Here are 7 Easy ways to keep the kids reading during the summer!
As the summer days stretch ahead for many families, the bucket list is often longer than the days of the summer. I know my list always starts out a mile long and I usually get a few things accomplished that I really hoped to do, but the things that are most important are the things that we schedule and plan ahead for so that we can see them completed.
One thing is for sure, summer will come to an end and the kids need to keep up with their reading to keep their brains engaged and learning. There are so many benefits from reading and the summer time is no different than the school year. Those benefits are still real and sometimes you (and the kids) just need some quiet time in the midst of all the fun of no school.
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~ One ~
- Join a library reading club. Many libraries across the US have a summer reading program designed to keep kids engaged and reading. They are usually free and they usually include reading programs for all different ages. They may offer prizes of freebies, tickets, ice cream, pool passes and t-shirts. They often have check in times when kids can bring their reading log in to collect their prizes. Check out your local public library for specific details in your town. If you live close to several towns, you may also be able to participate in multiple branches or locations as well. We found that different libraries had different freebies and prizes!
~ Two ~
- Make reading a family tradition during your vacations and road trips. Reading aloud will encourage your kids to engage with the story while listening to you read with animation and feeling. Road trips are a fantastic time to read aloud as it engages the kids in the story while they are looking out the window rather than being attached to batteries or a power cord.
~ Three ~
- Schedule time each day specifically for reading. Just like doing chores, reading can be a regular part of the day. You might consider limiting electronic use until after a certain amount of reading time has been logged each day.
~ Four ~
- Set a family reading goal and plan a special activity to celebrate the accomplishment of the goal. For example, everyone in the family reads so many pages or so many books. Keep a tally of the books read and work together to reach the goal. You could even make each page worth one mile and “log” your miles on a trip across the country on a map.
~ Five ~
- Make a game out of reading. Create a reading bingo game board to keep track of the types of books they are reading.
~ Six ~
- Be a reading example. Let your kids see you spending time reading. Modeling any good habit takes time and practice and our kids see what we are spending our time doing. If we ask them to read while we are playing games on our phones or checking social media accounts, they are watching to see what we decide is important by our actions.
~ Seven ~
- Look for reading programs in local restaurants, book stores, and schools. Search online for summer reading programs for kids and you will find a lot of links to different programs that are free.
~ Bonus ~
- Read aloud to your children at bedtime. Bedtime in the summer can be difficult because of the long days or sunshine. But spending a few minutes each night reading aloud to your children creates a safe place, makes them feel valued and important, and gives you a few more minutes to squeeze in a good story!
Most of all, make reading a daily part of your life and your children will follow your example. Give them time and opportunity to explore the book shelves at the library. Check out books. Talk about the books you are reading and ask your kids questions about the books they are reading.
What’s your favorite way to keep kids reading? I’d love to hear about it in the comments below.
Thanks for stopping by! Happy reading 🙂
Karen
Additional reading you might enjoy!
https://savoringeachmoment.com/road-trips-with-kids-unplugged-part-1-meal-planning/
https://savoringeachmoment.com/road-tripping-with-kids-unplugged-part-2/
https://savoringeachmoment.com/road-trips-with-kids-unplugged-part-3-books/
My son is one and loves to read! Right now it’s easy to keep him reading. I hope that never changes!
Make it fun and it will last a lifetime! Glad you are starting to read with him at a young age!
These are awesome ideas! I love to curl up on the couch with my daughter and read our own books. It’s a great way to have quiet time but make sure she’s getting her reading time in. And I get to read, too! Win win!
That’s the best part! Getting time to read to yourself sometimes too! 🙂
These are great ideas! When I was a kid, my parents always enrolled me in the summer reading program at the library. I always looked forward to picking out new books.
These are all great ideas! We love joining the library reading program. It gets them excited about going to the library to get new books and get prizes for reading!
Growing up my mom took me to the library all the time and I have a love of reading now!
Too many parents underestimate the value in daily reading, even in the summer.
This is a great reminder, along with some great ways to implement it into the summer routine.
I love the idea of having a family goal! My oldest is very competitive so I bet that would be motivating!
Great tips! I completely agree that you should set the example. I read whenever I have a chance and usually, it gets my kids excited and they often bring me one of their books to read to them.
I like the idea of setting a reading goal. I think I will do that this summer!
I love the idea of a family reading goal.
I am very keen on making more time to read this summer.
My son is a very good reader but tends to be too plugged in when at home to read. I’ll be implementing some of these for sure.
We will all benefit hugely x
Great ideas! We already have scheduled reading time, but I love the idea of setting a family reading goal.
We’re just starting reading for my son and just joined the library kids club and love it.
Good for you!
Loved this! Great practical advice on how to keep your family reading this summer. Reading before bedtime is one of my favorite traditions with my youngest! 🙂 Thanks for sharing!
I still love listening to either of my parents read aloud! 🙂
While I don’t have children, I think it’s so important for kids to fall in love with reading, as I did when I was younger. I will be sharing this with my mom friends 🙂
Thanks for sharing!