When we were kids, our mom had a summer reading challenge for us each year: read 100 books. They could be whatever kind of book we wanted – picture books, comic books, chapter books – you name it. We kept a running list. I pulled out my favorites (Little Women was a favorite summer read) and was sure to find the newest chapter book in my favorite series (confession: I read every Babysitter’s Club and Sweet Valley High book).
My oldest two kids are fluent readers. They’re just finishing second grade and kindergarten. Getting them to read isn’t hard, but I thought it would be fun to give them a fun summer challenge.
Read 100 books … with a twist.
My kids will be challenged to read all over the house, in many locations outdoors, when we are doing errands or on vacation, and to many different people. Here is the checklist:
So – what do you think? Will your kids go for it? If you’re a teacher you might want to send this home with students for the summer. The printable includes a Spanish version, too!
What summer reading challenge do you have in store for your kids?
P.S. We absolutely love and recommend the LeVar Burton Kids Skybrary app, which you can use on mobile, tablet, or desktop. My kids adore the read alouds and educational videos. It’s great for summer or any time of year!
Get your free Summer Reading Challenge pages!
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Jen
Your ideas are very helpful! Thank you for all the wonderful resources! The link to “reading 100 books” is broken.
Anna Geiger
Hi, Jen! The link works for me. Be sure to try these tips: https://www.themeasuredmom.com/how-to-download-free-files/
Veronika
Hello, this list is great. I’m going to start this challange with my pupils, they are around 10 years old and I’m trying to get them reading. I changed it little bit and translate it into my language. They won’t definetly read 100 book, but we decided that they will read at least two pages on each spot, so they can make a tick. They were really excited, when they heard about this challange 🙂 And I’m excited too, I ‘m curious about how much they can accomplish.
Thanks 🙂
Anna Geiger
I’m so glad you’re using this idea to give your students a reading challenge, Veronika! Thanks so much for sharing. 🙂
Carrie
Wow, what a wonderful challenge!! My daughter is hoping to learn to read soon, so this summer we are working on prereading skills. Plus we always sign up for the library summer reading program. Thank you for sharing on Sharing Saturday!!
annageig
Thanks for checking it out, Carrie!
Sugar Aunts
I love this list! We are featuring your post tomorrow on Share It Saturday! See you again there 🙂
Colleen at Sugar Aunts
annageig
Thanks so much for the feature, Colleen!
Mum of One
What a lovely idea! Am pinning for when my son gets a little older. Thanks so much for sharing with the pin it party. I am http://pinterest.com/jbmumofone/boards/ on pinterest 🙂
annageig
Thanks for stopping by!
Jackie Higgins
This is a great idea and the free printable is wonderfully helpful. I featured this in a round up of ways to motivate kids to read in the summer on Mom’s Library. Thanks for sharing. http://www.ready-set-read.com/2013/06/summer-reading-and-moms-library-link-up.html
annageig
Thank you so much for the feature, Jackie!
Amanda Jones
What a fun way to read away the summer!!! I must find access to a printer and make some copies for my kids… I may even make one for myself 🙂
annageig
Have fun with it, Amanda 🙂 !
Krista
I love this! What a cute idea! And a great way to keep her mind active all summer long!! Thanks for sharing. I don’t have kids but I might just take the challenge myself 🙂
Tracey@we-made-that.com
What a great idea!! I am trying so hard to get my daughter to read more and I just LOVE this idea. I am going to feature this on We Made That Wednesday tomorrow! Thanks so much for sharing with us!
annageig
Thank you so much for the feature, Tracey!
annageig
Hi Kaila! We have a library reading program too, but it’s notorious for being not very good. The prizes are either choking hazards or something that my kids are young enough to get into free anyway (meaning it’s really for older kids). I’ve heard of some pretty phenomenal programs at other libraries, though!
Cat (Yellow Days)
What a fab checklist! Thanks so much for linking it up to our Parenting Pin-it Party.
annageig
Thanks for stopping by, Cat!
Karen Bell
Wow, good luck with the list. My son used to absolutely love books, maybe this list would spark his interest again…..
Popping over from pin it Tuesday, http://pinterest.com/karenbell36/
I will pin and follow
annageig
We need to get started on it! I hope it gets your son going – even for 20 books 🙂
Kim @ The Educators' Spin On It
Thank you so much for sharing on the After School Link Up, Congrats you had the most views this week! I’ve shared your post on our After School Pinterest Board! http://pinterest.com/educatorsspinon/after-school-activities-adventures/
annageig
Well, that’s exciting! Thanks so much for the pin — getting pinned by you ladies is like getting gold. 1,000,000+ followers – wow! You should write a book!
