Some kids don’t need any incentive to lose themselves in a book, during the summer or any other time. If your child isn’t a natural bookworm, try enticing them with one of these FREE summer 2023 reading programs from public libraries, bookstores and retailers across the country. There’s even a program that offers free audiobooks for teens all summer long!
Start with your local library and bookstores; read our post about all the free programs available at your public library. Then check out these reading programs for summer 2022. None will cost you a dime, and most offer prizes for kids who complete the programs.
Photo: Skylar Jean for Unsplash
- Camp BOOK IT! The familiar school-year reading program from Pizza Hut has a summer counterpart. Kids ages 4-12 can receive a coupon for a personal pan pizza every time they hit their reading goal from June through August.
- Barnes & Noble Summer Reading. Students in grades 1-6 read any eight books and record them in their reading journals (available in English or Spanish). Bring the completed form to a local Barnes and Noble and get a free book.
- DOD Summer Reading Program. Children of military families can participate in the Department of Defense summer reading program at bases and military installations worldwide. Activities will vary depending on location.
- Half Price Books Summer Reading Camp. Participants get reading rewards each month for turning in a reading log at the end of June and the end of July. Families who submit reading logs for multiple children receive a $5 coupon each month that can be used in store by every child. Got questions? Check out the FAQ page.
- Showcase Cinemas Bookworm Wednesdays. Kids get free admission to a select children’s film on Wednesdays at a participating Cinema de Lux, Showcase, or Multiplex when children bring in a book report. (Parents of participants get free admission too.) Children under 6 years old can get in free without a book report. National Amusements has theaters in Connecticut, Massachusetts, New Jersey, New York, Ohio and Rhode Island.
- Scholastic Summer Reading. After creating an online account, kids can join a community of readers and will be able to read books and stories; attend weekly author events; interact with their favorite characters; play book-based games and activities; and more. Kids will be able to track their summer reading by maintaining a Reading Streak. The longer a child extends their reading streak, the more digital experiences they earn. The site is moderated for safety 24/7.
- Sync, sponsored by AudioFile Magazine and powered by OverDrive’s Sora student reading app, is designed for teens 13 and older. It provides two thematically paired audiobooks for checkout each week, for free, to every registered listener, for 14 weeks. The list of paired readings is a great resource for anyone looking for options for young adult reading.
More free reading resources
These aren’t reading programs, but they are great free reading resources for kids:
- Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library. Parents of children under the age of 5 who live in eligible zip codes can sign up to receive a free, high-quality book each month.
- Storyline Online. Members of the Screen Actors Guild read popular children’s books.
If you liked this post, you may also like:
Half Price Books has launched a new summer reading program this year – the Half Price Books Summer Reading Camp! The program features an online reading log, monthly rewards, printable activities, weekly giveaways of Half Pint Lending Libraries and HPB gift cards, and more. You can find all details about the program at www.hpb.com/summer. Thanks!