10 Tips to Help Kids Improve Reading Skills This Summer

Helping kids improve their reading skills over the summer is a great way to prevent “summer slide.” At the same time, you will help them build a lifelong love of reading. For easy reference, here is a concise list of practical and engaging strategies to support your child’s reading growth:

📚 1. Create a Daily Reading Routine

• Set a consistent time each day for reading (e.g., after breakfast or before bed).
• Even 15–30 minutes a day can make a big difference and will help improve reading skills.
• Let your child choose when and where to read for more buy-in or ownership.

🏡 2. Make Reading Fun and Relaxed to Improve Reading Skills

• Turn reading into a cozy activity: blankets, snacks, and quiet time.
• Use fun voices when reading aloud.
• Let them pick books that match their interests—even comics, graphic novels, or magazines.
• Provide sensory reading tools to enhance the reading experience and improve reading skills.

📖 3. Choose the Right Books

• Use the “Five Finger Rule” to find books at the right difficulty level.
• Pick high-interest, low-reading-level (Hi-Lo) books if your child struggles.
• Mix in fiction and nonfiction to expand vocabulary and world knowledge.

🎯 4. Set Small, Achievable Goals

• Example goals: “Read 5 chapter books,” or “Try a new genre each week.”
• Use reading logs or stickers for motivation.
• Also, celebrate milestones with small rewards or special outings.

🎧 5. Use Audiobooks and Read-Alongs to Improve Reading Skills

• Audiobooks help with fluency, vocabulary, and comprehension.
• Listen during car rides, quiet time, or while drawing.
• Try apps like Libby, Hoopla, or Audible (often free with a library card).

📱 6. Try Reading Apps and Websites

• Epic!, Raz-Kids, Starfall, or PBS Kids Reading Games.
• Many apps adjust difficulty based on performance and offer built-in rewards.

🗣 7. Talk About What You’re Reading

• Ask open-ended questions: “What do you think will happen next?” or “What would you do in that situation?”
• Then, encourage your child to retell stories or describe their favorite part.

👪 8. Lead by Example to Improve Reading Skills

• Let your child see you reading for fun.
• Start a family book club or read the same book together and discuss it.

🏫 9. Visit the Library to Improve Reading Skills

• Join a summer reading program—many libraries offer prizes and events.
• Also, let your child help choose books to build a sense of ownership.

✍️ 10. Incorporate Reading into Other Activities 

• Read recipes, game instructions, or museum signs.
• Turn subtitles on during movies or shows.
• Also, write and read letters, postcards, or journals together.

In conclusion, this list of tips can be printed and posted in a place you can easily reference all summer long. In addition, you can also put together a summer reading plan, a book list by age or level, or printable reading challenges. At the same time, keep in mind your child’s age or grade level, using online research tools. As a result, your child will be more than ready to read more effectively in the coming school year. Finally, remember to enjoy reading right along with your child. Then, you will both have a great and productive summer!