20 Ways to Make More Time to Read This Summer

3. Set a reading goal. Maybe it’s to read a certain number of books by the end of the summer or totally re-read a series like Harry Potter, Heroes of Olympus, or Diary of a Wimpy Kid.
4. Schedule it. If the whole crew knows that every day after lunch during summer break means reading time, then you’re all a lot more likely to stick to it.
5. If you or the kids are not feeling a book, put it down. Summer break—and life in general—is too short to force yourself or your kids to read books that don’t resonate for whatever reason. And that’s not to say you’ll never read it. You can always try again later.
6. Set up a cozy reading spot. Just make sure it’s not too cozy or you’re likely to turn reading time into naptime (perhaps not such a bad thing).
7. Invest in NOOKs for the whole family. Everyone can always have plenty of reading material read to go at a moment’s notice all in one compact device.
8. Bring out the books rather than the smartphones when the kids start losing it at a restaurant. All parents have been there: The kids are melting down and the appetizers haven’t even arrived yet. Rather than setting them up on your phone/tablet to zone out with an app or game, try reading them a book or two or saving a special new book to gift at just the necessary moment.

9. Host an Escape from Mr. Lemoncello’s Library–themed sleepover for your kids and their friends. You can hand out copies of the book, let the kids read portions aloud, have themed snacks and decor, and have loads of brain-puzzling games on-hand sure to make gamemaker Mr. Lemoncello proud.
10. Take a screen break. Set up one day a week that the whole family can take a break from their screens. You’ll be surprised at all the extra reading time you have.
11. Bring a book with you, and encourage the kids to do the same. You never know when you’ll find yourself standing around for a delayed train, stuck in traffic, or waiting for an extended period in your doctor’s office—so why not just stick your latest read in your bag on the way out the door just in case.
12. Don’t fast forward during the commercial breaks—read! Kick it old school and forget about the fast forward button on your DVR remote. When it’s commercial time during your fave show, just open your book to the next chapter and read a few pages while you wait.
13. Have audiobooks in the car. Some people get car sick while reading in transit, so audiobooks are an easy solution.
14. Plan to get where you’re going 15 minutes early. Hitting a 1 p.m. movie? Get there even before the previews so you can finish a chapter before the lights go dim.
15. Try a family book club. Or you could encourage older kids to set one up with their friends.

16. If you have younger kids who still nap, make that reading time for you and the older ones. This could be a great time to read aloud a crowd-pleasing classic like Charlie and the Chocolate Factory or Charlotte’s Web.
17. Let chores slide for one day a week. Having the kids—and yourself—stay on top of house chores is important, but it would be fun to let them off the hook one day a week during the summer with the understanding that the extra time is meant for extra reading.
18. Have a reading night. Make it like a movie night with all the fixings—popcorn, cozy pillows, maybe even a theme—and have the family all together in one room reading.
19. Turn off the apps on the plane. NOOKs can be lifesavers for kids and parents during an airplane trip, but how about nudging your kids away from the apps, shows, and movies and steering them instead toward the assortment of books you so thoughtfully downloaded for the occasion.
20. Have a book bag ready to dole out when the kids say they’re bored. Stock reusable totes with books for each of your kids to have on-hand when they whine about having nothing to do.
How are you making more time to read this summer?