We have three versions of reading bingo for kids with free, printable BINGO cards. Use the form at the end of the post, titled "Get the Reading Bingo Cards" to enter your email and get the pdf.

Fill out the form below and both BINGO cards will magically appear in your inbox so your kids don't have to waste any time getting started!

NOTE: reading should NEVER EVER EVER feel like a chore. Use these bingo cards wisely. If a child doesn't want to complete them in the traditional way, or wants to abandon them altogether, that's okay! Find a gentle solution that works for your child.

** The first two bingo cards contain an #ownvoices book square. Just after I wrote this post, We Need Diverse Books came out with a statement as to why they are retiring this term. Going forward, I will be following their example.

The post Reading Bingo for Kids: Summer Literacy Fun! appeared first on What Do We Do All Day.

Now your kids can add to that experience with an adorable lemonade stand coloring page from author-illustrator, Melanie Hope Greenberg.

The free, printable coloring page features two children selling lemonade for the low-low price of fifty cents, surrounded by floating lemons.

Printable Lemonade Coloring Page

Print out the coloring page (By clicking on the following link you agree to our terms of service* see end of post) -->: Lemonade coloring sheet

Lemonade coloring page ideas

Coloring pages always make a good, quick way to keep your child occupied, but this lemonade stand coloring page can also be a small business asset! Try one of the following ideas:

1. Pass out free lemonade stand coloring pages to passersby to entice them to buy a cup of lemonade.
2. Hang the coloring pages around the neighborhood with a big arrow pointing in the direction of your stand.
3. Have crayons and blank coloring pages on hand for kids who buy lemonade but whose parents want to stop and yak it up with their fellow-parent-friends.
4. Decorate your lemonade stand with finished coloring pages.
5. Offer a free coloring page with the purchase of a cup of lemonade (or two!)

Note: this post contains affiliate links that may earn commission.

With your cup of lemonade in hand, you'll need some summer reading. Fortunately, Melanie has the perfect summer picture book, Mermaids on Parade! It was selected as a Bank Street Best Book, for the Texas Reading Club, and for PBS Kids Summer Reading Lists. It was named one of the Top Reprints of 2019 by Fuse#8 and an "Essential Brooklyn Book" by the Brooklyn Public Library.

Find the book at: Amazon | Bookshop

About the Illustrator

Melanie Hope Greenberg loves lemonade and always gets a cup from the neighborhood lemonade stand.

She also happens to be an award winning author and illustrator of more than 15 children’s books. She was an Artist-In-Residence at the Eric Carle Museum and her books have been featured as a NY Times Great Children's Read. Her cheerful, vibrant illustrations can be found in books such as Good Morning, Digger, Down in the Subway and A City Is.

One of Melanie's favorite parts of being an author/illustrator is talking about her craft with students at libraries and in classrooms. You can learn more about author visits (virtual or in-person) at her website.

*Terms of Service: this coloring page is used with permission from Melanie Hope Greenberg and is for non-commercial use ONLY. You many print out as many copies as you like for personal, library or classroom use. If you would like to share this coloring page, you MUST link to this blog page. It is expressly forbidden to link directly to the coloring page pdf file.

The post Lemonade Stand Coloring Page appeared first on What Do We Do All Day.

Our bubble wand instructions and recipe for homemade bubble solution will teach you how to make bubble wands that take summer bubble blowing to the next level.

Once you've made your bubble wands using the tutorial, you'll want to use them for all kinds of bubble activities, as well as spending a relaxing afternoon watching babble float against the sky.

Note: this post contains affiliate links that may earn commission.

How to Make Bubble Wands

It's so easy to make and personalize these cute bubble wands!

Materials needed:

• Alphabet Beads, or other decorative beads
• Pipe Cleaners
• Enthusiastic children
• Big batch of bubble solution (see below for a recipe!)

Directions:

Twist the pipe cleaner into the shape you want. We had fun making hearts, circles, and squares.

Be sure to leave a good length of pipe cleaner for a long enough handle.

Thread the beads on the straight end and twist the end into a a small ball so that the beads won't fall off. Use the alphabet beads to personalize the wands with a child's name, a fun saying or cute word.

You can always add differently shaped and colored beads into the mix.

That's it! I wasn't sure if the pipe cleaners would really make good bubbles, but they did! We are all set for summer, now!

Extra ideas:

Personalized homemade bubble wands make great party favors or end of school year gifts for classmates.

MORE: 16 ways to play with water this summer

How to Make Bubble Soap

You'll need some bubble solution to dip your new homemade beaded bubble wands into!

Ingredients

• 2 TBSP dish soap, like Dawn dish soap
• 1 TBSP glycerin
• 1 cup water

Instructions:

Mix everything together in a bowl and pour into a bottle. Be sure the bottle is wide enough to fit your bubble wand. Alternatively, you can pour the bubble solution into a bowl for wand dipping.

Happy summer!

MORE: Retro crafts for kids

The post Cutest DIY Bubble Wands: Personalized and Easy to Make! appeared first on What Do We Do All Day.

This summer picture book list is an eclectic mix of classics and contemporary titles. They feature children and families engaged in classic summer activities like baseball, camp and exploring the beach.

So whatever exciting or relaxed adventures your family is having this summer, be sure to read some of these diverse summer picture books with your kids on those lazy summer afternoons.

