School’s out for summer! Now is the time to lock in summer learning routines that will minimize summer slide and maximize progress and growth for your young children. On average, kids will lose as much as 20% of their school-year reading progress over the summer months (Norms Research Study, 2020).
Summer reading doesn’t have to be dreaded or miserable for anyone. Finding literature that your little ones love will bolster their reading confidence and support long-term learning outcomes.
Why Summer Reading Matters
Preventing Summer Slide
Research since the 80s has shown us that kids who aren’t engaging in strong reading and math practice over the summer will lose considerable progress heading into the next academic year. All kids benefit from continued reading over the summer months. For kids under grade 3, learning to read is the foundation of their education because once they hit 4th grade, they are expected to read to learn!
Building Lifelong Habits
I have never met an avid adult reader who says, “Gosh, I wish I were less interested in learning and growing as a human all my life”. Okay, that’s mildly obnoxious, but you get the point. Developing and fostering a love of reading is a lifelong gift that creates benefits and impact far beyond academics. And there is no better time than summer to dig and explore the books and topics your child is most interested in learning about.
Books and stories, fiction and non-fiction, help children understand the world and themselves. From the practical to the mystical, reading gives children a chance to understand and connect to history and navigate tricky social and emotional experiences on their horizon.
Encouraging Screen-Free Fun
This doesn’t have to be the summer of your kids being “so bored” and logging far more tech hours than you are comfortable with. Reading can be a relaxing, unplugged way to keep kids entertained. And while I love the intention, from experience, “making kids read to earn tech” will work for a few kids, but for so many, it just makes reading a miserable thing, like broccoli, to suffer through to get to the good part.
How to Make Summer Reading Fun
Let the kids choose!
Allow them to select and read books they are interested in. Graphic novels, endless historical fiction, and creepy ghost stories are just a few of the vast genres your child may find appealing. Within reason, try not to yuck their yum! I will freely admit I did not love the DogMan phase. But my kid, who devoured every DogMan until the pages were coming loose, now devours novels at a shockingly fast pace. He has even gone from reading a bit below grade level to reading 5 years above grade level. It didn’t happen overnight, but finding his groove and interests sparked a love of literature that seems to know no limits.
Create a Reading Nook or Routine
Reading can feel special and enticing if the physical space feels welcoming. Create an indoor or outdoor reading nook with cozy pillows, blankets, good lighting, and lots of air. Include snacks and special drinks like flavored waters or tea. This can look different for every family. Maybe the kids are in charge of setting up the space or helping plan it out.
And maybe it isn’t a space at all, maybe it’s just a time of day that works best for family reading.
Carve out one dinner conversation each week to give book updates on what everyone is reading. If you feel extra motivated and flush with time and energy, encourage neighbors and friends to join the fun, or even host a book club for kids!
Local and National Summer Reading Programs
Public Library Programs
Check out your local library for programs, incentive challenges, and events specifically geared toward summer reading. If you are local to Berthoud, Colorado, our library has giveaways and gift cards in summer 2025 that includes $100 to Marley & Moose!
Bookstores or Toy Stores
Check out local bookstores or toy stores for summer reading programs, storytimes, or incentives. At Marley & Moose, we are hosting summer read-ins where kids can enjoy free cold treats while they read in the tent, and books inside are 10% off during our read-in events! Check our calendar for upcoming dates and details.
We’ve done the research for you and compiled a list of books guaranteed to be on heavy rotation all summer: The 10 NEW Classic Picture Books for Kids.
For more valuable tips on making early reading fun for your child before they start kindergarten, check out Reading Readiness: Kindergarten Literacy Tips.
Follow the link below to view our entire collection of amazing reads and browse by recommended age!
For a chance to win books & prizes, tag us in your summer reading adventures on social media @marleyandmoose.co
