These summer reading programs will keep kids learning all summer long!
Keep your kids reading throughout the summer! đź“š
If you’re looking for a summer boredom buster and hoping to keep your children reading while school’s out, there are lots of free reading programs available for kids this year! Here are some of the best FREE free summer reading programs happening in 2023.
NOTE – Bookmark this page and keep checking back, as we will continue to update this post with any additional summer reading programs that become available!
Kids can earn a FREE book from the Barnes & Noble Summer Reading Program.
Now through August 31st, Barnes & Noble is hosting a Summer Reading Program, where kids in grades 1-6 can earn a completely FREE book by following these easy steps:
- Download the summer reading journal, or pick one up at your local Barnes & Noble store.
- Have your child read ANY eight books this summer and record them in the journal. They’ll need to share the book’s title and author, along with their favorite part of each book.
- Head to your nearest Barnes & Noble and turn in the completed journal between July 1 and August 31, 2023. Find a location near you.
- Choose a free book from the titles listed in the reading journal!
Earn Play Points from Chuck E. Cheese.
Chuck E. Cheese has a Reading Rewards Calendar that kids can complete over the summer. Just read every day for two weeks, track your progress on the calendar, then trade it in for 10 FREE play points at your local Chuck E. Cheese.
Even better, your child can start working on a new calendar every two weeks for multiple redemptions all summer long!
Half Price Books is holding a free Reading Camp this summer.
This summer, Half Price Books will offer its popular Summer Reading Camps again. Register your child(ren) now, and beginning on June 1 they’ll get access to themed book recommendations, printables, crafts, and fun activities all summer long!
After you’ve completed the online registration, stop by a Half-Price Books location to pick up your camper’s Reward Map. Once completed, your child’s reading log can be redeemed to earn $5 Bookworm Bucks!
Kellogg’s Feeding Reading Program is Back for a 5th Year.
Beginning May 21, Kellogg’s Feeding Reading program will give away FREE Penguin Random House Books with the purchase of select Kellogg’s products!
Even better, you can get up to 10 free books with your Kellogg’s purchases! There are so many different participating products that you can buy, so getting your free books is easy! Here’s how:
- Buy any participating Kellogg’s product in-store.
- Take a picture of your receipt.
- Visit FeedingReading.com and upload your receipt within 30 days of purchase. Each receipt must be uploaded separately by 10/30/23.
- Earn credits to redeem the book(s) of your choice to keep or donate. (Credits must be redeemed by 11/15/23).
Receive a FREE T-shirt from Mensa for Kids.
The Mensa for Kids Excellence in Reading program is open to all readers under the age of 18, and it will keep your kids reading high-quality literature all summer long!
To participate, kids can select one of these reading lists based on their grade level or reading ability. Then, print the appropriate list and have your child read all the books on it. Your child can track their progress by checking off each book and recording the date it was read, along with a rating.
After both the reader and an adult have signed the completed list, it can be sent to the Mensa Foundation at the address provided. Once the list is received, your child will get a commemorative certificate and an Excellence in Reading T-shirt, too!
Earn FREE pizza from the Pizza Hut Camp Book-It reading program.
Students entering PreK through 6th grade (ages 4-12) can now enroll in the Pizza Hut Camp Book It Program for the summer of 2023!
This parent-led summer reading program will track and reward your kids’ reading for June, July, and August. When a child meets their reading goal, they’ll receive a free one-topping Personal Pan Pizza from Pizza Hut!
Participate in Scholastic’s Summer Reading Program!
Now through September 7th, kids can participate in the Scholastic Summer Reading Program. Participants will get access to the Scholastic Home Base, a free digital community full of books, live events, and games in a kid-safe environment.
Readers will be encouraged to track their reading streaks to earn rewards, unlock fun digital experiences, and donate books to communities in need. Head on over to the Scholastic Summer Reading website to learn more.
Enjoy Bookworm Wednesdays at Showcase Cinemas.
The Bookworm Wednesdays reading program at Showcase Cinemas entitles kids to free admission to select children’s films when they present a book report at a participating box office.
Accompanying parents or guardians and children under six years of age also receive free admission – no book report required!
Teens get 2 FREE Sora audiobooks per week this summer from SYNC.
SYNC is a free summer audiobook program for teens ages 13 and up. Registration for the 2023 season is now open and FREE to all teens!
This year’s summer reading program will last through August 2. Each week, SYNC participants will receive two thematically paired audiobooks delivered through the student reading app Sora. By the end of the program, teens will have had the opportunity to listen to 28 new titles! Check out our Sora Reading App post to learn more about this program.
Check with your public library for local summer reading programs.
Be sure to check your local public library, as many of them will have summer reading programs for kids in addition to FREE storytimes, family movie days, kids clubs, activities, and more throughout the summer!
