Holes by Louis Sachar - 10 Family-Friendly Activities
By Lily | Published 3 April 2023 | Goodreads Rating 3.99 | Book covers and some photos are affiliate links.
We’ve curated a list of educational games and activities inspired by Holes. Be sure to try some (or all!) of these ideas to make reading fun for your child, while creating special memories for your family along the way!
Holes by Louis Sachar is a classic children's book that follows the story of Stanley Yelnats, a boy who is sent to a juvenile detention center in the desert where he and other boys are forced to dig holes every day. Through his experiences, Stanley uncovers a family curse and a long-kept secret that changes his life forever.
Holes offers a lot of opportunity for fun and creativity - here is a collection of 10 activities for families and kids to do together after reading the book. Visit the book summary of Holes to learn more or to refresh your memory of this book from your childhood!
The 10 Best Book-Themed Activities for Holes
Activity 1: Have a campout in your backyard or living room!
The boys in the book are at a juvenile detention camp, so recreate that experience with a family campout in your backyard or at a nearby camping site. Sleeping in a tent or under the stars can be a fun and memorable experience for your feamily. Make sure to bring warm sleeping bags and comfortable sleeping pads for a good night's rest. Tell stories around the campfire and make s'mores or cook hot dogs over the fire. Here are five items to get you started!
Tent
Grab your tent from the garage and pop it open, or get crafty and create a teepee for the kids using bedsheets and blankets!
S’Mores
For the complete camping experience, S’mores are a must! If you don’t have a backyard, you can still bring all the excitement of this campfire tradition into the comfort of your home! An indoor s’mores maker gives you all the equipment to make perfectly roasted s'mores every time!
String Lights
Simple string lights add a magical touch to backyard camping. Hang strands of lights from four poles—mapping out your campsite—or hang them inside your backyard tent. Check out backyard string light ideas for fun ways to light up your space all year long.
Firepit
Camping—even in the backyard—calls for a fire. To keep it contained safely, a sturdy flagstone firepit will keep the family warm and snuggled up all night long.
Stories
If the kids are old enough for some spooky fun, gather 'round the fire and see who can tell the best ghost story!
Activity 2: Schedule a family movie night!
"Holes" is the perfect movie for families to watch together. Just like the book, kids will love the adventure and mystery, while parents can appreciate the themes of perseverance and teamwork. The movie's plot is filled with twists and turns that keep you on the edge of your seat, making it a perfect family bonding activity. Moreover, "Holes" is a movie that provides opportunities for discussion and reflection. The story highlights important topics such as justice, friendship, and the consequences of actions, which can lead to some insightful family conversations. There are also plenty of moral lessons that can be learned, making it a fantastic learning experience for children. So grab some popcorn and get ready to enjoy a wonderful family movie night!
Activity 3: Make a lizard terrarium!
Research the many types of lizards there are and create a terrarium that mimics their natural environment. he kids can decorate the terrarium with natural elements like rocks, sand, and plants. This activity can be a great way to teach kids about the habitats of different animals. Whether or not you get an actual lizard for the terrarium, well, that will likely require a family meeting and consensus!! ;-)
Activity 4: Make a treasure map!
Create a treasure map with clues and challenges that lead kids to a hidden treasure. This activity can be a fun way to encourage kids to use their problem-solving skills. The treasure could be a small prize or treat. Ava and Corbin from @Sunny Side Up show you how to make a DIY realistic treasure map! It's a fun and easy craft that uses paper, hair conditioner, paint and air dry clay for a seal!
Activity 5: Create a family treasure hunt!
In the book, the boys are searching for a hidden treasure. Create a family treasure hunt with clues and riddles that lead to a prize at the end. You can also bury a small treasure (like a toy or candy) and have the kids dig it up like they're digging for treasure. For ideas on how to get started for younger kids, visit @6th Gear Garage where this cool Dad gave his kids an experience they will always remember - a real treasure hunt for buried treasure! He created a map which led his kids on a hunt to find a key that opened a locked box buried in the backyard. The kids then used gardening shovels to dig up the buried box to discover a special treasure!!
