FREE Summer Reading Programs - Children Can Earn Prizes

I wanted to start compiling a list of summer reading programs for my readers. I am sure this will be getting updated over the next few weeks so keep checking back. All of these programs offer children some great incentives so its a great way to encourage reading over the next few months. And if your anything like us you read a lot.

I am sure with as much as we read we will be able to log enough reading hours to participate in most if not all of them.

Scholastic Summer Reading Challenge - In Summer 2011, students around the world logged 64,213,141 reading minutes. Can you help set a new world record for summer reading? Sign up your children. Then all your children need to do is read books, log minutes and earn prizes.

Book It Reading Sweepstakes - Starting June 15th children K-6 who read five books will be eligible to enter for a chance to win a "Diary of a Wimpy Kids" summer fun prize package. Fill out the entry form here.

*Don't forget to also register for the BOOK IT program for 2012-2013. Your children can earn FREE personal pan pizzas through this program.

Book Adventure - Sylvan offers a reading incentive program. Children will read books and then take a simple comprehension quiz to make sure they understood what they read. There are hundreds of books to choose from in all reading levels.

BJU Press - There are 3 different age groups. Each group has age-appropriate reading requirements and a suggested summer reading list. Have your child meet their reading goal 5 days a week for an eight-week period between May 15 and August 15. Then submit the completion form (available July 16) here on the Summer Reading program website. Once you submit your children's completion form, they will receive a free flying disc and are eligible for the Grand Prize drawing! The Grand Prize drawing is for a Kindle Fire.

National Amusements Theaters Bookworm Wednesdays - Your child can earn a FREE movie ticket from National Amusements Theaters when they read a book and complete a book report. Not available in all cities.

PBS Kids Summer Reading Challenge – This challenge kicks off on June 6th and will run for six weeks. Children have the chance to win daily prizes for their participation.

Barnes & Noble Imagination Destination - This is probably one of our favorite reading programs. We did it last year and Gwyn was super excited when she earned her prize. Children will log the books they read on the provided log. After they meet the requirement they can take it into a Barnes and Nobles to receive a FREE book. *Please note at the time of this posting the log was not updated yet for 2012 so please check back.

Barnes and Noble also offers free storytime. You can enter your zip code here to see a list of events at your store.

Local Public Library - Check your library for reading programs. Ours has one starting at the beginning of June. Our library also offers weekly story times.

TD Bank Summer Reading Program – Read and keep track of 10 books this summer and your child will get $10 added to their Young Saver Account FREE! Not available in all cities.

Chuck E. Cheese – Children earn 10 FREE tokens every time they read 2 weeks in a row.  Just fill out the form and take it into your local Chuck E. Cheese to claim your free tokens.

Pottery Barn Kids - Free storytime for children of all ages on Tuesdays at 11am. Your child will receive a passport and once they attend 5 storytimes, they get a FREE gift.

Zane Grey Summer Reading Challenge - Children who read 10 books this summer and record them in the downloadable Reading Log and also write a book review or design an illustration for one of the books,will earn a free book! Hand deliver or mail the completed log and review/illustration to the Zane Grey Museum before September 3, 2012 to be eligible. You can pick up your free book or it will be sent to you.

H.E.Buddy Summer Reading Program - (To join, visit hebudding.com and click on Clubs and Contests). Children  read any 10 books and log them on the downloadable Reading Club Form.  Parents initial each book read and mail the completed form to H.E.Buddy by October 1, 2012. Kids will receive cool prizes in the mail. (I updated the link on this one recently because the previous link was to an old form)

Half Price Books - (ages 14 and under) Children can earn a $5 gift card when they read at least 15 minutes a day. Once they reach 300 minutes they just turn in the completed reading log and they will receive the $5 HPB Back-to-School Bucks reading reward for the month. Not available in all cities.

As Dr. Seuss said, :The more that you read, the more things you will know. The more that you learn, the more places you'll go."

Have a great summer and happy reading. If you know of any other programs please share them in the comments below so I can add them to the list.