It’s summer reading program time again! I always get excited about summer reading programs, especially when the rewards are more books!
But I also want to be careful to cultivate the love of reading in my kids and not cause them to hate it with too much pressure. So, while I’ll encourage my kids to complete many of these programs (they’re reading anyway, right?), I won’t force them to finish any of them. At least, I’ll try not to.
I’d also like to give you an opportunity to challenge your kids to read variety, not just quantity. I’ve created a Summer Reading Hopscotch Challenge! It’s free to download. Just sign up at the bottom of this post, and I’ll send you a printable copy of the challenge and award certificate. And since no challenge is complete without prizes, come back at the end of the summer with your completed form for a chance to win some!
Here’s a peek at the Reading Hopscotch Challenge:
Summer Reading Programs:
- Your Local Library: Most libraries have free summer reading programs. Ours awards children with a new book of their choice, and they even allow pre-readers to participate by being read aloud to.
- Barnes and Noble: Barnes and Noble’s Summer Reading Program has changed this year. In their new Summer Reading Triathalon, kids answer three of four questions about books they have already read in order to claim their prize: a new book from their selection. The contest is for kids grades 1 – 6. Some of my favorite prize books from this year’s list are Mercy Watson, Stewart Little, Escape from Mr. Lemoncello’s Library, and The Night Gardener.
- Half Price Books: the Feed Your Brain Summer Reading Program lets kids earn a $5 coupon to be used in the store. They can earn a total of two coupons during the summer by logging 300 minutes in June and again in July. Younger kids can participate too as being read aloud to counts. Also, Half Price Books is one of the few programs that allows high schoolers to participate! Instead of logging minutes, teens read and review one of HPB’s recommended reads to get their $5 coupon.
- Local Independent Bookstores: Your local independent bookstore likely has a summer reading program for kids. San Antonio’s own beloved Miss Anastasia of The Twig Book Shop has created a summer reading program for kids, including prereaders. Kids fill out 10 books read and turn it in for a chance to win weekly drawings (they can enter multiple times) throughout the summer (details here).
- Chuck E. Cheese will reward kids for positive behaviors like reading all year long! Just print out and fill in one of their Reward Calendars and bring it with you on your next visit.
- Scholastic’s Power Up and Read program offers virtual rewards like unlocking stories from popular authors. Kid’s can register under their school, and 50 schools will be awarded a “Celebration in a box” based on minutes read. Read more details here or register here.
- Banks: certain banks will award children money if they complete their summer reading program. TD Bank has a program, and perhaps a bank near you does as well.
Reading Programs for the School Year:
- Pizza Hut— Book It Reading Challenge motto is “Read Your Heart Out,” but with the reward of a pizza, it could certainly be Eat Your Heart Out. Keep reading alive during the school year with Book It! The program runs October to March, but registration opens in May for the following school year. Kids can earn personal pizzas for reading. Teachers register their class here, and homeschool families can register here.
- Six Flags Read to Succeed program is meant to be completed during the school year. Kids can earn a free pass to a Six Flags theme park. Registration should open in the fall.
Anytime of the Year Reading:
- Reading Rewards is a program where parents or teachers set up rewards when kids log reading hours at any time of the year. Kids can also share their own book reviews within the system and see their friend’s or classmates reviews. There are also virtual prizes like jokes when kids log minutes.
- The Read Up app helps kids track minutes read (and which books they are reading). This is a great way to keep track of minutes for contests that require logging time instead counting of books like Half Price Book’s program.
- Reading Hopscotch Challenge is my gift to you when you sign up below. Help get your kids out of a reading rut this summer or anytime! And come back August 1, 2016 for a chance to win prizes!
What are your favorite summer reading programs or resources?
As a retired children’s librarian and teacher, now tutoring children in those early years, I am delighted to see you encouraging reading over the summer. It is so necessary and there are so many ways to get the kids involved. Thanks so much.
Thanks for the encouragement, Linda!
What fun! We love the library programs, and actually two different ones each summer. Thanks for sharing with #TheCozyReadingSpot