Summer is the perfect time to find fun ways to keep kids busy while helping them maintain the academic skills they worked so hard to build during the school year. Summer reading programs are a great way to encourage children to keep reading all season longโand have fun while doing it! Check out these fantastic summer reading programs, and be sure to let us know if there are any we may have missed.
Barnes and Noble
- Kids in grades 1-6 can score a free book for reading 8 books and writing about them in their reading journal.
- Free books can be collected July 1 and August 31, 2026
- Find all the information HERE.
- Print out the 2026 reading journal HERE.
BBGB — Summer Reading Book Bingo
- Earn prizes for completing bingo
- Printable bingo page
- 1st prize is a cookie from Sugar + Twine
- Boards can officially be brought in for prizes starting May 25. This store is in Richmond. If you’re not from the Richmond area, plan ahead. Complete the first bingo, plan a day trip to Richmond, stop by BBGB while there to collect the prize.
- May 15 – Aug 30, 2026
- Find all the information HERE.
Books and Baseball
- This FredNats Books and Baseball Reading Program is sponsored by Red Door ProWash.
- It’s an easy, four-step program that rewards its participants with a FREE ticket to a FredNats baseball game and on-field recognition before the game.
- Get more information HERE. (2025 info.)
The Book Market FXBG
- The Book Market FXBG is offering a Summer Reading Challenge for all ages.
- Pick up your Summer Reading Challenge card in person at any of their May events.
- Complete the challenges on the card starting June 1 and turn in by August 31.
- One winner will be chosen at random on Sept. 1 to win a customizable gift basket from The Book Market (books, t-shirt, candle, bookmarks, etc.).
Books a Million
- Choose any 4 books from the summer reading adventure feature in-store or online.
- Write about the books you’ve read.
- Show your completed logbook to a store associate to score a free prize (while supplies last)
- Get all the information HERE.
Chuck E. Cheese
- Have your child read and track their progress on the Chuck E. Cheese Reading Rewards Calendar.
- When completed, they’ll receive 10 free play points.
- Get all the details HERE.
Gateway Comics & Toys
Update: Waiting to hear if this will be offered for 2026.
- This is for grades K-8.
- Check out 5 comic books at a time.
- Must sign up in-person.
- Get more information HERE.
Half-Price Books
- The Summer Reading Camp starts June 1, but you can register now.
- Your children can earn $5 Bookworm Books to spend.
- The Reading Camp is open to kids ages 18 and under, and it runs through June and July.
- You can still participate digitally if you do not have a store nearby.
- Get all the information HERE.
Imagination Library
- Children ages 0-5 can receive FREE books from Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library.
- This program goes statewide in Virginia after July 1, 2024.
- Check availability HERE.
Local Public Library
- Check your local public library. Most will offer summer reading programs with cool prizes.
- You can check out the reading program for the Central Rappahannock Library HERE. The summer reading program sign-ups begin May 1, 2026. The program begins May 15 and concludes on August 15.
Mensa for Kids
- Children can earn a commemorative certificate and an Excellence in Reading T-shirt for completing the Excellence in Reading Program.
- Find all the information HERE.
Panda Express
- Teachers this is for you. Enroll your class and get a bookmark and reward materials for your students.
- When students meet their goal of reading 5 books, they can get a FREE kids meal coupon!
- Get all the information HERE.
Pizza Hut’s Camp Book It
- The Pizza Hut BOOK It! program encourages kids to read throughout the school year and during their summer break.
- This program is for Pre-K through 6th grade.
- Summer program registration has started. Program starts June 1.
- Kids earn a free personal-sized pan pizza.
- Get all the details HERE.
Scholastic
Update: Waiting to hear if this will be offered for 2026
- FREE online summer reading Home Base
- Digital games, events, and more!
- Get all the information HERE.
The Good and the Beautiful
๐ ๐ผ๐๐ถ๐๐ฎ๐๐ฒ ๐ฌ๐ผ๐๐ฟ ๐๐ต๐ถ๐น๐ฑ ๐๐ถ๐๐ต ๐ฎ ๐๐ฅ๐๐ ๐๐ผ๐ผ๐ธ
Inspire your children to put down their screens and embark on an exciting adventure with a free book from The Good and the Beautiful. Pick the Summer Reading Program pack that best matches your childโs reading level!
Add a FREE* Summer Reading Program pack to your cart for each child in your family. Just pay $1.99 shipping per pack. (Limit one free pack per child in your household.)
Tyrannosaurus Tot
- Pick up a free Summer Reading Bingo Card at either Tyrannosaurus Tot studio location beginning June 1 — Bowling Green or Richmond.
- The challenge runs from June 1 – Sept. 7, 2026.
- Turn in your completed card by September 7 to claim your prize and receive your invitation to the End-of-Summer Ice Cream Party.
Nothing Bundt Cakes
Did you know that Nothing Bundt Cakes offers a summer reading program? The best part — your child can earn free bundtlets!! Get all the details HERE.
Washington Nationals Summer Reading Program
The Washington Nationals are proud to partner with library systems across the D.C. metro area to bring the joys of reading to as many people as possible! Fans who complete their local libraryโs summer reading program are eligible to select up to two (2) complimentary Upper Gallery tickets for a 2026 regular season game at Nationals Park. Please check back at the beginning of June for more information.
Hundred Acre Books Summer Reading Program
Waiting for 2026 update
Hundred Acre Books in Culpeper, VA, has a fun Summer Reading Program for all ages! Starting 6/13/2025, pick up your program and collect prizes. This program runs until Labor Day Weekend.
New York Times Summer Reading Contest
The NY Times will be having its 17th Annual Summer Reading Contest. Students are invited to tell them what theyโre reading in The Times and why, in writing OR via a 90-second video. Contest dates: June 5 to Aug. 14, 2026. Find more information HERE.
Outback
Grab a bookmark at the local Fredericksburg Outback. 3 books = 1 free kid’s meal with purchase of an adult entree. Expires 6/30/26.
Also, all summer, they are offering 1 free kid’s meal with the purchase of an adult entree on Mondays.
๐ Second Ladyโs Summer Reading Challenge (2026)
Calling all Kโ8 students! The Second Lady, Usha Vance, invites you to dive into an exciting summer adventure with her Summer Reading Challenge โ running from June 1 to September 4, 2026. The goal? Read 12 books of your choice and track your progress using a provided reading log. Every reader who completes the challenge will receive a personalized certificate, a fun prize, and be entered into a drawing for a special trip to Washington, D.C., accompanied by a chaperone.
The Barking Barley
The Barking Barley! Free hot dog for kids who read ten books! You can pick up the rewards cards in the next week or so at The Barking Barley or local bookstores/library.
READING RESOURCES
- ๐ฑ Sora Sweet Reads offers FREE ebooks and audiobooks all summer long for students with access to the Sora app.
- Are you looking for a new audiobook to listen to? Find great reviews at Audiofile SYNC. All of their audiobooks are organized by age groups. Follow this LINK.
- Sonlight Home School Curriculum offers a FREE printable summer reading challenge kit. Follow this LINK to find out more.
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