A book carnival is the perfect way to engage your students and get them excited about reading. If you’re looking for the perfect end of the year activity or a high-interest way to keep the learning going strong through the summer (helloooo summer school, credit recovery, summer reading, and everything else!), a book carnival could be just the thing! Not only is it an effective way to encourage reading, but it’s also a great opportunity for everyone to come together and have some fun.
A book carnival can include many activities such as games, raffles, art projects, and even snacks– all centered around books. You can host your own book carnival right in your classroom or you can enlist the assistance of your media specialist to hold your event in the library. Award tickets for events completed and provide small prizes at the end of the carnival.
Here are ten activities that you can use when planning your own book carnival in order to make it one of the most memorable events that everyone will look forward to participating in and talk about for years to come!
#1: Book Face Photos
Book Face photos are a fun trend seen all around social media. You can recreate the trend using any book that features a body part on the cover and stage a photo to make it look like it’s your own. My friend Katie over at Mochas and Markbooks did this with her students and the results were fabulous. Thanks to Katie for letting me share these with you!
#2: Bookmark Coloring
This would be a fun and easy center to set up for students who might prefer to relax and color. Find any template for coloring, lay out some materials, and let students have at it.
#3: Book Bracket – “March Madness” Style
Set up a “March Madness” Style bracket on any wall or board. Let students vote on a variety of items- best book covers, first lines, poems, etc. The possibilities are endless!
#4: “Bookworms” Guessing Game
Get a large jar and lots of gummy worms. Stuff the jar (make sure you count how many you added) and allow students to guess the number. Winner gets the jar!
#5: Guess the Book Characters
Create a worksheet of simple classic children’s book characters- think Pete the Cat, Winnie the Pooh, Little Critter, Peter Rabbit, Very Hungry Caterpillar, Paddington Bear, etc. Allow students to guess each character.
#6: Mystery Reader
Invite a teacher, administrator, parent, or other person to be a “mystery reader” as an event. Hang up a curtain, have the mystery reader start, and allow students to guess who it is!
#7: Book Lights
This would be a great makerspace! Provide old books that students can rip out pages from (ask your librarian for old books or grab a bunch from your local secondhand store), tea lights, mod podge (or other glue substance), and any receptacle for creating simple book lanterns. Students will love this keepsake!
#8: Create a Photo Booth
Sunglasses, hats, capes, and whatever else you can find! Grab them and set up a simple photo booth station. Students love dressing up and acting silly. Challenge them to figure out how to make the props bookish.
#9: Mad Libs
Mad Libs are another low-stakes way to allow students to participate. Set up a table full of them and let students get to work. I have a set of Mad Libs in my shop. Check them out and find a set that will work for you.
#10: Scavenger Hunt
This works especially well in the library (or if you have a classroom library). Create a scavenger hunt for students to find specific things about books. A certain color cover, an author, a specific line (for a real challenge), etc.
Create a Book Carnival Choice Reading Unit!
Use these ideas as a culminating activity for a choice reading unit. Your students will love completing my carnival-themed activities that can be used for any book. This is the perfect unit for the end of the school year, summer school, summer reading, and more. Check it out by clicking here or on the image below!
You can host a book carnival in your own classroom in a simple, inexpensive way to make learning memorable and fun. It doesn’t have to be over the top! Set up a few centers, pick a couple of activities, and let students enjoy their time.
Will you try a book carnival in your classroom? Sound off in the comments below or follow me on Instagram for more.
Happy teaching!
