The story of Dumbo provides a safe way to discuss important themes with children of all ages. This leader pack includes conversation starters and guided group activities centered around celebrating differences and individual strengths. Activities aim to encourage socialization, self-esteem, and recognizing qualities in others.

1. Guided Group activities
Leader Pack
The simple and endearing story of the little
elephant with big ears provides a safe forum for
discussing a wide range of themes and topics with
children of all ages.
© 2011 Disney

2. Table of
contents
Utilize this wide array of materials in support of your
guided group efforts to Celebrate Differences!
Table of Contents
Group Leader Tips 2
Conversation Starters 3
Elephants & Mice 4
My Big Ears 4
I Like Everyone Who... 5
I Can Fly! 5
I Love My… 6
Circle Of Support 6
‘Magic Feather’ 7
Collage 7
Talent Quiz 8
Celebrate Me 9
Cutout Tools 10-13
Stationary 14
Group Leader Tips
Working with various groups can be a very rewarding experience – whatever the age or dynamic!
View the story of DUMBO together as a group, then encourage discussion about the films
central themes. Expand on the discussions from the conversation starters enclosed and use
some of these suggested guided group activities to reinforce the timeless themes of DUMBO.
These activities are for encouraging interaction, team-building, self-esteem building and for
recognizing sensibilities within ourselves and others.
Try throwing a ‘Celebrate Differences’ Party by serving DUMBO themed snacks and recipes!
Below are a few tips to make your activities more effective and enjoyable:
• Be sure to have the attention of the entire group.
• Stand where everyone can see you.
• Utilize other adults to assist if necessary.
• Be sure everyone fully understands the activity and knows what is going to happen.
• Plan ahead and have several activities ready so you can keep enthusiasm going and transition from one to another.
• Adjust ‘rules’ or game parameters as needed within each situation.
• Utilize whatever materials you have available. If something is missing – improvise! It’ll add to the fun!
• Never underestimate the importance of play in group bonding.
© 2011 Disney

3. Group Leader
conversation Starters
The simple and endearing story of the little elephant with
big ears provides a safe forum for discussing a wide range of
themes and topics with children of all ages.
Enjoy watching the story of DUMBO together in small or large groups. Then, utilizing the
character of little Dumbo as an example, begin exploring the following topics through group
discussion and guided activities:
Examine important values, themes and facets of life including:
• The meaning and importance of true friendships.
• Turning weaknesses into strengths.
• Acceptance and affirmation of who we are as individuals.
• The discovery of individual talents.
• The importance of belief within ourselves and our unique capabilities.
• Celebrating with others what is uniquely different about each of us.
• Exploring empathy for others.
• The discovery of a wide range of emotions within ourselves and others.
• Believing in yourself.
Explore the dynamics of relationships, such as:
• The bonding love between Mrs. Jumbo and little Dumbo.
• The unfriendly elephants who gossip and make fun of Dumbo.
• The unlikely, but important friendship of Timothy Mouse and Dumbo.
• The clowns who see Dumbo as their ticket to fame and fortune.
• The group of friendly crows who help Dumbo with a ‘Magic Feather’.
Thru Dumbo’s experiences, safely introduce and explore difficult topics that children can be
confronted with today, such as:
• Jealousy
• Name-calling
• Gossiping
• Bullying & teasing
• Isolation
• Defining self-identity
• Fitting-in
Discuss the importance of Dumbo’s ‘Magic Feather’:
• How does the ‘Magic Feather’ help Dumbo?
• Does Dumbo really need a ‘Magic Feather’?
• What important discovery do Dumbo and Timothy make about the ‘Magic Feather’?
• Do you need a ‘Magic Feather’ to accomplish your dreams?
Remember: “The very things that held you down are gonna carry you up and up and up!!”
- Timothy Mouse
© 2011 Disney

4. Group
activities
1
1 ELEPHANTS & MICE
GROUP SIZE – Larger groups.
FUNCTION – An icebreaker activity to separate a larger group into smaller groups.
PURPOSE – Encourage interaction, socialization and finding similarities and shared interests within larger groups.
ACTIVITY:
1. Group leader announces two contrasting choices such as: Would you rather be an elephant or a mouse?
2. One group stays put while the other moves to their designated area of the room.
3. The group leader continues with additional contrasting choices to achieve the ultimate number of smaller groups.
GROUP LEADER NOTES:
Best options for ‘sorting’ are alternative contrasting choices such as:
• Would you rather travel by flying or travel by train?
• Would you prefer salty peanuts or crunchy popcorn?
• Would you rather read a book or go to a movie?
2
2 MY BIG EARS
GROUP SIZE – Small or Large.
EQUIPMENT – Head, Tail & Trunk cut-out sheets, scissors.
PURPOSE - Recognize strengths and weaknesses in others through humorous group examples and situations.
ACTIVITY:
1. Divide overall group into 3 smaller groups (utilize the ‘Elephants & Mice’ Activity).
2. Give members in each group a set of elephant parts to cut out and wear (see the printable cut-outs) – Ears, Trunks, Tails.
• For smaller groups, give each member a part to cut out and work with.
• For larger groups, one set can be passed around.
3. Have each group with matching parts get together and brainstorm on the following attributes:
• Find 3 challenges or difficulties to your part – (i.e. – ‘my trunk can make it hard to blow my nose!’).
• Find 3 positive strengths to your part – (i.e. – ‘big ears can protect me from the rain!’).
• Discover 3 alternative uses to your part – (i.e. – ‘my short tail can double as a broom’).
4. Bring the groups together and share their discoveries with everyone.
5. As each group presents, have the other groups brainstorm for them on other options.
(i.e. – the Trunk group consider strengths and weaknesses to having the Ears).
GROUP LEADER NOTES:
• Encourage humor as well as ‘acting-out’ or demonstrating each aspect presented.
© 2011 Disney

