Print this free Spring Break Reading Chart to keep your kid’s minds busy with their week off of school by encouraging reading in a fun and easy way! Post contains helpful affiliate links at no extra cost to you.
Anyone else stuck staying at home this Spring Break?
We are.
So to keep the boys from playing legos allllllllllll day long for the entire week, I’ve been designing a few helpful printables to make the most of their week off.
Don’t get me wrong, I am a BIG fan of legos, but I want to keep their brains and bodies active in other ways as well.
To get us started, I created a Spring Break Bucket List BINGO sheet of activities we wanted to pursue during their hiatus from school. It is helping add a bit of structure to the week as we have had to plan out certain activities.
After getting that prepared, my mind began thinking up ways to encourage reading in a fun way for them and an easy way for me!
My boys do enjoy reading. One of my absolute favorite things to see is my kids with their heads in a book. I especially love when the older ones read to their younger brothers.
We haven’t yet reached the point where I find them in a corner hovering over a chapter book for hours on end. But they will spend a good chunk of time reading whenever we come home from the library pilled high of books (this book series especially!) for them to devour.
I wanted to promote that type of behavior all week long without the need of stopping off at the library every. single. day. Because with four kids in tow and a little one in my belly, I don’t really like that option!
Encouraging Reading in an Easy & Fun Way
For the past few summer breaks, I’ve printed out a 100 square reading chart for my two oldest. They get to fill out one square for each book or chapter that they read. With a $10 incentive on the line, you better believe they fill up those squares pretty darn fast.
So gleaning from that idea, I decided to create a chart to help promote their reading during their Spring Break. Since it is just one week (plus one day for us- woot, woot!), I scaled down the amount of spaces and added a bit of spring to the design.
And to switch things up from our summer reading chart, they will mark off a space for every 20 minutes that they read, instead of for every book/chapter.
The beauty of this chart is that you can customize it to however works best for your kiddos. They can color in a flower/space for every book they read or for every chapter that they read. Or instead, give your kids a timer and set each space for 10, 20, or 30 minute intervals, like we are doing.
Don’t you just love helpful printables that you can tailor to your personal needs, I know I sure do!
Putting an Incentive on the Line
Nothing like fun rewards to encourage positive behavior!
The reading chart can be fun in and of itself as your child can see the progress on all the reading they have done.
But that satisfaction might not be enough to inspire your child to read at this point. Some may still even view it as a chore. But place a reward at the end, one that they agree to and excited for, and you are much more likely to have them onboard to the reading challenge!
Again with this reading chart it is completely customizable to you and your child’s needs. There can be a special reward for each row they finish like a small toy or a special privilege. Or maybe it’s a half a page or the entire page.
Another way to use the chart for rewards, is give an incentive for each space they fill out. The latter is the route we are going. The boys were very excited to learn they could earn $.50 cents for every 20 minutes that they read.
Just remember, the key component to having success with this chart, is getting your child’s input. That way you can see what rewards motivate and inspire them to read.
Have Plenty of Books Assessable!
You can print out a pretty chart and promise rewards but if you don’t have a good supply of books on hand, your kids are going to be hard pressed to want to read. So might I suggest taking a trip to the library? And don’t forget to bring a bag or two because it is time to stock up for the week!
I’m always on the lookout for good books for my boys to read. So just in case you are also looking for book suggestions, I’ve compiled a list of several classics that we love and own that you could pick up at your local library.
Berenstain Bear books – did you ever read these as a child? I personally loved them and reading them as an adult, I love them even more because each story has a lesson in it. Stan and Jan Berenstain were geniuses and thankfully their son Mike is caring on the Berenstain Bear legacy.
The Little Engine that Could (my two littles’ absolute favorite!)
Harry the Dirty Dog (I may have this one memorized we have read it so many times!)
Go, Dog. Go! (my childhood favorite. P.D. Eastman has a lot of great books)
The Story of Ferdinand (Ferdinand is my 3rd oldest in bull form)
Dr. Suess Books (goes without saying right? These are perfect beginning reader books)
The Chronicles of Narnia series (I read these books a few years ago out loud to my boys and they liked them)
The Little House series (my now ten year old really enjoyed reading this series, and has inspired the next youngest to want to read them… hopefully he will pick them up this Spring Break!)
Get Started Reading!
So are you getting pumped for your child to begin using the Spring Break Reading Chart?!
Just print out one of the reading charts (link below) on regular print paper or cardstock. And yes that “s” at the end of chart was intended.
Since I currently have all boys at the moment and they weren’t the biggest fans of coloring in flowers, I also created a reading chart with squares instead of flowers. With baby girl on the way, I couldn’t help but create with a more girly flair. 🙂
So for the flower chart, be sure to grab some colored pencils or if your child would prefer the reading chart with boxes, give them some fun Easter stickers to place on their chart whenever they fulfill the requirements for one space.
Spring Break Reading Chart
To grab your Reading Chart, click on the link below to download. Then head on over to your downloads folder to find the file. It will be in a zipped file, so double click on the file to unzip/open it.
< Click here for your FREE Spring Break Reading Charts >
All designs are for PERSONAL USE ONLY. You may not forward, share, sell or re-distribute the file. Ownership and copyright over all designs & graphics contained in the files are property of AspenJay.
If you like this printable, be sure to pin it! Thanks so much!
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