How to Keep Kids Reading During Breaks (Without It Feeling Like Homework)

School breaks are meant to be a breather—fun, flexible, full of memories. But if you’ve ever noticed your child hitting a wall when it’s time to ease back into school routines, you’re not imagining it. Especially when it comes to reading.

Reading often feels like one of the first things to slip during breaks, but keeping it up (in even the smallest ways) can make a huge difference. The good news? You don’t need a detailed plan, fancy printables, or a strict schedule to make it happen. In this post, we’ll walk through why reading during breaks matters—and how to keep it going without stress, guilt, or a single worksheet.

Why Reading Over Breaks Really Matters

You’ve probably heard about the summer slide—that academic backslide that can happen when kids are out of school for a couple months. But the truth is, even short breaks can cause skills to get a little rusty, especially for reluctant or developing readers.

And if you’ve spent any time helping your child build a reading habit, you know how frustrating it is to lose momentum. Starting from scratch every time school resumes? That’s a lot more effort, tears and battles than it would take to just keep the habit going.

“I’ve heard it said, it’s the start that stops you. That couldn’t be more true with reluctant readers.”

Keeping the reading habit alive—even just a little—helps kids avoid that hurdle of starting the habit over again. It’s not just about preventing academic slide; it’s about showing them that reading isn’t just for school. It’s for fun. For winding down. For getting lost in stories or learning something new.

When we normalize reading during breaks, we reinforce that books are a part of everyday life—not just some assignment they do for school because they have to.

Low-Stress Ways to Keep Reading in the Mix

Let’s get real: no one’s looking to turn spring break into a session of summer school or even homeschooling. These tips are designed to be simple, realistic, and adaptable to whatever your break looks like.

Start Small (Like, Really Small)

Don’t overthink it. 10–15 minutes a day is a great place to start—especially if your family is new to reading over break. Missing a day or two? Totally fine. Just aim for consistency, not perfection.

Build Reading into Your Natural Rhythm

• Traveling or on the go? Pack a few books or load up some audiobooks and eBooks on your phone for those quiet moments in the car, while waiting for food, or during downtime.
  
• Busy days of fun? Try reading a little in the morning to ease into the day, or wind down with a story before bed.
  

You can also consider having a few digital options on hand to keep reading accessible without adding to your to-do list. Tools like Audible, Spotify Kids, or Storitopia (a podcast app just for kids) are great for screen-free listening—perfect for car rides or quiet moments at home. If your child prefers screens, Epic! and Vooks offer digital books and animated read-alouds that still count as meaningful reading time. Older kids might enjoy using a Kindle or reading from a library app like Libby, giving them independence and variety without extra clutter.

The key is to meet your family where you are. No pressure. Just options.

Read Together (Yes, All the Kids at Once)

If you’ve got multiple kids, shared reading time is your new best friend. Whether it’s a family read-aloud or older siblings reading to younger ones, you don’t need a separate “session” for every child. Plus, reading together builds confidence—especially for kids who feel nervous reading aloud.

“With JD, we let him decide how comfortable he was—maybe a sentence, a paragraph, or a chapter. He was our guide.”

How to Turn Travel and Activities into Reading Opportunities

Breaks often mean fun activities or trips—use those as fuel for reading inspiration.

Make Reading Part of the Experience:

• Going to the zoo? Read animal books ahead of time, then find those animals in person. Read the info boards together. Bonus: buy a zoo-themed book on the way out.
  
• Nature walks? Grab a book about local wildlife or trees and try to spot matches on your walk.
  
• Historical sites? Prep with kid-friendly fiction or nonfiction about the place or time period—like I Survived the Battle of Gettysburg before visiting the site.
  

“My boys are obsessed with gemstone mining. We even got a rock tumbler for JD’s birthday—and guess who read the instruction manual? Yep, JD. Because reading mattered in the moment.”

Audiobooks are your best friend. They’re screen-free, entertaining, and perfect for flights or car rides or even quiet time at home. Whether you use an app like Audible, Spotify Kids, or the Storitopia podcast app or a screen-free option like a Yoto Mini, it’s an easy way to keep stories going—without having to read every word yourself.

And if your reader enjoys writing or drawing, bring along a simple travel journal. They can sketch what they saw, jot down favorite moments, or even write a story inspired by the trip. Some reluctant readers come alive when they realize they can be the storyteller.

“I dreaded reading as a kid—but give me a notebook? I could fill it in a heartbeat.”

Blending reading and real-life experiences helps kids connect the dots—that stories don’t just live on shelves. They live in the world around them.

Don’t Have Time Off? You Can Still Make It Work

Not every family has the flexibility to plan all-day outings or take time off during school breaks—and that’s okay. There are still plenty of ways to keep reading part of the routine without needing to overhaul your schedule.

If your child’s in a day camp or care program, check in with the staff to see if reading time can be added in, or if they’re open to reading aloud to your child. Many programs are happy to support literacy goals when they know it’s a priority for your family.

“One camp assistant even read to my boys during downtime to help them stay engaged. All I did was ask.”

If your kids are spending the day with a grandparent or a babysitter, send a bag of books tailored to their interests. It gives your child options and makes it easier for the caregiver to say, “Hey, want to read one of these together?” It’s also a great way to build connection—and to show kids that reading isn’t just a “mom thing” or a “school thing,” it’s an everyone thing.

And don’t forget about your local library or bookstore!

They often host storytimes, seasonal reading challenges, or book-themed craft days—especially around holidays and school breaks. These events are usually free (or very low cost) and require little to no prep on your part. It’s a simple, community-supported way to keep reading exciting, even if you’re juggling work or running on limited time and energy.

Whether it’s five minutes before bed, a shared book with a grandparent, or a quick event at the library, those small moments matter. You don’t need hours of quiet or a picture-perfect routine—just a little bit of consistency. Because when the break ends, you’ll be so glad you kept the reading habit alive.

Why Just 10 Minutes of Reading Over Break Makes a Difference

Keeping up with reading over school breaks isn’t about doing it perfectly. It’s about keeping the habit alive in small, meaningful ways. Even just 10 minutes a day can help your child return to school feeling confident and capable.

You don’t need to overplan, overschedule, or overstress. You’re already doing great. And the fact that you’re even thinking about this? That says a lot.So pick one idea, try it out, and see how it goes.

You’ve got this—and I’m cheering you on every step of the way.

RESOURCES

How do I get my child to read during school breaks without making it feel like homework?

 Keep it light and low-pressure. Let your child pick what they want to read—even if it’s comics, joke books, or magazines. Skip the quizzes and correction and focus on making reading part of your normal routine, like a bedtime story or a quiet moment in the morning.

What’s a realistic reading goal for school breaks?

 Start with just 10–15 minutes a day. If that feels like too much, even a few minutes counts. The goal is to keep the habit going, not to finish a stack of books. Some days you’ll read more, some days less—and that’s okay.

What if we’re traveling or have a busy schedule during break?

 Pack a few books or load up some audiobooks on your phone. Read in the car, while waiting for food, or during quiet time before bed. Try themed reading based on where you’re going—like animal books before a trip to the zoo or a travel journal for your child to document their trip.

How can I encourage reading if I’m working and can’t be home during the break?

 Send a “book bag” with your child if they’re with a caregiver or talk to day camp staff about adding reading time into their routine. Libraries and bookstores often have reading events during school breaks that don’t require much effort on your part but still keep your child engaged.

Does it really matter if we skip reading over a short break?

Short breaks might not seem like a big deal, but they can still disrupt the reading habit—especially for reluctant readers. Even a little reading helps maintain confidence and keeps skills from getting rusty. Small, consistent moments go a long way.