5 Tips to Encourage Summer Reading

Ah, summer! School’s out, the days are long and lazy, and it’s time to relax and have fun. But for kids, just because school’s out doesn’t mean learning should stop entirely. In order to prevent the “summer slide” where kids can lose ground from the gains they had made throughout the year, it’s a good idea to keep their minds engaged while on summer break. Finding ways to make reading a rewarding challenge can help to keep them on track for when school’s back in session.

5 Ways to Keep Kids Reading During Summer Break

Here are some creative ideas to encourage kids to keep turning those pages and rediscover the joy of a good book during the summer. Check out our summer reading incentives to reward their efforts too.

1. Tap into your local library’s summer reading program. Most community libraries run special programs designed to encourage kids to keep reading throughout the summer. Often paired with a fun theme and enticing incentives, it can be a great way to keep them engaged. You can make a family outing of weekly trips to visit the library to choose new books, enjoy some of the programming and events that might be offered there or even just use it as a cool and comfortable escape from the summer heat.

2. Find out what businesses or organizations offer summer reading incentive programs. For example, a popular pizza chain rewards kids with a personal sized pizza for completing a set amount of reading Some books stores offer free or reduced-price books after completing certain reading goals. Select movie theaters may even get in on the fun by sponsoring free admission to a children’s movie if kids write and present a book report on books they read.

3. Create a bingo-style game and play to win. This is a great way to check out different genres of books than your kids may be used to reading. Everyone can read a book from each of the different categories, such as mystery, science fiction or historical, and the first to “call bingo” wins a prize.

4. Carve out a cozy nook just for reading. Pick a quiet corner, a spot in an unused room or even convert a small closet to a special spot for reading only. Make it comfy with blankets, pillows, a bean bag, soft lighting and a basket of books.

5. Host a “Movie vs. Book: Which is Better?” screening. It’s a showdown between the OG and the Hollywood remake! Have your kids select a few of their favorite books that have been made into movies. After everyone has read the book, you can then watch the movie together as a family and have a healthy debate about which version is best. Add to the festivities with popcorn, movie snacks and notepads to jot down critiques and observations.

Order Incentive Prizes from GEDDES

Keep your kids on task and motivated with fun prizes, bookmarks and other items for summer reading incentives. Visit the GEDDES website to shop our full selection of prizes online, request our catalog today or contact us to learn more about our products and mission.