Last Updated on May 27, 2025
Summer is here and a printable reading kit for kids will help keep them focused on reading until school starts back up.
It’s important to have activities for kids that are both educational and that they will enjoy. Reading is definitely educational and most kids enjoy it too.
In case your kids aren’t as enthused about summer reading as you are, this kit paired with this printable summer reading challenge for kids will make it more appealing. Your kids will be so excited to report on all the new books they’re discovering.
Jump to:
Why Should Your Kids Read Over the Summer?
If your child loves to read it won’t matter what time of year it is because they will be reading all year long. Children who aren’t naturally drawn to reading may have to be encouraged to read once school is out for summer.
The nice thing about reading in the summer is that kids have more freedom when choosing books to read, so that might encourage them to read more. Plus, reading will:
- Maintain or even improve their reading skills. If kids read at least five books during the summer, they’ll keep all of the literacy skills their teachers helped them build during the school year.
- Build their vocabulary and improve their reading comprehension. As kids get to read different types of genres and styles of books they’ll learn new words, sentence structures and ideas.
- Broaden their knowledge and perspectives. While they read all different kinds of books (maybe some they haven’t had a chance to read in school), they will learn about different cultures, historical periods, and social issues.
- Enjoy reading. Kids can pick whatever kinds of books, comics, etc. that they want to read based on their interests since they aren’t in school, so this will help them get more excited about reading.
Creative Ways to Use the Printable Reading Kit for Kids
Here are some creative ways to use this reading kit to keep it fun, engaging, and visible throughout the season:
- Your kids can laminate the bookmarks or cover them with clear contact paper. Then, have they (or you) can punch a hole in the top of the bookmark and add a yarn tassel.
- Have your child read to a plush dog or a real dog and in their book report they can include how the dog liked the story (like if they got excited and wagged their tail at certain parts).
- Start a kids book club with your child’s friends. The kids can get together each week and talk about the book they are reading.
- Make regular visits to the local library to find books that interest your child. They probably even have a summer reading program with fun prizes that you can pair with this reading kit.
- After reading a book, kids can do a mini science experiment or activity that relates to it. For example, if they read Magic Tree House: Dinosaurs Before Dark, they can build a dino out of Legos.
- When they’re done filling out a book report, kids can record a short video or audio “book talk” reviewing it.
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How to use the Reading Kit for Kids
This printable reading kit for kids is very simple to use.
There are three different printables included in the kit—a reading log, book report form and printable book marks with cute dogs or paws on them.
Reading Log
The first printable is a reading log. This reading log has space each day of the week for the child to write a summary of what they read and how many minutes and pages they read.
Writing the summary will help them retain the information and gives them practice writing.
Kids don’t have to read a long time each day, but strive to have them read at least 15-30 minutes daily.
You can always have some goals and prizes for the kids when they meet their minutes each week.
Book Report
The second printable in the kit is the book report. After your child finishes a book they can complete the book report page and tell the family all about what they read.
The book report isn’t overly detailed, so it’s easy for them to complete. It includes a place to rate the book, give a quick summary of the story, draw their favorite character or scene and write what they thought was the best part of the book.
This will help your child bring the whole story together.
Bookmarks
The last printable in this set is a page of printable bookmarks the kids can use to keep their spot marked in the book.
These adorable bookmarks have dogs on them and are perfect for boys or girls. Kids will love the dog sayings on each bookmark.
If you want, you can have the kids cut them out and laminate them, as suggested above under the Creative Ways to use the Printable.
If your child would rather have a bookmark to color, there are plenty of options, including unique designs for different holidays.
Equipment Needed / Helpful Tools for Printables
Printer: This one is a great budget printer. If you’re willing to spend just a little more though, this is a better option. And if you’re looking for an all-in-one home office machine, this one does it all, has high reviews and includes 2 years of ink.
Ink cartridges: Speaking of ink, this is where the cost of using printables can really add up! To save BIG on ink, buy it from CompAndSave.com. It’s substantially cheaper than anywhere else and they carry ink for all major printer brands and models.
Printer paper or cardstock: If you’re printing for one-time, quick use, print on regular printer paper. If you need the printout to hold up to being handled often or if you plan to laminate it to use it multiple times, choose cardstock.
