15 Joyful Ways to Get Your Kids Excited About Reading This Summer
The final school bell signals the start of summer—a season full of sunshine, popsicles, and carefree afternoons. While this break is perfect for family fun and relaxation, many parents worry about the “summer slide,” the learning loss children often face during the long vacation.
Studies show students can lose up to two months of reading skills each summer, which accumulates over the years and impacts their academic progress. For a detailed look at the research and statistics, check out our previous article here.
But here’s the good news: summer learning loss isn’t inevitable. Research reveals that with the right, low-pressure activities, children can maintain or even improve their skills during summer. This guide shares 15 joyful strategies to keep your kids engaged in reading all season long—helping them grow their skills and develop a lasting love of learning.
Cultivating a Reading-Rich Environment(The Foundation)
Before kids will want to read, reading must feel natural, inviting, and valuable. This section helps transform reading from a chore into a cherished part of summer.
1️⃣ Let Them Choose: The Power of Autonomy
Giving kids choice is the strongest driver of reading motivation. Experts from the Harvard Graduate School of Education and literacy specialists across the board agree: letting kids choose what they read is the foundational step to fostering engagement.
It’s okay if their choices aren’t “classic” books. Graphic novels, magazines, non-fiction, and even recipes or game instructions all count as real reading.
Audiobooks also build vocabulary and comprehension. If your child has a school reading list, treat it as a menu, not a mandate, and let them pick alternatives if needed. Flexibility in what, when, and where they read keeps reading joyful.
2️⃣ Model Reading: Be the Reader You Want to See
Kids mimic what they see. Let them catch you reading and talking about your books. Share why you’re excited about a story or a funny passage. Read alongside them in the same room to normalize reading as a relaxing, enjoyable part of family life.
3️⃣ Create a Cozy Book Nook
A dedicated, comfortable reading spot makes books feel special. You don’t need a renovation—just a beanbag, pillows, good lighting, and a basket of books displayed with covers visible. Keep it screen-free, and consider a weekly “family reading night” with snacks to make reading a shared event.
4️⃣ Make Reading Social
Reading together builds bonds and deepens comprehension. Continue reading aloud, even to older kids, to expose them to richer vocabulary and stories. Let them read to you, read the same book separately to discuss together, or start a small book club with their friends. Shared reading creates positive memories and keeps motivation high.
Weaving Reading into Summer (Integration)
Summer reading shouldn’t feel like a chore. The best strategies seamlessly integrate reading into your summer adventures, making it a natural part of daily fun.
5️⃣ Take Books on an Adventure
Reading outdoors connects books with joy and exploration.
✅ Plan a “Booknic”: Pack lunch, a blanket, and books for a park or backyard picnic centered on reading.
✅ Try a StoryWalk®: Many parks post book pages along walking trails, blending movement with literacy ( StoryWalk® Project). Create your own by reading pages at “pitstops” in your neighborhood.
✅ Read During Travel: Let kids read maps, brochures, and look up destinations, turning reading into a practical, empowering tool for family trips.
6️⃣ Leverage Audiobooks and Podcasts
Listening is reading, too. According to the Harvard Graduate School of Education, audiobooks build comprehension and vocabulary, especially for reluctant readers.
✅ Road Trip Essential: Long drives become engaging with a family audiobook.
✅ Free Access: Use apps like Libby and Hoopla Digital via your library for free audiobooks.
✅ Kid-Friendly Podcasts: Try Julie’s Library, Little Stories for Tiny People, or Molly of Denali for screen-free storytime.
✅ Play During Activities: Let kids listen while building LEGOs or drawing, pairing movement with story absorption.
7️⃣ Read to a Furry Friend
Reading aloud to pets reduces pressure and builds fluency. Research shows reading to dogs for 15 minutes a week can improve fluency by 12–30% (UC Davis study).
✅ Dogs, cats, hamsters, or even stuffed animals work as patient, non-judgmental audiences.