Note: this list contains Amazon and Bookshop affiliate links. Purchases made through these links may earn a commission for this blog. Bookshop also supports independent bookstores.

ONE MORNING IN MAINE and TIME OF WONDER by Robert McCloskey

Find it: Amazon (Time of Wonder) | Bookshop (Time of Wonder)

Find it: Amazon (One Morning in Maine) | Bookshop (One Morning in Maine)

I had a hard time choosing between these two books, and so... I didn't! As a kid growing up in California, the summertime experiences in these two books were completely foreign but utterly beguiling. Get your kids daydreaming about lazy summer days free of digital screens and ringing phones. These two books are must-reads for summer. Sure, they are long, but you've got lazy summer days to fill.

THE WORLD BELONGED TO US by Jacqueline Woodson, illustrated by Leo Espinosa

Find it: Amazon | Bookshop

I love this joyous book about the pleasures of an old fashioned summer in the city. Fire hydrants spray water in the streets, kids play tag, jump rope, and get treats from the ice cream truck. Set in the 60s or 70s in Brooklyn, the bouncing refrain and the smiles on the children's faces are pure delight.

MORE: Picture books about summer in the city

HOT DOG by Doug Salati

Find it: Amazon | Bookshop

Look, I'm not a dog person so I wasn't sure that I was going to enjoy this book as much as the hype assured me I would. The hype was right! Anyone can relate to the dog's need to get away from the noisy, crowded and sweltering city streets in summer for a day and head to the beach. Readers will feel a visceral relief as the "hot dog" makes it to the breezy seaside.

A BEACH TAIL by Karen Lynn Williams, illustrated by Floyd Cooper

Find it: Amazon | Bookshop

At the beach, Gregory draws a lion in the sand. His dad tells him to stay near the lion and not to venture into the water. Gregory picks up a stick and begins to draw the lion's tail... a very long tail, right on down the beach. When he realizes he has gone too far his finds his way back by traveling the length of the line in the sand. I like the way the story maintains a balance between natural curiosity, wonder and exploration and the trepidation that a child feels when he realizes he may almost have gone too far for comfort. It's a lovely glimpse of an important childhood moment.

IF YOU WANT TO SEE A WHALE by Julie Fogliano, illustrated by Erin E. Stead

Find it: Amazon | Bookshop

Here's a lovely story about the rewards of patience, imagination, being in the moment, and close observations of one's surroundings — all key qualities of a summer well-spent. This is the perfect summer book to relax with at a picnic in the park.

MORE: Children's Books about Picnics

FLOTSAM by David Wiesner

Find it: Amazon | Bookshop

Summer reading is a good time to take take the opportunity to enjoy the leisurely experience of reading a wordless book. Did you know that wordless books actually help develop reading comprehension and vocabulary? Magical, twisting perspectives invite readers to study Wiesner's exquisite watercolors in this wordless imaginative journey that begins with the discovery of a camera on a beach.

TAKE ME OUT TO THE YAKYU

Find it: Amazon | Bookshop

It wouldn't be summer without eating a few hotdogs in the stands while cheering for your favorite team. Young baseball enthusiasts will love this clever picture book depicting the difference and similarities between American and Japanese baseball.

MORE: Baseball picture books

TRACTION MAN AND THE BEACH ODYSSEY by Mini Grey

Find it: Amazon | Your Library

If you aren't familiar with Mini Grey's Traction Man, you are in for a treat. Read this, the 3rd book in the series, on your beach blanket. This book guarantees lots of giggles (he's got a scrubbing brush sidekick for goodness' sake!) and fodder for imaginative play. I double-dog dare you to resist using your superhero voice when reading it aloud.

THERE MIGHT BE LOBSTERS

Find it: Amazon | Bookshop

This is a cute book about a girl's trip to the beach and how her little dog, Sukie, is afraid to go in the water. The girl works on helping Sukie feel confident and when her favorite toy gets swept out by a wave, the dog can be brave enough to go after it.

HARVEY POTTER'S BALLOON FARM by Jerdine Nolen, illustrated by Mark Buehner

Find it: Amazon | Bookshop

No list of summer books for kids would be complete without a book about a farm. Break out of the box with this amusing tale of an unusual, magical balloon farm. The narrator describes the farm as well as her attempts to discover the secrets of a successful balloon harvest.

A COUPLE OF BOYS HAVE THE BEST WEEK EVER by Marla Frazee

Find it: Amazon | Bookshop

Frazee's popular book about two friends who spend their summer days doing everything and nothing, but having the greatest time ever, deftly captures what summer with friends is all about.

MORE: Summer camp books for kids

THE RELATIVES CAME by Cynthia Rylant

Find it: Amazon | Bookshop

Is your extended family coming for a visit this summer? I hope your reunion is as rowdy, messy, joyous and love-filled as this one. I especially love the illustrations, with overstuffed car bouncing down the narrow, and then the scramble of cousins and family members as they hug and play. Truly wonderful!

The post Picture Books You Need to Read this Summer appeared first on What Do We Do All Day.

I've organized the books in a rough order by read aloud age lowest to highest. Books were selected because I believe they all have something to offer listeners at every age level. If you're reading to preschoolers on up, choose a book from the first half of the list, if you're reading to 3rd grade and up, choose any book from the list, noting that the most advanced read alouds are near the end.

