Read, Play, Discover: Build Reading Habits All Summer Long

Summer brings longer days and endless opportunities for adventure. Little ones have sticky fingers from popsicles, splash pads fill with giggling children, and families enjoy a little more freedom to explore.

In between the splashing and playing, there is a powerful opportunity hiding in plain sight: the chance to discover stories all around us. As you bring stories into your daily routine, your child learns that reading is something to enjoy, explore, and share.

Here are some fun ways to weave reading into your family’s summer days.

Add Playful Goals and Challenges

Credit: Collaborative Summer Library Program (CSLP)

Library reading challenges or simple trackers can motivate kids by giving them something to work toward. Georgia's public libraries offer free summer programs with incentives that help kids celebrate their reading wins.

Try this Book Bingo for another fun challenge!

Credit: PBS KIDS

Turn Reading Into an Experience

Children are more engaged when reading goes beyond the page. Act out favorite stories, create simple crafts inspired by books, or imagine alternate endings together. These imaginative extensions build comprehension and inspire kids to keep reading.

Put on a Folktale Play

Make a Mini Pencil Puppet Theater

Put on a Puppet Show

Play a Story Telling Game

Follow Your Child’s Interests

Whether the focus is on trucks, superheroes, or funny books, leaning into a child’s passions helps them stay motivated. When kids choose books they genuinely enjoy, they build confidence and are more likely to develop lasting reading habits.

Not sure which books to read with your kids? Use these PBS KIDS book lists or this list from Georgia Library Service for the blind and print disabled for great ideas to start!

Mix Up How and Where You Read

Credit: PBS KIDS

Reading does not have to happen on a chair or even indoors. Try backyard story time, flashlight reading at night, or listening to audiobooks on the go. Changing the setting keeps reading feeling fresh and exciting.

Connect Books to Real Life

Pair stories with real-world experiences. Visit a local or state park after reading about nature; cook a recipe from a book, or explore places connected to a story. State Park and other experience passes are available to check out for free from your local public library! These connections deepen understanding and make reading feel relevant and exciting.

Go on a Story Walk

A StoryWalk is an outdoor experience for families where a children’s book is placed page by page along a walking trail. As you walk the path, you are directed to the next page in the story. StoryWalks encourage reading and outdoor activity in an interactive format. They help parents, caregivers, and communities create quality engagement opportunities when out on a stroll.

Examples of Story Walks in Georgia

City of Bainbridge

Chatham County

City of Chickamauga

DeKalb County 

City of Suwanee

City of Thomasville

When reading becomes part of your family’s summer fun, small, story-filled moments add up to something big. So grab a blanket, find a shady spot, or cozy up after a day of sunshine. Your next great adventure might be waiting inside a story!