If you have older kids, @Constructed Adventures has a simple formula to build a quick treasure hunt inside your home without requiring any additional items!
Activity 6: Make a “sploosh” recipe!
In the book, the boys drink a special concoction called "sploosh" that gives them energy. Create your own version of "sploosh" with your family, the mythical drink that the characters are searching for in the book. This activity can be a fun way to get kids interested in cooking and experimenting with different ingredients. Mix together different types of fruit juices and add a few drops of food coloring to make it look like a mysterious drink.
If you need refreshing drink ideas for your family, be sure to visit @Tasty Recipes who have 7 yummy recipes including: 1. Strawberries 'N' Cream, 2. Classic Frozen Lemonade, 3. Strawberry Frozen Lemonade, 4. Watermelon Lime Slushie, 5. Mango Pineapple slushie, 6. Thai Iced Tea, 7. Dalonga Inspired Strawberry Milk
Activity 7: Have fun with onions!
In the book, onions play a significant role because they are used to ward off the deadly yellow-spotted lizards that inhabit the area around the camp. The boys are required to eat a lot of onions, and they are also required to carry them around with them wherever they go. The idea is that the pungent smell of onions will keep the lizards away. The onions become a symbol of survival and hope for the boys, as they are one of the few things that can protect them from the dangers of the desert.
Here are three different ways to bring “onions” to life:
1. Plant onions together and tend to them as they grow. This is a great hands-on way to learn about the importance of agriculture and the hard work that goes into growing and harvesting crops.
2. Explore different recipes that feature onions as a key ingredient, such as onion soup, onion rings, and caramelized onions. Here are some recipe books on onions to get you started. Cooking together will spark discussion about the book!
3. If cooking is not your cup of tea, visit a family-friendly restaurant and order items that have onions like onion rings, French onion dip, onion bread, French onion soup or items that feature onions like chili, matzo ball soup and so many more! This is a fun way to introduce new foods to children with a finickier palate!!!
Check out the free printables from Reading Quests to help with your child’s comprehension of this book and to make reading fun. Great for struggling readers!
Scholastic has a reading guide for Holes! Be sure to check it out!
Another great resource is Sparknotes which includes a full book quiz for Holes.
If you want to expand further on your child’s vocabulary, be sure to visit Vocabulary.com which includes a Spelling Bee and Vocabulary Jam for Holes!
Activity 8: Free learning resources to strengthen your child’s comprehension!
Activity 9: Conduct a mock trial
Have the kids hold a mock trial to determine the guilt or innocence of one of the characters in the book. This activity can be a great way to teach kids about the legal system and critical thinking. Encourage them to use evidence from the book to make their case. The kids can take on different roles in the trial, such as lawyers, witnesses, and jurors.
Here is a fun mock trial for your children to learn how the judicial system works. In this trial, the principal of Eastwood Heights Elementary, Mr.Emilio Quiroz, is accused of giving third grade students too much homework. So he was invited to participate in a"mock trial" in Judge Sam Medrano's court room. The third grade students were excited about the trial, as they acted as lawyers, jurors, and witnesses. Be sure to watch to watch for the verdict! Guilty? Or innocent? ;-)
Activity 10: Create a "camp green lake" obstacle course:
Set up an obstacle course in your backyard or a park that resembles the challenges faced by the characters at Camp Green Lake. This activity can be a fun way to get kids moving and using their imaginations. You can use items like cones, tires, and hula hoops to create the obstacles, and have the kids take turns completing the course. Add challenges such as digging holes, crawling through tunnels, and climbing over obstacles.
REWARD: Celebrate Holes by Louis Sachar!
When your child has finished reading the book and completed any of the above activities, download this FREE book-themed artwork to hang or frame in your child’s room as a keepsake of this special book!
