March 2 is “Read Across America Day.” This holiday began in 1998 by the National Education Association to encourage reading. Many schools and organizations choose to celebrate the holiday throughout the week. There are so many ways to celebrate!
Check out these fun and easy ways to celebrate Read Across America Day.
1. Have a Pajama Day
There is nothing better than wearing pajamas all day long and reading a good book. Bonus points if your pajamas are book-themed.
2. Visit a bookstore
Check out a local bookstore and browse the aisles. Buy a book or two and support a small bookstore if you’d like. Treat yourself to a pastry and a warm drink if there is a cafe.
3. Schedule a week of book-related themed activities
Do a different book-related activity every day. Below is an example of a schedule.
Monday: Read a new (or new-to-you) book from a favorite author
Tuesday: Read a genre you don’t usually read
Wednesday: Have a book-themed Arts & Crafts Day. You could make bookmarks, draw your favorite book characters, or make book jackets.
Thursday: Make a book-to-film comparison on books turned into movies (i.e., Harry Potter series, Matilda, the BFG, Alice in Wonderland, Where the Wild Things Are, etc.).
Friday: Dress up as your favorite book character
4. Share your favorite books with your kids
Sharing your favorite books is a great way to spend time with your kids, and you get to share a little bit of your childhood with your family. I love sharing the books that I read as a kid with my children. A few times, they were shocked that some of the books they read were my favorite as a kid.
5. Make up your own story
Make a picture book, comic book, etc. Grab a couple of notebooks or sketchbooks and create your own story. It doesn’t have to be a long story. When you’re all done making your story, read it aloud.
6. Make bookmarks
Making bookmarks is such a simple but fun arts and crafts activity. You can never have too many bookmarks. Make sure to have a variety of supplies to make the bookmarks. You could even make it a challenge and create bookmarks in different shapes. Make bookmarks inspired by your favorite books or characters or the book you’re currently reading.
7. Decorate your favorite reading area
At home, have your kids decorate their reading area with all the cozy things-blankets, pillows, stuffed animals, and of course, books.
For information on this holiday and the National Education Association, click here.
Do you celebrate Read Across America Day? What are some of your favorite ways to celebrate this holiday?
