Read-a-Thon Ideas

[Lyd]

I think I'm going to do a read-a-thon with my kids in a week or so. My two boys are really good readers, but they don't particularly enjoy reading. And, to be honest, it's a battle I haven't been very willing to fight this summer. So, not much reading has been going on.

But, I thought it would be fun if we did a little read-a-thon where we spend the morning reading and then maybe watch a movie in the afternoon that was based on a book. And, we can have treats and make it fun.

So, my question to you is . . . what are some movies we could watch? It needs to be interesting to a 10 year old but appropriate for a 3 year old. And, it needs to be available though Netflix streaming or for rent through iTunes, Amazon, or Redbox (it has to be cheap ).

And, have any of you done something like this with your kids? What worked? What didn't work? Any suggestions for a successful at-home read-a-thon?

[Libby Pritchett]

Well, the first movie I thought of was Holes, but I'm not sure how much your 3 year old will want to sit through it. It's very... brown... cause a good part of it takes place near dirt. LOL It *is* on Netflix though.

[Libby Pritchett]

Or what about Charlotte's web? Also on netflix.

[Libby Pritchett]

Oh! (I really should just edit my posts as I think of something new instead of posting 1000 new ones... no wonder my post count is so high).

What about Diary of a Wimpy Kid? I haven't read/watched, but I've heard a lot of people talk about it. It's not on Netflix, but it is available to rent through Amazon.

[Lyd]

Lol. You make me laugh, Libby.

They've seen Holes several times, but Charlotte's Web or Diary of a Wimpy Kid are great suggestions. We own Charlotte's Web, but I don't think they've watched it much. Come to think of it, that would be a great book to read out loud with them as well. We haven't done that one yet.

[eranslow]

Percy Jackson? Harry Potter? (the first one)

[scrap2day]

I was going to say Because of Winn Dixie but I wouldn't really recommend for a 3 year old.

Judy Moody and the NOT Bummer Summer
Harriet the Spy

Here is a blog post someone did with 50 kid titles that are also movies.

[marlathrall]

The first Harry Potter.

[Lyd]

Oh, they've seen Harry Potter. Lol.

[abm234]

I could only come up with Harry Potter. My 10 year old DD said "Dolphin Tale"--I haven't read it or seen the movie to confirm that it is appropriate but my DH let the DD watch and she says it is fine. "The Giver" would be appropriate for most 10 year olds (my daughter read it in school in 4th grade) and it is going to be released soon at the theater (not cheap).

[Misty Cato]

We love doing this. I don't know what is available on Netflix/Amazon etc., but here are our favs. All of these have some level of violence/suspense so I leave it to you to decide on the 3 year old.

Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory. We had a chocolate party while we watched.


Indian in the Cupboard

Chronicles of Narnia

The Tale of Despereaux

Wizard of Oz

Diary of a Wimpy Kid - although I really can't stand the movies, but my son loves the books so I endure.

[bexy]

i like doing this with kids too - we've also done Willy Wonka and just did Narnia this past weekend.

[Lyd]

Some good suggestions from everyone. My kids have seen Dolphin Tale, and they liked it a lot. We even went on the web cam to see the real life dolphin from the movie. Pretty cool.

Good suggestions, Misty - you have some that I hadn't thought of.

[Misty Cato]

Oh and my son read a Jackie Robinson biography and then we let him watch 42. It's PG-13, so definitely not for a 3 year old, but my son felt really special getting to stay up late and watch a "grown-up" movie with us.

[Julie Billingsley]

Return to Nim's Island (on Netflix stream) haven't seen it, but did see the first one (Netflix disc). It's based on a book

Maybe Penelope? It's based on a fairy tale and on Netflix stream. Robin recommended it once and I thought it was good

[lingovise]

james and the giant peach! we loved both the book and the movie.

coralline ?? we haven't read the book, but my boys loved the movie.

the never ending story, the sword and the stone and night at the museum are others that come to mind.

[Lyd]

Ooooh - I'm getting a great list put together here. Keep the great ideas coming!

[nesser1981]

What's the one with the owl? Guardian something. Keira just checked the first book in the series out from the library.

Edited-it's called legend of the guardian. You can rent it from amazon

[dana]

oooh - great thread! i'm making a note of these now!