Participating in Summer Reading Programs is a great way to keep your kids interested in reading and learning over the summer, and they can earn free books and other fun stuff too!
Barnes & Noble – for kids in Grades 1 thru 6, you can earn a free book after reading 8 and some locations also have a regularly scheduled story time (check find an event for your store). Starts May 25 and ends September 7.
Borders “Double Dog Dare” – for kids under 12 you earn a free book after reading 10 books There are 10 titles to choose from for your free book. Starts May 4 and ends August 26.
Half-Price Books “Feed Your Brain” – Stop by a Half-Price Books and CiCi’s Pizza where your kids can make money on reading! Kids under 14 can earn a $3 Half-Price Books gift card each week (up to $27 if you participate every week) for every week they read at least 15 minutes a day from June 1 to July 31. Talk about a rewarding reading program!
Pottery Barn Kids Book Club – not just a Summer program, this regularly scheduled storytime goes on all year long on Tuesdays from 11 to 11:30 am. And your kids get a coupon ($10 off a purchase I hear) after attending 5 sessions and getting their booklet stamped.
Chuck E. Cheese Reading Rewards Calendar – fill the reading chart for 2 weeks and turn it into Chuck E. Cheese for 10 free tokens (with pizza purchase), check out all the Rewards Calendars you can use to motivate your kids.
Bookworm Wednesdays – Showcase Cinemas, Multiplex Cinemas, and Cinema De Lux offer free admission to a children’s film on Wednesdays when you submit a book report. Starts July 7 (thanks Saving Dollars & Sense)
TD Bank Summer Reading – read 10 books and get $10 cash! A great incentive if you’ve got this bank near you. Thanks goes to Baby Good Buys for sharing it with me. Starts May 3 and ends September 30.
Scholastic Summer Challenge – a great way to motivate kids by earning points for reading. There are tons of resources but I don’t see any sweepstakes this year to win prizes.
For my Texas readers:
HEBuddy Reading Club – Watch for details (will be announced soon) read 10 books and earn a free t-shirt and 20 point sticker. This is one that my boys and I will be doing because reading to your young children counts too!
*************************************************
Check your local library for their Summer Reading programs and check SummerReading.org for more resources.
Book Adventure is a free reading motivation program by Sylvan that you can use year-round for Grades K-8.
I know there are more reading programs out there, and I’d be thrilled if you leave a comment to share the reading programs you’re excited about. Remember that it’s easy to leave a comment because I accept comments from “Anonymous” (but it’s always nice if you leave your first name to we can chat easier).
Happy reading this summer!
Sharing the hottest Freebies for Kids at Freebies 4 Mom
I encourage everyone to take part in their library;s summer reading program – I am sure many would be surprised to see how much the library has changed..Lots of fun!
For those of you who live in more rural communities and have a Hastings Entertainment in your town or nearby they always have a summer reading program.
River- I'm surprised your library only goes up to grade five. Ours has a teen reading program, and even an adult summer reading program. It's nice. Maybe you could do your own? I don't have any suggestions, but I did want to thank you for the ones you listed! I think we'll be at least doing half priced books one!
Don't forget the local public library! They often have programs that offer weekly incentives and then, some sort of giant pizza party wrap up. We have gotten free pumpkin patch visits, movies and more. :)
I love having my son, who has a learning disability with reading, participate in summer book clubs. Getting him to read is like pulling teeth! But he loves the prizes awarded when our local library has its annual summer reading program. It's a great incentive! Unfortunately, it's only for grades K-5 and I see most of the programs are only for kids under 12. He's 12 and finishing the 6th grade. I'll have him participate in the Half-Price Books "Feed Your Brain" program, but I wish there were more! Keep the list growing!
We've done the HEBuddy reading club the past two years. While they do let the little kids participate by being read to, they don't offer the t-shirts small enough for them. The kids don't seem to mind, though! :)