summer reading assignments for elementary students

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30 Summer Reading Activities For Elementary Students: Book Recommendations, Crafts, Games, And More

April 6, 2024 //  by  Josilyn Markel

For young readers, Summer can go one of two ways: Either they can improve their reading abilities and be prepared for the next grade level, or they can regress and fall behind. In order to make sure that your elementary school students keep up with their reading throughout the Summer, it’s important to offer plenty of engaging activities for them to enjoy all Summer long. Here are thirty of the best Summer reading activities that can help your child stay sharp throughout the Summer vacation!

1. Summer Reading Bingo

This is a great activity that allows kids to bring a sense of novelty and fun to all of their Summer reading adventures. It offers your child activities that are versatile and exciting for a wide range of ages; great for kids who are reading chapter books or even for young readers who still prefer picture books.

Learn More: Books For Topics

2. Reading Bucket List

This is a fun list that brings together a lot of different elements of reading and presents them in an easy-to-follow manner. It includes some fun Summer titles and excellent books for children of all ages. These books and activities can help them grow both as readers and as little humans!

Learn More: Learning Through Literature

3. Summer Reading Calendar

You shouldn’t go into the Summer without having this calendar displayed prominently in your home! It’s the perfect decorative addition to your Summer holiday and a great way to keep the goal of Summer reading at the forefront of your family’s mind. Simply print the calendar and follow along throughout the hot Summer months.

Learn More: Chuck E-Cheese

4. Family Dinner Book Club

There is real value in reading books and discussing them together as a family. This pack of activities and conversation starters is geared towards promoting family reading and discussions over the dinner table. It’s a holistic way to include the whole family in the children’s Summer reading goals and growth.

Learn More: Growing Book By Book

5. Reading in Different Places

If your kids are tired of staying inside to do their Summer reading assignments, then it is time to change up the reading location! There are so many different places to read about and read in. This list provides inspiration for more adventurous readers who aren’t afraid to get a little messy while looking for the perfect reading spot.

Learn More: The Measured Mom

6. Ice Cream and Literacy

With these fun ice cream cone crafts, you can help your kids practice reading comprehension throughout the holiday. After all, Summertime is the perfect season for ice cream, and it just makes sense to combine two of the best Summer activities! 

Learn More: Twinkl

7. Library Scavenger Hunt

Whether you’re a family that loves to spend a lot of time at the local library or you’re just getting interested in the library, this scavenger hunt is for you! It’s a great way to get kids excited about choosing books to read for the Summer, and it’s the perfect tool for getting them acquainted with all of the cool resources that are available at their local library.

Learn More: 123 Homeschool 4 Me

8. Keep a Book Log

One of the easiest ways to track Summer reading progress is to simply keep a reading log. The reading log shows what your child is reading, how much they’re reading, and what they’re learning along the way. It’s awesome to look back on all their progress at the end of the holiday and inspire them for the next one!

Learn More: Simple As That Blog

9. Special Summer Reading Currency

If your child needs a bit more motivation to read throughout the Summer, then play money could be a great tool. You can use these “book bucks” to help your kids see the value of reading. Just make sure that you have some special prizes on hand too!

Learn More: Amazon

10. Roll & Read Game

This game leaves all of the Summer reading fun up to chance! Based on the roll of a die, your kids will be prompted to complete different activities. They’ll be faced with a variety of challenges that will keep things interesting throughout the whole Summer.

Learn More: Planning Playtime

11. Give Books as Gifts

One of the best ways to encourage reading throughout the Summer is to make sure that kids have interesting books on hand. Here’s a list of stimulating and encouraging children’s books that make great gifts. Plus the gift of reading and learning is the best thing you can give to a child!

Learn More: NY Mag

12. Reading Challenge Bookmarks

These little bookmarks are packed with big Summer reading challenge activities. Plus, since they’re always inside the book, they’re easy to have on hand. Kids won’t forget the challenges and they’ll be motivated to work consistently towards their Summer reading goals.

13. Schedule a Reading “Date”

If you’re a teacher who wants to keep your students interested in reading throughout the entire holiday, you can arrange book dates with your students. Simply invite them and their family to the classroom, local library, or bookshop to spend some time reading together. This will encourage the whole family to read throughout the summer break.

Learn More: Reader Pants

14. Reading Comprehension Cootie Catcher

This is a special twist on the classic cootie catcher game. Here, you can print and follow the instructions to make a tool for getting kids interested in Summer reading and related comprehension practice. It’s great for tactile learners too.

Learn More: Teachers Pay Teachers

15. Family Read Aloud Time

Nothing beats reading books aloud with the family. Study after study has shown the importance and benefits of reading aloud with kids and offering them a safe space to practice their reading skills. If you don’t do it already, it’s time to start reading aloud as a family every single day!

Learn More: NCYI.org

16. Reading Photo Frame Challenge

With this activity, you can encourage kids to look back on all that they have read and learned about over the Summer. It’s a great way to incorporate arts and crafts into the reading adventure. 

Learn More: Pinterest

17. Summer Reading Journal

This is a printable reading journal that is specially designed for elementary school students. It brings together some prompts and encouraging messages that will help kids start a great reading habit over the Summer. Plus, they’ll be able to keep up the habit throughout the whole year.

18. Write Your Own Book

A great way to encourage students to get into reading is to entice them with a book of their own. Kids love to make up stories, and you can leverage this love of creativity!  

Learn More: Student Treasures

19. Level-Appropriate Book Reports

Book reports are a key part of research and academic life, and it’s never too early to get your children reading and analyzing literature critically. Book reports are a great way to get children to reflect on what they’re reading and understand the meaning in a broader context.

Learn More: Study.com

20. 20 Questions 

If you’re at a loss for what to discuss about books, here’s a handy list of 20 questions that can get the conversation started. You can also use these questions as a game to guess and learn more about what your kids are reading during the Summer months.

Learn More: RM Archer

21. Destination Reading

If traveling is part of your Summer plans, then reading is a great way to get your kids excited about upcoming trips. Find books about the places you want to see during the Summer, and invite your kids to read up on the cool places that they’ll visit.

Learn More: Kindred Media

22. Press Wildflowers in a Heavy Book

This one is not about reading per se, but it does involve some big, heavy books. Have your kids collect wildflowers at the beginning of the Summer, and press them in a heavy book between parchment paper. Then, enjoy your dried flowers throughout the cooler months.

Learn More: First Day Of Home

23. Phonics and Word Family Exercises

These are easy and effective activities to help your child remember phonics and basic reading skills when they’re not at school during the Summer. The printable activities are great for families who want to support their kids outside the classroom.

Learn More: Proud To Be Primary

24. Scholastic Online Reading Challenge

This is a worldwide reading challenge that encourages kids to keep reading throughout the Summer. It connects kids from all over the world and their lots of perks and prizes that students can earn throughout their holiday.

Learn More: Scholastic

25. Map Your Summer Reading

What places are your kids reading about? Get a map, some pins, and some craft supplies, and make a record of all the cool places that they’re visiting in the pages of their favorite Summer books. This is also a fun decor idea for a kid’s bedroom or a classroom.

Learn More: KC Edventures

26. Printable Summer Reading Activity Packs

This has got to be one of the easiest Summer reading activities since you simply have to print it out and it’s ready to go! This packet is full of reading comprehension and reflection activities that are perfect for elementary students.

Learn More: 3 Dinosaurs

27. Books-A-Million Summer Reading Program

The popular booksellers have a great Summer reading program that brings together motivation and excitement for young readers. They also have prizes and activities for students of all ages and stages, including live events in many locations around the country.

Learn More: Books A Million

28. Reading Fun in the Sun

This is the first of several units that feature reading comprehension activities. The units cover lots of different fun topics, and you can space out the activities throughout the whole Summer. Remember to check out all of the units on the website!

29. Phonics Throughout the Summer

These activities are geared toward students who will be away from the classroom throughout the Summer. It’s a great way to keep kids focused and fresh through the holidays so that they don’t struggle when they return to school in the Fall.

Learn More: Royal Baloo

30. Barnes and Noble Summer Reading Journal

This is a printable journal to help your children keep track of and reflect on all of the great books that they read through the Summer months. It’s perfect for keeping up with your kids, and it offers great conversation starters, too!

Learn More: Barnes And Nobles

31 Summer Reading Activities for Your Elementary Students (+ Free Download)

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As a Montessori teacher, I know the importance of finding fun and educational summer reading activities elementary students will love.

Here’s a secret that’s made summers with my students awesome – reading activities that aren’t just educational but also tons of fun!

We’ve put together a collection of 31 summer reading activities for elementary students that are sure to capture their imaginations and interests.

Whether you’re a parent looking to reap the benefits of games to keep kids engaged in learning or an educator in search of unique ideas to avoid the summer brain drain , this resource will be your go-to for fun activities!

✅ Teacher Tip: Save This Valuable List for Later! Be sure to bookmark this resource for quick reference. Save it to Pinterest or bookmark the page to access whenever you need it.

31 Summer Reading Activities for Elementary Students

Discover our collection of exciting activities designed to make reading an exciting experience for elementary students in the second plane of development . Adding just one of these activities to your summer schedule can keep kids engaged and excited about learning during their break.

1. A to Z Reading Scavenger Hunt

The A to Z Reading Scavenger Hunt is a fun summer reading activity for elementary students that encourages them to find and learn about all sorts of reading material.

All that’s needed to play is a list with all of the letters of the alphabet, something to write with, and a variety of things to read.

Get your FREE alphabet scavenger hunt now! Ideal for elementary-aged kids, this engaging reading activity combines learning and fun.

To get our A to Z Reading Scavenger Hunt printable for free, all you have to do is join our insightful bimonthly newsletter . You’ll enjoy both!

In this activity, students explore different types of reading by finding something to read for each letter of the alphabet. Examples of reading material include articles, brochures, cookbooks, dictionaries, e-books, food labels. You see how it goes.

It’s a fantastic way to introduce children to various reading practices, such as reading signs, labels, and instructions around their homes and neighborhoods.

Promoting a flexible timeframe, this activity is best enjoyed over the course of a month or more rather than completed in one sitting. Kids are encouraged to take their alphabet worksheet with them everywhere, jotting down any reading opportunities that come their way.

🧐 Are you thinking, “This sounds like a very ambitious task for elementary students.” or “Who has that much reading material laying around?” Then, you might want to get them reading outside the box, or should I say reading outside of the book! Here’s a sample A to Z list of reading examples: A – Adventure novel B – Biography C – Comic book D – Dictionary E – Encyclopedia F – Food labels G – Graphic novel H – History book I – Instruction manual J – Joke book K – Kids’ picture book L – Love You Forever M – Magazine N – Newspaper O – Oliver Twist P – Poetry Q – Question-and-answer book R – Reference book S – Science experiment T – Travel book U – User manual V – Volcanoes book W – World atlas X – X-Men comic Y – Yertle the Turtle Z – Zombie fiction It’s not as challenging as it seems! Some answers describe the genre, type, or style of a book, while others provide the actual title. Players are encouraged to explore their vocabulary within the alphabet’s framework, justifying their choices, which may include creative and obscure answers.

The goal isn’t to fill every letter but to immerse themselves in diverse reading materials, fostering a love for the process of discovery.

This activity not only hones reading skills but also introduces new words and ideas, emphasizing that reading can take many forms.

Teacher Tip: Take this game to the library! Going to the library and playing this game is even more fun because there is likely something there for every letter in the alphabet! Bonus Teacher Tip: Find a local Little Free Library . near you! Explore local Little Free Libraries, those charming book boxes outside homes.

They’re a nonprofit organization looking to make more books accessible and they have created a World Map of their locations . 📚🏠🌳

These libraries also offer a great opportunity to donate old books and share with the community. It’s a wonderful learning experience in disguise!

2. Family Book Club

Create an interactive family book club to inspire elementary students to read, understand, and foster discussion and critical thinking skills within the family.

Choose a book that everyone can read with assistance or independently, and schedule a weekly meeting to read together, discuss the story, share insights, and ask questions as a family.

The family book club encourages participation and teaches valuable skills like responsibility, time management, and collaboration. It’s also a chance for adults to demonstrate good reading habits and nurture a love of reading in children.

Engaging in this activity allows families to bond over a shared experience, learn from each other’s perspectives, and gain a deeper understanding of the book.

📚 Start a family book club now! Read how in our blog Your Guide to Starting a Family Book Club Now

Remember, the main goal is to foster a love for reading and create meaningful family bonding experiences.

💡BONUS IDEA: Expand your club! If you’re looking for something other than a family book club, have your kids bring their friends into the fun, or invite the grandparents and start a family and friends book club.

3. Virtual Book Club

For the elementary student who loves to read and is looking to connect with other book lovers their age, a virtual book club might be your best bet.

Similar to a family book club , participants read the same book but the discussion takes place online via video chat, allowing kids to connect with other children their own age, from different places around the world, and all in the comfort of their own homes.

Virtual book clubs not only motivate participants to read and understand a book, but they also promote social skills and the ability to share opinions and ideas with others.

This summer reading activity for elementary children is perfect for those who may not have access to or be interested in an in-person book club, or who prefer the flexibility of participating from home.

🧑🏼‍💻 Teacher Tip: Check out Outschool for great virtual book clubs! Outschool, an online platform filled with classes for kids aged 3-18, is a great place to find Online Book Clubs for Kids . 💸 USE CODE DonnaOUTRE20 for a $20 USD CREDIT on Outschool ! 💸

💡BONUS IDEA: Create your own virtual book club! Consider organizing your own virtual club. This could be with friends or family that don’t live close enough to connect with in person but want a way to stay connected and with purpose. This is also the perfect summer reading activity for kids to do with their grandparents and is super beneficial for both parties.

4. Read in 100 Places

The Read in 100 Places challenge is a popular summer reading activity for elementary students recommended by teachers and parents.

The goal is simple: encourage kids to read in various places, expanding their reading horizons and exploring new spots with a good book.

The challenge? Read in 100 different places over the summer, from park benches and library nooks to cars or even under a table, and make reading a fun adventure.

Discover 100 Places to Read with Our Exciting Checklist! Take their summer reading to new heights with this vocabulary development activity , where kids explore fascinating and unique places to read. Your kids will love our 100 Places to Read Checklist reading activity !

Our list of 100 captivating reading locations helps elementary-aged learners prevent summer learning loss and fosters a love for reading.

This activity is a favourite among elementary students I’ve worked with and tops their list of summer reading activities. It’s also a great way to throw in some moments of learning in disguise during the summer break.

💡 Teacher Tip: Get kids to carry a book everywhere they go! Encourage elementary students to tote their favourite books wherever they wander. And here’s why:

• It’s entertainment on the go.
• Fosters a love for reading.
• Improves reading skills.
• Books are great waiting activities for kids.
• Expands knowledge and imagination.
• It’s an excellent use of spare time.Develops focus and concentration.
• Provides an outlet for relaxation.
• It’ll help prevent the summer brain drain !

Encouraging kids to always have a book with them helps them enjoy reading more and learn new things as they go about their day.

5. Reading BINGO

Reading BINGO is a great summer reading activity for elementary learners because of its ability to promote a love for reading through a wide range of reading material.

By participating in Reading BINGO, students are motivated to explore different genres, authors, and topics, expanding their reading horizons and exposing them to new ideas and perspectives.

This activity prompts children to read a variety of books in various ways, such as by reading outside, reading a book recommended by a friend, or reading a book published in a different decade.

Not only does this add variety to their reading list but it also encourages them to step out of their comfort zone and discover reading materials that they may not have chosen otherwise.

🎯 Take a look at our Reading BINGO cards!

Our engaging Reading BINGO activity pages are specially crafted to captivate young elementary minds. It’s filled with fun prompts to keep young readers entertained! Ideal for tracking summer reading progress at home, our reading BINGO cards are simple for kids to use. With squares covering various reading materials like different book genres, song lyrics, and game instructions, they make reading fun and diverse. Don’t let the summer brain drain dampen your kids’ reading skills. Get your hands on our Reading BINGO activity now and watch as your elementary experience learning in disguise !

The goal of Reading BINGO is to complete a line of reading tasks on the card before summer ends. Kids can challenge themselves to fill the entire card too!

They pick tasks and colour or cross out squares when done, boosting reading skills, confidence, and pride. This fun summer reading activity motivates kids to explore different genres, making reading enjoyable and encouraging independent learning.

6. Bookshelf Scavenger Hunt

Encourage your elementary-aged kids to explore and learn while reading with a bookshelf scavenger hunt!

This is one of those reading activities for elementary students that does require a bit of prep, but let me tell you, it’s worth it!

You’ll need to create a list of questions, or clues, that students need to solve in order to know what books they are searching for on a bookshelf at home, at school, or at the library.

For example, the questions could guide children to find things in a bookshelf ranging from a dictionary to a book that is part of a series. Once they have completed a task, they can check it off on their scavenger hunt worksheet. Fun!

Here’s a list of clue ideas to inspire your bookshelf scavenger hunt:

🕵🏼 Clue: Search for a book that holds the secret key, to unlock recipes that make taste buds dance with glee. 📕 Answer : Cookbook

🕵🏼 Clue : I have pages filled with facts and knowledge galore, so if you need information come to me for more. 📕 Answer : Encyclopedia

🕵🏼 Clue : I’m a book of maps, so take a look, and discover places from every nook. 📕 Answer : Atlas

🕵🏼 Clue : I’m packed with puzzles, games, and things to do, and I keep boredom away, as you explore something new. 📕 Answer : Ac tivity book

🕵🏼 Clue : My cover is adorned with a creature, fierce not tame. Open my pages and learn about its name. 📕 Answer : Book with an animal on the cover

These are just a few examples, but the possibilities are endless when it comes to different types of reading materials on a bookshelf.

This activity makes reading more exciting and interactive by adding an element of challenge and exploration.

