Vacation: The Perfect Time to Grow a Reader
Summer vacations are wonderful for making memories. We plan exciting destinations, visit grandparents, build sandcastles, hike mountain trails, and enjoy treats we don't normally have at home. But there's another gift we can give our children that may last even longer than the vacation itself—a love for reading.
Vacation naturally slows life down. Long car rides, airport waits, quiet evenings at the cabin, rainy afternoons at the beach, or peaceful moments before bedtime all create little pockets of time that are perfect for opening a good book.
One of the best ways to encourage children to read isn't by making it another assignment—it's by making books part of the adventure. Let each child pack a few favorite books in a special backpack or choose a new one before the trip begins. Visit your local library together or stop by an independent bookstore in the town you're visiting. Children love remembering, "I bought this book while we were at the beach!"
Of course, the books we place in our children's hands matter. Stories help shape hearts, imaginations, and values. While every family will choose differently, we have found that books filled with wonder, courage, kindness, faith, and hope leave lasting impressions.
Some of our family's favorites include beautifully written picture books, timeless classics by authors such as Beatrix Potter, A.A. Milne, and C.S. Lewis, and Bible-based stories that faithfully introduce children to God's character and His love. We also enjoy biographies of great Christian men and women, missionary stories, books about God's amazing creation, and wholesome adventures that inspire children to be brave, truthful, and compassionate.
And don't forget the simple joy of reading together. Even children who can read independently treasure hearing Mom, Dad, Grandma, or Grandpa read aloud. Those shared moments often become some of the sweetest memories of a family vacation. Long after the souvenirs have been tucked away, many children will remember snuggling up to hear "just one more chapter."
Our prayer as parents and grandparents isn't simply that our children become good readers. It's that they become lifelong learners, thoughtful thinkers, and young people whose hearts are drawn toward what is true, honorable, and beautiful.
So as you pack the sunscreen, swimsuits, hiking boots, and snacks this summer, don't forget to pack a few wonderful books.
You may discover that one of the greatest adventures of your vacation begins simply by turning the first page.
