Looking for great books to read and fun summer activities to do with the kids? Or, do you need something to send home with students over the summer break? Try these printable book-based summer activity calendars. The calendars are full of book suggestions and fun activities to do as a family or class.
Are they right for you?
They are perfect for:
- teachers to send home with students for the summer.
- librarians to pass out to patrons.
- families who want to enjoy great books and do simple themed activities at home.
The set includes 3 calendars (June – August) in color and black and white along with 3 resource sheets. Families can hang the calendar on the refrigerator each month and take the resource sheet with them to the library to gather the books for the month.
The calendars do not have dates so they can be reused year after year!
The calendars are perfect for families or classrooms and are available in three age bands- toddler, preschool-prek, and kindergarten.
Each week a theme is introduced with a wonderful children’s book. If the main title is unavailable, there are two-four alternative book ideas each week. Then, there are 5 easy to do activities included with each theme. Activities include literacy, math, art, science, SEL, fine motor and/or gross motor ideas. Choose to do as many as you want to fit your schedule.
Here is a look at just one sample week from the preschool-prek set.
Theme: bees
Featured book: These Bees Count! by Formento
Alternate books: Bee: A Peek-Through Picture Book Britta Teckentrup, Bee Dance by Rick Chrustowski, The Hidden Rainbow by Christie Matheson, or The Honeybee Man by Lela Nargi
Suggested activities:
- Take a walk and look up high and look down low for bees.
- Try some local honey.
- Paint a picture of a bee.
- Brainstorm some words that rhyme with bee.
- Buzz like a bee if these words have the same first sound- bee/bear, sun/hive, pollen/purple.
You get all of these wonderful resources for just $2 a set!
Just click on the button below of the set you would like to purchase. There are three choices- Toddler, Preschool-PreK, and Kindergarten.
After your purchase, you will immediately be able to download and then print the black and white calendars and 3 resource sheets, and 3 tracking sheets.
Please view my terms of use before purchasing. If you have any questions, please email me at jodie (at) growingbookbybook (dot) com.
“Two thumbs up for the summer literacy calendar! Great content – thanks for making this summer a little easier for me.” -Ellen
Enjoy exploring great books and summer activities with young children!
P.S. You can also get the school year calendars NOW too.—> Book Based Activity Calendars for the School Year
Jodi says
If my child is going to KINDERGARTEN in the fall do you recomm the kinder list? Thanks
Jodie Rodriguez says
Thanks so much for your question. I would recommend the preschool/prek set of calendars. It will be a great review of skills learned this year. There is also a week in August that is all about getting ready for kindergarten.
Leanne Evelyn says
I love your site. I am interested in your summer literacy camp. Can you please register me. I am also interested in your literacy calendars for next school yeaR.
Kristen McGinnis says
Would you consider doung this for older kids?
Diggle says
This is a great idea! Especially pairing the reading with activities. I remember doing summer reading challenges at the local library but there wasn’t any additional content.
Jodie Rodriguez says
Thank you!
Miliaga says
Thank you very helpful to me
Mother of 3 says
What a great idea! I’d have to brainstorm my own ideas and books since mine are all older but I love the idea of an activity calendar that ties into books!
Theresa says
This is a wonderful resource for summer reading. I love that you include all different kinds of activities to complement the reading.
Jodie Rodriguez says
Thank you Theresa!
Sarah says
This is a great idea! That infamous “summer slide” is totally combatable. We even aim to work ahead throughout the summer in reading, writing, and math. Structured programs make that so much more feasible. What ages do you recommend the calendars for?
Jodie Rodriguez says
Thanks Sarah! The calendars are perfect for the preschool/kindergarten/first grade age range.
Alexandra says
We love your calendars for books throughout the year, and this will be a great addition to complete the 12 months for sure! We home school and have three children under 6. We don’t always manage to get to the library for each weeks planned theme, but we do search YouTube for the books that other people read to us. We make it a fun story time with the computer in our homeschool room and then proceed to the related activities. The alternative books are also great! Just wanted to share that tip for others who don’t get out to the library. Happy reading!
Jodie Rodriguez says
Alexandra, I’m so glad you have been enjoying the calendars. I’m so glad you are finding the books accessible. I appreciate your feedback. Happy Reading!
Glenda Cates says
This is such a cute ideal that I will be sharing it with my readers as I am hosting my first
Reading Challenge called Stop! Drop! & Read! and I would love having you come and
join us in the event. And it is for childen as well as adults.
Jodie Rodriguez says
Thank you much for sharing Glenda!