For many parents, the return of summer resurfaces a familiar challenge:

How do you keep kids reading when school’s out and screens are everywhere?

This year, there’s a nostalgic boost helping families tackle it. Pizza Hut’s BOOK IT! summer reading program is back, offering free pizza rewards for kids who meet their reading goals over the summer. For parents who grew up proudly collecting Personal Pan Pizza certificates, it’s a fun full-circle moment — and a reminder that motivation matters.

But today’s families are thinking beyond reading logs and sticker charts. Research increasingly shows that the most successful summer reading habits are built around choice, enjoyment, creativity, and connection — not pressure.

Here are some fresh, creative, and genuinely effective ways to make reading feel like part of summer fun instead of homework.

Let Kids Choose (Even If Their Choices Surprise You)

One of the strongest findings in reading motivation research is simple: kids are more likely to read when they have ownership over what they read.

That means graphic novels count. Joke books count. Sports magazines count. Audiobooks count. So do fantasy series, cookbooks, manga, Pokémon guides, and “weird facts” books.

Parents often accidentally turn reading into a negotiation by steering kids toward what should count as “good” reading. But summer is actually the perfect time to follow curiosity instead of curriculum.

A fun twist: For younger kids, host a “book share” party where friends swap books like trading treasure. For older kids diving into chapter books, create a “book tasting” night by putting out several different books accompanied by snacks and let kids browse each one for five minutes café-style before choosing which one they want to read next.

Turn Reading Into an Event

Kids remember experiences more than instructions.

Instead of saying, “Go read,” create rituals around reading that feel special:

• “Lunch & Library” dates once a week
• Teddy bear read-aloud picnics at the beach or park
• Pajama-and-flashlight reading nights in blanket forts or pop-up tents
• “Silent reading mornings” with iced coffee for parents and cocoa for kids
• Family bookstore outings where everyone gets one new book

Public libraries have also become far more interactive in recent years, with scavenger hunts, themed reading challenges, maker activities, and community events built into summer programs.

The goal is to connect books with positive memories.

Combine Reading With Art, Acting, or Creativity

Not every child wants to quietly sit and read independently for long stretches — especially energetic or highly creative kids.

Try pairing books with another activity:

• After reading a chapter, kids draw a comic version of the scene
• Act out favorite moments with costumes or props
• Build LEGO versions of story settings
• Cook a recipe inspired by the book
• Create “movie posters” for books they finish
• Film a YouTube-style review  

Use Technology Strategically Instead of Fighting It

Parents often feel like reading competes with screens. But apps can make reading feel more interactive and rewarding — especially for kids who love technology, goals, or collecting achievements. Older tweens and teens are increasingly using apps like Goodreads or StoryGraph to track what they read.  

Here are a few other apps to consider:

Beanstack

Offered free through schools and public libraries, kids can log books and earn digital badges, join themed challenges, and track summer reading streaks. Many libraries also use it for programs like “1,000 Books Before Kindergarten” or summer prize drawings. Parents tend to like its personalized recommendations and simple progress tracking.

Epic!

This popular, subscription-based reading platform designed for kids ages 12 and under features a colorful, kid-friendly interface, huge library of graphic novels and early readers, read-to-me books, quizzes, badges, and personalized recommendations. Families can use a limited free version, while the full version typically costs about $10/month.

Libby

With a library card, families gain free to ebooks, audiobooks, and magazines from their local library. One of its biggest perks is convenience: kids can instantly borrow books for road trips, rainy days, or bedtime without buying new titles. Audiobooks are especially helpful for reluctant readers or long summer car rides.

Nat Geo Kids

National Geographic Kids blends reading with discovery, offering articles, videos, and photo-driven storytelling that bring science and the natural world to life. Kids can explore topics like animals, space, geography, and global cultures in a way that feels more like adventure than assignment. The site also includes quizzes, games, and hands-on experiment ideas, making it easy to extend learning beyond the screen. It’s especially engaging for kids who are naturally curious and prefer learning through visuals and real-world exploration.

Newsela

Newsela curates nonfiction articles on history, science, current events, and more—and adapts them to multiple reading levels so kids can access the same topic in a way that fits their skills. Each article includes comprehension questions and quizzes, making it a strong tool for both independent reading and classroom-style discussion at home. Because content is tied to real-world issues and events, it often sparks natural conversations between kids and adults about what they’re reading.

Vooks

Vooks turns picture books into animated, narrated story experiences that feel more like a short film than traditional reading. Text highlights along the way support early literacy skills, helping younger readers connect spoken and written words naturally. The platform also organizes books into themed playlists—like kindness, animals, and science—making it easy to match stories to a child’s current interests or mood. Instead of quizzes or heavy comprehension checks, Vooks leans into immersion, letting kids build a love of story through visuals, sound, and repetition.

Sneak Reading Into Summer Days With Audiobooks

Audiobooks can be especially powerful during:

• Road trips
• Bike rides
• Drawing time
• Bedtime
• Sick days
• Chore time
• Rainy afternoons

Some reluctant readers become deeply engaged when stories are experienced aloud first.

A few popular kids’ audiobooks include: Harry Potter and The Sorcerer’s Stone, The One and Only Ivan, Matilda, Percy Jackson & The Lightning Thief, and Charlotte’s Web.

Create “Reading Adventures” Instead of Reading Goals

One trend libraries and literacy experts are moving toward is shifting away from pure page-count goals and toward themed challenges or experiences.

Instead of:

• “Read 20 minutes”

Try a Bingo card with:

• Read under a blanket fort
• Read a mystery book
• Read outside
• Read something that makes you laugh
• Read a book set in another country
• Read to a sibling or pet

This approach keeps reading from feeling repetitive while helping kids associate books with exploration and fun.

Rewards Work — But Connection Works Better

Yes, incentives can absolutely help. Programs from BOOK IT!, libraries, and bookstores like Barnes & Noble continue to motivate kids with prizes and recognition.

But experts consistently emphasize that the biggest long-term predictor of reading enjoyment is seeing reading modeled at home.

When kids see adults reading for pleasure — not just scrolling phones — it changes how they view books.

That doesn’t mean parents need to stage perfect family reading nights every evening. Sometimes it’s as simple as:

• Bringing a book to the pool deck
• Reading your own novel while your child reads nearby
• Talking casually about a story or a character you enjoyed
• Listening to an audiobook together in the car

The ultimate goal isn’t just avoiding the “summer slide.” It’s helping children discover that reading can become part of the rhythm of a happy life — something tied to comfort, imagination, adventure, and connection long after summer ends.