The Adventures of Marie and LeeLee: Fun Activity Ideas

Map out the journey Marie and LeeLee take to practice sequencing and direction. Discussion Tip: Use transition words like 'first', 'next', and 'last' to help your child understand the order of events in a story.

Instructions:

1. Roll out a long piece of paper on the floor and tape the corners down.

2. Draw a path from one end of the paper to the other.

3. Help your child draw the lake at the start of the path and a snowy field further down the path.

4. Use toy cars or even just 'walking' fingers to travel along the path as you re-read the story.

5. Ask your child to add their own favorite places, like a park or a grandma's house, to the map to extend the adventure.

You will need:

• Book and read along

• Butcher paper

• Crayons

Build a visual representation of friendship using recycled materials. Discussion Tip: Talk about what it means to be a 'best friend' and ask your child to name one thing they like about their friends.

Instructions:

1. Look through old magazines or junk mail for pictures of people playing, nature, or happy faces.

2. Help your child cut or tear out pictures that remind them of the adventures Marie and LeeLee have together.

3. Glue the pictures onto a piece of cardboard or heavy paper to create a 'Friendship Collage'.

4. As you glue each piece, talk about why that picture represents fun or friendship.

5. Display the collage in a common area to remind the child of the social themes in the book.

You will need:

• Book and read along

• Washable glue

• Kids safety scissors

Go on a backyard or park exploration to find items Marie and LeeLee might see on their adventures. Discussion Tip: Ask your child what sounds they think Marie and LeeLee would hear in nature to help build descriptive vocabulary.

Instructions:

1. Read the book together and point out different outdoor scenes like the lake and the snow.

2. On a piece of paper, help your child draw simple icons for things like a leaf, a rock, a puddle, or a stick.

3. Take the paper outside and walk together to find each item in your own environment.

4. When an item is found, have your child color in the drawing to mark it as found.

5. Discuss how the found items feel, such as smooth rocks or crunchy leaves.

You will need:

• Book and read along

• Drawing paper

• Washable markers

Create a secret hideout for talking and laughing, mirroring the bond between the two best friends. Discussion Tip: Ask your child to tell you a story about what they would do if they visited a lake with a friend to encourage narrative skills.

Instructions:

1. Drape sheets over chairs or a table to create a cozy indoor tent.

2. Fill the inside with pillows and soft blankets to make it a comfortable reading nook.

3. Crawl inside with the book and a flashlight for a special 'nighttime' reading session regardless of the time of day.

4. After reading, turn off the flashlight and take turns sharing funny 'secret' stories just like Marie and LeeLee.

5. Use the flashlight to point out specific characters or objects in the book's illustrations.

You will need:

• Book and read along

• Cotton bed sheets

• Kids flashlight

Explore the textures of snow and water mentioned in the book using safe household materials. Discussion Tip: Use 'feeling words' like cold, wet, soft, and bumpy to help your child connect touch with language.

Instructions:

1. Fill one side of a large tray or bin with cotton balls to represent 'snow' and leave the other side for 'water' (use blue paper or fabric to avoid a mess).

2. Place small toy figures or spoons into the bin to act out the friends running and jumping.

3. Encourage your child to move the figures through the cotton 'snow' and then the 'water' while narrating the actions.

4. Ask your child to describe the difference in how the 'snow' feels compared to the 'water' side.

5. Re-read the pages about the lake and snow while your child interacts with the corresponding textures.

You will need:

• Book and read along

• Plastic storage bin

• Cotton balls