Unwrap Imagination: 10 Enchanting Holiday Gifts for Kids That Foster Reading
As the holidays approach, you’re likely already thinking of great holiday gifts for kids in your life. Gifts that not only capture their interests but also help them develop their skills. Look no further! Here are amazing gifts that are exactly what your kids need to build their reading skills this holiday season. What matters most isn’t just finding an interesting gift – it’s finding one that engages your student in a way that encourages and develops literacy skills. From board books to inspirational reads, interactive tools, and more, these will surely make any teacher’s list of top picks for best holiday gifts that build reading skills!
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Subscription to a Children’s Magazine
Magazines offer a unique way to keep children excited about reading at home and in the classroom. Subscribing to a magazine that aligns with children’s interests creates the perfect opportunity for them to read and learn. Among the many great options, Highlights, National Geographic Kids, and Ranger Rick.
Check out more subscriptions here.
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Reading Buddies Make Great Holiday Gifts for Kids
A reading buddy is a great gift idea to inspire early readers. Plush toys that come with a book offer the perfect motivation for children to read. Any favorite character makes a great reading buddy. Examples of the reading buddies include, Aurora Softie Brown Teddy Bear Plush and The Three Little Bears Book Gift Set, and Mighty Mojo The Berenstain Bears Plush Doll Set – Brother Bear and Sister Bear – Based on The Berenstain Bears Books.
Here is a free craft to make your own reading buddy. Dusty the Dog encourages young readers to never give up with books and activities. Visit DustytheDog.com to see more.
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Interactive Phonics Games
Learning to read can be a fun and interactive experience with the help of educational games. Invest in phonics games that playfully engage students, helping them build essential reading skills while having a blast. Games like Word Pop, Phonics Dominoes, and Zingo can make reading practice exciting.
See all the printable phonics games available at Tammy’s Toolbox.
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Audio Books
Audiobooks are a great way to build vocabulary, comprehension, and fluency. They are particularly useful for building listening comprehension, allowing children to hear and recognize the natural rhythm of spoken English. Examples of audiobooks include Winnie the Pooh, the Complete Tales by A. A. Milne, and The Lion the Witch and the Wardrobe by C.S. Lewis.
Add some headphones or earbuds to spice up the gift.
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Reading Apps
With an overwhelming array of apps focused on learning, there is no shortage of reading apps that can enhance a child’s reading skills. These apps offer interactive reading, storybooks, and games that promote phonemic awareness, phonics, vocabulary, and comprehension.
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Puzzles and Activity Books
Puzzles and activity books are another fun and interactive way to build logic and critical thinking skills while helping children learn the basics of reading and writing. Highlights Puzzle Books, and Brain Quest are great examples of activity books to buy.
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Personalized Books
Personalized books offer a unique reading experience for children. Children can see themselves as the hero of the story, inspiring them to read more.
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Reading Journals
Encourage your students to become avid readers and reflective thinkers by providing them with personalized reading journals. In these journals, they can jot down their thoughts, favorite quotes, and draw illustrations inspired by the stories they read. This practice not only enhances their reading comprehension but also fosters a sense of ownership and pride in their literary adventures.
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Book Series
Book series are perfect for children who love to read. They allow children to build a strong foundation for reading and are beneficial for reading fluency. Examples include the Magic Tree House Series by Mary Pope Osbourne and the Harry Potter Series by J.K Rowling.
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Bookmarks
Bookmarks are simple, yet practical gifts that encourage reading. They can either be store-bought or handmade. Creating bookmarks is an opportunity for children to foster creativity. They can use anything from construction paper, beads, ribbons or even images cut from magazines. Whether bought or made, bookmarks are a great way to build a lifelong enjoyment of reading. Include one inside a book for a perfect gift for kids and adults alike.
As you wrap up this semester and prepare for a well-deserved holiday break, remember that the gift of reading is one that keeps on giving. Through enchanting Christmas books and thoughtful gifts, you have the power to ignite a lifelong love for literature in your elementary students. So, this holiday season, unwrap the magic of reading and watch as it transforms your classroom into a literary wonderland.
Happy Reading, and Happy Holidays!
See these posts for more ideas.
