How to Make Summer Reading Fun This Summer: 11 Ideas Kids Will Love

Summer is the perfect opportunity to help your child develop a love for reading. With fewer academic demands and more free time, you can create fun and meaningful ways to explore books together. Encouraging summer reading helps prevent learning loss, inspires creativity, and strengthens essential literacy skills that will support your child throughout the year.

Here are 11 easy, enriching activities you can try at home to make reading something your child looks forward to this summer.

How to Make Reading Fun: Turn It Into an Adventure

Create a Summer Reading Treasure Hunt. Place clues or reading challenges around your home or backyard. Each stop can lead to a book or a fun task, making reading feel like a discovery.

Design a Reading Passport or Story Map. Let your child track their reading adventures with a DIY passport or map. They earn stickers for each book or plot their story travels across different genres and locations.

Build a Cozy Reading Space to Make Reading Fun

Creating a welcoming space for reading can inspire your child to spend more time with books.

Outdoor Nooks That Make Reading More Enjoyable. Set up a shaded reading spot with a hammock, a picnic blanket, a pillow, and a few of your favorite books. Let nature provide an atmosphere to make reading feel special.’

DIY Indoor Book Forts. Blankets, pillows, and string lights can turn any room into a magical reading hideaway. Let your child decorate it with their favorite book characters or themed posters.

Make a Portable Reading Box. Fill a box or basket with books, bookmarks, and a flashlight. You can even decorate the box with artwork and personal touches to make it feel like their own. It’s perfect for car rides, vacations, or reading outdoors.

Mix Summer Play With Summer Reading Fun

Combining reading with play helps kids stay active and engaged. It fosters a relationship between reading and excitement.

Campfire Story Time: A Fun Way to Read Together. Gather around the backyard fire pit or indoor tent with flashlights and favorite books. Taking turns reading aloud by the “campfire” adds a cozy twist to family time.

Act Out Favorite Books for Interactive Fun. Choose a favorite story and let your child perform scenes or dress up as characters. This builds comprehension and boosts confidence.

Craft and Snacks Inspired by Books. Turn stories into hands-on fun. After reading, make a related craft or snack. Read “If You Give a Mouse a Cookie,” and then bake cookies together. These tie-ins make stories come alive.

Smart Tech for Fun Ways to Read (Without Overdoing Screen Time)

Used wisely, technology can support summer reading in a balanced and thoughtful way.

Audiobooks for Road Trips or Wind-Down Time. Audiobooks are a great way to enjoy stories for long drives or before bed. Choose engaging narrators to keep your child interested.

Use Reading Apps That Make Reading Fun for Students. Apps like Epic! or Libby offer a wide variety of books with interactive features that support independent reading.

How to Make Reading More Enjoyable Through Social Interaction

Sharing stories helps kids connect and feel a part of something bigger. Reading becomes more fun when shared with others.

Start a Summer Book Club for Kids. Invite friends or family to read the same book and talk about it together. Add snacks or games to keep it fun and engaging.

Host a Book Swap to Discover New Reads. Organize a book exchange with gently used books. Kids can trade titles they’ve finished and find something new to explore.

Make Reading Fun for Students Year-Round

To develop strong literacy skills, reading should be an exciting and empowering experience. When you give your child the tools, choices, and encouragement they need, you help them build confidence in their abilities and joy in learning.

At K12-powered schools, there is an understanding of the importance of nurturing reading skills from an early age. With a flexible, engaging curriculum and supportive educators, reading can become a rewarding part of your child’s everyday life.

Join forces with K12 to discover fun ways to read this summer and all year long!