Latest news with #SummerReadingChallenge
Scottish Sun
a day ago
- Scottish Sun
20 days out for under a tenner as Scots schools break up for summer holidays
The holidays don't need to pull on the old purse strings SCHOOL'S OUT 20 days out for under a tenner as Scots schools break up for summer holidays WITH the schools finishing up for summer, keeping the youngsters entertained without breaking the bank can feel like a monumental task. But fear not - Scotland is brimming with great budget-friendly activities for the kiddos. Advertisement 1 Here are 20 of the best activities to do this summer for less than £10 Credit: Alamy To help make the most of the long break, we've rounded up 20 of the best activities to do across Scotland all for under a tenner that promise to keep the boredom at bay. GET ACTIVE SMASH IT: Kids can enjoy free tennis camps. Visit RUNNING ON EMPTY: Junior Parkruns offer free 2km jogs across the country for ages four to 14. WHEELY FUN: Find safe family bike rides at 50-family-friendly-cycle-routes-uk. Advertisement SPLASH HAPPY: Cool off at a local splash park with water jets on a sunny day. IN THE SWIM: Some councils offer free swimming sessions during the holidays. Check your local pool, for example: CATCH OF THE DAY: For a quieter sporting day out, consider fishing. See EXPLORE AND DISCOVER MUSEUM FUN: Many museums offer free entry (check booking requirements). The National Museum in Edinburgh has free entry and interactive kids' activities. FIND A FOSSIL: Unearth ancient animal or dinosaur remains. Find locations at Advertisement FIND TREASURE: Geocaching is an outdoor treasure hunt. Use the Geocaching app or visit Cheapest family holiday destinations for summer 2025 revealed FEELING TWITCHY: Spread your wings and try some birdwatching. Download a spotter sheet and build a bird feeder. A pair of binoculars wouldn't go amiss either. A NATIONAL TREASURE: Discover free-entry historic houses and gardens like Callendar House and Park in Falkirk. DOWN ON THE FARM: Visit your nearest farm for cheap or free entry. Kids under five go free at the National Museum of Rural Life in East Kilbride or it's £9 for an annual pass for youngsters. Dalscone Farm in Dumfries is also a hotspot - with entry fees starting at a tenner. TRAIL GRAIL: Look for family trails in your local town or spot statues or sculptures. Advertisement CREATIVE AND EDUCATIONAL PLANT A SEED: Check for free events at your local garden centre. Dobbies Garden Centres are offering free sensory workshops and families can enjoy low prices on soft play and kids can eat for just £1. BOOKWORM BONUS: Visit your local library for the annual Summer Reading Challenge. This year's theme is Story Garden which focuses on nature and the great outdoors. Kids earn rewards and a certificate for reading during the holidays. FIND FREE FOOD: Introduce youngsters to foraging. Look for wild strawberries in July and blackberries in August. GOING POTTY: has free fun, Harry Potter resources for rainy days. EVENTS AND FESTIVALS FREE FESTIVALS: Check out local event sites or your council website for free festivals. Find more options at Advertisement FLOAT YOUR BOAT: Look out for carnival parades and save money by bringing a picnic. UP, UP AND AWAY: The Strathaven Balloon Festival is a free, three-day event in Strathaven Park with hot air balloons, live music, a funfair and stalls. This year it runs from Auust 22-24.
Yahoo
08-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
State library kicks off Summer Reading Challenge
HONOLULU (KHON2) — The Hawaiʻi State Public Library System held its 2025 Summer Reading Challenge kick-off event on June 7, with hundreds of bookworms showing up to the historic state library in Honolulu to participate. The event was complete with keiki activities, music and more, all for free. Native Hawaiian art piece to move into Kapolei Hale This summer's challenge theme is 'Mele,' and invites readers to celebrate poetry, songs and storytelling as a method of connection to the diverse communities in the islands. 'Our goal is to enroll 25,000 readers this summer, and we're thrilled to see so many families come together to celebrate books, music and learning,' said State Librarian Stacey A. Aldrich. 'Hawaiʻi was once one of the most literate nations in the world. The Summer Reading Challenge is a modern way to rekindle that legacy. We encourage everyone to join this year's Summer Reading Challenge.' Participants can register for the challenge at their local library branch or online. The challenge runs until July for readers include tote bags, books, snacks and even a grand prize of four round-trip tickets on Alaska Airlines. There are prizes for readers of all ages, from keiki to kupuna. 'We're very proud to support the Hawaiʻi State Public Library System,' said Nainoa Mau, executive director of the Friends of the Library of Hawaiʻi. 'We're grateful to all our sponsors for making this day so special and for making reading fun and rewarding all summer long.' Readers don't need to use traditional paper books either. The library is happy to count an array of books toward reading goals, including audiobooks and e-books. Download the free KHON2 app for iOS or Android to stay informed on the latest news 'You can read paper or plastic,' Aldrich said. 'So if you can't make it to the library to pick up a book to read or an audiobook to listen to, you can download our 'Libby' app and just use your library card to access audiobooks and e-books.' The challenge is supported by the Friends of the Library of Hawaiʻi, Alaska Airlines, McDonald's Restaurants of Hawaiʻi, Pizza Hut Hawaiʻi, Hawaiʻi State Federal Credit Union and local Friends chapters across the islands. For more information about the Summer Reading Challenge, visit Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Fox News
02-06-2025
- Health
- Fox News
Second lady's 2025 summer reading challenge targets declining literacy scores among students
