Blog headers (21).png

Summer Reading Tips for Early Readers (Plus a Fun Challenge!)

Summer is here and it’s the perfect time to mix in some sunshine with a little story time! Whether you’re reading board books to your baby under a shady tree or encouraging your school-age kiddo to dive into a new chapter book, reading during the summer helps build routines, sparks imagination, and keeps those growing brains sharp.

At FIT4MOM North Atlanta, we’re all about nurturing strong mamas and strong minds—and that includes our littlest family members. Here are some simple summer reading tips for every age + a fun Summer Reading Challenge worksheet to help keep your kiddos engaged all season long!

For New Readers (Babies + Toddlers)

  • Keep it short & sweet: Board books with rhymes, bold colors, and textures keep their attention and build vocabulary.
  • Make it a ritual: Create a daily reading routine - before nap or bedtime, or even at meal times!
  • Let them turn the pages: It helps develop motor skills and keeps them engaged.
  • Pack small board books to “read” during stroller workouts.
  • Repeat favorites: Kids love repetition - building memory and word recognition.

Try These:

  • Dear Zoo by Rod Campbell
  • Where’s Spot? by Eric Hill
  • Brown Bear, Brown Bear, What Do You See? by Bill Martin Jr. & Eric Carle
  • Pookie books by Sandra Boynton

For Older Readers (Preschool & Elementary)

  • Give them choice: Let your child help choose books—it gives them a sense of independence and interest.

  • Make reading social: treat yourself to a book and enjoy a family reading session

  • Read under a blanket fort to a stuffed animal. Add a flashlight for extra fun!

  • Visit the library - many have summer reading programs with free events and exciting prizes

  • Use incentives: Our Summer Reading Challenge worksheet is a great motivator!

  • Incorporate audiobooks: Great for car rides and quiet time (tonie boxes and yoto players are FIT4MOM North Atlanta favorites)

Try These:

  • How to Catch a Dinosaur by Adam Wallace

  • The Princess in Black series by Shannon Hale

  • Nate the Great series by Marjorie Weinman Sharmat

  • Magic Tree House series by Mary Pope Osborne

Ready to Make It Fun?

We’ve created a special FIT4MOM North Atlanta Summer Reading Challenge just for your little bookworms! They can track their progress all summer and turn in the completed challenge for a prize!

Download your FREE Summer Reading Challenge worksheet here.

Let’s make reading a part of your family’s summer rhythm! Share your favorite books and challenge progress with us on Instagram—tag us @fit4momnorthatlanta so we can cheer your little readers on!