Parenting

Connecting with Your Older Child

It feels like there is so much that needs to get done every day: Laundry, dishes, making meals… Whether you work outside the home or not, there just don’t seem to be enough minutes in the day to do it all. I’ve heard too many stories of parents who feel completely out of touch with their teen. I wonder how much of the disconnect started long before high school, when all the day-to-day life stuff got in the way. Connecting with your older child really starts earlier than you think. Maybe even right now.

Grainy, I know. We like to take selfies 🙂

How to Start Connecting with your Older Child

The biggest hurdle to get over is knowing what it is that makes your child feel loved. Some kids are easy to figure out, while my big kid others are more withdrawn and can be tough to understand. Last year I read the book The 5 Love Languages of Children: The Secret to Loving Children Effectively and it really helped me to get to know my oldest. I was able to figure out his needs and how I can let him know that he is loved. Once your child knows 100% that he is loved, your relationship will improve by leaps and bounds.

Make Sacrifices

John Crudele is known for saying “Kids spell love T-I-M-E”. It’s a hard thing for us busy moms to set aside what we want or even need to do, and spend time with our kids instead. I get it. I’ve been there. When you’ve got upcoming deadlines or projects and you just can’t stop what you’re doing. But spending time with your kids is an investment that you won’t regret.

Show an Interest in what Interests Them

You know what I couldn’t care less about? Minecraft. Or any video game for that matter. But I have a teenager who just loves playing video games. I could roll my eyes when he starts talking about the grand plan that he and his buddies have to kill an ender dragon and make a bunch of potions, but instead I listen carefully to what he has to say. I ask questions to show that I want to understand the game that he loves so much. Next thing you know, he’s asking me to come see the building he created. And it’s actually kind of interesting! Connecting with your older child starts with showing an interest in what they do. From there, you’ll get the chance to hang out and do other things together.

I’m not saying my relationship with my oldest is perfect. We have our ups and downs. I’m also not guaranteeing that every parent-child relationship will be perfect. Some kids will push back no matter what you try. I encourage you, my mom friends, to keep on loving your kids even when it is hard.

How do you connect with your older child? Do you feel like it is easy to encourage them to spend time with you? Let’s continue this conversation in the comments section below.

Why We Love the Kindle Fire for Kids

We don’t mess around with spending a lot of money on our kids. When we buy them a present, we do our research to make sure we’re getting something that will last, is the best available price, and that they will actually use. Last year for their birthday we got the twins a version of Amazon’s Kindle Fire for kids. It’s just like a regular Kindle Fire tablet, but it’s the kids edition. We’ve spent 9 months using their tablets and have found so many cool little things that I had no idea were even available!

5 Reasons why we Love the Kindle Fire Kids Edition

The practically bulletproof case

Ok, this one we knew about before buying the Kindles because the “kid-proof” case was the #1 selling point for us. My kids drop/break/accidentally maim and harangue everything. Yesterday Johnny put my camera’s SD card in a glass of water! Just plopped it in there like he was doing me a favor. Obviously, we have to be on them, 24/7 or they’d tear the house apart. The Kindle Fire Kids Edition comes with a 2-year worry-free guarantee. 9 months after we got them, and the tablets are still in one piece. I guess they’re stronger than my kids’ appetite for destruction!

The apps

My 4-year-old girls love the apps that come with the Kindle Fire Kids Edition. The PBS kids app lets them watch their favorite PBS shows. There are lots of other apps with all their favorite characters: Disney, Barbie, Dora, Hello Kitty, Bubble Guppies, and Strawberry Shortcake just to name a few. The Toca Boca apps are always in their top 5. One of Emily’s favorites is Pet Doctor, a game where you give bandaids and snacks to pets with “owies”. Check out my video review! Emily loves the apps on her kindle fire kids edition!

The stories that read to your child

Finding out about these made me do a happy dance, because for the longest time I didn’t think the books read to your child. There plenty of books available for free on the Kindle Fire Kids Edition, but it would be nice if the girls could enjoy a story on their own every now and then.