See more seasonal read aloud lists!

• Spring read aloud books for the whole family
• Fall read aloud books everyone
• Winter read aloud books for cozy days

MORE: Check out all our summer reading resources, like reading bingo, the great library challenge and more.

OUR FRIEND HEDGEHOG: THE STORY OF US by Lauren Castillo

Find it: Bookshop | Amazon

What a marvelous book! I have long admired Castillo's illustrations and this gentle chapter book is perfect for kids who like cozy and gentle reads. A storm carries away Hedgehog's stuffed toy dog, Mutty, leaving Hedgehog feeling lonely. She sets out to find Mutty, following clues that lead her to encounters with other friendly animals who help her. Eventually all the creatures meet a human, Annika May, who has lost something of her own. All the animals have charmingly distinctive personalities. With full color illustrations, Castillo's book is also a great read aloud for young children.

MORE: Read Aloud Books that Feel Like a Hug

MCBROOM'S WONDERFUL ONE-ACRE FARM: THREE TALL TALES (series) by Sid Fleischman

Find it: Bookshop | Amazon

Funny books make perfect summer read alouds! These three humorous tales can be read as stand alone stories, so they are perfect for kids who may not have the attention span for longer novels, or those kids who can't stand pausing at the end of a chapter with a cliff-hanger! The hilarious stories feature McBroom and his eleven (!) children, bamboozling, tricksters, as well as wit and wisdom.

NO. 1 CAR SPOTTER by Atinuke

Find it: Amazon | Your Library

This series from the author of the popular Anna Hibiscus series is set in Modern Africa. Oluwalase Babatunde Benson has been nicknamed the "No. 1 Car Spotter" by his friends and family because he loves to watch cars as they drive by the village. He has other talents, too, though, including his quick thinking inventiveness which helps his neighbors and family in tricky situations. I really love this series and highly recommend it.

MORE: Chapter Books to Read Aloud to 3 Year Olds

GOOSEBERRY PARK AND THE MASTER PLAN (series) by Cynthia Rylant, illustrated by Arthur Howard

Find it: Amazon | Bookshop

This is the first book in an early chapter book series which is a companion to the original Gooseberry Park novel. If all your kids are over six, I recommend the original Gooseberry Park. We adored both books. In this title, the colorful cast of animal characters band together during a drought and come up with a plan that involves a cat, a possum, a raccoon, 200 owls, and 20 packs of chewing gum.

SUMMER ACCORDING TO HUMPHREY (series) by Betty G. Birney

Find it: Amazon | Bookshop

This popular series about Humphrey the class pet includes an installment perfect for reading aloud to the whole family during summer. Humphrey is so excited because this year he gets to go with his school class to summer camp! We have primarily listened to this series on audiobook so if you need something to listen to in the car pick this one up. Even older kids might even enjoy a chuckle or two while listening.

MORE: Chapter Books to Read Aloud to 4, 5, and 6 Year Olds

THE CURIOUS LOBSTER by Richard W. Hatch

Find it: Bookshop | Amazon | NYRB

First published in 1937, this title will appeal to fans of books like Wind in the Willows and the Thornton Burgess animal stories, but anyone who loves gentle quirky humor and animal stories will enjoy it. A lobster's curiosity about the world prompts him to leave the ocean in search of knowledge. His adventure begins when he risks the perils of dry land and makes friends with Badger. I am so delighted to have discovered this book! It's the perfect old-fashioned read aloud for summer and the content is appropriate for any age who is ready to sit down and listen to a chapter book.

MORE: August Read Aloud Books to Beat the Heat!

RAGWEED (Poppy series) by Avi

Find it: Bookshop | Amazon

If you want to fill your library bag with great summer read alouds, pick a quality series! We loved Avi's very popular Tales from Dimwood Forest series about a mouse and other woodland creatures. Our first read was Ragweed, about an adventurous mouse who sets out to see the world, meets some cool mice living the good life except for the occasional encounter with a tricky kitty. It was huge hit, (see it on my list of chapter books to read to 4-6 year olds) especially with my then-4 year old who started constantly interrupting conversations throughout the day to tell me "Silversides [the cat] needs to go to jail!" You will be enchanted by the whole series.

SAUCY by Cynthia Kadohata, illustrated by Marianna Raskin

Find it: Amazon | Bookshop

Becca and her three brothers are quadruplets. One day, Becca finds a tiny, mangy little pig and convinces her parents to let her bring it home. Once the family learns from the vet that the pig will eventually be 600 pounds, they agree to allow the pig to stay until it reaches 100, or "maybe 50-60," as her mother warns. As Becca learns to take care of the pig, she also reflects upon some of the choices she has made in life, especially in regards to a friend she feels she has let down. One of the children has cerebral palsy, adding an additional human detail to the family. This is a great family story and Kadohata's narration is superb, as always.

MOOMINSUMMER MADNESS by Tove Jansson

Find it: Bookshop | Amazon

Who doesn't love the Moomins? These classic characters created by Finnish author and illustrator Tove Jansson will warm your heart and tickle your funny bone. One summer after a flood in Moominvalley, the Moomin family take shelter in a floating building that turns out to be a theater! (What could be better?) The plot is full of quirky characters, serendipitous run-ins, and good old-fashioned fun.

