Here at Hess UnAcademy, we believe that learning happens all year long – even in the summertime! The best summer reading programs for homeschool kids are a great way to keep the learning going even when you’re on vacation.
For most kids, summer means any and everything non-educational.
However, for most homeschooling parents, we understand the importance of fostering learning even through the more relaxed months.
Get, and keep, your kiddos reading this summer with the following 5 best summer reading programs for homeschool kids.
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Why is Summer Reading Important?
Although summer tends to be a more relaxed time for home educators, there is one educational milestone that you may not want to get too lax on, and that’s reading. Reading skills go much deeper than the act itself.
Summer reading has actually shown to be critical in helping children retain knowledge and skills previously learned. In fact, reading throughout the summer is one surefire way to avoid the summer slide.
Reading also helps:
- Exercise the brain.
- Increase knowledge.
- Foster a love for learning.
Participating in summer reading programs is one way to keep reading a priority in your child’s life while giving them the opportunity to receive an incentive for doing so. After all – a reading program is a ton more fun than just working on printable worksheets in order to keep learning going all summer long. Consider using some (or all) of the programs mentioned below.t
Free Printable Summer Reading Logs and Trackers
If you want to keep track of everything your kids are reading this summer, I have a collection of free printable summer reading logs and trackers.
The collection includes 26 pages and there is something for every age and level of reader. There are even a few pages for parents to design their own summer reading program with rewards of their own creation!
Download the free summer reading trackers and logs now and get ready to enjoy a summer of reading!
Tips to Get Your Kids to Read During the Summer
Before we look at the best summer reading programs, let’s first discuss exactly how you can get your kids to read more during the summer. After all, it can be tough!
Here are some tips to get your kids to read more during the summer:
- Set a daily reading goal: Encourage your child to read a certain number of pages or chapters each day. This will help them stay on track and make progress towards their reading goals.
- Let them choose their own books: Children are more likely to read if they have a say in what they read. Take your child to the library or bookstore and let them pick out books that interest them.
- Make reading a family activity: Set aside time each day for the whole family to read together. This can be a great way to bond and also encourage kids to read more.
- Create a cozy reading nook: Set up a special spot in your home where your child can read comfortably. This could be a beanbag chair, a tent, or a comfy corner of the couch.
- Turn off the screens: Encourage your child to take a break from screens and spend some time reading instead. This could be a great way to reduce screen time and increase reading time.
- Start a book club: Invite your child’s friends over for a book club meeting. This can be a fun way to encourage reading and also socialize with friends.
- Reward reading: Consider setting up a reward system for your child’s reading progress. This could be a special treat, a day trip, or a small prize.
- Be a reading role model: Show your child that reading is important by setting aside time to read yourself. This can be a great way to lead by example and encourage your child to read more.
By following these tips, you can help your child maintain their reading skills and develop a love for reading that will last a lifetime – not to mention, get the most out of your summer reading program.
The Best Summer Reading Programs for Homeschoolers
#1 The Good and The Beautiful Summer Reading Program
New this year, popular homeschool curriculum company The Good and The Beautiful is hosting their very own summer reading program. Kids get to order free books that are age-appropriate (packs available for grades K-12). Then these books are stored away and saved for such time that the kids meet certain reading goals.
After the goals are met, kids get to open their prize and read a whole new collection of fantastic books! This program is fun, simple, and rewarding for kids, plus it’s affordable for parents too since the books are free (minus shipping of course). Go grab your The Good and The Beautiful Summer Reading Program Pack now! Books take about 4 weeks to ship out so don’t wait too long.
Update: While The Good and the Beautiful had a summer reading program last year, we’re waiting to here back if they’ll be doing the same this summer. We’ll update as soon as we find out!
#2 Barnes & Noble: 100 Books of Summer
Barnes & Noble offers a unique summer program, the 100 Books of Summer. This Barnes and Noble summer reading program begins by giving each age group a reading list of 100 books to read throughout the summer months. The age groups range from teens and young adults down to young readers, and even include workbooks.
Although they do not offer the typical incentives for reading, they are giving a buy one, get one 50% off discount on books for all ages. There is also a summer reading giveaway for grades 1-6 – read 8 books, get 1 free book – that comes with a super cute summer reading journal (printable).
#3 Pizza Hut: BOOK IT!
The Pizza Hut: BOOK IT! Program has always been a big hit in the homeschooling community, and the incentive is awesome – FREE PIZZA! This year they have also taken things digital, meaning you have access to online reading tracking, personalized certificates, and interactive celebrations.
This reading program helps with setting and meeting reading goals in a fun and innovative way. Not to mention, kiddos get to reap the benefits by redeeming one personal pan with a topping of their choice.
You might also consider sticking with the Pizza Hut: BOOK IT! reading program throughout the rest of the school year.
#4 Scholastic: Summer Reading Palooza
Scholastic is offering a new program called Scholastic Home Base. Through this kids experience, they have a free digital destination that offers full books, live events, and games in a safe community for readers.
Kids can track their reading progress, earn rewards, unlock book donations, and more. At any point during the summer, kids can download and print a report of their reading progress to share.
#5 Books-A-Million: Summer Reading Adventure
Books-A-Million’s summer reading adventure is featuring reading ambassador Dav Pilkey who is author and illustrator of the best-selling series Captain Underpants and Dog Man. Their program encourages children to pick any four books from the summer reading adventure section, in store or online, and write about them in their book log.
Then, they can show their completed book log to a store associate to receive a free dog man logo baseball cap.
Public Library Summer Reading Programs
Your library card might be your key to unlocking even more summer reading challenges. Most public libraries offer a summer reading program packed with lots of reading and lots of prizes. In light of recent events, most of these programs have switched to a more virtual avenue, but they are still pretty much the same.
Check with your local library to see if and how they are offering their summer reading program this year. If your library isn’t all the way open yet, ask if they offer curbside pickup for books.
Create Your Own Summer Reading Program
If you can’t find a local or virtual summer reading program that works for you and your family, then consider creating your own! It’s not that hard. Get yourself a printable reading log (such as the one below) and print one out for each of your kids. Then either come up with a summer reading list or have your kids create one as they go.
Each book your child reads is worth a certain number of points, with the amount being determined by you based on the reading skill level of your child and the difficulty level of the book.
Come up with a list of prizes and assign each prize a number of points. These prizes can include simple things like stickers or small toys to bigger things like trips to the ice cream shop or a day of family summer fun at a playground, museum, or perhaps even an amusement park!
Create and cater your prize choices to your family’s circumstances and get your kids incentivized to read. If you are part of a homeschool co-op, you might even consider heading up a summer reading program with them.
The possibilities are endless!
Reading Log for Teens
If your students are older, they might benefit from a reading log that is a bit more complex. This Ultimate Reading List, Reading Log, and Reading Planner for Teens and Adults contains 9+ pages that are sure to enhance your teen’s summer reading adventures. 3 pages worth of suggested reading ideas and then 6 more pages for tracking, journaling, rating, and analyzing your books. Go grab your teen reading log for free now!
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