Summer reading programs aren’t what they used to be when I was a kid growing up. I remember being rewarded with small items like stickers and a pizza party if your class had the highest number of reading logs turned in from summer break.I used to get so excited when the summer reading lists were handed out. Now that I have kids of my own I still get the same sense of excitement when summer rolls around even though my kids are both under the age of three.
I think summer reading programs are great! They provide opportunities and incentives to encourage children to keep reading through the summer months. There are plenty of fun programs to keep kids reading all summer long. Below are a few for your little bookworms to enjoy (ages 5 and up).
The Book It! reading program has been around for several years. Details for 2015 will be live in June and details can be found here. The program kicks off June 22, 2015.
This year the Barnes and Noble summer reading program, Imagination’s Destination, gives out a free book to each child who reads 8 books over the summer.
This summer reading program runs May 19 – September 7, 2015.
Limits to Be Aware Of
The Barnes and Noble summer reading program is only available to school-aged children in grades 1-6.Only one book is available for each child who completes a reading journal and choice must be made from the selected books available at the store.
I mentioned this challenge in my last post. Scholastic has a summer reading challenge where kids read and then go online to record the minutes they’ve read during the summer. They’ll also be able to take weekly challenges to earn rewards.
This summer reading programs runs May 4 – September 4, 2015.
Chuck E. Cheese has a reading program where kids can earn free 10 Chuck E. Cheese tokens for reading each day for 2 weeks. This reading program goes on all year.To get started, simply scroll down on the website to download the ‘Reading Rewards’ log sheet to keep track of books read.
Note: In addition to a reading incentive chart there are many other incentive charts including, good behavior, daily chores, clean room, good eater and more.Showcase Cinemas Reading Program
Live near a Showcase Cinemas theatre? The Showcase Cinemas summer reading program gives out free movie tickets to select kids movies that plays every Wednesday morning at 10:00 a.m. beginning on July 8, 2015 until July 29, 2015. This means that your kid can see 4 free movies this summer!
Their summer reading program for 2015 is called Bookworm Wednesdays.
How it works:
Visit Showcase Cinemas Bookwork Wednesdays and click on Download the Book Report to open a PDF file of the book report form. Print out the book report and fill out the title of the book you read, the author, a description of the book, and the child’s name.
Bring the completed book report into a participating Showcase Cinemas movie theater each Wednesday from July 8, 2015 to July 29, 2015 for the 10:00 a.m. movie to get free admission.
Here’s the schedule for the free Showcase Cinemas kids movies:
· July 8 – Rio 2
· July 15 – Penguins of Madagascar
· July 22 – How to Train Your Dragon 2
· July 29 – Annie
Limits to Be Aware Of
Limits to Be Aware Of
The Showcase Cinemas summer reading program is available only at participating Showcase Cinemas locations.
Parents who take their kid for the free movie get free admission as do children 6 years and younger without submitting a book report.TD Bank Summer Reading Program
The TD Bank summer reading program awards kids $10 when they read 10 books over the summer.
When a child reads 10 books, TD Bank deposits $10 into their new or existing Young Saver bank account.Bring the completed TD Bank summer reading program form into your local TD Bank before between June 1, 2015 and August 31, 2015. If your child has an existing Young Saver account, the $10 will be deposited into that account. If your child doesn’t have one, you’ll need to bring a form of ID for your child so a Young Saver account can be opened.
Limits to Be Aware Of
The TD Bank summer reading program is limited to children Kindergarten through 5th grade.
Each child can only complete 1 form for the TD Bank summer reading program.
They are offering kids ages 14 and under a chance to earn a $5 Gift Card for reading just 15 each day throughout the summer!Read 15 minutes a day for a month in June and July. (Grown-ups may read aloud to kids who are still learning.) Use this reading log PDF , add up your minutes and have your parent or guardian initial each week. Once you’ve reached 300 or more minutes, bring your log to your local HPB to claim your Bookworm Bucks.
Local Public Library
Since my kids are too young to participate in any of the programs listed above (bummer), we’ll be checking out a few of our local libraries.Most library locations offer something special for thier community – often weekly! Don’t forget to check out your local libraries to find out which programs they’ll be offering. Take a friend and make it a little field trip! Some locations will even be offering FREE books, prizes or crafts!
Since my kids are too young to participate in any of the programs listed above (bummer), we’ll be checking out a few of our local libraries.Most library locations offer something special for thier community – often weekly! Don’t forget to check out your local libraries to find out which programs they’ll be offering. Take a friend and make it a little field trip! Some locations will even be offering FREE books, prizes or crafts!
You can also create your own summer reading program. Check out this 10 week do-it-yourself themed summer reading program from Education.com.
Your turn: Am I the only mom who gets excited about this stuff? What’s your favorite summer reading program? Do your kids enjoy summer reading or dread it? Do prizes help motivate them?
