Summer is such a fun time of year — cookouts, sunny days at the pool, popsicles, and extra daylight to enjoy it all. It’s also the perfect time to make reading part of your family adventures.
While summer is a season for relaxation, it can also bring what’s known as the “summer slide”—a loss of academic skills that can occur when children are away from the classroom. Research shows students can lose 20%–27% of the learning gains they made during the school year, particularly in reading and math (Scholastic). Young children, students from lower-income households, and children with learning disabilities are often the most affected.
The good news? Reading together at home is one of the best ways to help keep young minds engaged and learning all summer long.
To make summer reading even more fun, we’ve created a Summer Reading Bingo Card filled with reading prompts, creative challenges, and play-based learning activities the whole family can enjoy. Whether you’re reading under a tree, making a sculpture, or exploring a new book together, every square is designed to spark learning and create memories.
We invite you to download the bingo card and complete as many activities as you can throughout the summer.
And don’t forget to keep track of your progress! In September, we will do a random drawing for three gift cards for families who participated in Summer Reading Bingo. Submission instructions will be shared in the August issue of our newsletter, and winners will be announced in September. If you aren’t already subscribed, be sure to sign up so you don’t miss any updates.
Want extra chances to win? Share photos of your family’s Summer Reading Bingo adventures on Facebook or Instagram, tag United Through Reading, and use the hashtag #UTRbingo. Each post will earn additional entries.
At United Through Reading, we know that storytime does more than build literacy skills—it strengthens family bonds and creates meaningful moments together. We can’t wait to see how your family fills its bingo card this summer.
And remember, the UTR mobile app makes it easy to record storytime videos and request FREE books for your family. A special thank-you to Northrop Grumman for its generous support, which is helping provide summer reading books to military-connected families around the world.
We wish you a fun, story-filled summer and look forward to seeing your Summer Reading Bingo photos and posts!