Ah, summer. Long lazy mornings, sticky ice lollies, the smell of suncream on everything. And the perfect time for children to… completely forget how to read?

OK, not quite. But the “summer slide” is real—kids can lose a surprising amount of reading progress over the holidays if books take a back seat to beach balls and scooters.

Don’t panic. Keeping your child reading through summer doesn’t mean playing teacher in a heatwave. With a few simple tweaks, reading can become just another lovely part of the holiday mix. Here’s how to make that happen (without anyone even noticing you’re being clever about it).

Understanding the Summer Slide

When regular reading stops, so does progress. In fact, research shows that children can lose up to two months of literacy development over the holidays if they don’t keep reading. That can knock their confidence when they head back to school.

The good news? Just a little regular reading can help maintain all the progress they’ve made this year. And better still—it can be fun.

Weaving Reading into the Everyday

Summer reading doesn’t have to mean setting a timer or handing out gold stars. Think of it as a gentle nudge—a book by the bed, one in the bag for journeys, a few minutes on the sofa while everyone’s winding down from the paddling pool.

Here are a few simple ways to make reading a natural part of the day:

  • Read after lunch or before bed: Slip it into the routine like brushing teeth or hunting for flip-flops.
  • Take books out and about: Car journeys, beach trips, picnic blankets—books travel well.
  • Read around what you’re already doing: Follow a recipe, read signs at the park, or write postcards together.

Fun Reading Ideas for the Holidays

Have a Reading Picnic

Grab a blanket, a few favourite books, and some snacks, and set up camp in the garden or park. Nature-themed books are great, but anything goes. Even reluctant readers are more likely to join in when there are strawberries involved.

Make Your Own Book

Fold some paper, staple the edge, and let your child become the author. They can draw the pictures and write the words—silly, serious, or completely surreal. If you’re lucky, you might get a starring role as a dragon or a talking bin.

Try a Family Book Club

Pick a book to read together (anything from picture books to short chapter books works), then chat about it over biscuits. Let everyone have a turn choosing the book—even if it’s the 15th dog detective mystery in a row. Especially if it is.

Let Them Choose

If your child gets to pick what they read, they’re much more likely to stick with it. Whether it’s graphic novels, fact books, silly chapter series, or even the back of the cereal box—it all counts. Follow their interests and don’t worry if they read the same book five times. That’s just part of the process.

Libraries are brilliant for this. So is Reading Chest. We post phonics-based reading scheme books straight to your door, matched to your child’s level. So there’s always something new to discover—without the stress of guessing if it’s the right difficulty.

  • Books grouped by book band: so they’re never too tricky or too easy.
  • Flexible subscriptions: pause any time or adjust as needed.
  • Thousands of books covering everything from space to sea creatures to stinky socks.
  • Summer bonus gifts (like colouring sheets and stickers) for those moments of downtime.

A Gentle Nudge, Not a Power Struggle

Summer reading doesn’t have to be a big deal. It’s not about forcing a child to sit down with a book when they’d rather be splashing in a paddling pool. It’s about making reading part of the rhythm of the day. It’s about stories becoming part of the summer memories—just like ice creams and camping trips.

So keep a few books handy, follow your child’s lead, and celebrate the little wins (like finishing a book or giggling through a chapter together). It all adds up to a smoother start in September—and a stronger love of reading that lasts far beyond the holidays.

Need a Hand?

If you’d like some help keeping the bookshelf stocked over the summer, Reading Chest has got you covered. Our team hand-picks reading scheme books matched to your child’s level, and pops them in the post—so there’s always something new, exciting, and just-right waiting at the door.

We’d love to know how you’re keeping the reading magic alive over the summer. Share your ideas and favourite reads with us on X, Facebook, or Instagram.

Here’s to a summer of sun, silliness—and stories. ☀️📚