✅ Kids view reading as an act of care, linking literacy with warmth and companionship.
8️⃣ Read in the Kitchen
Recipes are practical reading tools, teaching sequencing and vocabulary.
✅ Appoint Your Child as Head Chef: Let them read recipes aloud while cooking.
✅ Connect Books to Food: Make butterbeer after Harry Potter or pasta after reading a book set in Italy.
✅ Write Recipes Together: Invent a smoothie or popsicle, having your child write the recipe, combining reading and writing with fun.
9️⃣ Pair Books with Movies
Instead of competing with screen time, use it as motivation.
✅ “Read It First” Rule: Read the book, then celebrate with a family movie night.
✅ Discuss Afterwards: Talk about differences between the book and movie, favorite characters, and what was left out to build critical thinking skills.
✅ Expand to Real-Life Events: After a baseball book, attend a game; a farm story could lead to a petting zoo visit. Let books spark real-world family adventures.
Gamifying and Getting Creative
Turning reading into play taps into kids’ natural curiosity, transforming reluctant readers into engaged learners.
1️⃣0️⃣ Launch a Reading Challenge
Traditional reading logs feel like homework. Research shows games and dynamic challenges boost motivation.
✅ Use Reading BINGO: Create a grid with fun prompts (“Read under a tree,” “Read to a pet,” “Read a graphic novel”) to focus on variety and joy, not minutes.
✅ Free Printable: : Follow Joycat for more joyful, low-pressure ideas to keep your kids reading and connected all summer long!
✅ Low-Stakes Rewards: Offer experience prizes like picking a family movie, extra park time, or a bedtime extension.
1️⃣1️⃣ Create Your Own Stories
Reading and writing build each other. Let kids become storytellers.
✅ Make Comics: Draw or cut images, adding dialogue and captions.
✅ Round-Robin Stories: Write stories together, passing the paper for each person to add a paragraph.
✅ Summer Scrapbook: Pair writing with photos, tickets, and pressed flowers to capture summer memories.
1️⃣2️⃣ Dig Into Family History
Genealogy naturally combines reading, research, and writing.
✅ Interview Relatives: Practice listening and note-taking while gathering stories.
✅ Build a Family Tree: Use online tools or paper charts to visualize connections.
✅ Write a Biography: Research an ancestor and write their story.
1️⃣3️⃣ Travel the World Through Books
Books can be passports to explore global cultures.
✅ Pick a Country: Find fiction and non-fiction about its culture at the library.
✅ Expand Learning: Try recipes, listen to local music, or watch travel documentaries.
1️⃣4️⃣ Rediscover Letter Writing
Letter writing practices reading and writing in a meaningful, joyful way.
✅ Start Pen Pals: Correspond with family or friends to make mail exciting.
✅ Write to Authors: Many authors respond to young readers.
✅ DIY Stationery: Let kids design stationery for their letters.
1️⃣5️⃣ Follow Their Passion with Non-Fiction
Many kids prefer facts over stories; they may need different books, not more books.
✅ Lean Into Interests: Find books matching their obsessions (space, sharks, inventions).
✅ Make Them the Expert: Let them share what they learn, building confidence.
✅ Explore Non-Fiction Aisles: Guide them through library sections that feed their curiosity.
Conclusion: A Summer of Stories and Connection
Don’t feel pressured to try every idea. The goal isn’t counting books or minutes—it’s to spark joy, nurture curiosity, and deepen your connection with your child.
Sustainable summer reading habits are built on choice, comfort, and creativity. Pick one or two ideas that feel exciting and doable for your family. Maybe this is the summer you create a legendary pillow fort as a book nook, discover an audiobook series that makes every car ride an adventure, or simply let your child enjoy a stack of graphic novels without protest.
Whatever you choose, know that weaving reading into your summer is a gift that lasts far beyond the season. The stories you share and the moments you create will build a foundation for lifelong learning and a genuine love of reading.