Reading Activity Calendar
August
1
Labor Day.
Labor Day isn't just about grown-ups who work! If your kids are a little older, make a list of jobs they could do, like baby-sit, do yard work, or walk dogs. With younger kids, make a list of all the important jobs they can do around the house, like clean up, help set the table, and help take care of pets.
2
Library Card Sign-Up Month.
Children of any age can get their own library card in many systems. Visit your local library and sign up your child for his own card, and talk together about library rules like treating books carefully and returning them on time.
3
Peter Rabbit's birthday is tomorrow.
Beatrix Potter originally wrote the Peter Rabbit story as a get-well letter to a five-year-old nephew. Read the Peter Rabbit story together, and then make up a story that could cheer a sick friend or relative up. Be sure to write down the story in case you ever want to send it.
4
Newspaper Carrier Day.
With your child, make a card for your newspaper carrier, thanking him for his service and saying what your child's favorite part of the newspaper is. Leave the card in your newspaper box, or give it to your carrier in person.
5
More Newspapers.
Does your local paper have a just-for-kids section? If so, pull it out for your child and let him read it while you read the "grown-up" parts. Then sit down and read the comics, sports page, or whatever else interests your child together.
6
More Newspapers.
Have your child create a newspaper for your family! He can report on the "news of the day," like what was for dinner, any activities or games played, and who had homework.
7
Grandparents Day.
Grandparents play a special role in many children's lives. Have your child make a card, or even a scrapbook, with favorite memories and stories. If you have a photo of your child and parents together, include it and have your child write his name and age on the back.
8
International Literacy Day.
Celebrate simply by curling up together and reading. Read your child's favorite book, and also your own favorite children's book, either one from your own childhood or a recent one.
9
Apple Month.
For apple month, see if there are any orchards in your area that offer apple picking. When you make the trip, talk about all the new words that come with the experience, like orchard, peck, and the different names of apple types.
10
More Apple Month.
With your newly picked apples, find a recipe that your child will like, such as homemade applesauce, apple cobbler, or pie. Read over the instructions and ingredients with your child, and have him assist in as many ways as possible as you bake together.
11
Read a New Book Month.
This month is easy to celebrate -- find a new book to read at the library, a book store, or even yard sales.
12
More Read a New Book Month.
It can be expensive and time-consuming to find new books that your child will love. Try asking friends and co-workers with children the same age what they're reading, and make plans for a book swap. It's a great way to find new books through personal recommendations.
13
Chocolate Day.
In honor of Chocolate Day, read aloud a classic chocolate book to your child like Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, The Chocolate Touch or another chocolate-themed book.
14
Star-Spangled Banner Day.
The national anthem was written on this day in 1814. Find a recording -- online or at the library -- and play it for your child, reading the lyrics together.
15
Hispanic Heritage Month begins.
This month begins today and runs through Oct. 15. Get creative with Maya's Card Creator at pbskids.org/mayaandmiguel.
16
More Hispanic Heritage Month.
Keep celebrating with the Spanish Word game from Sesame Street at Sesame Street on PBSKIDS.org.
17
Recycle Problem-Solving.
Toddlers love to create and solve problems using simple materials. Give your child some clean recycled items like cans of different sizes. Make sure there are no sharp edges. He will spend a long time fitting the cans inside of each other. As he works, introduce words like small, medium, large, inside, and fit.
18
More Recycle Problem-Solving.
Using more clean recycled items like cans, boxes, and paper towel tubes, have your child tape or glue the items together in a "recycled sculpture." When he's finished, ask him to tell you the story about what the sculpture is.
19
Talk Like a Pirate Day — Arrghh, matey!
Kids love Talk Like a Pirate Day. Get your whole family in on the game (at least while you're at home — pirate talk doesn't belong at school), and give yourself pirate names.
20
More Pirates.
Ask your child what life would be like if he was a pirate. Would he have a parrot? A peg leg? A ship of his own? Write down his pirate story and have him illustrate it.
21
Meet the Mail Carrier.
International Day of Peace. One way for children to celebrate this day is to plant seeds. Find flower seeds that you can plant — either indoors or out — and read the instructions together. Then plant the seeds and mark on the calendar what progress the seeds make.
22
First Day of Fall.
Make a list of your favorite fall activities, like hiking or Halloween. What is your child most looking forward to this fall? Have him draw a picture of a fall day and then describe what's happening.
23
Elephant Appreciation Day.
Go to the library to check out books on famous elephants like Babar and Horton.
24
Dog Week.
Dog week is held during the last full week of September. Visit Clifford the Big Red Dog at pbskids.org/clifford.
25
More Dog Week.
Go to the library to check out classic dog books like Harry the Dirty Dog or Good Dog, Carl. Be sure to look at nonfiction books, too.
26
More Dog Week.
Visit WordWorld at pbskids.org/wordworld to play with Dog!
27
Family Health and Fitness Day.
This day, held the last Saturday in September, is the perfect time to go outside and play a ball game together. Play an alphabet or word game while you play, such as each thrower taking turns saying the alphabet, or each thrower saying a word related to a word the previous thrower just said. The first thrower would say "dog" and the next would say "poodle," etc.
28
Good Neighbor Day.
The fourth Sunday in September is Neighbor Day. With your child, make a list of things you can do to be a good neighbor — bring in their newspaper, send them baked goods, invite them over. Then decide which you want to do first, and have your child make them a "hello" card.
29
Banned Books Week begins.
Older children may be interested in learning more about Banned Books Week, held at the end of September annually. Visit ala.org to see a list of frequently banned and challenged books. Ask your children if they've read of those books, and if so, what they thought.
30
Book Ideas.
Does your child have an idea that he's never seen in a book? Have him write it down and draw some pictures. Who knows, maybe he'll write it as a full-fledged book one day!