7. Listen to an Audiobook

Elementary-aged children can level up their summer with the joy of audiobooks !

Whether they’re embarking on a long car ride, getting through chores, taking a leisurely walk, chilling on the couch, or unleashing their creativity through drawing, audiobooks offer a fantastic way for kids to immerse themselves in captivating stories.

By embracing audiobooks, children not only enhance their literacy skills and develop keen listening abilities, but they also have the opportunity to explore new narratives and genres.

💡 Benefits of using audiobooks in the classroom:

Listening to an audiobook is an immersive and enjoyable activity that fuels a child’s imagination, nurtures their language abilities, and makes the summer break an exciting and enriching time for young readers.

Selecting an audiobook for the whole family to enjoy creates a chance for quality time and bonding over a shared love for literature. Additionally, listening to books enhances children’s comprehension and fluency, laying the foundation for future reading success.

You can discover numerous books read aloud on YouTube, offering a unique form of audiobook experience.

One of my favourite books for 5th graders is Wonder and here it is read by Michelle DiMeglio. I love the way she gives the character a voice as it makes the book even more fun to listen to.

Let audiobooks work their magic on your child’s summer reading activities, making learning effortless and enjoyable without them even realizing it!

8. Word Games

Word games make reading more enjoyable and less stressful while also helping expand vocabulary, improve spelling and grammar, and boost reading comprehension.

When selecting word games as a reading activity, look for ones that engage critical thinking and problem-solving skills, promote social interaction, and, most importantly, prevent summer learning loss .

Some of our favourite word games: 🔲 Crossword Puzzles 🔎 Word Searches 🧐 Brain Games for Clever Kids 🔡 Scrabble 🎲 Boggle 🟩 Wordle 🍏 Apples to Apples Junior 📚 Another Logic Workbook for Gritty Kids ✍🏽 Mad Libs Super Size Pack

💡 Discover the power of using games in the classroom! Explore our blog 15 Benefits of Using Games in the Classroom to learn why incorporating games is an effective way to engage elementary students and enhance their learning. Read all about how using games in the classroom or at home can:

It’s time to embrace the potential of game-based learning!

Incorporating games into language learning is a powerful tool for elementary children to enhance their language skills. With word games, they can expand their vocabulary, refine their spelling abilities, and deepen their comprehension in a playful and safe environment.

Beyond the educational benefits, games offer an enjoyable and interactive experience, keeping children engaged and fueling their passion for reading all summer long if it means playing word games.

💡 Teacher Tip: More Word Activities for Summer Learning! Discover a world of engaging word games with our awesome collection of The Ultimate 13 Vocabulary Development Activities for Kids ⬇️ You’ll also want to check out these rebus puzzle articles for fun: 8 Easy Rebus Puzzles 9 Unique Rebus Puzzles with Answers for Kids A Great Set of Tricky Rebus Puzzles With Answers Rebus Puzzles for Kids: A Comprehensive Riddle-Solving Guide

9. Story Writing & Storytelling

Summer is the perfect time to inspire young minds with the joy of storytelling and writing.

Encouraging elementary students to create and share their own stories not only sparks their imagination but also enhances their reading skills.

✏️ Start with Writing

To get started, provide students with guidance on how to start the writing process. Help them brainstorm ideas, develop characters, and create exciting plot lines. Encourage them to explore different genres, from adventure and fantasy to mystery and science fiction.

By giving them the freedom to express their ideas, you’ll witness their creativity flourish and their storytelling abilities evolve.

One engaging activity to ignite their imagination is using story prompts. These prompts can be simple sentences or pictures that act as springboards for storytelling.

For a more interactive and dynamic experience, consider using the Roll a Story Dice Game that we created!

In this game, there are eight printable dice, each featuring different pictures. Students roll the dice and use the images they roll to create a story, incorporating key elements such as main characters, setting, or antagonist.

The use of eye-catching imagery sparks their imagination and inspires them to create cohesive and imaginative stories.

💡 Teacher Tip: Get creative with our Roll A Story Dice Game! Discover endless possibilities with our Roll A Story Dice in this article outlining different ways to use this game ! Plus, check out our list of 15 Educational Games With Three Dice for Kids , including 5 language-based activities that involve story writing. Don’t miss out on these fun learning opportunities!

💬 End with Storytelling

Sure story writing is great, but storytelling is equally as awesome and beneficial. It promotes self-expression and boosts confidence in young learners.

When children share their stories with others, whether it’s friends, or family, they develop important communication skills, speaking in front of others, expressing their ideas, having pride in their work, and receiving valuable feedback and encouragement.

This sharing aspect creates a sense of community and appreciation for each other’s creativity.

Story writing and storytelling are ideal summer reading activities for elementary kids. Not only do they spark creativity and improve language skills, but they also let kids express themselves, think critically, communicate better, and feel proud of their achievements.

10. Library Scavenger Hunt

A library scavenger hunt is a fun way to get elementary students excited about visiting their local library and discovering all that it has to offer.

This type of scavenger hunt typically includes a list of clues or tasks that children must complete by finding books on specific topics or by locating certain sections of the library.

Use these clues to get your library scavenger hunt off the ground! 🗞 Magazines Find a September issue of a magazine. Locate a magazine with an animal on the cover. 📚 Picture Books Find a picture book with a cat as the main character. Discover a picture book about a holiday. 💥 Junior Fiction Adventure Find a graphic novel with a smile on the cover. You’re looking for a book that has a Newbery Award on the cover. 🎧 Audiobook Hunt Look for an audiobook with the word “the” in the title. Discover an audiobook that shares the life stories of remarkable individuals who have made a positive impact on the world. 📔 Book Cover Challenge Find a book with a red cover. Locate a book with an illustration of an animal on the cover. 📜 Nonfiction Quest Search for a biography about a famous woman. Find a craft book and choose a cool craft to make.

Alternatively, a library scavenger hunt can be done using the letters of the alphabet. Participants can search the stacks of the library for book titles and/or author names for each letter of the alphabet. Fun!

You could easily use our alphabet scavenger hunt product which includes room for filling in findings that start with each letter of the alphabet.

The focus of this type of scavenger hunt isn’t to read all the books written down, but rather the process of following directions, reading titles and author names, and categorizing items by the letter they start with.

Participating in this type of activity opens students up to learning about the different types of reading material available in the library. They also learn how to navigate the different areas of the library.

Scavenger hunts, regardless of their type, are an excellent way to teach children about reading and practice research skills without them even realizing it! It’s all about learning without them even noticing!

11. Vocabulary Building Scavenger Hunts

Scavenger hunts are the perfect blend of entertainment and learning. They engage children in reading, problem-solving, and observation skills, making them an ideal activity to boost vocabulary.

One exciting option is an alphabet scavenger hunt.

Equipped with our Alphabet Scavenger Hunt Printable , children can sharpen their observation skills and boost their word bank as they search for objects that start with each letter of the alphabet.

Another engaging choice for a vocabulary-enhancing scavenger hunt is our Parts of Speech Scavenger Hunt . In this reading activity for elementary students, participants are challenged to find items representing different parts of speech , such as nouns, verbs, and adjectives.

Teacher Tip: Boost grammar learning with fun educational videos. Refresh your students’ understanding of the parts of speech by exploring our curated collection of entertaining and educational videos in our blog, Parts of Speech Videos for Your Elementary Language Lessons .

By organizing words based on their functions, kids improve their understanding of grammar. They also stretch their vocabulary as they seek out descriptive and sentence-enhancing words.

What makes vocabulary-building scavenger hunts so exciting is kids learn without even realizing it. They are practicing their reading as they figuring out what they need to search for.

💡 Teacher Tip: Get Creative with Scavenger Hunts! Want to boost your kids’ reading skills? Try making a scavenger hunt! It’s easier than you think, and we’ll help you every step of the way. Check out our article on How to Make a Scavenger Hunt for Kids in 9 Steps . With our easy-to-follow guide, you’ll discover the secrets to crafting an exciting and educational adventure for your kids.

By designing a personalized scavenger hunt, you’ll engage children in active reading. It’s an opportunity for them to explore their surroundings, decipher clues, and enhance their literacy skills – and all while having a blast!

12. Create a Map of a Book Setting

Encourage your child to draw a map of the setting from a favourite book.

This fun activity not only helps them better understand the story but also boosts their spatial reasoning and research skills. Guide them to include important details from the narrative and explore map elements like creating a legend.

As they craft their map, chat with them about different parts of the story and how they relate to the map, making the book’s world come alive in a whole new way!

As children transform the world of a story into a visual representation as a map, they develop a deeper appreciation of how the story unfolded.

Kids can add their unique touch to their maps, making each one a reflection of their own creativity and individuality. It’s a chance for them to showcase their artistic skills and take pride in their accomplishments.

Book-themed arts projects provide a wonderful avenue for self-expression and personalization.

13. Write Book Reviews

For this activity, get readers to choose a book, read it, and write a review summarizing the story. They’ll also want to share their thoughts on characters, plot details, overall opinion, and a rating out of five stars.

Writing a book review helps children to think deeply about what they’ve read and consequently, it develops their reading and writing skills. It also encourages them to become more engaged with their reading material by paying closer attention to the story’s details and characters.

Here’s a great video that kids will love about how to write a book review:

Here’s why writing a book review is a rewarding reading activity:

✅ Reflection and Analysis Writing a book review prompts children to reflect on the plot, characters, themes, and overall reading experience. It encourages them to think deeper about the story, its messages, and the author’s craft.

✅ Language Development Crafting a book review helps children enhance their vocabulary and language skills. They learn to articulate their ideas, express their emotions, and provide clear descriptions of their favorite aspects of the book.

✅ Personal Expression Writing a book review gives children a platform to express their unique perspectives and preferences. It allows them to share their enthusiasm for a great book or discuss the elements that resonated with them.

✅ Empowering Voice Book reviews empower children to have a voice and be heard. It builds their confidence in their ability to communicate their thoughts and opinions effectively.

💡 Teacher Tip: Ask questions and you shall receive good book reviews! Prompt kids for engaging book reviews with these questions:

• Name your favourite character. What are some of their traits you admire?
• Did the book teach you anything new or give you a fresh perspective?
• Was there a particular message in the book that stood out to you?
• Would you recommend this book to others? Why or why not?
• What lessons or values can readers take away from this book?
• Was there anything you didn’t like about the book?
• On a scale of 1 to 5 stars, what rating would you give this book?

Encourage kids to write structured book reviews, including an introduction, spoiler-free plot summary, personal insights, and a thoughtful conclusion. Remind them to use specific examples and evidence from the book to support their opinions.

Have kids make a video book review .

Take book reviews to the next level by having your kids film video reviews. This exciting activity not only enhances their writing and presentation skills but also adds a dynamic and multimedia element to this assingment.

We’ve compiled a list of four remarkable YouTube videos where kids enthusiastically review the books they’ve read. These video book reviews not only showcase their genuine excitement but also provide valuable insights into their reading experiences.

Book reviews not only demonstrate the joy of reading but also showcase the power of storytelling and the impact books can have on young minds.

14. Comic Books

When it comes to summer reading activities for elementary kids, comic books are a hidden gem of excitement and learning.

They offer a one-of-a-kind reading experience that seamlessly blends captivating visuals with compelling storytelling.

While some may question the educational value of comic books, it’s important to recognize that reading is a skill that can be developed through various mediums.

Encouraging children to read all types of literature, including comic books, helps cultivate a love for reading by providing engaging and accessible content.

Embracing diverse reading materials, including comic books, expands children’s literary horizons and fosters a lifelong passion for reading.

Comic books are a perfect summer reading activity because they:

Provide Visual Storytelling Comic books combine captivating illustrations with concise text, making them visually appealing and easy to follow. Kids will love the dynamic artwork that brings the story to life, enhancing their reading experience.

Improve Reading Comprehension Reading comics requires interpreting both text and visuals, helping kids develop crucial reading comprehension skills. They learn to analyze visual cues, infer meaning, and make connections between dialogue and illustrations.

Expand Vocabulary Comic books introduce kids to a wide range of vocabulary words in context. They encounter new words through dialogue, narrative captions, and character interactions, enhancing their language skills.

Teach Sequencing and Story Structure Comics teach kids about sequential storytelling and the importance of story structure. As they follow the panels and read in a specific order, they develop an understanding of plot development, character arcs, and narrative pacing.

Increase Engagement and Motivation The colorful artwork and exciting storylines in comics capture kids’ attention and keep them engaged. This motivates them to read more and explore different genres and series, fostering a love for reading.

💡 Teacher Tip: Recycle old comic books for engaging adventures! Instead of letting those cherished comics gather dust, why not give them new life while inspiring a love for reading? Recycling and repurposing old comic books infuse the joy of creativity into the reading experience, making it a fun and memorable way for kids to explore the world of storytelling.

Teachable moments are sure to pop up while combining reading and art in a way that encourages both creativity and literacy skills. Check out this video on how to repurpose old comic books:

But before you start cutting up or repurposing those old comic books, it’s a good idea to do some research to see if any of them hold significant value in the collector’s market .

By embracing comic books as a summer reading activity, children embark on a thrilling journey that combines literacy with visual storytelling. They develop essential reading skills, ignite their imaginations, and cultivate a lifelong love for books.

15. A Book Report, But Make It Fun!

When it comes to engaging summer reading activities for elementary students, look no further than making book reports fun and unique!

Transforming traditional book reports into exciting and creative projects captures children’s imagination and enhances their engagement with the story.

Instead of the standard report, get them to choose from a variety of intriguing options like creating a diorama, designing a comic strip, filming a book trailer, or even organizing a book-themed art exhibition.

Here’s a video to inspire your kids to create unique book reports:

Try these creative book report ideas at home this summer:

🃏 Book Character Trading Cards 🎯 Write an Alternative Ending 📒 Create a Character Scrapbook 🎤 An Interview with the Main Character 🎬 Film a Book Trailer

Discover more ways to make book reports enjoyable for 5th graders here!

These alternative approaches to the common book report encourage children to think outside the box and showcase their understanding of the book in a unique and personalized way.

Let’s make book reports enjoyable for elementary students! By offering fun and unique options, we cultivate a lifelong love for reading.

16. Create a Book Nook or Fort to Read In

Creating a book nook or a reading fort is an exciting and imaginative project for elementary-aged kids.

By personalizing their own reading space, they create a magical world where they can escape into the pages of their favourite stories and enjoy countless hours of reading.

Their book nook transforms into a beloved space where engaging summer reading activities for elementary students thrive.

Here are some simple steps to help you create a cozy reading corner for kids:

Choose the perfect spot. Find a cozy corner or area in your home where a reading sanctuary can exist. It could be a quiet nook in a kid’s bedroom, a corner of the living room, or even a space in the backyard where children can enjoy nature while reading.

Find comfortable seating. Select comfortable seating options such as bean bag chairs , floor pillows , or a comfy reading pillow that will make your reading sessions cozy and relaxing.

Add cozy elements. Enhance the comfort factor by adding soft blankets , throws , soft teddy bears , or pillows that kids can snuggle up with as they dive into the pages of their favourite books.

Display their books neatly. Set up a small bookshelf or bookcase nearby to showcase their book collection and keep them organized. This will make it easy for them to browse through titles and choose their next reading adventure.

💡 Need book recommendations to fill your child’s bookshelf? Explore our blog featuring 31 great picture books for elementary students !

Personalize the space. Make their book nook unique and inviting by adding personal touches. Hang up posters, framed Montessori quotes that inspire peace , interesting posters about reading on the walls , or decorate with positive affirmation posters to create a magical ambiance.

Create a cozy atmosphere. Set the literary mood with soft lighting options like a reading lamp , fairy lights , or a lava lamp . The warm glow will create a soothing atmosphere that is perfect for diving into the pages of a book.

With their own personalized book nook, children have a peaceful and inviting space where they can fully immerse themselves in reading and let their imaginations soar.

💡 Teacher Tip: Involve the kids in creating their cozy book nook! To make the cozy book nook truly special for your kids, get them involved in the design process and encourage them to personalize it according to their preferences. By allowing them to customize their reading space, you empower them to take ownership and pride in their reading space. Let their imagination run wild as they choose their favorite colours, decorations, and elements that make the space uniquely theirs. This collaborative effort will not only foster a sense of ownership but also ignite their excitement and love for reading.

Have kids make a fort or reading den!

Fort building and den making are fun summer reading activities for elementary kids that involve creating a non-permanent, cozy space in your home or backyard as a special reading spot.

Children can use blankets, pillows, and other materials to construct their fort and then fill it with books and snacks for a fun reading experience. It just might be the perfect solution for rainy days or to beat the summer brain drain .

Not only is building a fort or a den a fun and creative activity for kids, but it also provides a unique and comfortable reading environment.

Here are some videos of how to build a reading fort or den!

Go ahead and gather the materials, unleash that creativity, and build the perfect reading fort with your kids for an enchanting and immersive summer reading experience!

17. Host a Book Tasting

This activity is a fun and engaging way for elementary students to explore different genres of literature.

A book tasting event, similar to a food tasting, allows students to explore a variety of books (complete with snacks!) at different stations in a room.

The aim is to give children a small taste of a variety of books in order to pique their interest.

Each station can feature a different genre, such as mystery, fantasy, or non-fiction. To make the activity more exciting, the stations can be decorated accordingly.

When hosting a book tasting at home or in a classroom setting, consider allotting enough time at each station for children to really dive into the book. Starting with 8-12 minutes at each station can help ensure that children have enough time to explore the book and eat the snacks.

I did this with my step-daughter Taylor and let me tell you, hosting a book tasting can be a great way to get children excited about reading and help them discover new books and genres they might not have otherwise discovered on their own.

⬇️ Watch as Jennuine Teaching sets up a book tasting for her classroom. So many great ideas here!

And here’s another look at what a book tasting can look like:

Indulge their literary palate and embark on a book-tasting adventure that will leave your kids hungry for more captivating stories!

