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, can score a free book, for reading books and writing about them in their Reading Journal!
- BOOKS-A-MILLION – Score a free hat just for reading books, 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 PRICED 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 – Ages 1-5 can receive FREE books from Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library! Check availability HERE!
- LOCAL LIBRARY – Check your local public library, most will offer programs that award kids some cool prizes just for reading, like this one from The Dallas Public Library!
- 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 – The Pizza Hut BOOK IT! program is a fun program designed to encourage kids to read throughout the school year, and during their summer break too. It gives kids a chance to earn a free personal-sized pizza and more, all on their own.
- READING WITH THE RAYS – This program opens for the year on May 25th! In previous years you could score tickets to the games!
- SCHOLASTIC – Free online summer reading on Home Base from May 9th through September 12th with free digital games, events, and more.
- SEAHAWK’S – Join the Seahawk’s Summer Reading program! With every 25,000 minutes that the Seahawks community reads collectively, they release new prizes to their readers at random. During the summer reading program, the top reader each month will receive a special Seahawks Swag Bag, with the top overall reader at the end of the summer winning a personal Blitz visit to their school!
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!
- FISHING – Check out 2025’s FREE FISHING Days!
- KIDS SKATE FREE – Sign up for the Kids Skate Free program to get free roller skating sessions at a center near you!
- NATIONAL PARKS– Free National Parks admission for all 4th graders.
- WORKSHOPS AND CRAFTS –Stores such as Lowe’s, Home Depot, and JCPenney offer free workshops and activities regularly for kids and adults!
- YOUNG EAGLE FLIGHTS – Free Young Eagles Flights, kids ages 8-17 have the opportunity to experience The Spirit of Aviation by becoming a Young Eagles volunteer!
Don’t forget to download our Summer Bucket List here and check out our 100 Fun Things to Do With Kids This Summer…and Most are FREE!
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