Making Summer Reading Fun!

Some kids naturally gravitate to books, and if you have one of those, awesome.  For the rest of us, summer reading doesn’t exactly fill your or your kid’s heart with joy.  Speaking from experience,  there are ways to make summer reading more fun.  You just need to be a little creative.  Now full disclaimer, I have some kids that have a learning difference, so you might not need to be quite as creative as I am.  BUT these are all a lot of fun.

The Summer Reading List

Many schools provide summer reading lists, but if yours didn’t then feel free to grab one from the library, do a google search, or check this one out. Looking for older kids,  try this one for middle schoolers and this one for high school.  Don’t forget to have your own summer reading list. Getting started on the summer list can be the hard part.

Make picking the first book a game.

• Disappearing Sidewalk Chalk

Write the names on sidewalk chalk and have your child spray water toys or throw water balloons until one of the titles disappears.  Just make sure to take a pic first so that you remember.

• Name Out of A Hat

Put all the names in a hat and pick out one by one.

• Introduce a Book & a Movie

Pick one of the books that has a movie that will interest the kids. Tell your kids that you will have a movie night with favorite snacks if they finish the book in a specified time.

• Scavenger Hunt

Sometimes if you are using the library it might be as simple as which one is available.  You can make it more fun by using a scavenger hunt approach. Go to the library and have the kids grab as many books off the list as possible.  You can give them a time limit or have them compete for quickest or most books in an amount of time.  Take them to get a treat, a reading lamp, or a book after the hunt.  Don’t stop at just your books there are lots of great reading programs and scavenger hunts for the library available.

Where to get your Summer Reading books?

• Library
• Used bookstores
• Amazon (utilize services like Kindle Unlimited to keep prices low)
• Utilize Audiobooks as well (they aren’t cheating) 

Crucial Next Step for Summer Reading- How much oversight?

Each child is different.  Some kids need lots of encouragement and some just want to be left alone.  I don’t suggest elaborate writing projects or downloading a bunch of comprehension materials off TPT, but I do suggest reading a synopsis so you can ask about the book and help them make connections.  I do like them having a visual reminder of all the great books they’ve read.   I use this set of summer reading printables with my kids (it includes 8 ideas for making connections).

I also like to add a little flair.   A Greek dinner while reading Percy Jackson or some special jellybeans while reading Harry Potter can be highly motivating.

Connecting to Summer Reading

• Book & a Movie.

If there isn’t a movie made from the book, is there a movie with a similar story?  This can usually get a lot of good discussion going. My older son almost always thinks the movie was HORRIBLE compared to the book.  I love these dialogues because it lets you know how they were picturing the story.  This list might get you started.

• Food.

Food can be a great way to help kids connect with stories – especially those hungry teens and tweens.  Have a Percy Jackson blue food night.  Make tortillas while reading Esperanza Rising.  Create a chocolate bar while reading Charlie and Chocolate Factory.  Be creative.

• Plays and Field Trips

Consider going to a Shakespeare in the park or look for a Children’s theater production of your story.  If those won’t work, consider a field trip to explore a topic in the story.  For instance, if you are reading Hidden Figures head to one of the NASA space centers.  If you are reading Number the Stars, head to a WWII memorial or Holocaust museum.  There are lots of great options to help kids make the books they are reading more meaningful.

Summer Reading Closing Ceremonies

Consider hosting a summer reading closing ceremony.  This can be as elaborate as you make it.   You could make posters with pics of ALL the books the kids read.  Have a night of themed food.  Have a movie night.  Have the kids vote on their favorites and bring those back for the closing ceremonies.  I don’t suggest rewards.  The reward was all the fun they had reading and the memories they’ve made this summer.