How To Keep Kids Reading All Summer Long!

{This post is part of YummyMummyClub.ca's support of the TD Summer Reading Club program and other TD Children's Literacy initiatives.} 

I have always loved children's literature. I have read to both of my children since they were babies and read hours upon hours of bedtime stories. We love going to the library on Sundays as a family to choose books to read for the week. And both of my children have large bookcases in their rooms filled with books that we have chosen carefully based on their ages and interests. For a few years, I even organized "Family Literacy Day" at our children's school with a whole  fun-filled week of literacy activities such as author visits, "Dress As Your Favorite Book Character Day", scavenger hunts, and literacy bingo games. Literacy and reading are a part of our lives, and I have worked to foster a love of reading in each of my children.

As a Mom, I know that getting kids to read during summer break can be challenging. Once the warm weather hits and school's out, my kids want a break from early mornings, schedules, homework routines and academics in general. But summer reading does not have to feel like a chore at all. It can be a time of fun & relaxed learning.

There are 2 things that I have found that are helpful in  keeping  my children reading during the summer:

 1} Get Involved In A Summer Reading Program.
This summer, we have enjoyed taking part in the TD Summer Reading Club program. This annual program is designed to inspire children nationwide to keep reading all summer long through regular visits to their public libraries.{It also operates in association with CNIB to allow children with vision loss to participate as well!} Over 580,000 Canadian children participate in this program each summer.

 So how does it all work? 

It's very simple and it's FREE. Here's what you do:

• Join in by visiting your local library or visit tdreads.com to find out where the closest library program is.

• Sign up your child for this amazing program. As part of the fun upon signing up, they will receive a TD Summer Reading Club magazine, a TD Summer Reading Club passport and a sticker sheet. This year's theme is GO! and the magazine is filled with fun puzzles, science experiments, trivia, facts and more!

• Browse through TD's selection of  books for various themes and more. There are books for every age! You can find the selection HERE, and at your local library. Choose a few to take sign out and take home!

• When your child has finished reading each book, they can add a sticker to their TD Reading Club passport. Each sticker has a word code that can be used to 'unlock' online surprises such as silly stories, scavenger hunts and fun videos. Your child can even write a book review to submit online HERE.

• This program runs from mid-June until Labour Day weekend and you are free to sign up and join in at any time!

2} Create A Refreshing Reading Spot.

One way I try to keep my kids reading in the summer is to take things outside for a fresh spin  that's as faraway from a classroom atmosphere as it could possibly get. On hot days, I like to create a cozy reading spot under a shady tree. With a blanket, pillows and a basket of books, a relaxing and enjoyable reading spot can be created in just seconds. You could also erect a small tent in your yard as a summer 'reading tent'.

 A basket filled with an assortment of books allows for a lot of choice....depending on the mood.

And if your family loves DIY projects, you could even build a fabulous summer reading nook like this one from Mandy at Vintage Revivals.

{photo courtesy of vintagerevivals.com with permission.}

And a hammock is a perfectly dreamy spot for children to read as well...like this cozy arrangement by Stephanie Lynn at Under The Table & Dreaming.

{photo courtesy of Under The Table & Dreaming with permission.}

Here are 5 books that my 12 year old son chose to read from the TD Summer Reading Program and he says that this program is, "A lot more fun than I expected!"

Wow Canada! by Vivien Bowers. 

We actually already had this book in our home library as my 16 year old daughter read it a few years ago.

It's full of interesting facts and stories about every province in Canada.

 No More Dead Dogs by Gordon Korman.

Gordon Korman is a favourite author in our house and we have read many of his titles.

 Chasing Vermeer by Blue Balliett. 

We have this book in both English and French since my kids are in French Immersion.

 Chomp by Carl Hiaasen.

Another favourite author of ours.

 Moonshot.

My son loves non-fiction and interesting science stories.

I hope you visit the local library to take advantage of this fabulous program for kids and Happy Reading!

I received compensation as a thank you for my participation. This post reflects my personal opinion about the information provided by the sponsors.

Want to inspire a love of reading in your children? Check out some great ideas and more stories by moms on  YMC's Get Kids Reading page. And to find out more about TD’s Children Literacy initiatives visit tdreads.com.

This post is linked to:
Whipperberry, Uncommon Designs, Aalderberry Hill, Craft-O-Maniac, The Inspiration Exchange, The DIY Dreamer,