Summer Reading Challenge | Go on a Hunt for Buried Treasure - OLSH

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I have many summer memories from my childhood. One of my favorite memories is the annual summer reading challenge that the local library held. The summer reading program was fun, exciting, and had amazing prizes.

I was so eager to fill my reading log each summer – I didn’t even realize how many books I was reading – only that I was reaching my goals and earning some cool prizes.

Now that my girls are old enough to read on their own, I started implementing fun reading programs for them during the summer. We could head to the local library and join their summer program, but I’ve found when I can tailor it to their personalities and goals it’s much more fun!

At-Home Summer Reading Programs

Although I’m sure the local library puts on an amazing summer reading program, I wanted to create my own for the girls. This way I could tweak it as needed and they could work toward personalized reading goals over the summer.

By implementing an at-home summer reading program, I’m also able to choose the prizes and rewards they earn. This is the biggest advantage of doing an at-home summer reading challenge. Although the library prizes are great, my girls love setting their eyes on a prize and working to earn it.

With the Hunt For Buried Treasure summer reading challenge, you choose and provide the “treasure” that your child will be reading toward all summer. There are also ways they can earn additional “bonus” prizes along the way.

At-home reading challenges don’t have to be extravagant or complicated. I’ve created a simple, print & go activity pack that has everything you’ll need to get started. You’ll just provide the “buried treasure” and lots of encouragement.

Implementing a Summer Reading Challenge

Whether your child is an avid reader or you have to beg them to pick up a book, a summer reading challenge is a great way to keep them engaged and reading during the summer.

As we near summer, I’m starting to work on our summer homeschool plan. We normally try to “school” year round with a lighter course of action during the summer. One thing I always implement for summer is a summer reading challenge.

Implementing a summer reading challenge keeps my kids learning and building their reading skills all summer. They continue to learn new vocabulary words, build reading comprehension skills, and with the additional activities they practice writing.

There are a few things to remember in order to make your at-home reading program a success.

Keep It Fun

It’s important to make the reading challenge FUN. It shouldn’t be treated as an assignment or a required task. Be sure to encourage your child to set a goal and get them excited about the prize at the end of the challenge.

Provide Great Books

Choosing interesting books is a key factor in keeping your child engaged and excited about the challenge. Give them lots of options and freedom to choose their own reading list.

Set An Example

Your kids look up to you and mimic the behaviors you model. Set a great example by joining them on the challenge.

Set a summer reading goal for yourself. Let them see you reading daily.

Join them on a trip to the library and choose your own books.

Read a book aloud with them or get an extra copy and read at the same time. Then you can discuss and enjoy the book with them.

Get Everyone Involved

Post your summer reading tracker or book log in a location so everyone can support your reader. When everyone is excited about the progress your child has made, they will want to continue reading and working toward their goal.

Add Fun Accessories

You can definitely complete a summer reading challenge with just a book log or tracker. However, it’s much more fun to have a theme for your challenge. With the Hunt For Buried Treasure pack I decided to go all out and grab some fun pirate-themed accessories.

Summer Reading Challenge Prizes

With an at-home summer reading program, you get to choose the prizes your child will be working toward.

You can choose to keep it simple with a small prize or you can choose a larger prize. The Hunt For Buried Treasure activity pack is designed for the child to work toward one prize – the “buried treasure”. There are also “bonus jewels” they can earn as they complete additional activities. You can decide what the bonus jewels earn your child.

Here are a few suggestions for summer reading prizes: