Games & Media Archives - Fun Family Next Door

Our Favorite Read-Aloud Books

If you’re looking for a great way to spend quality time with your kids, consider the power of the bedtime story. I have wonderful memories of my husband sitting in the lamp-lit hallway, reading to our kids tucked in their beds. I’d find my teenagers snuggled into a corner nearby, listening. It’s a sweet time to be together and a great way to wind down before sleep. Sharing stories unifies us, but also increases vocabulary and knowledge in ways nothing else can. Take time to do it as often as possible. You won’t regret it.

Here’s a list of some of our favorite read-aloud books with suggestions for age appropriateness. If your children are pre-school ages, see Our Favorite Picture Books.

FANTASTIC READ-ALOUD BOOKS

My Fathers Dragon by Ruth Stiles Gannett (Ages 5-10)

Charlotte’s Web by E.B White (Ages 5-10)

Roald Dahl books. Our favorites are Danny, the Champion of the World, Matilda, and Charlie & the Chocolate Factory. You can’t go wrong with Roald Dahl! (Ages 5-12)

Chickens in the Headlights by Matthew Buckley (Ages 5-12)

The Boxcar Children by Gertrude Chandler Warner (Ages 5-10)

Mrs. Piggle-Wiggle by Betty MacDonald (Ages 6-10)

The Mouse and the Motorcycle by Beverly Cleary (Ages 6-10)

Because of Winn-Dixie by Kate DiCamillo (Ages 6-12)

The Best Christmas Pageant Ever by Barbara Robinson (Ages 6-16)

The Great Brain series by John D. Fitzgerald (Ages 7-12)

Pax by Sara Pennypacker (Ages 7-12)

Harry Potter Series by J.K. Rowling (Ages 7-16)

The Door in the Wall by Marguerite de Angeli (Ages 8-12)

Esperanza Rising by Pam Munoz Ryan(Ages 8-12)

Under the Egg by Laura Marx Fitzgerald (Ages 8-14)

Maniac Magee by Jerry Spinelli (Ages 8-12)

Some Kind of Courage by Dan Gemeinhart (Ages 8-14)

Princess Academy by Shannon Hale (Ages 8-14)

The Golden Goblet by Eloise Jarvis McGraw (Ages 9-14)

Three Times Lucky by Shelia Turnage (Ages 9-14)

Rump by Liesl Shurtliff (Ages 9-14)

Ella Enchanted by Gale Carson Levine (Ages 9-14)

Wonder by R.J. Palacio (Ages 9-16)

The War that Saved My Life by Kimberly Brubaker Bradley (Ages 9-14)

Dragon Slippers by Jessica Day George (Ages 9-14)

Raymond and Graham by Mike Knudson (Ages 8-12)

Hatchet by Gary Paulsen (Ages 9-16)

Peter & the Starcatchers by Dave Barry & Ridley Pearson (Ages 10-15)

Number the Stars by Louis Lowry (Ages 10-16)

The Westing Game by Ellen Raskin (Ages 10-14)

Beyond the Bright Sea by Lauren Wolk (Ages 10-14)

The True Confessions of Charlotte Doyle by Avi (Ages 10-16)

The False Prince by Jennifer Nielson (Ages 10-16)

The Series of Unfortunate Events by Lemony Snickett (Ages 11-16)

Pat McManus short stories (Favorite Books: The Grasshopper Trap, A Fine and Pleasant Misery, and Never Sniff a Gift Fish) We recommend reading through the books and finding stories your kids will enjoy. These are great to share around the campfire or as bedtime stories.

Inspirational Family Films

Don’t you just love it when you find a film that inspires you? We love powerful stories that teach and energize us to try a little harder and reach a little further. Here’s a list of inspirational family films rated G or PG that we know your family will enjoy.

We love the book “Wonder” and appreciate the thoughtful and creative movie adaptation. This is a great story of a boy with a physical deformity. The story teaches us to never judge a book by its cover, and so much more.

This beautiful movie celebrates the lives of an extraordinary couple. When Robin is suddenly stricken with polio, he loses all control over his body. He can’t even breathe on its own. This true story shows the power of love and perseverance. It’s marvelous!

This is one of our favorites! Walter Mitty is a nervous guy who dreams of adventure but never takes the leap until everything falls apart and he’s forced to fly. Bonus: Gorgeous cinematography.

This movie is based on the book “Rocket Boys”. It will inspire your kids to study math and science as they follow a group of boys who build model rockets during the space race of the 50’s and 60’s.

This is a powerful film about impoverished Hispanic youth preparing for the Advanced Placement Calculus test. It’s the story of an amazing teacher and some unlikely geniuses.

Another one of our favorites, Akeelah and the Bee is an inspiring film about a family and community who help a little girl get to the National Spelling Bee.

This is the story of a team of African-American female mathematicians who work for NASA during the early years of the space program. It’s a lesson on the power of persistence, self-respect, and the continuing battle of prejudice in our society.

Here’s a sweet story that you and your children will adore. Opal is new in town but she manages to make many unlikely friends and bring them together to heal their hearts and their community.

Another amazing space story! We’re excited by any movie that highlights engineers as the heroes. This one is an amazing true rescue story of the Apollo 13 space shuttle.

This film is a tear-jerker, but also an inspiring tale full of imagination. It’s fun to watch a movie of a beloved book. Terabithia is a magical place where two friends can escape all their worries. It’s a beautiful story of friendship.

We’ll end by recommending a true American classic, To Kill a Mockingbird. A lawyer in the Depression-era South, defends a black man against an undeserved rape charge. As the story unfolds, his children learn many lessons about prejudice. Everyone should read/watch To Kill a Mockingbird.

Want more inspirational movies? SEE OUR FAVORITE SPORTS MOVIES

Check out our other movie lists for more recommendations.

Musicals to Get You Singing

Are you in the mood for some singing and dancing at your house? It’s time for a fun family musical!

We’ve tried to set aside Sunday as a special day at our house by making a few rules about media. The only movies we watch on Sundays are “Sunday Classics”. This rule has introduced a lot of fun old musicals to our children.

Here’s a list of some of our favorites, including a few newer shows that aren’t actually classics. You’re sure to be singing them for days to come.

All of these movies are rated G or PG.