Summer is the perfect time to slow down, soak in the sunshine, and dive into a good book (or ten!). For children of all ages, it’s also an opportunity to explore new stories in fun and unexpected ways. Encouraging kids to read during the summer helps prevent the “summer slide” or “brain drain” and can help nurture a lifelong love for books. One of the best ways to inspire reading this summer is by… taking it outside. From backyard hammocks to beach blankets, here are some creative outdoor reading ideas to help kids enjoy books while making the most of the sunshine and warm weather.

Create a Backyard Book Nook

You don’t need a fancy setup to create a magical outdoor reading space. A cozy blanket under a shady tree can work just as well as a hammock or outdoor tent. Add some pillows, snacks, and a few favorite books, and you have a quiet retreat that encourages your child to unwind with a good story. Let your kids help decorate the space with string lights, a sign that says “Reading Corner,” or even a basket to hold their summer book collection.

Take Books to the Park

Packing a bag with books, snacks, and a picnic blanket is an easy way to make a day at the park educational and relaxing. After a run on the playground or a game of tag, offer quiet reading time under a shady tree. You could also bring books that tie into nature or animals to match the surroundings. Bonus idea: collect leaves or twigs to create a reading journal later in the day, combining literacy with art and science.

Host an Outdoor Storytime

If your child enjoys social reading experiences, consider hosting a backyard storytime. Invite a few neighborhood friends, lay out blankets or lawn chairs, and read aloud from a beloved picture book or short chapter book. You can theme the storytime with related crafts or snacks. Reading The Very Hungry Caterpillar? Serve fruit kabobs! Reading Magic Tree House: Dinosaurs Before Dark? Hand out toy dinosaurs or make dino footprint cookies.

Plan a Reading Picnic

Combine food, fun, and fiction with a reading picnic. Choose a park, garden, or even your front yard and pack your favorite snacks and books. You might each bring a different book to read or enjoy a shared story as a family. This is a great way to make reading feel like an adventure, not just a task.

Go on a Book Walk

Turn reading into an active outdoor experience with a DIY book walk. Choose a short picture book and post each page along a walking trail, driveway, or sidewalk. Kids can walk from one page to the next, reading as they go. This is a fun and engaging way to get moving while reading, especially for young or active children.

Take Books on Vacation

Whether you’re going to the beach, camping in the woods, or visiting family, bring along a stack of books. Choose titles that match your destination—beach-themed stories for coastal trips, camping tales for the woods, or travel books about the area you’re visiting. Reading in a tent by flashlight or on a beach towel with waves in the background creates lasting memories and positive associations with books.

Read Under the Stars

For a magical summer evening, take reading outdoors after the sun sets. Bring out flashlights, lanterns, or glow sticks, and let your child read in the dark. You can read together in sleeping bags or set up a tent in the backyard. Choose books with nighttime or camping themes for added fun. Titles like Goodnight, Goodnight, Construction Site or Owl Moon are perfect for younger kids, while older readers may enjoy mysteries or fantasy novels under the stars.

Visit a Little Free Library

Little Free Libraries—small, often decorative book-sharing boxes found in neighborhoods—are excellent mini-adventures for kids. Let your child pick a book, leave one in return, and explore the joy of community reading. Walking or biking to a Little Free Library gives kids a sense of independence and responsibility, and they’ll love the surprise of discovering new stories. (Click here to find a Little Free Library near you.)

Try a Reading Scavenger Hunt

Make reading interactive with a themed scavenger hunt. Create a list of book-related items to find during a walk or day at the park, like “a book with an animal on the cover,” “a character who goes on a trip,” or “a story set in summer.” Check off items as your child reads or explores their collection. This kind of challenge adds an element of excitement and keeps reluctant readers engaged.

Pair Reading with Outdoor Crafts

Take inspiration from books and turn stories into hands-on fun. After reading a book about gardening, plant a small flower or veggie garden. Read about insects, then build a bug hotel or create insect-themed art. Outdoor crafts based on stories reinforce comprehension and bring books to life in a meaningful, memorable way.

Outdoor reading can be a powerful way to nurture children’s curiosity, imagination, and love of books. By making reading part of their summer adventures, you’re showing your child that books can go wherever they go—be it to a park, a picnic, or under the stars. With a little creativity and planning, you can help your child build joyful reading habits that last a lifetime.

Founded in 2002, Success Won’t Wait is a not-for-profit literacy organization based in Wilmington, Delaware. Want to learn more about Success Won’t Wait’s literacy projects, how to donate used children’s books in Delaware, or volunteer your time? Click on the About Us tab above.

Read now, because success won’t wait!