18. Roll and Read

Level up your summer reading activities for elementary kids with the engaging Roll and Read game!

This exciting vocabulary development activity involves children rolling a die once a day and completing one of the six different tasks outlined.

Each roll of the die corresponds to a different reading task.

Here are 6 task ideas I’ve used with my upper elementary students: 🎲 Read 11 pages of a fiction book. 🎲 Use a dictionary to find a word you’re unfamiliar with for each letter of your name, write them down, and include their definition. 🎲 Read 3 pages of any book out loud. 🎲 Create a drawing inspired by a favourite scene or character from a book. 🎲 Research and share an interesting fact about the author of the book you’re reading. 🎲 Create a bookmark inspired by the book’s theme or cover design.

This activity is easy to set up and can be played individually or in a group. It encourages children to read a variety of materials every day and engage with the text in different ways.

By completing different reading tasks daily, students are able to develop their reading comprehension, vocabulary, and critical thinking skills in a fun and engaging way.

This activity is a great way to make reading more interactive and enjoyable for elementary students during the summer months.

💡 Teacher Tip: Evolve the Roll and Read challenge! With this game, you have the power to transform the reading tasks throughout the summer, infusing excitement and freshness into each session. Encourage your children to become co-creators of the game by involving them in brainstorming new and exciting reading tasks. Additionally, they can unlock the full potential of the game by revisiting familiar tasks with different books or reading materials, expanding their literary horizons, and strengthening their reading skills.

19. Create Personalized Bookmarks

Making personalized bookmarks is a hands-on, creative, and fun summer reading activity for elementary students.

This activity involves making bookmarks using different materials like coloured paper, beads, ribbons, or even natural items like leaves or flowers.

By making bookmarks, children get to showcase their creativity and create something unique that reflects their personalities.

This activity can encourage children to read more often as they will be proud to use their personalized bookmark with their current book.

They can also make bookmarks for their friends and family, which could lead to sharing and discussing favourite books with each other.

With this activity, the world of summer reading activities that elementary kids will love can be explored!

Get them crafting personalized bookmarks with the help of these video tutorials.

Let their summer reading adventure be marked with their very own unique and customized creations!

20. Summer Reading Log

A summer reading log is one of those reading activities for elementary students that empowers kids to document their reading journey during the summer break.

Not only does it foster a sense of responsibility and time management, but it also allows children to reflect on their reading progress.

Whether it’s a simple tally of books or a personalized journal capturing various aspects, we’re here to provide ideas to suit every reading enthusiast.

Let’s take a look at all those the possibilities!

Simple Book Tracking

You’ll find a lot of online resources offering a variety of printable reading logs that can easily be personalized with vibrant colours and creative designs.

Alternatively, you can encourage kids to unleash their imagination and creativity by designing their own unique book-tracking system. This Montessori-inspired approach not only adds a personal touch but also fosters a sense of ownership and pride in their reading accomplishments.

Here’s a great video to inspire some really fun ways to make reading logs so kids can keep track of the books they read!

Creating a Personal Book Journal

Encourage your kids to make their own personalized journal, like the one featured in the video below, and use it to keep track of their reading. This creative task can be really fun for kids, and they’ll be more inspired to fill it out if they’re the ones that made it.

Inside the journal, kids can design unique reading trackers, such as colourful progress charts, creative book lists, or even thematic sections for different genres.

They can personalize their journal further by adding space for reflections, jotting down memorable quotes, or expressing their thoughts and feelings about the books they read. And to make it even more personal, they can include drawings, stickers, and other details!

In their reading journal, they might want to include things like: ✅ Title and Author ✅ Date they started reading ✅ Date they finished reading ✅ Rating out of 5 stars ✅ Favourite quotes ✅ Lessons they learned ✅ Personal reflections

By keeping track of their reading using a reading log or personal journal, children develop important organizational skills, enhance their writing abilities, and cultivate a deeper connection with the books they explore.

21. Organize a Book Donation Drive

Participating in a book donation drive is a wonderful way for kids to enhance their love for reading and cultivate valuable life skills.

This meaningful experience is an excellent addition to our list of summer reading activities for elementary students. It instills a sense of empathy and generosity in children as they learn the importance of giving back and sharing resources with those in need.

By donating their own gently used books, students learn that they can make a difference in the lives of others, particularly those who may not have access to a wide range of books. This activity helps develop their understanding of social responsibility and the power of collective action.

A book donation drive also encourages children (and adults!) to declutter their own bookshelves and make space for new stories and adventures. It allows them to reflect on the value of the books they have enjoyed and share those experiences with others.

By passing on their cherished books to fellow readers, children learn the joy of sharing and the lasting impact of their actions.

This is one of my favourite book activities for elementary students because it aligns with the Montessori principle of allowing students to take an active role in helping the community, organize an event, and following through with their plans.

Wondering what it takes to put together a book donation drive ?Here are the steps I follow with my elementary students as well as my family: 💡 Choose a Cause Have children do some research to select a local cause or organization that aligns with what they believe in and that will benefit from the book drive, such as a library, school, shelter, or community center. 🗣 Spread the Word Empower children to spread the word among their friends, family, and school community. Engage their creativity and enthusiasm by suggesting they design eye-catching posters and flyers that promote the book drive and inspire everyone to donate their gently used books. 🥅 Set a Goal Guide kids in setting a realistic goal for the number of books they aim to collect. Turn it into an exciting challenge by having them create a vibrant donation drive thermometer. This visual tracker serves as a dynamic representation of progress, motivating everyone to contribute and reach new heights.

📥 Designate Drop-Off Points Ensure a seamless book donation process by designating easily accessible drop-off points within the community. Establish dedicated areas, such as local libraries, community centers, or even grocery stores, where families can conveniently contribute their book donations. Make it hassle-free by clearly labeling the collection bins or boxes, and providing clear instructions for donation drop-offs. 🙌🏼 Organize Sorting Sessions Schedule time for children to help sort and categorize the donated books based on age group, genre, or condition. 🫧 Spruce Up the Books Clean and repair any damaged books, ensuring they are in good condition before being distributed. 📝 Thank Donors Show appreciation to all the contributors by creating handwritten thank-you notes or certificates. 🚛 Deliver the Books Coordinate with the chosen cause or organization to deliver the collected books. Have kids witness the impact of their efforts and celebrate the positive difference they’ve made in their community.

Here’s an inspiring story about two young boys who put together a book drive for another school in need:

Spread the joy of reading while making a positive impact in the community and empowering young minds through the gift of books.

22. Read a Book and Then Watch the Movie Adaptation

This activity is an excellent way to encourage children to read books and get them interested in literature by providing an additional incentive of watching the movie based on the book afterward.

📽 Teacher Tip: Read First, Watch Later! By immersing themselves in the original story, they can unleash their imagination, develop a deeper understanding of the characters and plot, and bring their own unique interpretation to the big screen experience. Reading first enhances the joy of discovery and allows kids to appreciate the book-to-movie transformation even more.

Watching the movie adaptation of a book will help students practice comprehension skills by noting the differences between the book and the movie.

Over the summer break encourage kids to discuss their thoughts on how the movie adaptation relates to the book and get them to point out the differences or similarities between the two.

🎞 Lights, Camera, Read! Get the veggies and dip ready along with some popcorn, and gather the kids for a cinematic adventure! But first, get lost in the pages of these great summer reads and then watch their movie adaptations bring the book to life:

A Series of Unfortunate Events by Lemony Snicket

Bridge to Terabithia by Katherine Paterson

Percy Jackson & The Olympians by Rick Riordan

Fantastic Mr. Fox by Roald Dahl

The Tale of Despereaux by Timothy Basil Ering

Books-turned-movies ignite a love for reading in elementary kids but even better, they bring excitement to summer learning activities

Make this summer a blockbuster hit with a fantastic read and their on-screen adaptation!

💡 Teacher Tip: Ask kids questions like these after watching the movie! • Did the movie capture the same feelings and emotions as the book? • Were there any scenes in the movie that surprised you because they were not in the book? • Did the movie capture the same atmosphere or setting as described in the book? • How did the movie handle the ending compared to the book? Did you like one version more than the other?

23. Twenty Questions – Book Edition

Ignite the spirit of exploration with this interactive vocabulary game that is perfect for summer reading activities elementary students will love!

By combining the joy of reading with the thrill of guessing, Twenty Questions promotes critical thinking, comprehension, and a deep dive into various books and genres.

This activity involves children recalling details, characters, settings, and plotlines from the books they have read. It encourages them to reflect on their reading experiences and strengthens their connection to the stories and themes.

The game follows the classic format of 20 Questions. The person whose turn it is will think of a book while the others try to guess the book title by asking ‘yes’ or ‘no’ questions. See the video below for easy instructions.

Playing 20 Questions with book titles fosters critical thinking skills while providing an enjoyable and interactive approach to summer reading activities elementary kids will appreciate. Encourage curiosity and enhance question-asking abilities in a fun and educational way!

Here are clear and easy instructions on how to play the classic version of 20 Questions:

Steps to playing the Twenty Questions Book Edition game:

Choose a Book One player secretly thinks of a book title in their mind but doesn’t tell the other players what it is.

Start the Game The player who thought of the book title is the ‘Answerer’, and the rest of the players are the ‘Guessers’. The Guessers take turns asking questions that can be answered with ‘yes’ or ‘no’ to figure out the title of the book.

Ask Good Questions Guessers should ask questions that help narrow down the possibilities and guide them to figure out the book title. For example, they can ask things like, “Is the book about animals?”, “Is the main character a boy?”, “Is the genre of the book fiction?”, “Is the cover of the book blue?”, or “Is the book part of a series?”. There are so many great, investigative questions they can formulate.

Track the Questions As the name of the game suggests, Guessers can ask the Answerer a maximum of 20 questions before the Answerer has to reveal the book’s title. The goal is for the Guessers to figure it out before using up all the questions. It’s important for players to listen carefully to the answers and keep track of the questions already asked, so they aren’t repeated.

Make A Guess After each question, the Guessers can make a guess if they want, but they should wait until they feel confident to make a final guess. If someone guesses the title of the book correctly before 20 questions, then they win and become the next player to choose a book title.

Take Turns Once the book has been correctly guessed, it’s another player’s turn to think of a book, and the game starts again.

Summer reading activities elementary students will enjoy don’t get much better than this exciting and educational game of 20 Questions using book titles and their main characters!

💡 Teacher Tip: Ask about the main character! Shake up the book version of 20 Questions by having the Answerers focus on the main characters from books instead of book titles. Watch as Guessers embark on an exhilarating quest to unravel the identity of the main characters through clever questions and deductive reasoning.

24. Choose Books that Have Follow-Up Activity Pages

If you’re looking for unique, brain-flexing summer reading activities for elementary kids, then you’ll want to seek out books with interactive activity pages!

From characters to colour to puzzles, mazes, and more, activity pages related to books bring the characters and adventures to life in an interactive way.

Unfortunately, there aren’t many books out there like this. That’s why we took matters into our own hands and created one ourselves!

Carl the Cantankerous Cat , our self-published picture book, is a charming story that is PURRR-fect for those lazy summer days.

And to enhance the already-loaded learning experience and to provide additional interactive fun, we created activity pages to accompany the picture book . These activity pages are designed to complement the story and engage children in various educational and entertaining activities, all while building their vocabulary.

It’s what we call learning in disguise !

By combining the joy of reading with interactive learning, Carl the Cantankerous Cat and its activity pages offer a well-rounded summer reading activity that will keep children engaged and entertained.

As they pounce into the wild world of Carl, they not only develop their reading comprehension skills but also enhance their creativity, critical thinking, and fine motor skills through a variety of interactive tasks.

You can also get our ebook and activity pack here! Kids can engage in interactive tasks and delightful exercises that complement the adventure of reading Carl, fostering a love for knowledge and exploration.

25. Recipe Reading

Engaging elementary kids in reading activities during the summer doesn’t have to be limited to storybooks and novels. One excellent and practical reading activity for elementary students is reading recipes.

Exploring the world of recipes introduces children to valuable life skills while enhancing their reading comprehension and vocabulary.

Reading recipes can be a fun and interactive way for children to learn about different foods and ingredients. It allows them to follow step-by-step instructions, practice using different measurements, and develop an understanding of cooking techniques.

By reading recipes, children also gain exposure to various culinary traditions and cultures, broadening their knowledge and appreciation for diverse cuisines.

Here’s a great video that clearly explains how to read a recipe.

So go ahead and spice up your list of summer reading activities for your elementary kids with the tantalizing practical life activity. It’s a recipe for educational fun and culinary adventure, that’s for sure!

26. Write Letters

One excellent activity that combines both reading and writing is writing letters.

Encouraging children to write letters not only strengthens their reading comprehension but also allows them to express themselves and develop communication skills.

As kids write letters, they get better at reading by rereading their own messages and understanding the ones they get back. Plus, reading letters from others exposes them to diverse writing styles and broadens their vocabulary.

Children can write letters to family members, friends, or even pen pals from different parts of the world. By exchanging letters, they develop a sense of empathy and understanding, as well as learn about different cultures and perspectives.

Share this information-packed video about writing a friendly letter with your kids :

Writing letters not only enhance reading and writing skills but also allows kids to create meaningful connections and opens the door to conversations about how mail travels around the globe.

During this summer break, encourage your elementary-aged kids to pick up a pen and write some letters.

💡 Teacher Tip: Try these fun letter-writing ideas for elementary kids! ✍🏽 Letter to an author 👯 Letter to a friend 👴🏼 Letter to a family member 👮🏾 Letter to a hero 🧑🏼‍🎓 Letter to future self

27. Write Lists

Making lists is an engaging activity that can help children strengthen their reading and writing skills.

As they jot down items for their summer bucket list or plan their favourite activities, they engage in reading and comprehension skills by deciphering their thoughts into written words. This process not only sharpens their literacy skills but also fosters creativity and organization, making it a valuable summer pastime for young learners.

By brainstorming words that fit specific categories, children are challenged to think creatively and critically, while also expanding their vocabulary and understanding of language.

Incorporating list-making into summer reading activities for elementary students adds an element of fun and personalization, empowering them to express their preferences while actively engaging with books.

📝 Teacher Tip: Get them to write all kinds of lists! Here are some list ideas that your elementary-aged child might enjoy writing: Things That Make You Happy Task elementary kids with creating a list of things that bring them joy and put a smile on their faces, such as spending time with loved ones, engaging in hobbies, or enjoying nature. Resources like our Printable Dream Board Activity for Kids are excellent tools for exploring what brings them joy. Bucket List This is a list of things they want to do or experience in their lifetime, such as visiting certain places, learning new skills, or achieving specific goals.

Favourite Foods When kids write a list of their favourite foods, encourage them to break their interests into different categories including snacks, desserts, and meals. They can also include any special recipes they enjoy or want to try. Favourite Quotes It’s always good to encourage kids to collect a list of inspirational and meaningful quotes that resonate with them. Things I’m Grateful For A gratitude list involves children noting things they are grateful for in life, such as family, friends, hobbies, or experiences. Dream Vacation Destinations Everyone should create this list! Kids can write out the dream vacation spots they would love to visit someday, including places near and far, and what they would like to see or do there. Fun Activities to Do with Friends Get kids to compile a list of fun activities or games they enjoy doing with their friends, such as playing sports, going on scavenger hunts, or having movie nights. This gives them something to reference when they say they don’t know what to play!

Life Lists These could be to-do lists, shopping lists, school or camp supply lists, lists of birthdays, or even a list of lists they need to make. These lists encourage self-reflection, creativity, and exploration. They also provide an opportunity for kids to practice their writing skills while having fun.

Encourage them to dream big with their lists and support them in the process!

Let our Dream Board Activity for Kids printable be your go-to resource to guide your elementary-aged kids to create a list of all the things they want in life.

With prompts, cute characters, and kid-friendly instructions, this is a great learning tool for any student learning about themselves.

Encourage kids to enhance their reading skills while fostering self-love by reading lists of positive affirmations aloud.

Our positive affirmation poster is filled with empowering words that inspire and uplift, helping kids develop a positive mindset and build resilience.

28. Read Everything!

Encouraging elementary students to read everything around them is another one of those dynamic and immersive summer reading activities that expands their literary horizons.

By cultivating an awareness of the written material that surrounds them in their daily lives, children develop a deeper appreciation for the power of language and the abundance of reading opportunities that exist beyond traditional books.

Engaging with a diverse range of text broadens their vocabulary and gain exposure to different writing styles. This exposure helps them develop their reading comprehension skills as they interpret and understand the information presented in different formats.

Through this engaging activity, kids encounter a diverse array of texts, such as: 🚸 Street signs 🛒 Labels at the grocery store ♟ Instructions for games and activities 🍽 Menus 🔖 Brochures 🪪 Business cards 🖼 Movie posters 🗺 Maps

Each encounter presents a chance to engage with different writing styles, expand vocabulary, and build reading comprehension skills.

By deciphering and interpreting information in various formats, children sharpen their critical thinking abilities and enhance their understanding of real-world applications of reading.

This is one of those easy summer reading activities elementary students are captivated by. They often don’t even realize how much they’re learning because they’re having such a good time.

29. Activity Books for the Win

When it comes to summer reading activities for elementary students, activity books that inspire creativity are always a good choice.

These types of books offer more than just reading directions – they provide a gateway to critical thinking, idea generation, and follow-through, all wrapped in a bundle of fun.

Within the pages of activity books, children have the opportunity to enhance their writing skills. By completing various fun activities, from drawing to filling in blanks or writing short stories, they not only refine their penmanship and letter formation but also strengthen their overall writing abilities.

Here are some outstanding activity books for elementary-aged kids:

Let these remarkable activity books accompany your child on a journey of discovery and joy, where learning and fun go hand in hand.

