Kids Summer Reading Ideas

Another school year is over and done!  Unbelievable!

Tim and I got into a good routine of reading to the girls during the school year, but I always find that routines are harder to keep in the summer.  Here are some ideas I had to remind us to read more often:

1. Participate in a summer reading club

Kids who read any 8 titles from the Pottery Barn Kids recommended book list by July 31st will receive a free book at participating stores (while supplies last).

Barnes & Noble has a summer reading program and kids can pick out a free book from the book store after completing the required reading (while supplies last).

Slyvan Book Adventure is a fun, free way to motivate your child to read.  Kids can search for books, read them offline, come back to quiz on what they’ve read, and earn prizes for their reading success.

Visit the Junie B. Jones Kids Reading Club online to download the Reading Log and Activity Brochure.  

Chuck E. Cheese offers 10 free tokens to kids who complete their Reading Reward Calendar.

Pizza Hut's Book It! Summer Reading Challenge incorporates reading with fun activities, exciting games and a chance to win prizes!

The Half Price Books Feed Your Brain Summer Reading Program awards one child per age group a $20 gift card to Half Priced Books in June and July.  A new Half Price Books is opening in Chesterfield, MO in June! 

Join your local library's summer reading program.  The St. Louis County Library has a program for babies, kids, teens and adults.  Prizes are awarded at the end of the summer.

2. Find fun book lists

While searching around on Pinterest I came across this pin from No Time For Flash Cards.  I immediately logged onto my library account and saved these books on to "Kids Books" list. Pinterest has lots of great summer reading lists.  Click here for more.

3.  Make a Reading Reward Chart

Check out my "Summer Reading" Pinterest board for more reading chart ideas!  There are lots of free printables or you could get ideas to make your own chart tailored for your kids!

4.  Make regular trips to the library

Whenever I hear about a good children's book, I look it up on my library's website and save it to my "Kids Books" list.  A few days before we plan to go to the library I request a bunch of the books that I've saved so that they're waiting for us when we get to the library.  We try to go on a day when they have activities or story time so the kids look forward to going.