With our kids’ summer break starting this weekend, we came up with a playful twist on our usual summer reading goals. The idea began during a family walk while we played “would you rather.” When we got home we sketched a paper template, and an hour later Sherry mentioned it on Instagram. Her DMs quickly filled with requests for the bracket, so we created two free printable options and shared them here. I even filled out a sample myself (as a 41-year-old man) while our kids made delightfully wackier choices.
The concept is simple: have kids test different reading locations and have each spot compete head-to-head in a March Madness-style bracket. Is reading on my bed better than reading under it? On a pool float or in a blanket fort? On the hammock or the outdoor swing? In an empty tub with a sleeping bag, or curled up in a swivel chair by the fireplace? It’s a fun way to shake up reading routines and officially crown a favorite cozy spot.
Click To Download The Simplified Summer Reading Bracket Printable Above
After printing the simplified version (the one Sherry showed on Instagram), I refined it slightly. I added time guidelines that increase with each stage: rounds start with 15 minutes at each location and build to 30 minutes in later rounds, which feels like a better test of comfort and focus.
I also split the bracket into two sides: indoor locations versus outdoor locations. That encouraged our kids to get more creative and spend more time outside, and it makes the final showdown more interesting. I’m betting the hammock will win; Sherry thinks floating in the pool will take the crown.
Click To Download The Summer Reading Bracket Printable Above (With Times)
We let our kids pick their own 16 locations, which was fun in itself. Our son and daughter chose many of the same matchups, but they also diverged in interesting ways. They even added two neighborhood locations to test whether “destination reading” feels more adventurous.
The printable is intentionally simple so kids can color and personalize it with markers, stickers, or drawings. We considered adding a reading log on the sheet but decided kids could jot notes on the back if they wanted to track minutes or titles.
Other Reading Bracket Variations
You can tailor the bracket to your kids’ ages and interests. A few variation ideas:
- Assign a different type of book to each round (start with comics or graphic novels and progress to chapter books).
- Add a new comfort item each round (a stuffed animal, then a snack, then a drink).
- Include rewards for advancing rounds, like choosing a new library book or getting a special read-aloud time with a parent.
- Let siblings suggest funny or unusual locations for each other (for example, “read for 15 minutes up in a tree”).
The bracket can be as simple or involved as you like. This is our first time trying it since the kids were excited after our walk. If they follow the full bracket, it adds up to 30 reading sessions—over nine hours of reading per child—which is a great way to keep momentum through summer. Our kids already love books, but the novelty of a head-to-head competition has made them eager to get reading right away; as I write this they’re both reading from two pretty silly spots.
Here are the download links again for each version:
Download The Summer Reading Bracket Without Times
Download The Summer Reading Bracket With Times
Happy reading! If you try it, tell Sherry on Instagram which spots won in your household. It makes me want to test our hanging daybed, hammock, and poolside lounge chair to see which one I prefer—though I may just keep rotating through them all.