Tips to Make the Most Out of Family Outings this Holiday Season
This time of year many of us venture out and do unique things with our families. There are various parks, museums, and events we get the opportunity to attend. In the digital age we live in many of us are taking pictures to capture our memories. They are such fun to look back at and share. However I’d love to add my “Spin” to the idea and suggest that you encourage your child to write about their experiences to make their own book. We have quite a collection of homemade books that my daughter has made over the years and I’m excited that my younger one is now starting to create her own books with me.
You can create a book together about anything. Here are some events that you may have done with your family recently or plan to soon that might inspire your next book.
- Pumpkin Patch
- Hayride
- Corn Maze
- Field Trips
- Nature Trail Hike
- Apple Orchard
- Historical Museum Visit
- Holiday Light Exhibit
- Holiday Show
- Fall or Winter Festival
- Amusement Park
- Picking out a Christmas Tree
- Visit to Santa Claus
Tips on How to Write a Handmade Book
Where to Start?
What was Your Favorite?
Start by encouraging your child to write down their favorite things that they experience on your adventure. Photos are a perfect way to reflect on a trip and describe what made those opportunities fun.
What Facts Did We Learn?
Think back to the event and the things that you discussed. There are facts that you learned that you can include in your book.
Dig a Little Deeper
Now it’s time to research things a bit further. If you’re writing about a pumpkin patch or Christmas Tree Farm experience look up facts about how they grow. Where do they come from? When did the tradition start?
Where to Find Information?
You can research together using the internet and books from the library. It’s showing your child the process of seeking information for data and facts. We usually check out a few books from the library to keep at home on the topic.
Make a Book of It.
Your child can create a book in a variety of ways depending on their age. For younger children having them illustrate and you dictate what they are telling you onto the paper. You could also write the text with them on the computer and print. For older children encouraging them to write out description of their illustrations is a good starting point. Plus they they can use their research to enhance their story.
Once you’re written down all your information make it into a book. Your child will look back at it often as a memory of their special times spent together with you. Plus while they’re reading it they’ll learn a little background information and learn to write a piece of Non Fiction work.
What family adventure will you encourage your child to write about?
After School Favorites from Last’s Week’s After School Linky Party
I’ve chosen a few seasonal posts to feature as we all celebrate the change of seasons it’s fun to have a few activities to do at home with the kids and also a fun way to create a book with your child.
After School Favorites from Last’s Week’s After School Linky Party
I’ve chosen a few seasonal posts to feature as we all celebrate the change of seasons it’s fun to have a few activities to do at home with the kids and also a fun way to create a book with your child.
- The Reason for the Seasons Storybook Fun by Enchanted Homeschooling Mom
- Books About Seasons by AfterSchooling Smarty Pants
- Seasons and Snow Globes from Life with Moore Babies
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The Educators’ Spin On It, After School for Smarty Pants, Boy Mama Teacher Mama,
Coffee Cups and Crayons, Little Wonders’ Days, Mama Smiles, Relentlessly Fun,
Deceptively Educational, The Measured Mom , This Reading Mama, What Do We Do All Day?
Coffee Cups and Crayons, Little Wonders’ Days, Mama Smiles, Relentlessly Fun,
Deceptively Educational, The Measured Mom , This Reading Mama, What Do We Do All Day?
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What a great idea! What a great way to reflect and have great memories to look back on.
Great ideas. In my daughter's second grade, they have "Weekend News" journal exercise on Mondays, where the kids are encouraged to write about the events of that weekend. We haven't seen the journal yet – I expect it will be given to us in the end of the year, but we often discuss on Sunday the highlights of our weekend, so daughter has some ideas what to write about on Monday.
Great writing prompt. I was going to have the boys write about our summer adventures but never got around to it! Maybe they could revisit them with the pictures, though 😉
What a fun way to remember outings!
This is perfect! We just went on a field trip today and I am going to use your tips to get my daughter to make a book about our trip 🙂 Thank you for sharing your post!
Thank you for hosting the link-up too!
Love your book prompts!
Love your family books. My kiddos write in their journals every day. Through the years the journals have turned into special keepsakes that chronicle our lives through the eyes of the children. They often write about our family outings and field trips.
jeannine: waddleeahchaa.com