5 Ways to Encourage Summer Reading

Summer may be ending within a month, but that’s a valuable month your kids could be using to read during. If you’re a parent and you find you are having a hard time getting your child to read, you’re not alone. A recent report shows that the amount of children who are frequent readers has declined. A lot of this has to do with the digital world we now live in. Kids are surrounded by screens of all sorts, whether these are phones, video games, computers, or tablets. While there is nothing wrong with kids consuming social media and playing video games, these activities build fewer skills than reading does.

But how do you encourage your reluctant child to pick up a book during the summer? We have the answer!

1.      Introduce them to summer reading programs. They may be starting late, but they still have a whole month to participate. It is likely your local library has some sort of summer reading program going on. It could involve reading for prizes, different reading challenges, story events, and more. A summer reading program is a great way to get kids more interested in reading.

2.      Encourage kids to pick out what types of books they want to read. Don’t push them to stick to a summer reading list. Your kid is much more likely to read voluntarily if they are allowed to pick out the books they want. Take them to the library and let them go wild. Drive them to the bookstore and let them find a book or two they’d like to take home. Giving your kid the freedom to find their own reading materials will make reading feel less like an assignment.

3.      Keep reading materials around your house. This includes more than just novels. Have magazines accessible. Newspapers. Vacation guides. When we think or reading we think of books, but that’s not the only medium out there. Show your kids how much reading there is to be done just by having these materials around your home.

4.      Connect with your kids, and allow kids to connect with others, through books. One great way to do this is to read the same books your kid reads so you can talk about it, or simply let them tell you all about the story. There are book discussion groups just for kids as well. You can also encourage your kids to share their favorite books with friends to encourage connection. When kids have someone to talk about reading with, they are more likely to enjoy it.

5.      Be a positive role model by reading yourself. You can’t tell your kids to read if you never spend any time reading yourself. And no, don’t just read newspapers in the morning. Read novels after dinner. Take a book with you to the beach. Browse a magazine in your downtime. If kids see you reading, they are more likely to model your behavior. 

An Educational Summer

The school year is coming to an end soon, meaning your students will have much more free time on their hands. All of us remember the joys and freedom of summer vacation, but one of the pitfalls is that it allows students to be lazy and disengage their mind.

As an educator, there is nothing you can do about this. What you can do is offer up some potential activities your students may engage in over their summer vacations that will keep them thinking. You may even choose to send this list on to your students for next year. You could offer an incentive for students that choose to participate.

1.      Get your students reading over the summer. While many students may dislike reading while in

school, summer opens up tons of new opportunities. First off, they will be able to choose any book they want, versus books they are assigned. They have entire libraries and book stores to explore at their leisure. Speaking of leisure, they have plenty of time over the summer to read at their own pace. Take some time to explain different genres of books and graphic novels to students and they may be encouraged to branch out and get reading.

2.      Encourage students to volunteer. The earlier a child starts volunteering, the more likely they are to give back to their community in the future. Volunteers must meet specific requirements, but there are tons of opportunities for them. Some examples include: planting flowers in parks, visiting a nursing home, sorting food at food pantries, and helping out at an animal shelter.

3.      Tell students about some of your hobbies, and encourage them to pick up a new one themselves. A new hobby will require students to use their brains to learn, follow instructions, and more. Some hobbies that are great for kids include cooking, learning a musical instrument, drawing, and crafting.

4.      Speaking of hobbies, encourage student writing. This can be a journal, a short story…anything that gets students writing. Put together a list of writing prompts that students can take home with them at the end of the year.

    5.      Give students some options for summer fun that are in your local area. Promote museums, which are a family favorite activity and educational. Maybe try talking up the zoo, instructing students to actually take some time to read about the animals. There’s tons of fun activities students can partake in that are also educational.

    6.      Make a calendar of educational events happening in the community to give to students. These can include day camps, events at parks, exhibits, concerts, and more. It’s an easy, visual way to catch student’s and parent’s attention.

Summer vacation is a great time for your students to relax after a long school year. But it is also a time for them to continue to use their minds and develop. Do what you can to encourage this before they leave your classroom!

Creative Summer Activities

We’re right in the middle of summer, and some kids might be getting a bit bored. Or are you just looking for something more creative to do that your kids will be talking about for ages? We’ve compiled a list of ten creative activities you can do this summer that kids will love.  

1.       Put some time and energy into creating a box house with your kids. You can make all different sizes, and this house can be as easy or complex as you want. For the youngest kids, all you need is a large appliance box and a box cutter to make some windows and a door. If you want something bigger, you can make the frame and roof of the house with multiple boxes. Kids can help make it too! Let them draw where they want windows and doors, color on details such as window sills and curtains, and more!

2.       Be prepared for summer storms with a rainy day box. It’s really simple! Just fill a box with indoor things for rainy days. This way kids won’t default to watching TV shows and movies for the whole day. Great items to go into this box are board games, coloring books, craft kits, books, and more. Update the box after every rainy day with new items.

