Summer Reading Programs

I'm collecting reading (and other) programs for my kids to do this summer.  So far I've come up with 6 viable ones.  I'll list them below with links in case you're interested.  A couple of them are area-specific, but most are nationwide.

Provo City Library: This has been my favorite so far because they have fun themes and crafts every week of the summer!  They also do lots of story-times for different ages, and do half-way prizes with the tracking sheets.  They even have a program for teens and one for adults.  I'm guessing they have them at most local libraries--I haven't lived anywhere that they haven't had some sort of reading incentive program for kids and/or families. 







Utah State Governor's Summer Reading Challenge:  This one looks SO cool!  My kids came home with these slick calendars to keep track of their daily reading.  There are stars to color in, and a postage-paid Family Progress Card in the middle to send in after 20 hours of reading.  There is even a coupon for free apple slices at McDonald's!  Everyone is encouraged to read 20 minutes a day, and those who do, will get a certificate for completing the challenge and a coupon for a free happy meal at McDonald's.  There is a list of book recommendations, and more stuff to explore on the main site.  Looks like the first lady of Utah is a big reader--good on her!!  The one sad thing is that it's only geared from pre-K to 6th grade, so my middle-schooler can't participate.  It looks like they will be doing kick-off parties on Sat, June 9th at your local McDonald's (Utah, western Wyoming, and eastern Nevada).  You can find participating restaurants at McUtah.

Pottery Barn Kids: I've never seen this one before.  They are having a summer reading challenge where you have to read all the books on either the Early Reader Book List (scroll to second page) or their Award-Winning Book List (they are age-appropriate).  There is a fun progress tracker you can color as you go, and a certificate of completion for those who read all the books on their list.  When you are done, you can take in your papers and get a free book at your local Pottery Barn.  Don't forget to also enter the contest online to win a backpack full of books!

Barnes & Noble: I'm glad to see they are continuing their tradition of doing a summer reading program, especially after Borders' demise last year...  :(  All you have to do is read any 8 books, and record them in your reading journal.  Some of my kids came home with copies of the journal, and I printed them out for those who didn't.  When you are done, take your completed journal in and get a free book from the selection they have designated in-store.  We've found this one to be immensely popular and advise you to turn in your journals as soon as your child(ren) have completed them for best availability on the free books.



Chuck E. Cheese's: this one is easy.  Your child simply reads for 2 weeks straight, marks it off on the calendar, and then goes to Chuck E. Cheese's to redeem it for 10 free tokens.  The big catch is that you have to make some sort of food purchase (we've just gotten a soda before), and the kids can only redeem one calendar per day per child.  There are several other promotional calendars available that you can use to incentivize your kids to clean up their room, do their chores, or even stop picking their noses...  :)  Don't forget to also take advantage of their Tokens for Grades program where they can earn up to 15 free tokens per day (with food purchase) for good grades.  Just bring in their report card!





Book It: This reading program is just a part of several reading incentive groups put together by Pizza Hut.  All kids have to do is read 5 books, and then fill out an entry form to the Diary of a Wimpy Kid sweepstakes.  There is even an app to keep track of the minutes you read each day!





A couple of other promotions that I noticed include the other Chuck E. Cheese's calendars, Tesoro's Gallons for Grades (ages 13-23), and Pizza Hut's 3 A's program.  I'd love to hear if you know of any other reading programs or other reward programs for kids, local or nationwide, that I've missed.