The parental controls

Image via Amazon

We do try and limit screen time with our kids, and thankfully the makers of the Kindle Fire Kids Edition get that. You can set time limits for how long your kids use their tablet and customize the bedtime curfew so they’re not sneaking out of bed at crazy hours to check on their Toca Life: City (like Sim City but way cooler and kid-friendly!). The parent dashboard tells you what your child played and read during their time on the tablet. You can even set “learn first” controls so that your child must do some reading before he/she can start playing games.

The price

We got our tablets with one payment, but I noticed that now you can choose to pay in 5 payments of $26.00. That’s so do-able! The tablets come with one year of FreeTime Unlimited, which gives you access to all the books, apps, and videos. After that it’s as low as $2.99/month for Prime members.

While I’m not a huge fan of having my kids on electronic devices, technology is an inevitable part of the future for their generation. I appreciate that Amazon understands what’s important to kids and parents when it comes to a tablet. Our kids have enjoyed their tablets for almost a year, and I’m so glad to say that they are a purchase I don’t regret.

Do you have a tablet in your home? What do you look for in a tablet/e-reader?

Teaching your Kids to Live Naturally

This shop has been compensated by Collective Bias, Inc. and its advertiser. All opinions are mine alone. #FreeOfSulfates #CollectiveBias

Last week I went as a counselor to my school’s 6th grade camp. We had a blast by the beach while learning about San Diego’s environment and habitat. Campers explored the jetty looking for sea life, and a few boys even dared each other to LICK a sea anemone! The bummer was that I had to leave my cell phone and laptop at home (gasp!), which really made me think about how digitally-dependent my family has become. During those days at camp I got to be like a kid again and live naturally.

After several days out in the fresh air and sunshine, I’ve decided to make some changes at home. It’s important to me that my children appreciate living close to nature. Along with this, they need to learn a respect for the environment and their bodies. we help our kids to live naturally by growing our own veggies and flowers

3 ways to teach kids to live naturally

Start a Family Garden

How cool is this idea for growing squash in a planter box?

One of the best ways to encourage kids to eat veggies is by working as a family to grow them. We started a little garden on our back patio a few weeks back.

Unfortunately, the plants got gobbled up by birds. I’ve learned a thing or two about protecting your garden from winged intruders now, so look out for a garden post soon once I get round 2 growing again!

Shop products with better-for-you ingredients

When I was at Walmart last week I came across this great sulfate-free shampoo and conditioner in the hair care section. AVEENO PURE RENEWAL® Shampoo and Conditioner contains naturally derived cleansers and a sulfate free formula that gently cleans your hair and scalp. I like knowing what I’m putting in and on my body, and that I’m taking steps toward a healthy lifestyle. Using this digital coupon, you can get AVEENO PURE RENEWAL® Shampoo and Conditioner for $1 off (excluding travel sizes).

Show your kids how much fun outdoor play can be

Every once in awhile it’s great to go outside and just have fun as a family. Anywhere you can find some open space, there is bound to be something you can do with your kids.

Some ideas for outdoor fun are:

Have a water fight
Go bird watching
Draw with sidewalk chalk
Blow bubbles
Jump rope
Visit a nature preserve
Hunt for bugs
Play catch
Go on a hike
Visit a “U-Pick” farm
Make a bird feeder
Collect leaves
Make s’mores

Basically, kids of all ages will get a kick out of playing outdoor games, just because they love hanging out with their parents!

The drawback to when you live naturally by playing outdoors is how dirty kids get when they’re busy enjoying nature. NEW sulfate free all® fresh clean ESSENTIALS® delivers a powerful clean without harshness. All sulfate free gives your laundry a powerful clean without all the harshness My new detergent has a sulfate-free formula that lifts even the toughest stains by infusing effective, proven, essential ingredients into the fabric. I got my deep-cleaning all® fresh clean ESSENTIALS® at Walmart, way up on the top shelf. Don’t forget the coupon for $.50 off one (1) all® product (while supplies last).

