Now that summer is finally here, our kids aren't in school, and that means they're probably doing a lot less reading. Not that we can blame them — the school year is stressful (especially the one we just survived) and the weather is beautiful. Why wouldn't they want to be playing outside — or lounging inside, watching the TV and movies they didn't have time for all year?
But reading in the summer is still so important. Not only does it help them step away from the screen time for a bit (something we could all use a lot more of, not just the kids!) but it will also help keep their brains sharp for the upcoming school year. We already know there are more benefits to reading than we could possibly count!
It can be a fight to get our kids to read in the summer, but it doesn't have to be. Running out of ideas? Here are 20 tricks that will help keep your kids reading all summer long — and don't forget to pick out a few good books to tackle yourself, too!
Go to the Library
Summer is a great time to start making regular trips to the library a thing, and make sure it's a fun event. Many libraries will allow kids to have their own library cards, which will make them feel so grown up. And picking out their own books to read can be an outing that encourages them to dive into their finds when they get home.
Set a Goal
Even if school sends home a summer reading list, take the time to set an individual reading goal with your child (and even for yourself). Is there a certain number of books they want to read by the end of summer? Or maybe a goal for each week? Make the goal, write it down, and celebrate when you reach it!
Read Daily
Build reading into your daily schedule, making sure you set aside some time for your kids to read every single day (or even to read with your kids). For younger kids, this can be 10 minutes of quiet time with their books, while older kids might get 30 minutes to an hour of an uninterrupted reading break.
Start a Book Club
Whether the members of your book club are just your family, or you start one up with kids in the neighborhood or friends from school, start a book club for your kids. They can all read the same book, and then gather to chat about the book over snacks. Then, they can all work together to choose the next book!
Read Out Loud
Aside from your kids' daily reading time, make reading a part of their bedtime routine, too. Read out loud to your child, and let them read to you. For older kids, this might mean picking out a chapter book (even something as ambitious as the Harry Potter series) and reading a chapter together each night.
Do Some Research
To get your kids into reading, it's important to find books they're going to like, and a little bit of online research can definitely accomplish this. Check out sites like Amazon and Goodreads for ideas, and there are plenty of recommendations out there if you Google books they've loved in the past.
Attend Story Time
To foster a love of reading in your youngest kids as early as possible, sign them up for Story Time. Most libraries (and even some elementary schools and bookstores) will offer story time weekly — sometimes even more often than that in the summer. Make it a fun outing that will expose your kids to books even more.
Read the Book, Watch the Movie
A good way to get reluctant readers interested is to choose a book that's already been adapted into a movie. Read the book, and then watch the movie at your next movie night (complete with popcorn and snacks). Make a point to discuss the differences and similarities afterward — and watch your kid discover that the book usually is better than the movie!
Don't Be Picky
When it comes to what your kids choose to read, don't be picky — almost any reading counts as good reading, especially if your child isn't a natural reader. Even if they choose something that's below their reading level, encourage it. We don't want fun summer reading to become a chore!
Plan a Bookstore Outing
As convenient as using Amazon is, there's nothing like actually going to a real brick and mortar bookstore, and it's time our kids learned the meaning of that! Plan a fun day out that includes a trip to the bookstore, and let your kids pick out whatever their hearts desire (within reason, of course).
Celebrate Reading Milestones
Of course, this will mean something different for each child. Maybe what you're celebrating is making it a full week of reading every day, or maybe it's reading a book that was a challenge for them. Either way, make sure to celebrate all of these moments with your kids to encourage them to keep going.
Start a Series
Sometimes, the biggest encouragement to keep reading is to find out what happens next —and book series will definitely keep that feeling going. Preteens might like the throwback feel of The Baby-Sitters Club, younger readers might love Diary of a Wimpy Kid. There are so many choices out there!
Subscribe to a Book Box
Yep, there are subscriptions for everything these days, and that includes books! Everyone loves getting mail, so try signing up to get a book subscription box. There are plenty out there to choose from, and some even come with toys and activities that go along with that month's reading material.
Go on a Reading Date
To mix things up, plan a day every now and then when you take your reading show on the road. Bring books to the park and find a comfy spot in the shade, or hit your local coffee shop and order a treat and read together there. It doesn't have to be for longer than 30 minutes or an hour, but the point of the outing is reading.
Go Unconventional
For those who don't love reading, there's a gateway book: Graphic novels and comic books, of course. It definitely still counts as reading, for the record — and you can find comic books and graphic novels based on your kid's favorite characters, shows, and movies to get them really interested.
Bring Books on Vacation
Your kids are never too young to learn the joy of reading a good book by the pool or on the beach — and on the way to their destination. Surprise them with a new book or two before heading off on a road trip or getting on a plane. When they need entertainment, they might find that books do the trick.
Start Small
Another trick to teaching a reluctant reader to love books is by starting small. You might want to give them just one short book to start with, or start off by reading for just 10 minutes a day, and then gradually increase the time you spend with books from there so they don't get bored.
Find a Reading Challenge
Sometimes, you need an outside force to encourage your kids to read when just Mom won't cut it. Find a local summer reading challenge, something that's usually offered at your child's school or a library nearby. There are usually prizes for meeting the goal, which can definitely be a motivator!
Encourage Them to Write
Writing skills and reading skills go hand in hand, so encourage your kids to write, too! They could craft stories of their own, write in a journal (no peeking, Mom!) or even write letters to friends and family members. If they write back, then they're reading, too!
Set a Good Example
Of course, while you're trying out all of these tips, don't forget to be the example of the kind of reader you're hoping your kid will become. Make sure they see you reading, choosing books at the bookstore, and getting excited about reading, too. They pay attention to everything we do!
