Every summer, my kids look forward to their favorite summer reading programs. I make summer reading a huge priority in our house so these programs are a fun (and free!) way to incentivize reading. We are signing up for these free summer reading programs 2023 so our kids earn free books, free food, money and other prizes.
Summer reading programs are so much a part of our summers that my oldest daughter gives thanks the Barnes and Noble program and the DOGO Books program for introducing her to some of her favorite book series including Keeper of the Lost Cities and The School for Good and Evil. My kids are especially excited that Book It is back with free Pizza Hut Pizzas. They love to “pay” for dinner with their rewards certificate. Which summer reading program are your kids most excited about?
2023 Free Summer Reading Programs
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- Barnes and Noble’s Summer Reading – This remains our favorite summer reading program! Through August 31, 2023, have your kids read any 8 books and record them in the Barnes & Noble Summer Reading Journal (available online HERE). Once they complete the journal, they can take it back to the store to pick a free book from the list at the back of the journal. Note – this summer reading program includes TEENS and ADULTS, but only kids grades 1-6 earn a prize! FREE BOOK!
- Book It – Book It is back! I am super excited because Book It has returned to its roots this summer to offer free Pizza Hut personal pan pizzas for readers! Enroll in the first-ever Camp Book It and track your kid’s reading progress on the dashboard. FREE PIZZA!
- Chuck E. Cheese’s Reading Rewards Calendar – Through December 31, 2023, Chuck E. Cheese will reward kids for good behavior with its calendars. Download a Reading Rewards Calendar and your kiddo can mark off each day he/she reads. When the calendar is full, two weeks, turn it into your local Chuck E. Cheese for 10 free game tokens. Bonus, this can be done again and again. (PS – there are other reward calendars too.) 10 FREE GAME TOKENS!
- Books A Million – Read any four books on the summer reading adventure section this summer, write about the books in your log HERE and return to your local BAM for a The World Of Eragon water bottle from the summer reading ambassador Christopher Paolini (while supplies last). FREE Water bottle!
- CAPCOM Federal Credit Union – Three times a year kids from K-12 can earn $10 by reading 5 books – summer, fall and winter. That’s up to $30 per year. Get the reading log information HERE. Plus there are cash prizes for good grades too. (Bonus, kids can also earn up to $30 for good grades on their report card.) $10 for summer reading.
- Showcase Cinemas – Bookworm Wednesday rewards your little one with free admission to a select children’s film when they present a book report. Accompanying parents or guardians and children under six years of age receive free admission and do not need to submit a book report. Free movie!
- Reading With The Rays – Florida baseball fans can earn two free tickets to a Tampa Bay Rays game by reading. Log your hours and the form HERE and read at least 24 hours this summer to your tickets. TWO FREE BASEBALL TICKETS.
- Scholastic’s Summer Read-a-Palooza – Through September 7, 2023, kids can use their reading days to help unlock a donation of 25,000 print books from Scholastic distributed by United Way to kids in areas with limited or no access to books. For every two days in a row that kids track their reading streaks, Scholastic will donate six books. Kids will also find books, live events, and games in a safe community for readers via Scholastic Homebase. HELP DONATE BOOKS!
- Half Price Books Summer Reading Camp – Visit Half Price Books in June and July to pick up a reading log and sticker sheet (while supplies last). Kids who turn in their reading log can earn Bookworm Bucks good toward anything in the store. $5 Bookworm Bucks!
- HEB Grocery Stores’, HE Buddy Summer Reading Club – Read any 10 books and then mail back the form by October 1, 2023, to receive a special prize. FYI – valid only for Texas residents. Special Prize.
- Mensa for Kids Excellence in Reading Program — Kids ages 18 and under can select a list from the grade level bands listed. Print the list and track each book you read by checking it off and recording the date it was read, along with a rating. Submit your list to receive a recognition certificate and T-shirt.Free shirt.
- Sync Summer Reading Program for Teens – Here’s a summer reading program made especially for teens (13+) that will get them two free audiobooks each week through August 2, 2023.
- Local libraries – Most local libraries have some kind of summer reading program often with goodie bags from local merchants. (Ours gives a free book to every kid who registers!) Check your local library for more details.
More Summer Ideas
Regal Summer Movie Express 2023 movie schedule – $2 movies and 50% off popcorn.
Help your kids keep track of their summer reading with this free printable summer reading log.
Set screen time rules for summer with this Summer Screen Time Rules checklist printable. My kids love having a loose schedule they can be in charge of to play out their day.
Plus keep your kids busy this summer with these 15 Free Summer Activities For Kids.