The Best Kids Summer Reading Programs - Kids Earn Free Books, Pizza, Prizes and MORE!

Get ready for summer! We have a list of the best summer reading programs!

Get the kids reading and to keep them motivated, we have a list of the best summer reading programs they can get involved in. Check out this list and see if there is anything that catches your eye.

Also if you need to get the kids fed this summer on the cheap/free, check out our list huge master list of Kids Eat Free places!

Need to find some fun freebies on a birthday? Check out the very popular Birthday Freebies list too!

Barnes & Noble– Kids in grades 1-6 earn a FREE book through the Barnes & Noble Summer Reading Program. Read any eight books and record them in your Summer Reading Journal. When you’re done, bring it to a Barnes & Noble store and choose your free book! Redeemable 7/1/26-8/31/26.
Books-A-Million – This years theme will be Warrior Cats! Complete your log book, and receive a free reward! This information has been confirmed via phone by Books a Million. The official announcement should come on, or around May 11th, and I will update this with more information then. Find your local Books-a-million HERE!
CHUCK E CHEESE – Have your child read and fill out the Chuck E Cheese Reading Rewards Calendar, and they’ll get 10 free play points!
HALF PRICE BOOKS – Starting June 1, registered participants have access to printable camp components all summer, including reading lists, activity ideas, and coloring sheets. You can also visit your local HPB to receive a copy of your camper’s Summer Reading Log, cool camp stickers, and information on how to earn $5 Bookworm Bucks in June and July!
Imagination Library – Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library is a premier early childhood literacy program that mails free, high-quality, age-appropriate books to children from birth to age five, regardless of family income. Launched in 1995 to honor her father’s struggle with illiteracy, the program spans five countries and has gifted over 300 million books. Check availability HERE!
Local Library – Check your local public library, most will offer programs that award kids some cool prizes just for reading.

Mensa for Kids – Excellence in Reading Program – Earn a commemorative certificate in recognition of your outstanding achievement and get an Excellence in Reading T-shirt, too!
Panda Express – Read with me program! Kids can enroll in their “class” and get a bookmark and reward materials. When students meet their goal of reading 5 books they can get a FREE kids meal coupon! Looks like this one may be more geared for teachers, etc. to do with/for their students, but it’s still a great program!
Pizza Hut BOOK IT! – Enrollment opens May 1st. The Pizza Hut BOOK IT! Summer of Stories program is a free reading incentive initiative for children in Pre-K through 6th grade. The program officially runs from June 1st through August 31st. Parents can set monthly reading goals and track progress to reward their children with a free single-topping Personal Pan Pizza* from participating locations throughout the summer. Use the BOOK IT! Mobile App to set goals, track progress, and redeem rewards.
Reading with the Rays – This program opens for the year on May 17th! In previous years you could score tickets to the games!
SEAHAWK’S -Each summer, the Seahawks are proud to offer their Summer Reading Challenge: a part of their 12 Pages program. By reading throughout school break and logging their minutes, your child could win cool prizes and a reading visit at their school. Stay tuned for the 2026 registration period! I will update this post once it has opened!

PLUS CHECK OUT THESE OTHER FREE ACTIVITIES FOR KIDS THIS SUMMER!

Arm & Hammer Summer Camp – Free, on-demand virtual summer camp with various kid-friendly activities.
Bowling – Children can get 2 free games of bowling PER DAY over the summer!
National Parks– Free National Parks admission for all 4th graders & family members.
Workshops & Crafts –Stores such as Home Depot, JCPenney, Lakeshore, Lowe’s, Michaels, & Pottery Barn offer free workshops and activities regularly for kids and adults!