Creative Book-Inspired Gifts for Your Young Children
Creative Book-Inspired Gifts for Your Young Children If you’re looking for gift ideas that feel thoughtful, meaningful, and delightfully hands-on, pairing a picture book with a small activity or bundle of supplies is a perfect way to go. These book-inspired gifts are budget-friendly, easy to assemble, and packed with opportunities for creativity and connection. Here are some of my favourite ideas to help you build gifts that feel truly special. A Barnyard-Themed Play & Create Gift Big Red Barn A beloved classic like Big Red Barn becomes even more engaging when it’s paired with an invitation to play. Gift this book alongside a farm-animal colouring book and a fresh box of crayons. Or take it up a notch with a few small farm animal figures for hands-on storytelling. Kids will be creating barnyard adventures in no time. A Snowy Craft Bundle for Paper Artists Snow A fresh stack of white paper, a pair of new scissors, and a copy of Snow make a magical, wintry gift for anyone who loves crafting. This simple trio invites kids to experiment with cutting out paper snowflakes. Feeling brave? Add glue and glitter for extra sparkle—just be prepared to embrace the mess! A Build-Your-Own-Animal Playdough Kit Brown Bear, Brown Bear, What Do You See? This book is already a favourite for colour recognition and rhythm, and it becomes even more interactive with a little creative twist. Gift a selection of colourful playdough (or ingredients to make your own), plus fun additions like googly eyes, feathers, and pipe cleaners. Kids can sculpt the animals from the story or invent their own. A Purple Creativity Box Harold and the Purple Crayon Put together a “Purple Craft Box” filled with markers, crayons, glue sticks, beads, yarn, and paper—all purple of course. It’s a simple gift that encourages drawing, imagination, and storytelling. A Recipe Keeper Starter Set How to Make an Apple Pie and See the World This delightful book travels the globe to gather ingredients, making it a perfect pairing with a brand-new recipe binder. Kids can start collecting favourite family recipes, experiment in the kitchen, and create their own culinary keepsake. It’s a gift that will grow with them. by Adrianne Curwen Adrianne is a wife to a public-school educator/administrator and a homeschooling Mama to seven children, ranging in age from 7 to 23. She believes that we have a unique opportunity as homeschoolers to design individualized education that suits giftings, interests, and passions. She and her husband have used a blend of registered homeschooling, enrolment with independent DL schools, and participation in public trade school programs to design individualized programs for their children. She is passionate about using as many read-alouds, picture books, novels, and conversations to educate her children but also gets excited by the amazing homeschool-designed curriculum that’s out there. Adrianne is thrilled by her new role as Communication Specialist for Classical Education Books and is grateful to have an opportunity to learn something new. She is grateful, every day, for her saviour, Jesus Christ, and has no greater joy than when she sees her most important missions field walk with Him.
Winter Book Stack
The Mitten Katy and the Big Snow Snow Stopping By Snow on a Snowy Evening Snowflake Bentley Owl Moon Snow is Falling White Snow, Bright Snow Winter on the Farm Snowman-Cold=Puddle Brave Irene
Movie Night Book Stack
Tom Sawyer Heidi Pride and Prejudice Black Beauty Animal Farm Where to Red Fern Grows Little Women Robinson Crusoe The Swiss Family Robinson Old Yeller Emma Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland Anne of Green Gables Watership Down Mr. Popper’s Penguins Charlie and the Chocolate Factory Charlotte’s Web The Secret Garden Mary Poppins 1984 There are many ways to enjoy time together as a family and bonding over books and movies is a simple way to connect. Start of course by reading the book and then plan a fun movie night! You can keep it simple and just add some popcorn or you can add some extra steps and make an event out of it: pre-made tickets, a ticket booth, concession stand, an usher, or maybe even go big with a projector to create a big-screen experience. Homeschooling families have a special relationship with books and they are certainly the focus in all of our families. Adding a movie night is fun and can even be used as a tool to encourage those reluctant readers. In our home, we’ve often said ‘no’ to movies unless the novel was read first. It’s been the nudge that some of our kiddos have needed. We all want our children to develop critical thinking skills and taking the time to read a book and then watch the movie is a great way to get those gears going. You don’t need to dampen the fun by pulling out worksheets; a simple conversation will do. Begin with open ended questions that encourage your child to compare and contrast the book and the movie. You’ll also be developing social skills in your children as you read and then watch; encouraging your children to consider the perspectives and creativity of others. Please keep in mind that this is not an endorsement of all of these movies. You’ll have to take the time to research and figure out what works for your family’s standard. Enjoy. by Adrianne Curwen Adrianne is a wife to a public-school educator/administrator and a homeschooling Mama to seven children, ranging in age from 7 to 23. She believes that we have a unique opportunity as homeschoolers to design individualized education that suits giftings, interests, and passions. She and her husband have used a blend of registered homeschooling, enrolment with independent DL schools, and participation in public trade school programs to design individualized programs for their children. She is passionate about using as many read-alouds, picture books, novels, and conversations to educate her children but also gets excited by the amazing homeschool-designed curriculum that’s out there. Adrianne is thrilled by her new role as Communication Specialist for Classical Education Books and is grateful to have an opportunity to learn something new. She is grateful, every day, for her saviour, Jesus Christ, and has no greater joy than when she sees her most important missions field walk with Him.
Geography Picture Books – Book Stacks
Tough choice here….. Travel through history. Circumnavigate the globe in Magellan’s World, then voyage around the bottom of Africa in A Long and Uncertain Journey, see your way through the impenetrable fog and crushing ice in Beyond the Sea of Ice, and finally, travel from Montreal to the Gulf of Mexico via the Great Lakes and the Mississippi in Despite All Obstacles. by Adrianne Curwen Adrianne is a wife to a public-school educator/administrator and a homeschooling Mama to seven children, ranging in age from 7 to 23. She believes that we have a unique opportunity as homeschoolers to design individualized education that suits giftings, interests, and passions. She and her husband have used a blend of registered homeschooling, enrolment with independent DL schools, and participation in public trade school programs to design individualized programs for their children. She is passionate about using as many read-alouds, picture books, novels, and conversations to educate her children but also gets excited by the amazing homeschool-designed curriculum that’s out there. Adrianne is thrilled by her new role as Communication Specialist for Classical Education Books and is grateful to have an opportunity to learn something new. She is grateful, every day, for her saviour, Jesus Christ, and has no greater joy than when she sees her most important missions field walk with Him.
Love & Friendship Book Stack (ages 13-18)
The Wind in the Willows Emma The Scarlett Pimpernel The Swiss Family Robinson Little Women My Antonia Eight Cousins Where the Red Fern Grows Anne of Green Gables
Love & Friendship Picture Books Book Stacks
Rikki Tikki Tavi Velveteen Rabbit Frog & Toad Together Guess How Much I Love You Saint Valentine The Monkey & The Crocodile The Owl & The Pussycat