Create a Family Reading Bucket List (Free Printable!)

There are so many books in the world and never enough time to read them all, right?

Instead of keeping an ever-growing list of books tucked away in my phone (where I’ll inevitably forget about them), why not make choosing what to read something the whole family can do together? A Family Reading Bucket List is a fun way to collect all of those books your family hopes to read, discover new authors & genres, and set a few reading goals along the way.

Best of all, this isn’t about assigning everyone the same books or turning family reading into another homeschool requirement. Kids of all ages, and different reading abilities, can participate, making it an easy addition to just about any homeschool schedule.

Actually, I lied – the best part of all of this is that I’ve made a free printable you can use to encourage more reading in your family! You’ll see an option to claim the printable in a bit!

What is a Family Reading Bucket List?

Think of a family reading bucket list as a wish list for your family’s reading adventures. Your list might include books you want to read together, books each family member wants to read independently, classic books you’ve always wanted to try, or even new genres you’d like to explore.

There’s no required number of books and no deadline for finishing them. The goal is to simply get your family talking about books and excited about what you’ll read next.

How to Create Your Family Reading Bucket List

To create your family reading bucket list, start by gathering everyone together to brainstorm. Ask questions like:

• What books have you been wanting to read?
• Is there a favorite book you’d like someone else in the family to try?
• What books would be fun to read aloud together?
• Is there a series we’d like to start?
• What subjects would we like to learn more about?
• Are there any classic books we’ve never read before?
• Are there any genres of books we haven’t read before?

Write down everyone’s ideas – even if they’re completely different! One person might suggest a fantasy novel while someone else chooses a graphic novel (which ABSOLUTELY counts as reading in my opinion), biography, cookbook, nature guide, or a book about trains. That’s part of the fun!

And, don’t feel like you need to buy every book that makes it onto your list. Your local library is one of the best places to find books for your family read-alouds, independent reading, research, and more. I’ve even put together some of my favorite homeschool library hacks to help your family get even more out of your library card (there’s also a pretty awesome printable to learn about your library in there, too!)

Make It Work for Every Age

One of my favorite things about family learning is that everyone doesn’t have to be doing the same exact thing to learn together. Your Family Bucket List should work the same way.

Younger kids can draw pictures of books they’d like to read, choose books based on their covers (it’s possible I still do this myself!), listen to read-alouds, or dictate their choices to an older family member. On the other hand, independent readers can create their own lists, explore different genres, or choose books connected to subjects they’re interested in. The older kids? Well, they can add more challenging books, research authors, explore classics, or set their own personal reading goals.

And, parents? Add your books, too!

This isn’t supposed to be another worksheet that only the kids complete. It’s called a family reading bucket list for a reason!

Ideas for Your Reading Bucket List

Still stuck on what to add? Try choosing:

• a book that makes everyone laugh
• a classic you’ve never read
• a book set somewhere you’d like to visit (bonus points if you turn it into an educational travel adventure!)
• a biography about someone interesting
• a biography about someone you’ve never even heard of before…because you may end up finding them interesting!
• a book about something you’re currently studying
• a graphic novel
• a poetry collection
• a book recommended by a friend
• a book that inspired a movie (we LOVE reading books that have been turned into movies!)
• the first book in a new series
• a book about nature or animals
• a mystery
• a book written before you were born
• a book chosen by another family member

You don’t have to fill your entire list at once, either. Browse the shelves, ask your librarian for recommendations, or check out a section your family doesn’t normally visit. You might come home with something you never would have thought to add on your own.

Turn Your Books Into Family Adventures

Reading doesn’t always have to end when you close the book! Look for easy ways to bring your family’s favorite stories into real life.

If you read a book set in another country, find it on a map and make a recipe from that region. Read about an artist? Try creating a piece of art inspired by their work. Finish a book that has been made into a movie? Have a family movie night and compare the two

You could also visit a location connected to a book, take a library trip to find more books by the same author, draw favorite scenes, research questions that came up while reading, or simply talk about the story over a family dinner. (order pizza – you’ve cooked enough this week)

For kids who enjoy doing a little more with the books they read, my free book summary printables provide an easy way to record things like characters, setting, genre, theme, favorite parts, and more. They’re also great for record-keeping!

Keep it simple, though! The point isn’t to turn every book into a giant unit study. Sometimes a great conversation is more than enough!

Make it Simpler

If creating a big reading list feels overwhelming, start with just five books your family would like to read together. You can always add more later!

For younger learners, let them draw their choices, use book covers or pictures, or tell you what they’d like to read while you write it down. Audiobooks and family read-alouds totally count, too! The goal is to experience books together – not to worry about whether everyone can independently read the same book.

Explore Further

Want to take your Family Reading Bucket List a little further? Of course you do!

Challenge each family member to choose a type of book they’ve read – or rarely – read before. You could explore a new genre, choose a new-to-you author, read a classic, try a biography, or select a book about a topic you know very little about.

As you finish the books, keep track of which ones surprised you, which became new favorites, and which authors you’d like to read again. At the end of the year, look back at your original bucket list and see where your reading adventures took you!

Keep Track of Your Family’s Reading

Once those books start moving from your bucket list to the “we read it!” list, you might want an easy way to keep track.

My free printable monthly reading logs include an entire year of reading logs the kids can use to record their reading progress. They’re especially helpful if your family enjoys reading challenges or if you like keeping a record of reading as part of your homeschool days.

You don’t have to require everyone to use one, either. Just like the Family Reading Bucket List, use the reading logs in whatever way works best for your family.

Free Family Reading Bucket List Printable

To make this activity super easy for you, I’ve created a free Family Reading Bucket List printable you can use to plan your family’s reading adventures. The printable gives your family space to record books you’d like to read together, new types of books you’d like to explore, classics, reading goals, and more.

It’s intentionally flexible so families with kids of different ages and abilities can use it together!

Print it, gather everyone around the kitchen table, grab some pencils, and start dreaming about your upcoming reading adventures!

Already a part of the That Homeschool Family community? You’ll also be able to find this printable along with my growing collection of free homeschool resources in the Printable Playground!

Family Learning Adventure #3

This activity is also Family Learning Adventure #3 in our September Family Learning Adventures!

Family Learning Adventures are scree-free, hands-on learning experiences to help families explore, create, discover, and learn together. The activities aren’t divided by grade level because families aren’t divided by grade level!

Each adventure includes ideas for Making It Simpler for younger learners and Exploring Further with older or more experienced learners. That way, siblings of different ages can participate in the same experience while learning at a level that works for them.

The Family Reading Bucket List is a perfect example of this! Everyone can contribute, whether they’re choosing their favorite picture books, working through chapter books, dividing into classics, or simply listening along during family read-aloud time.

Start Your Next Reading Adventure

Your Family Reading Bucket List doesn’t need to be impressive, perfectly organized, or filled with a certain number of books. It just needs to belong to your family.

Add the books you’re genuinely excited about. Change your mind (ha!). Discover new favorites. Abandon a book everyone hates (it happens!). Read something completely unexpected.

Most importantly, enjoy discovering where your family’s reading adventures take you next.

Happy Reading & Happy Homeschooling!

Until next time, stay safe, & enjoy quality time with your family,