How to Keep Kids Reading This Summer (Without the Power Struggle)
Summer is supposed to be fun. Popsicles, sprinklers, staying up too late… all the good stuff. The last thing any parent wants is to turn reading into another chore on the to-do list. But here's the thing: research consistently shows that kids who don't read over the summer can lose up to two months of reading progress. Teachers even have a name for it: the "summer slide."
The good news? Preventing it doesn't require a structured curriculum or daily homework sessions. It just takes a little intention and a lot of flexibility. Here are my favorite ways to keep reading alive this summer without it feeling like school.
Let Them Choose
This is the single most important thing you can do. If your child gets to pick what they read, they're ten times more likely to actually do it. That means graphic novels count. Captain Underpants counts. A book about Minecraft or horse breeds or weird facts about the ocean? All of it counts.
The goal right now isn't literary sophistication. It's building the habit of reading for pleasure. When kids feel ownership over what they're reading, something shifts. It stops being an assignment and starts being something they want to do.
Read Out Loud Together
Even if your child can read independently, reading aloud together is one of the best things you can do. It builds vocabulary, strengthens comprehension, and — maybe most importantly — it creates connection. Some of my favorite memories with my own kids involve reading together before bed, doing silly voices, and talking about what might happen next.
For struggling readers especially, audiobooks paired with a physical copy can be a game-changer. They hear fluent reading modeled while following along with the text, and it takes the pressure off decoding so they can just enjoy the story.
Make It Part of the Routine, Not the Schedule
There's a difference between "you have to read for 20 minutes before screen time" and just... having books around. Keep a basket of books by the couch. Toss one in the car for errands. Leave a stack on the kitchen table. When books are accessible and normal, kids reach for them on their own more than you'd expect.
If you do want to build in a daily reading time, keep it short and low-pressure. Ten minutes is plenty for younger kids. The goal is consistency, not duration.
Visit the Library
I know this sounds obvious, but the library is genuinely one of the best summer resources out there. Most libraries run summer reading programs with prizes and incentives, and librarians are incredible at recommending books based on what your child is already into. Let your kids browse, explore, and walk out with a stack. There's something about picking out your own library books that makes kids feel grown-up and excited to read.
Get Creative About What "Reading" Means
Reading doesn't always have to mean sitting quietly with a chapter book. Here are some ideas that still build literacy skills:
Cook together. Following a recipe involves reading, sequencing, and vocabulary.
Scavenger hunts. Write clues for your kids to read and follow. They'll be reading without even realizing it.
Journals and letters. Give your child a summer journal or help them write postcards to grandparents. Writing reinforces reading skills in a different way.
Road trip games. License plate reading, sign spotting, road trip bingo with words … all of it counts.
Subtitles on. Turn on subtitles during movie night. It sounds small, but kids naturally start reading along without even trying.
Don't Stress About Levels
Summer is not the time to worry about reading levels. If your second grader wants to reread a book they loved in kindergarten, let them. Rereading builds fluency and confidence. If they want to flip through a book that's "too hard" because they like the pictures, that's building interest and curiosity. Let summer reading be joyful and pressure-free.
Watch for Signs That Something Deeper Is Going On
Summer can also be a good time to notice things that might get lost in the busyness of the school year. If your child actively avoids reading, gets frustrated quickly, or seems to be guessing at words rather than sounding them out, those could be signs that they need some extra support. That doesn't mean anything is wrong. It just means their brain might benefit from a different approach to reading instruction.
If that sounds familiar, I'd love to talk with you about it. Sometimes a few targeted sessions over the summer can make a huge difference before the new school year starts.
What I Offer This Summer
At The Discovery Reading Club, I work with kids in K through 5th grade using structured literacy practices rooted in the science of reading. My summer sessions are designed to keep skills sharp without feeling like school. We read together, play with sounds and words, and build confidence — so your child heads into fall feeling strong and ready.
If you're interested in summer sessions or just want to chat about your child's reading, book a free intro call or reach out at candace@thediscoveryreadingclub.com.