Summer Reading Tips Series: Tip #6 – Connect Books to Real Life

One of the most meaningful ways to make reading stick with children is to help them live the stories they’re reading. When books go beyond the page and into their everyday lives, reading becomes more than just a quiet activity—it becomes an experience they’ll never forget.

This tip is all about helping kids see that what they read connects to the world around them, and that books can inspire creativity, curiosity, and real-life adventures.

Why It Works

Children are naturally hands-on learners. When they read something and then get to do something with it, their brains light up. It deepens comprehension, boosts engagement, and helps them retain what they’ve read. And let’s be honest—it also makes reading way more fun!

Easy Ways to Connect Books to Real Life

Here are some creative ways to help your child take what they’re reading and bring it into the real world:

🍳 Cook Something From a Story

Read a book that mentions food (like Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs or Dragons Love Tacos) and then make a dish from the story. Cooking builds literacy through following instructions and learning new vocabulary.

🧪 Do a Related Craft or Experiment

After reading a book about space, animals, or weather, try a simple science activity or craft. For example, read Ada Twist, Scientist and then try a fun science experiment together.

🐞 Explore Outdoors

Reading a book about insects, plants, or nature? Go on a nature walk, visit a botanical garden, or create a backyard scavenger hunt. Let the book guide your adventure.

🎭 Act It Out

Turn a favorite story into a mini play. Let your child dress up, act out scenes, or use puppets to bring characters to life. It boosts comprehension and creativity.

🛍️ Visit a Real-Life Place

Reading about animals? Visit a zoo. Reading about historical events? Visit a museum or monument. Reading about baking? Visit a bakery. Real-world connections help reading feel relevant and exciting.

Bonus Ideas

• Start a Book-Inspired Project: Build a model, create a comic strip, or make a diorama based on a scene from a book.

• Write a Sequel or Alternate Ending: After finishing a story, ask, “What do you think happens next?” Let your child write or draw their version.

• Book & Movie Night: Read a book that has a movie version (Charlotte’s Web, Matilda, The Lorax), then watch it together and compare the two.

  
  

Why This Matters

When kids experience stories in real life, it helps them understand that reading isn’t just something they do for school—it’s something they can enjoy, learn from, and use to explore the world. It turns books into bridges: to fun, family time, and lasting learning.

Next in the series: Tip #7 – Keep Books Everywhere 📚We’ll talk about how small book placements can lead to big reading wins!