2024 Kids Books for Your Summer Reading List

 

In this article, we prepared a list of books to inspire kids to embrace friendship, overcome obstacles, seek adventure, and fitness, and be outside. Like our company Fitness Finders, these books highlight the joy of staying active, encourage physical health, and foster a love for the outdoors and a spirit of adventure.

The Best Worst Camp Out Ever

A boy and his father go on a camping trip where everything goes wrong! Or does it?

Recommended for kids aged: 4 - 8

Purchase from: Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Walmart, Target

Running in Flip Flops From the End of the World

When 12-year-old Eddie Gordon Holloway and his friends are left home from Beach Bash, aka the greatest party of the year, only to realize that everyone in town has disappeared without a trace, they do what any smart, responsible kids would do...have the best day ever!

Recommended for kids aged: 8 - 10

Purchase from: Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Walmart, Target, Scholastic

Schnozzer & Tatertoes: Take a Hike!

Two best-friend dogs, Schnozzer (the smart one) and Tatertoes (the cheerful one), set off into the forest on a journey to visit Tatertoes’s mom. Along their adventure, they encounter bees, bears, quicksand, characters from fairy tales, something called “nose spiders,” and lots of yo-yo action.

Recommended for kids aged: 7 - 10

Purchase from: Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Walmart, Target

A Rover’s Story

Meet Resilience, a Mars rover determined to live up to his name.

Res was built to explore Mars. He was not built to have human emotions. But as he learns new things from the NASA scientists who assemble him, he begins to develop human-like feelings. Maybe there’s a problem with his programming….

Recommended for kids aged: 8 - 12

Purchase from: Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Walmart, Target

The BFG

The BFG is the story of a giant who isn't as swollomping as other giants. In fact, he's rather friendly. 

Recommended for kids aged: 8 - 12

Purchase from: Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Walmart, Target

Mr. Popper’s Penguins

A humble house painter is sent a male penguin by the great Admiral Drake and, thanks to the arrival of a female penguin, soon has twelve penguins living in his house.

Recommended for kids aged: 6 - 9

Purchase from: Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Walmart, Target

Stone Fox

Based on a Rocky Mountain legend, Stone Fox tells the story of Little Willy, who lives with his grandfather in Wyoming. When Grandfather falls ill, he is no longer able to work the farm, which is in danger of foreclosure. Little Willy is determined to win the National Dogsled Race—the prize money would save the farm and his grandfather. But he isn't the only one who desperately wants to win. 

Recommended for kids aged: 8 - 10

Purchase from: Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Walmart, Target

The Hundred Dresses

Wanda Petronski is ridiculed by her classmates for wearing the same faded blue dress every day. She claims she has one hundred dresses at home, but everyone knows she doesn’t. When Wanda is pulled out of school one day, the class feels terrible, and classmate Maddie decides that she is "never going to stand by and say nothing again."

Recommended for kids aged: 7 - 10

Purchase from: Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Walmart, Target

Journey to the Centre of the Earth

An ancient book is opened by the eccentric Professor Lidenbrock and his life - and the life of his nephew Axel - is changed for ever. An old piece of paper has tumbled from the book, a priceless parchment that will lead them on a terrifying journey to find what lies at the center of the Earth.

Recommended for kids aged: 11 - 13

Purchase from: Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Walmart, Target

11 Hydration Tips for Kids

Your body loses water throughout the day when you sweat, breathe, and urinate.

Water is absolutely essential for a healthy, functioning body. It helps to keep body temperature in check, transports nutrients and oxygen, carries away waste, and lubricates joints and body tissue. It is important to replace the water you have lost to prevent yourself from becoming dehydrated.

How Much Water Should Kids Drink?

The recommended daily intake of water for children is:

4 to 8 years old: 4 - 5 cups

9 to 13 years old: 5 to 7 cups

14 to 18 years old: 6 to 8 cups

Children should aim to drink the daily recommended value every day no matter what season it is. even in winter. During summer months it becomes even more important and likely kids will need to consume more water if they are exercising in hot climates. 

Encourage drinking water before, during and after physical activity even if they aren't thirsty, to prevent dehydration.

11 Tips To Encourage Kids to Stay Hydrated

• Offer water in colorful cups or with silly, curly straws.

• Turn a plain reusable water bottle into a DIY with your kid.

• Add some flavor and make homemade infused water - freeze citrus slices, strawberries, or watermelon chunks, Infusing it with cucumber slices and even herbs like mint, basil, or anything from the garden.

• Encourage eating water-rich fruit and vegetables - tomato, cucumber, carrots, watermelon, cucumber slices, zucchini, zucchini noodles, strawberries, pineapple, oranges, and kiwi.

• Freeze small batches of sliced fruit for an on-the-go refreshing snack.

• Fruit Popsicles.

• Avoid sugary drinks like soda/pop or juice.

• Make sure they always pack a water bottle.

• Mark lines on the water bottle - create a goal and encourage your kid to drink a certain amount of water throughout the day.

• Encourage drinking water before, during, and after activities to make up for sweat loss, especially during the summer. 

• Be a good example and drink water with them - create a game or little competitions throughout the day to drink water.