I used to do a yearly post rounding up all the summer reading contests. My older kids are huge readers. They would fly through books and collect the rewards (often another book). But when my younger two girls came along, I discovered that those same summer reading contests can be overwhelming and discouraging for some kids.

Do you also have a child who wants to hide under the covers when you mention summer reading contests? Maybe dyslexia makes reading difficult, like it does for some of my kids. Or perhaps school assignments have killed the joy of reading.

Don’t worry. I’ve got some other suggestions that you can tailor to your family, whether you have a super-reader or a reluctant reader.

Schedule Boredom

When I was a kid, summer meant lots of time at home. I climbed trees, read books, played with my brother, and swam. And even though I want that kind of childhood for my kids, the temptation to “do all the things” pulls at me.

Try to schedule at least 30 minutes a day of down time this summer. Tell your kids they can read, nap, or sit and think, but nothing else. They could have this time in their bed, up a tree, in a hammock, on the couch, wherever! This invitation to boredom will help slow their bodies and brains down enough to enjoy reading.

Here’s the catch: give yourself the same downtime! You’ll thank yourself later.

Read with Your Ears and Eyes

Audiobooks are still books. They are perfect for reluctant or dyslexic readers. But good readers often enjoy them just as much. My son loves to read, but an audiobook allows him to draw while experiencing a story.

And I’ll tell you a secret. I believe that audiobooks (and read-alouds) actually help kids absorb grammar, vocabulary, and sentence structure better than reading. Sure, they aren’t getting punctuation and spelling, but good readers often skim too quickly to absorb those well anyway. Good writing is in the ear.

One of my dyslexic children’s teachers this year told her class that any student could use the audiobook, as long as they read along with their eyes. If you have a struggling or dyslexic reader, encourage them to do some of their summer reading with both eyes and ears.

Read-Alouds and Read-Togethers

If you pick the right book, your kids will be begging you for one more chapter. I know summer schedules can be all over the place, but try to pick a consistent time that works most days. Attaching a read-aloud to a meal can work well, like after breakfast or during lunch.

Find what works with your family rhythm and try to stay consistent. But don’t give up if you miss a few days or a week.

But you know what’s great? Kids can also read to each other! This isn’t only great for their reading fluency, it’s a wonderful way for siblings to bond. Encourage your older kids to pick a favorite book from when they were a bit younger and share it with their sibling.

Contests or Not?

I still love a good reading contest for *some* kids. You know your own children well enough to understand if it will be motivating or discouraging for them.

Or you could make your own contest. Encourage your kids to keep a list of what they read. Then take them out for ice cream or to your local bookstore at the end of the summer to celebrate, no matter how many or few books they read.

If contests are best for your family, here are a few of my favorites:

• Your local library–You know I love the library. (I wrote a picture book about libraries, after all). The reward for these contests is usually a book, which is the best reward for reading. Sometimes the selection can be hit or miss, so we try to finish these early in the summer.
• Barnes & Noble–This yearly contest for 1st – 6th graders offers a free book from a pre-curated selection, and there are always at least a few wonderful books on their list. They also offer books in Spanish.
• Half Priced Books–This contest is for minutes read and usually offers a $5 off coupon toward any purchase. Kids can complete a reading log in June and July for two separate coupons. I like that this contest allows kids up to age 14 to participate. These kids have often aged out of other summer reading programs, but could still use the structure of a contest.

Bonus Ideas

Want even more ideas on how to make this your child’s best book summer ever? Here’s a few. (Tip: Don’t let FOMO make you try all of these! Pick one or two or none at all. Whatever works best for your family is enough.)

• Start a book club with neighbors or cousins.
• Create a Little Free Library with your kids and help them fill it.
• Do a book swap with friends.
• Establish a weekly poetry tea time.
• Read a book together and then host a book-themed party.

Have another idea? Let me know in the comments below!

Places to Find Book Suggestions

Whether your child is a voracious reader or a picky one, we’re all looking for quality book suggestions. Here are some of the places I go to find great books.

• Redeemed Reader–These women read and review a ton of books from a Christian perspective. Because they are a team, they do a great job keeping up with new books. Not every book on their site equals a recommendations, so make sure to read their full review.
• Little Book Big Story–My friend Théa runs this site, and her reviews have become the go-to source for Story Warren (another favorite). While my reviews are more to-the-point, she approaches reviewing in a more lyrical, storytelling fashion. However, our taste in books is very similar, so if you like this site, give her a follow.
• Read-Aloud Revival–It’s not just a podcast, folks! Sarah MacKenzie curates wonderful book lists you are sure to love.
• Bookworm Baggins–This bookstagrammer (Instagram only, sorry!) is a voracious reader. She doesn’t only review children’s books, but I find that we have similar tastes, and I’ve gotten some great suggestions from her.
• My Beyond Narnia List–If you haven’t grabbed this list of the best middle-grade fantasy books for your kids, what are you waiting for?