If you’re a parent, I’m guessing you hear your little ones asking for snacks multiple times a day. Kids just love snacks (so do adults!), so why not incorporate their favorite foods into reading time with some fun storytime snacks?!
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Researchers have found that food activates the pleasure centers in our brain. Because of this, pairing food with books helps little ones associate positive feelings with reading. And this is exactly what we want!
In fact, the more our little ones enjoy reading, the more they want to read…and the more they read, the better they’ll get…which will make them want to read more!
This never-ending cycle all starts with positive associations with reading. And we want to start this now, even before they head off to kindergarten, since research shows the first 5 years of brain development are crucial for success with reading.
Keep reading for a few easy ways to incorporate snacks into reading time with your littles!
Want more storytime snacks? Click here to check out 7 healthy & fresh snacks for spring.
1. Alphabet Cookies
One of the first steps to becoming a strong reader is being confident in letter names and sounds. We love the book A is for Apple because it is an interactive alphabet book that helps develop these skills. Each page has a flap for little ones to lift, plus they can trace the shape of the letter with their fingers {which helps them with letter formation}.
For a fun storytime snack, you can pair your alphabet book with these Alphabet Cookies from Trader Joe’s to extend the alphabet fun! Your little one can use the cookies to spell their name, spell basic CVC words {man, cat, dog}, or say the sound of each letter before they eat it! If you have a little one who doesn’t enjoy learning about letters, try these cookies and see if it piques their interest.
2. Oreo Spiders
Is your little one interested in creepy-crawly spiders? Then these Oreo Spiders are sure to be a hit! To make these fun storytime snacks, you just need oreos, pretzel sticks for the legs, and m&ms for the eyes (we used chocolate frosting to make the m&ms stick).
You can pair these creepy-crawly snacks with any book about spiders…fiction or nonfiction! Many little ones enjoy nonfiction books because they like to learn facts about the world around them. Your local library should be filled with nonfiction books for early readers about any topic, including spiders.
You can also find a fiction book about spiders, such as Fang and Stinger. This story is about two best friends, a tarantula and a scorpion, who have to overcome being teased by a bully and stand up for themselves. And bonus, it rhymes!
3. Pete the Cat Cupcakes
We love baking around here, and cupcakes are one of our go-to treats. One storytime snack idea is to pair any cupcake recipe (we chose spice cupcakes, yum!) with Pete the Cat and the Missing Cupcakes and you’ll have Pete the Cat Cupcakes. If you’ve read any of the Pete the Cat series, then you know little ones go crazy for these books, and this one is no exception.
Pete and his friends are busy making cupcakes for a party, but some of them have gone missing. They have to figure out who took the cupcakes and why, and they learn that it’s important to give our friends second chances when they make mistakes.
4. Magic Carpet Roll-Ups
Not all snacks need to be sweet! These Magic Carpet Roll-Ups are made with tortillas or flatbread, hummus or cream cheese, and veggies. This storytime snack recipe is from the Disney Princess Cookbook and can be paired with a book OR a movie! (They were inspired by Disney’s Aladdin.)
Is your little one a picky eater? Maybe they usually turn down hummus or cream cheese or veggies. But they just might be more willing to try something new if it’s paired with a good book (and if they get to help you make it!)
Storytime Snacks Lead to Lasting Memories
Engaging your little learner with reading is much easier & way more fun with storytime snacks, and it will build lasting memories for both of you for years to come!
What are your favorite storytime snack? I’d love to try it! Tell me below or reach out on Instagram [@littleslovelearningblog].
love these ideas? pin them for later!
Happy Learning!