5. Group
activities
3
3 I LIKE EVERYONE WHO…
GROUP SIZE – 10-20
EQUIPMENT – Chairs, The ‘Magic Feather’ printable cut-out.
PURPOSE – Multiple purposes achieved through group participation in a humorous game, including:
• Learning to find humor in everyday life situations.
• Helping to overcome shyness.
• Creating a supportive group dynamic.
ACTIVITY:
1. Place chairs in a circle with one less chair than the number of participants.
2. Have one volunteer stand in the middle holding the ‘Magic Feather’.
3. The volunteer begins by saying – “I like everyone who…has brown hair” – or – “…can’t whistle”.
4. Those with ‘brown hair’ must get up and switch seats – including the person holding the ‘Magic Feather’.
• The chair you move to cannot be right next to where you were.
• There’ll be a lot of running and scrambling to get to the best seats.
5. Playing ends when the first volunteer is back in the middle again, or until the Group Leader calls end.
GROUP LEADER NOTES:
• Guide the activity – let group members be active while watching for sensitivities.
4
• Encourage laughter and positive attributes.
4 I CAN FLY!
GROUP SIZE – 4-10 or unlimited, but a smaller group works best.
EQUIPMENT – Paper Tablet, Pen or Pencil (see downloadable themed sheets).
PURPOSE – Encouraging interaction, socialization, recognizing skills, strengths and weaknesses within individuals and others.
ACTIVITY:
1. Give each member of your group a piece of paper and a pen or pencil.
2. Have your group members legibly write down 5 things that are unique about themselves such as a special skill, an interest
or an unusual accomplishment. (i.e. I am a good acrobat – or – I know how to fly).
3. The Group Leader collects the lists and numbers each item on each list in a continuous count.
4. Have each member in-turn, pick a number.
5. The Group Leader reads the corresponding statement about that person and the members must decide if the statement is
true or false about the person who picked the statement.
6. When everyone has guessed whether the statement is true or false, the person who picked the number answers.
7. Continue around so all members pick a number and everyone guesses. If it’s a small group, go around several times.
8. Once completed, spend time as a group reviewing who belongs to which talents.
GROUP LEADER NOTES:
• Encourage group members to find things in common with each other.
• This is a good activity for getting to know more about your group members through socialization and interaction.
© 2011 Disney

6. Group
activities
5
5 I LOVE MY…
GROUP SIZE – 4 - 20, but a smaller group works best.
PURPOSE – An introductory activity which encourages socialization and the recognition of unique attributes within
individuals and others.
ACTIVITY:
1. Have group members sit in a circle.
2. The group leader starts by stating their name and then completes the statement “I love my…” with a word that starts with
the same letter as their name. (i.e. “My name is Timothy and I love my Tail”)
3. The next person in the circle introduces themselves in a similar manner and then re-introduces.
all the previous people who have been introduced as well as stating what each person loves about themselves.
4. Continue around the circle until returning to the Group Leader who must then re-introduce everyone in the group in the
same manner.
GROUP LEADER NOTES:
• Make a special effort to remember the last few members names and what they love about themselves as their details may
not be heard as often as the first few members.
6
• Encourage those who may struggle with finding something unique about themselves.
6 CIRCLE OF SUPPORT
GROUP SIZE – 6-20+ generally best with groups that know each other fairly well.
EQUIPMENT – Paper Tablet, Pen or Pencil (see downloadable themed sheets)
PURPOSE – Building self-esteem, encouraging interaction, team-building, socialization, recognizing skills & strengths within
individuals and others.
ACTIVITY:
1. Sit within a circle.
2. Give each member of your group a piece of paper and a pen or pencil.
3. Have each person write their name at the top of their paper.
4. Everyone passes their paper to the person on their right.
5. Write 1 or 2 (or more) positive characteristics about the person whose name is at the top of the paper.
6. After 30 seconds (or more), everyone hands the papers to the right again.
7. Continue until everyone has written on everyone’s page.
GROUP LEADER NOTES:
• Sometimes it’s best to collect all the papers and hand them back to each group member so everyone can share in the
reactions of reading such positive statements.
• Another option, depending on the make-up of the group, is to have each person read their papers aloud.
• Encourage group members to mount or frame their final pages as a strong reminder of positive support.
© 2011 Disney