We’re enjoying making decisions to benefit our family’s health. Doing more gardening, playing outdoors, and switching to sulfate-free products like all® fresh clean ESSENTIALS® and AVEENO PURE RENEWAL® Shampoo and Conditioner are how I create a better-for-us lifestyle for me and my family. some of my favorite sulfate-free products: All Fresh Clean Essentials and Aveeno Pure Renewal! Whenever possible, I substitute a milder/more natural ingredient for the one we were using. I love these products because they are better for our skin. I want to protect my kids from irritation and dryness, so I wash their laundry with all® fresh clean ESSENTIALS®. My AVEENO PURE RENEWAL® Shampoo and Conditioner is better for my hair and helps with skin irritation.

Are you ready to join me in a better-for-you lifestyle and make the switch to sulfate-free products like all® fresh clean ESSENTIALS® and AVEENO PURE RENEWAL® Shampoo and Conditioner?

The Twins Aren’t So Identical After All

People always ask us if our twins are identical. To tell the truth, I can’t say for sure that they are. I guess people get their twins tested, so they can legitimately say that their kids are scientifically 100% the same. Well, ours aren’t the same. Madeline has a faint birthmark on the back of her hand, and she’s always been a fraction of an inch taller than Emily.

But when people want to know if they’re identical, we always say yes. It’s a much simpler answer than having to explain that they’ve never been tested, or that there are slight differences between them. I mean, my own parents can’t tell them apart so that’s got to hold some value, right?

They had their eyes dilated, and had to spend the rest of the day in these sunglasses. The twins thought they were pretty awesome!

This week we got some news that should make it easier for friends and family to tell them apart. Because very soon, Emily will start wearing glasses.

It all started when the girls had their eyes checked during a free screening at the preschool. They both didn’t pass the eye exam, but I just figured they were playing during the test and not taking the proctor seriously (they’re very giggly girls when they’re in a silly mood). We had to get a more intense eye exam done, which told us that both girls have astigmatism. Emily’s condition is more pronounced in one eye than the other, so she was prescribed glasses.

They Won’t Look Identical Anymore

It’s dumb, but I’m wrestling with this more than I should be. My two perfectly matching girls won’t match anymore. From now on Emily’s going to stand out as “the one with the glasses”. She’ll be noticeably different from her twin sister for the first time ever. They love each other so much, I just don’t want this to be something that breaks their attachment to one another.
Emily picked out a very cute pair of pink frames, kind of like these, and once they’re ready I’ll be sure to share a pic of her on my Instagram or Facebook.

I’m sure I’m just being overly emotional. I’m sure this is no big deal. Lately I’ve been crying over every stage of development, so I know this is a bigger problem for me than it needs to be. Have you ever been there? Tell me I’m not the only crazy, crying, “Stop growing up so fast” Mama out there.

Grab and Go Summer Fun Bag

This shop has been compensated by Collective Bias, Inc. and its advertiser. All opinions are mine alone. #SummerSkinReady #ChooseSkinHealth #CollectiveBias

A lot of our summer, we’re going out as a family on carefully planned trips and events. But some days, we totally change up our plans and go out for some super summer fun unexpectedly. That’s why I always keep a “grab and go summer fun” bag packed just in case we *need* to do something crazy and adventurous at the last minute. Besides, what is summer for if you’re not running off on spontaneous day trips?

Grab and Go Summer Fun Bag Must-Haves:

Sunscreen

One thing I always have with me is sunscreen. I prefer to use the waterproof stuff for beach trips. But if we’re not planning to get soaked, it can make my skin feel greasy and gooey. A friend recently recommended this Neutrogena® Sheer Zinc™ SPF 50 Lotion sunscreen and I am absolutely in love. I got mine at Target, where you can also get a 2oz. size of face lotion that is a perfect fit for your purse. When you choose sunscreen, make sure it’s got that UVA/UVB sun protection, also called broad spectrum. This Neutrogena Sheer Zinc has just that, plus it’s gentle on sensitive skin. They call it “sheer zinc” because it’s made with naturally-sourced zinc oxide. That sounds good for you skin, doesn’t it?

