The Budget Diet

A diet for your wallet...not your waistline!

summer reading
A budget friendly & fun way to kick-off summer reading! Here’s how…

  • Invite friends (in the same grade) to bring 3 used paperback books that are at their current reading level.
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  • After the children arrive, display the books on a large table or two.
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  • Draw numbers for the order in which the children will choose a book. For example, if there are 10 children at the party, put numbers 1 – 10 into the drawing & each child picks a number.
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  • Round 1 begins! The child that drew #1 picks a book, then the child that drew #2 picks a book, and so on.
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  • Before beginning round 2 & round 3, draw numbers again. This turns the book swap into a game, adds to the fun and prevents the same child from always having first pick or always having last pick!
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  • So…each child arrived at the party with 3 books, and they’ll leave with 3 books!
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  • After the final round, make bookmarks (using scrap paper, markers & assorted stickers).
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  • Have information to give the children on summer reading clubs at your local library or bookstore. Most clubs offer incentives or prizes for reading!
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  • Refreshments…let the children make their own ice cream sundaes!
  • HAPPY SUMMER READING!

A book swap doesn’t have to be just for kids…why not host a summer book swap with your girlfriends!

P.S. – When my children were in elementary school, I loved hosting a summer book swap! It became an annual tradition! The children enjoyed seeing each other after school was out, they loved getting new books and making bookmarks was a huge hit! If you host a summer book swap…please let me know how it goes!

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Image: FreeDigitalPhotos.net

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10 Comments

  • Wrote on 29th May, 2010 at 1:00 am

    [...] Budget Friendly Summer Fun – Book Swap | The Budget Diet [...]

  • Wrote on 23rd Jun, 2010 at 1:00 am

    what a fabulous idea!

  • Wrote on 28th Jun, 2010 at 1:00 am

    [...] Budget Friendly Summer Fun – Book Swap | The Budget Diet [...]

  • Wrote on 2nd May, 2011 at 1:00 am

    [...] why don’t you stay home and plan budget friendly summer field trips or a budget friendly summer book swap? Simple summer pleasures are plentiful and FREE, so make sure to enjoy backyard campouts, playing [...]

  • Wrote on 25th May, 2011 at 1:00 am

    Super fun idea!

    By the way, I just tried to reply to your comment on my blog about powdered sugar. It rejected my email, saying no such user. I know I’ve sent you email before so maybe it’s just a temporary glitch, but I thought I’d let you know.

  • Wrote on 25th May, 2011 at 1:00 am

    I love this idea! When Baby is a bit older, I definitely want to do this.

    Stumbled :-)

  • Wrote on 25th May, 2011 at 1:00 am

    What a great idea! Books can be so expensive and this is a great way to expand your library, recycle your kids old books and save a little money!!

  • Wrote on 25th May, 2011 at 1:00 am

    Great idea! I’ll have to figure out a way to get my daugthers stop son involved in something like this!

    stumbled

  • Wrote on 27th May, 2011 at 1:00 am

    I LOVE this idea!! Fantastic.

    Not only do I have an insane obsession with books, I love TALKING to others about the books I have just read – how cool it could have been if I had done this when I was younger, so all my friends and I could be reading and chatting about the same stories!

    I hope my eyes improve enough so I can read printed words again (not have to rely on digital all the time), so I can arrange my own book swap!!

  • Kristl
    Wrote on 27th May, 2011 at 1:00 am

    There’s no reason the book swap couldn’t work for adults! It would be a fun girls night in!

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