10 Summer Reading Programs 2015

One thing to know about my family is that we are total bookworms.  I usually have 3 books that I'm reading at a time.  My kids love to read as well.  When we plan road trips they always want to make sure that we have enough books to read.  We have a lot of fun things planned this summer while the girls are out of school, and the thing they love most is when we enter the different summer reading programs.  They usually end up with 2 free books, plus other smaller prizes.

Summer reading programs are fun ways to encourage children to read during their break from school.  It is widely known that children lose a portion of learning over the summer.  Read this short report by the National Summer Learning Association and a short article by Huff Post Parents. I 'm not saying that we should sign our children up for summer school, but encouraging their mind to continue working is a wonderful thing.  Following is a list of Summer Reading Programs that kids can join.


Scholastic Summer Reading Challenge - On this website, your child can log the minutes they have read. They earn virtual prizes and can play games online.  There is a section of reading lists for different ages of children as well.  One fun part is a minutes read ticker that updates when someone logs their minutes.  You can see how many minutes kids across the country have read while Scholastic tries to break their record from the year before.

Barnes & Noble Summer Reading - With this program, you download the reading journal provided on the website (click here).  Your child needs to read any 8 books, record the information in the reading journal, then go to your local Barnes & Noble store to pick out a free book from their Summer Reading Selection list.

Pizza Hut Book It Summer Reading Challenge - The sign up for this one is ready! Check the website for more information.  Your kids can read, log minutes, and earn prizes.  They have a yearly program through different schools that kids can earn free pizzas.  Home school programs are available too!

Local Library!  One of the best resources for summer reading programs is your local library.  Each library has a different program set up.  We have lived in 3 different library districts in two different states and loved every one of the programs offered.  Usually they have different levels of prizes leading up to the big prize at the end of the summer.  Definitely check your local library for information.

Sylvan Book Adventure - With this program, your child can search through 8,000 book titles online, read the books at home, then log in to take a quiz and earn points toward prizes.  I searched for my 4th grader and found over 2,400 titles available for her to choose from to read for this program.  There are also online games they can play as well as the quizzes.

Chuck E Cheese - They have reward calendars for 15 different categories.  They have a Reading Reward chart for the kids to mark off and bring in for free tokens.  You are required to buy food with this reward system.  This is a great way to get free tokens if you were already going to spend a fun day at Chuck E Cheese.

Pottery Barn Kids - If you live near one of their stores, this is a fun program to work on.  They do not have any information on their website for this summers program, but I would check back in the next week or so or visit your local store.  Generally they have a list of Summer Reading Books for you to choose 8 and read.  Then you return the bookmark to the store and you earn a free book. **UPDATE** They will not be doing this program this year.  They have story time in select stores, but will not be hosting the summer reading giveaway this year.

Local Banks - Some banks have started a summer reading program for kids.  If children read a certain amount of hours or books, they can earn money that will go into a child savings account.  Check to see if any of your local banks or credit unions are participating!

Education.com and PBS Kids Summer Reading Adventures - This is not a program where the kids earn prizes from a company.  Education.com and PBS have teamed up to supply you with a 10 week reading camp pack.  Each week has a theme, and there are printables and activity ideas included for each theme.  Craft ideas, games, hands on fun learning, mazes and writing helps are all available.

Make Your Own Program - This one can be as easy or difficult as your have time (and energy) for.

You can design your own (as simple as check marks for every day with a prize listed at the end of the row, or fill in a bubble to earn different treats.), or you can print out a free summer reading chart. I created a Free Printable Summer Reading Chart you can find here.

Help your kids have a fun summer full of reading adventures and some neat prizes.  I'd love to know which programs you end up doing and what great free books they end up getting!

Over the past few years, my kids have gotten free copies of Encyclopedia Brown, Bunnicula, Nancy Clancy, Harry Potter, and Spy School.  Our local library has an adult reading program too and I won a Williams-Sonoma Cookbook.