8 Weeks of Fun Books and Free Activities for Kids!

Get the kids off the screens and make it a summer to remember! These books feature great stories, characters, and laugh-out-loud humor — plus the STEM concepts that 1st through 3rd graders need to stay sharp all summer long. Take these books and activities with you on your road trip, on the plane, or just out in the backyard.

Most of these titles are available now in paperback and ebook. Order now and get ready for summer!

Week 1 Theme: Animal Adventures

Mysterious bear tracks, a pig who’s acting up, a chicken on the loose, and a new pet-care business — these delightful stories are all about animals!

Free bonus activities to download and print at home.

– The Runaway Chicken, Makers Make it Work activities
– Bears on the Brain, Science Solves It activities
– Pet Peeves, Social Studies Connects activities
– The Case of the Poisoned Pig, The Milo & Jazz Mysteries detective guides & activities

(Details: The Runaway Chicken, 32 pgs, grades K-2; Pet Peeves, 32 pgs, grades 1-3; Bears on the Brain, 32 pgs, grades K-2, The Case of the Poisoned Pig, 96 pgs, grades 2-6)

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Week 2 Theme: Gardening

Time to get your hands dirty! These stories are all about getting busy in the garden.

Free bonus activities to download and print at home.

– How to Grow a Monster, Makers Make it Work activities
– Take Me to Your Weeder & Parks and Wrecks, How to Be an Earthling mission guide

(Details: How to Grow a Monster, 32 pgs, grades K-3; Take Me To Your Weeder, 64 pgs, grades 1-4; Parks and Wrecks, 64 pgs, grades 1-4)

Week 3 Theme: Sticky and Smelly Situations

Ewww! From slime to mold to a stinky pair of socks, these gross activities help kids learn all about the stinky side of life.

Free bonus activities to download and print at home.

– The Slime King, Makers Make it Work activities
– A Moldy Mystery, Science Solves It activities
– The Case of the Stinky Socks, The Milo & Jazz Mysteries detective guides & activities

(Details: The Slime King, 32 pgs, grades K-3; A Moldy Mystery, 64 pgs, grades 1-3; The Case of the Stinky Socks, 96 pgs, grades 2-6)

Week 4 Theme: The Great Outdoors

Pitch the tent, gather the s’mores, and let’s go camping — these fun stories all take place in the great outdoors!

Free bonus activities to download and print at home.

– The Lost & Found Weekend, Makers Make it Work activities
– Gotcha, Science Solves It activities
– Daisy Diaz Shakes Up Camp, Social Studies Connects activities

(Details: The Lost & Found Weekend, 32 pgs, grades K-3; Gotcha, 32 pgs, grades 1-3; Daisy Diaz Shakes Up Camp, 32 pgs, grades 1-4)

Week 5 Theme: Spooky Summer

Chills and thrills aren’t just for Halloween! These stories will make for excellent spooky stories around the campfire this summer.

Free bonus activities to download and print at home.

– The Case of the Haunted House, The Milo & Jazz Mysteries detective guides
– What’s that Sound? & Werewolf Moon, Science Solves It activities

(Details: The Case of the Haunted House, 96 pgs, grades 2-6; What’s that Sound?, 32 pgs, grades K-2; Werewolf Moon, 32 pgs, grades 1-4)

Week 6 Theme: BUGS!

Creepy, crawly, flying, or buzzing — these stories are all about insects!

Free bonus activities to download and print at home.

– Broken Bees’ Nest, Makers Make it Work activities
– Bugged & Monster Bug, Science Solves It activities

(Details: Broken Bees’ Nest, 32 pgs, grades K-2; Bugged, 32 pgs, grades K-2; Monster Bug, 32 pgs, grades K-2)

Week 7 Theme: Sweet Treats

Yum, yum — make summer delicious with these books and activities about ice cream, cupcakes, and other sweet treats.

Free bonus activities to download and print at home.

– Bubble Trouble, Science Solves It activities
– 7 Days till Ice Cream, Makes Make it Work activities
– The Cupcake Thief, Social Studies Connects activities

(Details: Bubble Trouble, 32 pgs, grades K-2; 7 Days till Ice Cream, 32 pgs, grades K-3; The Cupcake Thief, 32 pgs, grades 1-3)

Week 8 Theme: Rockets, Robots and UFOs

These books are high-gear and out of this world!

Free bonus activities to download and print at home.

– Rocket Rivals & Robot to the Rescue, Makers Make it Work activities
– It Came from Outer Space, Science Solves It activities

(Details: Rocket Rivals, 32 pgs, grades K-3; Robot to the Rescue, 32 pgs, grades K-3; It Came From Outer Space, 32 pgs, grades 1-3)