10 Fun Ways to Integrate Reading Into Your Summer Routine.

Summer is the perfect time to recharge. Between beach trips, pool days, and watermelon slices, families are soaking in the season—but that doesn’t mean reading has to take a vacation! On the contrary, with just a little creativity, you can weave reading into your child’s everyday fun without it feeling like homework.

At Accelerate Tutoring, we believe reading should be joyful and connected to real life. Here are 10 simple, fun ways to keep your child reading and thriving all summer long:

1. Set a Consistent Reading Time

When school is out, routines often shift—some kids head to camp, others sleep in, and some are off traveling. That’s why it helps to be intentional about creating a predictable reading time.

Choose a time that fits your family’s summer rhythm: before breakfast, after lunch, or as part of a bedtime wind-down. Reading after a beach day or during car rides to camp can also work! Once a time is chosen, stick to it—and let your child know that staying sharp for the fall is important. (A little incentive never hurts—like no iPad time until reading is done!)

2. Create Themed Reading Baskets

Add a spark of excitement by making themed reading baskets for your summer adventures. Planning a beach day? Backyard campout? Road trip?

Fill a basket with related books, a small journal, and a few themed snacks. For example, if you're heading to the beach, include books about ocean animals, seashells, or adventures at sea. This adds a layer of fun and curiosity to their reading.

3. Act It Out!

Make stories come alive by encouraging kids to act out scenes or dress up as their favorite characters. Dramatic play not only boosts comprehension—it makes reading more memorable and fun.

Challenge your child to adjust their voice to match the mood of the character (happy, angry, scared). They’ll build fluency and expression—and you’ll get to enjoy the performance!

4. Listen While You Drive

Turn car rides into audiobook time! Whether you're driving to camp, soccer practice, or Grandma’s house, audiobooks are a fantastic way to build vocabulary and sneak in extra reading.

Try listening to a variety of genres and discuss new vocabulary along the way. Over time, your child will discover which genres they love most—and look forward to every drive!

5. Cook Up Some Reading

Get your child involved in the kitchen by asking them to read recipes while you cook. Whether it’s reading the ingredients for a summer salad or following the steps for a dessert, they’ll be practicing reading and feeling helpful.

Functional reading like this builds confidence and shows that reading is a useful life skill.

6. Read and Draw Indoors

When the summer heat gets intense, stay cool inside by combining art and reading. Let your child draw what they imagine while you read aloud to them.

You can mix things up with different genres—classic stories, poetry, funny picture books, or inspirational tales. Drawing while listening supports visualization and engagement with the story.

7. Use Your Local Library

Public libraries are treasure troves in the summer. Many offer free reading programs, events, and prizes to keep kids motivated.

Our local library has been a huge support for our family. From library scavenger hunts to summer reading challenges with real prizes, our girls beg to go. Be sure to check out your library’s calendar and let your child help pick out their next stack of books!

8. Pick a “Come Back From Camp” Book

After a long day at camp or a playdate, unwind with a special read-aloud book or devotional. This can become a calming part of your routine, helping your child reset and reconnect.

Choose a chapter book they may not pick on their own, and read a little each day. Use expressive reading, paint the setting with your voice, and ask thoughtful questions to pull them in. Before long, they'll be hooked on the story.

9. Celebrate Reading Milestones

Make progress feel exciting by celebrating milestones—every 5th or 10th book, or finishing a reading challenge. Let your child choose the reward: maybe a trip to the bookstore, extra pool time, or a special treat.

Positive reinforcement builds confidence and shows that effort is worth celebrating.

10. Keep It Light and Joyful

Above all, remember that summer reading should feel fun—not like a chore. Whether it’s reading under a tree, on a picnic blanket, or curled up at night, your child should associate reading with joy, not pressure.

Let’s Make It a Readin’-Full Summer!

We hope these ideas spark inspiration for a summer full of imagination, learning, and laughter. Whether you’re on the go or staying close to home, reading can be a seamless, enjoyable part of your child’s routine.

Wishing you a happy, healthy, and readin’-full summer from all of us at Accelerate Tutoring!

📚 Looking for more fun?

Download our free Summer Reading + Math Mystery Packet—a playful way to keep skills sharp while having fun.