THE ADVENTURES OF NANNY PIGGINS (series) by R. A. Spratt

Find it: Bookshop | Amazon

Nanny Piggins is one of the funniest books we've ever read. This Australian import is a series about three siblings whose father is so frugal he hires a pig to take care of them. Nanny Piggins is no Mary Poppins, however.  The enthusiastic circus pig thinks school is overrated, chocolate is a food group and takes the kids on riotous adventures. This is a great book for kids (and adults) who enjoy over-the-top, subversive humor and plain, good fun. If you prefer moral didacticism, move on.

MORE: Books for Kids Who Love Roald Dahl

THE PENDERWICKS (series) by Jeanne Birdsall

Find it: Amazon | Bookshop

It's hard to believe this book was written only a few years ago!  It has all the old-school charm of books like Little Women, Betsy-Tacy or Anne of Green Gables. The Penderwicks, a family of four girls and a single dad rent a house for summer vacation near the Arundel estate. They meet a musically talented boy who lives in the "big house" whose mother isn't so sure she approves of his new frieds. nearby. You'd be hard pressed to remember they exist in the same world as cell phones and Wiis.

THE LAST-LAST-DAY-OF-SUMMER (series) by Lamar Giles

Find it: Bookshop | Amazon

This is a wonderfully quirky book and my 10 year old absolutely loved listening to me read it aloud. Cousins Otto and Sheed live in a Virginia county known for strange happenings. Together they have worked to solve many mysteries but now it's the last day before school starts and they are not ready for summer to be over. They encounter a mysterious man with a camera that stops time and that's when the weirdness really begins! Zany, imaginative, not-a-little-bit-surreal, yet still thoughtful.

MORE: Books about Summer Camp

AN OCCASIONALLY HAPPY FAMILY by Cliff Burke

Find it: Amazon | Bookshop

Theo is not looking forward to a camping vacation with his dad and sister in the desert. It's also clear that something suspicious is going on since his dad is keeping part of the vacation plans a secret. I read this book out loud to my son and although there is a serious side to Theo's story, we spent much of the time in stitches, laughing at the hilarious characters that Theo encounters and the misadventures that befall him.

THE FAMILY FLETCHER TAKE ROCK ISLAND (series) by Dana Alison Levy

Find it: Bookshop | Amazon

We've recommended the first Family Fletcher book, and here's the summer reading sequel! This mixed family of four boys ranging from age 13 to 6, and two dads is headed to their favorite summer spot on an island off the New England. Upon arrival they learn of the closure of the local lighthouse and along with a couple of girls they meet, set out to find out why. Lots of fun, humor, old-fashioned adventures and delight.

THE RHINO IN RIGHT FIELD by Stacy DeKeyser

Find it: Bookshop | Amazon

This is an excellent, funny book for kids who love baseball. Set in the late 1940s, the story follows Nick Spirakis, the son of Greek immigrants, who plays ball with his friends in a field by the zoo. The field contains perils such as Tank the Rhino, who lives just beyond the outfield (where balls occasionally land!). When the local baseball team comes under the control of a new owner, Nick and his friends vie for a spot as batboy. Amidst the humor and action, the story also addresses life as an immigrant, dealing with bullies and the status of girls who play baseball.

MORE: Baseball-Themed Books for Kids

MIDSUMMER'S MAYHEM by Rajani LaRocca

Find it: Bookshop | Amazon

Mix one cup Shakespeare, two cups The Great British Baking Show, a tablespoon of a diverse cast and a sprinkling of magic and you get one perfectly baked magical realism book. 11-year-old Mimi, whose mom is Indian-American and dad is white, loves to bake. She enters a contest with the local bakery but then her father strangely loses his sense of taste and a mysterious boy helps her search for unusual ingredients. Everything goes awry á la A Midsummer Night's Dream and Mimi must figure out why and how to put it right.

ONE CRAZY SUMMER by Rita Williams-Garcia

Find it: Amazon | Bookshop

In 1968, 11-year-old Delphine and her sisters travel from New York to Oakland to stay with the mother who abandoned them seven years earlier.  Their mother, who is not exactly happy to host them, enrolls them in a day care run by the Black Panthers. Williams-Garcia's writing is splendid, with interesting characters. It was a hard-to-put-down kind of book and a great non-preachy story to show kids how politics infuses daily regular life.

TEMPLE ALLEY SUMMER by Sachiko Kashiwaba

Find it: Bookshop | Amazon

Originally published in Japan, Kashiwaba's novel is part summer adventure, part ghost story (not scary at all), part friendship tale. One night, Kazu sees a girl he's never seen before leaving an altar room. The same girl appears at school the next day and everyone but Kazu remembers her and insists she's always been a classmate. Kazu decides to do his summer project on Kimyō Temple Alley, which has links to ghosts and stories about the dead coming back to life. He befriends the mystery girl, Akari, and meets some of the older residents of the neighborhood who help him with his quest to solve the mystery of the alley. A suspenseful story that will introduce families to a fascinating world.

Don't forget to get your summer reading bookmark coloring page! It's a great quiet activity for kids to do while they listen to you read aloud.

The post Perfect Summer Read Alouds appeared first on What Do We Do All Day.

I know summer is supposed to be fun and fancy free, but don't you ever feel completely overwhelmed at the thought of no schedule and having your kids at home with you 24/7?

I'll be the first to admit it. I do.

