Activities For Summer With Books2Door!

You’ll have seen me in June waxing lyrical about the fab books which came in our Books2Door subscription package for Raffie. The sub is exactly what it says on the tin, books delivered to your door each month, tailored to his age and reading requirements and included are activity books as well as reading and some sheets to be completed on rainy days like colouring and puzzles. It struck me how much he enjoyed the sticker and activity books, reading is brilliant and he gets so much from having new books but with activity books and the like, it’s something a little bit different as though reading, of course, does take place, it’s all about stimulating a different part of his brain and being able to sit quietly while completing tasks is a real skill that these books promoted.

Books2Door also sell stand alone activity books which are perfect for the summer months if travelling and going away on holidays. We have an upcoming trip to Cornwall which is a staggering 7 and a half hour drive from where we live. We intend to do it in one go with only one short stop for a wee and a water (I know -we might be made with four children, a tent and a trailer on the back of the car!) so that journey is all about the small two being as occupied and entertained as possible.

I ordered a stack of books which were delivered by Books2Door (always heaps less expensive than anywhere else) which would be perfect for them in the car. We have fold down tray tables behind their seats which means they can rest their books easily as they work through them but I also find those trays with bean bags underneath for the lap are perfect work spaces for kids in the car!

I ordered Posie a quad of magic painting books which are SUCH a triumph whatever you’re doing, not just for less mess in the car! I hate messy play in general and yet she LOVES to paint so these books work brilliantly. I’ve allowed her to have a go in one of them before we leave and she was thoroughly satisfied that she was painting while all I had to worry about was a pot of water. For the car I’m going to give her a cup with a lid which has a hole in the middle for a straw but replace the straw with a paint brush – this this sounds like a winner don’t you?!

I also ordered activity sets which Raffie and Jimmy will love too. They come in their own little carry cases and have an abundance of “things” to do inside from stickering and colouring, to puzzles. There’s tons to keep the boys occupied and I’m sure Posie will want in on the action so I’ve got one for her too. A Batman theme, dinosaur one and a Crayola version are the ones we chose but there’s so many to pick from all with a similar idea but different activities inside – brilliant!

What about some reading?!

The bigger three can independently read on their own which will entertain for much for the journey. But how do you solo read when you’re only two?!

Posie is also an emergent reader having watched her older siblings for so long. We look at letters together and she already recognises their shapes and sounds so encouraging her to read is definitely a good thing. She can’t yet read independently of course so does need someone with her most of the time. A good way around this, inviting her to sit quietly in the car when her siblings are reading, is to let her look at books with a format she recognises. When she remembers stories she will re-tell them to herself as she remembers them so books like the “That’s not my…” range are fabulous because she knows the format and can work out what it’s not and why from the pictures and what’s to touch. She knows the last page will be her “whatever” and again can work out why from the touchy, feely element. So for Posie in the car we ordered some new ones of these classic books she already knows and loves, this time for wildlife creatures in a “That’s not my wildlife” set of 5 books. They’re perfect!

So, I think I’ve got the car journeys covered when it comes to entertainment and hopefully we can keep screen time to a minimum with Books2Door coming to the rescue for wholesome fun which will occupy their brains as they wait to arrive on holiday and keep their fingers crossed the sun will be shining when we get there. If not, we’ll have more activities to do in the tent!

Collaboration.