Summer Reading Challenges - Incentives to Keep Your Kids Reading this Summer

In our last blog, we talked about why it’s important for kids of all ages to keep reading over summer break. In this blog, we’re going to make that job a little easier for you!

Many organizations offer free summer reading challenges that provide incentives such as free meals, movies, books, and more to encourage your kids to keep reading over the summer. We’ve listed some of our favorites below. Check the website for each for age ranges, prizes, requirements, and other details. Drop a line in the comments with any challenges you know of that we may have missed!

 Local libraries: Most local libraries have summer reading programs where kids can earn prizes for reading a certain number of books. Many libraries also have free story times for young kids; check your local library for details.
·       Pizza Hut: Pizza Hut offers Camp BOOK IT! to encourage kids to read all summer. Kids who meet monthly goals will earn a free personal pan pizza.

·       Showcase Cinemas: Kids can earn free admission to certain children’s movies when they participate in Showcase’s summer reading program.

·       Barnes & Noble: The Barnes & Noble program is available only to kids in grades 1 – 6, but kids can earn a free book after reading only eight books.

·       Chuck E. Cheese: Kids read to earn points that they can exchange for free tokens at participating Chuck E. Cheese restaurants.

·       Reading is Fundamental: RIF offers “summer reading field trips.” Join their reading program for recommended books plus accompanying activities and videos.

·       Books-A-Million: Older kids can earn a water bottle by reading four books from BAM’s summer reading adventure list and then writing about them in the accompanying logbook.

·       Panda Express: Kids ages 5-12 can earn a free kid’s meal by reading as few as five books in Panda Express’ “Read with Me” program.

·       Kellogg’s: Buy a participating Kellogg’s product before September 30, upload your receipt, and receive a free book from Penguin Random House.

·       Professional Sports Programs: Some professional sports teams sponsor summer reading programs. Check your locals team for details.

·       Schools: While schools might not offer incentive programs, many schools have suggested summer reading lists on their website for kids as young as five.

Kids’ Summer Book Club: Have your kids invite their friends to join a book club. For preschoolers and kindergartners, moms can take turn hosting and reading a story book to kids. Ask them questions – what happened? What do you think will happen next? Do you like the character? Keep it short and fun and then treat them to a related snack and play time. Kids who can read on their own can read a book or a chapter, talk about it, and have a related snack and play time.
 
Summer Bingo: Inspired by Imagination Soup, we created a summer reading BINGO card you can access here. Have your kids read books in the various categories to try to get Bingo. Agree ahead of time on a “prize” your kids will get when they hit Bingo. Be creative: you can go for a special treat like ice cream, a picnic, a trip to the zoo, or an outing to the pool – just find something that works for your kids and your budget! We’ve talked a lot about keeping school-age kids reading over the summer, but did you know it’s important to read to your child even if he or she is still a baby? Check our next blog where we talk about why it’s vital to talk to and read to your kids early and often.
 
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