Ashley
Sucha cute way to encourage reading! Thanks for sharing at Mom’s Library!
annageig
Thanks for checking it out, Ashley!
Holli
Great ideas to encourage reading all summer. I’ll try to do as many as these as possible reading *to* my two-year-olds. I’d love for you to share this at my Summer Bucket List Idea Share. Found you via I Can Teach My Child. Thanks for the great resource!
annageig
Thanks for letting me know about your share, Holli!
KC @ The Real Thing with the Coake Family
Oh my…I totally snuck and read every Sweet Valley High book as well. My parents didn’t want me reading them, but I found a way. Anyway, I love the idea of reading in all those different places. I think that would make a fun game for the summer. Thanks so much for linking up at the Real Family Fun link party! Hope to see you next week.
KC
annageig
Yeah… my parents actually knew I was reading those books, they just didn’t know what was in them! It’s pretty tough to be on top of our kids’ reading as they get older… not sure how I’ll manage that!
Liz
Love this, how fun!! I am definitely printing out the list and working on it with my Clubhouse Kid this Summer!! Pinning and sharing on our Facebook page as well. Thanks!!
annageig
Thank you so much, Liz!
Linda@With A Blast
This is an awesome idea! I would have loved a list like this when younger,,, I read all.the.time ! Thank you for sharing your list at the WEDNESDAYS ADORNED FROM ABOVE Blog Hop 🙂
annageig
Thanks, Linda – I hope it’s a hit with my daughter!
Tara from The Magnolia Barn
What a fun idea… love it! Can’t wait to try out your printable with my daughter. She will think it’s so cool…pinned!
annageig
I hope she loves it, Tara! I need to print it out and start it with my daughter today – it’s her first day of summer break.
Reshama
Great idea.. would love to try some of them 🙂
-Reshama
http://www.stackingbooks.com
annageig
Thanks for stopping by, Reshama!
Erin
Fun idea! The kids would love mixing things up a bit with a list like this.
annageig
Hope you can use it, Erin!
Shara
Cool list – thanks for sharing it. Here’s a fun story about a little girl who read 875 books in one school year! http://now.msn.com/sophia-moss-5-reads-875-books-in-a-year The library had to order more books. LOL.
annageig
Great story, Shara! Thanks for the link.
Deb @ Living Montessori Now
What a fun idea! Thanks so much for sharing your free printable! I featured your post as the Free Printable of the Day at the Living Montessori Now Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/LivingMontessoriNow (and on Pinterest).
annageig
Thanks SO much, Deb! I always see an upsurge in traffic when you feature me!
Carla
This is such a great idea! I’m so going to do it with my daughter!! I’m so glad you shared it at Teach Me Tuesday at Preschool Powol Packets!
annageig
Great to hear, Carla!
Kristen B
This is a great list. Much more unique than the usual list of books to read. Looks like fun. Pinned to our Artsy Play Wednesday group board.
annageig
Thanks for the pin, Kristen!
Cyndi
It sounds like a fantastic substitute!
Cyndi
I love your check list of all the places you can read a book…. even places I’ve never thought of before! 🙂 We usually participate in our local library’s summer reading program. Have fun reading this summer!
annageig
There are some great summer reading programs out there — unfortunately, our library’s isn’t one of them – so I hope this makes a great substitute!
Beth
I’ve been visiting other posts on your website … WOW! Wish I had had this when my children were preschoolers! I’ll share your site with my sons and their wives … great resource for parents of young children 🙂
annageig
Thanks so much, Beth! I really appreciate the word of mouth referrals!
Beth
Love this list! I’m a grandma … will be keeping my preschool grandsons this summer two mornings a week. I don’t know if we can read 100 books … but I love the idea of the checklist!
annageig
Yes, I realize that’s a bit ambitious 🙂 So we’re going to start the day school lets out! I think this will get us into the habit of always having a few books with us… so we can fit the readings in wherever we can.
Tiffany Baker
What an AWESOME list!! I’m excited to get my kiddoes on it and they’ll be on it like white on rice!!! 😀
annageig
I hope you have success with it, Tiffany! Let me know how it goes!