Snacks

I swear, my kids are bottomless pits. I’m baffled at how skinny they are when they’re constantly asking for snacks. My bag is stocked with kid-friendly snacks like crackers, granola bars, and those fruit pouch squeezie thingies.

Towels

We rarely have unplanned beach trips, but we have had plenty of outings that resulted in soaking wet kiddos.
We took a last-minute road trip last summer that had us at Lake Tahoe at one point. One stop was at grandpa’s place, in the wide open countryside of Modoc county. When you’re hanging out creekside in the middle of nowhere, it’s nice to have a towel handy.

Water

Hydration is important, especially on those hot summer days. We usually leave the house with a water bottle or two, but it’s always a good idea to have one stashed in the grab and go summer fun bag for when those run out. And speaking of water, did you know that Neutrogena Sheer Zinc is also sweat and water resistant for 80 minutes? That’s almost how much time I have in between the demands for more snacks coming from my 3 littles!

Book or Magazine

Wishful thinking, I know, But there’s always the off chance that the kids will be grossly entertained by something that doesn’t require mom’s help every second. Last summer I was into home and garden type magazines. This year I’m reading a book on how to start using my “big girl panties” and stop being such a weenie. True story. 😉

Diapers

This one may not apply to all moms, but we are still in the diaper phase, although hopefully not for much longer! I tuck a few extra diapers in my summer fun bag in case for whatever reason our adventures outlast the diapers I’ve already got in the car, my purse, in the stroller basket… 😉

Tips for Prepping your Grab and Go Summer Fun Bag

The great thing about having a ready-to-go bag for spontaneous day trips is that doing a little advanced planning actually saves you time and money. You’ll have more time to spend having fun family adventures when you have all your stuff packed and ready to go. Plus, vending machines and tourist spots can charge ridiculous prices for snacks and drinks. There is a special deal that works either in store and online, where you get a $5 Target GiftCard when you buy $15 of sun care – so I did! 😉

This meant the kids’ snacks I got were practically free. This only worked because I got a special deal for buying the Neutrogena Sheer Zinc™, which is fine with me because I was going to buy it anyway! I actually wear it on top of my makeup and I seriously can’t tell it’s even there.

I use sunscreen all year long because it’s always sunny in Southern California and I like the SPF 50 to combat the strong Cali sinshine. Where you’re living, would Neutrogena Sheer Zinc SPF 30 or SPF 50 be your SPF of choice?

The Night Before His Surgery I Threw My Teen a Slumber Party

I know, it wasn’t the best parenting move. But we had been planning this birthday party for weeks, and then just a few days before the big day Logan went and broke his ankle. Badly. Like, so badly that we were back in the hospital because of this break for almost every day that week! He’s only going to turn 14 once, and last year his big 1-3 party turned out to be a total bust. There was no way I was going to let my child have 2 bummer birthdays in a row. So, yes. The night before his ankle surgery I threw a teen slumber party that had 9 big boys traipsing through my apartment.

If you’re going to throw a teen slumber party, there are a few things you can’t skimp on. Like food.

We had appetizers, candy, and chips all ready to go when the boys arrived. I let Logan pick his favorite junk food, which I usually try and limit. But I figured it was OK just this one night.

Pizza arrived about 2 hours after the guys did. Teenage boys eat a lot of pizza, so we ordered something crazy like 8 pizzas for the whole crowd, which included John and the little guys and I. It ended up being too much but we love leftover pizza so we were kinda happy about it. 🙂

Due to the upcoming surgery, Logan wasn’t allowed to eat or drink anything after midnight. He was pretty responsible about making sure he got all his snacking in before then. For his “last hurrah” we had an ice cream sundae bar and Martinelli’s sparkling cider. The ice cream sundae bar included

2 kinds of ice cream
Cherries
Caramel sauce
Chocolate sauce
Ground up Oreos
Ground up chocolate chip cookies
Chopped up pieces of candy
Whipped cream (which I forgot about until the next morning, so they used it on their pancakes)

When your older brother has a slumber party, you get to have some of the treats!

