Five fun ways to keep your child reading this summer—without it feeling like homework

THE WOODLANDS, TX — As a reading specialist and a Montgomery County resident, I understand how easy it can be for kids to slip into “summer mode” — putting books aside in favor of screen time, sports, and outdoor play. And while summer should absolutely be a time to unwind, it’s also an ideal opportunity to nurture one of the most important habits your child can build: a love of reading.

The data is clear — reading for fun is in decline. In 2023, only 14% of 13-year-olds reported reading for enjoyment almost daily, compared to 35% in 1984. That matters because reading regularly isn’t just about test scores — it helps children build empathy, creativity, language skills, and confidence. Fortunately, there are easy, engaging ways to spark that joy again — without turning summer into schoolwork.

Here are five fun, parent-approved ways to keep kids reading this summer in Montgomery County:

1. Let Them Pick the Book

Whether it’s a graphic novel, mystery series, cookbook, or sports biography, giving your child the power to choose increases their excitement to read. Stop by the Montgomery County Memorial Library in Conroe or one of the nearby branches in Montgomery or Willis, and let your child browse the shelves or join the summer reading challenge.

2. Pair Books with Activities

Make stories come alive by tying them to hands-on fun. Reading Charlotte’s Web? Visit the local 7 Acre Wood petting zoo in Conroe to meet farm animals. Reading Cloudy With a Chance of Meatballs? Watch the movie together afterward and cook up a spaghetti night. These kinds of connections help stories stick — and make reading feel like an adventure.

3. Listen Together on the Go

Road-tripping to Galveston or heading to baseball tournaments this summer? Download an audiobook from the library’s Libby app and enjoy a story together in the car. Audiobooks improve listening comprehension and introduce your child to rich vocabulary — even if they’re not yet ready to read more advanced texts on their own.

4. Turn Reading into a Shared Activity

Choose a book to read aloud together — just 10 minutes a day. You’ll be modeling fluent reading, building vocabulary, and carving out meaningful time with your child. Bonus: it works well with siblings, too.

5. Create a “Reading Passport” Challenge

Encourage kids to “travel” through books by creating a summer passport. Every time they finish a book, have them stamp their passport with the story’s setting — like the beach, outer space, or a different country. For local flair, include books set in Texas or written by Texas authors. You could even reward them with a trip to a local park or snow cone stand when they reach a goal.

At Lone Star Online Academy, we see firsthand how reading builds strong academic foundations — but more than that, we see how it builds confidence and joy. And summer is the perfect time to support that journey.

Reading shouldn't feel like a chore. With a little creativity, it can become one of your child’s favorite summer activities.

Lauren Bloh is a Reading Specialist at Lone Star Online Academy.