Just like that, school’s out for summer. In my house, that means a looser schedule, camps, swimming, biking and hiking. It also means an almost daily fight over screen time, or lack there of.
Last year, I bought this cool chair hammock, which I thought would be perfect for summer reading. In my mind, the kids would curl up in the hammock for hours, gently swaying in the breeze, totally absorbed in a book. In reality, they spin each other around in it as fast as they can, screaming in delight. Sometimes, they kick it up a notch and throw balls at the person in the swing, pretending they’re in a spaceship dodging meteors. My point is, there’s not a lot of reading that happens in this chair.
It’s so important to keep kids reading over the summer. Aside from improving or maintaining their reading skills, I believe it’s important because reading without a school assignment is where they learn to read for fun. Reading is a passion they develop now that they will carry into adulthood. Also, when they’re reading, they’re quiet and they’re not on a screen. It’s a win win.
Want to keep your kids reading over the summer? I have some ideas.
5 Ways to Keep Your Kids Reading This Summer
- Check out your local library for fun summer events geared toward reading. Many of them have contests where kids can win prizes for reading books.
- Barnes and Noble also does a summer reading program for kids. They can earn a free book through the program. See the details here. Your local bookstore might have one too.
- Give them fun places to read. Make a fort inside or a special reading nook outside.
- If your child likes dolls or stuffed animals, make a book club where your child can serve tea and read them a book. Cheers to you if you join the book club party too.
- Book Bingo. See below for a free Book Bingo printable. Print it out. Have a scavenger hunt at the library for new titles. Either have your child fill up rows or the whole card and give them little prizes for each milestone.
The most important thing is to give them access to books. Take them to the library and let them pick out books that catch their eye. Make reading part of your daily routine. In summer, I have a checklist that the kids need to complete to earn screen time. Reading is at the top, right by the daily chore. Also, if reading is a part of your life, it will be a part of theirs. So, I highly recommend sitting on the patio with a beverage and a good book. It’s for the kids, after all.
How do you keep your kids reading over the summer. Drop me a comment and let me know.
Got a kid who likes to write? Check out some ideas to keep them writing as well.
