The Peanut Plunge
Source: ©2015. Joyce Hemphill, Laura Scheinholtz, and Heather Von Bank and adapted from The Power of Playful Learning.
Supplies:
- 2 paper towel tubes cut into thirds
- Hook portion ONLY from a molded plastic hangers from retail stores
- Individual serving size yogurt cup
- Strip of paper
- String
- Scissors
- Hole punch
- Tape
To play this game you will need a trunk and a peanut.
MAKE:
The Peanut
- Place cup upside down on the table. Tape one end of the strip of paper close to the cup’s bottom.
- Tape the other end of the strip directly across from it creating a loop.
NOTE: The loop needs to be big enough for the hook on the end of the trunk to readily snag it
The Elephant Trunk
- On both ends of each paper tube, punch holes about ½ inch from the openings.

- Prepare the hook.
- Check the hook from the plastic coat hanger for sharp edges. File down any sharp edges.
- Take about 6 inches of string, lay it on the table, place the cut end of the hook in the middle of the string, and tie a knot.
- Secure the string using duct tape.
- Attach the hook to one of the sections of paper tubing.
- Take one end of the string that the hook is on and lace it through one of the holes in one section of paper tube. Tie a knot.
- Take the other end of string and lace it through the opposite hole of that section of paper tube, and tie a knot.
- Snip any long strands.
- NOTE: When held by up by the tube, the hook should hang down from the midpoint of the tube’s opening.
- Attach segments.
- Next, connect the tube with the hook to another section using a 2- to 3-inch piece of string. Thread one end of the string through a hole in one section, the other end of the string through a hole in the other section. Tie. Repeat on the other side of the tube.
- Continue connecting tubes until there are three or four tubes tied together in a strand with a hook dangling at one end.
- For the last two holes of the LAST tube, you will add enough length – about 1½ feet of string to reach behind your head and be able to tie a bow. Take one 1½ foot length of string, thread one end through one of the punched holes, and tie a knot. Take another 1½ foot length of string and do the same with the other hole.
PLAY:
- EACH PERSON MUST HAVE HER/HIS OWN TRUNK. Do NOT share trunks. To don the trunk, position the opening of the last tube over the nose, pull the string up over the ears and behind the head where you will tie it with a bow.
- Identify the start and a designated area storage area or finish line.
- Place the peanut at the starting point.
- Using ONLY the trunk pick up the peanut, carry it to the designated storage area, set it down, and remove the hook – NO hands! NOTE: This is a hands free game. Hands may not guide the trunk.
- Return to the starting point. THEN go back to the storage area, pick up the peanut, and return home.