Summer Reading Programs that Will Get Your Kid to Read

I have two daughters. One daughter loves to read. She can read for hours and never get bored. She takes after her mom. I have to beg my other daughter to read. Much like her dad, she just doesn’t seem interested in reading. 

Summer Reading Programs were started for kids just like her. They encourage a lifelong love of reading and help children to retain what they learned during the school year. Educators will tell you that reading through the summer helps prevent summer learning loss AKA “Summer Slide.” Research shows that children who don’t read during the summer can lose up to three months of their reading progress!

I don’t want my kids to go down the Summer Slide- but what if your child just isn’t interested in reading?? The great thing about summer reading programs is that they get that not all kids like to read- and they’ve come up with some pretty fun incentives and rewards to help you out!

Here is a list of some Summer Reading Programs offering some of the coolest incentives:

Libraries Rocks

This is a program offered through the public libraries until August 9th. In this program, you will need to download Beanstack, the free digital tool that tracks your child’s progress as they read to form a band and earn badges. You can pick up prizes at your local participating library. Complete 24 hours of reading to win Battle of the Books and receive a FREE book of your choice from their summer selection! They also have summer reading programs for older children and adults! For information, visit your local participating library.

Reading with the Rays 

The Tampa Rays offers a summer reading program. Pick up a game card at your local library or Tropicana Field. As your child reads, track their hours by rounding the bases and collect Rays prizes along the way. When they read enough hours to get on first base, initial their card and bring it to your local library. The librarian will sign the card and give your child a reading reward. Round the bases by reading a total of 24 hours this summer and receive two FREE tickets to a Rays game!

Barnes and Noble Summer Reading 

This is program for kids between 1st-6th grade between May 15th and September 3rd. In this program you will need to download and print the Barnes and Noble Summer Reading Journal. Have your child read ANY 8 books and record them in his/her reading journal. Your child will also need to write their favorite part of the book and why. Once the journal is complete, you can return to B&N and choose a FREE book from the B&N book selection list.

Books-A-Million Summer Reading Adventure 

Print off a Books-A-Million Summer Reading Adventure Notebook. In this program you will need to read 4 books from the selection of books in the B.A.M Summer Reading Adventure section. Once your child completes their Adventure Notebook, you can return to Books A Million to receive your FREE pencil case with pencils.

LifeWay R.E.A.D. 

Reveal. Explore. Amaze. Discover. This program is geared towards grades 1-6 but even toddlers and preschool can participate. Stop by your local LifeWay store to pick up a FREE Summer Reading Program journal, bookmark, and pencil. The challenge is to read 6 books from LifeWay’s Summer Reading List and memorize 6 Scripture verses between June 1st- August 31st. Once your child has completed his/her journal, you can turn it in at your local LifeWay store for a FREE book and FREE Bible.

Chuck E. Cheese Reading Rewards 

Download and print off a Chuck E.’s Reading Rewards calendar. Mark of the days your child reads and when he/she has read for two weeks straight bring the calendar in to redeem 10 FREE tokens as a reward.

Remi’s Summer Reading Program 

From June 1st to August 1st, have your school-aged child read 5 age-appropriate books and write down the title, author, and their favorite part of the book. Turn the paper in at Remi’s Minis and redeem it for a FREE 4 count of donuts!

Let me know if I missed a Summer Reading Program with some fun rewards!