10 Ways Grandparents Can Keep Kids Reading All Summer Long
Carlie reading and hula-hooping
Summer has a magical rhythm all its own.
Longer days. Popsicles dripping down little fingers. Fireflies at dusk. Road trips. Pool towels drying in the sun. And somewhere between all the summer fun, there’s an incredible opportunity for grandparents to help children fall even more in love with reading.
During the school year, reading can sometimes feel like homework. But summer? Summer gives families the chance to rediscover reading as joy.
Grandparents are uniquely positioned to make books feel special, comforting, exciting, and connected to real life. Children may not remember every toy they played with or every snack they ate, but they often remember the people who sat beside them and read stories aloud.
Here are 10 simple and meaningful ways grandparents can help keep kids reading all summer long.
1. Create a “Grandma & Grandpa Reading Spot”
Children love traditions and special places.
Set up a cozy reading corner with pillows, blankets, beach towels, lawn chairs, or even a backyard hammock. The goal is to make reading feel different from school and connected to comfort and togetherness.
It doesn’t have to be fancy. Sometimes the best reading memories happen on a porch swing or at the kitchen table with lemonade nearby.
2. Let Kids Choose the Books
One of the fastest ways to discourage reading is to make every book feel educational.
Instead, let children explore books that genuinely interest them:
Dinosaurs
Mysteries
Trucks
Princesses
Silly jokes
Space
Animals
Comics
Seek-and-find books
When kids choose what they read, they begin developing ownership and confidence as readers.
3. Read Aloud — Even to Older Kids
Many families stop reading aloud once children can read independently. But older children still love listening to stories, especially when they’re shared by someone they love.
Reading aloud:
builds vocabulary,
improves listening skills,
encourages imagination,
and creates emotional connection.
Try reading one chapter each evening before bed or after dinner. Those quiet moments often become lifelong memories.
4. Turn Everyday Moments Into Reading Opportunities
Reading doesn’t only happen with storybooks.
Grandparents can encourage literacy all summer long by reading:
recipes together,
menus at restaurants,
road signs,
maps,
grocery lists,
baseball scores,
instructions for games,
or even funny greeting cards.
Children begin to understand that reading is part of everyday life — not just something done in school.
5. Start a Summer Reading Tradition
Children remember traditions for years.
Maybe every Wednesday is “Pajamas & Pancakes Reading Night.” Maybe every beach trip includes a new book. Maybe Grandpa tells a story from his childhood every Sunday afternoon.
Simple traditions help reading feel meaningful and anticipated rather than forced.
6. Visit the Library Together
Libraries are one of summer’s greatest hidden treasures.
Most libraries offer:
summer reading programs,
scavenger hunts,
story times,
crafts,
prizes,
and special events for children.
For grandparents, library visits can become adventures. Let kids explore the shelves, check out stacks of books, and proudly carry their library cards.
For many children, a trip to the library feels like possibility itself.
7. Use Storytelling to Share Family History
Grandparents carry stories no one else can tell.
Talk about:
what summers were like when you were young,
your first bicycle,
favorite family traditions,
funny childhood memories,
vacations,
or even challenges you overcame.
Encourage children to ask questions and maybe even write or draw the stories afterward.
Storytelling builds vocabulary, listening skills, imagination, and family connection all at once.
Books on the beach
8. Keep Books Everywhere
Children are more likely to read when books are visible and easy to grab.
Keep books:
in the car,
by the bed,
in beach bags,
near the couch,
in the kitchen,
or on the patio.
Sometimes all it takes is the right book appearing at the right moment.
9. Celebrate Reading Milestones
Children thrive on encouragement.
Celebrate:
finishing a book,
learning a new word,
reading aloud confidently,
or even simply choosing to read independently.
The celebration doesn’t have to cost money. A sticker, a handwritten note, an extra scoop of ice cream, or enthusiastic praise can go a long way.
When children feel proud of reading, they want to continue.
10. Make Reading About Connection, Not Perfection
The goal isn’t perfect reading.
The goal is helping children associate books with warmth, curiosity, laughter, and love.
Some days they may sit still and listen carefully. Other days they may wiggle, interrupt, ask questions, or lose focus completely. That’s okay.
What matters most is consistency and connection.
Because years from now, children may not remember every title that was read aloud during summer vacation. But they will often remember the voice that read to them, the lap they sat on, and the feeling of being loved through stories.
And that may be the greatest gift reading can give.
At CJ Corki, we believe literacy grows best through relationships, laughter, curiosity, and meaningful moments shared across generations. This summer, don’t worry about making reading perfect. Just make it part of the memories.
Happy Reading!
