Plan a summer reading challenge at home with these easy ideas for less screen time and more book time, even with reluctant readers.
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Summer and reading just go together. If you have teens, they might have assigned reading that they have to do over the summer. But kids of all ages should be encouraged to read for fun!
Summertime is a great time for reading. Your family’s schedule is probably slower and a bit more flexible. And if you’re planning a trip, books are a must to keep kids entertained in the car, plane, or train.
Create your own summer reading challenge with some of our ideas and tips for a fun way to get kids reading. You might just find yourself spending more time relaxing with a good book too.
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How to organize summer reading
Reading is supposed to be fun, so don’t stress too much about making a schedule and sticking to it. But if you want to organize your own summer reading challenge, here’s how to get started.
1. Make a reading challenge tracker.
A summer reading challenge printable can make it easy to keep track of everything. Our DIY Summer Camp Planner includes several pages that might be handy: a reading list, monthly calendar, summer bucket list, and stationery – to write or draw about the books.
You can also make your own tracker using a spreadsheet or just lined paper. Write down the title of each book you read. You can also include the author and the date you read it if you like.
We love this easy tutorial for making your own reading bingo cards.
2. Make up the rules.
A fun summer reading challenge has a few rules and plenty of prizes.
You can create a points system. For example, picture books are 1 point, easy readers are 5, and chapter books are 10 points. Or just set a goal each week.
At the end of each week, celebrate your kids’ wins with fun prizes. For example, 25 points to go get snow cones or 50 points to watch a movie with a friend. For older kids, reading a book and then watching the movie version is a fun incentive!
Pick a bigger prize for the end of the summer too.
3. Visit your local public library.
Even if you have lots of books at home start by visiting your local public library. Kids are sure to find new titles to get excited about. And you might be surprised to find your child exploring a brand new interest. Don’t worry about checking out more books than your child will read. It’s all about exploring.
Quick parent tip: To avoid lost books or late fees, we have a “home base” where books stay when you’re not reading them. A big basket in the living room is an easy solution.
4. Have fun!
Put kids in charge of tracking their reading goals. Just like adults, they have days when they want to snuggle up and read all day – and others where they just want to go outside. If you have a reluctant reader, check out our tips for motivating kids below.
Good reading challenge ideas
Summer themes
Pick a new theme each week and read several books that fit. It could match your summer camp theme – or not. This is a fun way to read a mix of fiction and nonfiction.
- 14 Beautiful Ocean Books for Kids
- 20 Dinosaur Books for Kids
- 18 Pirate Books for Kids
- 24 Outer Space Books for Kids
A to Z
Go in alphabetical order. Pick a book title or author that begins with A to start. If you go one letter at a time, you’ll read 26 books this summer.
Roy G Biv
Read by color. While you can’t judge a book by its cover, you could read books with a red cover this week (then orange next!). Go in rainbow order, or mix it up and pick your kids’ favorite colors.
Award winners
Go down a book award list, whether that’s Newberry and Caldecott winners or a state book list. See the Texas Bluebonnet List for this year and past winners.
The Children’s and Teen Choice Book Awards winners are selected by kids.
Book series
Read all the books in a series. Collections like A Series of Unfortunate Events and Ranger’s Apprentice make a great family read-aloud.
Seasonal programs
See if your local library has a summer reading program or check with bookstores nearby.
Making reading fun in the summer
Reading might be some kids’ favorite hobby, but it doesn’t come as easy for everyone. If your child doesn’t like reading, here are some ideas that might help.
- Remember that all kinds of reading are good. Your child might like fiction or nonfiction. They might prefer picture books, graphic novels, or nontraditional stories like Choose Your Own Adventure.
- Audiobooks count too!
- Have a daily reading time. It might be during the hour before bedtime or you could have a random DEAR (Drop Everything And Read) time for everyone in the house to read for 15 minutes.
- Read aloud to your child, no matter how old they are.
- Follow their existing interests. For example, if your child would rather be playing baseball, pick up some books about famous players.
- Put together a cozy book corner full of pillows and blankets.
- Read the same book and talk about it together after each chapter.
- Invite friends over to read together, then have a snack while they talk about their books.
- Do you have a pet? They make good listeners while your child reads to them.
Not all screen time is bad, of course. Be intentional with your time and read one of these books made into movies, then watch the film.
Plan your summer with the DIY Summer Camp Planner!
Our step-by-step guide will help you organize a day, a week, or a whole summer of fun activities for your kids.
