Little Girl's Big Day Out: Fun Activity Ideas

Recreate Little Book’s adventure by decorating a mini cardboard box to hold tiny handmade storybooks. Discussion Tip: Discuss with your child what makes a classroom book box special and how books like to share their stories with new readers.

Instructions:

1. Cut off the top flaps of a small cardboard box to create an open classroom book bin.

2. Let your child paint or color the outside of the box with bright colors and creative patterns.

3. Fold small sheets of white paper in half to form tiny blank mini-books.

4. Encourage your child to draw simple cover illustrations on each mini book and place them inside their new custom book box.

You will need:

• Book and read along

• Small empty tissue box or small cardboard box

• Washable paints or markers

• Blank white paper

• Child safe scissors

Craft a double-sided feeling bookmark to help young children identify emotions while following along with the story. Discussion Tip: Ask your child, 'How did Little Book feel when he landed in the classroom book box? How do you feel when you enter a new room or meet new friends?'

Instructions:

1. Cut a strip of colorful cardstock into a rectangle bookmark shape.

2. Help your child draw simple facial expressions representing different feelings like nervous, happy, curious, and excited along the strip.

3. Punch a hole at the top of the cardstock strip and thread a short piece of yarn or ribbon through it.

4. Use a clothespin or paperclip to slide up and down the bookmark to point to how the main character or child is feeling while reading.

You will need:

• Book and read along

• Colorful cardstock

• Crayons or markers

• Yarn or ribbon

Paint smooth river stones with heart designs and smiling faces to carry in pockets for reassuring comfort during tough moments. Discussion Tip: Remind your child that everybody feels nervous sometimes, and ask what brave thoughts they can carry in their pocket when they feel worried.

Instructions:

1. Wash and thoroughly dry a few smooth, flat river stones.

2. Use bright paint pens to draw small smiley faces, hearts, or simple stars on the surface of each stone.

3. Allow the paint to dry completely.

4. Slip a finished pocket stone into your child's pocket or backpack as a comforting reminder of home during school or new activities.

You will need:

• Book and read along

• Smooth river stones

• Paint pens or acrylic paint

Draw a simple home map to lead a fun search-and-find hunt to reunite Little Book with Addie. Discussion Tip: Discuss how Addie felt when Little Book was missing and how working together helps us solve big problems.

Instructions:

1. Hide the picture book in a secret room or box somewhere in your home.

2. Draw a simple, colorful map on large paper illustrating key furniture landmarks in the house.

3. Mark an X on the map where the book is hidden and lay painter tape arrows on the floor as clues.

4. Guide your child as they read the map and follow the tape path to find and rescue Little Book.

You will need:

• Book and read along

• Large drawing paper

• Washable markers

• Painter tape