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!

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!