Reading Challenge Ideas for Kids and Adults

This fun and creative reading challenge ideas list will have you and your kids trying all kinds of fun books this year!

Create your own reading challenge any time of year! Whether you want to set an annual goal or are looking for ways to celebrate Read Across America Day on March 2, there are plenty of ways to do both.

When you create your own reading challenge, you’re in charge of the rules. Make a checklist or a bingo card. Set goals or just keep track of what you read. And if you get off track, just pick up a book and start again!

Reading challenge themes

Pick one of these reading challenge themes, or use a mix of them to create your own unique plan.

Yearly reading challenges

Set a goal for the year that you can work toward a little at a time.

1. Monthly theme – Pick a theme at the beginning of each month and read books that fit it. Your theme could be a specific author, a genre, or anything!
2. A to Z reading challenge – Read a book with a title or author beginning with each letter of the alphabet. With 26 letters you can either go through it twice or read a book every 2 weeks for a year.
3. 52 book challenge – Each year this group creates a list of unique prompts to follow to read one book per week.
4. Pop Sugar reading challenge – PopSugar creates a unique list of 50 reading prompts annually.
5. Rory Gilmore reading challenge – This one will probably take you longer than a year! Read all 339 books (or more?) that the Gilmore Girls character was seen reading on screen.

Mini reading challenges

Pick a smaller challenge that doesn’t have to take a certain amount of time. Try this list of 25 ideas!

1. The first book in a series
2. A book by an author you’ve never read before
3. An award-winning book
4. A book published in a different country
5. A book published before you were born
6. A nonfiction book
7. A book with a pretty cover
8. Your favorite book, again
9. A book someone recommended
10. Read a book outside
11. A book you found at the library
12. A book that’s been translated from another language (or in another language if you’re multi-lingual)
13. A book that’s been made into a movie
14. A book about traveling
15. A mystery
16. Read a bedtime story
17. A new book that was published this year
18. A book with a long title
19. A book that rhymes
20. A book about a hobby
21. A book about an animal
22. Read a book out loud
23. A book about a holiday
24. A book by a local author
25. A graphic novel

How to track your reading

First, remember that you don’t have to track your reading! As adults we tend to make everything into homework, but the best way to encourage your kid to read is probably just to let them explore in their own way.

If you do want to track your reading, there are tons of apps (more on those below). If you prefer an analog option, I made a printable reading journal. It includes 3 pages:

• My year in books: List the titles under each month. Add up the number of books and the number of pages you read.
• Book review: Add the book’s stats and write your thoughts as you go. These are fun to look back on later!
• Book series tracker: This is handy for reading and organizing books in a series, especially a long one like A Series of Unfortunate Events or Percy Jackson and the Olympians.

Kids will also like this printable summer reading bookmark! It’s got space to list 10 titles.

Reading apps

Reading apps are handy for keeping track of details, like what date you started reading a book. They’re also a good way to do the math and find out how many pages a book has, when it was published, or other stats.

Here are a handful of reading apps that I’ve used. (Most are intended for age 12 and older.)

Goodreads

Goodreads is an app and website run by Amazon. You can create an account, track what you’re reading, and read and write reviews. Join a reading group or follow friends to see their updates. Get recommendations based on your reading history and what’s trending.

StoryGraph

StoryGraph is similar to Goodreads with an account to track your reading and connect with other readers. It does a bit more detailed analytics, so you can discover your favorite genres and get more personalized recommendations.

Fable

Fable is a combination ebook store and book club. Browse and join one (or several) book clubs, read the current selection, and jump into discussions. Each book club is run by an individual, so they’re all different. You can even start your own.

LibraryThing

LibraryThing is a book catalog and organizing site. Download the app and use it to scan the barcode on every book you own (or read). Access book data, and reviews, and track what you read. I haven’t used it, but LibraryThing also has a robust discussion board system.

Beanstack

Check with your local library, school, or bookstore to see if they use Beanstack. You can also search the site to find an organization to join. The organization will set the guidelines for a reading challenge – and some offer rewards.

Remember, the point of a reading challenge may be to challenge yourself, but it’s also to have fun doing it. You can always change your goals, quit a book you’re not enjoying, or simply take a break from reading for any amount of time.

What’s next? Try these other fun and creative ideas on One Mama’s Daily Drama:

• 10 Popular YA Book Series for Teen Gift Ideas
• 15 Favorite Adult and YA Horror Books
• 40+ Middle Grade Books to Encourage Summer Reading