Which is why it's good to have a backup plan to the simple declaration, "This will be a great summer!"

And I don't mean the backup plan of sending them away to a three month summer camp. (Although, there's nothing wrong with that! It's just not very budget-friendly.)

I'm talking about a do-it-yourself, at home summer camp!

Lucky for you I've found lots of ways for you to make your own summer camp at home! And best of all, these summer camp ideas leave plenty of time for kids to roam free, catch fireflies, get their toes muddy and run you ragged. (Note: this post contains affiliate links that may earn commission.)

DIY Summer Camp Tips

Below you'll find all the idea but don't forget these very important tips for making the most of your summer with the kids!

Pick a Theme

Do your kids love getting outdoors? Perhaps they love to build things or paint pictures. Choose an overarching theme for your camp. It could be superheroes, science, books... whatever interest your kids.

You have to stick to the theme every day. After all, a little variety goes a long way, but a summer camp theme will help with planning.

Alternatively, pick a different theme for each week or each day!

How Long is Camp?

Will you be away for the summer and only need one week of camp activities? Or do you want to have some form of camp activity every day for the whole summer?

What's the Schedule?

You'll also want to decide how many hours in the day you want to devote to summer camp at home. Is this going to be a morning, afternoon or all-day camp? Write out a rough schedule that includes every day activities like meals and quiet time and decide what times you'll save for camp activities.

Be sure to factor in whether your diy camp will include field trips and how many activities you'll want to schedule per day. You can have as few as one or as many as 5 activities.

Remember: a little flexibility in the schedule goes a long way towards curbing frustration!

Who Will Be Attending?

Is it just your family, or will you coordinate with others? The more people involved, the more complicated scheduling can become so be sure to be thoughtful in how you designate responsibilities and plan the budget.

The age of the children also matters! All of the ideas below can be adapted for mixed age groups. Note: click on the name of the camp to learn more.

Summer Camp at Home Ideas

DIY summer science camp for kids. A fellow blogger and I put together this at home camp. 8 weeks of fun, with 2 easy projects per week so you don't feel you have to do a ton of planned activities to have fun.

Camp KiwiCo. This camp is a little more expensive than the rest on the list, but still totally cheap compared to sleep-away camp! Each day kids put together an amazing STEM-based or craft based educational kit. They'll make impressive projects like bottle rockets, window gardens or a levitating lantern (how cool is that!).

The camp advertises itself as "5 days." However, this could stretch to 5 weeks because each kit includes bonus projects, ideas for further experiments and reading. That makes this at home camp truly budget-friendly!

We've constructed and adored numerous KiwiCo. projects in the past and I highly recommend them.

DIY math camp: 6 weeks of budget friendly learning ideas. Megan of Coffee Cups and Crayons and I put together two mathematics-based activities each week. Ideas range from snack-engineering (and eating) to games to art projects.

Library summer challenge. If you want a library or book-themed summer camp week, this challenge is perfect! It is a relaxed plan for parents and families to learn about all the secrets your local library holds, plus how to get more FUN out of library trips. It even includes a scavenger hunt!

MORE: Check out these summer camp books for kids

STEAM summer camp! This was put together by my co-authors of the STEAM Kids book. Kids will adore the projects like paper helicopters, ice cream lab, electric crowns, lemon volcanoes and more! All of these projects are inexpensive and have a huge WOW! factor. CURRENTLY (May 2023) ON SALE!

Even more ideas:

Low stress summer fun for kids. Don't over plan, but do have a strategy and a list of last minute ideas to try.

Around the world summer camp. Lots of camp lesson plans to fill your kids' summer with multicultural learning.

Mad scientist camp. A science based camp by the blogger at Little Bins for Little Hands.

Secret spy school summer camp. Spend a week solving mysteries with your kids

And OF COURSE, you can develop your own summer camp at home using the enticing books and activities we share in our weekly newsletter. You can subscribe to that little gem right here.

The post Easy Summer Camp Activities at Home appeared first on What Do We Do All Day.

There is something so wonderful about reading outside on hot, lazy days. If you enjoy making kids' summer reading special you'll find this summer reading list of books, literacy resources, summer reading activities and tips useful.

While these summer reading resources will get your started, make sure to allow your child to choose their own books. If they want to spend all summer with a book full of comics, that counts as reading, too!

Summer Reading Lists

Most of my summer reading book lists are arranged by general age level, and for families who like to read aloud. While these lists are organized by grade level, take it as a general guide. Reading levels vary!

Elementary School

• Kindergarten summer reading list - picture books to read aloud
• Beginning readers summer book list - easy readers
• 1st grade summer reading list (ages 6-7)
• 2nd grade summer reading list (ages 7-8)
• 3rd grade summer reading list (ages 8-9)
• Chapter book summer reading list (ages 6-9)
• 4th grade summer reading book list (ages 9-10)
• 5th grade summer reading book list (ages 10-11)
• Classic summer reading list for tweens (ages 9-13)

Middle School

• 6th grade summer reading list (ages 11-12)
• 7th grade summer reading book list  (ages 12-13)
• 8th grade summer reading list (ages 13-14)

High School

• 9th grade summer reading list (ages 14 and up. This list is good for all high school students.)
• Recommended YA books

Guess what! You can also get a free, printable version of all the summer reading lists. Just fill in the form below and it will be rushed right to you.

