Summer is a fun time for kids and their break from school. We know that getting them to practice reading or writing during the fun summer months can be a challenge. Don’t worry parents, I’m here to help! These simple, authentic reading activities are the perfect way to keep your child reading this summer (and all year long)!
Authentic Reading Activities
These tips for parents can help your child practice reading this summer – without them even realizing it! That’s the benefit of authentic reading activities. It doesn’t feel like work for kids who are reluctant to read, especially during the summer months. These ideas can also provide authentic writing activities for your child (a win-win)!
Recipes
Kids love to help in the kitchen, so let them! Your child can read the ingredients and directions while making your favorite recipes together.
Directions
Have your child read the directions to play a new game. Or they can even read the Google Maps directions to you on your next road trip.
Lists
There are so many lists your child can read! Have them read the shopping list at the grocery store. As you’re packing for a trip, they can read you the list of things to bring.
Letters & Cards
Rather than reading birthday cards to your child, encourage him/her to read it themself. You might also want to ask a family member or friend in a different town to be pen pals. Your child will love reading the letters or emails from their pen pal!
Menus
While at a restaurant or ordering online, encourage your child to read the menu to decide what they want. Younger children can read the pictures which still allows them to be successful.
Reviews
Get your child involved in planning your summer outings and activities! They can read restaurant reviews on Yelp! to pick where your family should eat. Or read movie reviews to decide which new movie to see!
Brochures
Vacations are a perfect opportunity to pick up some travel brochures. Let your child read the brochures to get excited about fun activities you can do on your vacation.
Signs
There are plenty of opportunities for reading while riding in a car for hours. Street signs, highway signs, billboards, bumper stickers, business signs, and more. For early readers, you can play the alphabet game where you try to find each letter of the alphabet.
Subtitles
Turn on subtitles while watching your child’s favorite show or movie. This is a subtle way of encouraging them to read. They might not be able to read all of the words at such a fast pace, but they’ll naturally read some of them!
Reading Challenges
Reading challenges are a fun way to get students reading! Challenge your child to read a variety of genres, try a new author, or read about a distant location they want to visit.
You can also do fun challenges around the house. They can read a book:
- in a tent in the backyard
- with a stuffed animal
- to a family member
- with a flashlight
The possibilities are endless! Reading challenges are great for introducing your child to new types of texts and building up excitement about reading.
The Value of Authentic Reading
When kids see how authentic reading activities benefit them in their real life, they begin to understand the value of reading. They start viewing it as a helpful skill and not just something they learn in school. This helps them feel more successful as readers which leads to an increase in reading engagement.
What other authentic reading activities do you use at home? Share your ideas in the comments to help other parents and educators during those summer months!
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