Not all the boys were able to stay the night (a blessing, really 😉 so we had pancakes for those who were still around the next day.

At a teen slumber party, you’ve got to keep them busy.

My parents have a giant Jenga game with all the family members’ names on the blocks!

Or they’re going to think up their own activity and you better bet it’ll be something wild and crazy.

We played Giant Jenga and lots of video games. It was actually more of a gaming party than a birthday party. We had some crazy game planned but then Logan broke his ankle and we weren’t able to play them. We were going to play:

Hunger Games Balloon War (outdoor game):

Each player gets an inflated balloon and a crayon. The object of the game is to pop the other players’ balloons and be the last one with a full balloon. The only weapon you’re allowed to use is the crayon. You can hide (just like in Hunger Games) and use the crayon or any part of your body to pop the balloons.

Sock Wrestling (indoor game):

On their hands and knees, each player is wearing one sock. The object is to try and get the other player’s sock off.

Skittle Pie (indoor game):

This is a really gross game but kids love it. You put a handful of Skittles in the bottom of a pie tin and fill it with whipped cream. Players have to keep their hands behind their backs and use their mouth to hunt for Skittles, spitting the ones they find in a cu or another pie tin. The player who finds the most Skittles in a certain time wins. I debated on playing this game anyway but Logan wasn’t supposed to be on his feet very long so we had to pass on it after all.

At about 9:30 the guys (minus Logan and 1 or 2 others) decided to go out into the freezing night air and play a variation of Mafia. Only, because they are testosterone-powered teen boys, their game was full-contact and involved hiding and Nerf guns. And yelling. Lots of yelling.

I gave them a 10:00 time limit, and after that they had to be indoors and a whole lot quieter so we didn’t get a noise complaint from the neighbors. Thankfully they’re all really respectful and came inside without any issue.

The night involved way too many sugary snacks and not nearly enough sleep. However, I stand behind my decision to go ahead with the slumber party even though it was the night before Logan’s surgery. Maybe it’s mom guilt for how bummed he was over his broken ankle or because last year’s birthday was a total bust. At least the surgery wasn’t first thing in the morning. In the end, everything worked out fine, and I think this might have been better than the twins’ big first birthday.

A Big Change for the Twins

We are at one of those times of year when our family is smack dab in the midst of schedule chaos. Logan is playing off-season baseball, John just finished midterms, I am up to my eyebrows in report cards, parent conferences, and first trimester (of school, not pregnancy 😉 paperwork. Honestly, I don’t think I could handle anymore schedule complications. But last week we got news that means there will be a big change for the twins.

A little backstory:

Over the summer, I had some extra free time and so I researched a bunch of programs for low income families. While John is in school, my teaching job pretty much support the family, and as you know teachers are notoriously underpaid. Unfortunately, it turns out that we are not low income, just under the average income. Which means we didn’t qualify for any of those free childcare programs. That’s fine with me, because I know that those are out there for families who really really need it and we don’t really really need it.

Well, last week one of the day care centers called and said that they had exhausted their waiting list of low income families and were able to bring in a few families (like ours) that are just above the allowable income ceiling.

We had to gather all of our documents on very short notice: birth certificates, shot records, tax returns, signed verification forms from our employers… The girls had to get a physical and see the dentist. I got behind at work from 3 days of leaving early and arriving late to get everything taken care of. But with a LOT of help from John I managed to get all the paperwork in on time.

The big change for the twins

Last week the twins officially started preschool. They have a classroom, a teacher, and real school schedule. Everything happened so fast, it wasn’t until the day before they were to start that it sunk in for me: My babies are growing up and starting preschool. Yikes!

