Keeping children entertained and engaged can be quite a challenge. As parents, we want to ensure our kids are having fun while also learning something new. So, what types of books can help keep your elementary-aged children entertained? Here's a list of the 9 best types of books that you should check out!
Activity Books Activity books, sometimes called game books or puzzle books, are great for keeping kids entertained while also teaching them new skills. These books come with puzzles, mazes, word games, and/or other activities that help children learn how to problem solve or develop their creativity. They can range in level of difficult from easy to challenging. The more challenging the activity book is, the more it's helping your child build problem solving skills and encouraging critical thinking, patience, and resilience. We recommend finding one that has some easy puzzles and games to build confidence and some challenging activities to stretch their growth and development. Shop our collection of activity books here
Coloring Books Coloring books are great for helping kids relax and unwind after a long day at school by allowing them to express themselves creatively on paper instead of on a computer or tablet screen. Plus, coloring is known to improve concentration levels and motor skills development in addition to being just plain fun! These are especially useful for young kids in K-3 grades who may be struggling with neat handwriting as a result of small hands and still-developing fine motor skills. Practice holding colored pencils and crayons and staying in the lines will help with penmanship. Download some free coloring pages for kids here
Non-Fiction Books Non-fiction books provide educational benefits as they teach kids about historical figures, science, math and more while still being entertaining enough to keep them engaged and interested in reading the material. Plus, these books often come with illustrations which makes it easier for young readers comprehend than if it were written purely without visual aids.
Comic Books Did you know comic books have been shown to improve literacy? They're also great for helping children understand how to read dialogue. For a book snob like me, I used to think comic books were a waste of a read. As an adult, I've come to rethink that stance. Comic books offer up an exciting way for kids to get into reading. The short paragraphs make it easier for young readers to follow than if it were presented without images. They also typically contain humor and adventure- very fun and engaging content for kids.
Graphic Novels Once your comic-book-loving kids are ready to move on to longer books, graphic novels are a great way to keep them engaged in reading. Still in a comic book style format, graphic novels are longer than a comic book, similar in length to a chapter book, but with shorter sentences and more pictures. Graphic novels have been a lifesaver for our daughter, Kiara. She feels like she's reading a chapter book, but the reading isn't too intense for her dyslexic brain to handle. They have been a great bridge between picture books and chapter books in our household.
Picture Books Picture books introduce young readers to concepts like colors, shapes, animals etc., all while helping them develop their imagination with engaging stories accompanied by beautiful illustrations! Picture books can also help advance language development by introducing new vocabulary words in an interesting way that will capture little ones’ attention. Typically appropriate for kids in grades K-2, we let our dyslexic daughter continue reading picture books even when her other friends had started on chapter books, because we didn't want reading to always be an unpleasant chore for her. Sometimes, it's OK for it to be fun and simple.
Chapter Books Chapter books are great for helping older elementary-aged kids (3rd-5th grades) advance their reading practice. Containing longer storylines, chapter books are usually filled with adventure and mystery (think Harry Potter) or with relatable characters (think Babysitters Club). As children progress in their reading journey they should be able to improve their comprehension skills- for example connecting back what happens in one chapter with another. They will also get exposure to more advanced literary techniques such as foreshadowing, irony, and hyperbole.
Science Fiction/Fantasy Novels Science fiction/fantasy novels offer up an exciting escape into a world filled with mystery and adventure - where anything is possible! Reading these types of novels can help engage children’s imaginations while teaching them important lessons about life such as courage or perseverance even when things seem impossible at first glance…all while having lots of fun along the way too!
Poetry Collections Poetry collections offer up a unique opportunity for children to explore language through rhyme and rhythm. Kids can also learn about different forms of poetry, such as haikus, ballads, or sonnets. Just make sure you choose age-appropriate collections. Poetry can be abstract and hard to interpret, and we don't want to confuse or frustrate young readers.
All 9 types of book suggestions here serve both entertainment value as well as educational purposes, which makes them perfect choices for keeping your elementary-aged child occupied on rainy days. A well-stocked home library for your kids would ideally contain a little of each.
Comments