Can you believe summer is right around the corner? Summer break also means summer reading programs, and there are some great perks to be found! A Google search will provide LOTS of options, but here are five that our kids are actually participating in this summer:
Pizza Hut’s Book-It Summer Reading Program
You may be familiar with Pizza Hut’s Book-It Program during the school year (which starts October 1), but you can also join their summer reading program. They will send weekly e-mails with activities and reading encouragement to help increase reading time over the summer. Even if you aren’t overly interested in the e-mails and other activities (we may take or leave them), now is a great time to enroll in next year’s program so your kids can earn free pizza in the fall! You can register here.
Half-Price Books
This is one of our favorite programs that we’ve utilized every summer for several years. If your child brings in a signed reading log with a record of 300 minutes of reading (or being read to), he or she will receive a $5 HPB gift card. This can be redeemed twice during the summer, once in June and once in July. It also applies to each individual child, so the rewards can rack up quickly if you have multiple children! [Unfortunately, HPB hasn’t yet confirmed that they will be doing this summer reading program for 2021, but fingers crossed!]
Our Local Library
We used to live in Cuyahoga County, which has one of the top library programs in the nation. Their summer reading program was fantastic, offering Chipotle gift cards, free ice cream, free museum admission, and more. Our current library system also has some great perks like free rock climbing classes, half-price admission to local festivals, and free pizza at a few local places. Make sure you check your library for any summer incentives they’re offering!
Barnes and Noble
This is a really fun summer reading opportunity for kids in grades 1-6. Each child has to read eight books and write down their favorite part of each book. When their log is completed, they can bring it in to any Barnes and Noble store and choose a free book! You can print the log here.
Chuck E. Cheese
Chuck E. Cheese has a Reading Rewards calendar that, once completed, can be turned in for 10 free play points. Your child just has to read every day for 2 weeks, and then they can bring in their completed log in to redeem for free points. With multiple kids, this adds up quickly! You can access the printable calendar here.