We are always blown away by the interest in our Children’s Summer Book Club and how many families are looking for a simple yet enriching summer with their children. One mom said that last year’s book club “defined her family’s summer.” Another grandmother said it was the highlight of her “grandparent camp” week when her grandchildren are in town. Our hope is that so many families experience the same this year, and then some! Scroll down to see different ways DoSayGive readers have used the book club over the years.
Do the book club with friends!
The book club is fun to do with friends or neighbors, and is an easy way to bring people together during the summertime lull. So ask a friend (or playgroup) to do it with you. Swap books or do some of the outing or activity ideas together. It’s the perfect excuse to extend an invitation to a new neighbor or friend.
Get grandparents involved!
For grandparents that help with grandchildren during the summer, the book club offers screen-free activity ideas and books they can bond over. One grandmother we know has her grandchildren a week every summer and she picks a book club week to do with them. You can also invite aunts, uncles, and cousins to join in the fun!
Let caregivers take advantage of the activity ideas!
We have crafts, cooking ideas, sensory activities, and more in our book club and the best part: They are super simple to pull together. Print out the book club bundle and stick to your bulletin board so babysitters and caregivers can have access to these enriching ideas throughout the summer.
Fight boredom (and the screen)!
Boredom is actually a good thing in children. Good stories plant seeds for creative play (and our book suggestions will do just that!), but our list of activities can also help give your children ideas when they say they’re bored. The book club does the planning for you. Have them pick something and go with it. Older siblings can maybe even help younger siblings, too.
Set a reading goal – and celebrate when you meet it!
Our reading sticker chart is a great way to motivate children to want to read. You can make up your own rewards but they don’t have to be fancy. A trip to get sno cones when you read a certain number of books!
Give older children some responsibility.
The book club is meant to do as a family. Older children can read to younger children and let you get some things done. Or give older siblings the opportunity to choose an activity to lead with a younger sibling (again, giving you a little break!). Perhaps your elementary student needs to work on reading this summer – have him read one of our book club chapter books aloud to younger siblings. Throw in an incentive to motivate!
Give the book club as a gift!
Want to give the book club as a gift? There’s an option to send the book club membership (and add a gift note!) at checkout. You could send a gift card to Amazon so they can grab a book or two for a truly thoughtful gift.
Use the book club as a summer bucket list!
We have so many fun outing ideas on our activity list that are intentional because they tie in with the books from the book club. Did you do our Week on Zoo Animals? Go to the zoo that week! Did you read Blueberries for Sal? Time to go blueberry picking! It’s so fun to see children make connections with what they are reading and makes reading more fun!
Start a new tradition!
Even if your child doesn’t love to read just yet, most children love a good story. Slowly build up the family pastime of reading aloud by reading 5-10 minutes together a night. Your child will start to ask for more and you might find yourself reading for longer spurts! (Tip: Even older children love to be read to despite what they may say!)
Ready to get the book club bundle? Check out below!
What do you think?