The summer holidays are a wonderful time for children to relax, recharge and explore new interests. It’s also the perfect opportunity to nurture a love of reading without the pressure of schoolwork or deadlines. At Book Club Buddies®, we believe summer reading should be joyful and imaginative.
Here are some simple tips to keep children reading over the holidays and make it into something they look forward to!
1. Build a Summer reading den
Create a special reading space that is new and different. This could be either insider or outside – it’s their own special place for reading adventures! It could be as simple as a pop-up tent in the garden, a blanket fort or just a cosy corner of your home with fairy lights. You can also add blanket and a torch and their favourite toy for them to read to. Let children decorate it themselves and keep their favourite books nearby. The idea is that this is a space where they can relax by themselves. This will encourage independent reading in a fun and imaginative way.
2. Start a “reading passport”
Make reading into a game! Create a passport or a checklist where children can tick off the books they’ve read or even the places where they have read them, for example:
This tip is great for coming up with new and playful ideas while reading and there are endless opportunities to list books, authors, locations etc. You can even give children some stationery so they can make their list look pretty and colourful.
3. Follow their interests
Whether it’s football, animals, cooking or space, there’s a book for every passion. Summer is a great time to let kids follow their curiosity and explore their interests outside of the traditional curriculum. Comic books, joke books, fact books and audiobooks all count too! Let them mix it up and find their own path through stories and topics they love. They can even create their own comic books if they’re feeling particularly creative.
4. Pair books with activities
Help bring stories to life by using some of these creative ideas:
These kinds of activities help children engage more deeply with what they’re reading and make books part of their play.
5. Visit the library or have a bookshop adventure
Local libraries often run summer reading challenges. Look online to see if your local library is running one. They often provide fun resources and incentives to keep children engaged and interested in reading such as stickers, certificates, reading lists or trackers. They can also suggest books in person that are suitable for your child and, the best part is, they’re free!
Browsing a bookshop together can exciting and is a great way to foster your child’s independence. There are plenty of options to choose from. From traditional high-street bookshops to independent chains, books in charity shops, books at car boot sales and lots in between – there are books for sale everywhere. Some high streets even have free book shops where you can take away a few books for free! Give your child a small budget to choose their own book and it’ll feel like a treasure hunt! With so many options, you’ll always be able to find something to suit your budget.
6. Make it social
Even if it’s just one friend or a sibling or a cousin, reading the same book and chatting about it can make a big difference to your child’s interest in a book, series or author. Ask questions like: “Who was your favourite character?”, “What would you have done differently?” or “What do you think happens next?”
Kids love sharing their opinions and will engage with the story more deeply if they know they will be asked about it. Being able to understand and interpret a story is also a key part of literacy.
Look ahead: join a book club this September
After a summer full of stories, we’d love to welcome your child to one of our online book clubs. Led by enthusiastic, experienced teachers, our book clubs are designed to keep that love of reading alive. We create a space where children feel confident, curious and excited to explore stories together. We are a full inclusive, online book club and welcome children of all ages.
Whether they’re already racing through books or just starting their reading journey, there’s a place for them at Book Club Buddies®.
📚 Book Club Buddies® — Where Stories Come to Life
In a world full of screens, getting children excited about reading can be challenging. At Book Club Buddies®, we know that books aren’t just for schoolwork. Stories can become an
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