Summer is a wonderful season for kids: long, warm days filled with outdoor play, ice cream, and freedom. Parents, however, know that summer can also lead to fading academic skills like reading and math. Reading, in particular, supports nearly every other school skill, so it’s important to keep children engaged with books during the break. Here are practical, parent-friendly strategies to encourage reading over the summer and keep kids learning in a fun, relaxed way.
10 Ways to Get Kids to Read Over the Summer
- Start early. Set a consistent reading time early in the day when children’s minds are fresh and used to morning routines. A short reading session with breakfast or right after waking helps maintain a habit, making the transition back to school easier in August.
- Cook with books. Use cookbooks and recipes for hands-on reading practice. Following a recipe builds reading comprehension, sequencing, and practical skills—all while creating something tasty together.
- Model reading behavior. Children imitate adults. When they see parents reading regularly, they are more likely to adopt the habit. Read in shared spaces and make reading a visible, normal part of daily life.
- Swap screen time for screen-reading. Rather than eliminating screens entirely, offer alternative screen-based reading like e-books or educational apps. Presenting a tablet or e-reader as a reward keeps reading fun while reducing passive screen time.
- Provide a wide selection. Keep many kinds of books available—big and small, fiction and nonfiction, picture books and biographies. Offering variety increases the chance that a child will find something that sparks curiosity and enjoyment.
- Talk about what you read. Encourage conversations about books: ask about the main idea, how characters felt, or what surprised them. Talking about a story deepens comprehension and helps children put words into their own ideas.
- Share your books and read together. Reading aloud or sharing passages—even when kids are older—supports vocabulary, pronunciation, and understanding. It also creates meaningful bonding time centered around books.
- Celebrate finishing books. Recognize the accomplishment of finishing a book. Praise, a small reward, or a little celebration reinforces effort and builds confidence, making children more likely to choose reading again.
- Leave books out where kids can see them—literally. Keep books on tables, counters, and nightstands. Visible books invite spontaneous browsing and make it easy for reluctant readers to pick one up.
- Leave books out as an option—figuratively. Make books the go-to choice for downtime. Offer a book at the park, in restaurants, or during car rides. Presenting reading as a regular, accessible option helps integrate it into everyday activities.
Keeping children reading over the summer doesn’t require strict schedules or intense pressure—just consistent, enjoyable exposure to books and reading experiences. With visible books, shared reading time, and a variety of material, kids can retain and even improve reading skills while enjoying their summer. Small, regular habits build confidence and curiosity that pay off when school resumes.