From the Toysit archive
Guess What Elmo
Meet Guess What Elmo’s moving mouth and daily-topic questions, explore his two hand prompts, and create a paper topic basket for your own guessing game.
The play at a glance
A curious host with something to talk about
Guess What Elmo sits with long red legs in front of him and an open mouth beneath his orange nose. Little object pictures beside him suggest the subjects of his conversations. This Elmo turns familiar things into a daily topic, with questions, recorded answers and a song for the player to enjoy.
One hand starts the topic, the other starts a song
The Fisher-Price guide directs players to squeeze Elmo’s right hand for the day’s subject. Further squeezes bring topic phrases and questions, then recorded answers or more phrases. His left hand starts the “Elmo’s World” theme song. His mouth moves with the talking and singing.
That sequence gives a player room to join in: listen to a question, offer an answer aloud and squeeze again to hear Elmo’s next recorded response. A second player might contribute another idea or draw something connected to the subject.
Everyday things become a topic
The guide lists hats, balls, shoes, fish, birthday cakes, bananas and bugs. It describes a clock that randomly selects one of the seven subjects every 24 hours. Each topic offers a familiar starting point for looking, remembering and telling a little story.
Imagine a hat going on a journey. Who wears it? Where do they put it when they arrive? A birthday cake could lead to an imaginary party, while a fish picture might become the beginning of an underwater adventure. The player invents those extra scenes around the toy’s recorded topic.
Give a clue someone can picture
For a player-made guessing game, choose one object and describe two visible details. A banana might be curved and yellow; a shoe could have laces and a thick sole. Let the listener ask a question before offering a guess.
After the answer, add one new detail together. Perhaps the shoe belongs to a traveler or the banana is going in a picnic basket. This changes a quick guessing turn into the opening of a shared story.
Create a paper topic basket
- Draw a basket and several separate object cards.
- Choose one card and keep the picture facing you.
- Offer two clues about its appearance or use.
- Invite another player to ask a question and guess.
- Reveal the picture, add a story detail and swap roles.
This original activity works alongside Elmo or with the paper cards alone. Players supply the clues, questions and answers for their own game.
The historical record
Original Toysit coverage
The original product account and broader character discussion are preserved below as historical coverage.
Guessing is always fun just like on Elmo's World.
Guess what Elmo is thinking about today? Every day for 7 days Elmo will have a new topic to talk about-just like he does on the show. A magical time clock inside Elmo allows him to announce the topic of the day, say fun phrases, and ask lots of silly questions about that particular theme. Each day when you play with him he will talk about one of the following- shoes, hats, balls, birthday cakes, bugs, bananas and crayons (Elmo will start to repeat the topics after the seventh one). Not only does this adorable plush Elmo talk the way he does on Elmo's World but he looks & moves like he does on the show too. Guess What Elmo is made out of soft, shaggy plush and has long lanky arms and legs. Elmo's mouth also moves as he talks & sings the Elmo's World Theme song.
Elmo, the iconic red Muppet from Sesame Street, has captured the hearts of children and adults alike for generations. One of the key reasons for Elmo's widespread appeal is his childlike innocence and boundless curiosity, which resonates with young viewers. Elmo speaks in the third person and has a simplified way of understanding the world, making it easier for children to relate to him. His segments on Sesame Street often revolve around exploring basic concepts and emotions, helping children learn in a fun, engaging manner. The character's friendly demeanor, high-pitched voice, and infectious giggle make him instantly recognizable and approachable. Furthermore, Elmo often interacts with both Muppet friends and real children on the show, emphasizing inclusivity and community. His ability to engage with complex topics in a way that is accessible and comforting to young minds has solidified Elmo's place as a beloved icon in children's entertainment.
Sources and editorial notes
The complete 90677-0920 instruction sheet identifies model 90677 and provides the hand controls and daily selection described here. Its seven topics include fish, and its clock chooses randomly every 24 hours. Mattel’s product prose and Toysit’s original account instead list crayons and suggest a seven-day sequence; the new profile follows the operating sheet, while the earlier text remains in the historical section. The small photograph supports the general toy appearance but does not settle an edition difference. The paper guessing activity is original; no physical testing was performed.
- Mattel: Guess What Elmo, 90677 — Manufacturer product description and photograph reviewed.
- Fisher-Price: Guess What Elmo instruction sheet — Complete guide visually reviewed; model 90677.
Images and descriptions are retained as historical material. How Toysit covers toys.
Created for Toysit by Tabbloza — the artwork in our header.