Summer Reading Ideas for Kids: The ULTIMATE Guide (Part 1)

Let’s Get Started – Part 1

It’s that time of year to encourage summer reading for kids. To help you, we have created a two-part series of articles, an ULTIMATE guide to summer reading ideas for kids (Part 2). Each part will offer you a variety of FREE reading enrichment ideas for the summer vacation months. As a result, you’ll be able to keep your children or students enriched and engaged in reading all summer long. Here is Part 1 to help you get started on a summer of literacy enrichment!

Why Reading Is Important for Enrichment

The practice of reading helps to expand a child’s vocabulary and improves both spelling and grammar skills, especially during the summer break. Another benefit is the ability to think and analyze information, a vital life skill. Reading is the foundation of all areas of success in life, and it helps to develop social skills, empathy, and personal growth. It also helps build relationships, sharing thoughts, feelings, and opinions with others.

How to Get Your Child Excited About Reading

Getting children excited about reading can be a challenge, especially during the summer. Here are a few ideas that you can use to encourage your children to engage in reading:

1. Make It Fun – Reading should be enjoyable and fun. Children often find books boring, so don’t be afraid to be creative and introduce new ways to make reading more enjoyable. Whether there will be board games based on books, treasure hunts, or reading challenges, make sure they’re engaged and eager to get immersed in reading.
2. Visit the Library – Take your child to the library. Show them the vast selection of books and explain why some books are better than others. Encourage them to take out books of their choice.
3. Make Reading a Regular Activity – Make reading a part of your everyday activities. Read with your children for at least 15 minutes each day. Show enthusiasm and be a good literacy role model to encourage even more summer reading for kids.
4. Find Books That Interest Your Child – One way to make reading exciting is to look for books that your child finds interesting. Your child may be more likely to read if the book is about a subject or character that he can relate to more easily. Ask his teachers or the school’s library staff to recommend an interesting book.
5. Visit Bookstores – Visit bookstores and let your child explore the different types of books. Ask him to select books of personal interest. If he is eager to spend his own money to buy a book, commend him to reinforce this good decision.

Create a Summer Reading List with Your Child

Creating a summer reading list with your child is a great way to get them engaged and excited about reading. Here are some tips on how to make summer reading fun and interesting for your child and you:

1. Set a Reading Goal – Create a goal together to read a certain number of books over the summer or challenge your child to read books from a certain genre.
2. Make a List – Make a list of books from which your child can choose. Let her select books that interest her and allow for exploration of new topics, too.
3. Reading Activities– Develop some engaging reading activities to do together like a book club, scavenger hunts, or other related activities while reading.
4. Plan a Celebration – Celebrate when your child reaches her reading goal with a reward or an enjoyable activity.
5. Start a Journal – Create a journal with your child to document their summer reading journey. Ask questions about the book they read and have them draw a scene from the book.
6. Get Creative – Get creative with how you track your reading progress. Try making graphs or charts with your child or incorporating art projects into your list.

Reading should be enjoyable and with these ideas in mind, you can help create an exciting reading list with your child to use this summer—AND year round!

Special Note: To read Part 2 of this series just click HERE.

Sources

FREE 2023 ALSC Summer Reading Lists from Association for Library Service to Children (ALSC)

These new lists are full of book titles to keep children engaged in reading throughout the summer. Four Summer Reading lists are available for birth-preschool and grades K-2, 3-5, and 6-8. Each list is available here to download for FREE. Titles on the 2023 Summer Reading Lists were compiled and annotated by members of ALSC’s Quicklists Consulting Committee. ALSC reading lists are created as a resource for children’s librarians to share with patrons. Parents and caregivers are encouraged to explore these titles to find resources that may match or spark their child’s interest.

10 BEST Board Games Based on Books from Book Game Halv

Often, the best properties for books are epic adventures with deep characters and a great story. This collection of board games is excellent for a variety of age groups and interest levels!

FREE Book Scavenger Hunt – Have Fun with Books at the Library from Homeschool of 1

This FREE book scavenger hunt printable is a fantastic game to play either at home, at school, or even better in a library. If you are playing with multiple children they can either work in teams or alone. This website also provides additional FREE scavenger hunt printables for other occasions and themes.

Reading Tools for Kids from Brennan Innovators, LLC

Do your kids or students need a little extra reading support to improve literacy over the summer months? These multisensory, customizable tools and Mac/PC apps can be just what they need to maintain or improve reading skills during their summer break!