Laminator: Laminating your printable is an inexpensive way to use it multiple times. Just use dry erase markers and wipe off when you’re done so you can use it again! Alternately, you can cover the printable with clear contact paper to achieve the same thing or place the printable in clear page protectors.
Cutter: If you want nice, clean cuts, a paper cutter is a must-have. This is a great one if you plan on using it a lot. But this one is totally sufficient if you want something solid and reliable for occasional use.
On a tight budget? Go with this one. Or, use a good pair of scissors and a sturdy ruler.
Binder or Folder: If you’re using page protectors for your printables, binders are such an easy way to keep them together and organized. I love this colorful set. If you prefer to stick with standard white though, this set is highly rated and very affordable. And if you need larger binders, this set is terrific. If you go with folders, I like these.
Storage boxes: I like to keep a collection of coloring pages and activity sheets for kids in these plastic storage boxes that I pull out whenever I need to keep kids occupied.
Hole punch: If you don’t use page protectors but want to use binders to organize your printables, a hole puncher will be your best friend. This is the one you want if you’ll be punching holes in several pages at a time and want to do so easily. And this bargain option is ideal if you don’t mind limiting your hole punching to 2-3 pages at a time.
Markers and Pens: The right writing instrument makes a big difference! Depending on what I’m writing, I have different preferences. Here are my favorites for each type:
- Ball point pens – These are the ones I use for regular note taking
- Gel pens – My favorites for journaling
- Erasable gel pens – I use these for my calendar so I still have pretty colors but can easily change things if my schedule changes
- Fine point permanent markers – These are my favorite for coloring
- Felt tip pens – I use these on Post-It notes for my own reminders or notes for my family
- Markers – These are my favorites for kids since there are no caps to lose and the kids can easily open and close them on their own
Clipboard: I love this clipboard for on-the-go with the kids. It has built in storage for both printables and markers or pencils.
Download the Free Printable Reading Kit for Kids
You can download this free printable reading kit for kids for your own personal use. It is so important that we keep our kids reading!
Just fill in the form below to access the reading kit.
Printable FAQs
Fill in the form above. After you submit the form, you’ll receive an email from “Wondermom Wannabe” with a direct link to the printable. If you do not see the email in your inbox within a few minutes, check your spam folder.
The most likely place will be in your computer’s Downloads folder. You can also select “Downloads” in your browser menu to see a list of your downloads, then simply select “Show in folder” below the file name to see where it is stored on your computer.
You’ll need a program that supports PDFS, like Adobe Acrobat (which is free). Open the program, click File > Print. Select your printer and set the number of copies you want to print. Double check your print preview, then click print.
Additional Summer Fun Ideas
Keep the summer fun going strong for you and your family with these other free ideas, recipes and printables.
- Summer Reading Bucket List: Keep kids reading all summer with this fun Summer Reading Bucket List! This free printable encourages kids to explore different books and reading spots, turning summer break into a reading adventure.
- 30 Ways to Make Summer Fun for Kids (Without Breaking the Bank): Looking for cheap and creative summer fun for kids? This list has 30 screen-free activities to keep your little ones active, engaged, and smiling all season.
- 100 Things to Do This Summer: This printable 100 Things To Do This Summer List is a great way to stop boredom during summer months. This huge list of fun activities will keep you busy.
- Instant Pot Corn on the Cob: This Instant Pot Corn on the Cob is so much tastier than ordinary corn on the cob. You have to try this super easy recipe!
- Easy Peach Ice Cream: This Easy Peach Ice Cream is the perfect dessert for summer. It’s cold and refreshing, creamy and delicious, and super easy to make!
- Instant Pot Lemon Chicken: This zesty Instant Pot Lemon Chicken recipe transforms ordinary chicken into a bright, flavorful dinner in minutes! Tender chicken bathed in a tangy lemon sauce makes for an effortless weeknight meal that tastes like you spent hours in the kitchen.
Thank you so much for sharing your printables. You must be an amazing mom with well educated, happy children. KUDOS
You’re welcome, I’m glad you like the printables. Thank you so much for your kind words.