by Dena Bless
Jun 16, 2025
[Editor’s Note: In last week’s blog, Angela Lasch encouraged us that it’s ok to take a break, so we’ve created our “The Joys of Summer” blog series. Some of you would like ideas of ways to engage as a family, so several times this summer, we will publish blogs about creative and unique opportunities and topics that you and your family can experience during these summer months.]
I love reading year round, but summer is my favorite time because it just feels more relaxed and there is more time for it! When my girls were young, we would go on at least one camping trip every summer – with church, friends, our homeschool group – and I loved the extra opportunities I had to read during the afternoon while the kids were playing and doing activities and at night when they went to bed earlier than I did. Summer is a great time to be able to read that series you’ve been longing to get to, but haven’t had enough time.
Ideas to make it special
Remember summer reading is for both you and your kids! And here are some fun ideas to make it even more enjoyable and exciting:
Have every member of your family set goals for the number of books (or number of pages if that makes it more equitable) you want to read this summer. Plan a special prize or outing when everyone reaches their goal!
Use the books you’re reading to inspire art projects or snacks or meals.
Take the paints or chalk outside where it can be as messy as you want, and everyone creates a picture of what they think the place where their book takes place looks like.
Reading a book set in Asia or Africa or Central America or the Deep South? Find some foods from that area and try out the recipes for snacks or even an entire meal.
Many public libraries have reading programs as well as movie nights or other activities during the day. Have your library visits coincide with some of the activities that you think might be a good fit for your family. (Libraries can also be a great place to beat the heat!)
Have vacation plans? Find books about the location you’re going to or the activity you’re doing. Some kids love books full of information and facts and figures about what they’re doing, while others might enjoy a novel set in that place. One of the best summer activities we did as a family was reading Riders of the Pony Express and By the Great Horn Spoon while we were driving through those very same hills on the way to and from the State Fair in Sacramento. And, of course, we also had to stop and explore the mining caves and try our hand at gold panning! (My husband loved being part of this as he drove while I read!)
Read the book together and then have a movie night and watch the movie that was made based on the book. (Popcorn anyone?) You can have some great discussions about what was the same and what was different and who liked which way best. A really good one to do this with is Mary Poppins (the actual books are much darker and scarier, so preview for your little ones) if you then throw in Saving Mr. Banks and see background to both the books and movies.
Ideas to find books
Do you sometimes find it difficult to find quality books for you and your kids? Are you looking for stories that are fun and interesting, but also model good moral character and are clean and wholesome? While you still need to make sure they are appropriate for your family (please note that we don’t guarantee you will like these – you still need to check them out for yourself to make sure they’re right for you and your children), here are some possible resources:
We created a PDF of book suggestions compiled by Team CHEA – arranged from the youngest readers to the oldest - but since families are different and have diverse kids at various ages and stages, please remember to still make sure they’re a good fit for your family.
As a general rule of thumb, carefully check out anything published for kids, especially in the “young adults” section, in this millennium. You’re usually better off sticking to classics and books written at least 50 years ago.
We had several book publishers at our Convention last month. You can find them in this list of Exhibitors on our website.
Do you have books or authors that you’ve found that fit the bill – either for yourself or your kids – that you’d like to share with others? Fill out this Google form by noon on Saturday, and we will compile the info and share it in next week’s Connection. (We reserve the right to edit it according to the same guidelines we use for our exhibitors and advertisers.)
We hope this gives you some ideas to spark some fun summer reading in your household. Happy reading!
