Recipe for Making a “Hullabaloo”

Here’s a family activity that you can do in the car! Invite your child to create a verbal recipe for making a “hullabaloo.”

  • Target Age:  6-8
  • Learning Goals: language and literacy, vocabulary, creative expression, measurement and weight, life skills  
  • Related Episode: Episode 116: Tobey or Not Tobey


In the episode, “Tobey or Not Tobey,” WordGirl and Tobey argue about the meaning of the word, “hullabaloo.” One meaning is “noisy excitement,” but “hullabaloo” can also mean something negative, such as a violent disturbance. Sometimes words have multiple and opposite meanings. In this activity, your child will create an original recipe. However, rather than a recipe for food, this recipe will make a “hullabaloo.”


  • An active imagination!


  1. Remind your child of the definition of “hullabaloo.” Ask him what would make him feel “noisy excitement,” and encourage him to tell you several different things. For example, he might include: “roller coaster rides,” “getting an ‘A’ on a test,” “a surprise party,” or “seeing a friend after a long time.” His ansers will become the “ingredients” of his recipe. The ingredients to not need to relate to one antoher, other than to illustrate “hullabaloo” to your child.
  2. Explain that recipes list their ingredients, with specific amounts noted. Offer a variety of measurements that can be used, such as: teaspoon, tablespoon, pound, a cup of, a dash of, etc.
  3. Now ask your child to tell a measurement for each of his “ingredients.” Encourage him to also use some unusual measurements, like: a ton, a barrel of, a football field of, etc. For example, “a basket of leaping puppies,” “a ton of surprise parties,” “a pinch of giggles.”
  4. Explain that recipes also give directions about how to add and prepare the ingredients.  Suggest some different cooking verbs, such as: “blend,” “stir,” “chop,” “broil,” and “sprinkle.” Ask your child how he would like to prepare his “ingredients,” using some of these verbs. Last, ask him at what temperature and for how long he wants to cook his “hullabaloo.”
  5. Now see if he can put the parts together and tell you the whole recipe.

Take it Further

Now that your child understands the format of a recipe, transform this activity into a car game! All the passengers should take turns thinking of a word, and then coming up with a verbal recipe for “making” it.


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