3.       Plenty of kids run a lemonade stand in summer. Why not try something different, such as a bake stand? Kids can bake a small variety of treats such as cupcakes and cookies, then set up a stand. They can even offer lemonade as well! This makes the stand a multiple day activity, with all of the baking.

4.       Another fun idea that really utilizes kid’s creativity is to have them roleplay. Most kids engage in roleplay activities with items such as play kitchens, but push it further. Make the roleplay fresh. Have kids do a super hero plot, with someone as the hero, villain, and victim! Kids can dress up, use household items as props, or even make props for the occasion. Some other creative options include witches/wizards, western, and medieval times!

5.       Make a nature scavenger hunt for your kids. All you have to do is type up some items then take your kids outside or to the park to find everything. Need some examples of things to have kids hunt for? Send them searching for items such as sticks, multiple types of leaves, something green, different sized rocks, and more!

6.       Help your kids create something magical by working on a fairy garden together. This project will likely take you a few days and requires some planning. First you’ll need to find the right section of yard or container for your garden. Next you will have to get ideas for the garden so you can gather supplies. What does your kid want? A pond? A cave? Once you gather the materials, all that’s left to do is put it all together. If you want a detailed tutorial there’s tons of them online.

7.       Create a water park in your backyard! Put together different water activities. Set up the sprinkler, fill the baby pool, lay out the slip n’ slide, as well as any additional things you can think of! You could set up a water balloon and water gun stand, or make it like a real water park with a section of lawn chairs for resting in the sun. If you want to get very creative, you could even set up a snack station outside to serve as the food court!  

8.       Another great indoor activity is a themed movie night. Choose one or two movies, both centered around a similar topic, and make an event of it! For example, what if you choose two movies about magic? Make some snacks such as wizard hat cupcakes, and have everyone make their own wands to bring for the evening. What about a movie about animals? Have everyone wear something with an animal on it, such as a T-shirt. Have a big container of animal crackers for snacks. There’s tons of options with this one!

9.       Have fun with chalk in a new way! Are your kids bored of chalk? Try to challenge them! Have them pick out an art piece they like and print a picture of it. Your child can then try to re-create it in chalk. This will be more difficult and will likely occupy kids for a while.

10.   Celebrate cooking in a new way with a mud kitchen outside. Give your child several pots and pans, as well as some dishes to play with. We recommend old ones you no longer plan to use. Then have kids mix up their own “meals” using items from outside. Fill jars with dirt and sand. If you have any empty spice containers, fill them with pebbles, small sticks, and torn up leaves. Now kids can mix up “food” without using any actual ingredients.

There you have it! These great ideas are sure to keep young ones entertained. Give them a try next time your kids are looking for something new to do.

Summer Activities for Kids!

We’re right in the middle of summer, and while some kids might still be having a blast, some might be bored. Everyone hates to hear that word. Sometimes it might be tempting to just let them sit inside and watch TV, but do something different! 

Constantly taking children to theme parks, the movies, the zoo, and more can eventually get fairly pricey. Instead, we’ve compiled a list of 10 cheap summer activities that will stop boredom in its tracks!

1.       Lemonade stand

This traditional summer activity is seen more and more rarely. Not only will it give your children something to do, but it will help them learn the value of earning money! A lemonade stand is easy to construct with a small, fold out table, or if you feel ambitious, build a proper one yourself! If children set up the stand out front, simply keep an eye on them. If they wish to venture to a busier street make sure to go with or send an older sibling or babysitter with them. This activity can last them all day.

2.       Make a fort

What kid doesn’t love forts? This activity is great for both inside and outside. Forts can be built from all sorts of materials such as blankets, pillows, sheets, cardboard boxes, plywood, and more! Building the fort itself will occupy young ones for a while. Next encourage them to decorate the inside. Children can have snacks, play games, or nap inside their forts. This is another activity that could keep them occupied all day!

3.       Have a themed picnic

Picnics are a common summer activity, but have you ever tried a themed picnic? Themed picnics are a great way to make a day out even more special. Themes can be food based, or can extend to the activities and dress code as well! Need some examples? How about food from around the world? Or sports, with tons of games to play? Maybe try circus, with fun circus foods like cotton candy, popcorn, and more. There is tons of room for creativity, so this event can be repeated simply by choosing a new theme!

4.       Sprinkler

If you don’t have a pool and don’t feel like dragging yourselves to one across town, then a sprinkler is a great option. Simply set it out in the yard on a hot day, have kids change into swimsuits, and let them at it! Suggest games such as water Simon says or “fill the cup”. Take occasional breaks for the kids to snack and dry off.

5.       Library

If your kids are readers you’ve probably already made stops to the library this summer. If not, now is the time to encourage children to go! Reading is a very important skill and with so much free time in summer children should be encouraged to read. Let them pick out a couple books they like. This is a great way to spend a rainy day instead of watching TV.

6.       Free concert in the park

A lot of community parks, cafes, and more offer free concerts during the summer months. The best way to find out about these is to check your community calendar. Music can range from classical, to jazz, to rock, and much more. A fun event for the whole family!

