Ideas to spark imaginations at home

2 April 2020

We want to say a big Thank You to everyone who has been finding new and creative ways to share stories over the last couple of weeks. You are amazing.  While schools and libraries are closed,  we hope that you’ll find a few simple ideas on the website, to help you spark children’s imaginations at home. Here’s a whistle-stop tour to help you find your way around:

Quick & Easy Colouring Sheets

Spot is missing all his colour! Can anyone help him before it’s time to play some hide and seek? And in true Easter spirit we have some Peter Rabbit ears to colour in too, perfect for keeping little bunnies hoppy. Check back here regularly for even more colouring sheets coming soon.

Key Stage 2 Bumper Book Packs

From Tom Fletcher’s The Creakers, your favourite Roald Dahl stories and even Darwin’s  On The Origin of Species, these packs are filled with activities and ideas matched to key stage learning objectives. Children can read along with their books at home or use the extracts provided to join in with the fun educational activities.

Long Project Packs

Running out of things to do? Then we have just the thing for you. Check out our project packs full of exciting activities that can be broken up into daily tasks, teaching children lots, from tackling big concepts to researching and improving a final project.

Story Starters for Budding Authors

We know there are lots of future Puffin authors out there and that’s why we’ve created these fun writing prompts to help inspire their own stories! Don’t have a printer? Don’t worry- little Puffins can copy out these starting lines using a good old pencil and paper. We love hearing stories so why not share them with us when they’re finished? Contact us on Twitter @PuffinBooks and use the hashtag using #PuffinDreamer

Big Dreams on Screen Competition

What’s your big dream? Learn to moonwalk? A flying farting donkey? Eat a ginormous chocolate cake? We’re challenging children to draw a storyboard all about their big dream. One lucky winner will have their dream turned in to a film and shown at their local cinema during the Into Film Festival this November AND they will receive 80 Puffin books for their school. Make sure to send this in with a name and contact details. All the details here. Competition closes on 2 August.

Puffin Story Maker Show – 30 Minutes

If you haven’t tuned in to the Puffin Story Maker Show before then what have you been doing? This 30 minute show, featuring fantastic Puffin authors and illustrators,  challenges watchers to draw favourite their characters and write own stories. There is plenty here to keep the whole family engaged for hours. Each show is themed around a particular topic, from how to change the world to learning what empathy means, making it the perfect accompaniment to any home learning lessons.

Draw-alongs, Storytime and How-To Videos – 5 minutes

There are lots of videos to check out on the Puffin Schools website plus there’ll be new story time readings coming over the next few weeks from the Puffin Books Facebook page. Budding illustrators, dip into the draw-alongs – all you need is a pencil and paper. Here’s one of our favourites with Quentin Blake to get you started . . . .

Share your stories

A book can help children go on a journey, make them laugh and introduce them to new friends – something which has never been more important.  Every day across social media and the news we’re seeing new ways that we can share stories. If you have any ideas, questions or just want to tell us what you’re reading then please contact [email protected]
Thank you again and stay safe everyone.

 

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