Whether you’re headed over the river or through the woods this Thanksgiving, holiday travel can present some great oppportunities to develop your kids’ reading skills through playing some simple games together. I know, there’s a lot going on when you’re traveling, and it’s tempting to put book on the back burner, but these fun and simple activities can mean improved literacy. Bloggers Amy Mascott (Teach Mama) and Allison McDonald (No Time for Flash Cards) are both moms and educators, so they get it. And they’re sharing their wisdom that comes from a lot of time in the classroom as well as keeping the backseat entertained, in the recently released book Raising a Rock-Star Reader.
Raising a Rock-Star Reader provides parents 75 daily “quick tips” to help raise lifelong readers including: on-the-road activities, full booklist suggestions (toddlerhood to grade school) and hands-on craft activities for even the busiest parents, grandparents or caregiver. It includes 10 curated, age-appropriate booklists, music suggestions, app recommendations, web resource lists, and online activity sheets to download and print.
The on-the-road activities are easy, which is great because we all need easy at the holidays. Here are some fun games to play while on the go:
- Clap out family names: Practice syllables by clapping out the names of family, friends, and even pets.
- I spy the letter: Challenge children to a letter hunt while on the go – at the grocery store, spotting street signs while riding in the car, or reading the menu at a restaurant.
- Tell popcorn stories: Share little stories using whatever pops into the storyteller’s head. Start the story off with, “Once upon a time, there was a…” and see where it goes.
- Go on a book walk: Grab a favorite picture book and have the child retell the story in his or her own words. Use pictures and words as cues to build reading skills. (I thought this was a great way to have a book you bring with you on your trip do double duty).
“Even the busiest parent, grandparent, or caregiver can find time to try a great ‘quick tip’ or reading activity from Raising a Rock-Star Reader,” said Tara Welty, Group Editorial Director, Scholastic Teacher Resources. “Scholastic is thrilled to bring Amy and Allison’s passion for literacy to parents everywhere and to show them how easy, fun, and totally doable it is to help their children discover the joy of reading.”
I got to hear Amy and Allison talk at Social Media on the Sand, and their passion for helping kids become great readers, and kids who love to read and learn, was inspiring. Getting kids ready to read and write is feasible and can be a lot of fun for both adults and kids, no matter where your travels make take you.
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U.S. Olympic Training Center
From pools to weight rooms to basketball courts to dining halls, you can see where our nation’s best athletes live and train. It’s hard to not want to go for the gold yourself after a visit. You can watch a movie about our nation’s elite athletes striving to be their best that leaves you teary, chanting “USA!” or both, sit in a bobsled, or check out the U.S. Olympic Hall of Fame. Not only is this place awesome and inspiring, it’s free. There are guided tours offered year round, with 15 offered per day from June through August. Check the website for details.
Cog Railway to the top of Pike’s Peak
Katharine Lee Bates wrote the lyrics to America the Beautiful after her trip to the top of Pike’s Peak, and it’s easy to see why. The views are breathtaking. That photo is a view from our hotel room. (Sorry for the power lines.) It was so fun to return that evening and know that we had been to the top.
The best way to get to the top of the 14,115 high peak is via the world’s highest cog railroad. The trip up is almost as memorable as the view from the top. My daughter still references the yellow bellied marmot we saw while ascending.
I know, I don’t get what’s so memorable about him, but she sure liked him.
Dress warmly, no matter what time of year it is. It’s chilly at the top! Trust me on this. We thought we were prepared, and we still froze.
This was our priciest activity, with trips for adults at $37, but it was worth the expenditure. Check here to see if a coupon is available. It’s also fun to check out the webcam that shows what the view looks like in real time.
Garden of the Gods
This is gorgeous and free! There are miles of trails, and many of them are paved, making them easy to navigate with strollers or wheelchairs. The Visitors Center wasn’t nearly as amazing as being out among the sandstone rock formations.
A seven-tiered, 181-foot cascade of natural wonder is stunning both in the day and at night, when the falls are illuminated and colorful. If you’re there during the day, you can climb the a 224-step stairway next to the falls. We got lucky to time it at the end of the day, so saw the falls in the daylight and stuck around for twilight.
Wander Manitou Springs and Sample the Spring Water
Manitou Springs is located at the base of Pike’s Peak. If you’re going on the Cog Railway, you’ll be here, and it’s an attraction in and of itself as it has seven natural springs. There are a few places in town to get empty cups and you can sample the different springs as you wander the town. Both the sculptures surrounding are unique, too. My daughter loved a public park that was next to the the creek that runs through town. She enjoyed the downtime and we enjoyed the scenery.
There is much more to see and do in the area, including visiting the Air Force Academy, Cave of the Winds, and the Broadmoor. If you’ve visited Colorado Springs, what were the highlights for your family? Please share them in the comments!
None of this is sponsored or compensated. These places all have no idea that I exist, but we very much enjoyed them during our trip there.
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Prior post: Shamrock shake recipe
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