We can all agree that instilling a love of reading in kids is so important, as is keeping their minds busy over summer vacation (no “summer mush mind” allowed!). How can you get the kids to keep reading regularly while also having summer-worthy fun, though? How about this free printable “I’m A Summer Reading Star” kit! I designed it exclusively for HowDoesShe subscribers, and as the HowDoesShe gals put it, the set is cute and practical. Check it out!
There’s a lot going on here, but just wait and see, it’s all fun! In the kit, you’ll find a printable banner (with a “title” piece, plus blank pieces in every color of the rainbow), a Bingo game card, coupons, and two bookmarks.
First, you cut out the banner pieces and string them up where your child can see them every day. They’ll be filling in the blank pieces all summer as they read their books! Each time they finish reading a book, they earn a banner piece. You can fill in the book title at the top, and then your child can write a little summary of what the book is about in the blank area. (Wee ones can draw pictures instead.)
To get started reading, kick off the Summer Reading Star game! Print the Bingo card and fill in an age-appropriate goal time at the top of the page. This is the amount of time you’ll want your child to read before they get to fill in a Bingo square. They get to read in all sorts of fun places, like under a tree, in the bathtub, or while sitting on a beach blanket. They can also fill in a square for the day of the week that they read, and for some silly things, too – like reading while wearing a hat.
If your kids are really young, the goal time could be on the low end – maybe 5 to 15 minutes per reading session. If your child is a little older, or if they’re a big bookworm already, the goal could be much higher. The idea is that the whole game can be tailored to suit your child, no matter what age or reading level.
So what’s in it for the kids? When your child hits a Bingo, they get a coupon. When they complete a “blackout” (filling every square), they earn the Golden Ticket. You can set up the prizes based on your own tastes. Maybe the coupon prizes are tiny, like a Tootsie Pop or a goodie from the dollar store, or maybe they’re a lot bigger. It’s totally up to you! Just make sure the Golden Ticket is the biggest incentive – something that your little one is really hoping for. After the Bingo card has been filled and the Golden Ticket has been awarded, you can print out a new card and more prize coupons, and the game can keep right on going. You can play all summer long!
Shelley from HowDoesShe introduced her son, Noah, to the game, and he took to it right away! She says, “when I explained the summer reading program to him, he RAN to get his favorite hat and started reading.”
Noah couldn’t wait to check off the “while wearing a hat” box on his Bingo card!
And after Noah finished his book, he earned his first banner piece and went right to work drawing a summary. He’s excited to be a Summer Reading Star – and I hope your kids will be excited, too!
How to download: These FREE printables were designed by Heather from Chickabug (that’s me!) exclusively for HowDoesShe newsletter subscribers. To get the printables, sign up for HowDoesShe’s mailing list here. After you sign up, you’ll receive an email from HowDoesShe with a link to a special downloading page.