Blog

Let your kids have a great summer, but don’t let them lose their reading skills either! Keep your kids reading this summer with a bit of incentive with these cute Summer Reading Bookmark Trackers.

Why?

Many kids love a little challenge, whether competing with someone else or seeing how far they can push themselves. So, help them out with a little summer reading challenge.

Getting Started with the Summer Reading Bookmark Trackers

First, you’ll want to print off the summer reading bookmark trackers. I have a few different ones to choose from. They have different designs AND different reading challenges depending on your child’s interests and needs. You will also find black and white options for the bookmarks if your kids prefer to color their own or you want to save on ink. 😉

Now, I don’t want kids to get overwhelmed especially if they aren’t avid readers. So, I have some designs for tracking 8 books and some designs that track 10 books. This way, you can set different goals for your kids. You can challenge your child to fill one bookmark a month or for the summer, whatever makes sense for them.

Next, let the reading begin!

Each time your child finishes a book, they can use a hole punch one of the circles on their bookmark tracker. I say circles, but some are beach ball, leaf, and planet-shaped. If you don’t have a hole puncher, don’t’ worry. Your kiddos can cross them off. With the black and white copies, kids can color in each circle or shape as they finish a book.

Suggestions On Getting Your Kiddos to Read

Hopefully, your kids will feel motivated to read and meet the goal on their bookmark tracker. Though, that might not be enough for your kids. So, let me share some suggestions to get your kiddos reading.

1. Read as a family. One great way to motivate kids to read is with family read-aloud time. Find an exciting book the whole family can enjoy. This can lead to your kids looking for similar books to what you are reading as a family. You can find some suggestions here. Also, here is a list of living books for all ages from As We Walk Along the Road! During this time, encourage your kids to share what they’ve been reading on their own.
2. Take part in a Summer Reading Program. Many libraries offer summer reading programs. They have fun activities and prizes to motivate kids to read. However, you can also have your own summer reading program at home! I share suggestions and planning sheets to help you plan your own summer reading program, whether you have young kids or teens.
3. Read a book and watch the movie. It is always fun to read a book and then watch a movie to compare them and see which is better.  
4. A fun activity to go along with a book. Take a look at the book your kiddos want to read and find something fun to go along with it. If they are reading Charlotte’s Web, visit a farm. Maybe you can find a fun craft or cooking activity to go along with a book. I’m sure there is something you can even do with your teens. For example, my daughter has been reading a lot of folklore. So, we plan on visiting some of the areas in our state that local lore is based on.
5. Figure out their interests and find books based on them. I speak from experience here. I HATED reading until 7^th grade, and now I read all the time. Why? My 7^th grade reading teacher found books that would interest me. Do the same for your kids. Remember, don’t only look for fiction. Look into magazines, poetry books, biographies, and graphic novels. You can search the online catalogs at libraries based on different subjects to find something they may like.

Summer Reading Bookmark Trackers

Now here are your summer reading bookmarks. Download the ones you want and then print them out. I would recommend printing them out on card stock. It will make them more durable. Also, you could laminate them if you are like some of us crazy homeschool moms that have one at home.

Download the the bookmarks below! Print out all or only the designs you want.

I hope these bookmark trackers motivate your kids to read or to read more over the summer. Have fun and enjoy the bookmarks!