As the weather begins to cool and we feel that familiar pull to cozy up with our families in our warm homes, there's no better time to pull out a good book or two and share the joy of reading. But for a lot of people, especially children, page after page of words can start to feel dull. For others, the idea of snuggling up with a book just isn't that appealing. The good news is that there are tons of low cost creative ways to encourage reading with your child, and you don't have to be a Pinterest Pro to make the most of them! From challenges to DIYs, I've got you covered, so let's fill our fall season with magical reading moments.
Reading Challenges
1. Pumpkin Patch Picks: Challenge your kids to read books with pumpkin-themed covers or stories set in pumpkin patches. There are a ton of great ones for all age groups, such as Biscuit Visits the Pumpkin Patch for babies, The Pumpkin Who was Afraid of the Dark for preschoolers, Rosco the Rascal Visits the Pumpkin Patch for early school age, and the graphic novel Pumpkinheads for older readers.
2. Fall Foliage Favorites: You could also focus on the seasons and time of year. Encourage reading books about autumn leaves and changing seasons. Some great ones are Playing Through the Seasons: Crunchy Leaves, Cozy Sweaters for babies up to 5 years old or Story Orchestra: Four Seasons in One Day for ages 5+.
3. Creature Comfort Reads: Find stories featuring cozy animal characters, like Touch and Feel Fall for babies and toddlers, Babies in the Forest for ages 1-5, or All Things Bears for ages 6+.
4. Fairytale Fall: Celebrate the enchantment of fall by diving into a world of fairy tales and folklore. There are many great classics, myths, and legends that feature magical creatures and autumnal settings. Maybe the most memorable is The Legend of Sleepy Hollow, which conveniently has a Golden Books version for little kids, a hardback for middle school ages, and a cool illustrated version for older readers.
5. Harvest of Genres: Encourage your kiddos to try reading one book from 4 different genres that are all associated with fall, Mystery, Adventure, Historical Fiction, and Science Fiction. Some good options, in the same order of genre, could be Nancy Drew: The Secret of the Old Clock, The Penderwicks, The Sign of the Beaver, and The City of Ember.
Easy Crafting
1. DIY Bookmarks:
Materials:
- Craft paper or cardstock in fall colors (orange, red, brown)
- Stamps or stickers with fall motifs (leaves, pumpkins, acorns)
- Glue
- Scissors
- Ribbon or twine
Instructions:
- Cut rectangles from the craft paper, approximately 2x6 inches in size.
- Decorate one side of the bookmark with fall-themed stamps or stickers.
- Allow the decorations to dry if necessary.
- Add a ribbon or twine to the top of the bookmark for an extra touch.
- Use your homemade bookmarks to mark your place in fall-themed books.
Other Activities
1. Recipe Reading: Find a nice fall recipe, such as a cozy soup or a pumpkin dessert, that you and your child can make together. Reading the recipes aloud and following the instructions is not only educational but also tasty fun.
2. Storytime Picnic: Sometimes, just a change on scenery can make all the difference. On a crisp fall day, take your reading adventure outdoors. Pack a blanket, a basket of snacks, and a selection of your favorite fall books. Enjoy a story in a local park or your own backyard.
3. Fall-Themed Storytelling: Encourage your child's creativity by having them write or tell their own fall-themed stories. You
can even create a simple "storybook" with their text and illustrations for a keepsake.
Fall is the perfect season to cozy up with your kids and embark on wonderful reading adventures. With these low-cost, easy, and fun activities you will encourage reading and create lasting memories with your family.
Happy reading, and happy fall!
Commentaires