Discover Our Exciting Activity Book for Kids Hours of fun and purposeful learning await your elementary child!

We love activity books so much that we decided to create our very own that’s truly something special.

Our carefully crafted masterpiece: the Draw Doodle Scribble Think Create Activity Book was born out of our collaborative efforts.

Together we, a Montessori teacher and a creative designer, brought to life this remarkable 100+ page activity book with eye-catching images and engaging prompts. It’s a testament to our commitment to providing purposeful and engaging learning experiences for elementary children.

Designed to captivate and inspire, the Draw Doodle Scribble Think Create Activity Book is a boundless source of imaginative exploration, seamlessly blending reading, hands-on activities, and limitless possibilities.

Learn more about our activity book in this detailed article: Your Kids Need This Activity Book with Unique Drawing Prompts (+ Free Printable Activity!) .

This summer, get your kids to dive into the world of activity books, and watch as their imaginations soar, their writing skills flourish, and their love for reading grows. It’s a win-win for both learning and fun in the realm of summer reading activities for elementary kids.

30. Enjoy Screen time With Subtitles On and Sound Off

Pair the enjoyment of watching their favourite shows, movies, or educational YouTube channels with the opportunity to enhance their reading skills in a fun and interactive way by watching with subtitles on and sound off.

Watching programs with subtitles on and sound off is an unconventional yet highly effective approach to promoting reading fluency.

As children read the subtitles while following the visual storyline, they develop their reading speed and accuracy. They learn to quickly recognize words and comprehend their meanings in the context of the program.

Watching programs with subtitles also helps expand vocabulary and language comprehension. Subtitles expose children to a wide range of words, phrases, and expressions that may be new to them.

It also introduces them to different sentence structures and idiomatic expressions, contributing to their language development and improving their comprehension skills.

Incorporate subtitles into your child’s screen time this summer to provide an engaging platform for them to practice reading, expand their knowledge, and develop a love for diverse stories and cultures.

📺 Teacher Tip: Enhance their viewing experience with these programs! Here are some recommended programs to watch with subtitles on and sound off as part of summer reading activities for elementary kids: 🌿 Nature documentaries 🎞 Animated movies 😆 Sitcoms 🎨 Art and craft demonstrations 🧪 Science documentaries 🏈 Sports highlights 🥘 Cooking and baking shows With subtitles, children can embark on exciting adventures, broaden their horizons, and develop crucial reading skills, all while enjoying their favourite programs.

31. Tell Them About the Books You Love

Sharing the books you love with your elementary-aged children makes for a powerful addition to your list of summer reading ideas for elementary students.

By opening up about your favourite books, whether from your childhood or current reads, you have the opportunity to ignite curiosity, broaden literary horizons, and create meaningful connections with young readers.

Sharing the books you love makes you a reading role model for your children. Express your excitement, discuss your reading habits, and share the impact these books have had on you to inspire them to see reading as a pleasurable and enriching activity.

Moreover, when you share the books you love, you offer a glimpse into your reading experiences and interests. By sharing stories that resonate with you and explaining why they are special, you invite children to learn more about you and your passions.

📖 Here are some books we love! From timeless classics to insightful self-help, these literary gems have enriched our minds and hearts and sparked meaningful conversations with the elementary-aged kids in our lives.

Share the books you love during the break and make summer reading activities for elementary students a special bonding experience.

Engage in Summer Reading Activities Kids Will Love!

Studies have shown that students who don’t engage in reading during the summer months can experience the ‘ summer brain drain ‘ and lose some of the gains they made during the school year.

That’s why it’s crucial to provide elementary students with engaging and interactive reading activities during the summer break that they will actually enjoy doing. Not only will this help prevent the summer slide, but it will also show kids that reading comes in many different forms.

We love using summer reading activities elementary students love because they:

💡 enrich and expand a child’s knowledge base; 💡 develop language skills; 💡 promote the use of imagination and creativity; 💡 provide emotional and cognitive development; 💡 encourage independent learning and self-discovery; 💡 are opportunities for personal and social growth; 💡 prepare them for the school year ahead; 💡 make reading really fun!

Beat Summer Brain Drain with Summer Reading Activities for Elementary Kids

The summer brain drain , also known as summer learning loss or the summer slide, is a phenomenon where students experience a decline in academic skills and knowledge over the summer break.

This is especially prevalent in areas such as reading and math, where consistent practice and reinforcement are essential for building and retaining skills. Without the structure and routine of the school year, students may become less engaged in learning and miss out on opportunities for intellectual stimulation.

The summer brain drain can have a long-term impact on a student’s academic success. It is important for parents and educators to be aware of this phenomenon and take steps to prevent summer learning loss by providing engaging learning opportunities during the summer months.

Don’t let the summer brain get ahold of your child! Make sure some of the outlined summer reading activities for elementary kids are a part of your child’s summer plan.

The Wrap-Up: Fun Summer Reading Activities Elementary Students Will Love

Summer reading activities for elementary students are an incredible way to keep their minds engaged, foster a love for reading, and promote continuous learning during any break from the classroom.

By incorporating some of the activities listed into their summer routine, you can create a fun and enriching environment that sparks their imagination, expands their knowledge, and develops essential literacy skills.

Encourage your elementary kids to explore captivating stories, embark on literary journeys, and try new ways of enhancing their reading skills.

📰 Have You Read These Blogs Yet?

🎯 15 Benefits of Using Games in the Classroom 👀 How to Make a Scavenger Hunt for Kids in 9 Steps 🏃🏽‍♂️ The Best Neighborhood Walk Scavenger Hunt and 13 Different Ways to Use It 🧩 8 Easy Rebus Puzzles (with Answers!) 🔎 Rebus Puzzles for Kids: A Comprehensive Riddle-Solving Guide 📝 11 Ways to Use Our Roll A Story Dice Game 🎲 15 Educational Games With Three Dice for Kids 💡 Your Kids Need This Activity Book with Unique Drawing Prompts 🔢 21 Fun Math Games with Dice to Try With Kids 8-12 💬 11 Unique Vocabulary Development Activities for the Elementary Leve l 🧮 9 Montessori-Aligned Math Activities for Elementary Students

✨ Unlinked images in this blog were brought to you by “ www.freepik.com “✨

Donna Paul, with over 15 years as a certified Montessori teacher, is praised for her engaging teaching style. Beyond the classroom, she's a children's book author and spearheads two impactful blogs with her partner, Karen: thatssomontessori.com for Montessori insights at the elementary level and thenomadicstrays.com for simple road life living. Based in British Columbia, Canada, Donna's nomadic life allows her to share ideas and develop educational products with Karen as they travel. Donna can be found spreading smiles and knowledge wherever she roams.

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Summer Reading Assignments: How to Make Them Fun and Engaging

• May 14, 2023

Bid farewell to boring summer reading assignments! This post offers practical activities for making reading assignments fun and engaging for all students, even middle schoolers!

Allow Students Choice

Whether students are choosing a topic to write about or a book to read, you’ll notice that choice fosters buy-in, ownership, and motivation, so let them choose their summer reading titles.

Over the years, as both a student and a teacher, I’ve been required to read specific titles (too many to count). Except for once. 

I was attending a professional development session on literature circles, and we were directed to choose one book from a list of five. Imagine my delight! I felt motivated, so motivated that I read the book in a day. (The book was The Help , not a psychological thriller as I would normally choose, but definitely an anxiety-producing read.)  

This is one way to allow choice. Give students a list of titles to choose from.

But it’s not my favorite way. I prefer to let them choose any school-appropriate title they want to read. 

When doing this, students will need guidance because you have both readers and nonreaders in your classrooms. To solve this problem, view and discuss book trailers or review annotated reading lists with them. As you do, ask them to note three titles they are interested in reading on an index card. They’ll have a title chosen by the end of the period! (For details on this lesson with a list of recommended books, visit “Blog Post #20: Great Summer Reading Lists for Teens to Plunge into Today.” )

A Quick Summer Reading Assignment to See Who Read a Book

Alphabet reading check.

Even when summer reading is an assignment for the highest-performing students, not all will read during the summer. This can be a problem, especially when this assignment is the first major grade you’re taking for a new school year. To nip this in the bud, try this activity. It’s quick and challenging, and it will let you know who read during the summer. This, in turn, will give you the opportunity to conference with students and contact parents as needed before major summer reading assignments are due. 

• Each student will need one index card with a letter from the alphabet on it. (Use all letters, except for X and Z . You can write them on the cards, stick letters on them, or purchase and print my handouts.) Walk around the room and have each student draw a card without seeing the letter. 
• After each student has a card, have them write their names and book information (title and author) on the back of the card. On the front of the card, ask them to think of a word that begins with their assigned letter and connects to the novel. They will then write a paragraph that explains that connection. 
• Before they start writing, model the process with a novel you read. 
• If any students are stumped and can’t think of a word, then allow them to draw another card once more. This will help them (unless they haven’t read their summer reading book.) You will also find it helpful to allow a few volunteers to share their ideas for this assignment.

Of course, summer reading should be completed during the summer, and I don’t want to lower standards. However, I suggest making the assignments due a couple of weeks after school begins. This will help every student find success and allow new students time to complete the reading and assignments. 

Summer Reading Assignments

Summer reading choice boards.

Choice boards are a great way to differentiate, increase student engagement, and appeal to different learning styles. As a fan of giving students choice, these are my favorite of the summer reading assignments I’ve offered over the years. Here are two I’ve used.

A Writing Summer Reading Choice Board

At the end of one school year, our ELA team decided to shorten the summer reading assignment because we didn’t feel like we had enough class time to thoroughly cover the curriculum. (Our hour-and-a-half blocks had been cut to forty-five minutes to teach reading and writing and to prepare students for two state tests.) 

For this reason, we created one choice board for fiction and another for nonfiction. Both choice boards required students to choose and complete one writing assignment. 

The advantage to this is it’s short and sweet. You’ll spend one day on summer reading assignments rather than five days. The disadvantage is that it doesn’t appeal to a variety of learning styles. 

• At the top of the page, type a title, a space for a due date, and directions.
• Insert a table with nine cells onto a document or slide and stretch the table to fit the page.
• Type one writing assignment of equal difficulty (e.g., journal entries from the main character’s point of view, newspaper articles about significant events, a slideshow presentation that discusses themes, etc.) into each cell. 

A Choice Board that Appeals to Various Learning Styles

This choice board asks students to choose and complete three assignments. Students come up with some remarkable products, and it appeals to different learning styles. Plus, if you are short on time, you can modify the number of assignments you expect students to complete. 

• For this choice board, create a menu with points that add up to one hundred.
• Begin with three choices of easier assignments worth twenty points each (e.g., a bumper sticker with a theme, a social media profile for a character, etc.). 
• Move to more difficult assignments, again offering three choices (e.g., a book jacket, a movie poster, etc.) worth thirty points each. 
• Finally, end with the most difficult assignments at fifty points each (e.g., a scrapbook, trading cards, etc.). 
• Students choose and complete one assignment from each section.

Summer Reading One-Pagers

A summer reading one-pager allows students to use their creativity and critical thinking skills to showcase their understanding of a book. Plus, students like them because they only require one page! 

• Demonstrate what you expect students to accomplish by showing them examples of one-pagers. ( Chomping at the Lit offers some beautiful samples. After you complete the activity with one class, you can use your students’ work for examples.) 
• Instruct students to include images (e.g., symbols that represent the book) and words (e.g., themes, summaries, character traits, plot details, supporting quotes, etc.)
• Allow them to work with a template or a blank sheet of paper (their choice).
• If you want to hit a particular objective with the one-pager assignment, you can do that too. Take theme for an example. Students can include images and information that relate to a theme (or multiple themes) in their novel: topics, the theme itself, explanations of how themes are developed, and text-to-self, text, or world connections. Just make sure to review theme with them before you try this.

Bookmarks for Summer Reading

Another practical summer reading assignment is to have students create their own bookmarks with trifolds or eight-page books. 

• For the front of the bookmark, they can redesign the book’s cover. For the remaining pages, ask them to include whatever you want to assess (e.g., themes, summaries, literary devices, character traits, supporting quotes, sentences with specific phrases or clauses, etc.). 

How To Create a Trifold

• To create a trifold, fold a sheet of paper into thirds as you would a letter.

How To Create an Eight-Page Book

• Fold the paper in half three times hamburger style, 
• return to the first fold, 
• cut in the center on the folded side up to the crease, 
• return to an unfolded sheet, 
• fold the paper hotdog style, push the two ends together, and fold it into a book shape. 

Whichever you choose, model the book-folding process for students. 

Techie Summer Reading Assignments

Although 2020 caused many teachers to move away from technology use in the classroom, it has its advantages: student engagement, real-world learning, using it for instructional purposes, etc. 

With this in mind, if you have computers for every student, consider a technology choice board for summer reading assignments. Here are a few my students have had success with. 

• Novel-related infographics and collages with Canva . (Age restrictions apply for students under thirteen, but they can sign up for an account with parental permission.)
• Virtual museums with Slidesmania .
• Games on Kahoot . (In the U.S., there are age restrictions for students under 13. Also, it’s free for students and $3.99 a month for teachers.) 

Sharing Summer Reading Assignments

When their hard work is finished, many students will be excited to share it. One way I like to do this is with a line share. It doesn’t take much time, and it allows students to share their projects with multiple peers. 

• Have your students choose one part of their summer reading assignments to present to others.
• Ask them to form two lines with one line facing the other.
• Give them around five minutes to share their projects with their partners.
• When the allotted time has ended, have one line move one spot up with the person at the front of that line moving to the back.
• Allow them five minutes to share with their new partner.
• Repeat the last two steps a few times. 

Related Articles for Summer Reading Assignments

If you’d like a little help motivating students to read during the summer, visit “Blog Post #20: Great Summer Reading Lists for Teens to Plunge into Today.” Along with recommended middle school titles it includes links to Amazon, book trailers, and library associations.

If you’re interested in summer reading choice boards, slides with directions and graphic organizers for students, visit “Summer Reading Choice Boards” in my store.

Summer Reading Assignments in a Nutshell

• Allow students to choose their summer reading books. 
• Recommend titles by introducing them with book trailers.
• Do a quick reading check before major assignments are due to avoid future problems (e.g., failing grades).
• Give students class time to complete their summer reading assignments.
• Offer choice board, one-pager, bookmark, or techie summer reading assignments (whichever works best for you and your students). 

Thank you so much for reading! Please drop me a line in the comment section below to let me know what your students think of these summer reading assignments!

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25 Reading Activities for Summer School

• Christopher Olson
• June 16, 2021
• No Comments

Are you a Summer School Teacher looking for some fun and engaging reading activities?  Then you found the right blog for you!   It doesn’t matter if you are teaching summer school, extended school year (ESY), at home with your own child, or even tutoring this summer.  There are some great activities here for everyone! 

I know when I taught ESY in the past I always was searching and thinking of outside activities.  Some were highly engaging, full of gross motor ideas and that built a lot of teamwork.  Let’s face it, most students aren’t exactly thrilled to be sitting in the classroom during a nice warm sunny summer day.  To be honest, we as teachers aren’t exactly thrilled on those days either.  So what better way than to think outside of the box and include some outdoor reading activities for everyone to enjoy!  

I hope that you take some ideas from this list to try this summer!  #10 is one of my favorite activities and #13 is one of my favorite Education to the Core resources!  I hope you have a wonderful summer session and more importantly a relaxing and fun-filled summer!  You deserve it! 

Reading Activity #1 ~ Kindergarten Summer Packet

If you haven’t already seen our Summer Packet Reviews , then here is your chance!  This comprehensive and engaging resource provides opportunities to not only practice Math and Writing but lots of Reading activities as well!

#2 ~ Library Scavenger Hunt

Do you have the opportunity to take your class on community outings this summer?  What better trip than an educational one to the library?  I am lucky enough that we can take walking trips to our community library which is just a few blocks away.  

One thing I love to do with my students is to provide a scavenger hunt for them.  When we go to the library I like to provide my students with some tasks to quietly and respectfully hunt for certain books.  

See if your students can find nonfiction/fiction books, books that correlate to a certain theme or character.  Once they do, they may find a nice quiet spot and enjoy the book. 

#3 ~ First Grade Summer Packet

If you are teaching some review from the 1st-grade curriculum or wanting to prepare your students for 1st grade here is a great resource for you!  Similar to our Kindergarten Summer Packet (Activity #1), our 1st-grade resource offers a review on essential ELA, Math, Science, and Social Studies skills with these fun summer-themed worksheets ! 

Simply print, copy, and DONE!

#4 ~ Sidewalk Chalk

Sidewalk chalk is so versatile!  It works well on those nice summer days to bring in a fun aspect with writing.  Phonics, spelling, and especially reading works well with chalk.

Provide a challenge for your students using a time limit.  See how many words students can write down using the chalk in 3 minutes.  You can pair this activity with a specific book, or also using word lists (i.e., animals in a zoo, words with the /b/ sound, or things at the beach). 

Reading Activity #5 ~ Insect Unit with Close Readings – Go On A Bug Hunt!

Want to take your students on a nature walk and go on a bug hunt?!?  Although this may sound like heaven for some teachers… this is not the case for me!  I am all about a nature walk, however, if any student points to a bug or picks one up, I freak!

What better way to still feed into student interests with insects than an entire insect unit!? I am totally okay with bringing these bugs into the classroom!  Check out Education to the Core’s Insect Unit with Close Readings . Also, now available in Digital Form ! 

#6 ~ Nonsense Word Balloon Toss

This is such a great teamwork activity!  If you aren’t allowed to make a wet mess, feel free to substitute the water balloons with something a bit drier (like inflatable volleyballs, balloons, balls).  

