How to Keep Kids Reading Over the Summer Holidays: 10 Fun Ideas That Actually Work

For many parents, the summer holidays are a welcome chance to slow down, relax and enjoy more family time. But after a few weeks away from school, there's one concern that often creeps in: how do you keep children reading over the summer holidays?

The good news is that summer reading doesn't have to feel like homework. In fact, the best way to keep kids reading over the summer holidays is to make it enjoyable, engaging and connected to their interests.

Whether your child is an enthusiastic bookworm or a reluctant reader, these simple ideas can help them stay curious, build confidence and maintain their reading skills throughout the break.

1. Let Children Choose What They Read

One of the biggest mistakes adults make is insisting that children read books they don't actually enjoy.

Summer is the perfect time to give kids more freedom. If they're fascinated by Ancient Egypt, football, dinosaurs, explorers or space, encourage them to read about those topics.

When children feel ownership over their reading choices, they're much more likely to keep turning the pages.

2. Make Reading Part of the Daily Routine

Reading doesn't need to take hours.

Even 15–20 minutes each day can help maintain reading habits and prevent children from becoming rusty over the summer.

Try creating a simple routine:

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  Read after breakfast

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  Read before screen time

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  Read before bed

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  Read during quiet time

Small, consistent habits often work better than occasional long reading sessions.

3. Use Magazines as Well as Books

Not every child wants to sit down with a long novel.

Magazines can be a fantastic way to keep children engaged because they contain:

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  Shorter articles

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  Fascinating facts

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  Pictures and illustrations

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  Quizzes and activities

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  Bite-sized chunks of information

For many reluctant readers, magazines feel less intimidating and more accessible than traditional books.

4. Create a Summer Reading Challenge

Children love having a goal to work towards.

You could challenge them to:

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  Read for 20 days in a row

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  Finish five books

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  Learn about five different historical periods

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  Read in unusual places

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  Collect points for every article or chapter completed

Adding stickers, certificates or small rewards can make the challenge even more exciting.

5. Connect Reading to Real-Life Experiences

Reading becomes much more meaningful when it links to something children can see, do or explore.

For example:

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  Read about Ancient Egypt before visiting a museum

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  Learn about Vikings before watching a documentary

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  Explore local history after reading about life in the past

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  Read about explorers before a family day trip

These connections help bring learning to life and make information easier to remember.

6. Read Together

Even confident readers enjoy sharing stories with family members.

Try:

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  Taking turns reading pages

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  Reading aloud before bed

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  Discussing interesting facts you've discovered

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  Asking questions about what they've learned

Reading together shows children that reading is something enjoyable, not just something they do for school.

7. Follow Their Curiosity

Sometimes the best reading starts with a simple question.

Questions like:

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  How were pyramids built?

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  What did Roman soldiers eat?

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  How did Vikings travel?

can lead children down fascinating learning journeys.

When reading helps answer questions they genuinely care about, children become much more motivated to continue.

8. Reduce the Pressure

The goal isn't to force children to read a certain number of pages every day.

Instead, focus on creating positive reading experiences.

Praise effort, celebrate curiosity and allow children to explore different formats, whether that's books, magazines, comics, articles or educational resources.

The more enjoyable reading feels, the more likely children are to continue independently.

9. Make Learning Feel Like an Adventure

Children naturally love stories, mysteries and discovery.

Reading becomes far more exciting when it feels like uncovering secrets from the past rather than completing an assignment.

Historical mysteries, fascinating facts and engaging storytelling can transform reading from a chore into an adventure.

10. Choose Resources That Combine Reading With Activities

Many children learn best when reading is combined with hands-on activities.

Resources that include:

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  Quizzes

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  Challenges

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  Projects

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  Puzzles

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  Creative activities

help reinforce learning while keeping children entertained throughout the holidays.

A Great Way to Keep Kids Reading This Summer

If you're looking for a fun and educational way to keep your child reading during the summer holidays, Mysteries in Time offers a unique alternative to traditional reading materials.

Each month, children can dive into a different period of history through engaging stories, fascinating facts, interactive activities, quizzes and challenges. From Ancient Egypt and the Romans to Vikings and World War II, every topic is designed to spark curiosity and encourage independent learning.

Because children are exploring mysteries, solving challenges and discovering incredible stories from the past, reading feels less like schoolwork and more like an adventure.

Start Your Adventure Today

Help your child stay curious, keep reading and discover the wonders of history all summer long with Mysteries in Time.