both must have!

Julie Chacon

says:

I love all your games! They make homeschooling so much easier

Robin

says: Customer Service

Thank you, Julie! It’s wonderful to hear our games and activities are so enjoyed!

Jen

says:

I’ve been grateful for these game suggestions… they help my reluctant son be more engaged!

Robin

says: Customer Service

Jen,
I’m happy to hear these games are helpful to keep your son engaged!

sam

says:

My kids really enjoy this game and if you have not played it you should.

Robin E.

says: Customer Service

It’s always great to hear that our games and resources are enjoyed by students, Sam! Thank you.

Joo

says:

amusing~~

Robin E.

says: Customer Service

Thank you, Joo!

Mojca Koncilja

says:

Like it. I live in Slovenia. We play the game ,,without trousers,, in the same way with children. LOL. I will try your ,,mashed,, in school. Thank you!

Robin E.

says: Customer Service

You’re welcome, Mojca!

Nanna Joan

says:

This is so much fun and the kids love playing it.

Robin E.

says: Customer Service

Thank you for letting us know that your kids have enjoyed this game, Joan!

Caylie

says:

This is such a great idea for children to listen and laugh

Corina Forzani

says:

I absolutely love this game. I will be playing this game with my students next week as an ice breaker.

Robin E.

says: Customer Service

What a fun way to break the ice, Corina! I’d love to hear how your students responded to the game.

Windi

says:

Please send me download of mashed potato, many thanks.

Merry

says: Customer Service

Hi Windi,

You can download it by clicking on the large “download now” button up near the top of this post. If you have any trouble, email me at support@allaboutlearningpress.com and I’d be happy to help :-).

Paula

says:

My children and I watched the game on your YouTube channel. They are looking forward to playing; Th ask you for the printables.

Robin E.

says: Customer Service

I love that the video helped get your children excited about playing, Paula.

Sheeba

says:

Loved it!

Nikki

says:

Love this! Great Thanksgiving ideas!

Steph T

says:

My 5 year old pre-reader loves mashed potatoes, so when this game came in my email I saved it until we had time. I finally got it printed out and surprised her this morning during our reading time. We were both giggling so much that her 3 year old sister came to see and her 4 month old sister started giggling too. At supper time we brought out the game to share with the rest of the family. We passed around the “potatoes” and took turns answering questions and laughing at each other. It’s such a simple and silly activity, but my hubby, who is a fun-loving elementary school teacher, kept the laughs going as he made up new questions. Even our teens were involved with the silliness. When I first read the rules for the game I wondered, “that’s it?” Yeah, that’s all it took to have a little fun! I’m sure we’ll have jokes about mashed potatoes ongoing now. I love All About Learning products and all the awesome support you provide here on the blog. Thank you!

Robin E.

says: Customer Service

Steph,
Thank you so much for taking the time to share how this game worked with your family and just how much it was enjoyed. I love, love, love that even the baby got giggles out of it! ?❤

Mia

says:

This game would be great for my ELL population. It would create a fun and hilarious environment for them to practice speaking English.

Beth

says:

Thank you for this silly game that we are having so much playing!

Merry

says: Customer Service

LOL, you’re welcome, Beth! So glad you’re having fun with it!

Kristen A.

says:

This is going to be great! Thank you for the idea!

Rosie

says:

So cute!!! I’m chuckling just thinking about how much fun it is! And would be even better with some real mashed potatoes – yum!

Merry

says: Customer Service

Ooooh, now you’re making me hungry! I’ll bet your kids would love that, Rosie!

Maren Bryan

says:

I think my boys would get a hoot out of this one. Thanks!

Lisa

says:

This would be so fun with little guys. We will have to try it.

LeAnn Bowers

says:

This sounds like so much fun! Printing and laminating now!

Robin E.

says: Customer Service

Have fun with this game, LeAnn! I hope you get a lot of use out of it. ?

Beth

says:

THis has been great fun! Thank you!

Fathuma

says:

Simon says

Robin E.

says: Customer Service

Yes, Simon Says is a great came for practicing listening closely! Thanks for mentioning it, Fathuma.

Jackie

says:

Adorable! I can visualize a lot of giggling!

Allie

says:

This looks like a great game!

Allie

says:

This looks like a great game

Kelly

says:

Fun idea! Great listening activity.

Elizabeth

says:

Very fun! We will be trying this out tomorrow!

Cheryl Lehman

says:

This sounds really fun!

Thia

says:

I love this fun listening game, thanks!