A massively under-represented and under-appreciated holiday is on April 12th: Drop Everything and Read Day. While one can argue that there are many unnecessary and, frankly, silly holidays—this one deserves so much more recognition than it is currently getting.
Reading is essential not only for children going through school, but as a tool to use as an adult. While the biggest benefit that can be thrown out for reading right off the top of the head is to learn, reading is helpful for so much more than that. Reading can bring us together, as you can see within book series fandoms, such as those for Lord of the Rings and Harry Potter. Most importantly, reading can offer us a safe escape from our lives. In books, we can retreat to a world that is different from our own, and for those pages, we can forget about our stresses.
All of this is to say: reading is important and needs to be celebrated. Here are a few ways you can celebrate Drop Everything and Read Day with your family.
Read-A-Thon:
A classic for a reason: simply sitting around and reading for a few hours is the quintessential way to celebrate this literary holiday. Curl up and read in your favorite spot: in front of the fireplace, on your couch, in the bathtub—name it. To make it more fun for your kids, a fort is always a good idea, or even building an elaborate “nest” with blankets and pillows in the middle of the living room. Throw in some hot chocolate and a mystery novel, and you’ll be set for hours.
Make Bookmarks:
If you feel the itch to express your creative side, bookmarks are a great way to scratch that! They can easily be created out of scrap paper and some markers, or printed from your computer. You can make them out of old paint swatches, or laminate some cut-up paintings your children made. There are a million ways you can create wonderful bookmarks, and don’t forget to share the love by gifting some to your loved ones!
Reading Bingo:
If you are the competitive type, reading bingo may hit the jackpot for you. Make your own rules, depending on the time frame you have and the skill set of the players. For example, traditional bingo rules of five across may work better for a child who is new to reading, while older elementary kids (and adults, of course) may prefer to compete in filling up the entire board. You can cut this bingo sheet out, and don’t forget to tag us on social media when it’s all filled up!