Have students pair off and stand a few feet in front of each other.  The teacher calls out words both real and nonsense.  Every time the teacher says a nonsense word the student holding the water balloon tosses it to their partner.  Once the partner catches it, each person takes one step back.  The game continues tossing the water balloons back and forth and taking steps further from each other with each nonsense word.  The game concludes when only one team is left holding the water balloon. 

#7 ~ June, July, August Fluency Passages (…and a bundle too!)

Are you looking for themed fluency passages?  This resource provides you with ten passages for each month of the year!  Take a trip to the beach, outside camping, a dive into the ocean, and more with some of our summer month passages!  

You may just look at June, July, or August, but if you are looking to extend these into your school year then our Fluency Passages Bundle is the way to go!

#8 ~ “Funnies” Collage

Start collecting and asking others to save their newspapers!  Using the comic section, allow students to cut out and save some of the cartoon strips in the newspaper. Point out text evidence of how you know a character is saying or thinking something.  Use the strips to point out concepts of print and the use of quotations, bold, speech bubbles, titles, etc.  

For an extension activity, students can create their own comics and cartoons! If you type in “ comic strips template ” into a google search the options are endless  

#9 ~ Phonics Based Fluency & Comprehension Passages

This phonics-based reading comprehension resource was created for kindergarten and first-grade students. The thing I love the most about this resource is how it is sectioned.  You can just pull out the topic you want to cover or review. 

Perhaps your students need some more practice with long vowels or digraphs, then just print off those!  I love the option to differentiate what each student needs practice with for this bundle!  

There are 89 passages focusing on each phonics component while focusing on reading fluency. Added bonus is that these passages include three written comprehension questions for each passage.

Reading Activity #10 ~ Water Painting

This is such a simple, yet effective activity!  All you need is a paintbrush for each student and water.  On a nice sunny day, have students “paint” on a brick or concrete surface.  When they dip the brushes into water it will show up on the brick and concrete.  Wait a few minutes and watch it disappear! 

You can have students paint sight or high-frequency words, spelling words, answer comprehension questions. The ideas are truly endless!

#11 ~ Interactive Sequencing Unit

An important concept in primary elementary reading is a sequence.  What happens first in a story? What happens next? Then and Last?   When students have a basic understanding of this concept it leads to better writing and problem-solving skills.  

Our Interactive Sequencing Unit offers stories with corresponding interactive sequencing pictures.

#12 ~ Fort / Tent Reading

Don’t be afraid to get a little creative this summer with some reading forts!  You can use materials like tablecloths or having students bring in a beach blanket or towel from home.  Drape them over their desks and the students just made their own little reading fort!  

I always brought in my big tent and set it up inside of my classroom.  The students thought that it was so cool to have a giant tent in the room that I included in my centers.  They would get so excited when it was their turn to go inside of the tent to read!   Another item that I absolutely love to bring into reading is flashlights.  Once the students are set in their forts and tents, grab a flashlight and allow them to read their favorite stories.

#13 ~ Practically 1st, 1st, 2nd, and 3rd Grade Comprehension Passages

You probably have a range of different learners sitting in front of you this summer.  This bundle provides it all for you!  

Not only are there monthly themed fluency passages, but each one comes with comprehension questions, text-dependent, and higher-level thinking.

This resource has 360 pages of passages to be used throughout the entire year!

#14 ~ Character Spray

On a paper plate, write character names from a few stories that you’ve been reading.  You can either pre-make these, or have your students make their own plates with names and illustrations.  

Take your students outside and tape the plates to the wall or clothespin them to a fence.  You can create a game by splitting your class up into teams.  Provide each team with a squirt bottle or squirter.   After you ask a question about the character or story, the first team to spray the correct plate receives a point.

Reading Activity #15 ~ Monthly Mini-Books (and a FREEBIE!)

This Monthly Mini Books resource has it all for ELA!  There are 5 mini books for every month of the year!  However, the fun doesn’t stop there!  ETTC also included Vocabulary cards, sight word activities AND writing prompts for each month too!  

These books are great for the whole group, small group, and/or individual practice!  Enjoy this FREEBIE with a trip to the beach! 

#16 ~ Puppets!  Why?  Because EVERYONE loves puppets!

This past school year, my students were absolutely obsessed with making puppets out of brown paper lunch bags.  With each day a group of students coming to me asking for a paper bag, my mind started wondering how to pair this strategically. 

What better way than to make puppets of characters from our stories.  I loved having discussions of character traits and allowing the creativity of my students to shine.

#17 – Reading Caterpillar

Education to the Core offers so many fabulous FREE resources! This is one of those awesome freebies!  

Each student receives their own body part of the caterpillar.  They are free to decorate and write the title of their book and a short summary of it on their piece.  Feel free to make it a summer school challenge of how long you can create your caterpillar and how many books your students can read this summer!

#18 ~ Picnic Book Tasting

Have you ever had a book tasting before?  Sorry to say it has nothing to do with eating any books…   A typical book tasting has some type of snack or food paired with a book.  Students move around the room tasting various treats while enjoying a book at each station.  While at the station there is some type of writing a response to the book that they read there.  

We are taking this same concept, but making a picnic version of it!  Lay out various blankets and some picnic snacks on each blanket.  Have a book (or multiple copies of the same book) on each blanket for students to walk around for each station.  Don’t forget the clipboards!

#19 ~ Holidays Around the World

Hear me out on this one… I know you are probably asking yourself “Why in the world did this dude just include a Winter Holiday resource for summer school”?  Why a Christmas In July celebration, that’s why!  

Do you celebrate or ever thought about celebrating “Christmas in July”?  Well now is your chance, and what better resource to include than a holidays around the world activity?  Grab your suitcase, passport and take a trip around the world without ever leaving your classroom!

Reading Activity #20 ~ Cloud Watching

Do you ever feel like just going outside, lying on a blanket, and watching the clouds go by?  Now is your opportunity!  Prior to heading outside, as a cross-curricular activity, talk about different types of clouds.  SciShow Kids has a great video and Cloud Memory Game .  

Once you are outside and enjoying some cloud watching, ask students what they see in the clouds.  Maybe a different animal or person.  Once they identify their clouds, have them draw and recreate what they saw.  Once their illustration is complete, have them write a few sentences about their cloud before they finish their illustrations with color and details. 

#21 ~ Reader’s Theatre

Readers Theatre is such a great activity, however, there are a few things to think about before starting.  This activity provides another outlet for students to practice and become more fluent readers.  However, not every student is comfortable with being in front of the class.  So it is very important that we don’t force them to do so if they aren’t ready. Our Reader’s Theater Scripts are a great place to start if you want to implement this in your classroom.

A great extension activity is to allow students to create their own costumes, props, and backdrops.

#22 ~ Reading Virtual Games

Okay, it goes without saying that you will probably hit some rainy days this summer.   However, the fun doesn’t need to stop because you cannot go outside.  Some of these ideas are applicable for indoor learning (such as ABCya , Room Recess, Reading Games, PBS Kids, WartGames, PrimaryGames ), but what about bringing some virtual learning to the table?  Check out these websites for some virtual games for your students to play.

#23 ~ Digital Reading Passages

These DIGITAL Practically 1st, 1st, 2nd, and 3rd Grade Digital Reading Comprehension Passages were created for you to use in Google Classroom.

There is 120 Digital Passages total for each grade level. Each of the 12 months includes 10 themed passages you can assign throughout the year.

Newly updated to include Google Forms for each passage.

#24 ~ Relay Story Race

Do your students like racing?  Create a relay story race!  

At one end of the field or playing area, you can have various buckets or containers labeled with plot, character, setting.  Have the teams work together to place an object in the correct container based on the question you provide.   You can add a teamwork twist to make it a little more challenging.   

Have pairs of students work together to carry a balloon or ball across the playing field using different parts of their bodies…no hands!   So they would have to place a balloon between their shoulders standing side by side.  Walking/running together without the balloon falling to place it in the correct container.

Reading Activity #25 ~ Ants: Insects FREEBIE!

I wanted to include this FREEBIE in this word list for a few reasons.  1) It fits in so well with a summer picnic theme. 2) It is included in Number 15 on this list. 3) It pairs so well with our Insect Unit from Number 5 on this list.  4) IT’S FREE! 

Check out this FREE mini-book and comprehension printables!

I hope you can take a few of these activities away from this list to try out this summer!  What are some that you are thinking of trying?  Let us know in the comments below!   Also, make sure to come back and let us know how they went this summer.  

I said this before, but it needs repeating… I hope you have a wonderful summer session and more importantly a relaxing and fun-filled summer!  You deserve it!

Written By – Christopher Olson

At  Education to the Core , we exist to help our teachers build a stronger classroom as they connect with our community to find trusted, state-of-the-art resources designed by teachers for teachers. We aspire to be the world’s leading & most trusted community for educational resources for teachers. We improve the lives of every teacher and learner with the most comprehensive, reliable, and inclusive educational resources.

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Summer Reading Comprehension Activities for 2nd, 3rd, and 4th Grade

If you’re looking for printable summer reading comprehension activities for your 2nd, 3rd, or 4th grade students, you’ve found the right place! These resources are popular for celebrating and teaching about summer in the classroom. Learn more about this summer reading comprehension resource below!

What is this Summer Reading Comprehension Resource?

This Summer Reading Comprehension Unit is about bike safety. It includes tons of printable resources like leveled reading comprehension passages, discussion questions, writing prompts, vocabulary cards and activities, assessments, worksheets, and much more. You’ll have what you need to teach a comprehensive unit or series of lessons on this non-fiction topic.

What Does This Summer Resource Include?

This summer reading comprehension resource includes the following:

Teaching Guide

The teaching guide walks you through the different resources and suggests how to implement them in your classroom. You’ll have what you need to confidently implement the summer reading comprehension worksheets and activities.

Vocabulary Cards

The vocabulary cards each have the vocabulary term, an image that represents the word, and a kid-friendly definition.

Vocabulary Activities

The vocabulary activities help students develop an understanding of each of the vocabulary terms and be able to confidently use them in conversation.

3 Leveled Reading Passages

The three summer leveled reading comprehension passages help you differentiate and meet the needs of all your students, and help them feel confident in their reading abilities. Each summer reading passage was carefully crafted to look similar and have the same key vocabulary, but be scaled to meet the needs of a typical class with varied reading abilities.

Discussion Prompts

The discussion prompts promote reading comprehension and thoughtful class or small group discussions.

Discussion Prompt Cards

Laminate, cut out, hole-punch, and put the discussion cards on a ring so you can reuse them year after year.

Reading Comprehension Activity

This summer reading comprehension worksheet is based on the text structure of the reading passages, which gives students valuable practice opportunities.

Writing Prompt and Thematic Writing Paper

The writing prompt and thematic writing paper support students in practicing their writing skills in this integrated unit.

2 Comprehension Check-Ins

There are two comprehension check-ins with answer keys. This allows you to grade them quickly and differentiate as needed.

Why Teachers Love Our Non-Fiction Reading Units

Listed below are some of the reasons elementary teachers love our non-fiction reading units.

• Our non-fiction units include an abundance of resources to choose from. This allows you to select which activities are best for your students.
• All of the activities are either low-prep (some quick cutting) or no prep (just print and go) which saves you tons of time while still offering engaging learning opportunities to your students.
• We’ve intentionally designed many of the resources to be open-ended and to include differentiated versions to make it easy for you to meet the needs of all your students. This also means that if you change grade levels in the future, you will likely still be able to use them with minimal modification.
• All of our non-fiction units follow the same format and include the same types of activities customized to each topic. This creates a cohesive, year-long routine where students know the expectations and are able to focus on the topic.
• All of our non-fiction units integrate reading, writing, and speaking standards with a timely and engaging topic, so students are fully engaged while practicing important skills.

Related Summer Picture Books

Check out the related summer picture books below that pair well with the summer comprehension worksheets and passages.

Other Summer Resources

Below are some other summer teaching resources that you may be interested in.

In closing, we hope you found this post about these summer reading comprehension passages, activities and worksheets helpful! If you did, then you may also be interested in these posts:

• Summer Books for Elementary Teachers
• How to Reduce Stress as a Teacher in the Summer
• June Activities for Elementary Students

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7 Fun Summer Reading Activities for Elementary Students

Share with your friends!

How do you keep your kids reading during the summer? You make it fun!

Check out this list of summer reading activities that will keep your kids engaged all through the lazy days of summer.

Why Are Summer Reading Activities Important?

Reading, like math, is a skill subject. You learn step by step to decode words and read with fluency.

If you don’t practice, your skills will stagnate or, worse, erode.

Summer reading activities make reading time a fun activity, not a chore.

They are a great way to motivate kids to keep their reading skills sharp.

From something as simple as making a tissue paper bookmark craft to trying your hand at Reading BINGO, little activities can have a huge impact!

If you’re looking for free or cheap things to do with kids in the summer , be sure to check out the reading activities below!

7 Elementary Summer Reading Activities

These summer reading activities are perfect for elementary-aged students. Try one, three, or all seven!

This article contains affiliate links to things that you might like.

Is your elementary-aged child motivated by games? Are they task-oriented?

Book Bingo is a FREE printable that gets kids reading different kinds of books.

You don’t have to make your own; you can find it for free in the Freebies Library . 

If you aren’t a member of the Freebie Library, you will find it easy to join. Simply click here to sign up . 

You’ll have access to loads of games, worksheets, and activities…all 100% free!

Audiobooks While Traveling

There is more than one way to read a book.

Audiobooks offer all the pleasure of a story without the nausea of reading in the car.

They are the perfect way to get hooked on a book series.

Once you reach your destination, you can offer your child the next book in print form.

Audiobooks are also useful for ear reading , which is a huge help for struggling readers.

Create a Summer Book Club

Peer accountability is a wonderful thing.

Start your own summer book club for neighborhood kids or your child’s friends. 

Everyone in the club reads the same book and then gets together to discuss it.

You can make book club even more popular with yummy snacks and perhaps a themed activity.

Summer book clubs make reading a social activity; that’s a huge motivator for certain kids!

Community Library Summer Reading Programs

You don’t have to come up with summer reading activities all on your own.

Your local library is here to help!

Summer reading programs often provide incentives for students to read (and some offer serious prizes!).

They may also feature special programs that promote reading.

Register at the start of summer, and start a reading habit that will last all summer long.

Your library may even have weekly events where they share read alouds with their youngest patrons!

Read New Types of Books

We all have our favorite genres or series. Your child may be obsessed with books about dragons, or girls who run their own cupcake business, or time-traveling siblings.

Summer is the perfect time to try something new.

Add a book to your child’s stack that is completely different from his usual selections.

Consider adding poetry. You can choose humorous poem compilations to start, like Where the Sidewalk Ends and I Am Just No Good at Rhyming and Other Nonsense . 

Another option: comic books or graphic novels. They combine storytelling with art.

Get out of the box this summer, and encourage your child to try something new!

Readers’ Theater

Why not bring a story to life as one of your summer reading activities?

First step: Get a group of students to read the same story.

Second step: Help them as necessary to turn it into a play!

Some older students may want to take the lead on this activity. They may write scripts and scrounge up costumes. 

Younger students may need some more assistance from you. 

This activity promotes reading because creative children become quite motivated to delve into a book!

Create a Reading Goal with a Reward

What is it worth to you to have your child gain confidence and practice as a reader?

If it’s worth the investment (and it is), come up with your own Summer Reading Challenge. 

All you need is a Reading Check-off Page (you can get one for FREE in our Freebies Library ).

Then you set the incentive and check off your child’s progress toward the goal. 

Think about what motivates your child. This could be a treat, a game, an activity…even money.

Offer this as a reward for completing the challenge.

You may want your child to read simply because she loves it, but she won’t learn to love it without practice. 

A Summer Reading Challenge will get her to practice.

Summer Reading Activities That Will Get Kids Reading

Summertime is perfect for swimming, riding bikes, and taking trips to the park. It’s also a great time to read!

Keep those reading skills sharp with these 7 summer reading activities for elementary students.

You May Also Like:

• 5 Summer Reading Programs for Kids
• Free Summer Learning Resources
• 25 Summer Writing Prompts for Elementary Kids

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Fun Summer Reading Activities for Kids

• ELA , Holidays & Seasonal

With summer comes fun, play time, and sleeping in late. Unfortunately, it also means potential reading loss for kids. This post shares fun summer reading activities for kids in upper elementary grades . These engaging ideas are easy to use and help kids prepare to re-enter school in the fall stronger.

PLUS–you can grab some FREE summer reading challenges for kids!

This post may contain affiliate links to Amazon and other companies. These links are provided for your convenience. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases, which do not cost any extra for you. Please see the  full disclosure here .

What is the Summer Slide?

His cheeks were so red and he could barely maintain eye contact with me.

When I walked over to ask him what happened, he sheepishly whispered, “I can’t read this.”

This was during the first week of school several years ago with a former 4th grade student. He already struggled with reading throughout 3rd grade, but became even more behind during the summer.

Why? Because of the dreaded summer slide.

Scholastic reports that 3rd through 5th grade students lose up to 20% of the reading skills they gained during the school year when they don’t read during the summer.

And this was pre-pandemic.

Kids, especially now, need engaging summer reading activities. And we have them for you here.

Summer Reading Challenges for Kids

By far my favorite fun way to keep kids engaged with reading is to use reading challenges.

Years ago, I ditched using reading logs in favor of challenges .

My students are way more motivated to complete a reading challenge than a chart or reading log that only lists what books they’ve read.

And you know how I keep kids from losing the challenge lists? Put them on bookmarks!

Having the challenges on bookmarks cuts down on students losing them because they are using the bookmark while they’re reading.

Here’s how I use Reading Bookmark Challenges instead of Reading Logs:

• Each week my students get a bookmark from me with five reading ideas on it. When they complete a reading assignment,  aka challenge , they color that space on their bookmark.
• For our 9-week grading period, this gives students 35 different reading ideas/challenges.
• I give reading awards during 3, 6, and 9 week intervals as a way to further motivate them to complete all the reading assignments/challenges.
• Some of these challenges can be completed at home and some can be completed at school. That allows flexibility for students.