7. Group
activities
7
7 ‘MAGIC FEATHER’
GROUP SIZE – 6-20+ generally best with groups that know each other fairly well.
EQUIPMENT – A ‘Magic Feather’ (see downloadable sheets)
PURPOSE – Encouraging interaction, team-building and group socialization.
ACTIVITY:
1. Select one person to be ‘it’ – they hold the ‘Magic Feather.’
2. Have the ‘Magic Feather’ person think of an object.
3. One at a time, other members in the group ask the holder of the ‘Magic Feather’ questions, trying to guess what it is.
4. The holder of the ‘Magic Feather’ must answer the question with mentioning the ‘object’ in a statement, but they refer to the
‘object’ as a ‘Magic Feather’ instead.
EXAMPLE: the ‘Magic Feather’ holder has chosen a watch as the object. One of the group members may ask,
“Would you take this object to your friend’s house?” and the reply might be, “My friend already has a ‘Magic Feather’ at their house.”
5. Questioning continues with the ‘Magic Feather’ responses until someone correctly guesses the object.
6. The winner then takes the ‘Magic Feather’ and another round of play continues.
GROUP LEADER NOTES:
• Seat group members either in a circle or in a classroom formation.
• Encourage all members of the group to participate, helping them to retain the clues given.
8
8 COLLAGE ACTIVITY
GROUP SIZE- Smaller groups work best as this is an Individual effort within a group setting.
EQUIPMENT - Table or area where things can get a little messy, lots of old magazines to cut-up, newspapers, fabric scraps,
colored paper, crayons, markers, glitter, stickers, tape, scissors, gluestick, large paper or cardboard sheets.
PURPOSE - Group members will create a work of art that is a expresses who they are.
ACTIVITY:
1. Explain to your group members what a collage is - a visual artform that is an assemblage of various things which then
makes up an entirely new whole.
2. Introduce the specific theme and parameters of this visual art activity as you Celebrate Differences!
3. Give ample time for your group members to find materials and creatively arrange them within their collage.
4. Once completed, have everyone share their creations with the group.
5. Find a location where the group members can display their collages for everyone to see.
GROUP LEADER NOTES:
• Encourage group members to find words and imagery that speaks of who they are and what makes them unique.
• This can be either a very social activity or a very personal exploration, so provide an environment for everyone to
comfortably collage within.
© 2011 Disney

8. Timothy’s Talent
Quiz
Just as Timothy helped little Dumbo discover his ability to soar,
you’ll reach new heights by taking this simple quiz to discover
what direction you might want to fly!
On a beautiful sunny day, you You are happiest when:
would prefer to: A - you’re playing a game or sport-activity that
A - discover a new hiking trail that you’ve never you enjoy.
been on before. B - you can enjoy a quiet afternoon with just a few
B - curl-up with a good book. people around.
C - spend time visiting with your friends. C - you are surrounded by lots of people you love
D - volunteering for a local charity. and who love you.
D - you accomplish all that you set out to.
You are having a difficult time
with a science project, you
decide to:
A - visit a museum to help you learn more about the FIND YOUR
subject.
B - research other ideas and information about this TALENT:
area of science to see if there’s something more
to learn.
C - contact an expert in the subject and talk to them
about what it is they do.
D - work with your teacher to review exactly what it
a You’re an ADVENTURER
Find your place in the sky! You’ll go
is you’re not fully understanding. far with your taste for new experiences
such as travel, journalism or international
It’s time to plan your family business!
vacation, you’d prefer to: You’ve got BRAIN POWER
A - travel to new and far-off destinations. B You delight in the details! Your talents
B - stay at home and relax. might lean towards sciences, writing or
C - visit friends and family that you haven’t seen in a teaching!
long time.
D - visit historical sites and attractions. You’re a PEOPLE PERSON
c Your personality soars! With your social
You and your friends decide to skills, you might pursue the performing
watch a movie, which kind of arts, health care or community service!
film would you prefer to see: You’re an ACHIEVER
A - an action-adventure film. d The skies the limit for you! Once you
B - a science-fiction story. put your mind to it, you can accomplish
C - a light-hearted comedy. many things - in whatever part of the sky
D - a dramatic film. you fly in!
© 2011 Disney

9. My name is
Draw or paste photos expressing what is special about
YOU and display this for everyone to see.
My unique talents!
My favorite thing!
One day I will . . .
The best part of me!
© 2011 Disney

10. cut-outs
© 2011 Disney

11. cut-outs
© 2011 Disney

12. cut-outs
© 2011 Disney

13. © 2011 Disney