As summer rolls around and school takes a backseat, it's the perfect time to dive into some fun, reading-inspired activities that keep young minds engaged and growing. 

From summer reading scavenger hunts to writing your own books, these five activities promise not only to entertain but also to enrich your child's summer break with valuable learning experiences.

1.) Visit Your Local Library
For Asheville and Buncombe County residents, visit a Buncombe County Libraries branch this summer for a fantastic way to boost your child's literacy skills and have fun! Frequent library trips expose kids to diverse books and exciting reading programs, sparking their interest in learning.

TO DO >> Find your local Buncombe County Libraries branch today - click here.

2.) Read Aloud for 15 Minutes
Reading aloud to children for just 15 minutes a day can significantly boost their literacy skills. This simple yet powerful activity exposes them to a rich vocabulary and diverse ways of using language, helping them pick up new words and phrases.

Books introduce children to various characters and situations, fostering empathy and teaching them how to navigate challenging emotions. By making reading aloud a daily habit, you're setting the stage for lifelong learning and emotional growth.

TO DO >> Set a fun reading timer for your child each day using this free online tool - click here.

3.) Write Your Own Book
Imagine your child becoming the author and illustrator of their own superhero adventure! By crafting a graphic novel or picture book starring their very own superhero, kids not only unleash their creativity but also sharpen their literacy skills in a thrilling way. 

Through the process of storytelling, they develop abilities like creating compelling characters, crafting engaging plots, and expressing ideas through both text and art. As they bring their superhero to life on the page, they're not just writing a story – they're building a foundation for a love of reading, writing, and imaginative expression.

4.) A-Z Scavenger Hunt
An A-Z scavenger hunt offers children an exciting opportunity to enhance their literacy skills! For younger kids, collaboratively seeking items around the house that start with each letter strengthens their letter naming and sound recognition and expands their vocabulary. 

Older children, on the other hand, can sharpen their creativity, problem-solving, and spelling abilities as they independently hunt for items that start with the letters of the alphabet.

TO DO >> Download and this free printable Summer Alphabet Scavenger Hunt from R2S - click here.

5.) Summer Reading Challenge
Turn reading into an exciting challenge! Create a bingo-type board filled with reading challenges like reading a rhyming book, reading two books a week, or reading at the library. Each time kids complete a challenge, they get to mark off a square or add a sticker. 

Once they fill up their board, they get to pick a special reward, like a movie night, outing, or . It's a great way to encourage kids to read more and have fun while doing it!

By writing uppercase and lowercase letters on rocks, kids can better grasp letter forms and relationships. Passing the rocks around and thinking of words that start with each letter engages them in active learning and helps expand their vocabulary.

This enjoyable activity fosters curiosity and lays a strong foundation for literacy development. Try it out with your kids and tag us on Instagram, @r2sasheville, to share your alphabet rock projects!​

4.) Ice Cream Cone Letters - Name Building Activity
Take a scoop of inspiration from summer's favorite sweet treat - ice cream - and encourage your child to practice spelling their name.

TO DO >> Download this free printable Ice Cream Cone Letters activity from R2S - click here.

5.) Letter Sound Recognition 
Summer offers families ample opportunities to make learning fun, even in the simplest of activities! Incorporating letter sound recognition into daily life can be as easy as:

• Driving to Grandma's? Playing "I Spy" during car rides, where kids identify objects they see based on their first sounds. For example, "I spy something that starts with the /s/ sound."
• Have a future chef on your hands? Involve children in meal preparation by asking them to identify ingredients that start with specific letter sounds.
• Going on a plane trip? At the airport, discuss multi-meaning words like "fly" and homophones like "plane" and "plain."

These activities not only make learning playful but also help children develop foundational literacy skills essential for reading and language development.

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R2S Recommends: "Black Boy, Black Boy" Diverse Children's Book