Summer is HERE! Looking for some FREE fun with your kiddos? Look no further than your local library. We’re taking a journey around the world through books. Care to join?
Welcome to the new series on the blog! It’s named “Where to Gumshoe?” after the AMAZING 90s computer game Where in the World is Carmen San Diego? Do you remember that?! SO FUN! Since we are being “gumshoes” and investigating countries around the world, I found the name fitting! Who knows, maybe we will continue to do this all year round after we hit 10 countries!
After being in school all year, my girls kept asking about a schedule for summer. At first I was thinking about winging it, but I actually think we will benefit from having some structure. Obviously, I will let them play and be kids, too!! We have a daily schedule that we’ll focus on, having specific (yet flexible) days for the zoo, crafting, etc.
Working from home means I still have…well, work to do. I have to be sure to carve out some time for myself too! Having a plan of action will be super beneficial for all of us.
Since we love our local library, I thought a summer project would be super fun for us! After playing around with a few ideas, I settled on a journey around the world. Each week, we will focus on a different country with books for kids. We will learn about their cultures, history and the food they eat. On the weekend, we will try a new recipe based on what learned. Doesn’t that sound like fun!?
I would love for everyone to come along with us on the journey. I will be sure to share which books we loved and any fun tidbits along the way.
We will also have journals to write reports after the books. I hope this is a fun way to educate my kiddos over the summer and they get excited to travel the world someday. Our first mission is Italy, which might take more than a week! I could spend a week on the art alone!
Stay tuned for more information on our “trip”!
Would you like to join us on this fun journey? Do you have any kid-friendly or educational travel sites to share?
Great idea! The kids would really enjoy this activity. Its going to make them pick up the habit of reading and spark their interest to travel. For me, the best part would be having new food to try. Haha.
I’m pretty excited about the food too!!
This is a great idea!! I am encouraging my daughter to read more and this will be a great motivation for her.
I love encouraging my 3 girls to check out the non-fiction area–they can learn so much! We do still love Junie B Jones, though!
I love that you’re taking summer reading one step further and making it a global thing. What a great way to add an extra layer of fun and learning.
StacieinAtlanta recently posted…Busy Mom’s Guide to Summer Sanity
What a great idea! I love that you keep things interesting and fun for reading over summer! I want to do this with my girls.
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this is such a great idea!! I may not have any kids but this is such a great idea for everyone with or without kids. Great post!
I know! I am finding adult books to learn more with the girls. Now I want to travel to these places!
That’s pretty clever to incorporate geography and reading in one! I can’t wait to see what all is on the list!
This is great! You are making reading Fun and teaching your kids the importance of knowledge. I look forward to hearing more about your journey.
This is a super fun journey! We also started reading and I think the girls would love to know more about the other cultures. Thanks for the idea.
Inspiring Kitchen recently posted…Freya- Homeless Dog Now a Hollywood Star
This sounds like a fun journey. I am so thankful that my kids love to read. During the summer, we love exploring the libraries. A trip to the bookstore is a must every time we go out.
OurFamilyWorld recently posted…Super Fun Outdoor Games for Your Next Family Reunion
This sounds like a great way to get kids into reading!! I love reading about places around the world and feeling like I have actually been there.
Sounds like you are having a fun journey! Can’t wait to follow along some more!
This sounds like a great idea for any child this summer. I love the idea of having the kids read about other countries. Thanks for shairng this blog segment.
This is such a great idea! I’m a big time book lover, and when I was younger I read a ton-so I’m happy for anything that encourages kids to read more instead of just playing video games and stuff.Bravo!
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This is such an awesome idea! I think it’s so important for everyone to read. My girls love it when I read to them and my oldest has been starting to read, so she loves being able to read to her younger sister and myself.
This is great! Our local library is doing something like this, it really helps you get a variety in reading.
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Yes, we have been reading Junie B Jones for the past few months and I’m ready for more variety! They are kind of obsessed with their favorite series, but I love to branch out to non-fiction!
Oooo what a fun idea!!! My daughter ends school next week so I really should do something like this with her!
What a fun way to read new books. This is somethingI would have done with my kids when they were younger. A great way to introduce new cultures.
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I used to love Where is Carmen San Diego? I would watch it everyday after school since I was a latch key kid. This is a great idea and I know the kids will love it. – Yolo
I was a latch key kid too! Saved by the Bell and Carmen Sandiego ruled my childhood!
Its so funny, I also thought about winging our summer schedule but my daughter has been bugging me to create a schedule for her and she isn’t even out of school yet. I look at her like What is wrong with you!?! lol They’re supposed to be begging for freedom.
I know, right?! I used to be outside for HOURS just exploring. I never wanted a schedule! I hope they will want to sleep in!
This is such a great idea. My kids love reading new books and my son obsessed with Geography
Our library had TONS of books–even some ebooks for the Kindle. Have you seen any of the National Geographic Kids books or magazines? Those are our favs!
Ooooh I see South Africa on your list! I’m so excited about that. I live in Gauteng, South Africa. Beautiful city.
If you have any food suggestions for our meal, I would love to hear them!
I LOVE this idea! Mind if I steal it for my son? I know he would love learning about new places and their food.
No, I would LOVE for you to do this! I’ll be posting which books we loved weekly and a passport craft next week! I would love to hear what you find, too!