An Invitation to Read ~ Summer Reading Ideas

Summer is officially here and the children are looking for something to do! And like many parents, maybe you are hoping that in that search to escape boredom, your kiddos will pick up a book or two (or two dozen) this summer break. Well, I have a few ideas on how you can keep reading fun, pressure-free and inviting for your children this summer.

1.) Intentional book buys...wrapped up like presents: In an effort to keep my homeschooled children on the path of learning, as well as reading, I handpicked a number of books on topics we needed to cover for upcoming BC requirements, books to go with our summer Zoology/Africa unit, and others that touch on their current interests. The photo below is of just some of the books that I chose for them for the next two and a half months. This method will mainly keep us away from the library this summer (funny enough), but I wanted to have the ability to direct my kiddos' learning for these few months when we do so much library time and free reading the other nine months of the year. We have already unwrapped a couple of them, and the continued anticipation livens up each day. As for the books that remain unwrapped, I have paired a couple of them with an activity - "Learn To Draw Animals" book, a stencil of the Eiffel Tower, etc. There are always home days during the summer, and that's when these ones will be opened. (Pro tip: Make a list of the book titles and give them each a corresponding letter. I wrote those letters on the front of each wrapped book so that I also have the ability to choose the next one that they will open. They love the hunt for the next book, too!)

2.) Summer Book Bingo: I have designed two brilliantly fun (and kid-approved) bingo cards for my inaugural Summer Book Bingo for 2024. There is "Beachy Bingo" and "Wild Bingo," both with specific books to read, videos to watch, places to explore and a whole lot of other fun. For these bingo cards, I chose books and places that the kids and I have enjoyed and videos that we have personally watched as well. And although I have a serious weakness for educational kids books, I made sure to add in a number of fun picture books as well...some of which are also YouTube videos, should that work better for your family. (Send me an email with questions or to purchase - contact@wordslikewildflowers.com)

3.) Summer picnics: You were probably already going to go on a family picnic sometime this summer, so why not take a book along? It is actually quite amazing how opening a book in a different location can also open ears and minds anew for listening. Kids generally love to do things that are out of the ordinary, and I found that having a picnic, even in our living room, was very helpful to break down the walls that may have made my children resistant to reading. I made sure our picnic was complete with fun napkins and ant toothpicks (the ant toothpicks were the hit of the picnic), and we had a blast! (I have Reading-Ready Picnic Packs available for purchase as well, ant toothpicks included. :) Email me at contact@wordslikewildflowers.com to purchase.)

4.) Library Summer Reading Programs: I don't always choose to partake in these as it can feel like a lot of work as a parent to keep tabs on what my kiddos have actually read, but they are a FANTASTIC option for the right season of life. Even with our limited library attendance this summer, my children have decided that they can take on the responsibility of tracking their summer reading for one - maybe two - different library reading programs. I'll give a weekly reminder and happily transport them to the library to collect their stickers and prizes, and I'm sure this will be a fun addition to their summer.

I admonish you to take at least one of these ideas and run with it, paying attention to what works best for your family in this season of your life. And have fun! It is summer after all. :)