Bedtime Book Fair: The Best Bedtime Ever

Make reading the focus of this simple, special event.

By Allison McDonald
May 14, 2015

Ages

Infant-7

Bedtime Book Fair: The Best Bedtime Ever

May 14, 2015

I am not sure what bedtime looks like at your house, but our children's bedtime routine is set in stone:

PJs
Brush teeth
Use the potty
Hugs and kisses for the parent that is not reading to you
Into bed to read 3 picture books
Lights out

We always read three books. Except when we have a Bedtime Book Fair! This is a super fun way to make reading past your bedtime a huge deal for kids who aren't reading alone under the covers with a flashlight quite yet.

You will need a re-usable shopping bag. If you use one to go to the library, grab it. This is your book bag.

You might want to start bedtime a little early on this night. Just before your children start their bedtime routine hand them the bag and tell them to fill it up with books and pop it on one of their beds. When they are brushing their teeth, set up the books around their room just like at a book fair. Tell them that tonight they get to go to a bedtime book fair and can pick as many books as they want to read.

Get comfy. It may be a pretty late night. See why I suggested starting bedtime early?

They may lose a few extra minutes of sleep but it's well worth it. Not only will they read more, they will also attach this super awesome special night with reading. Reading is special. You may even notice that in the days that follow they recreate this during playtime. We want reading to be part of your daily routine but that doesn't mean we can't make it a special event as well.

How have you made reading extra special at your house? Tell us on the Scholastic Parents Facebook page.
 

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Bedtime, Sleep, Dreams