2017 Summer Reading Programs for Kids
Have you taken advantage of FREE Summer Reading Programs for Kids yet? Encouraging your child to read is one of the biggest and best things you can do for his/her education – and it’s especially important during the summer months. Discover books that your child loves – and create fun places to read (blanket fort, backyard blanket, park) and reading won’t seem like work at all!
Check out the huge list of Summer Reading Programs available this year. You’ll find a number of great programs that your children can take advantage of to earn FREE books, prizes, and cash! It’s a recipe for summer reading fun!
2nd & Charles Super Summer Reading Challenge – Get 10 stamps for reading books in the various categories AND by attending 2nd & Charles store events and you’ll get a pre-loved book (up to $10 value) FREE! (ends August 26)
Barnes & Noble Summer Reading Program – Read 8 books this summer, complete the reading journal and select a FREE book from Barnes & Noble. (May 16 – September 5)
Chuck E. Cheese -Kids can earn free 10 Chuck E. Cheese tokens for reading each day for 2 weeks (a food purchase may be required). Ask about the Reading with Chuck E. program at your local Chuck E. Cheese’s.
Create Your Own Family Program – Decide together on reading goals and create a chart to track progress. Set points for minutes read, pages read or books read. A Google search can help you find a printable reading rewards sheet. Kids redeem their points for rewards like having a friend over, going on a family picnic or out for ice cream, staying up late, baking together, etc.
Lifeway Summer R.E.A.D. Program – Kids grades 1-6 can six books over the course of the summer and memorize six Scripture verses, then turn in a completed summer reading journal at your local LifeWay store to earn a free book and a new free Bible. (June 1 – August 31)
Half Price Books – Kids ages 14 and under a chance can earn a $5 HPB Gift Card (Bookworm Bucks) for reading just 15 minutes each day. Earn a reward each month during June and July.
Local Public Library – Don’t forget to check out your local library to find out which programs they’ll be offering this summer. Most programs include FREE books & prizes – and are worth your time! (You’ll want to visit your library anyway to find books to read for the other reading programs!)
Olga’s Kitchen: Get Fed for what you Read – Kids 12 and under can get a free Olga’s Kids Meal plus a free dessert when they complete the reading tracker. (June 19 – September 4)
Rusty Bucket – The Bucketeer Bookworm Reading Program is designed to encourage kids to read. Visit your neighborhood Bucket and ask for your Bucketeer Bookworm Bookmark Tracker. When kids finish 5 books, they earn a complimentary kid’s meal.
Scholastic Summer Challenge – Log reading minutes on the Scholastic site and your child will be able to participate in a World Record challenge as well as earn digital prizes! (May 8 – September 8)
Showcase Cinemas Bookworm Wednesdays – Your child can earn a FREE movie ticket to a select movie from National Amusements Theaters when they read a book and complete a book report.
Six Flags Read to Succeed – K-6 students who complete six hours of non-school-related reading approved by their parents and teachers are eligible for free admission to their nearest theme park.
Sylvan Learning Book Adventure – Sylvan offers this FREE reading incentive program. Your child reads books and then takes a simple comprehension quiz on each (around 10 questions) to make sure they understood what they read. Readers earn points based on how much they remember from reading the book, then redeem points for really fun prizes!. You’ll find quizzes for hundreds of titles in all reading levels (just check books out from your library).
TD Bank Summer Reading Program – Read and keep track of 10 books this summer and kids in grades K-5 will get $10 added to their Young Saver Account FREE!
Programs like these are a great way to encourage children to continue reading throughout the summer months. If you know of any other programs that aren’t listed here, please feel free to leave the information in a comment below.
READING TIP for Summer Travel: If you have kids who read in the car or during downtime on vacation, look for cheap books at garage sales, thrift stores and library resale stores (I try to pay around a quarter per book). I prefer not to travel with library books, but will buy books to take on vacation (and then donate them back when we return). I consider it a very small rental fee and worth the quiet time in the car!