The rain has settled in, the afternoon is still ahead of you, and somebody has already asked what there is to do.
Try starting with a book and a sheet of paper. Read a little, then borrow an idea from the story for a drawing, a puzzle, or a make-believe adventure. You can use a book you already own; a new purchase is optional.
Here is a flexible plan for parents and caregivers of children ages six to eight. Choose the parts that fit your afternoon, and leave the rest for another day.
Let your child choose the starting point
Offer two books or two themes: animals or space, a mystery or a funny story. Ask which one they would like to explore.
Scholastic's guidance on finding books encourages following children's interests and offering choices. For this afternoon, keep the choice manageable. You do not need to assemble a whole themed collection before you begin.
Once you have a book, look for one thing to carry into an activity: a character, a setting, an object, or a question. A story about a journey could lead to a map. A missing object could become a small mystery of your own.
Decide how you will read together
Pick a comfortable place and read a few pages, a chapter, or a short book. The amount can depend on the book and how everyone is feeling.
Your child might read independently, take turns with you, or listen while you read aloud. Choose the arrangement that suits the text and the help you can offer. There is no need to make independent reading a condition for joining in.
If a detail catches their attention, pause there. “Where would you go next?” or “What would you put in that bag?” can give you a starting point for the activity. If they would rather keep listening, keep reading.
Choose one activity to follow the story
Put out paper and pencils, then choose one of these ideas. They are original activity suggestions; they do not describe pages included in any particular book.
Draw somewhere the character could visit
Ask your child to draw a new setting: a tiny island, a rainy city, or a room with a secret door. They can add labels, tell you about it, or ask you to write down a sentence.
For a shared version, each person adds one detail to the same picture. Let the drawing develop without needing to match the book's illustrations.
Make a short paper mystery
Choose an ordinary object in the room. Write or say a few clues about its color, shape, or use, then take turns guessing. Your child can draw a clue instead of writing one.
Keep the first round simple. If everyone wants another turn, swap who makes the clues.
Plan the next adventure
Draw a path across a sheet of paper. Add a starting point, somewhere to visit, and an obstacle to get around. Ask what the character might need for the trip.
You can tell the adventure aloud while tracing the route. Writing a full story is optional.
Prefer a ready-made activity book?
A drawing, puzzle, or activity book can take the place of the paper activity. Look at a publisher preview when available and choose a page that matches what your child wants to do.
Check the instructions, writing involved, and materials needed. Some activities may call for adult help or extra supplies. The cover's age range is a starting point for comparison, rather than a promise that every page will suit your child.
Our activity-book selection guide walks through those checks before you buy.
Keep the setup small and the ending easy
Start with the book, paper, and pencils. Add other materials only when the chosen activity needs them, and follow any product warnings or supervision guidance.
Leave room to change the plan. Your child might spend the afternoon drawing, return to the story, or decide they are finished after one round of clues. You can put an unfinished picture beside the book and come back to it later.
Before you begin, check:
- Which book or theme would your child like to choose?
- Will you read aloud, take turns, or offer help nearby?
- Which one activity will you offer first?
- Do you have the materials it needs?
If you are looking for your next book, browse S&T's stories to read or puzzles and hidden pictures, then compare the individual book details. The reading and activity choices do not need to come as a set.
For this afternoon, one book and one idea are enough to begin.
Further reading
For more on children's choice and shared reading, see Scholastic's How to Help Your Child Find Just-Right Books. The afternoon plan and paper activities above are Story & Tinker editorial suggestions.