Fun Activities for Kids SIP

Are you stuck inside and looking for ways to engage your kids in books? Look no further!

While we've been Sheltering In Place, some of our favorite authors and celebrities have been recording themselves at home reading their best-loved children's books. Below are some of our top picks.

For kids keeping a reading log, most teachers will count listening to books as well as independent reading. If you are looking for great books to read with your child or for them to read on their own, check out the New and Noteworthy book lists on our website. You might also like How to Raise a Reader by Maria Russo and Pamela Paul, editors of The New York Times Book Review, an invaluable guide with wonderful lists of books for kids of all ages.

Now is a perfect time to curl up with a good book and read (or listen) together!

Grab the Mic Jason Reynolds' “Write, Right, Rite,” a biweekly video series designed to encourage creativity with writing prompts and other activities, such as video games. Perfect for school age kids and guaranteed to get creative juices flowing!

Mondays with Michelle Nothing can make you feel better SIP than Michelle Obama reading a favorite children's picture book!

Everyday, Mac Barnett, one of our favorite local children's authors, is posting read alouds and more fun stuff. Guaranteed to put a smile on everyone's face!

Julie's Library Curl up every Wednesday to listen to Julie Andrews and her daughter read a favorite book. Past stories are available too. Listening to Julie Andrews read is "one of my favorite things"! 

Free Activities from the ILLUSTORIA Archives Whether you need a break from the kids (these pages can keep them occupied for hours!) or looking for activities to engage in together, you'll find some fun distraction and joyful art-making here. This 42-page collection represents contributions by amazingly talented writers, artists, and staff through the years.

LeVar Burton Reads  to children, YAs and adults on different days of the week. Click on the link for the schedule.

LUNCH DOODLES with Mo Willems! New episodes posted daily at 10am PST and then remain online for streaming.

#TandemStorytime Stories in English, Spanish, and Cantonese with lots of interaction during the video and ideas for continuing the interaction after the video is over. 

Romper's, Operation Storytime presents many of our favorite authors and illustrators, from Josh Gad and Mac Barnett to Oge Mora, Annie Barrows, Eva Chen, Sophie Blackall, Rowboat Watkins, and Jan Brett reading their stories.

Graphic novelist extraordinaire, Cece Bell is reading 1 chapter of El Deafo each day! 

#SaveWithStories Live picture book readings by celebrities.

Kids Ask Authors with Grace Lin  A podcast where kids  can ask the authors of their favorite books a question. 

Draw Every Day with JJK  Daily live art lessons from author/illustrator Jarrett J. Krosoczka, New York Times bestselling-author of Lunch Lady, Jedi Academy. Videos remain online.

Dav Pilkey at Home Read, Draw and Create with the widely popular author of Dog Man, Captain Underpants and so many more.

Graphic Campus Graphic novel luminary, Gene Luen Yang, shows kids how to create their own Fortress of Solitude journal using words and pictures. Videos posted daily. 

#WONDERreadaloud Starting Wednesday, March 25, R. J. Palacio will be reading Wonder every weekday from 9am-9:45am PST on Twitter Live.

DC Kids Camp "At-Home Activity Program Curated by DC Middle Grade Authors and Artists including Meg Cabot, Agnes Garbowska, Shannon Hale, Dean Hale, Minh Lê, Michael Northrop,
Ridley Pearson, Kirk Scroggs, and Gene Luen Yang."

Jason Reynolds' Imagination Stretch game to spark creativity and get your writing juices flowing! He used it when writing his award winning novels, Look Both Ways, and the Track series. 

Drag Queen Story Hour 

Read Together, Be Together Virtual Storytime some of your favorite authors reading their books, Monday - Friday, Random House Children’s, Penguin Children’s and Parents Magazine

Blue Dot Kids' Coloring Sheet to celebrate the 50th Anniversary of Earth Day!

 

 


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