I am a HUGE advocate of Summer Reading Programs.
We have all heard the same comments from our children, “But, mom, it’s summer! I don’t want to read. I want to playg outside.” Or even worse, “I just want to play video games!” Of the two, I would prefer my children play outside in the fresh air and getting some physical activitiy over sitting in front of a screen all day. However, I also want my children to spend a little time, each day, diving into a great book after diving into the pool. I have even gone as far as to get my children the waterproof Kindle Paperwhite so they can read with floating in the pool.
Benefits and Advantages to Summer Reading Programs
There are so many great benefits to children reading during their summer break from school. According to Reading Eggs, there are 11 benefits and advantages to summer reading programs, including:
- Encourages life‑long reading habits
- Supports reluctant readers
- Helps children maintain their reading skills
- Stimulates interest in the library and reading
- Exercises the brain over the summer
- Increases your child’s knowledge base
- Motivates children to read for fun
- Prevents summer learning loss
- Children can participate anywhere
- Provides an alternative summer activity
- Improves overall reading skills
Encouraging summer reading is a fantastic way to keep your child’s mind active over the summer, promoting a positive summer activity that can be done virtually anywhere at any time. (Reading Eggs)
With a little internet surfing, you will find that there are many different summer reading programs available that offer great incentives for kids to continue to read during their summer break. When my children were younger, I would sign them up for as many as I could.
Start with Your Local Library
Of course, the first place you need to check is your local library.
I have never heard of a library that did not have a summer program.
I advise signing up for all local libraries within a 15 mile radius.
You can use the same book list for all the programs.
Most programs count books that are read a loud for the younger ones. Just be sure to check with their policies.
Top FREE Summer Reading Programs
- Barnes and Noble – students grades 1-6, earn a FREE book when you read 8 books this summer!
- Click here for more information on B&N’s Summer Reading program
- Half Price Books – Summer Reading Camp program
- Books A Million – Summer Reading Adventure with Reading Ambassador Shannon Messenger
- Showcase Cinemas Bookworm – bring a book report on Wednesdays for a FREE movie
- Book Adventure – With over 100 games and a virtual reading pet, students are incentivized to read more and earn prizes
- SunCoast Credit Union – Reading with the Rays – earn Tampa Bay Rays baseball tickets for reading
- Scholastic – Summer Reading Home Base offers kids an exciting, free, and safe summer reading experience, while helping to provide books to kids with limited or no access over the summer, keeping every child reading.
- AudioFile – Audio Book Sync audiobook program for teens 13+
- Chuck E. Cheese – read for two weeks and earn 10 FREE play points
- Chicago Fire Kids Club – The Kids Club is for children 12-and-under and will help kids and families celebrate their connection to the Fire!
- H-E-Buddy Reading Club – read 10 books and earn a special prize
- Pizza Hut Camp Book IT! – keep reading this summer to earn a free 1-topping pizza
- Texas State Library Oceans of Possibilities – get themed book lists and matching activity ideas, and enter a prize drawing at the end of summer by writing book reviews.
- CAPCom – read books and earn money!+
- Gotta B. . . Junie B. – Keep connected with all things Junie B.!
Keep your children reading this summer with this simple idea.
My children love our book basket time.
Be sure to print the free summer reading log and bookmarks.
How many summer reading programs are you signing up your children for this summer?
[…] List of Free Summer Reading Programs by Jill at Blessed Beyond a Doubt […]
Td bank also does a summer reading program. Tgeycwill put $10 into a savings account in your childs nane every year they read 10 books during the summer until they turn 18.
Barnes and Noble usually has a summer reading program. Kids get a free book of their choice for reading. They have lots of titles to choose from.
I wish more places would give incentives for the over 13 crowd! They get pushed out of every FUN program. I make my own program for my 13-18 year olds but it really is not the same. Also, you may want to include MENSA for kids reading …they have a very extensive list but when completed you get a TShirt.