Recommended read aloud books

• Summer read alouds the whole family will love
• Picture books for summer read alouds

And don't forget, I have over 300 book lists, so if one of the above lists doesn't suit your child, be sure to check out the archives and the index of all our book lists here:

• Index of themed and leveled book lists

MORE: Summer poems for kids

Summer Literacy Activities

• Summer literacy ideas that don't use a book! 
• Library coloring page and reading log
• Summer reading bookmarks to color
• For pre-readers: the lazy mom's guide to teaching phonics
• Summer Reading BINGO - two versions, with free printable!

PERENNIAL FAVORITE: Summer Word Vocabulary Jar

MORE: Take the Great Library Challenge, including a super fun scavenger hunt

• 10 weeks of summer reading activities -- I love this one! ( from Reading Rockets)

Summer Reading Programs

• The first stop should be your local public library!
• Scholastic's website and facebook page have book suggestions and activities.
• Barnes and Noble: read books to get a free book at participating stores

Summer reading tips

• How to choose early chapter books
• How to help young children love chapter book read alouds
• The best reasons to read aloud to older kids
• How to read books yourself without neglecting your kids

I share book lists every Monday, so if you don't want to miss out, be sure to add yourself to our weekly newsletter list.

Happy summer reading!

Final summer reading TIP: If your kids would rather watch a YouTube video than read, show them this one:

The post Best Summer Reading Lists for All Grade Levels appeared first on What Do We Do All Day.

Yes. Poetry.

That's right. Summer wouldn't be summer without the best summer poems for kids. Whether you read them in a hammock, by the pool, or under the stars while licking s'mores off your fingers, summer poetry is bound to make your life better.

We've been working through the poetic seasons and have arrived at summer. To follow on the journey don't miss:

• Winter poems for kids and families
• Spring poems for kids and families
• Autumn poems for kids and families (coming soon!)

To help you on your summer poetry journey use the following resources in this article:

• a selection of classic summer poems for kids, including a printable which you can fold up, put in your pocket and carry everywhere you go (you think I'm joking about "everywhere you go," but I'm not)
• suggestions for contemporary summer poetry to read aloud, including links to follow so you can read the full poem at your leisure
• recommendations for summer poetry books

Classic Summer Poems for Kids

Some people shy away from classic poems, fearing the language will seem strange or archaic. But never fear! Summer is a great opportunity to take the time to explore classic poetry in a leisurely fashion.

Tip: I recommend reading poetry out loud. When you read the poem aloud to your children, ask them to close their eyes and picture the imagery being described. That will help them talk about it afterwards.

Classic summer poetry in the printable:

• "A Boat, Beneath a Sunny Sky" by Lewis Carroll
• "I Love to See the Summer Beaming Forth" by John Clare
• "Bed, In Summer" by Robert Louis Stevenson
• Sonnet 18 by William Shakespeare
• "Summer in the South" by Paul Laurence Dunbar
• "In Summer Time" by Paul Laurence Dunbar
• "August" by Helen Hunt Jackson
• "In the Mountains on a Summer Day" by Li Po
• "Marshlands" by Emily Pauline Johnson
• A Song, from The Tempest by William Shakespeare
• "Birdsong" by Christina Rossetti

Fill out the form below and the summer poems for kids printable will magically fly into your inbox!

Contemporary Summer Poems for Kids (and Families!)

All kids everywhere will relate to these contemporary poems that speak to their own experiences. I had such a hard time narrowing the choices down! The link in the title and author of the poem to read it in full. Because of copyright laws, I can't republish them all here.

It's almost May
and yesterday
I saw a firefly.

"Firefliy" by Jacquine Woodson

Until I saw the sea
I did not know
that wind
could wrinkle water so.

"Until I Saw the Sea" by Lillian Moore

Summer’s ending.
I sit on my desert rock, listen
          to the world’s hum.

"My Rock" by Pat Mora

You turn the kitchen
tap’s metallic stream
into tropical drink,

"Ode to Kool-Aid" by Marcus Jackson

My father and brothers
are swimming to the Rock.
“Come with us!”
they call to me

"Swimming to the Rock" by Mary Atkinson

I always like summer
best
you can eat fresh corn
from daddy's garden

"Knoxville, Tennessee" by Nikki Giovanni

the beauty of jazz & blues voices,
syncopation of syllables flowing
free form through improvising sentences

"Sonic Fireflies" by Quincy Troupe

Poetry Books for Summer Reading

Sure, you can print out the classic poems and read the modern verses, but there's nothing like holding a good, old-fashioned book in your hand. Read these delightful summer poems for kids out loud under the shade of a favorite tree. Don't forget the ice cream cones.

(Note: titles are affiliate links that may earn commission.)

From the Bellybutton of the Moon: And Other Summer Poems / Del Ombligo de la Luna: Y Otros Poemas de Verano by Francisco X. Alarcon, illustrated by Maya Christina Gonzalez. I've frequently recommended this bilingual seasonal poetry series from Alarcon and Gonzalez and I will continue to do so!

Lemonade Sun: And Other Summer Poems by Rebecca Kai Dotlich, illustrated by Jan Spivey Gilchrist. A cheerful collection of poems that celebrate all kinds of old fashioned summertime fun. I especially loved the Double Dutch Ditty.

