December: Top 10 Family Reading and Writing Ideas for the Winter Holidays

By: Reading Rockets

The winter holidays are a great time to create low-key learning opportunities centered around books, storytelling, writing, and family adventures.

1. Creating Learning Traditions
   During the holiday season, consider adding some new traditions for your family that will make meaningful memories and strengthen foundations for reading and learning success. (In English and Spanish)

2. Children, Start Your Letter Writing
   It's the time of year when many children sit down to write an important letter addressed to the North Pole. Other children pen thank you notes and party invitations during this busy time of the year. Some say letter writing is a lost art, but it doesn't have to be!

3. Outdoor Explorations
   Stepping outside is a simple way to set foot into nature's laboratory. Backyards and neighborhood walks can lead to interesting conversations that contain new vocabulary words. You'll also be helping your child developing important scientific skills such as observing, predicting, and investigating. (In English and Spanish)

4. Reading Adventure Pack: The Snowy Day
   Go on a "snowy day" reading adventure! Our reading adventure packs encourage hands-on fun and learning centered around snow-themed fiction and nonfiction books.

5. Putting Your Family Calendar to Work
   Calendars help young children learn the basics of the days of the week and the months of the year. Your family calendar offers opportunities for other learning as well, including vocabulary, sequencing, and math. (In English and Spanish)

6. Reading Adventure Pack: Cooking
   Go on a "cooking" reading adventure! Our reading adventure packs encourage hands-on fun and learning centered around cooking-themed fiction and nonfiction books.

7. Start with a Book
   Explore dinosaurs, bugs, birds, planes, music, sports, superheroes, inventors, art, the night sky, the ocean, and more — 24 themes in all. You'll find dozens of fiction and nonfiction books, ideas for hands-on activities, writing prompts, websites for kids, and interactive apps.

8. 103 Things to Do Before/During/After Reading
   Dive into this collection of interactive activities that build reading, writing, oral language, and creative thinking skills.

9. The Night Before the Museum
   Day trips, vacations and special outings create special memories and great learning opportunities for families. Whether you're going to the zoo, the museum, or a state park, below are a few "stops" to make before your visit. (In English and Spanish)

10. How to Help Your Child with LD Have a Happy Holiday
    The holiday season is a time for family togetherness, fun, and friendship. But children who struggle with social and behavioral problems can feel lonely and excluded during this happy time. This article gives you a dozen ways to help your child join the fun.

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