As the end of the school year approaches, many teachers and parents are looking for creative ways to keep students engaged. Whether you're planning for summer activities at home or extending learning through an ESY (Extended School Year) program, this is the perfect time to blend fun with education.

Summer provides a great opportunity to reinforce important skills while introducing new concepts in a more relaxed environment. One of the best ways to engage students is through books paired with hands-on activities. These interactive experiences help children build their comprehension, encourage creativity, and give them an exciting reason to keep learning during the summer months.

Plus, summer-themed books and crafts are a great way to keep the season's vibe alive while fostering important literacy and motor skills.

 The Importance of Reading During the Summer

 Reading during the summer helps prevent the "summer slide," a phenomenon where students tend to lose some of the academic skills they gained during the school year. Keeping up with reading not only improves literacy but also ensures children maintain their curiosity and love of learning.

Summer offers a more relaxed schedule, which means students can explore books that interest them while still working on important comprehension and vocabulary skills.

Pairing books with crafts or activities enhances the learning experience by making it more interactive and memorable.

These activities can bridge the gap between simply reading and fully understanding the material. Crafting allows students to visualize the story's themes, characters, and messages, making it an all-around enriching experience.

Summer Book Activities and Crafts

 1. The Rainbow Fish + Colorful Fish Craft

Book Activity: Start by reading The Rainbow Fish to your students. This beloved story about sharing and friendship is perfect for preschool and elementary-aged students.

After the reading, engage them with questions about the themes in the book, such as, “Why did the Rainbow Fish decide to share his scales?”

Encourage a discussion on kindness, generosity, and what it means to be a good friend. You can also ask the students to share moments when they have been generous or kind.

Craft: After discussing the story, students can create a vibrant fish craft inspired by the Rainbow Fish. Use a fish die-cut or trace a fish shape onto diffusing paper. Provide students with markers and have them color the fish in vibrant colors, filling the entire surface.

Once done, spray the fish lightly with water and watch as the colors spread and mix, creating a watercolor effect. Let the fish dry, and they’ll have their very own beautiful, colorful fish that mirrors the stunning scales of the Rainbow Fish.

2. How to Catch a Mermaid + Under the Sea Snack Craft

Book Activity: Start by reading How to Catch a Mermaid by Adam Wallace & Andy Elkerton to your students. This fun, ocean-themed adventure is perfect for summer and will capture students’ imaginations as they explore the magical world of mermaids. 

As you read, use my Adapted Book Pieces to engage students with comprehension questions like, “What traps did they use to try and catch the mermaid?” and “What makes the mermaid so special?” This resource includes 24 visual questions with two answer choices per question, all supported by visuals to help students fully engage with the story.

The questions are designed to cover key details and promote discussions about teamwork, creativity, and problem-solving.

For added interactivity, the resource also includes optional interactive pieces that can be laminated and attached with Velcro directly to the question strips. These pieces make it easy for students to physically manipulate and answer questions, keeping them involved throughout the reading. 

Craft: After discussing the story, it’s time for a tasty treat! Have your students make Under the Sea Visual Recie using graham crackers, blue frosting, gummy fish and more!! 

The recipe for this snack is included in my June Visual Recipe Cards, which break down the steps into clear, easy-to-follow visuals.

This helps students practice important skills like following directions, sequencing, and recognizing ingredients.

The visual recipe format is especially helpful for students with different learning styles, allowing them to see each step and build independence in the kitchen. It’s a great way to integrate fine motor skills and promote a sense of accomplishment.

It’s the perfect summer treat to complement the mermaid adventure—students will love making and eating their edible underwater scenes, all while practicing essential life skills.

3. The Old Lady Who Swallowed a Shell + Seashell Sorting Activity

Book Activity: Read There Was An Old Lady Who Swallowed a Shell! by Lucille Colandro, using the Ocean/Beach Adapted Book Pieces to engage students with WH questions. These adapted pieces are perfect for targeting questions like “What did the old lady swallow next?” and “Why did she swallow the shell?”

The visual supports help guide students through the story, enhance comprehension, and spark discussion.

What’s Included in the Adapted Book Pieces Set:
This set is designed for fun and engaging ways to target WH questions while reading ocean/beach-themed books. Each book in this set includes 24 questions with two answer choices per question, all accompanied by visuals.

Optional ways to use the adapted pieces include:

• Interactive Components: Cut, laminate, and attach the interactive pieces using Velcro directly onto the question strips. Each question card is numbered in the bottom right-hand corner (1-24) for easy assembly.
• Black and White Question Cards: Black and white question cards are included for each book, making printing easy! These cards have the same questions as the color version, with the exception of those that include a “color” answer choice.

Craft/Activity: Seashell Sorting and Matching
After reading, extend the fun with a Seashell Sorting and Matching activity! This hands-on, sensory activity ties in with the beach theme and reinforces concepts like sorting and categorizing. Provide a variety of real or plastic seashells and have students sort them by size, color, or type. They can also create matching games by pairing shells with corresponding pictures from the story.

4. Snacks & Stories: The Pout-Pout Fish + Tropical Fish Cookies 

Book Activity: Kick off your Snacks & Stories adventure by reading The Pout-Pout Fish by Deborah Diesen. This delightful book follows a gloomy fish who learns that he can spread joy instead of gloom. It’s a fantastic way to talk about friendship and positive thinking.

After reading, engage your students with simple questions like, “What makes the Pout-Pout Fish feel sad?” and “How does he change by the end of the story?”

To enhance comprehension, the Snacks & Stories resource includes adapted book pieces with 24 questions and interactive elements specifically designed for The Pout-Pout Fish.

These pieces help students engage with the story and facilitate discussions. Additionally, you’ll find no-prep black-and-white questions that can be used during sessions. The included Picture Book Cheat Sheet is also a handy tool, prefilled with targets for vocabulary and core words to support your students’ learning.

Craft/Activity: Tropical Fish Cookies
Now, let’s dive into a fun and tasty activity—making Tropical Fish Cookies! This is a great summer treat that the kids will love creating together. It’s simple and enjoyable: they can decorate their cookies to look like colorful fish using icing and edible decorations. As they work together, they'll practice following directions and teamwork. Plus, who doesn’t love a delicious snack after a story?

The Snacks & Stories resource is packed with everything you need to make this activity a success. You’ll find a lesson plan that outlines how to run your session, along with vocabulary targets to keep the learning going. The visual recipe for the cookies helps guide students step by step, making it easy for everyone to participate.

Combining snacks with stories makes learning so much more engaging, especially during the summer months when kids are eager for hands-on activities. It helps them connect the story with something fun and tasty, reinforcing their understanding in a memorable way.

Let’s make this summer one filled with fun in the sun and ocean-themed adventures! Encourage your students to read, create, and explore, ensuring they take full advantage of these warm, sunny days. Here’s to a summer filled with joy, learning, and unforgettable memories!