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Surfs up! We'll maybe not for Benjamin.
Most kids love going to the beach, so why not incorporate a beach theme into your next story time? "Benjamin Monkey Goes to the Beach" is a great book to use for this. Below you'll find all of the bonus material for the book.
You'll find a list of questions to engage your child in the story, a lesson plan related to beach theme ideas, and even some crafts and coloring pages.
Benjamin Monkey Goes to the Beach Activities
Here are all the free bonus activities for the book for you to enjoy with your child. These are great when putting together an beach theme lesson plan for the week.
Beach Worksheets Trace Words
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Here's a free worksheet that helps your child practice tracing words related to the beach. This is a great activity to do after reading "Benjamin Monkey Goes to the Beach."
Here's a scene from the book where Benjamin images snorkeling under the water. Use this coloring page to help your child explore the world beneath the waves.
Decorate Your Own Surf Board
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Download this printable and have your preschooler design their own surfboard. They can color it, add stickers, and even practice writing their name on it. Be sure to hang it up in their room when they're done!
Benjamin Sandcastle Coloring Page
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Here's another scene from the book where Benjamin Monkey is busy building a sandcastle. Have your child color in the page and ask them what they would build if they were at the beach.
Easy Trace Benjamin Monkey
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This worksheet is perfect for little ones who are just starting to learn how to write. They can trace Benjamin while practicing their pencil grip. Have them color in the picture when they're done. This is great for developing fine motor skills.
Noah Panda Boogie Board Coloring Page
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Benjamin may struggle boogie boarding, but Noah has the hang of it. Print out this coloring page and ask your child what they think Noah is thinking as he glides across the waves. This helps with critical thinking and reasoning skills.
About Benjamin Monkey Goes to the Beach
Benjamin has never been to the beach before, but he's excited to go with his family. He imagines all of the fun he'll have playing in the waves and building sandcastles. But when he gets there, he's not sure what to do. He's scared of the water and doesn't want to get wet.
His best friend Noah is a pro at boogie board, but when he offers Benjamin to teach him, Benjamin refuses. Will Benjamin ever be able to enjoy the beach?
This sweet story teaches children about overcoming their fears and trying new things. The illustrations are beautiful and will capture your child's attention. It's perfect for summertime or any time you want to bring the beach to your home.
Benjamin Monkey Goes to the Beach Read Aloud
Here's a great video that goes over some tips on how best to read this book to your child. Making the most of story time is key to developing a love of reading in your little one!
Questions to Ask While Reading
Asking questions is a great way to engage your child in the story and help them understand what they're reading. Studies have shown that children who are read to often and asked questions while they read score higher on tests later in life.
Here are some questions you can ask while reading "Benjamin Monkey Goes to the Beach:"
- What does Benjamin imagine the beach will be like?
- Why is Benjamin scared of the water?
- Have you ever been to the beach?
- What things are you frightened of?
- What does Benjamin imagine doing at the beach?
- What types of things do you often imagine?
- How does Noah say he can help Benjamin?
- Why do you think Benjamin said no to his help?
- Have you ever tried Boogie Boarding?
- How did it go?
- Have you ever built a sandcastle?
- Have you ever been buried in the sand?
- How do you imagine it feels?
- What type of animals lives under the sea?
- What does Benjamin finally decide to do at the beach?
- What did you like about the book?
- Did you have any favorite parts?
Beach Crafts Ideas
Beach Crafts
Now that you've finished the book, exploring other beach theme activities is a great time. These crafts are perfect for summertime or any time you want to bring the beach to your home.
Beach Ball Painting
This is a fun and easy activity that's great for young children. All you need is some paper, paint, and a beach ball. Simply dip the ball in paint and then roll it around on the paper. You can even use multiple colors to create a beautiful work of art.
Beach Scene in a Bottle
This is a great activity for kids of all ages. It's perfect for summertime or any time you want to bring the beach to your home. All you need is some sand, shells, and a bottle. Simply add the sand and shells to the bottle, screw on the lid, and you're done.
Fingerprint Fish
This is a fun activity that's perfect for young children. All you need is some paper, paint, and your fingers. Simply dip your finger in paint and then make fish prints on the paper. You can even add scales by making prints with a fork.
These are just a few ideas to get you started. There are endless possibilities when it comes to beach themed crafts. Just use your imagination and have fun!
Beach Imaginative Play Ideas
Imaginative play is another way to bring the book to life. If you don't have a beach nearby, or if it's not summertime, this is a great way to still enjoy all the fun of the beach.
Beach Ball Toss
This is a simple game that can be played indoors or outdoors. All you need is a beach ball and two people. One person throws the ball to the other person and then they catch it. The person who catches the ball then throws it back. You can keep score by seeing how many times you can throw and catch the ball in a row.
Shell Matching Game
This is a fun game that's perfect for young children. All you need is some shells and a container. Simply put the shells in the container and then shake them up. The object of the game is to match up the shells by their size, shape, or color.
Beach Scavenger Hunt
This is a great activity for kids of all ages. All you need is a list of things to find and a beach nearby. The object of the game is to find all the items on the list. You can make the game more challenging by setting a time limit.
Composing a Lesson Plan
Now that you have ideas and printables, you can compose a beach-themed lesson plan. This is perfect for summertime or any time you want to bring the beach to your classroom.
Beach-themed lesson plans are great for a number of reasons. They're perfect for summertime, they help kids learn about different types of animals, and they're just plain fun. Plus, they're a great way to incorporate movement into your lesson.
