FREE Kids’ Summer Reading Programs
Looking for a way to entertain the kiddos this Summer and challenge their minds at the same time?! Here are a few of the reading programs that you may want to take advantage of…
*Barnes & Noble*
Starting May 17th and through September 6th, Barnes & Noble will be hosting a Summer Reading Triathlon where the kiddos can earn a completely FREE book in 3 easy steps! Just have them fill out the Summer Reading Triathlon Reading Journal PDF, bring it in to your nearest Barnes & Noble store (find a store here) and then choose a FREE BOOK from the selection on the Reading Journal list at the store. Go here for more information on this promo.
*Scholastic Summer Reading Challenge*
The Scholastic Summer Reading Challenge is a free online reading program for children that runs through September 9th, 2016. After registering, kiddos are to read as many minutes as they can, log their minutes and earn rewards.
*TD Bank Summer Reading Program*
If you have a TD Bank near you, your kids can earn $10 to be deposited into their new or existing TD Bank Young Saver Account when they read 10 books. Participating kids need to:
1. Read 10 books this summer
2. Print out the Summer Reading Form
3. Write down the names of the books they’ve read
4. Take the form to the nearest TD Bank
5. Watch $10 be deposited into a new or existing Young Saver Account
Valid June 1st through August 31st, 2016, for children in Kindergarten through 5th grade. Bring form of ID for child for new account opening. Go here for more details.
*SYNC*
SYNC is a program that gives away two FREE audiobook downloads every week each Summer for readers ages 13+. (each week features a current Young Adult title paired with a Classic or Required Summer Reading title). Titles are delivered through the OverDrive app which can be downloaded for free. For more information, head here.
*Book Adventure*
Kids from grades K-8 can head on over to BookAdventure.com where they can search for books, read them offline, come back to take a quiz and win prizes! Parents and teachers will even have the opportunity to track their child’s/students work (just click on the “Teacher’s Lounge” OR “Parents Place”). Go here to get started searching for a book and check out this video for more information.
*Public Library*
Be sure to check your public library as many libraries have a kids’ reading rewards program, as well as free storytime, family movie days, activities and more throughout the summer.
I just picked up the Barnes and noble reading sheet yesterday! Excited about the books they had for prizes.
We always do the library summer reading program. Some schools in my area give their students a party ( ice cream, pizza etc) if they completed the reading program.
Am I reading it right that the Barnes & noble programs is for 1st graders & up? My son will be in kindergarten and that would have been fun for us to do together.
He will be in first grade this Fall, it’s fine 😊
My mom is the lead in the children’s department at her Barnes and Noble, and she lets younger kids do the program.
My daughter was in kindergarten last year and we went ahead and started, no problem.
Last year,my local library offered a program for adults and children. The more books you read,the more entries you received for free gift cards. I won a $25 Belk gift card just for reading 🙂
Our library has an adult program too but only 1 entry per week. Audio books count too!
That would be awesome! My library did an adult summer reading program one year that I know of, and you just got a free coffee mug. A gift card would be awesome.
Mine gave one entry for various gift cards and a nook to adults per 3 books read. I won a $25 shell card two years ago and when the period is over every one who entered even just once got to pick a free book not many choices but I got the biggest loser cook book.
The kids birth-18 get tiered prizes EC-Middle got a free book (huge selection with many characters). Teens got entered into a drawing for gift cards (popular teen stores, iTunes, etc) and and nooks and a free book. All kids 0-18 also get FREE Restarunt coupons for meals Chipotle, whataburger, and canes. Free skating, bowling, entry to Lego discovery center and Circus ( both with paid adult) and much more.
My kids are always so excited since they know the value of a dollar and they know why we deal hunt (Tried getting into actual couponing years ago lasted a whole 3 months 🙊 I am so not capable of being organized I clipped a coupon off a box last month have bought the item 7 times since then and still have the coupon 😂) and how it works and why it’s important to save money in ways that work for you. So they love earning their own coupons and getting things they earned free. They work really hard at it too since they are in Kinder and Prek both emerging readers and so far every hour they logged this year (and last year for my oldest) they are proud to say they read all on their own.
My sons are almost 4 and they started reading and would have love to participate. Do they allow for preschoolers? My one son can read at a 1st and 2nd grade level and he would love to add Scuba-cat to his collection of Pete the cat books (he wanted this one but it was sold at Costco along with 4 other books he already has so I didn’t get it for him). I think he’ll get a kick out of earning this book himself! 🙂
The TD Bank promo is great for people that already have a checking account:”No Monthly Maintenance Fee for the first 12 months each month you have a linked, eligible TD Bank checking account and a recurring transfer of $25 or more from a TD Bank account1″
Last time I tried to order a reward on bookadventure, the email never came. I’m wondering if the website is even still active…
Thank you for remembering to promote the public library!
As a public Library worker, I wholeheartedly agree!
But remember libraries offer free programs ALL year, not just in the summer. 😉 🙂
I’m a children’s librarian and also excited to see us mentioned. I’m sad to see some libraries don’t have adult summer reading. We have it for all ages, even children who get read to. We even go to nursing homes and the like so that their residents can participate.
Barefoot Books has an awesome Summer Reading Program where kids can print out a passport and Read Around the World, learning about different cultures along the way. You can sign up here: https://www.barefootbooks.com/index.php?cID=79383&bf_affiliate_code=000-1lk5
Half Price Books does a free reading program. Kids earn Bookworm Bucks by logging their minutes. https://b.hpb.com/fyb/started/
I believe six flags has a reading program. Read and earn a free ticket
It’s already over the deadline is March but you are correct, if your school doesn’t perticipate already talk to your kids teacher!!! It’s completely free and while it is a few extra minutes for them logging in the hours at the end of the period I know as a teacher my Stepmom loves handing kids who never would have been able to afford to go free tickets (eligible for a cheap season pas upgrade!) to a cool place like six flags for all their hard work!
Our libraries here in San Antonio offer both adult and children’s summer reading programs. For the children to participate they either can read the books themselves or be read to. If they are able to read I believe they just have to write a very short summery about the books as do the adults. The cool thing is that they hand out free books after you turn in your sheet. Very exciting!
Don’t forget Half Price Books and Chuck E Cheese!