I change the challenges depending on the season or activities happening in our class. This is what allows them to work so well during the summer.

Students get these from me the last week of school and if they bring them back to me during the following school year, I give them a prize!

If this seems like too much for you, ask your school’s librarian to help you manage the details.

There’s enough variety with each bookmark challenge that students don’t get bored keeping up with reading throughout the school year.

Interesting Nonfiction Passages and Magazines

If you’ve ever asked yourself, “How do I motivate my child to read during the summer?” then I strongly recommend using high-interest nonfiction texts themed for the summer.

Upper elementary kids love learning new random facts! Use this to your advantage by offering them magazines with really fun topics.

Most children’s magazines also offer games and activities aligned to the articles and stories kids read.

Any nonfiction passage you pick must be something big kids like to read. Having a variety of summer-related topics really helps if you don’t know what your kiddo likes to read.

Of course, you can always ask them what they like!

The quick-reads I enjoy using challenge students to color-code their answers, which forces them to refer back to the text.

This is such an important reading skill that kids don’t need to lose over the summer! You can see more details about these passages:

• May and June Passages
• July and August Passages

How Do I Find Affordable Books and Magazines for Students?

If you’re looking for cheap ways to stock your classroom library , then check out the post linked in this sentence.

But when it comes to finding books or magazines to use as summer reading activities, I recommend Amazon’s Kindle Unlimited .

This is a digital reading program, but you don’t have to have a Kindle reader to use it. You can download the free Kindle reading app on any device.

I’ve used it for years as a teacher and parent. I pay a flat fee every month of $9.99 with access to thousands of books and magazines.

There’s no additional costs to have up to 3 magazine subscriptions + up to 10 books in your “queue” at the same time.

The variety they offer to upper elementary students’ reading tastes is really good too.

You can try it here FREE for 30 days if you’d like.

EPIC or Vooks Animated E-Books

Speaking of digital reading, another option for fun summer reading activities for upper elementary kids relates to the apps EPIC and Vooks.

Both have a huge assortment of books just for kids. Even more than Kindle Unlimited, which offers adult reading material also by the way.

Vooks takes their digital reading to the next level with videos acting out the reading.

And they are awesome!

It’s an ad-free library of animated story books that turn read-alouds into video content. That’s where the name comes from: video + books= Vooks.

I especially like how the words to the story show up on the screen with the animations.

They even include lesson plans that can be helpful in saving time.

To me, there’s more content for elementary teachers rather than middle or high school.

This means you have lots of fun summer reading books for your 3rd through 5th graders.

So, if you want to spice up your virtual reading,  you can get 30 Days FREE here.   (affiliate link)

Public Library Reading Programs

In addition to the ideas above, you can make reading fun by participating in your local library’s public reading programs.

Of course the nitty gritty details of this depend on your library’s children’s department.

For instance, at my local library every summer they have summer reading activities for kids like:

• Author visits where kids meet children’s book authors
• Re-enactments or reader’s theater for certain stories
• “Read and Play Dates” where parents bring kids to partner read together

These are just a few options available; your local library may have more or less.

Even if they don’t have lots of options, ask your librarian for book recommendations or ideas on what your students can read during the summer.

You can also grab some ideas for different chapter books HERE .

Vocabulary & ELA Practice for Upper Elementary

Even though this post focuses on reading, many kids will also need general vocabulary practice this summer. Vocabulary and word-building is directly connected to reading success and interest.

If your kids struggle with reading, their interest in summer reading will naturally be low. Maybe your students need tutoring, but their families can’t afford that.

Then I recommend giving students the type of affordable, yet effective vocabulary and ELA workbook practice that will help them improve.

I wrote a book specifically for upper elementary kids who need simple and on-going vocabulary practice to strengthen their reading skills.

The exercises in this book are standards-aligned and rigorous, but also interesting enough to keep students engaged.

Not only that, but these exercises come with lesson examples and allow kids to complete each one independently.

Adding this to your list of summer reading activities will keep kids from losing ground due to the dreaded summer slide.

Summer Activity Review Packs

Keep learning alive all summer with our Grade-Specific Summer Activity Review Packs!

Tailored for students from 2nd to 5th grade, these packs include math puzzles, ELA exercises, and enrichment games designed to prevent summer slide and make learning enjoyable.

Ideal for summer school, end-of-year refreshers, or homeschooling, they prepare students for a successful new school year.

Enjoy a fun and educational summer with the perfect tools!

Summer Enrichment Learning Around the House

Last, but not least, you can make summer reading interesting with learning activities around the house .

Learning takes place in the everyday scenarios of life:

• Reading a recipe book to help cook
• Watching a movie that’s based on a children’s book, then reading the book to compare the two (maybe you want to do this in the reserve order!)
• Writing letters or journal entries
• Painting a picture, then writing a caption for it
• Enjoying a bedtime story together
• Reading newspapers and magazines
• Build a pillow or sheet fort in the house, grab some flashlights and have a “Living Room Reading Camp!”

I could go on and on with this list, but the point is to make teachable moments from your normal routine. These can really keep the learning going as you enjoy your summer days with kids.

Plus, these summer lesson activities require no additional prep work from adults. Just print and go!

For more ways to keep your kiddos engaged during the summer, check out the eight ideas mentioned in this post:

Answers to Common Questions about Reading Outside of School

Even with the ideas mentioned above, you may want to know more.

Whether you’re a teacher, homeschooling parent, or a parent who just wants to make sure your child doesn’t fall behind, here are answers to your most common questions:

• How can I make summer reading fun? Start with the summer reading challenges offered for free. Allow your kids to choose books with topics they enjoy.
• What are some fun ways to teach a child to read? Hands-on learning activities are my favorite for beginning readers. Check out the phonics and reading comprehension games that I recommend for 2nd grade readers here .
• How can I help my child with reading when I work full-time? Doing everything alone burns you out! If you are a full-time working parent, use engaging activities that kids can do independently or ask someone you trust with help.
• Is it ok for my kid to read e-books or should we only use printed books? The debate swirling around learning on devices is still pretty high. To e-book or not to e-book; the short answer: it depends on your kids’ ages and reading strengths. If you want the longer, research-based answer, we have it for you here in this post .
• My kid loves math, but hates reading. What should I do? Connect their love of math with reading by giving them these math read-alouds to enjoy this summer!

Free Summer Reading Activities for Upper Elementary

Kick off your kids’ reading with these FREE summer reading challenges!

Teachers can give these to students during the last days of school. Parents can keep them going throughout the summer.

Either way, they make summer reading fun!

What other ideas do you want to try from this post? Let us know in the comment below.

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2024 Summer Reading Programs To Earn Free Books, Movie Tickets, Pizza, and More

Encourage the love of books!

Digging into a great book under a sun umbrella, preferably poolside, is one of the joys of summer. And the benefits of reading still hold true even when school isn’t in session. Thankfully, a number of summer reading programs help keep the learning going over the summer months, and kids can earn free goodies along the way! Here are our picks for the best summer reading programs for kids.

1. Reading Is Fundamental

Soar with reading while summer is out with Reading Is Fundamental , the nation’s largest children’s literacy nonprofit. From RIF reading lists and a collection of free e-books to interactive materials on Literacy Central and the Literacy Central app for on the go, RIF helps kids master the reading skills they need to succeed.  

Learn more: RIF Summer Reading

2. Showcase Cinemas Summer Reading Program

Read a book and earn a ticket for a free summer flick on Bookworm Wednesdays! Kids can earn free admission to a select children’s film when they present a book report at a participating Showcase Cinemas box office.

Learn more: Showcase Cinemas Bookworm Wednesdays

3. Barnes & Noble

Every summer, Barnes & Noble curates an excellent list of books that make for fun (and secretly educational) summer reads for kids of all ages. Kids can earn a free book after they read eight books and log them on the downloadable reading journal. The Barnes & Noble kids’ summer reading program is available for students in grades 1–6. Only one book is available for each child who completes a reading journal, and the choice must be made from the selected books available at the store.

Learn more: B&N 2024 Summer Reading Journal

4. Half Price Books

The Half Price Books kids’ summer reading program, aka Summer Reading Camp, offers kids the chance to earn Bookworm Bucks for reading during the months of June and July. The program website also features printable coloring sheets, online story times, and mystery book recommendations for ages ranging from preschool to teens.

Learn more: Half Price Books Summer Reading Camp

5. Professional Sports Teams

Many professional sports teams sponsor summer reading programs, including the Tampa Bay Rays and the Chicago Fire FC. Check with your local team to see if they offer a reading program. ADVERTISEMENT

Learn more: Reading With the Rays and Chicago Fire Kids Club

6. Scholastic

Scholastic has a summer reading digital home base where kids can build an avatar, make new friends in a fully moderated online space, and earn virtual rewards. All you need to do is sign up and keep a Reading Streak in Scholastic Home Base over the summer.

Learn more: Scholastic Summer Reading Home Base

7. Public Libraries

Check your local library for more free kids summer reading programs with activities and incentives for all ages. Most libraries also have story times and other reading-themed activities.

Learn more: Collaborative Summer Library Program 

8. Camp BOOK IT! With Pizza Hut

Join BOOK IT summer camp to encourage reading all summer long. Track kids’ reading for the summer months in their digital dashboard. If they meet their monthly reading goal, kids then receive a free Personal Pan Pizza from Pizza Hut!

Learn more: Camp BOOK IT!

9. Sonlight Summer Reading Challenge Kit

Homeschool curriculum publisher Sonlight has created a printable Summer Reading Kit packed with reading activities that’ll keep your child engaged with books all summer long. Printables include punch cards, reading bingo cards, templates for bookmarks and bookplates, book brackets, and book award certificates. 

Learn more: Sonlight Summer Reading Kit

10. Start your own book club

Reading is more fun with friends! Why not start your very own book club ? Gather 8 to 10 friends from school, summer camp, or your neighborhood who are all around the same reading level as your child. Chicago Parent magazine offers some great tips for starting your own summer reading club. 

What 2024 summer reading programs for kids have we missed? Come and share in our We Are Teachers HELPLINE group on Facebook.

Plus, check out these scratch-off reading challenges and  free downloadable bookmarks..

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5 summer reading activities for elementary students.

How are you supporting student readers this summer? If you’re searching for summer reading activities for elementary students, I have you covered! Today on the blog, we’ll take a look at a collection of resources you can use this summer and share with families. 

The summertime offers opportunities and challenges for students and families. There are opportunities to engage in a variety of activities that support literacy, but it can be a challenge to know where to start. The team at Capstone has pulled together a fantastic set of resources for this time of year. It includes guided activities, holiday calendars, and more!

Summer Reading Activities for Elementary Students

If you haven’t heard of Capstone , they offer students and teachers access to high-quality reading materials. Elementary students can conduct research, explore social studies and science topics, and access text with audio support. I love how easy it is for teachers to locate and share articles with students to support their curiosity about hundreds of topics. This page gives you more information about all things PebbleGo .

I’VE SHARED A FEW POSTS THIS YEAR FEATURING PEBBLEGO, INCLUDING THESE THREE:

• 6 Tips for Using Short Reading Passages
• 7 Ways to Inject Math in Reading Classrooms
• How to Increase Informational Text Access in Your District

Today on the blog, I want to spotlight their summer reading activities for elementary students. They have a special landing page with summer-themed resources you don’t want to miss!

Letter to Families

First up is a ready-to-use letter to send home to families. With this letter template , you can add all the information families need to connect to PebbleGo in the summertime. This is perfect for student readers who have access to an Internet-enabled device over the summer. You can send this letter home with students or use it as a template for an email you send out to families.

Customizable Bookmarks

Instead of, or in addition to, sending a letter home to families, you can use the customizable bookmarks from PebbleGo. These PDF files are perfect for you to use right away, and there are English and Spanish versions. You can download the PDF files , print them out, and write students’ usernames and passwords so families can easily access the information. 

You might decide to print the bookmarks on cardstock or laminate them before sharing them with students. If you are reading this and students are already home from school for the summer, sending a bookmark to them in the mail is a fun option.

Guided Activities

The downloadable summer reading activities for elementary students give you (and families) supporting resources. You might use these as part of a summer program or share them with families to guide them on bringing reading activities into their summer schedule. There are lots to choose from, including a few new options like “Inventors and Their Inventions.”

Summer Calendars

One great way to inspire student readers is to connect them with timely resources. The team at Capstone has created calendars for May, June, July, and August with summer reading activities for elementary students. You can learn about different holidays and see the article corresponding to the date. For example, July 14th is Shark Awareness Day, and you can check out an article in PebbleGo about Sharks. 

This page has the links to the summer calendars , but here are a few dates (and passages) you won’t want to miss:

• July 20th – Space Exploration Day (Article: Exploring Space)
• July 29th – National Rain Day (Article: Rain)
• August 1st – World Wide Web Day (Article: What Is The Internet)
• August 10th – World Lion Day (Article: Lions)

Summer Reading Log

If you want to have children keep track of their reading accomplishments this summer, you might want to try the summer reading log from the team at Capstone. This is a PDF you can download, print and share with families. If you only share virtual resources with families during the summertime, you can share a link to the PDF for them to print and use or open up in a tool that lets them annotate PDFs.

 My favorite part of the reading log is how students can rate each article they have read. This can provide teachers and families with information they can use to recommend new reading materials in the future.

Supporting Student Readers

Ready to jump into these summer reading activities for elementary students? Make sure to head to this special summer resources page from PebbleGo . It will give you instant access to all of the resources I mentioned above. You can decide what to share with families this summer or use in summer programming with students.

33 Winning Summer Reading Program Ideas

by Liz Bowie

Summer is just around the corner, and it’s time to start finalizing your plans for your summer reading program. But even with all the time and effort you put into planning your programming,  it’s sometimes hard to know which events are most likely to draw a crowd and engage participants.

To help you figure out the most effective activities to bring to your community, we asked our audience to share their best summer reading program events. Read on to see what they said and to find some tried-and-true programming ideas to implement at your own library.

Partner Up with Hometown Heroes

• We had a week of community heroes. We are a very small town, and we reached out to all local law enforcement, the fire department, game wardens and the forestry department and invited them to come read and help with crafts. We treated them like the heroes they are. Kids had their pictures taken with these hometown heroes and learned all kinds of safety tips. Patrons and community leaders still talk about it.
• We did a Lunch with a Super Hero. The families got to come and have lunch (hero sandwiches, chips and cookies) with local heroes (police officers, firefighters, a WWII re-enactor, an EMT and a young man who got the key to the city and was honored at Metropolis, IL — Superman’s home town). Each hero told about their tools and brought their vehicles for the kids to enjoy.
• Every child in grades 1 through 5 who reads 25 books or more in our summer reading program gets a ride on the local fire truck. We do this every summer and the kids really get into it. The fire truck rides are given out at our end-of-summer reading party.
• For our summer reading kickoff, our local fire department came out and sprayed the kids. The kids loved it!
• I’m looking forward to kicking off our Summer Reading Program with our local fire department, as they have an open house and grilling going on! We can sign families up for summer reading and bring the whole community together at one big fun event, as we are located adjacent to each other.

Expand Summer Reading to Summer Learning

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Go Where the Action Is

• My reading specialist and I created a good old-fashioned summer bookmobile for our students. If the kids couldn’t come to us, we would go to them! We loaded boxes of books in our own cars, took along coolers of freeze pops and set up outside of their neighborhood pools and community centers. Although we work in an elementary school, we had books for all ages, so that whomever approached received a book and a freeze pop. We did this three times throughout the summer and hope to extend it this summer!
• One of our most exciting programs last summer was a partnership with the park. We had drop-in activities there every morning.

It’s Full STEAM Ahead!

• I run a STEAM-themed Summer Reading Program. I plan a STEAM activity with a book tie-in. For example, we make slime and the book tie-in is Horrible Harry and the Green Slime .

• Our library divided the children into two groups. Each team was given a very large cardboard piece as their wall. Then they used cardboard rolls to make a marble maze on their wall. The team members worked together to create a marble run with at least two direction changes. It was a great STEM and teamwork activity.
• We did a cardboard arcade. Families made arcade games from cardboard and recycled items. They had to man the game and the library provided tickets, prizes and snacks. We had over 10 games, one being a twin mattress box made into a skee-ball game, and at least 75 gamers.
• Our Engineering Club last year was such a huge success that we had to open up a second session. Our favorite activities were making towers out of newspaper and masking tape and testing their wind resistance, and an egg drop where kids had to protect the egg but they also had to work within a budget. Can’t wait to do it again for summer 2018 with some music and geology activities for the “Libraries Rock” theme!
• We made solar ovens out of little pizza boxes and made our own s’mores for snack time. The kids were so enthused!
• For the “Build a Better World” theme, my library hosted a Silly Simple Machines contest where all ages built Rube Goldberg-style machines. We had an hour where we judged the machines and then an hour open for the public. This multigenerational program was open to elementary, middle, high school, adults and families, so everyone could participate. The machines built were incredible and the community loved coming out to see them. We posted videos of each machine on Facebook for those who missed the event. Every participant has asked for us to do it again this summer and we are thinking the machines should incorporate a sound element to fit the theme.
• During the Walton Erickson Public Library’s Digging for Treasure event, kids were able to sort through their excavated material using the homemade tri-pod sifter fashioned by employee Steven King. They found fossils and other artifacts, which they were able to take home.
• We have our library open on Tuesday evenings during the summer with planned makerspace activities each week.

Bring on the Magic Shows, the Animals and the Special Guests

• Last year’s SRP had the best attendance we’ve had in years. They loved Bat World and the chance to get up close to live bats. Animals and magic tricks are always a hit. The best was when our little library got a local retired NFL player to come and speak to the kids. He talked about the importance of school, showing respect and hard work. Very encouraging talk.

