Summer Reading Clubs 2023: Cool Things Your Kids Can Earn by Reading

It's June, which means it's summer. The kids are out of school, the cupboard is constantly almost bare and the kids are trying to see how much screen time they can log in one single day. 

I say this every year, but this summer, especially, I don't want my kids to lose the progress they've made all year at school. One way to help kids get (and stay) ahead academically is by encouraging them to read, which is why so many places offer incentives for kids who are willing to open a book or 5 or 10 this summer. (I'm paying my kids to read books in Spanish. They are all inspired... for now)

This kid loves to read... and she loves when she gets prizes and incentives for reading, too!

If your kid needs a little extra push to crack open a book and journey with the characters inside, I get it. So do bookstores and other local companies, who are willing to give your kids some cool freebies in exchange for reading. So, if your kid is looking for a reason to head over to the library and pick up a few new titles that pique their interest, well, here it is. Here are several summer reading programs your kids won't want to miss!

Summer reading programs where kids can earn prizes for reading

• Free Play Arlington- Kids love video games? Same. Make them earn their gaming adventures by reading five books and submitting their list to the Free Play website (linked above) for free admission plus other goodies! Kids can submit multiple lists for multiple free entries. This sounds like a reading challenge my kids can get behind!
• Chica Power- I'm super excited about this one because this is an awesome local mama supporting awesome local kids! Kids can earn one free kids shake at Chica Power (located at Bowen and Park Row in Arlington) for every 5 books they read. They can pick up a punchcard starting Saturday and start earning summer treats right away. Yum!
• H-E-Buddy Reading Club- Read 10 books and mail or email the completed form (linked above) for the chance to a win a prize that will be mailed to your home. 
• Book It Reading Program- Kids can read for their dinner with the Book It Program from Pizza Hut. Kids can simply read, log their time online and then submit the form to have a coupon for a free Personal Pan Pizza mailed right to them. Yum! 
• Barnes and Noble Summer Reading Log- Have your kiddo read eight books, complete the log and bring it to your closes Barnes and Noble location for a free book from a preselected list. What a great way to build your home library! 
• Feeding Reading from Kellogg's- Okay, so this one isn't so much encouraging your kids to read as much as it is giving them free books to fill their library. But one participating Kellogg's product (see the link for details) and submit the online form for a free book. Redeem up to 10 times for 10 free books!
• Summer Reading Club from Half Price Books- The interactive summer reading club has lots of cool activities and resources for mom and dad as well as an incentive for the kids- bring in the completed reading log and get $5 in bookworm bucks that can be applied to anything in the store. Shopping spree!
• Discover Summer at the Arlington Public Library- The library offers lots of great summer programming so check back often. Be sure to check back for prizes for a completed reading log, too! Don't forget to check out summer reading incentives from other area libraries, too, such as Grand Prairie, Mansfield, Kennedale and more. 
• Free book tote from Little Mama Shirt Shop- Download the free tracker at the linked website and read 200 books with your kiddo this summer (picture books count!). Then submit the tracker for a free tote! This is how they suck me in... I want basically every shirt in this shop! 

Snag this adorable tote when you and your kiddo read 200 books together this summer!

If I've missed any summer reading incentives, please send them my way! I love love love to read myself and will do anything to encourage it in my kiddos!