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Do you have a grandchild who requires incentives to read? Or maybe you are just looking to make reading even more fun (or challenging) this summer? No matter the situation, summer vacation is here, and with it comes countless programs that will reward your grandchild for reading!
Here are a few of my favorite summer reading programs for the grandkids, all of which come with their own unique set of rewards and incentives:
(Please note: Check with your local store to see if they are participating, as it can vary from location to location.)
1. Scholastic Summer Reading Challenge
The Scholastic Summer Reading Challenge is a free online program encouraging children to read all summer. Participants can track the number of minutes they read and earn virtual rewards. Schools with the most reading minutes are recognized at the end of the summer.
2. Barnes & Noble Summer Reading Program
The Barnes & Noble Summer Reading Program is designed for children in first through sixth grades. Kids read eight books of their choosing, write about their favorite part in a provided journal, and bring it to a Barnes & Noble location to pick a free book from a select list.
3. TD Bank Summer Reading Program
The TD Bank Summer Reading Program rewards kids for their summer reading efforts by offering $10 to each child who reads ten books. The money is deposited directly into a new or existing Young Saver account.
4. Half Price Books Feed Your Brain Summer Reading Program
In the Half Price Books Feed Your Brain Summer Reading Program, kids aged 14 and under are challenged to read 15 minutes per day in June and July. Once they’ve read 300 minutes, they can turn in their completed reading log to earn HPB Bookworm Bucks.
5. Pizza Hut’s Book It! Program
Pizza Hut’s Book It! Program is a reading incentive program that awards kids with praise, recognition, and pizza. It runs throughout the school year, but they also offer summer reading challenges.
6. Books-A-Million Summer Reading Program
With the Books-A-Million Summer Reading Program, children read any four books from the summer reading adventure section in-store or online, then write about the books they’ve read in their Summer Reading Adventure log book. In return, they receive a free “Because of Winn-Dixie” Notepad and Pen.
7. Chuck E. Cheese’s Reading Rewards
Chuck E. Cheese offers a variety of rewards calendars, including one for reading, that kids can use to track their reading over two weeks. Once completed, the calendar can be traded for ten free play points or tokens on their next visit.
8. H-E-Buddy Summer Reading Club
The H-E-Buddy Summer Reading Club sends an official t-shirt to each child who reads ten books. This program is based in Texas but is available to children everywhere.
9. Pottery Barn Kids Summer Book Club
Pottery Barn Kids offers a Summer Book Club with recommended book lists. Children who finish the list can visit their local store and receive a free prize.
10. Sylvan’s Book Adventure
Sylvan’s Book Adventure is a national, year-round program offered by Sylvan Learning. This free program motivates students in grades K-8 to read by rewarding their reading accomplishments with praise, recognition, and pizza.
11. Public Libraries
Most public libraries have summer reading programs with a unique theme and incentive system. Kids usually earn prizes for reaching their reading goals. Check with your local library for specific details.
12. Soar With Reading
Soar With Reading is a program by JetBlue that encourages kids to take flight with reading during the summer months. The program usually includes a book donation program, a free book vending machine in select cities, and a reading list to keep kids engaged.
13. American Girl Summer Reading Challenge
The American Girl Summer Reading Challenge encourages children to read and complete a reading log over the summer. Participants can earn a special in-store reward for completing the challenge.
Conclusion
There you have it: 13 stellar programs with incentives that are sure to keep your grandkids reading all summer! Whether or not their summer vacation has started, now is the time to get them signed up for one (or all) of these amazing rewards programs. Enjoy! (Oh, and if you are looking for books to read aloud, I cannot recommend these enough.)
