The Ice Pop Mistake | ESL Warm- Up Speaking Game

The Ice Pop Mistake is an A2 English speaking warm-up for kids. Students read a short story about Frank Epperson, who invented the ice pop in 1905 when he was 11 years old by leaving a drink with a stick outside on a freezing night. Then they play 5 speaking games: true or false, a problem-solving game, a flavor mixing lab, an ice pop stand role-play, and a story scene maker. It takes about 15 to 25 minutes and works online, in person, for homeschool, or for self-study.

What’s inside 

• Reading: a short A2 story about Frank Epperson and the first ice pop, with Words to Know, a Fun Fact, a tongue twister, and More Questions
• Words to Know: mistake, mix, frozen, lick, melt
• Game 1, True or False: students check facts and find proof in the text
• Game 2, Help Frank!: problem cards with A, B, or C choices; students explain why
• Game 3, Frank’s Flavor Lab: mix two flavors, name the ice pop, and decide if you’re brave enough to eat it
• Game 4, Frank’s Crazy Customers: students run Frank’s ice pop stand for a penguin, a pirate, an alien, and more
• Game 5, The Freezing Night Scene Maker: pick three cards and tell the story of something else that froze by mistake

Speaking skills: giving reasons with “because,” would/wouldn’t, describing taste, making choices, past simple storytelling, and simple role-play.

FAQ 

What level is The Ice Pop Mistake? A2. The reading, vocabulary, and game prompts are all written for A2 learners, around ages 8 to 12.
How long does the warm-up take? About 15 to 25 minutes. You can also play just the reading and one or two games for a 5 to 10 minute opener.
Who invented the ice pop? Frank Epperson, an 11-year-old boy from San Francisco, made the first ice pop by accident in 1905. Years later he sold them as “Epsicles,” and his kids called them “Pop’s sicles,” which became Popsicle.
Can I use it in online lessons? Yes. Open it and share your screen. It works for online classes, in-person classrooms, homeschool, and self-study.
Does it need any prep? No. Everything is built in: the reading, vocabulary pop-ups, questions, and all five games.