Summer Reading Programs 2022: Kids' Reading Programs near Arlington, Texas

Summer break is (practically) here!

Time for summer vacations, lazy days by the pool, day and overnight camps and just general relaxing and thinking about anything except school.

Buuuuut (my kids are going "Mom, don't even talk about learning" as I type this), if you are like me, you want your kids to do something, anything, that resembles learning over the summer.

Reading is the perfect compromise. It's educational and fun and something kids of all ages can do, most of them without parental guidance. Books can be borrowed for free from local libraries or found in Little Free Libraries all over Texas. Kids can find a genre or an author that they love and just dive in.

This kid loves the Whatever After series!

Reading is good for kids (and adults!) for a number of reasons. It can improve your memory and focus, expand your vocabulary and improve brain function. There is no shortage of reasons why kids should read over the summer. 

If your kids need a little extra push to get reading this summer, they aren't alone. Locally, a number of local businesses recognize that kids sometimes need a small incentive to open a book and get reading. Here are some great programs that will reward your kids to do something rewarding in and of itself: reading!

Summer reading incentive programs for kids 2022

Pizza Hut Book It- Yep- Book It! is back. Actually, I'm not entirely sure it ever left. But if you spent your childhood reading to earn a free personal pan pizza, well, now you can pass the tradition on to your children! Kids 4-12 years old can read to earn a free pizza. Sweet!

Arlington Public Library Discover Reading- Formerly called the Summer Reading Challenge, this program offers so much for kids. Not only will the library host free concerts and play dates all summer long for kids and teens, but kids can read five books and earn a number of goodies. There is even an adult reading club! Sign up on the website for more details. 

Free Play Arlington Read It- Guys- I'm SUPER pumped about this one. If you can believe it, I have never been to Free Play! Kids can read 5 books and fill out the online form for free admission and a free swag item! I read 5 books in April... Can I get in for free? All those vintage games look awesome! 

HEBuddy Summer 2022 Reading Program- Designed for kids in Texas between the ages of 3 and 12, the HEBuddy program runs through October 1. Print out the reading log, complete your summer reading and mail in the journal for a special prize. 

Barnes & Noble Summer Reading List- Kids entering grades 1-6 can fill out this summer's reading log and turn it in for a free book from a pre-selected list. This program runs through August. 

Chuck E Cheese Summer Reading Rewards- Print the summer reading calendar and mark the days you complete the task. When you've filled the calendar, bring it to Chuck E Cheese for 10 free play points. 

Half Price Books Summer Reading Camp- Starting June 1, HPB will offer four different reading camps for kids. From camp creativity (focusing on arts and crafts) to camp imagination (focusing on music and arts), this program has lots of great programming that will appeal to everyone. 

I can't wait to get my kids reading all summer! And, if you want to keep up with me and all my reading, the next books on my bookshelf are The Paris Bookseller and Last Train to London!

Reading from her favorite series. 

Happy summer reading! 

A New Reading Adventure: The Cities of Adventure Series by Rishi Piparaiya

I love to travel. And I love to read. 

So when I discovered the Cities of Adventure series by Rishi Piparaiya, I couldn't wait to get my hands on a few books! 

Books about travel have such a special place in my heart because I think they help you visualize places you maybe haven't personally experienced. I admit, one of my favorite things about Dan Brown's books (Angels & Demons, The Da Vinci Code) is reading about Robert Langdon racing through some of my favorite cities in Europe, uncovering secrets. I've been to the Vatican before, but Angels & Demons made me want to race back to Rome and rediscover some of the areas Dan Brown discusses in the novel with the information the book provided. I love when reading and real life intersect!

A new reading adventure: exciting stories for young readers

The Cities of Adventure Books by Rishi Piparaiya. 

These new adventure books, available on Amazon, are that intersection of travel and adventure for kids. My middle daughter, my most avid reader of my three, sped through these great chapter books, embarking on a city-wide adventure in three major metropolitan areas around the world. 