• My summer reading program started with a First Day of Summer Party with food, games and lots of outdoor activities. I had guest story readers, like Batman. I also had fun and exciting crafts all summer taught by a high school honor student, and we ended with a Solar Eclipse Party.
• My neighborhood public library has the best summer reading program. You can log your reading easily online and kids can earn prizes as they read. They also have fun events like a science show, a magic show, author visits and various singing and dancing performances. My kids went to the library every week and had so much fun!

Be Do-Gooders

• Cary Library in Lexington created a series of events under the umbrella title “Summer of Kindness.” Our programs included making no-sew fleece blankets and drawing get-well cards for Boston Children’s Hospital, making paper flower bouquets to be included with Meals on Wheels deliveries, decorating placemats for the senior services lunch program and creating our own public art installation with sidewalk chalk.

Focus on ALL the Literacies

• I held a Children’s Computer Literacy Class that met every week for two months. The kids were encouraged to work at their own pace but were also able to fill in gaps in their knowledge base. At the end, each child made their own poster to take home and received a certificate and a prize! While today’s kids may have more access to mobile devices, more than a few need help when it comes to creating documents and presentations on a PC.

Make an Impact through School

• Dollar Days Book Sale: Sell unneeded books from the library for 25 cents. For $1.00, kids get four books to read — a huge hit at my school.
• I usually have a book talk with my third and fourth graders — never, ever giving away the ending —preferably a series, so they will want to run out to the public library to read the series!
• We had a summer reading drive-by one year. We packed three to four books in bags and handed them out to families that drove by the school at certain times each week. The next week they would come back and exchange their books if they wanted new ones to read. They could also write on the bags and answer questions we wrote on them like, “What was your favorite part?” Very fun!
• I gathered multiple copies of the same book from other libraries, used bookstores and thrift shops. During the last week of school, I invited my high school students to come get a copy to read over the summer. When school started in the fall, we met during the first week during lunch to discuss it. I provided the lunch (with a yummy dessert, of course!) This was a simple, but very successful, summer reading promotion for my library.
• The most successful summer reading program at NagsHead School was an amazing district-wide summer read of Alan Gratz’s amazing book Refugee ! Over 60 students showed up to learn about this book — fantastic collaboration with our local bookstore!

Go to the Movies, Go Camping or Have a Sleepover

• One of our Wilmington Memorial Library favorites — it’s so hard to choose! — is our Drive-In Movie Night! Kids (ages 3 to 5, with the help of an adult as their “pit crew”) make and decorate cars out of large cardboard boxes. Once the cars are made, we eat popcorn and watch short films at our own drive-in movie theater.

• We take the toy sleepover to a whole new level at our location! At the end of SRP, we have the toys sleep over for the weekend. The children have to fill out a permission slip with their toys, and we report what the toys are doing all weekend on our library Facebook page. On Monday morning, the kids can pick up their toys. We do a PowerPoint of what they did over the weekend for storytime. The toys get “party favors” to take home that go with the SRP theme. For example, last summer the toys brought home construction vests that my artist on staff, Colette Bezio, made individually for each toy! We also give everyone a sheet of the group photos from the weekend. (We are sensitive to folks who do not have the ability to get online.) We know this year, there will be a disco ball as part of the activities!

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Programming Summer Reading

One Comment

Liz, you have so many amazing ideas for summer reading. Did you create a schedule around these events? I would be interested in seeing how a daily schedule would look based on all of these wonderful ideas. Many thanks and looking forward to a reply from Primary Scholars of Excellence!

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All Grades ELA - Summer Assignment

ALL Students:

• Exact Path Language Arts for 40 minutes weekly. ( Log-in through Blended Learning)
• And, read 1 book:  

If you choose a fiction book , you need to complete the following:  

• The book must be a minimum of 150 pages.
• First, give a summary of the story (at least one paragraph). Be sure to include the title and author.
• Next,  write the name of the main character.
• Write 3 traits that this character exhibits.
• For each trait, give a quote from the book that shows that trait.
• Explain how each quote shows the character trait. Each explanation should be at least two sentences.
• Finally,  state the name of another character in the book.
• Write 3 traits that the character exhibits.
• Explain how each quote shows the character trait .  Each explanation should be at least two sentences.

If you choose a nonfiction book , you need to complete the following:  

• The book must be at least 150 pages.
• First, give a summary of the book (at least one paragraph) .  Be sure to include the title and author.
• Next, choose 8 quotes from throughout the book.
• Explain how each quote is important to the content of the book .  Each explanation should be at least two sentences.  
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34 of the Best Summer Learning Activities for Elementary Students

Welcome Summer!

A time when the days are long, and the living is easy!

During summer break, most children will lose up to two months of reading, writing, and math skills.

So, how can we keep our children’s minds active and engaged without losing our own?

Here are 34 fun summer learning activities for elementary students to keep your children learning this summer.

Grab this FREE Printable Summer Learning Bingo Sheet to help your children get started!

Reading is by far one of the best summer learning activities for elementary students!

• Set aside 20 – 30 minutes of quiet, uninterrupted time for your child to read every day.
• Let your child choose the reading material. Remember, “Easy reading makes reading easy.” It’s okay to let your child read “easy” books, fun magazines, picture books, novels, or even poetry books.
• Read a book together. Take turns reading aloud or silently. Stop and discuss the story, setting, plot, and/or characters every few pages.
• Have your child listen to audiobooks. Some kids dislike reading but may enjoy listening to a book on tape. They can even read along.  You can get free audiobooks from the library or the Libby App .
• If your child is an independent reader, have them complete a written or digital novel study along with their reading. Novel studies are designed to help your child dig deeper into their reading. Most novel studies include answer keys to keep track of a child’s reading progress.

Writing can be a more challenging summer learning activity for elementary students. However, even a little writing will go a long way toward keeping your child’s skills at grade level.

• Give your child time to write without interruptions at least three times a week.
• Don’t worry about their spelling, grammar, or punctuation. The writing process’s first part is about putting thoughts down on paper. Your child can edit their writing later on. If your child prefers typing, let them write out their thoughts on the computer.
• Write a letter to family members.
• Write about their life in a journal
• Grab some FREE writing prompts online
• Write a story
• Interview someone
• Write a blog post about something that interests your child

Math doesn’t always mean a worksheet!  As a summer learning activity for elementary students, math can be done in the kitchen, on the computer, or while driving.

• Have your child earn money for chores and create a budget.
• Let them create a small business and earn money.
• Encourage your child to help you with grocery shopping. Show them how to stay within a budget, plan a few meals, and how to find which sizes of products are the best deals.
• Cook with your child. Cooking together has incredible benefits, such as adult-child connections, the passing down of family recipes, and the development of math skills.
• Make a daily schedule using elapsed time. For example, “We need to be at the baseball field by 10:00. It takes 25 minutes to get there. What time should we leave?”
• Color by Codes (or Color By Numbers) and Math Mazes are a fun and independent way to practice math skills.
• In addition to being a fun way to practice math skills, digital self-correcting math practice is also a great way to make math more interesting.
• Encourage your child to play board and card games.  Rolling the dice, adding up card totals, and taking turns are great family math activities.

Art does not have to be complicated! Children rarely get the chance to create something without being given instructions. Summer is the perfect time for child-directed art.

• Blank paper and crayons are all you need. Add in colored pencils, markers, glue, and scissors as a bonus.
• Sidewalk chalk is always a fun option! Let your child and a few friends draw, and then wash it away.
• Encourage your child to try an art class.
• If your child enjoys drawing, try some YouTube tutorials. Your child learns to draw figures as well as follow directions.
• Feeling brave? Keep a tub of recyclables handy and let them create with paper, bottles, Styrofoam plates, boxes, etc. They will be busy for hours!

Physical Activity

I think we can all agree kids don’t get enough outdoor time during the school year!

• Encourage your child to free play, make up games, or play with other children without adult intervention (unless absolutely necessary)
• Go for a hike.
• Go swimming. Sign your child up for swim lessons.
• Start a garden in your yard or a container garden. Put your child in charge of watering, weeding, and harvesting the food.
• Have your child plan a picnic or barbeque. It can be something simple in your backyard or have them invite friends to a park.
• Learn to ride a bike and go riding. Attend a bike rodeo or bike safety event.

Genius Hour

The idea behind Genius Hour is to give students the freedom to foster creativity, curiosity, and a love for learning. During this dedicated time, usually one hour per week or a set block of time, students have the freedom to choose their own topics or projects to work on. They are encouraged to ask questions, conduct research, and explore various resources to deepen their understanding.

Here are some ideas for a Genius Hour:

• Learn to make a pattern or sew something.
• Invent and organize a new sport.
• Create and code a new video game.
• Create and give a TED Talk.
• Teach a skill to a younger student.
• Research a career, a university, or a business.
• Start a business.
• Learn photography.
• Write and record a song.
• Create a website.
• Create a podcast.
• Write a book.
• Find a problem that is important to your child. Then, let them research and brainstorm ways to solve it. Have them create a presentation to share their solution.

Genius Hours are child-led.  Children are in charge of choosing their project, researching for needed information, making and creating a prototype or end result, and presenting it.  Your role as a parent is to facilitate.  If your child needs to look up something online, you help to find age-appropriate websites.  If they need supplies, you can show them to the recycling bin or give them a small budget to buy supplies. 

At the end of the summer, have them present their findings, ideas, or inventions.  Then celebrate!

Summer Learning Activities for Elementary Students Resources

Youth Passion Projects

Youth Passion Project offers classed such as Lego Robotics, writing, World Languages, math, science, book clubs, chess, and art.  All classes are FREE and are taught by an older student. 

Outschool is a fee based online teaching platform.  Students can take classes in everything from math skills and reading, to learning how to invest in the stock market and aviation!  Classes are online and taught by an adult.  If budget is a concern, they offer scholarships.

Your Local Library

Check with your library to see what interesting summer learning activities for elementary students they may have.  Many have pre-teen book clubs, reading incentives, and talks from local community members.

Teachers Pay Teachers

Teachers Pay Teachers is an online marketplace where teachers create and sell their own educational resources to other teachers.  However, it’s not just for teachers!

Parents can find a slew of educational resources to help them help their children over the summer months.  There are Summer Learning Packets , Math Reviews , Math Performance Tasks, and Novel Studies .  Most resources have directions, an answer key, and are affordable.

Finally, don’t feel as though you need to micromanage your child’s learning over the summer.  Take some time to enjoy the unstructured time and long, lazy days of summer.

Printable Summer Learning Activities for Elementary Students

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• Resources / Summer Reading & Learning

Cool Summer Reading and Learning for Kids

by Susan Curtis · Published 03/31/2024 · Updated 05/07/2024

►At MiddleWeb check out Kasey Short’s 27 Tips to Boost Kids’ Reading This Summer which suggests you communicate with families, increase access to books, link students to public library summer programs, and more.

►Literacy mavens Brenda Krupp, Lynne Dorfman and Aileen Hower are more than excited about the possibilities of summer reading. Check out their many ideas for choice-based summer programs, including book swaps, virtual author visits, online clubs and more in their MiddleWeb article, Help Students Become Super Summer Readers.

►Also at MiddleWeb, Katie Durkin’s year-round practices for Planting the Seeds of Reading Enthusiasm are especially helpful as you prep kids for summer. Have you tried Instagram?

►The Horn Book’s intermediate and middle school summer reading lists of recent books for 2024 can take kids places both real and fictional.

►Librarians and teachers – and students – share what works and what doesn’t in summer reading in Carly Okyle’s SLJ post. Also see SLJ’s 2021 collection of lists.

Here’s  some excellent advice from a middle grades student, shared in an article at the What Kids Can Do website:

I think that if teachers are going to assign us books to read over the Summer… they should at least take the time to make it somewhat oh what’s the word yeah, FUN!! If they don’t it leaves kids with a feeling of not liking to read which I don’t agree with because I love to read, but all you need is an exciting or good book to really get you going! All I’m saying is READING SHOULD BE FUN FOR EVERYONE!!!” – by Mepride

Teachers have labored to  enliven summer reading  for decades. In a 1997 NCTE journal article, Florida middle school ELA teacher Gloria Pipkin, who later wrote books for Heinemann and edited for Scholastic in the 2000’s, noted the challenges (quoted in ReadWriteThink ):

Of course we want our students to read over the summer, but I’ve yet to be convinced that the typical summer reading assignment does much to extend love of reading or increase literary competence. There may be a handful of students who can’t wait to tackle our scintillating assignments on their summer vacation, but for the most part, summer reading assignments are regarded as a plague and a pox, even by avid readers, who much prefer choosing their own books.”

Building on Pipkin’s words, above, Franki Sibberson shares how to create that opportunity, describing her students’ book shares, the visits from public librarians, and the time provided during class for students to consider what types of books they would like to read over summer. She also invites students to write about their reading plans (and includes a link to the questions she offers them). Celebrating summer reading takes the form of kids snapping photos of their reading and sharing thoughts about it for bulletin board displays. No candy or stickers needed! Visit her Choice Literacy post for even more ideas.

Books They’ll Go For

For reading recommendations for younger kids , visit Reading Rockets , a project of WETA, and its Start with a Book collection of posts about summer reading .The site’s brief, lively write-ups feature fiction , nonfiction and poetry. Reading Rockets is also a great place to check for lists of award winning children’s books as well as themed book lists and Book Finder . Students who want to get a look at their favorite authors can visit Reading Rockets’ brief video interviews . This is a super site to recommend to parents and families, too.

Writing at Edutopia, Judy Willis MD shares some stealth tactics for parents to encourage summer reading. Here at MiddleWeb, Mike Fisher, a middle grades teacher turned literacy and tech integration consultant, suggests ways parents can involve their kids in reading and writing throughout the summer months – on their own and with family members. At his house, it’s Harry Potter time!

Students who are hankering for  online classics , written in English or in English translation, can visit the Library of Congress here .

Even More Lists!

For an easy handout or website feature, check the Association for Library Service to Children (ALSC) 2024 Summer Reading List for K-8. The list features books predominately published in the 2000’s. ALSC’s 2024 Dia List includes includes books in English and in Spanish. YALSA offers graphic novel lists in this 2023 list .

Want  more lists of award winning books ? Don’t miss the Cybils selected by KidLitosphere Central: The Society of Bloggers in Children’s and Young Adult Literature. The 2023 winners and nominees , announced in early 2024, join lists going back to 2006 (they’re arranged by genre and age).

Online Student Reading Challenges

Middle school and high school students may submit comments of up to 1500 characters on favorite NYT reads. Teachers are also allowed to submit student writing.

Students can access New York Times content through the Learning Network links – and there are lots of them – at no cost. Winners are featured at the Learning Network and its social media. The Learning Network includes lots of helpful guidance for teachers and parents.

Like some public library opportunities, such as those based on the  Collaborative Summer Library Program , this year called Adventure Begins at Your Library ,   Scholastic encourages kids to spent time reading as part of its summer challenge. Scholastic offers “a fun, safe, and completely free online destination where kids can create their own avatar, interact with their favorite Scholastic characters and authors, play games, and read books” as part of its Home Base summer.

Beyond Reading

Kids with computer access and/or lots of household clutter will find lots of anti-slide options this summer. Here’s a quick sampling.

The final bell of the year will soon ring, but teachers still have the opportunity to provide students with encouragement, tools, and an expectation to play, explore, and discover the world outside school. Curtis Chandler’s Prep Your Students Now for STEM Summer Fun overflows with STEM resources to do just that.

MiddleWeb STEM by Design blogger Anne Jolly knows summer time can be productive learning time. In Reinvent Summer Learning: Make It Up! , a letter to parents and caregivers, she shares fun ideas about Maker projects that encourage curiosity, creativity, persistence and teamwork. Resource links included.

Also kids can find a wide range of deep-dive answers to their “wonders” at the National Center for Families Learning’s Wonderopolis .

Kids can visit PBS LearningMedia for online learning across content areas and searchable by grade level.

Students who enjoy space and astronomy can browse the NASA page for 5th through 8th grade (and younger kids here ).

If you have found or created other resources that can help get kids reading and learning in Summer 2024, please share the links in the comments area on this page!

Photo credit above: Bogart the Cat by Elaine Vigneault Feature image by  Bente Jønsson  from  Pixabay  

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Tags: middle grades middle school summer learning summer reading summer slide

Susan Curtis

Susan Curtis is co-editor of MiddleWeb.com. In a long career, she has taught middle grades students, worked in human services, edited a variety of publications and wrangled the reference desk in libraries.

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For more information on summer reading and independent reading, check out the “Independent Reading” page on The Literacy Cookbook Website: http://www.literacycookbook.com/page.php?id=139

What a wonderful list! Sharing this widely!

Try some listening, not just reading, this summer. Listen Current is offering free summer access to their curated library of public radio stories. http://listencurrent.com/summer_listening We’ve also posted a summer listening list, great for middle and high school. http://blog.listencurrent.com/2015/06/summer-listening-list-2015/

Another helpful list of booklists is at http://successinthemiddle.org/reading-lists/

Listenwise posted another summer listening list for 2016 . Good for any time of year!

What a good compilation, Susan! Kids books by Carolyn DeCristofano are also “cool” reads. I particularly like”A Black Hole Is Not a Hole” and “Big Bang!” – well illustrated and understandable. Her website is http://www.carolyndecristofano.com

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17 Best Online Summer Reading Challenge Ideas for Kids

17 summer reading challenge ideas & summer reading programs for kids.

Ah, the dog days of summer. Memories of long, luxurious days in the warm sunshine with the pool sparkling and ready. I'm ready for popsicles, watermelon, and a beach vacation. Are you?

The nice thing about a day at the beach, by the pool, or inside with the air conditioner blasting is - they all go very well with a good book, and a summer reading challenge for our kids!

