Skip to main content

Books to Read When.... You're Bored

By

Summer is almost upon us, which means you will inevitably hear "I'm bored!" or, "There's nothing to do!" So, when that moment comes, refer back to this list of books that will give your kids something to do, no matter what types of activities they enjoy!

Tree, Wildflower, and Mushroom Spotting
By Mary Kay Carson
New York: Odd Dot, an imprint of Macmillan Publishing Group, LLC, 2023. Informational. 410 pages.

If you would like to take your nature walks to the next level, this is the book for you. Learn about different plants you may see along your journey, try one of the plethora of nature-based activities, and post about your findings in a nature journal. This is a great guide to a variety of plants, and will give your kids so much to focus on as you hike!

10-Minute Projects
By Sarah L. Schuette
North Mankato, MN: Capstone Press, 2021. Informational. 141 pages.

This quick guide, which contains many activities that use items that you will already have on hand, gives you 65 projects that it touts that you can do in 10 minutes (while these projects are simple and some of them may be done in 10 minutes, depending on the age and skill level of the child, some may take longer.) From paper fortune cookies to glitter putty to space rocks, kids will love making the items in this book. This is a great book to have on hand when your child gets bored.

Solve This Forensics
By Kate Messner
Washington, DC: National Geographic, 2020. Informational. 160 pages.

If your child is interested in mysteries, this is the book for them. In this book, the reader solves 4 different mysteries while learning about the real forensic science that law enforcement uses to catch criminals. Each crime begins with a scenario, shows kids the evidence, gives them the suspects, discusses the real science behind the evidence collection, then lets kids decide who did it (and lets them know if they were right!) This fun, interactive book is sure to be a favorite for your Harriet The Spy and Mr. Lemoncello's Library obsessed kids.

365 Days of Play
Written by Megan Hewes Butler
Illustrated by Emily Balsley
New York: Odd Dot, 2022. Informational. 256 pages.

If one idea for what to do today isn't enough, what about 365? Ranging from the easy (how to make a rubber band ball) to intricate (how to make a cookie puzzle) this book has something to do no matter how much time you have to kill. Plus with illustrations and boxes to let you know what supplies you'll need, it will be easy to choose from the many projects contained in this book. Or just do a project a day for the entire time you have the book checked out! Whether you like games, crafts, or STEM activities, there's something in here for you. 

Paper and Tape Crafts
By Jennifer Perkins
Oakland, CA: Rockridge Press, 2023. Informational. 97 pages.

Sometimes you need a craft idea using only supplies that you're 100% sure you already have at home. This book is here for just those moments. Whether you want to make a cardstock cactus, a mini piñata, or a confetti filled bookmark, this book will give you hours of fun with minimal supplies. The step-by-step instructions are clear and the crafts are simple, making this a great choice for those who are just ready to start crafting on their own.
Labels:

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Five Faves: WWII Spies and Codebreakers

By
I can't help but assume I'm not the only kid who grew up playing spies. As a child, my imaginative playtime was filled with covert espionage largely derived from the Spy Kids movies. As an adult, my interest in spycraft has never wavered. In fact, the older I get, the more I am intrigued by spies, ciphers, and codes. Combine that with a love of rich historical settings and untold stories of people from history, there are few things I find as satisfying as a historical spy story. If you're anything like me, you'll love this list of stories -- real and fictional -- starring spies, codebreakers, and cryptanalysts. Max in the House of Spies By Adam Gidwitz New York: Dutton Children's Books, 2024. Fiction. 320 pages. After Kristallnacht, Max Bretzfeld's German Jewish parents decide to send him to England via the Kindertransport. Now accompanied by two invisible-to-all-but-him spirts -- a dybbuk and a kobold -- Max is desperate to return home to Berlin. As Max adjusts
Post a Comment
Read more

Review: The Color of Sound

By
The Color of Sound Written by Emily Barth Isler Minneapolis, MN: Carolrhoda Books. 2024. 326 pages. Rosie is a 12-year-old musical prodigy who has a remarkable brain that allows her to remember every piece of music she has ever heard or played. She also has the unique ability to hear sounds and her brain turns all of these sounds into colors that she can see, feel, and taste. This full sensory ability is called synesthesia and sometimes Rosie loves what her brain can do and sometimes she is overwhelmed because she can never get away from all the sounds and colors that surround her constantly. Since she was little Rosie has loved the violin, but lately she feels like she has lost her identity and is only known as "the girl with the violin," so she goes on a music strike. She tells her teachers and her mother that she is not playing the violin anymore. Her mother is very upset with her decision, and so she decides to take Rosie with her to spend the summer at her grandparents h
Post a Comment
Read more

Five Faves: Mysterious High-Low Intermediate Books

By
Intermediate Mystery books are a gold mine. High-low books refer to titles that are of high interest to readers, but contain low level vocabulary. These titles are clever, action-packed, and have several books in the series to keep the mystery alive. These intermediate mystery books are the first in their series and are sure to appease any mystery loving reader. The Ghost Tree Written by Natasha Deen Illustrated by Lissy Marlin New York: Random House Children's Books, 2022. Intermediate. 95 pages. With a dash of paranormal mixed with mystery, this book introduces Asim, a Guyanese American fourth grader who moves to a new town. After a visit to a graveyard, an evil spirit is unleashed. Asim works with new friends, Rokshar and Max, to save their town. With scarily cool illustrations to accompany this text, this book is great for any amateur sleuths who love a touch of creepy. Detective Duck: The Case of the Strange Splash Written by Henry Winkler and Lin Oliver Illustrated by Dan San
Post a Comment
Read more