7.       Camp in the backyard

Camping at a campsite can get expensive and chaotic, but camping in your own backyard is free and close to home! Set up a tent and sleeping bags, have a campfire, and let the evening begin! Before dark play games in the yard. If you can have a fire, roast hotdogs and Smores. If not, grill and eat outside! After dark it’s time to sing some campfire songs and tell ghost stories. Keep the technology inside and forget you’re not in the woods! 

8.       Make your own at home movie theater

Sometimes, kids just need a break from the heat, or there’s a string of rainy days. If you want to involve technology make it unique! Pick a day along with a selection of movies and turn your living room into a movie theater. Set up a concession stand with candy, popcorn, and soda. If you’re aiming to be healthier, opt for some fruit and juice, with maybe just one unhealthy snack for the day. Then close the blinds, turn off the lights, and enjoy a movie experience without the high cost!

9.       Write and illustrate a book

This is another great indoor activity for summer. Staple some pages together and let your child write and illustrate their own book! Older children might not need illustrations, but younger children will enjoy making their project a picture book. If kids are stuck there are tons of writing prompts online! Encourage them to use their imagination, whether they’re making their own fantasy story or re-telling a family vacation. Then share the stories with the rest of the family! 

10.   Make an obstacle course in the yard

An obstacle course is a great way to keep kids active in a fun way! Create an obstacle course for your kids or encourage them to design their own. Obstacle courses can easily be made from items you have around your house. Some examples? Use a piece of wood as a balance beam.  Toss beanbags into a laundry basket or box. Crawl under tables or benches. You are limited only by your imagination! 

And there you have it! Ten ways to entertain your kids this summer! Make sure to keep an eye on this blog for more tips like this, product features, and free printables!

Tips for a Fun and Safe 4th of July

Where are you spending the 4^th of July? The park? The beach? If you have a long drive ahead of you, you’ll need something to keep the kids entertained. Here’s a free summer word search printable from Teacher’s Square!  This word search is a great activity for kids with a beach theme, which is great for summer! http://www.teacherssquare.com/PDF/Teacherssquare/FunAtTheBeachWordSearch.pdf

 

But there’s a lot more that goes into a celebration besides just surviving the journey there. Below we’ve compiled some tips to keep you and your children safe during the 4^th of July, no matter where you’re celebrating.

Tips for:

Spending the 4^th at the Park

- Arrive early. A lot of people head to the park to watch fireworks, picnic out, and have some fun family time. If you want a good spot you need to arrive long before the fireworks begin.

-Bring food. Anyone will get hungry while spending a full day at the park. You should pack a variety of foods. Bring sandwiches for a meal, but also bring things to snack on such as pretzels, apples, and anything else you can think of!

-Choose somewhere with bathrooms nearby. This is especially important for those of you with younger children, who will need a bathroom and need it right away. It might be a good idea to bring toilet paper, as bathrooms tend to run out quickly on holidays. 

-Use a lot of sunscreen. This not only prevents sunburns, which can ruin a fun day out, but it also helps to prevent skin cancer. Teach your children early about being safe in the sun.

 -Bring entertainment to last the whole day. Some examples? Footballs, soccer balls, Frisbees, books, magazines, cards, and tons more.

- Keep a close eye on kids. Let them run around and play, but children, especially young ones, are more likely to get lost in large crowds. Relax, but be wary.

Spending the 4^th at the Beach

-Bring sunscreen and apply it often. You and your children will be in the sun a lot, so it’s important to keep skin protected.

-Bring water. Staying hydrated in the heat is essential. It is easy for children in particular to get dehydrated and overheated.

 -Have a change of clothes for the fireworks. Not only will it be more comfortable, it will save time after the fireworks end. You can head straight for the car instead of joining the lines of people going to change.

 -Bring food or money for beachside dining. You can’t forget to eat!

-Keep a close eye on kids, especially when they’re playing in the water. Drowning is a serious risk while playing at the beach, especially if you’re at the ocean instead of a lake. Tides can pull inexperienced and experienced swimmers alike out into deeper water. If your children are younger, go with them into the water or send an older sibling with who can watch them.

Spending the 4^th at Home 

-Shop in advanced. It will only stress you out if you have to run to the store on the 4^th to get things for the day. Have that done already.

-Have games for kids. Whether you make up activities, have yard games, or indoor games, make sure there’s plenty of entertainment to keep kids happy.

 -Practice grill safety at all times if you’re cooking out.

-Watch fireworks from your yard or on TV to celebrate.

- If you have sparklers at home, make sure to use them safely. Children under 12 really should not be allowed to hold them, and any child playing them should be monitored carefully.

- If you may legally use consumer fireworks, do so with extreme caution. Fireworks are dangerous. Keep children back and plan for all types of situations before attempting to set off your own fireworks.

There you have it! We at www.teacherssquare.com wish you all a very happy 4^th of July! Have fun!