Summer should feel like freedom, but if you’re a parent or caregiver, you know it can also feel a little...chaotic. The school-year structure disappears overnight, and suddenly your tween has hours of free time that somehow vanish into YouTube marathons, snack raids, and declarations of “I’m bored!” Creating a summer reading routine might sound like just one more thing to add to your list, but trust us—it can actually be the thing that brings balance and excitement to those long summer days.

The trick? Don’t treat reading like homework. Make it an adventure. With the right approach and a little help from the Once Upon a Book Club Tween Book Subscription Box, you can transform reading from a chore into something they look forward to. This isn’t about rigid schedules or forced quiet time. It’s about tapping into your tween’s natural curiosity, giving them the tools to build a habit, and sprinkling in just enough magic to keep the spark alive.

Why Reading Routines Matter for Tweens

When tweens read regularly over the summer, they retain more of what they’ve learned during the school year and build confidence in their reading abilities. In fact, even just a few books read over the break can help prevent the “summer slide”—a term educators use to describe the learning loss that can happen when school’s out. But the benefits don’t stop at academics. Regular reading improves focus, encourages empathy, and supports mental well-being.

The key to building this habit? Make it enjoyable and repeatable. According to research studies, habits stick best when they’re tied to a cue (like time of day), followed by a routine and a reward. That’s where the OUABC Tween Book Box comes in. It brings reading to life with surprise gifts tied to moments in the story, giving tweens a reason to keep turning pages and a reward they genuinely look forward to. It’s a built-in motivation system that feels like fun, not homework.

5 Tips to Build a Reading Routine That Sticks

1. Set a Consistent Time Each Day

Tweens thrive with a little structure, even if they don’t admit it. The goal isn’t to create a strict reading schedule—it’s to tie reading to a moment that already exists in their day. Maybe it’s after breakfast, before bed, or during “quiet time” after lunch. By linking reading to a consistent cue, you’re helping their brains form the habit naturally.

Keep it low-pressure. Even 15–20 minutes a day is enough to build momentum. Over time, the act of picking up a book at the same time each day becomes second nature. And if your tween resists? Offer options—let them read in a blanket fort, on the porch swing, or even under the dining table with a flashlight. When reading time feels like their time, they’re more likely to stick with it.

2. Make Reading Spaces Special

Environment matters. A cozy, inviting reading nook can turn an ordinary moment into something magical. Let your tween help design their own space—add pillows, blankets, string lights, and a book caddy or crate. Maybe they choose a bean bag by the window or a hammock in the backyard. The goal is to create a place that’s all theirs.

Need help getting started? Check out our blog, The 101 Guide for Creating the Ultimate Kid's Reading Nook, for ideas. And don’t forget the travel reading kit for road trips, beach days, and grandma’s house. When reading feels cozy and fun, it doesn’t feel like “school stuff”—it feels like an escape.

3. Use a Visual Tracker

Tweens love seeing their progress—and let’s be honest, who doesn’t love checking off a box? Printable reading trackers are an easy, effective way to make reading progress visible. Whether it’s logging minutes read, books finished, or chapters completed, visual trackers tap into a sense of achievement.

Even better? Our Tween Reading Passport does exactly that. It’s included in the first box of any new Tween subscription and features space for 13 book recaps and collectible stickers. Kids love filling it in, and it gives them a tangible way to celebrate every book they complete. Download a free tracker or grab a passport—it’s a fun little push that makes a big impact.

4. Add a Fun Incentive

Let’s talk motivation. For tweens, the promise of something exciting can be the nudge they need to keep going. That’s why the Once Upon a Book Club Tween Book Box is such a hit. Each box includes a surprise-filled experience, with three to five gifts linked to specific pages in the story. As your child reads, they unwrap the gifts at just the right moments, bringing key parts of the book to life.

It’s like a birthday party hidden inside a book. Suddenly, finishing a chapter isn’t a task—it’s the gateway to the next surprise. And because every box is carefully curated with age-appropriate, engaging content, you can trust that they’ll be reading something meaningful while having a blast.

Explore our Tween Book Subscription Box or browse Ready-to-Ship Tween Boxes to find the perfect starting point.

5. Celebrate Progress Together

One of the best ways to build a habit? Celebrate it. When your tween finishes a book, don’t just quietly slide it back on the shelf—make it an event! Host a mini family book club where you talk about the story over snacks. Act out a favorite scene, make a craft inspired by the book, or cook something a character loved.

These little rituals turn reading into something memorable and social. They also show your tween that you value their reading journey—and that’s the best motivation of all.

Looking for more inspiration? Check out our blog, Tween Reading Challenges for 2025, filled with fun ways to keep kids reading all year round.

Turn Routine Into Summer Memories

At the end of the day, a reading routine doesn’t have to be strict or boring. It can be the most magical part of your tween’s summer. A consistent reading time gives them rhythm, a cozy space gives them comfort, and page-by-page surprises from Once Upon a Book Club give them something to look forward to every time they open their book.

These moments add up. A chapter before bed becomes a ritual. A finished book becomes a memory. And suddenly, your tween isn’t just reading because they have to—they’re reading because they want to.

Start the Habit, Spark the Magic

Reading routines aren’t about rules. They’re about rhythm, joy, and connection. And with a little help from OUABC, you can create one that your tween actually enjoys. Download a free tracker, explore our Tween Book Boxes, and help your child build a habit that could last a lifetime. Because when stories come wrapped in surprises, reading becomes something they’ll treasure—this summer and beyond.

Sources

Allington, R. L., & McGill-Franzen, A. (Eds.). (2018). Summer reading: Closing the rich/poor reading achievement gap (2nd ed.) (ED584709). ERIC. https://eric.ed.gov/?id=ED584709

Clark, C. & Teravainen, A. (2017). Reading enjoyment and reading behaviour in children. National Literacy Trust.

Duhigg, C. (2012). The Power of Habit: Why We Do What We Do in Life and Business. Random House.