Free Kids Summer Reading Programs

School may be out for the summer, but that doesn’t mean learning has to stop. Get your kids involved in one of these free summer reading programs and they’ll be soaking in knowledge along with the sun.

Barnes and Noble Summer Reading - Kids earn a free book when they read any eight books through the Barnes and Noble Summer Reading program. Just download the Reading Journal, track completed books and then kids can choose a free book when they turn in the completed journal.

Border’s Double-Dog Dare - Border’s is daring kids to read this summer with the Double-Dog Dare challenge. Kids 12 and under can read any ten books they like. When they turn in the completed form to any Borders, Borders Express or Waldenbooks between now and September 5 they’ll get a free book.

Sylvan’s Book Adventure - Sylvan Learning Center is heading up Book Adventure, a free reading motivation program for kids in grades K-8. Children read books, take quizzes and earn points for literary success. From now until June 13 they’ll holding the Thrilladelic Reading Contest giving kids a chance to win movie tickets to Judy Moody and the NOT Bummer Summer along with other groovy gifts.

Pottery Barn Kids’ Summer Reading Challenge - Encourage kids to read all summer long by completing the Pottery Barn Kids’ Summer Reading Challenge. Once they check off every book on the list they’ll be rewarded with a free book. You can also take your child to PBK locations each Tuesday from 11am-11:30 for free Story Time.

Lifeway Christian Stores Summer Reading Race - Ready, set, read with Lifeway Christian Stores Summer Reading Race. Sign up in the store and get your hands on a punch card. The punch card will track books read and also gives your family a 15% discount on all regularly priced children’s books during the summer. For every five books your child reads they’ll get a special reward.

Half Price Books’ Feed Your Brain Summer Reading Program - Print out a Feed Your Brain Reading Log and encourage kids to dedicate 15 minutes a day to reading for June and July. Turn in your completed log at a Half Price Books location between July 25 and August 7 to receive $5 in Back-to-School Bucks.

National Amusements Theaters’ Book Worm Wednesdays - Kids may rather go to the movies than read, but with the Bookworm Wednesday program through National Amusements Theaters they can do both. Every Wednesday morning at 10am from July 6-August 10 kids who bring a book report with them get free admission to the Bookworm Wednesday movie.

TD Bank Summer Reading Program - If money talks to your kid this may be the summer reading program for them. TD Bank will add $10 to a new or existing Young Saver Account when they read ten books and log them on the printable Summer Reading Form.

Chuck E. Cheese’s Reading Rewards Calendar - If you can get your kids to read for two weeks in a row they’ll earn ten free tokens from Chuck E. Cheese’s. Print off the Reading Reward Calendar to keep track. A food purchase is required.

PBS Kids Summer Reading Community Challenge - Sign up now for a free 6-week summer reading program that will help kids discover the love of reading. When you sign up you’ll get daily emails full of activities, book suggestions, tips and chances to win daily prizes.

By Alison Storm

Barnes & Noble coupon - Save 15% on 1 item with coupon code L9E7J9F through 06/06/2011.

Borders coupon - Save 33% on the list price of 1 item with coupon code BRG3350G through 06/06/2011.