Earlier this week these words came out of my six-year-old’s mouth, “I don’t want to read. Reading is boring.”
Gasp! As a child I carried a book wherever I went and could not get enough of the library. How could I give birth to a child who doesn’t like to read (or at least tells me so in a frustrated moment. This too shall pass, I know)?
My husband or I read several books a day to our children and we listen to classics like The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe while we fall asleep at night. But how to encourage my little socialite to independently read on her own?
Time to make reading fun!
I busted out the sidewalk chalk, leftover pop-it’s from the 4th of July, bikes, and water balloons. Covering the driveway with a mix of site words and easy to read words, I also mixed it up by using different colors and shapes. This way, my four year could participate a little easier as well.
The kiddos were quite excited when they came outside. I could see it in their eyes, “what has crazy mommy been up to now?”
We turned reading practice into 5 easy and fun and outdoor games.
1. Pop its! My children love pop its. I passed out several to my six year old and four year old. As I called out a word/shape/or color, they would find it and toss down a pop it like the word was a bulls eyes. Reading + noise = fun! (please only use pop-its with adult supervision.)
2. Bikes and wiggle cars. I also had the children drive or ride over words as I called them out. Another fun idea would be to have your child ride over certain words to make a sentence!
3. Modified hop scotch. The kids came up with this idea on their own. They would jump from word to word reading each one. They had fun seeing how many words they could read in a row.
4. Writing practice. My daughter got in on the fun by using the chalk to write her own words. She wrote out words and her little brother wrote out letters.
5. Water balloons. Clean up is easy with water balloons! The chalk will stay on your drive way for awhile, but if you want a quick clean up – bring on the water balloons! Just like the pop its, have your child toss a water balloon at the word. Washes the chalk right, off!
We will definitely be bringing out more chalk, water balloons, and pop its for future spelling practices. The children loved it and mommy liked that they were learning, too.
What is your favorite learning activity to do with your children?
Are your children back in school yet?
How do you prepare for the school year?
31 Comments
Lisa @ Pebbles and Piggytails · August 8, 2013 at 2:13 pm
I’m a huge fan of reading too so I want to try and make sure I pass that love onto my children. These are great ideas!!
Yvonne @ TriedandTasty · August 9, 2013 at 7:34 am
This is great. Unfortunately, reading was never instilled in me as a child and therefore I don’t enjoy it as an adult. I’m definitely going to express the importance one day to my children and this is a fun way to incorporate it. Thanks so much for sharing!
aprila · August 9, 2013 at 9:51 am
such a great idea. I never would have thought of it.
Growing Up Madison · August 9, 2013 at 2:13 pm
These are some really great ideas. My toddler loves to “read” and I hope she keeps it up. Pinning. 🙂
jennifer zuna · August 9, 2013 at 2:23 pm
What a unique idea!
Krista · August 9, 2013 at 4:59 pm
What a great idea – we just got a new bucket of chalk – we are ready for these games!
Giveaways 4 Mom · August 9, 2013 at 5:56 pm
This is a great idea.
Stacie D Wyatt · August 9, 2013 at 9:50 pm
love these ideas. always looking for ways to get my kiddies to learn
Claire @ A Little Claireification · August 10, 2013 at 10:43 am
Such wonderful ideas!! Pinning this and thank you for sharing! 🙂
Jamie Knupp · August 11, 2013 at 8:58 am
Great ideas! I wonder if this would help my 7 year old get back into reading? She used to love to read, and now she refuses to pick up a book
Robin (Masshole Mommy) · July 14, 2014 at 7:36 am
We always have sidewalk chalk out, so I think I am going to use your idea! Fun and educational!
Becky @ lovetobeinthekitchen · July 14, 2014 at 7:48 am
I love this. Great idea!
Daisy · July 14, 2014 at 8:30 am
I really like the water balloon toss game to help with reading. I’m going to try this with my son today.
Jessica Beal Harlow · July 14, 2014 at 8:52 am
I think it’s briliant to find active, engaging ways to get kiddos interested in reading. I’m so grateful that my girls (so far) love to read. My mom was a teacher and I get my love of reading from her….hopefully, my girls will keep it going!
Debbie Denny · July 14, 2014 at 12:06 pm
These are awesome ideas. Fun way to read. Love it.
Jessica · July 14, 2014 at 12:29 pm
This is great for Summer time especially when it comes to preparing for Kindergarten. I love anything that gets my daughter out of the house and unplugged from electronics.
Allyson · July 14, 2014 at 12:52 pm
Back in school already?!?! I think the kids around here start the 2nd week of August! Our favorite activity to do with our 3 year old is to go to the pool!
Mama to 5 BLessings · July 14, 2014 at 1:42 pm
What a fun way to learn, kids wouldn’t even realize it’s learning!
deanna ritz · July 14, 2014 at 1:49 pm
What a great way to start getting them ready for school! We don’t start back until aug 18th but it wouldn’t hurt to start practicing. Thanks for the ideas.
Helene Cohen Bludman · July 14, 2014 at 2:40 pm
I think it’s a great idea to play fun games that will inspire kids to read. Once they find a few good books, hopefully they’ll be hooked.
Maria Oller · July 14, 2014 at 4:35 pm
We used to love play with chalk when my kids were younger I love the games idea sound reaally fun and great for summer.
Lois Alter Mark · July 14, 2014 at 6:35 pm
Great ideas! As an avid reader, I appreciate any activity that instills a love of reading in kids.
Shauna · July 14, 2014 at 7:18 pm
We like playing iSpy everywhere… in the grocery, at the park, even in restaurants… we really like looking for letters and words
Annie {Stowed Stuff} · July 14, 2014 at 8:25 pm
This is great. I’m a reading specialist, so this really hits home. I want my own kids to keep up with their reading in the worst way. We make sure we hit the library every week and fill out our reading logs! Any kind of word work and reading time is SUPER important over the summer!
Liz Mays · July 14, 2014 at 8:59 pm
That’s such a fun activity, and the kids don’t even realize they’re learning. I like how many variations there are of things to do with it too.
Diane @ Philzendia · July 14, 2014 at 10:38 pm
Great ideas to make learning fun!
April Smith Decheine · July 15, 2014 at 6:06 am
How fun for the kids, playing and learning! My kids would of enjoyed outdoor reading games!
Laura (Lauras Little House Tips) · July 15, 2014 at 8:39 am
How creative. Learning is so important and fostering the love of reading is essential. What a great job your doing as a parent. Lucky children.
Aly Mashrah · July 17, 2014 at 6:37 pm
I love this! This is such a great idea and with summertime upon us, it’s a great way to keep your kids active with reading.
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