Many parents worry about continuing to support their child’s reading progress during the school holidays.

Holiday time can be a constant juggling act. You want to go out for day trips, or you may be travelling abroad or visiting relatives. All of this at the same time as encouraging your child to read the books they have brought home from school and keeping their motivation and enjoyment of reading up as much as possible. Here are some helpful tips to avoid the summer reading slump.

1. Visit your local library
It’s free and children love choosing their own books to read. Remember if the book your child chooses to read is too tricky for them to read independently then read it to them or share the reading. Lots of libraries have free storytelling events and competitions so look out for those too.

2. Internet fun
Visit the Oxford Owl Library which has lots of free eBooks to read, and fun games to play, and there are lots of other good sites to visit too.

Try these:

• BBC Schools
• Cbeebies
• Club Penguin

3. Signs out and about
When you are out and about in the car, on the bus or out for a walk, see how many signs you can spot. Road signs, street signs, shop signs and timetables… Read them together with your child.

4.Den reading
Build a den or hideout with your child out of dark blankets or sheets. Ask your child to choose some of their books to take into the den to read. Don’t forget the torch – it’s exciting to read a book by torch light!

5.Reading to other members of the family
Children love to share reading skills with family members so if you are visiting family then take reading books with you so someone different can say how proud they are hearing your child read. It’s a good chance to show off!

6.Family meal times
Often during holiday time, families can spend longer over meal times or might visit a café or restaurant. Read the menu whilst you are choosing what to eat or read the cereal packet over breakfast. Or if you have friends visiting for a meal then get your child to create name places for each person – make them fun and personal so each person feels special.

7.Postcards and cards
At special times of the year or celebrations, enjoy opening the post together to read Christmas cards, birthday cards, or letters from family and friends. Ask family and friends to write your child postcards whilst they are away on their holidays. Children love to read a postcard addressed to them. Don’t forget to send return post too – whether it’s snail mail or via technology.

8. Holiday scrapbook
During holiday time, collect items of interest and stick them all in a scrapbook or write a simple holiday diary. As you stick these items in, chat about your child’s choices and favourite things to do. You will have created a book full of happy memories that your child can read again and again. Your child’s teacher would also love to share this book with the class when term begins.

9. Cooking your favourite dish
Does your child enjoy cooking? Find a recipe, read the list of ingredients together, visit the shops and read the food labels, and then support your child to read the instructions as you make your favourite recipe.

10.Playing outside
All children love to play outside on large play equipment. When you’re in your garden or at the local park don’t forget to play some fun games too. As your child comes down the slide or is swinging on a swing ask: What does slide begin with? What is a word beginning with t? Spell your name! Give me a word that rhymes with den!

The list of things to do could be endless and you’re bound to have lots more ideas on how to have holiday reading fun.