Here are some great ideas for summer reading programs - I hope one or all of them will work for you and your family as they have mine. Enjoy!

• Do summer reading programs work?

The dreaded summer reading slide is a big deal and yes - it's a real thing. When kids are not exposed to reading and learning over long breaks of school, such as over the summer months, they can backslide.

But the great thing about the summer months is the amazing amount of great learning opportunity all around you!

When you are on vacation, learn about the places around you. Search for facts about places you haven't been, even in your own hometown.

And of course - READ! Make sure your child's summer is full of reading and great books. This will give your child such a boost in their growth and education.

Here is a video I found on YouTube about a great mom who is not letting her kiddos take a vacation from learning, even though they are on vacation from school!

Planning a summer reading program  

Start in May or earlier to really have a great, solid reading plan in place to make your child's summer reading more successful. But of course, if you are reading this in June or July, just start today!

There are so many options for getting creative with summer reading challenges. You really only have to pick the program (or programs you want to do, print out whatever information is need, and go for it!)

If there are several programs you and your child choose to do, you can either do them at the same time and have books count for the same reading challenges, or plan to work the programs consecutively. You can't go wrong either way!

Don't forget your local public library for the reading programs they will put on, and you can always join or create a Kid's Reading Club too, for some added fun!

Get your Reading Summer Challenge here, plus all kinds of bookish freebies, like Popsicle bookmarks and Fourth of July bookmarks!

Online summer reading programs

I did a little research looking for online programs to get kids reading. Here is a list of options for choosing reading programs, although I'm sure you can find more! Lots of companies host reading programs as an incentive for customers and also to boost communities. 

• Barnes and Noble Summer Reading Program

The Barnes and Noble Summer Program is a great option to earn a free book! You can fill out this form to earn your book, and then take it into a Barnes and Noble store to redeem.

This is a great way to get your child reading this summer!

- Go here for more details.

• Feed Your Brain Summer Reading Program from Half Price Books.

Half Price Books has a great 15-minutes-a-day reading program to get kids and teens reading through the summer. Available are reading logs, online storytimes, weekly social giveaways, and free coloring sheets.

- Go here to find out more details.

• Scholastic Summer Reading Challenge

Here's a great way to keep kids engaged in summer reading - The Scholastic Summer Read-a-Palooza! Kids are encouraged to track their reading in a free online Scholastic-provided resource with books, games and events. As kids reach tracking goals, they receive rewards and unlock book donations for others. Double win!

Head here to find out more about this fun program.

• Coaching for Literacy Summer Reading Program

Not only does this one get your kiddo reading, but you are making an impact to increase literacy rates. Coaching for Literacy exists to raise awareness about the problem of illiteracy and funds for literacy programs serving students in grades K-3. They are connectors bringing individuals closer to the issue of illiteracy, with a core belief that literacy is a fundamental right of every individual. Here are the points to know about their summer reading program..

• This summer, Coaching for Literacy is challenging readers – young, old and in-between – to push their reading habits by committing to read as many books as they can having started May 31st – September 7th.
• Readers are invited to ask friends and family to support them by pledging per book read or by making a donation. This campaign is free and fundraising is optional.
• Everyone who signs up to challenge their reading habits automatically gets entered into a drawing for a Barnes & Noble gift card. PLUS, every 2 books a reader completes throughout the summer, their name automatically gets re-entered into the drawing!
• Every donation made will be matched 3x up to $5,000!
• Readers can join at any time and do not have to commit to the entire summer.

Go here to find out more.

• Join the Ultimate Book Adventure

Want your child to be independently reading? Then sign him up for this Ultimate Book Adventure - virtual delights await with this fun, free program.

Sort of a fun "gaming system" where kids who read at home log their reading, take little quizzes and make their way further into the game. A great positive reinforcement platform for encouraging kids to read. I particularly like the "virtual reading pet". Looks fun!

• Broncos Bookworms Summer Reading Program

Calling all football fans! The Denver Broncos have a fun summer reading program where kids get to log 10 books they read over the summer in their playbook.

Rewards include a certificate, bookmark, attendance at an event at Empower Field, plus other prize possibilities, presented by IHOP!

• Read Your Way to Fenway

Or.. maybe you are a Boston Red Sox fan? If you live in the area, or are traveling to the Boston area this summer, check out this deal for kids to read books and earn the chance to be entered into a drawing to win tickets to a baseball game!

This is a golden opportunity for baseball fans. Details look to be released in June.

Go here to find out more at the Boston Public Library.

• Books A Million Summer Reading Adventures

You know those funny Dog Man and Captain Underpants books that kids love? Well, last year the author Dave Pilkey teamed up with Books A Million to get kids reading in summertime. It will be interesting to see what they come up with in the summer of 2021~

• HEBuddy Summer Reading Club

I think you can do this one, even if you aren't from the great state of Texas! 

Use the available reading log on their website to record 10 books that your child reads, mail it in and get an awesome t-shirt!

Go here for more info.

• SYNC Summer Audiobooks for Teens

For teens ages 13+, this fun program gets teens reading with one free audiobook a week. That is a GREAT deal!

Go here to sign up and get more info.

• Showcase Cinema Bookworm Wednesdays

If you live near or will be by a Showcase Cinema, check out their Bookworm Wednesdays! Kids can show up with a written book report on Wednesdays to get a free movie ticket.

Movie lovers, this one is perfect for you!

• Free Online Outschool Summer Camps

Consider these amazing virtual (and free!) summer camps for your kids. There are just a ton to look over, and find out which one would fit your child.

This is a great way to keep learning over the summer, and to have fun doing it. 

• Lifeway Summer Reading Program

Get a free Bible and a free book with this summer reading program! 

Check out the page to find out when they update information for 2021.

• DOGObooks Summer Reading Adventure

This fun website is all about kids reading books and giving kid's book reviews. Join in on the fun by reading books, and giving as many book reviews as you can to be eligible to receive prizes.

Go here to find out more info.

• Reading Horizons Summer Reading

Check out the Reading Horizons summer reading program! Perfect for not only beginning readers, but older readers. Also great for anyone who struggles with reading to learn how or focus on strengthening skills.

Information for 2021 yet to be posted, but keep this page bookmarked for info soon!

• The Pizza Hut Book It Program

This program has been around for many years - I can even remember working on getting my pizza coupon as a kid back in the 80's! So you know it's a good program - and let's face it - pizza will never go out of style.

I'm calling this one a bonus because it's actually a Spring and Fall program. They also have a "Give Me 20" program for early readers to look into.

Go here to find out more about this deal.

• Braums Book Buddy Reading Program

Not a summer program, but a school-year program, like the Pizza Hut Book-It, the Braums Book Buddy Program is a great idea to keep kids reading, providing wonderful goal incentives to get lots of reading in, and being proud of book-reading accomplishments.

A great way to read good books, and enjoy up to 6 ice cream treats while doing it!

Go here for more info about the Braums Book Buddy Program.

• Local summer reading programs

Want to find a local summer reading challenge idea or program? Head over to your local public library to see what is available (or look for them online), or you can even Google it.

I can almost guarantee that your local library is going to have something fun planned for the summer, even if it is digital only!

Type it into the search bar of Google, check the map below, or click here >> Summer Reading Programs Near Me

More fun summer reading ideas:

~~ Reading Rewards Chart - Monthly Rewards Charts for the year!

~~ 1 2 Ways and Benefits of Reading with your Child - A Parent's MUST-READ!

• Summer reading challenge ideas

Come up with your own incentives at home to make up your own reading challenges, and/or try some of the local or online reading programs that you can find!

• Summer reading challenge printable

Come up with a challenge for your kiddo that is tailored to what she might like. Put up a reading chart or some kind of incentive to have a goal for reading a certain number of books or amounts of time.

The Great Summer Reading Challenge that I put together is sort of an "all the places you can read" challenge. It's free! Just print it out, tweak it, and use it to motivate your reader. That link signs you up for all sorts of free bookish goodies for your kids.

I also found a few other fun printable reading challenges for you! Check out:

25 Day Reading Challenge for Kids

Summer Reading Challenge

Highlights Summer Reading Bingo

Get your creative juices flowing to come up with your own ideas for a summer reading program!

As you can see there are lots of options that you can use for your own to create a reading program for your child. You can make one up at home, tape it onto the fridge and go for it, you can join online programs that help kids make great reading progress, or you can join local programs in your own community!

Whatever you choose for your summer reading challenges, be sure to MAKE IT FUN!

Let me know what your summer reading goals are in the comments and remember to download your Great Summer Reading Challenge printable for FREE!

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Radnor Township School District

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In this section, summer reading & assignments, radnor high school.

The RHS English department assigns summer reading for all of its English courses. Additional assignments may be required for courses in other subject areas.

View RHS Summer Reading & Assignments

Radnor Middle School

The RMS English/Language Arts department requires each student to read at least two books of his or her choice over the summer and complete an assignment.

View RMS Summer Reading & Assignments

 Elementary Schools

Summer reading is not required of K-5 students but we hope students continue to read and maintain the literacy skills developed during the school year.

View suggested titles for grades k-5

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Summer Reading

Summer Reading Tips for Parents

Efforts should be made during the summer to help children sustain reading skills, practice reading and read for enjoyment.

Reading builds visualization, thinking and language abilities. Taking the time to read with your child can help you evaluate your child’s reading skills. If you discover that your child is having trouble with reading, he or she may have a learning disability. 80% of children with a learning disability have difficulty with basic reading and language. But early identification of such a disability gives a child the chance to develop ways to learn how to read effectively, and skills to lead a successful and productive life. A recent National Institutes of Health study showed that 67% of young students at risk for reading difficulties became average or above average readers after receiving help in the early grades.

Parents should remember that children need free time in the summer to relax and enjoy the pleasures of childhood. So summer reading should be fun. Following are a few tips to make reading enjoyable for your children this summer:

1. Read aloud together with your child every day.

Make it fun by reading outdoors on the front steps, patio, at the beach or park. Also, let your children read to you. For younger children, point out the relationship between words and sounds.

2. Set a good example!

Parents must be willing to model behavior for their children. Keep lots of reading material around the house. Turn off the TV and have each person read his or her book, including mom and dad.

3. Read the same book your child is reading and discuss it.

This is the way to develop habits of the mind and build capacity for thought and insight.

4. Let kids choose what they want to read, and don’t turn your nose up at popular fiction.

It will only discourage the reading habit.

5. Buy books on tape, especially for a child with a learning disability.

Listen to them in the car, or turn off the TV and have the family listen to them together.

6. Take your children to the library regularly.

Most libraries sponsor summer reading clubs with easy-to-reach goals for preschool and school-age children. Check the library calendar for special summer reading activities and events. Libraries also provide age appropriate lists for summer reading.

7. Subscribe, in your child’s name, to magazines like Sports Illustrated for Kids , Highlights for Children , or National Geographic World .

Encourage older children to read the newspaper and current events magazines, to keep up the reading habit over the summer and develop vocabulary . Ask them what they think about what they’ve read, and listen to what they say.

8. Ease disappointment over summer separation from a favorite school friend by encouraging them to become pen pals.

Present both children with postcards or envelopes that are already addressed and stamped. If both children have access to the Internet, email is another option.

9. Make trips a way to encourage reading by reading aloud traffic signs, billboards, notices.

Show your children how to read a map, and once you are on the road, let them take turns being the navigator.

10. Encourage children to keep a summer scrapbook.

Tape in souvenirs of your family’s summer activities picture postcards, ticket stubs, photos. Have your children write the captions and read them and read them aloud as you look at the book together.

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Teaneck Public Schools

• Summer Assignments 2024
• Curriculum & Instruction
• Newsletter: Curriculum Corner
• District Assessments
• Diversity, Equity and Inclusion
• English/Language Arts
• English Language Learners
• Mathematics
• Professional Development
• Science, Engineering & Technology
• Humanities (Social Studies & History)
• Teaneck's Academically Gifted Services (TAG)
• Visual & Performing Arts

Teaneck Public Schools: Summer Assignments

• Teaneck Public Library:  As students complete their summer reading assignments, we encourage our scholars to also join the Teaneck Public Library's Summer Reading Challenge!  Information about the Summer Reading Challenge can be found here: TPL Summer Reading Challenge .

Incoming Elementary

Elementary Readiness Guides

• Kindergarten Family Readiness Guide
• First Grade Family Readiness Guide
• Second Grade Family Readiness Guide
• Third Grade Family  Readiness Guide
• Fourth Grade Family Readiness Guide

Elementary School Reading Recommendations

Elementary school mathematics recommendations, incoming middle school.

Middle School Reading

Middle school mathematics, incoming high school.

THS: English

Ths: english learners, ths: mathematics, ths: science, ths: social studies, ths: visual & performing arts.

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About summer assignments, summer 2024, **if a link doesn't open you may have to use a different browser (chrome, firefox, etc.) summer reading, summer history, summer math.

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Struggling Teenagers Left Out in New Push to Overhaul Reading

Districts like New York are revamping elementary school reading instruction. But the middle and high schoolers who don’t read proficiently are an afterthought.

By Troy Closson

American public school districts are rethinking how to teach reading to the youngest children. They have thrown out old lesson plans, retrained teachers and bought new reading programs.

But the national movement to rethink reading has largely left out a generation of older students who are behind in literacy — and who will not recover without extra help.

In New York, where the Education Department is in the midst of a high-stakes elementary reading overhaul , the scale of the reading problems for these students is striking.

More than 60 percent of the city’s Black and Latino middle schoolers were not proficient in reading on this year’s state exams. In the Bronx, over 37 percent of middle-school boys scored in the bottom level, meaning they did not demonstrate even partial mastery of skills expected for their age.

At the city’s lowest-income high schools, it is not uncommon for a quarter of incoming freshmen to test at or below a third-grade reading level.

And yet New York, like many districts around the country, has no comprehensive plan to tackle the issue.

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Iowa Department of Education launches new personalized reading tutor for Iowa schools, builds upon prior summer reading grants

• Tuesday, August 27, 2024
• Press Release

41 elementary schools that were awarded grants to expand summer reading programs will be some of the first to use the reading tutor

DES MOINES — The Iowa Department of Education today announced it has made a $3 million investment to provide Iowa elementary schools with an intelligent, personalized reading tutor that accelerates student achievement in foundational reading skills, including in phonemic awareness, phonics, decoding, vocabulary and comprehension.

“Reading unlocks a lifetime of potential, and the Department’s new investment in statewide personalized reading tutoring further advances our shared commitment to strengthening early literacy instruction,” said Iowa Department of Education Director McKenzie Snow. “This work builds upon our comprehensive advancements in early literacy, spanning world-class state content standards, statewide educator professional learning, evidence-based summer reading programs, and Personalized Reading Plans for students in need of support.” 

To further support summer and school reading and intervention programs, the Department selected  Amira (EPS Learning) to provide the innovative, online literacy tutor, called EPS Reading Assistant, at no cost to Iowa schools. Grounded in the science of reading, EPS Reading Assistant uses voice-recognition technology, delivering in-the-moment tutoring, including corrective feedback and support to build essential reading skills. As students read aloud, a digital avatar named Amira listens, assesses and intervenes when a student struggles. The personalized reading tutor is being provided to all public and nonpublic elementary schools through the summer of 2025.

Earlier this summer, the Department awarded Summer Reading Grants to  41 elementary schools in 29 districts to address summer learning loss with the goal of advancing student achievement and narrowing and closing achievement gaps. Each awardee affirmed their commitment to including the personalized reading tutor as part of their evidence-based programming.

Funds for the Summer Reading Grant and the Amira personalized reading tutor are provided through the Iowa Department of Education’s portion from the  American Rescue Plan Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief (APR ESSER) Fund to address state-level educational efforts.

Schools interested in using the reading tutor can sign up at the  Iowa Reading Assistant Sign-Up | EPS Learning website . More information on literacy instruction and summer reading grants is available on the Department’s  Literacy Instruction webpage and  Summer Reading Grant webpage .

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Elementary/Lower School Science Teacher Long-term Substitute for 2024-2025 academic year Latin School of Chicago provides its students with a rigorous and innovative educational program in a community that embraces the diversity of people, cultures, and ideas. Latin inspires its students to pursue their passions and lead lives of purpose and excellence. This is an exciting opportunity for an aspiring lower school educator passionate about teaching and supporting students in an outstanding academic environment. Latin School of Chicago has an immediate need for a Long-Term  Substitute Elementary Science Teacher for kindergarten through fourth grade. The science teacher aims to provide students with an authentic, hands-on, interactive, and collaborative learning experience. Salary is commensurate with experience. A high-quality employee-only benefits package is included. Please include a cover letter in addition to your resume as part of your application.

Qualifications

• A bachelor's degree is required. A Master’s in elementary education or a related field is preferable.
• Experience teaching elementary-aged students.
• Experience delivering hands-on curriculum.
• Commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion of students and fellow faculty
• Able to adapt quickly to changing circumstances and stressful situations
• Positive, enthusiastic outlook
• Able to independently manage, monitor, and safely transition 20 – 25 students.
• Skilled in oral and written communication.
• Dedicated to social-emotional learning and Responsive Classroom practices
• Encourage creativity and a sense of wonder through scientific thinking
• Ability to reliably attend to and support students throughout the day.
• Maintain assessment records and write individual student grade reports
• Familiar and skilled with SmartBoard technology, SeeSaw, and science 
• Previous experience with Mystery Science is a plus.
• Please submit a cover letter in addition to a resume as part of your application

Physical Requirements:

• Able to stand and walk for long periods at a time
• Able to climb multiple flights of stairs
• Able to lift and move up to 20 lbs.
• Able to speak clearly so listeners can understand; able to understand others
• Able to see details of people and objects more than a few feet away
• Able to complete fine motor tasks neatly
• Able to type a minimum of 60 WPM

Latin School embraces the diversity of people, cultures, and ideas and is an equal-opportunity employer.