Building Relationships Through Creative Literacy Skills: 7 Fun Family Activities You Can Do at Home or on the Road

This past weekend, Ernst and I participated in another book fair, but what really stood out was an ongoing literacy exhibit the North Cobb Regional library had going on in their garden. Ernst's book, "I Know a Horse" was featured. We were excited and honored because  not only was his book the only one selected for this exhibit, but also because they purchased copies for circulation.

If you are in the area, request a copy! 

So what does this experience have to do with creative literacy and your family? Read on to find out!

When people think of literacy, they often think of academics, but literacy is the foundation of communication. The more skilled one becomes at the art of listening, speaking, reading, and writing, the stronger he or she can become at building relationships, rapport, and adept personal agency.

Fall break is right around the corner and so often, it’s easy for us to allow more screen time when kids say they are bored. Yes, I’m talking to myself-- the literacy advocate and author. But I'm also the fatigued, and well-meaning parent. Like you, I feel all the mom guilt as my little one does her thing on her laptop or tablet. But I am thankful that she is still managing to develop into a bright and creative person.

A little history.

When our two adult children were small, we were very fortunate to have a lot of time to invest in building their literacy skills at home. We homeschooled them for almost ten years.

However, with our youngest one, we needed to shift. I went back to work full-time, and it has been a challenge to stay consistent and creative, despite being a certified educator. 

Between busy work and activity schedules--and simply being tired--I completely empathize with young parents who wonder how can we keep our children actively engaged with the art of listening, reading, speaking, and writing, the foundational components of literacy.

The good news is that some creative literacy activities you probably already do: cooking from recipes, putting together toys or furniture, and telling bedtime stories. But if you are looking for things to do during a staycation, long car trip,  or school break, here are a few unusual and creative ways to support literacy at home, beyond the traditional "read every night" routine:

1. Storytelling Jar
Create a “storytelling jar” filled with random objects, pictures, or words written on slips of paper. Encourage your child to pull out a few items and craft a story around them. This sparks imagination and helps children practice narrative skills in a fun, low-pressure way.

2. Book Scavenger Hunt
Turn reading into an adventure by hosting a book scavenger hunt. Hide books around the house, and give clues related to characters, themes, or plotlines to find them. You can tie this in with topics they’re learning in school or current events. This activity turns books into treasures to be discovered!

3. DIY Comic Books
Encourage your child to create their own comic book or graphic novel. Provide blank comic panels, markers, and a prompt to help them get started. This taps into their love for visual storytelling, encouraging them to blend words and art to convey a narrative. Plus, it shows that storytelling can take many forms!

4. Picture to Story Challenge
Take family photos, old magazines, or random images from the internet and challenge your child to write a short story based on the picture. Ask guiding questions like, "What do you think is happening here?" or "Who are these people, and where are they going?" This activity strengthens descriptive writing and narrative structure, while also allowing your child to connect visuals with words.

5. Letterboxing
Letterboxing is an outdoor hobby that combines treasure hunting and puzzle-solving with literacy. Participants hide small, weatherproof boxes containing a notebook and stamp, along with written clues to find the box. You can have your child write their own clues or follow others' clues, practicing writing and reading skills while exploring nature.
   - You can find letterboxing sites through [Atlas Quest](https://www.atlasquest.com).

6. Set the Scene
Building on the previous idea, consider the places you’ve been or plan to go. If you like to travel, or dream of doing so, why not create a story based upon a place you love or hope to visit one day? Gather information about famous landmarks, foods, things to do, and people who live (or lived there). Decide if your story will be action-packed, full of mystery, or contain realistic sci-fi. It could have all three if you like.

7. Literacy Postcards
Help your child develop writing and reading skills by sending real postcards to friends, family, or even fictional characters. Ask them to write short, imaginative notes—whether it’s an update on their day or a pretend letter to a superhero. You can also read aloud the responses they receive, making it a collaborative and rewarding experience.

Bonus: Experience books like "I know a Horse" by author Ernst Louis in the great outdoors. Visiting a literacy walk at your local library or park like the one at North Cobb Regional will take you there!

So now you have a few more ideas in your wheelhouse. Continue to build relationships with your children and keep them creatively engaged as they develop their communication skills. By incorporating creativity, play, and everyday activities into literacy learning, you’ll keep your child’s curious and show them that reading and writing can happen anywhere.

Let me know how it’s working out for you or if you have any more ideas that you’d like to share.