Summer Reading Tips Series: Tip #5 – Set a Summer Reading Goal 🎯

Summer is full of unstructured time—beach days, family trips, late bedtimes—which is part of its magic. But that lack of routine can also make it easy for reading to slip through the cracks. One simple way to keep kids motivated and on track? Set a summer reading goal!

A reading goal doesn’t have to be big or complicated. In fact, the best goals are personal, realistic, and fun. Whether it’s a certain number of books, minutes, or pages, setting a goal gives kids something to work toward—and something to celebrate when they reach it.

Why Set a Reading Goal?

Setting goals helps children:

• Stay focused and motivated

• Build a sense of accomplishment

• Learn how to break tasks into manageable parts

• Feel proud of their effort and progress

• Turn reading into a challenge they want to complete

Just like a sports team has a scoreboard or a video game has a level system, a reading goal provides a clear, rewarding sense of progress.

What Kind of Goals Can You Set?

You can customize goals to fit your child’s age, reading level, and summer schedule. Here are a few ideas:

• 📚 Books Read: “I will read 10 books this summer.”(Younger readers might aim for 20 shorter books.)

• ⏱️ Reading Minutes: “I will read for 600 minutes in July.”(Track 20 minutes per day, 5 days a week.)

• 📖 Chapters or Pages: “I’ ll read 100 chapters or 1,000 pages this summer.”

• 🗺️ Reading Challenge Maps: Complete a themed reading challenge (e.g., read a mystery, read outside, read a book with an animal character, etc.).

• 📝 Genre Goals: “Try 3 new genres” or “Read one nonfiction book.”

Let your child be part of the goal-setting process. The more involved they are, the more invested they’ll feel.

How to Keep Kids Motivated

• Use a Visual Tracker: Charts, stickers, or coloring pages work great. Libraries and websites often have printable reading logs or bingo boards.

• Celebrate Progress: Celebrate milestones along the way with small rewards like a special treat, trip to the bookstore, or extra screen time.

• Make It a Family Thing: Set a family goal or host a friendly reading competition. Kids love to see parents reading too!

• Keep It Positive: If your child falls behind, that’s okay. The goal is to encourage growth, not pressure or perfection.

  
  

Ideas for Reading Rewards 🎉

• New book of their choice

• Ice cream or movie night

• Certificate or reading medal

• A fun outing like mini golf, bowling, or a picnic

• Share their success with family/friends or on a “Reader Wall”

  
  

Make Reading Goals Work for You

There’s no “one size fits all” goal. You can make it flexible, visual, playful, or serious—whatever fits your child best. What matters most is helping them see reading as something worth doing and worth celebrating.

Next in the series: Tip #6 – Connect Books to Real Life 🌱Stay tuned for more creative ways to bring books to life this summer!