Hands-on Elmer the Elephant fine motor activity using unifix cubes! Kids build a colorful patchwork elephant with a free printable plus a fun elephant trunk sock game.
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Elmer the Elephant is a beloved story about celebrating what makes us unique. In the book, Elmer is bright, colorful, and covered in patchwork squares—something that makes him different from all the other elephants in the herd. This activity brings that idea to life in a hands-on way that combines storytime, fine motor practice, and playful learning.
With a simple printable elephant outline and a set of unifix cubes, kids can build their own colorful patchwork elephant while practicing patterns, color recognition, and hand strength.
My son especially enjoyed this activity, he loved placing the cubes onto the elephant and then switching things up by putting a sock on his hand to pretend he was an elephant and using his “trunk,” he grabbed and moved the cubes around. It quickly turned into a favorite part of the activity and added a lot of laughter and movement to the learning.
About the Book: Elmer the Elephant
Elmer by David McKee is a classic children’s story about an elephant who is anything but ordinary. Elmer is patchwork-colored and full of personality, but he sometimes wishes he could blend in with the other elephants.
When he changes his appearance to try to be “like everyone else,” he realizes that his friends love him most when he is being himself. In the end, Elmer’s uniqueness is celebrated with a joyful festival of color.
This activity connects beautifully to the book’s message: our differences are what make us special. Learn more about this book here.
Elephant Patchwork Cube Building Activity
Supplies
- 🐘 Elmer the Elephant Patchwork Printable (available to download at the end of this post)
- 🧱 Unifix cubes (or other linking cubes like these Learning Resources math cubes)
- 🧦 Sock (optional, for the Elephant Trunk Game)
Optional:
- 📚 Elmer by David McKee
- 🧺 Small basket or bin to hold the cubes for easy setup and cleanup
Directions
Watch this short video to see this activity in action.
Start by printing the elephant outline. Lay it out on a table or learning center and provide unifix cubes in a variety of colors.
Children can “decorate” Elmer by placing cubes directly onto the printable to create a patchwork effect.
This simple setup encourages:
- Fine motor strength (grasping and placing cubes)
- Hand-eye coordination
- Color recognition
- Early patterning skills
🎨 Ways Kids Can Build Their Patchwork Elephant
This activity can be extended in several fun ways depending on age and skill level:
1. Random Patchwork
Let children freely place cubes anywhere on the elephant. This is great for creativity and younger learners.
2. Color Patterning
Encourage patterns such as:
- red, blue, red, blue
- yellow, green, green, yellow
- AB or ABC patterns for older preschoolers and kindergarteners
3. Same-Color Challenge
Choose one color per elephant or section. This helps with color identification and focus.
4. Teacher Prompt Challenge
Call out instructions like:
“Make his body have 5 yellow squares”
“Add 3 blue cubes to Elmer’s ear”
🐘 Elephant Trunk Sock Game (Bonus Fine Motor Play)
To extend the activity into movement and sensory play, kids can turn themselves into elephants!
Give each child a sock to slip over their hand and pretend it is an elephant trunk. Using their “trunk,” they can pick up unifix cubes and move them onto the printable elephant.
This adds an extra layer of:
- Gross motor coordination
- Bilateral coordination
- Strength and control
- Imaginative play
You can also turn it into a simple challenge:
- Can you build a pattern using just your “trunk”?
- Who can move 10 cubes onto Elmer the fastest?
- Can you pick up only red cubes with your trunk?
⭐ Extension Ideas
- Read Elmer before or after the activity and discuss what makes Elmer special
- Have kids create their own “patchwork animal” on paper afterward
- Turn it into a classroom center with a dice (roll and place that many cubes)
- Compare Elmer’s colors with real elephants and talk about camouflage and habitats
More Elephant Ideas to Add to the Fun
Download the Elephant Template Here
Print the Directions
Elmer the Elephant Fine Motor Activity: Patchwork Cube Building (Free Printable)
Materials
- 🐘 Elmer the Elephant Patchwork Printable
- 🧱 Unifix cubes (or other linking cubes)
- 🧦 Sock (optional, for the Elephant Trunk Game)
Instructions
- Start by printing the elephant outline. Lay it out on a table or learning center and provide unifix cubes in a variety of colors.Children can “decorate” Elmer by placing cubes directly onto the printable to create a patchwork effect.This activity can be extended in several fun ways depending on age and skill level:1. Random PatchworkLet children freely place cubes anywhere on the elephant. This is great for creativity and younger learners.2. Color PatterningEncourage patterns such as:3. Same-Color ChallengeChoose one color per elephant or section. This helps with color identification and focus.4. Teacher Prompt ChallengeCall out instructions like:“Make his body have 5 yellow squares”“Add 3 blue cubes to Elmer’s ear”red, blue, red, blueyellow, green, green, yellowAB or ABC patterns for older preschoolers and kindergarteners
- 🐘 Elephant Trunk Sock Game (Bonus Fine Motor Play)o extend the activity into movement and sensory play, kids can turn themselves into elephants!Give each child a sock to slip over their hand and pretend it is an elephant trunk. Using their “trunk,” they can pick up unifix cubes and move them onto the printable elephant.You can also turn it into a simple challenge:Can you build a pattern using just your “trunk”?Who can move 10 cubes onto Elmer the fastest?Can you pick up only red cubes with your trunk?