Category — Reading Activities

Let your grandchildren create a pet rock by decorating a rock using markers, yarn, sequins, felt, and anything else you think might be interesting. It can be spooky, silly, glamorous, or alien. They can also make a house for their pet rock using a shoe box. Print out the “All About My Pet Rock” booklet so they can fill in all the information about their pet rock. Have them read the booklet to you to practice their reading skills. This is a great way to let them use their imagination. Hint: When you print the “All About My Pet Rock” booklet, print one page then put it back into the printer the correct direction to print the second page on the back. Then it will be in booklet form.
DOWNLOAD BOOKLET

Even if your grandchildren don’t live near you, they can still share their favorite books. If your family has a blog or a website have your grandchildren write a review of a book they read recently. It will help boost their reading comprehension and writing skills. It will also help you to know the kind of books they like to read which is great for gift ideas.

These activities will keep the kids busy while you’re preparing Thanksgiving dinner.

COUNTING TURKEYS
Cut out nine medium or small paper (or felt) turkeys.
Place them on a table or felt board.
Have your child point to each one as you recite the following poems together.

NINE LITTLE TURKEYS (A Counting Rhyme)
One little, two little, three little turkeys
Four little, five little, six little turkeys
Seven little, eight little, nine little turkeys
Out in the barnyard.
Gobble, gobble, little turkeys
Gobble, gobble, little turkeys,
Gobble, gobble, little turkeys.
Out in the barnyard.
Jean Warren

TURKEY, TURKEY (A Number and Color Rhyme)
Turkey, turkey number one
Strutting under the yellow sun.

Turkey, turkey number two
Strutting under skies of blue.

Turkey, turkey number three
Strutting under a big green tree.
Turkey, turkey number four
Strutting past the red barn door.
Jean Warren

Download the Matching Game

1. Download the word cards and cut them apart. Be sure to download 2 copies for each game set.
2. Use magazines or newspapers to find pictures that represent the words. Children can even make their own drawings on the cards.
3. Play the match game. Each time a card is turned over say the word. The person with the most matches is the winner.

This is a simple activity you can do with your children (3-11 years) that will strengthen their reading and writing skills. Choose a short book to read. Whether you’re reading the book to your child or they are reading to you, be sure to stop periodically and ask questions about what has happened in the story and let them predict what they think will happen next. This is a great way to reinforce comprehension of the story. When you are finished reading, together discuss the sequence of events in the story and make a story wheel.

STEP 1 Trace 2 circles, that are the same size, on white paper. I used a plate.

STEP 2 Cut out the circles. Mark the center on one of the circles.

STEP 3 Cut out a triangular shape but don’t go right to the center marking. You will need a place to put your brad or paperclip.

STEP 4 It now looks like Pac Man. Put the two circles together and secure at the center point using a brad or paperclip.

STEP 5 On the whole circle have the child draw and color their favorite parts of the story following the sequence of the story. Each scene should fit into the cutout section. Retell the story by turning the top circle to show each drawing.

Great ideas from the National PTA, to help your child learn to read or become a better reader.

1. License to read. On car trips, make it a game to point out and read license plates, billboards, and interesting road signs.

2. Better than TV. Swap evening TV for a good action story or tale of adventure.

3. Look and listen. Too tired to read aloud? Listen to a book on tape and turn the book’s pages with your children. You’ll still be reading with them!

4. Labels, labels, labels. Label things in your children’s room as they learn to name them. Have fun while they learn that written words are connected to everyday things.

5. Pack a snack, pack a book. Going someplace where there might be a long wait? Bring along a snack and a bag of favorite books.

6. Recipe for reading. The next time you cook with your children, read the recipe with them. Step-by-step instructions, ingredients, and measurements are all part of words in print!

7. Shop and read. Notice and read signs and labels in the supermarket. Back home, putting away groceries is another great time for reading labels.

8. Your long-distance lap. Away on a business trip? Take a few books with you, call home, and have your child curl up by the phone for a good night story.

9. A reading pocket. Slip fun things to read into your pocket to bring home: a comic strip from the paper, a greeting card, or even a fortune cookie from lunch. Create a special, shared moment your child can look forward to every day.

10. A little longer? When your child asks to stay up a little longer, say yes and make it a 15-minute family reading opportunity.

This is fun and easy all year long but it can also be used as a Father’s Day card.
All you need is a rectangle shape piece of paper and a pencil. You can make your house as large or as small as you like depending on the size of paper. Have your child fold the paper into a house. They may need your help. Read a story about families or traditions and then have your child write or draw pictures inside the house, about a special family activity or tradition. Stand it up to display. You can also use stickers that represent a family activity or tradition.
Download Directions for House

This activity is not just for Earth Day but is great all year round. Before you recycle your old magazines and newspapers, let your grandchildren use them to create stories or books.
You’ll need magazines, newspapers scissors, glue, blank paper and a pencil. Let your grandchildren cut out pictures and words to create an original story.

If you enjoy gardening, invite your grandchildren to help plant your garden. This can be a great time to talk and you can use the ideas below to make it a fun learning time for math, reading and writing.

Gardening Learning Activities
Measure how far apart to plant the seeds.
Measure the perimeter of the garden.
Count how many rows will be needed.
Estimate how tall specific plants will grow.
Make a list of everything needed to plant and care for the garden.
Read the instructions for planting.
Read the instructions for caring for what is planted.
Design a marker for each thing planted.

This is a fun and easy book that you and your kids can make. They can write about a special activity or anything they enjoy. It’s handy to take in the car or put in your pocket.
WATCH VIDEO for instructions then have fun!