America's second lady Usha Vance has announced the "Summer Reading Challenge," encouraging children across the country to open up a book this summer. "Adventure, imagination, and discovery await – right between the pages of a book," writes the second lady in a letter. "We are excited to invite all children (K-8) to participate in the Second Lady's 2025 Summer Reading Challenge," the letter continues. Children are encouraged to read 12 books of their choice between June 1 and Sept. 5 — and track their progress through a reading log issued by the White House. Nicole Reeves, communications director for the second lady, told Fox News Digital that Ms. Vance is very excited to announce this project in the hope of engaging young readers throughout the summer. "It is essential that we encourage our youth to continue learning outside of the classroom, and this challenge provides an excellent opportunity to do so," Reeves added. In the log of their progress, students must list the book titles and author, the date they finished reading the books, and a brief reflection about the favorite book they read. The National Center for Education Statistics found in a 2022 report that the average reading scores among 9-year-old students declined five points compared to 2020, marking the largest average score decline in reading since 1990. Approximately 40% of U.S. students cannot read at a basic level, according to the National Literacy Institute. It was also found that almost 70% of low-income fourth grade students cannot read at a basic level. The institute also found that "struggling readers" suffer both socially and emotionally. Reading promotes positive mental health outcomes, helping reduce stress and anxiety, according to the Baylor College of Medicine (BCM). Children who complete the Second Lady's 2025 Summer Reading Challenge will receive a personalized certificate and a small prize. They will also be entered in a drawing for a chance to visit Washington, D.C., with a chaperone.
Yahoo
01-06-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Second lady's 2025 reading challenge targets declining reading scores among students
America's second lady Usha Vance has announced the "Summer Reading Challenge," encouraging children across the country to open up a book this summer. "Adventure, imagination, and discovery await – right between the pages of a book," writes the second lady in a letter. "We are excited to invite all children (K-8) to participate in the Second Lady's 2025 Summer Reading Challenge," the letter continues. Second Lady Usha Vance On Mother's Day And What She Strives For As A Mom Children are encouraged to read 12 books of their choice between June 1 and Sept. 5 — and track their progress through a reading log issued by the White House. Nicole Reeves, communications director for the second lady, told Fox News Digital that Ms. Vance is very excited to announce this project in the hope of engaging young readers throughout the summer. Read On The Fox News App "It is essential that we encourage our youth to continue learning outside of the classroom, and this challenge provides an excellent opportunity to do so," Reeves added. In the log of their progress, students must list the book titles and author, the date they finished reading the books, and a brief reflection about the favorite book they read. For more Lifestyle articles, visit The National Center for Education Statistics found in a 2022 report that the average reading scores among 9-year-old students declined five points compared to 2020, marking the largest average score decline in reading since 1990. Approximately 40% of U.S. students cannot read at a basic level, according to the National Literacy Institute. It was also found that almost 70% of low-income fourth grade students cannot read at a basic level. Click Here To Sign Up For Our Lifestyle Newsletter The institute also found that "struggling readers" suffer both socially and emotionally. Reading promotes positive mental health outcomes, helping reduce stress and anxiety, according to the Baylor College of Medicine (BCM). Children who complete the Second Lady's 2025 Summer Reading Challenge will receive a personalized certificate and a small prize. They will also be entered in a drawing for a chance to visit Washington, D.C., with a article source: Second lady's 2025 reading challenge targets declining reading scores among students
Fox News
01-06-2025
- Health
- Fox News
Second lady's 2025 reading challenge targets declining reading scores among students
America's second lady Usha Vance has announced the "Summer Reading Challenge," encouraging children across the country to open up a book this summer. "Adventure, imagination, and discovery await – right between the pages of a book," writes the second lady in a letter. "We are excited to invite all children (K-8) to participate in the Second Lady's 2025 Summer Reading Challenge," the letter continues. Children are encouraged to read 12 books of their choice between June 1 and Sept. 5 — and track their progress through a reading log issued by the White House. Nicole Reeves, communications director for the second lady, told Fox News Digital that Mrs. Vance is very excited to announce this project in the hope of engaging young readers throughout the summer. "It is essential that we encourage our youth to continue learning outside of the classroom, and this challenge provides an excellent opportunity to do so," Reeves added. In the log of their progress, students must list the book titles and author, the date they finished reading the books, and a brief reflection about the favorite book they read. their favorite book that was read. The National Center for Education Statistics found in a 2022 report that the average reading scores among 9-year-old students declined five points compared to 2020, marking the largest average score decline in reading since 1990. Approximately 40% of U.S. students cannot read at a basic level, according to the National Literacy Institute. It was also found that almost 70% of low-income fourth grade students cannot read at a basic level. The institute also found that "struggling readers" suffer both socially and emotionally. Reading promotes positive mental health outcomes, helping reduce stress and anxiety, according to the Baylor College of Medicine (BCM). Children who complete the Second Lady's 2025 Summer Reading Challenge will receive a personalized certificate and a small prize. They will also be entered in a drawing for a chance to visit Washington, D.C., with a chaperone.