Mud Pies and Other Recipes by Marjorie Winslow, illustrated by Erik Blegvad. This isn't actually of poetry book, but it's poetic in its own way. Kids will love the whimsical recipes for bark sandwiches, berry boats and wood chip dip and they will immediately head outside to dig into (literally) the natural world.

Afternoon on a Hill by Edna St. Vincent Millay and Paolo Domeniconi. This short, beautifully illustrated version of Millay's 1917 poem is perfect for summer reading. If you read it outside you will become one with your surroundings; if you read it inside you will be transported to a beautiful summer hillside. Am I being too dramatic? Read it and judge for yourself.

Summerhouse Time by Eileen Spinelli, illustrated by Joanne Lew-Vriethoff. This is a free verse novel about 11-year-old Sophie and her summer adventures at the family's beach house. Sophie loves swapping secrets with her favorite cousin, trips to the donut shop and hanging out at the beach.

More Summer Reading:

• Summer read aloud books the whole family will love
• Picture books about summer
• Summer reading bingo cards (free, printable)

The post Best Summer Poems for Kids: Classic and Modern appeared first on What Do We Do All Day.

Note: this post contains affiliate links.

Truthfully, a classic bottle of bubbles and a bubble wand are really all you need for fun, but since bubbles are such a fun way to spend time outside during the summer, mix it up a little with these delightful bubble activities for kids! There are giant bubbles, bubble snakes, bubble art and bubble activities for preschoolers!

You'll need to start with an easy homemade bubble solution. Here's how to make a good bubble solution:

Slowly stir 1 cup of dishwashing liquid (best not to use a "natural" kind) into 6 cups of hot water. Next stir in 1 TBSP of glycerin. You can use it immediately, but the bubble solution improves if you let it sit over night.

Next, use your homemade bubble solution for one of these fantastic bubble activities!

Homemade Bubble Blowing Tools

Make personalized homemade beaded bubble wands. We show you how to make them and they are great party favors or a birthday party craft activity.

Experiment by blowing bubbles through kitchen utensils! The Wonder Years shows you how it's done.

Learn how to make the most gorgeous rainbow bubble snakes at Housing a Forest

Giant Homemade Bubble Wand at Scientific American. And if a science magazine says it works, then it works!

Blowing Bubbles with a recycled water bottle at Projects for Preschoolers

Bubble Play

These bubble play activities use dish soap instead of bubble solution.

Toddler bubbles sensory fun with toy cars. This activity is always a HUGE hit with toddlers, preschooler and even older kids sometimes!

Make bubble foam for more sensory play. Busy Toddler gives you the recipe.

Bubble Art

Did you know your kids can turn those bubbles they love to blow into fantastic art worthing of framing? Try these ideas!

Chasing Colorful Bubbles Art at Childhood Beckons

Blown bubble painting from Nurture Store.

Popped bubble art from Broogly.

Happy summer!

For more fantastic summer fun activities check out these ideas:

• Top 10 tag games for kids
• Old-school fun: rolling down a hill
• How to make a scooter slalom in your driveway or at the park

The post 10 Fun Bubble Activities for Kids appeared first on What Do We Do All Day.

We all know that libraries offer summer reading programs. Yet, how often do you take your kids to the library during summer? Do you ever think there must be more to learn about your local library? Do you wonder how you can take better advantage of the library? And, by the way, what do those librarians actually do?

When you complete these library challenges, you and your kids will discover new books, great authors, favorite reading subjects as well as all the extras your library has to offer.

But... before you start the Great Summer Library Challenge you need to do one thing.

1. Visit your local library and sign up for their summer reading programs. Adults, it's up to you to set a good example and many libraries have adult summer reading programs and book lists, so you must join, too!

How the Library Challenge Works

We have put together three challenges (fiction, nonfiction, resources) to help your family explore the various sections of the library. They are specifically designed for you and your kids to do together. All the suggestions are easily adaptable to your own interests and your children's reading level.

Each section contains 4-6 basic challenges and each basic challenge has 1-3 or more advanced challenges. By the way, "advanced" means "extra fun," not "extra hard." It is summer, after all. When you've worked through the challenge, complete the library scavenger hunt!

***To get the advanced (aka "extra fun") challenges and scavenger hunt you need to get the free, printable pdf version of this challenge. Fill out this form and it will magically appear in your email inbox. ***

Don't forget! This is not a test. It is impossible to fail! Your only job is to have a fun trip to the library! If you get to the library and then decide, "Ya know, my kids are happily reading books in the corner, I'm just gonna relax," that's A-OK, (That's what I would do, but it's no secret that I always take the easy road.) But there are a lot of empty summer days to fill and it's our hope that these library quests will get you excited about discovering new books.

Library Challenge #1: Discover the Fiction Section

Do you ever wander around the library section and end up checking out books you've already read? As a busy-and-very-important grown-up, it's tempting to do so. After all, why risk a new book that the kids won’t like when you can find a book from your childhood that you already know is great.

These library challenges are designed to not only encourage your kids to learn about the fiction section of your library, but also to learn some tricks for finding awesome new books on every trip.

(Remember, you can get the advanced challenges in the printable.)

Fiction Challenge #1: Introduce Your Kids to a Classic

Tell your kids the names of 3 favorite books from your childhood. Show them how to use the library catalog to find the books. Read them together and check them out.

