Summer Olympics Themed Books for Kids

Get ready for the summer games with these inspiring Summer Olympics Themed Books for kids!

Let the games begin!

Summer Olympics Themed Books

The Summer Olympics unites athletes from around the world every four years in friendly competition across various sports. From the iconic Olympic rings to the torch relay journeying from Olympia to the host city, the Games embody the spirit of unity, athleticism, and international camaraderie.

Summer Olympic Children’s books can be a fun way to introduce the Olympics to your child as you get read to watch the upcoming summer games. Plus you can participate in our Summer Reading Challenge.

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Children’s Books About the Summer Olympics

The Summer Olympics unite athletes from around the world in a celebration of athleticism and international friendship. From the ancient games in Greece to today’s modern games, the Olympics continue to inspire and captivate audiences with their diverse sports, iconic symbols, and spirit of unity.

These children’s books explore all about the olympics, especially the Summer Olympics for your child.

What Are the Summer Olympics? by Gail Herman

G is for Gold Medal: An Olympics Alphabet by Brad Herzog

Curious George and the Summer Games by H. A. Rey

The Frog Olympics by Brian Moses

She Persisted in Sports: American Olympians Who Changed the Game by Chelsea Clinton

How Do You Become an Olympian? by Madeleine Kelly

On Your Mark, Get Set, Gold!: An Irreverent Guide to the Sports of the Summer Games by Scott Allen

The Story of the Olympic Games by The Olympic Museum

Olympics by B.G. Hennessy

Olympig by Victoria Jamieson

She’s Got This by Laurie Hernandez

Hour of the Olympics (Magic Tree House) by Mary Pope Osborne

Ancient Greece and the Olympics: A Nonfiction Companion to Magic Tree House by Mary Pope Osborne

Athletics (Amazing Summer Olympics) by Ashley Gish

Summer Olympics Fun Facts for Kids

Here are some fun facts about the Summer Olympics that kids might enjoy:

1. Ancient Roots: The Summer Olympics have a long history, dating back to ancient Greece around 776 BC. The ancient Olympics were held in Olympia, Greece, every four years.
2. Modern Revival: The modern Olympic Games were revived in 1896 in Athens, Greece, by Pierre de Coubertin. Since then, they have been held every four years, except for during World War I and World War II.
3. Olympic Rings: The symbol of the Olympic Games is composed of five interlocking rings, each representing a continent: Africa, the Americas, Asia, Europe, and Oceania. The colors of the rings (blue, yellow, black, green, and red) were chosen because every flag in the world contains at least one of these colors.
4. Torch Relay: The Olympic torch is lit several months before the games begin in Olympia, Greece, using a parabolic mirror and the sun’s rays. It then travels via a torch relay to the host city, where it lights the cauldron during the opening ceremony.
5. Host Cities: The Summer Olympics are held in different cities around the world. Some past host cities include Tokyo, London, Rio de Janeiro, Beijing, and Los Angeles.
6. Olympic Sports: There are many different sports in the Summer Olympics, including swimming, track and field, gymnastics, soccer, basketball, and many more. Athletes from all over the world compete in these sports to win gold, silver, and bronze medals.
7. Olympic Mascots: Each Olympics has its own mascot, which is a character chosen to represent the spirit of the games and the host country. These mascots often have names and are featured on merchandise and promotional materials.
8. Olympic Village: During the Olympics, athletes from all over the world stay in the Olympic Village, which is like a small town with housing, dining halls, and recreational facilities. It’s a chance for athletes to meet and interact with each other outside of competition.

These facts should give kids a good overview of the Summer Olympics and maybe even inspire them to watch and learn more about the games!

Olympic Songs for Kids

Celebrate The Olympic Games with this Olympic song for kids by Jack Hartmann.

Summer Olympic Sports List

Here’s a list of all the various sports that compete during the Summer Olympics every four years. For the 2024 Olympics, there will be 32 sports. You can find the entire list of Summer Olympic Sports on Olympics.org.

Here’s the 2024 Summer Olympic Schedule.

Which ones are your favorites to watch?

• Archery
• Athletics
• Badminton
• Baseball Softball
• Basketball
• Boxing
• Breaking
• Canoe
• Cricket
• Cycling
• Diving
• Equestrian
• Fencing
• Football
• Golf
• Gymnastics
• Handball
• Hockey
• Judo
• Karate
• Lacrosse
• Modern Pentathlon
• Rowing
• Rugby Sevens
• Sailing
• Shooting
• Skateboarding
• Sport Climbing
• Squash
• Surfing
• Swimming
• Taekwondo
• Tennis
• Trampoline
• Triathlon
• Volleyball
• Water Polo
• Weightlifting
• Wrestling

Get started with this adorable free Summer Olympic Easy Reader Book!

We truly enjoyed watching the Olympic Flame as it was lit in Olympic. Watch with your child as this tradition continues from ancient Olympic times.

“On July 20, 1936, a young Greek, Konstantin Kondylis, became the first runner in the history of the modem Olympic Torch Relay. Technically, the Torch Relay does not represent the passing of a torch, but celebrates the passing of the sacred flame from one torch to the next. The Olympic flame symbolizes the light of spirit, knowledge and life. By passing the flame from one person to another in stages, the Torch Relay expresses the handing down of this symbolic fire from generation to generation.” Source: The Washingon Post

The Olympics promote friendship, unity, and peace among nations. The Olympic Games bring people from different countries and cultures together to celebrate athleticism and sportsmanship.

You can find additional Olympic Resources for Kids here on the Olympics.org website.

Summer Olympics Activities for Kids