Encouraging reading is one of the most important things you can do with your kids this summer. I’m planning a variety of things: we’ll head to the library once per week, then come home and build tents or whatever is needed to find a “comfy” spot for independent reading; I want to do family reading, sharing favorite books like the Little House series; and we’ll also participate in some of these summer reading programs around town:
Barnes and NobleKids who read 8 books and keep track in a printable journal can head to the store to pick out a FREE book from this list. There’s also a printable Parent Kit to encourage your kids to do more summer reading. The program runs May 22nd through September 4th, and the limit is one FREE book per child.
Not just a summer program, Chuck E. Cheese is offering 10 FREE tokens to kids each time they read for 2 weeks in a row. Kids can earn 10 FREE tokens every time they read for 2 weeks in a row. Download a Reading Rewards Calendar. Limit is one of any FREE token offer per child, per day. Food purchase is required.
Half Price Books
Kids 14 and under can participate in the Feed Your Brain Summer Reading Program at Half Price Books. Find your local store and download the reading log. Add up your minutes to earn a $5 Back-to-School-Bucks reward.
National Amusements Theatres
Starting July 11th, kids receive FREE admission to Bookworm Wednesdays morning movies when they present a completed book report. Children under 6 do not need to complete the book report.
Pizza Hut
Pizza Hut’s Book It! program hosts the Summer Break Reading Challenge. Kids in grades K-6 can enter to win a Wimpy Kid prize package by reading five books this summer. 50 winners will each receive a Summer Break Tote Bag, Diary of a Wimpy Kid Book Series 1 thru 5, Diary of a Wimpy Kid DVD, Diary of a Wimpy Kid: Rodrick Rules DVD, a “Greg” plush, and a $20 Visa Gift Card.
Pottery Barn Kids
PBK is hosting a Summer Reading Challenge as well. Choose either the Award-Winning book list (for independent readers) or the Early Readers list (for read alouds), read throughout the summer, and complete the certificate. Bring it into your local PBK so your child can choose a FREE book and enter to win a backpack filled with books. 
Scholastic Summer Challenge
Scholastic has a FREE online program this summer, where kids can sign up and log their reading minutes to win rewards. You can download a FREE Family Participation Guide and track your kids reading along with them and get suggestions from the Scholastic Summer Challenge Book List.
Sylvan Book Adventure
Kids in grades K-8 can choose a book from the Book Adventure list, take a quiz on what they’ve read, and earn prizes. There are nearly 8,000 books in the program, and kids need to score at least 90% to earn points, but they can retake quizzes if necessary.
TD Bank
Kids can earn $10 to be deposited into their savings account or a new Young Savers account when they read 10 books in the TD Bank Summer Reading Program. If your child already has a Young Saver account, the $10 will be deposited into that account. If not, you can open an account by bringing a form of ID for your child to your local TD Bank.
Photo by Horia Varlan at Flickr
Don’t forget about the Summer Reading Programs at your local library! Ours has cool special performances (including an outdoor concert) and the kids can earn prizes too!