10 Tips for Making Summer Reading Fun for Kids
Ah, summer! The season of sunshine, long days, and endless adventures and possibilities. My family loves summer. The kids are excited to splash in the pool, have barbecues, explore the outdoors, and have good old-fashioned playtime. Our must-do list includes making smores, bike rides, going to the beach, and drawing with sidewalk chalk.
Summer is all about making memories and having fun, and what better way to enrich those experiences than with a good book? Whether your family is lounging by the pool, taking a road trip, or seeking refuge from the heat indoors, summer is the perfect time to dive into a good book.
Wait…reading! Yes! Summer reading is a fantastic activity and can be seamlessly blended into summer fun, I promise. Read on for 10 tips on how to weave reading into your family’s summer break.
1. Outdoor Storytime
My kids, like most, adore being outside in the summer. Though, like many parents, I'm not a fan of them leaving the backdoor open and letting flies in! But if they prefer being outdoors, why not make reading an outdoor activity too? It’s a wonderful way to balance all their playtime. Set up a cozy reading spot in your backyard or a nearby park with blankets and pillows. Consider bringing along a picnic or some snacks to enjoy while you dive into a good book together.
2. Summer Crafts
Do you have a budding artist or builder at home? Let their imagination soar by creating crafts inspired by their favorite books or characters. For the crafters, some fun ideas include making book-themed bookmarks so they never lose their spot, drawing a new book cover, or creating a book-inspired collage. For the builders, a great idea is to retell the story using LEGO® bricks, playdough, or any other building blocks or materials you have around the house.
It’s so much fun to see kids' imaginations run wild as they bring their favorite stories to life through art. You don’t need much—just crayons, paper, colored pencils, or whatever else you have lying around.
3. Reading Campouts
My family enjoys campfires, singing campfire songs, and of course, making s’mores, but we’ve never actually been camping. But, who says you need to go camping to have a campout? Pitch a tent in your backyard or build a fort indoors with blankets and chairs. Settle in with a stack of books and some popcorn or your favorite family treats. Need a bit of sparkle? Add twinkling lights or lanterns to create a magical atmosphere for your indoor or outdoor campout. Don’t forget the s’mores!
4. Literary Scavenger Hunts
For this Mother’s Day, my kids surprised me by hiding their gifts, a collection of painted rocks and a lovely macaroni necklace, in the backyard, complete with a treasure map for me to find the gifts. It was a lot of fun. This got me thinking, if a treasure hunt works for gifts, why not do the same for books? It's easy! Simply create a treasure map (nothing fancy, we're busy parents after all) or give your kids book-related clues (verbally, on paper, or with visual hints). Then watch as they eagerly search for books that match each clue. Whether it’s finding a book about dogs or uncovering a story set at the beach, this interactive activity will keep your kids engaged and excited about reading.
5. Book-Themed Cooking
Calling all sous chefs and bakers! Cooking with kids can be fun and a little messy, I’ve had my fair share of broken eggs and floors covered in flour, but creating book-themed eats is a great way to embrace the mess. Do you have a fan of The Very Hungry Caterpillar by Eric Carle? Why not create bug fruit skewers? Summer reads like And Then Comes Summer by Tom Brenner or Summer is Here by Renée Watson pair perfectly with cool summer treats like popsicles, ice cream, or frozen watermelon (or any fruit). These treats are fun to make and help the kids stay cool and refreshed on hot days. Plus, getting kids involved in the kitchen can make the stories come alive, sparking their imagination and making the reading experience even more interactive and enjoyable. So, grab your aprons and dive into some summer-themed stories and snacks for a delightful, refreshing way to beat the heat!
P.S. Don’t have the time or energy to make homemade treats, don’t sweat it, store-bought always works, it's the time spent with kids that matters.
6. Themed Reading Days
“I’m bored!” The phrase is dreaded by parents and used a lot by kids. Stave off boredom and get the fun rolling with reading themes. Dedicate certain days to specific themes—like “Adventure Monday” or “Stargaze Saturday”—and read books that fit the theme. To level up the fun combine with another activity on the list, maybe cooking or reading campout. Get the kids involved by having them pick the theme and activity.
7. Storytelling Sessions
Got a budding playwright or actor at home? Here’s a fun way to let their creativity shine: have them choose their favorite book and create their version of the story or come up with a new ending. Whether they write it down, act it out, make stop-motion animation, or even create a short movie, they can explore the story in their unique way. Taking a story beyond the book and making something new is a great interactive activity that keeps them engaged and having fun!
8. Book Bingo
Does your family like games? A great way to combine summer fun with reading is book bingo. Create a standard bingo card with 5 rows and 5 columns with reading-related squares, such as “read a book about nature” or “read a book with an orange cover.” The card can include ideas for different genres, such as fiction or biographies, or types of books, such as graphic novels or board books. Kids can complete the board by crossing off or coloring in the corresponding square. You can tailor the board to your child's reading level by using words and pictures or adjusting the number of rows and columns. If your kids are not fans of bingo, encourage them to create their own game and see where their imagination takes them.
9. Pick from a Hat
Surprises can be fun, so why not add the element of surprise to storytime? Write down book titles on slips of paper, or for non-readers, picture clues, and place them in a hat, bag, or another similarly sized container. Then have your kids pull a piece of paper from the hat for their next read. This fun activity can introduce them to books they might not have chosen on their own.
10. Dealers Choice
Recently, my son has been all about LEGO® visual dictionaries and building idea books at bedtime. While these might not be my first choice for bedtime reads, they make him happy and nurture his love of reading. Summer is the perfect time to let your kids dive into whatever books they love (yes, including graphic novels, comic books, and LEGO® dictionaries) because all reading is good reading.
There you have it - a guide to making summer reading part of your family’s sunny adventures. Incorporating books into your kid’s summer routine will keep their minds engaged and their imaginations soaring. Let the summer reading adventures begin!
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Happy reading, and happy summer!
