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Summer is here and your kids are ready for a break, but it’s also a critical time to keep up their reading. Luckily, we’ve got some kid-tested, teacher-approved learning activities for you to try!

Fun summer activities to keep kids reading every day

Moby and Tim sit on the beach while reading a book

Make sure you have access to BrainPOP or BrainPOP Jr.

In order to access the educational movies included in our activities, you’ll need to create an account. Try it for free with a two-week trial! 

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From nature walks to stargazing, summertime offers endless opportunities for hands-on exploring and learning. And, there’s certainly nothing better—or more important—than getting lost in a good book! 

 

A decline in reading ability, known as “summer slide,” is a real risk for kids. Here are some fun ideas for ways to keep your kids reading all summer long.

Summer reading ideas for kids

Choose a "just right" book

Green eggs and ham

Dr. Seuss

Would you eat green eggs and ham? Learn about Theodor Seuss Geisel, the author of The Cat in the Hat, The Lorax, and more beloved reads.

FOR GRADES K-3

Roald Dahl

Roald Dahl

If you're a fan of vermicious knids, giant peaches, and Oompa-Loompas, this is the BrainPOP movie for you!

FOR GRADES 3-8

To help your kids find great books to read this summer, explore BrainPOP’s Famous

Authors and Books and/or BrainPOP Jr.’s Authors unit. Our short animated movies give a peek inside the writer’s life and ignites excitement about their work. 

 

After learning, take a trip to the library to look for their name and explore their books!

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Improve kids' reading skills by playing word games

If you’ve got a reluctant reader, learning games are a great and easy way to get your child to read. From game cards to instructions, reading is key to playing. 

 

Designate a family game night each week to play your kid's favorite word game. Wordplay games like Boggle and Scrabble are good choices for literally getting kids to play with their words! Try out one of BrainPOP’s literary games to see for yourself. 

Game screenshot showing minecarts carrying parts of words that can be combined

Transform words into new ones.

Minecart Mash

FOR GRADES K-3

Collect rhyming words to fuel a space jet!

Jessica's Joyride

FOR GRADES K-3

24 famous women in history, including Anne Frank, Susan B Anthony, Eleanor Roosevelt, Ada Lovelace, Frida Kahlo, Joni Mitchell, Harriet Tubman, Hillary Clinton, and Maya Angelou.

Sort current and historical women according to different categories.

World-Changing Women

FOR GRADES 3-8

Time Zone X game screenshot with description of Agatha Christie. Image text reads: "September 11, 1930. Agatha Christie remarries. Agatha Christie marries her second husband, the archaelogist Sir Maxwell Mallowan. They travel the world together, remaining happily married until Mallowan's death.

Explore the life and times of this popular mystery writer.

Time Zone X: Agatha Christie

FOR GRADES 3-8

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Reading aloud is not only a great way to spend quality time with your kid, it's also a chance for you to model fluent reading and expand your child’s vocabulary by pausing to discuss challenging words. As you read, pause occasionally to check for understanding and comprehension by asking questions about the story.
 

Studies find that reading aloud is one of the greatest predictors of reading success—even with older kids! 

Read books to your kids aloud throughout the summer

Home learning activities

Practice reading skills with your child by keeping up with current events

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Books are just one way to get in summer reading—don’t forget about newspapers and magazines! Keeping up with current events allows kids to practice essential literacy skills and discover new vocabulary.

Get started by watching BrainPOP’s Reading a Newspaper movie. Try to read one to two news stories each day with your child and discuss what they’re about.

Movie Gif from BrainPOP's "Reading a Newspaper" movie
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Feeling inspired by those current events? Encourage your child and their friends to produce a neighborhood newspaper featuring reviews of local businesses, interviews with neighbors, news stories, crossword puzzles, and more. 

 

For help with interviewing, have them watch BrainPOP’s Conduct an Interview movie.

Bonus idea: Encourage your kid to start their own newspaper

Movie GIF from BrainPOP's 'Conduct an Interview' movie. Tim and Moby act like reporters and give tops on how to give the best interviews.
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