Judging by my 14 year old, teenagers usually prefer to chose their own books. This is understandable. When I was headed off to high school, I wouldn’t have wanted my mom to hand me a 9th grade summer reading list. Nevertheless, I made one anyway, ha ha ha! If you’ve already been looking for a…
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3rd Grade Summer Reading List (Ages 7-9)
Rising third graders have a great opportunity in the summer to start exploring chapter books! Developing readers can read leisurely without the pressure of other school work and their literacy skills will skyrocket at this age. I know that my younger son’s reading took off when he was nearing 8 years old. This 3rd grade…
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2nd Grade Summer Reading List for 6-8 Year Olds
Want to inspire your rising second grader to read this summer? Give them a stack of books from this 2nd grade summer reading list. 7 and 8 year olds (and some 6 year olds, too) may be starting to enjoy longer books and summer is a great time for these new readers to explore a…
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1st Grade Summer Reading List for 5-7 Year Olds
This first grade summer reading list is aimed at children ages 5-7 and includes both picture books and beginning reader books. Children this age still love picture book read alouds and I encourage you to spend a lot of time this summer reading aloud. I decided to stick to a folktale theme for the picture…
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Kindergarten Summer Reading List (4-6 Year Olds)
The summer before kindergarten is a bittersweet time. Kids may be feeling a little grown up and excited about starting school with the big kids. Or, they may be filling a little trepidatious about the prospect of spending more time away from home. You can ease the transition by spending lots of time bonding with…
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17 Children’s Books about Summer Camp!
Do your kids go to summer camp? Whether your kids are headed off to camp for the first time or they are summer camp veterans, they will enjoy these picture and chapter books about summer camp. Use these books to help allay anxieties about heading off to a new place and having to make new…
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Game of the Month: Zangle!
Do the following family game night criteria sound familiar? A game the whole family can enjoy. A game that works the brain but is not so difficult the adults will always win. A game that does not require reading or math skills so younger kids are not at a disadvantage. A game that is flexible…
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May Read Aloud Books that Aren’t about Spring!
These May read aloud books aren’t about May flowers, spring, Memorial Day, the end of school or anything else you might associate with the merry month of May. May does always seem to be the most cheerful of months, doesn’t it? I liked making these monthly read aloud lists because I can share stellar books…
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18 Seek and Find Books for Kids
Seek and Find books have come a long way since I Spy and Where’s Waldo! Although those classics remain wonderful books to keep your kids busy, I’ve found some interesting new seek and find books that will give your kids’ visual perception skills a workout, teach them patience and encourage them work towards a goal….
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The Best Silent Movies to Watch with Your Kids
When your kids ask for screen time, exactly how much begging can you take before you give in? 2 minutes? 10? Do you hold your ground despite their determination to wear you down? I’ve developed a thick skin during my career as “the mean mom who limits screen time,” so my kids know I mean…
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