Stuck for ideas on how to keep your kids happy during the summer holidays? We’ve rounded up some of our favourite storytime activities for you to try out. Let us know how you get on by tagging us in your Facebook, Twitter or Instagram posts!
1. Visit your local bookshop or library
Nothing beats a trip to the bookshop or library – particularly on a rainy day. Snuggle up in the kids’ section with some picture books and transport your children to another land. Our local indie bookshop Limestone Books in Settle has a beautiful children’s section with books to educate and inspire young children and get them hooked on reading. And North Yorkshire Libraries are running a Summer Reading Challenge for children aged 4-11 – more info here. So, if you find yourself with some free time this summer, head to your nearest bookshop or library and while away the afternoon with your little ones in the company of books.
2. Watch Matilda’s Bedtime Stories
This series of five-minute videos are perfect bite-sized stories for your young children to enjoy at bedtime, naptime, in the car, on a plane…anytime your little one needs a bit of comfort. They’ll be so enraptured by these traditional fairytales, read by the lovely Matilda, that you’ll probably know them all off by heart by the end of the holidays.
3. Learn how to tell stories with Storyversity
If you love telling stories to your children, but feel like storytime could do with a bit more pizzazz, sign up to our sister site Storyversity to complete our online courses in ‘How to Tell Stories For the Very Young’ by Mara Menzies and ‘Storytelling for Parents’ by Dominic Kelly. These fun and interactive courses will teach you the techniques you can use to engage young audiences. They also include handy tips and tricks on how to collaborate with your children to provide a unique storytelling experience.
4. Dress up as your favourite characters
Here at Settle Stories we love any excuse to dress up – as you’ll see in the photograph below! So why don’t you and your little ones get dressed up as characters from your favourite storytime books and act out different scenes? You can get crafty with the costumes or hunt for the perfect outfit in your local charity shop. The possibilities are endless and we can guarantee you’ll have a whole heap of fun!
We hope you have a wonderful, story-filled summer! Make sure to keep in touch with us on social media and sign up to our mailing list for all the latest news and ideas from Settle Stories.
