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Summer reading: keep the habit going over the holidays

One in five children reads for fun every day. How the free Summer Reading Challenge works and four ways to keep reading fun over the holidays.

Written by the Brainhub Editorial Team Cites published research Updated 31 Oct 2026 5 min read

Key takeaways

1. Why this week

The summer holidays are six weeks without the school reading routine. A little reading for fun, most days, keeps the habit going and makes September easier.

2. Where children are now

The National Literacy Trust’s 2026 survey of 125,375 children and young people found that 36.1% of 8 to 18-year-olds enjoy reading in their free time, and 20.3% read something every day. In 2016, 32.0% read daily.[1]

Enjoyment and habit go together. Of children who enjoy reading, 49.8% read daily. Of those who don’t, just 4.5% do. So the aim this summer is enjoyment, not targets.[1]

3. The Summer Reading Challenge

The Summer Reading Challenge, run by The Reading Agency with public libraries, is a free holiday activity for children aged 4 to 11. It motivates over half a million children each year.[3]

Free

Sign up at your local library between July and September.

Any books

Children read whatever they like.

Stickers and medals

Collected at the library as they go. Medals are library-only.

Or online

Set a reading goal and earn a badge and certificate.

4. Four ways to keep it fun

When the National Literacy Trust asked children what would make them read more, the top answers were books linked to a favourite film or TV series (38.1%), books about their interests (37.1%), an interesting cover or title (30.9%) and the freedom to choose (26.6%).[2]

A book a week, all summer.
Try this
Why it works
Let them choose
Comics, graphic novels and non-fiction all count.
Follow their interests
Football, animals, a favourite series: start there.
Press play
Audiobooks count too. Almost half of children (47.3%) already listen to them.
Visit the library
A weekly trip makes reading part of the summer routine.

5. How you can help

Read where your child can see you. Keep books in the car and the bag for days out. Talk about what they are reading without testing them. If reading is a struggle rather than a choice, ask the school in September about support, or talk to us.

Reading with confidence: Our qualified teachers help children build reading confidence and comprehension, online or in person. Book a free call.

Try it now

Test yourself on this page

Answer in your head first, then check.

  1. 1. What share of 8 to 18-year-olds read daily in their free time in 2026?

  2. 2. Who is the Summer Reading Challenge for?

  3. 3. Do audiobooks count?

Your next steps

  • Sign up for the Summer Reading Challenge at your library.
  • Let your child choose the first book.
  • Plan a weekly library visit.

Sources

  1. National Literacy Trust (2026). Children and young people’s reading in 2026. Annual Literacy Survey, 125,375 responses from children and young people aged 5 to 18. literacytrust.org.uk/research-services/research-reports/children-and-young-peoples-reading-in-2026
  2. National Literacy Trust (2025). Children and young people’s reading in 2025. Annual Literacy Survey, 114,970 responses from children and young people aged 5 to 18. literacytrust.org.uk/research-services/research-reports/children-and-young-peoples-reading-in-2025
  3. The Reading Agency. Summer Reading Challenge: about the Challenge (2026: Read to the Beat). summerreadingchallenge.org.uk/about-the-challenge

This guide is general study advice. Every student is different. A teacher can help you work out what fits.