Last Updated on May 20, 2025
A Summer Reading Bucket List is a fun way to encourage kids to read over summer break.
This list has reading challenges that introduce kids to different genres. It also includes ways to make reading more interesting with creative places and ways to read.
You could also print this reading kit for kids so they can have a bookmark to keep their place in the book, record the books they read and write about the books.
Jump to:
- Why is it Important to Have a Summer Reading Bucket List for Kids?
- Creative Ways to Use the Summer Reading Bucket List
- Type of Books Included on This Summer Reading Bucket List
- Different Reading Places and Techniques Included On the List
- Mom Life - Made Easier
- Equipment Needed / Helpful Tools for Printables
- Download the Free Printable Summer Reading Bucket List
- Printable FAQs
- Additional Summer Fun Ideas
Why is it Important to Have a Summer Reading Bucket List for Kids?
A bucket list makes summer reading a fun and engaging activity. This can help children develop a strong foundation for future academic success and a lifelong love of learning.
Here are some other things you'll like about having a bucket list:
- Children can lose up to three months of reading comprehension over the summer if they don’t read regularly (this is known as the Summer Slide). A bucket list encourages consistent reading throughout the summer, so it can help prevent this loss of learning.
- Having a list to complete can encourage children to read more independently, leading to greater confidence and a stronger connection with books. This can help spark a lifelong love of reading.
- This list provides a framework for exploring new genres, authors, and types of books they might not have encountered in school. They might discover new interests and passions that they want to explore further.
- Reading books keeps students engaged and curious about learning and creates a bridge between school years. Some of the books they choose to read for this list can be a little beyond their reading level to help them grow with your support.
Creative Ways to Use the Summer Reading Bucket List
Here are some creative ways to use this printable reading list to keep it fun, engaging, and visible throughout the season:
- Make it a treasure hunt by hiding books or clues around the house that are related to the next title or activity on the list.
- Use a bulletin board as a way to show what the kids have read. They can decorate the board with their own art, book covers, or character cutouts related to the books they’ve read.
- Cut out each bucket list item and put them into a jar and let kids draw one at random each week or reading session. You can add bonus mystery slips for surprise treats or games.
- Turn the list into a bingo-style challenge using a 5×5 grid. Give the kids small rewards for each row/column/diagonal completed.
- You could even tackle the bucket list as part of a family book club challenge. Or, if your family is as competitive as mine is, you could have a contest to see who can complete their bucket list the fastest.
Type of Books Included on This Summer Reading Bucket List
This summer reading bucket list includes lots of different types of books to encourage kids to discover new genres, subjects and how to look for books based on the title.
Genres
The bucket list includes books from these categories:
- Banned Books
- Biographies
- Fairy Tales
- Fantasy
- History
- Mysteries
- New Release
- Non-Fiction
- Series
Subjects
The bucket list also includes books on specific subjects:
- Animals
- Sports
- Science
- Superheroes
Based on Title Words
I added several options that let kids choose any type of book they want, as long as the title of the book includes a certain type of word:
- Color
- Country
- Food
- Number
Different Reading Places and Techniques Included On the List
Kids get bored easy so changing the reading material isn’t enough to keep them excited about reading all summer. So, I included a lot of different options to read in different places and ways.
Places
One thing you’ll notice about book lovers is that they read anywhere and everywhere. To help create reading fanatics, there are lots of different places to read included on the bucket list:
- Bathtub
- Beach or Pool
- Blanket Fort
- Bookstore
- Car
- Library
- Outside
Different Ways
It can get to be a chore if you always have to read to yourself, flipping through pages. Sometimes it’s fun to change how you interact with literature:
- Read a book with someone else
- Read a book to someone else
- Read a book while listening to music
- Read a book then watch the movie it inspired
- Write a book
Different Media
Maybe some kids don’t want to just read books, so these variants might be just the inspiration they need to learn to enjoy reading:
- Audio Books
- Graphic Novels/Comic Books
- Magazines
- Newspapers
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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.
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. I like to keep my printable checklists and packing lists in this file organizer.
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 Summer Reading Bucket List
To download and/or print the Summer Reading Bucket List, just fill in the form below the image.
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.
- Printable Summer Bucket List: Create your best summer yet with this colorful summer bucket list! Download this fun checklist of summer activities for kids, families, or adults.
- 10 Fun, Affordable Summer Activities for Families: There's no need to spend a fortune to have a fun and memorable summer with your family. Check out this list of 10 activities everyone in your family will enjoy.
- Summer Word Search for Kids: This printable summer word search for kids is fun and educational. A great activity for kids to keep them busy on a hot summer day.
- Raspberry Blondies Recipe: This raspberry blondies recipe is the perfect sweet and tart treat for summer. The chewy blondies will be a hit with friends and family.
- Easy Homemade Mint Chip Ice Cream Recipe: This easy homemade mint chip ice cream recipe has only 5 ingredients and is so quick to make. A sweetened condensed ice cream recipe the family will love.
- Cantaloupe Green Smoothie Recipe: This refreshing Cantaloupe Green Smoothie recipe combines sweet melon with nutritious greens for the perfect summer drink. A quick, healthy smoothie packed with vitamins and tropical flavor that’s ready in minutes!
This is such a great idea. Love that you have included to write your own book