The Race to Phar Lap's Saddle follows kids Neil and Tara through this exciting Australian City as the kids find themselves on mission to recover a stolen artifact. The book includes a kid-friendly map of the city, as well as travel tips, some differences between American English and Australian English and lots of cool facts about the land down under.

Cities of Adventure: The Race to Phar Lap's Saddle.

Framed in Hollywood tells the tale of a famed and framed Hollywood actress. Sally Sinclair is a well-known actress who is accused of committing a crime on the set of her latest film. Is she guilty? Or innocent? The books incorporates some of my favorite spots in Los Angeles- Rodeo Drive, the Hollywood Walk of Fame, Sunset Boulevard. You can also learn cool facts about the US and some of your favorite celebrities in the back of this fun book. 

Cities of Adventure: Framed in Hollywood

The Secret of the Snallygaster takes place in our nation's capitol, Washington D.C. Tara and Neil, the tale's star brother and sister duo, are on vacation in DC when a long-hidden family secret is revealed. The secret turns their vacation on its head, and the duo race to save a mysterious and magical creature, the snallygaster. We loved reading the tidbits about America in the back of the book and my middle daughter is mapping out all of the places she wants to go visit in Washington thanks to this book. 

There is already a fourth book out about New York City that we haven't read yet, called The Men from B.A.G.E.L. These books are all available on Amazon for $12.99. I am not an Amazon affiliate, so I don't stand to gain anything if you purchase through the links I've provided. There are more books coming in this series about cities all over the world. What a fun way to expose your kids to new cities and cultures and foster their love of reading!

Showing off a city map in a Cities of Adventure book from Amazon.

I did receive these books for free in exchange for my review. All thoughts and opinions are my own. 

  

Kids' Summer Reading Incentives

I love to read. Like, love love to read. I read 6 books in May and have more than 70 (that is not a typo) stacked against my bedroom wall just waiting for me to dive in. I prefer chick lit by British authors as well as mysteries and thrillers. The last great book I read was The Paris Orphan, although I do wish the ending had been different.

These days, my kids feel the pull of screens more than I would like them to. It's hard to convince them to put down YouTube Kids and read a book. In the summer, I institute 20 minutes of reading every day. It can be more but it can't be less. Somedays they read willingly, somedays it's a real challenge. 

Check out the great article I recently did for Zulily about starting a book club for kids! I loved doing this with my girls when they are little and am trying to convince my youngest to round up a few friends start one herself. 

My most avid reader with her current favorite book, The Miscalculations of Lightning Girl.

Luckily, there are lots of great summer reading incentives for kids out there right now. My girls can get earn all kinds of great stuff, from free books to free food, just by sitting still and reading a book. Why won't someone do that for me?! I'd be the happiest mama on the planet if someone gave me freebies for doing something I already love...

Summer Reading Challenges (with Incentives!) for Kids

Summer Reading Challenge with the Arlington Public Library- Fill out the reading log between June 1 and July 31 and then bring the completed log to the library for a goodie bag! Previous goodie bags have included coupons for food and ice cream as well as fun items to celebrate a job well done by your kiddos!

Barnes & Noble Summer Reading Challenge- Print out the log sheet and fill it out with books your kiddos read this summer (for kids in grades 1-6) and then bring to your closest store for a free book from a pre-approved list.  

Pizza Hut Camp Book It!- Free pizza just for reading? Yes please! Complete the monthly reading journal with your child and they will receive a coupon for a free personal pizza. Yum! 

Scholastic Summer Reading- Join this virtual reading program where kids can complete challenges and earn virtual rewards. There is new content weekly, where kids can gain access to all kinds of unique content from favorite authors and more. 

H-E-Buddy Reading Club- Read 10 books and fill them in on the linked log sheet. Then mail the completed form, by October 1, to H-E-B in San Antonio and your child will be rewarded with a special prize! 

Chuck E Cheese Reading Rewards Calendar- Have your child read daily for two weeks and record it on the linked calendar. Then bring it to your closest CEC for 10 free play points! Score! 

Kids can earn free pizza with Camp Book It!