They adjusted without much of an issue. They even found a girl at the school they know from their Sunday School class. However, Mommy may have shed a tear or two on her way to work that first morning of school.

This new school is not only a big change for the twins, it’s also an adjustment for John and I. Johnny is still going to our home daycare provider, whose hours are a lot more flexible than the preschool’s are. We drop the girls off at preschool, then take Johnny to see Miss Pili. At the end of the day we pick up the girls first and then Johnny. The preschool and the home daycare are on opposite sides of town. I don’t want to complain about the drive though, since it’s not like we live in a very large town. I mean, if you call it “town”, you know it can’t be that big of a place! And this new opportunity will be great for the girls.

I picked them both up one day and Emily’s shirt was heavily dotted with purple paint. I asked what she had painted that day at school and she said cheerily, “I painted a paper… And ME!” Ha.

They’re already busy making new messes and finding new friends.

Twins and their Silly Instagram Outtakes

I love Instagram. I love seeing the creative flatlays that people put together, checking out the great places my friends visit, and eating vicariously through the amazing food pics. Of course, I also love connecting with my followers in the comment section below my posts. It’s like my own cozy hangout in my little corner of social media land. I occasionally post cute pics of my kids on my feed. But for every perfectly cropped and edited image there are a dozen Instagram outtakes that didn’t make the cut.

Our Instagram Outtakes

I was trying to get a cool beach pic before the girls got too covered in sand and salt water. The end result was pretty cute, but it sure took a long time to get there!

Whenever we’re out running errands, and the girls’ hair isn’t too frazzled-looking from their high-energy playing, I try and snap a pic of them together. You know, for memories… Or IG, whatevs 😉

Yes, I’m the crazy mom who thinks she can pose her kids and they’ll just cooperate. Ha!

I just wanted a picture of Emily with her bunny for Pete’s sake.

Sometimes you go ahead and post the pic because at least one of the twins is so darn cute.

I just realized that Madeline is wearing the palm tree shirt here that Emily was wearing in the sunglasses pic. I probably won’t be able to get away with having one wardrobe for 2 girls much longer!

This is me: “Johnny, look at Mommy. Look at Mommy, honey. No hands, baby. Look at Mommy. Say “cheese”! Look at Mommy. Baby. Baby. Look here, baby! Uggghhhhh…”

Apparently it’s pretty unrealistic to expect 3 kids to make a normal “smile” face at the same time.

Especially when you’re dealing with small children, it’s hard to get that perfectly curated pic worthy of being posted on Instagram. My Instagram feed should be proof enough that I don’t pretend to be perfect, and I don’t think anyone should feel like they have to. I enjoyed giggling over the silly faces my kids made in the ‘not-good-enough-for-Instagram pictures as I was going through my phone.

Remember not to take yourself too seriously and enjoy the silly things in life. And find me on Instagram @Simply_Sweet_Days !

Easy After-School Snack Ideas and Printable Snack Menu

This post was sponsored bya2 Milk® as part of an Ambassador Program for Influence Central. I received complimentary products to facilitate my review.

Our children work so hard in school. Imagine the energy it must take to learn and grow by leaps and bounds every day. When school is out, they need an after-school snack to replenish some of that used-up energy from a long day at school.

Easy after-school snack ideas

The printables below have 48 easy after-school snack ideas. I recommend letting your child decide on 3-5 snacks from one of the lists that he wants to have on hand for the week. He can mark his favorites with a sticker, which also helps to keep track of which snacks he’s tried. Encourage him to try new things every once in a while as well. I’ve included a blank template for you to write in your own after-school snack menu.

In our home, I offer milk with every afternoon snack. We like a2 Milk® because it has about 8x the protein of almond beverages and about 6x the amount of calcium as soy beverages?. With how fast our children are growing, it’s my responsibility to make sure they get the nutrition they need for strong bones. Plus, a2 Milk® offers all the nutritional benefits of regular milk without the difficult-to-digest a1 protein found in regular milk. For more information and resources, click here to visit the Lactose Intolerance section of the a2 Milk® website.