Fiction Challenge #2: Find new fiction books on a favorite topic

The nonfiction section isn’t the only place to read about a favorite topic. Pick a keyword that will interest your kids (for example, “dinosaur” or “digger”). Using the library catalog (ask your librarian if you need assistance), find several fiction books on that topic.

Fiction Challenge #3: Explore different reading levels of the children’s fiction section.

The children’s section is usually divided into several areas: picture books, early readers, and chapter books/middle grade novels. Check out at least one book from each leveled area of the fiction section to read with your kids. You may be surprised that your young child loves listening to chapter books and your older children still enjoys picture books.

Fiction Challenge #4: Utilize your librarian’s recommendations

Find the display section for fiction books, and check out several new-to-you books that the librarians have placed there.

Fiction Challenge #5: Find a popular book

Browse your library fiction shelves until you find titles that have at least two to three copies of the same book on the shelf. Check out one of the books from several of the sets. (Be sure to look for books that you have not read yet.)

Fiction Challenge #6: Find a popular author

Scan your library fiction shelves and look for multiple books by the same author. Look for an author that you either have never read or have only read one book from and check out several new books by that author. You might notice some authors have written so many books, they fill an entire shelf!

That's it! See? A painless way to start discovering your library's children's section! You also get bonus points if you talk to your librarian and share with him or her your journey through each of the challenges (just kidding, we are not actually giving out points... but do talk to your librarian).

Library Challenge #2: Nonfiction

Pre-Challenge:
Non-fiction books in the library are shelved according to the Dewey Decimal Classification system. You will need to understand the basics of this system (or the system your library uses) in order to locate the call numbers of the books you want. If you and your children are not familiar with how Dewey Decimal works your first challenge is to ask your librarian! Part of the purpose of The Great Summer Library Challenge is to help you feel comfortable chatting with the people who want to help you! So don’t look the DDC up online... ask!

(Remember, you can get the advanced challenges in the printable.)

Nonfiction Challenge #1: World Geography and Culture

Ask a librarian to help you find an atlas. Find and locate a country you’ve never visited. Using the library catalog, locate and check out three books about that country and its culture.

Nonfiction Challenge #2: Plants

In the library catalog, type in the subject word, “plants.” What is the general call number for most of the books? Browse that section of the children’s nonfiction shelves. Find and check out 2 books: one about identifying flowers and trees and one about how to grow a home garden.

Nonfiction Challenge #3: Poetry

The nonfiction section contains more than just factual books! Find the poetry section and check out three types of poetry books: an anthology of works by different poets, a collection by a single author and a book of themed poetry.

Nonfiction Challenge #4: Fairy and Folk Tales

Nonfiction is not all about dry facts and data! Find and check out a fairy or folk tale anthology and read at least three different stories from it.

Nonfiction Challenge #5: Sports

What is your favorite sport? Find the sport’s location in the nonfiction section of the library. Write down the call number. What is the sport that comes right before it on the shelves? Right after?

Nonfiction Challenge #6: Biography

Find the biography section. Browse the shelves and find 2 books to read and check out: one about a person whose name you’ve heard, one about someone new to you.

Library Challenge #3: Resources

It’s easy to walk in your library and be so enamored with all the books that you totally miss some of the other wonderful resources that are available. For example, because of this challenge, I now know I can book up to half and hour of personalized research time with a librarian. I can even text a New York Public Librarian a question.

Don’t be shy about asking your librarian to help you with these challenges. You might be surprised what library resources for children you discover.

(Remember, you can get the advanced challenges in the printable.)

Resource Challenge #1: Computers 

 Ask your librarian what programs and resources are available at the library’s computer station for your age child.

Resource Challenge #2: Non-Book Collections

Talk to your librarian to find out what non-print materials are in circulation. You may be familiar with the more common ones such as audiobooks, music CDs, and DVDs, but your library may also offer braille, photographs and art work, even toy sets or STEM kits that your kids can borrow.

Resource Challenge #3: Events & Exhibitions

Does your library hold regular or special events and exhibitions? Ask your librarian how you can keep abreast of these events. Sign up for an email or mailing list so you can be notified of the library happenings.

Resource Challenge #4: Outreach Services and Give Back

Many libraries take their services and resources to people who cannot physically get to the library. They might have an outreach program to senior centers or provide disaster relief information. Some libraries have services like free after-school tutors for kids or help with filling out government forms. Talk to your librarian and ask them 1) what they think the library's most valuable outreach program is; 2) what the most utilized service is; and 3) what the service is they wish more people knew about.

Extra-Credit Resource Challenge

Free access to information is essential for a free society. Some might argue that the internet can play the role of a library as a source of open, free information. After all, it's easy to look something up at home on the web. Ask your librarian why the internet can never replace the library. Then, open the topic up for discussion at your next family meal.

Library Scavenger Hunt

Now that you and the kids have completed the Great Summer (or anytime) Library Challenge, this fun library scavenger hunt will be a breeze! And there's even a prize for completing it. What's the prize you ask?

Why it's checking out a stack of books from the library, of course!

Get the printable library challenge and the scavenger hunt printable! Fill out the form below and it will magically appear in your email inbox.

More fun library resources here:

• Library coloring page and summer reading log
• Printable vintage bookmobiles
• Summer reading lists galore

The post Summer Library Challenge and Library Scavenger Hunt appeared first on What Do We Do All Day.