We’re hitting the pool most days, but sometimes it’s raining or someone’s just too tired (who, me?), so we’re inside. Great time to read a bunch of books! Get your kids involved in a summer reading program and enjoy some quiet time:
Barnes & Noble Summer Reading: Go into the store to pick up a Summer Reading Journal or download and print one here. Read 8 books and tell your favorite part of each story. The Journal also includes activities related to Percy Jackson & the Olympians. When you’ve completed your 8 books, bring the form into and redeem it for a FREE Book from a selection in the Children’s section. The program runs through September 7 and is for school-aged children, grades 1-6.
Borders Kids’ Reading Challenge: Pick up your Reading Challenge Worksheet in-store or download and print one here. Read any 8 books and complete the form, then take it in to redeem the 50% off coupon for one of the 7 specially-selected items (you’ll end up paying $4.99). The program runs through August 31 and is for kids 12 and under.
Your Local Library: Most public library systems run a summer reading program. Here in Fairfax County, when the kids read 15 books, they earn a coupon booklet filled with freebies and discounts to local places. It’s a lot of fun for us to redeem all those coupons! We’ve already had a free ice cream cone at McDonald’s, gone mini-golfing, and picked up a free box of cereal at Giant.
Did you miss any of the fun summer programs I’ve highlighted this summer? Click on “Kids” in the category list to the right or search for “Frugal Fun” in the search box for more ideas to keep you and the kids happy this summer.
You can't forget Half Price Books! They have a reading log sheet and for each week your child reads or is read to for 15 minutes per day, at least 5 days per week, they get a $3 store credit, which is plenty for a few books in the clearance section or one in the regular section!
I've been taking my girls to our library every week, and when they show their reading logs they get a prize (pretty good ones, like a big watercolor paint set). They also get an additional prize if they turn in a book report.
I've also created my own summer reading program at home, mainly to encourage my 5-yr-old to work on her reading skills and memorize more high frequency words. I have a basic chart posted on the fridge, and she earns stars for various activities. Enough stars and she gets a prize (I have a bag of loot from the dollar spot at Target).
Hi Gina,
For Prince William County, VA they have a similar summer reading program with the theme "Be Creative @ Your Library" that runs June 22-September 4. Each week you can get a free coupon (no matter how many books you read), and when you hit 5 books, 15 books, and 25 books read you get another special coupon.
So far we've gotten coupons to Chick-fil-A, Great American Buffet, Uno's Chicago Pizza, Splash Down Water park, one free kid's ticket to a DC United game. Most of the coupons seem to be for a free kid's item with the purchase of an adult item.
Laura
Two quick notes on the Fairfax County, VA, program, which I think is just fantastic. I was happy to find that it is open to pre-schoolers too (reading to them counts!). This has allowed our 2-yr-old to participate in the fun — and get her own coupon book with freebies. And, today when we decided to get the free "backpack" (really a drawstring sack) being given out at various local merchants, we went to the Treasure Trove consignment shop in Springfield Plaza. In addition to giving us the bags, they also let each child pick out a book from their children's book closet and gave me two $5 off/$10 purchase. A nice surprise!
I'm excited to see that BN is doing their program again. But why couldn't I find anything about it when I searched their website a few weeks ago? I tried again today and unless I use your link to the "summer reading" program, I can't find anything about it under "kids", "events," or otherwise.Thanks for all the great tips you have, not just this one!