summary Work with a friend or family member to create a menu to use at your pretend restaurant. Source: The RIF Guide to Encouraging Young Readers CATEGORIES: Arts and Crafts, Rainy Day Fun, Reading, Writing AGES: 3-5 6-8

summary Make your own joke book. Source: Reading Is Fundamental CATEGORIES: Arts and Crafts, Exploring Nature, Ideas for Every Season AGES: 3-5 6-8 9-12 teen MATERIALS: Multiple TYPE: Indoor TIME OF DAY: Play Collect jokes

summary Kick off your family's "Summer Reading Olympics" by making a family Olympic torch. Source: Reading Is Fundamental CATEGORIES: Arts and Crafts, Family Time, Ideas for Every Season, Reading, Travel Adventures,

summary Two sessions may be required if you wish to have children help make the modeling dough. Otherwise, make dough ahead of time and have children add food colors before sculpting their dinosaurs. Source: Reading Is Fundamental,

summary Children construct sculptures from recycled junk and design their own litterbags. Source: Reading Is Fundamental, written by Sue McCleaf Nespeca and Joan Reeve CATEGORIES: Arts and Crafts AGES: 3-5 6-8 MATERIALS:

summary In this activity, you can make a homemade book that features all the colors of the rainbow. Source: Reading Is Fundamental CATEGORIES: Arts and Crafts, Reading AGES: 9-12 teen MATERIALS: Multiple TYPE: Indoor TIME

summary Create an Alphabet Book with letters, words and pictures! Source: Reading Is Fundamental CATEGORIES: Alphabet Learning, Arts and Crafts, Writing AGES: 1-2 3-5 MATERIALS: Minimal TYPE: Indoor TIME OF DAY: Play Write

summary Children make valentines for their friends. Why not have them make valentines for their favorite storybook characters too! Source: The RIF Guide to Encouraging Young Readers CATEGORIES: Arts and Crafts, Celebrations

summary Get your in the holiday spirit and the reading spirit. Decorate your tree with homemade ornaments that look like miniature books. Source: Reading Is Fundamental CATEGORIES: Arts and Crafts AGES: 9-12 teen MATERIALS:

summary Children can model their own artistic impressions by creating tasty versions of what they see. Source: Reading Is Fundamental, written by Corrie Fisher CATEGORIES: Arts and Crafts AGES: 1-2 3-5 6-8 MATERIALS: Multiple