10 Delightful Read Aloud Activities Your Kids Will Love
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INSIDE: 10 Delightful Read Aloud Activities Your Kids Will Love
The timing is perfect. You gather your kids around and open up an all-time favorite children’s book, ready to bestow the beauty and magic of the story and impart a piece of your childhood. Expectations (yours) are high. Thirty seconds in, one of them starts doing handstands on the couch.
No matter the age, sitting still and listening to a story can be a challenge. It’s perfectly normal. Have you tried to listen to an audio book without doing anything else at all? Falling asleep doesn’t count.
Let’s not have higher expectations for kids when it comes to read aloud time. A little purposeful activity to keep their hands busy and their minds free to listen will usually result in better attention.”
However, not all activities are ideal. Lego bricks are wonderful for open-ended play, but the noise created by busy hands rifling through Lego bins can be distracting during read aloud time.
The key is finding options that keep kids active but able to focus on a story, busy but not noisy enough to distract.
Snacks are always a good option. Here are a few other favorites.
10 Delightful Read Aloud Activities Your Kids Will Love
1. Puzzles
Hands down, puzzles are one of the best read aloud activities. Almost any age appropriate puzzle will do. For example, try small puzzles that can be finished during reading time. Older kids may want to work on a larger puzzle over a longer period of time.
One thing is for sure, your kids will look forward to read aloud time – especially if you can find a puzzle with a theme similar to the book being read.
2. Origami
Quiet paper folding is an ideal activity for keeping hands busy and minds alert.
3. Lacing Cards
Any type of lacing activity will allow kids to concentrate on a story and still keep their hands busy.
4. Pattern Puzzles
These simple pattern puzzles have so many options and the added benefit of some stealth geometry.
Wooden Tangram Geometry Puzzle
Magnetic Pattern Blocks with Chalkboard
5. Wooden Blocks
For children who love building things, wooden blocks and Plus Plus blocks offer them a chance to quietly build something while listening.
6. Plus Plus Blocks
7. Modeling Beeswax or Clay
We don’t recommend play dough because it can be really messy. However modeling beeswax or clay can be a perfect alternative for molding, squishing, and patting.
8. Weaving and Finger Knitting / Yarn Projects
The simple act of weaving can be very calming to the body and allow children to focus on a story being read.
Finger Knitting Projects for Kids
9. Coloring Books
Most parents already know how calming a coloring book can be for a child. These beautiful books also teach a little something, too.
Wonderful World of Horses Coloring Book
Audubon’s Birds of America Coloring Book
10. Art and Nature Journals
A great way to keep hands busy while listening is through drawing or sketching. Different medium options allow for more creativity.
Ohuhu Water Coloring Brush Pens
36 Color Watercolor Artist Paint Set
Pro Art 18-Piece Sketch/Draw Pencil Set
Royal & Langnickel Essentials Sketching Pencil Set
Matching the Activity to Your Child
Every child is different. The key to keeping their hands occupied while listening to a book being read is by matching an activity to their unique personality.
This will make read aloud time about more than just sharing books. It becomes a time for creating memories.
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