Some of the snacks, like baggies of nuts and apple slices, can be prepped ahead of time. That way your child can help himself to his snack when he gets home. Keep variety in snack options by switching lists when your child gets tired of his current after-school snack choices.

Homemade fruit popsicles are a cool snack for hot kiddos after school.

Fruit, vegetables, and dairy products make for easy, healthy snack options. Try to avoid sugary drinks as these can lead to cavities and overweight. Milk or water are best for children’s growing bodies.

A few tips for encouraging healthy after-school snack habits:

If your child goes straight for junk food snacks like chips and fruit gummies then consider not having those in the house at all.
When you go shopping, let your children pick the fruits and vegetables they want to eat.
Make sure you offer choices. Ask your child if he would prefer celery sticks or apple slices, instead of just putting out the celery sticks.

Alternative options for children with nut allergies or food sensitivity:

If your child has a nut allergy, you can substitute hard boiled eggs, edamame, string cheese, beef jerky, or greek yogurt for the nuts.
Some children and adults can’t eat dairy products or drink regular milk because they cause stomach discomfort and indigestion. Swap out cheese on a menu item for a glass of a2 Milk®.

Milk from The a2 Milk Company™ is real milk. People with tummy troubles or post-dairy digestive discomfort may drink a2 Milk® and not experience any symptoms. a2 Milk® is also a great alternative to highly processed alternative dairy drinks.

We get ours from Sprouts, or use their store locator to find a store near you.

You can print these after-school snack menus in color or use your printer’s black-and-white option. They are designed to be printed on 8.5″ x 11″ paper, but be sure to select “fit to page” or some text may not be visible along the edges.

40+ Books to Read With Your Child This Summer

Reading seasonal books as a family are a great way to deepen your child’s vocabulary and reading comprehension. I like to keep a stock of books categorized by season. As the weather changes, so do the stories on the shelves! These titles are organized by an average level, but children of all ages would enjoy many of these books.

Parents are encouraged to spend some time reading to their children, so that the child learns the way that an ‘expert’ reader would present a story. So feel free to dig in to reading with your children this summer, and get lost in one of these delightful books!

Some links may be affiliate.

40+ Books to Read With Your Child This Summer

Ages 1-3:
123 Beach
I See Summer
Where is Baby’s Beach Ball? A Lift-the-Flap Book
On the Beach (Usborne Lift-the-Flap Book)
Sunny Day: A Point-and-Match Book
On My Beach (felt finger puppet board books)
Let it Shine
Mouse’s First Summer
Splash!
Discovery Kids Splash in the Ocean
Baby Loves Summer
Let’s Have a Picnic!

Ages 4-5:
At the Beach
First Time at the Pool
Leo Can Swim
Good Night Beach
Biscuit’s First Beach Day
Twenty Yawns
Llama Llama Sand and Sun
Puppy Pool Party!
Summer Days and Nights

Ages 6-7:
Biscuit Goes Camping
Froggy Learns to Swim
Duck and Goose Go to the Beach
Wolf Camp
Pete the Cat: Pete at the Beach
Toasting Marshmallows: Camping Poems
Explorers of the Wild
The Moon Jumpers
Toy Boat
The Summer Visitors
Camp Rex

Ages 8-9:
The Relatives Came
Fireflies
Danitra Brown Leaves Town (this one may be out of print, which makes it likely you can get it used/cheaper!)
The Raft
Heat Wave at Mud Flat (another possible out-of-print book)
A Camping Spree with Mr. Magee
Are We There Yet?
Come On, Rain!
Time of Wonder
The Lost Lake

If I’ve left out one of your favorite summer books, let me know and I’ll add it to the list!

This post is part of our summer series. Click this link for more Super Summer Fun ideas!

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