Reading Activities
These reading activities are fun, educational, and best of all, usually free or inexpensive. Parents, give these a try. For teachers and librarians, try this site for state standards and free activities. Sites for Teachers will provide free lessons plans, worksheets, clipart, coloring pages, books–everything you need to spark a book club or class. For the bloggers, try Educational Blogging 101
Arts and Crafts
Start collecting supplies like scissors, ribbon, tape, glue and make a quick craft with children!
Authors, Authors!
If you want to contact an author, these websites might help.
Battle of the Books
This reading incentive program selects about 10 books for groups of children. The groups are required to read the books and answer questions on the books at the “Battle.”
Book Exchange
If your group doesn’t have available books, try exchanging or swapping books.
Book Trailers
Make digital book trailers to talk about your favorite book.
Creative Dramatics
Use this activity as a form of imaginative play, needing no written dialogue. Great for warm-ups in groups. Try the word search “creative dramatics” for recent sites.
Field trips
Go on field trips with your book club or young readers and see how they will be inspired!
Mystery Interactive Games
Play and solve a mystery game with your group.
Puppet Shows
Puppet shows encourage creativity, artistic talent and showmanship.
Rapping Rhymes
Nothing is better than sharing a rapping rhyme with a young audience. You can read these raps to young adults and ask them to write their own raps.
Read-Aloud Books
Reading aloud to your children is one of the best things you can do. I have listed some online resources.
Reading Games
These reading games are useful for younger readers.
Reader’s Theater
Try Reader’s Theater with groups. This reading activity involves reading aloud while seated. Everyone is assigned a part. What could be more fun?
ScrapBooking
Have children and young adults make a scrapbook of their favorite books.
Storytelling
Storytelling inspires the imagination and improves listening skills.
Talent Show
Have the group participate in a talent show or contest.
Trial by Jury
A group of young people will be members of a jury who examines evidence against an accused person (either fictional or historical). Two lawyers can be chosen. Jury votes on verdict.
Young Authors and Illustrators
Why not encourage readers to write or illustrate their own books?