6 Fantastic Summer reading programs

I love summer.  And, for the most part, I love spending summer with my kids!  LOL.  As long as the bickering stays to a minimum we'll be good.  I usually try to plan a lot of activities to keep the kids busy and active, mentally and physically, through out their time away from school.  Back when I was a kid, my summers consisted of staying with my cousins and swimming in their pool, or staying with my grandparents, and going to the beach down the street.  I was pretty busy, and I loved it.

One of the things that we do every summer is: Summer Reading Programs.  We find all the ones we can, and my kids have fun tackling them, eager to earn their prizes.

I said to my oldest the other day: "Guess what we'll be doing on the first day of summer break?" and she replied, without missing a beat: "Going to the library to start summer reading!"

Hey, at least they're excited about it right!

I do try to be a little more lenient with her during the summer.  During school, when she was required to read every night, I told her it had to be chapter books (she's just finishing 2nd grade), even though it wasn't a requirement of the teacher.

This summer, I told her that for every chapter book she could read one fun book, whichever she choses.  She is going to be in four different sport camps, travel basketball, and Rec volleyball, so it's not like she'll be sitting around all summer!

I'm excited for my middle child, because this summer I'm going to start having her get beginner readers, and help her navigate those!  She's just entering Kindergarten next year, but she's really been interested in spelling words lately, so I'm going to run with it!

Anyways, here is a great list of places that give away items for completing a certain task:

1.  LIBRARY - Every public library will most likely be different.  I know our public library puts on a fantastic summer reading program.  Basically you have to fill in 25 stars, and you get a prize at each 5th increment.  To fill in a star you need to: read a book (or have someone read it to you), do the puzzle table work (at the library), or answer a question online.  My girls both love to do this one, and it's great, because it's geared at ALL types of learners!

2.  HALF PRICE BOOK STORE - With the Half Price Bookstore program, your child has to read for 15 minutes a day, or 300 minutes per month.  You can do it for both the month of June AND July.  For each completed month, the child will receive a $5 certificate to buy whatever they want at the store!

3.  BARNES AND NOBLE - This program requires you to read eight different books and then record them in your journal.  For doing so, your child will receive a free book!

4.  CHUCK E CHEESE - Chuck E. Cheese has a reward system for a lot of different areas, but the one I'll talk about is their reading one. This one is actually all year long and not just for the summer, so yay for your kids!  You just mark off every day your child reads, and when they hit two weeks, they can bring in the form for 10 free tokens!

5.  JUNIE B JONES - This one isn't so much a summer program, but a fun book club.  I know my daughter loves Junie B Jones so I'll be signing her up for this one as well!.  When you sign up, you'll receive one free Junie B. Jones book, activity pages, and a membership I.D. card!

6.  SYLVAN BOOK ADVENTURE - This one is another simple summer reading program.  You just have your child read books, take quizzes on said books, and earn points to go towards prizes!

Here are some of my 8 year old's favorite series

Bailey School Kids

Junie B Jones

Goosebumps

Dear Dumb Diary

Shel Silverstein

Here are some of my 4 year old's favorites

Berenstain Bears

Clifford

Curious George

Barbie

Here are some of my 2 year old's favorites

Good nite Moon

Barnyard Dance

Veggie Tales

Elmo

What will your kids be reading this summer?

Big sister reading to baby brother from the start!

Big sister reading to little sister before school. 

Well, at least the two little ones were reading!