If You Have a Reluctant Reader…

Try these 3 playful tricks to make summer reading actually fun (and build comprehension while you're at it)

Let’s be honest:
Summer reading can feel like a battlefield for some families.

If your second grader is avoiding books like they’re broccoli, you’re not alone—and you’re not doing anything wrong.

But here’s the good news:
With just a few simple tweaks, you can turn “Ugh, do I have to?” into “Wait, can we keep reading?”

Below are 3 unexpected tricks that actually work—especially for second graders who are on the edge of building reading confidence and comprehension.

1) Grab a prop!

Anything!
A magnifying glass. A silly hat. Sunglasses. A toy microphone.

Suddenly, you’re not reading—you’re word detectives solving a mystery. You’re on a mission. You’re using your voice to find clues.

This playful mindset shift makes books feel like games instead of assignments.

2) Use a timer—but not how you think

Tell your child they can’t read for more than 3 minutes.
Yes, you read that right.

Say: “I’m serious—just 3 minutes today. Sorry! Maybe more tomorrow, but today? Just 3.”

It flips the script from “you have to read” to “you’re not allowed to read more…unless you really want to.”

This unexpected limit helps kids shed the “reading is a chore” mindset—and often leaves them wanting more.

3) Make a commercial out of it

After your quick read, ask your child to make a mini commercial about what they discovered. Bonus points if you both read and create one together.

This brings back creativity, boosts recall, and helps with comprehension—without them even realizing it.

(And yes, it counts if you do it in your best TV announcer voice.)

Why it works:

Second graders are at a unique moment where reading can either become a powerful, independent tool—or feel like another thing adults make them do.

That’s why we shift the vibe.
Make it collaborative.
Make it playful.
Make it feel like something they choose, not something you enforce.

Want more ideas like this? Check out these videos for more.

And If no one told you today:
You’re showing up, you’re trying new things, and you’re planting the seeds for a lifetime of success—even when it’s tough.

Do you have more questions? Let me know in the comments!