Next to the benefits of playing and swimming all day long, reading is just about the most important thing kids can do this summer. So we put together this list of free kids summer reading programs to help keep the learning going over the next few months. Share these kids summer reading programs with your students and their families!
1. Barnes & Noble Summer Reading for Kids
This program begins in May and runs through September. Kids can earn a FREE book after they read eights books and log them on the reading sheet. The Barnes and Noble kids summer reading program is only available to children in grades 1–6. Only one book is available for each child who completes a reading journal, and the choice must be made from the selected books available at the store.
2. Sylvan Learning’s Book Adventure
Sylvan Learning’s Book Adventure program lasts all year long. And it’s free! Kids in grades K–8 can search for books, read them offline, come back to take a quiz on what they’ve read, and earn prizes for their reading success. Prizes include chocolate bars, temporary tattoos, Highlights magazine, and more.
3. Chuck E. Cheese’s
With the Chuck E. Cheese kids summer reading program, kids earn 10 FREE points each time they read for two weeks in a row. Complete the form to claim the free tokens. A food purchase is required.
4. Half Price Books
The Half Price Books kids summer reading program gives out free Half Price Books gift cards to kids who read for at least 300 minutes during the months of June and July. This program is available to kids preschool through middle school. The Half Price Books summer reading program for 2019 is called the Feed Your Brain Summer Reading Program, and it runs from June 1–July 31, 2019.
5. Public Libraries
Check your local library for more free kids summer reading programs with activities and incentives for all ages. Most libraries also have story times and other reading-themed activities.
6. Professional Sports Teams
Many professional sports teams sponsor summer reading programs, including the Denver Broncos, the Portland Trailblazers, and the Boston Red Sox. Check with your local team to see if they offer a similar program.
7. Scholastic Read-a-Palooza Summer Reading Challenge
Scholastic has a summer reading challenge in which kids go online to record the minutes they’ve read during the summer. They’ll also be able to take weekly challenges to earn rewards. This kids summer reading program runs May 6–September 6, 2019.
8. H-E-Buddy Reading
The H-E-Buddy Summer Reading Club, sponsored by H.E.B. grocery stores, gives out a free T-shirt to each child who reads 10 books this summer. This summer reading program is valid now until October 1, 2019.
9. Sync: Free Summer Audiobook Program for Teens
Sync has a summer reading program just for teens that will give them two free audiobooks each week this summer. Each week there will be a current YA book as well as a classic title that teens will be able to download for free through the OverDrive app. This summer reading program runs through August 1, 2019.
10. Books-A-Million Kids Summer Reading Program
There’s something for every reader at BAM this summer. Kids can get a free Diary of a Wimpy Kid drawstring backpack with the Books-A-Million summer reading program. The kids must read four of the 75+ qualified books. Then they fill out a journal to show their progress and return it to any Books-A-Million store.
11. 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 Six Flags theme park.
What kids’ summer reading programs have we missed? Come and share in our WeAreTeachers HELPLINE group on Facebook.
Plus, check out these scratch-off reading challenges and our summer reading bookmarks.
