The end of the school year is closing in fast. Have you thought about how you are going to keep your children actively reading? Keeping children engaged in reading over the summer helps prevent the “summer slide” and builds lifelong reading habits. Now is the time to start planning, and I am here to support you by giving some practical tips to encourage summer reading:

Let Them Choose

Allow kids to pick books they’re genuinely interested in—even if it’s comics, graphic novels, or joke books. Choice fuels motivation.

Use the Library

Sign up for your local library’s summer reading program. Many offer fun incentives, events, and themed reading challenges.

My therapy dog Jamie and I visited libraries for kids to read to a therapy dog. Check to see if your library offers, Read to a Therapy Dog.

Set a Routine

Build reading into the daily schedule—maybe right after lunch, before bed, or during quiet time. Even 15–20 minutes a day adds up.

Create a Reading Space

Set up a cozy nook with pillows, good lighting, and a basket of books. A special spot can make reading feel like a treat.

Model Reading

Let your children see you reading for pleasure. Talk about your books and ask about theirs.

Read to Your Child

Listening helps build vocabulary and comprehension.

Then you can say, "Next time you can read to me!"

Make It Social

Start a simple book club with friends or cousins. Kids can read the same book and chat about it over ice cream or Zoom.

Tie Books to Activities

Visit a train park, read a book about trains, and talk about it. Take a fun facts book about your child's favorite wild animal and go to the zoo. Set out a blanket and have a tea party with princess dolls and princess books. If you are going on a summer vacation, buy a book about where you are going to learn about things to do and the culture. Before my vacation to Belize, I bought a book about Belize and found out the children there were very poor and didn't have school supplies. So, you guessed it. I brought with me a suitecase of school supplies to pass out to the children. They were estatic and very appreciative. Connecting stories to real-life adventures makes them more memorable.

Track Progress

Use a fun chart or sticker calendar to track daily reading. Some kids are motivated by seeing their goals.

Celebrate Success

Reward consistent reading with small prizes, certificates, or special outings. Celebrate the joy of books, not just the number of reads.

If you have additional tips, please comment. I would love to share them.