Free Summer Reading Programs for Kids 2023

There are some great summer reading programs that your children can take advantage of to earn FREE books and other prizes!

Here is a roundup for programs available to families in Minnesota!

AudioFile SYNC – Teens age 13 and up can download two audiobooks each week for FREE. AudiobookSYNC is a summer program of FREE audiobook for teens 13+. Two audiobooks are available each week through the Sora reading app. April 27th – August 2nd, 2023.

Barnes & Noble Imagination Destination – This summer reading program through Barnes & Noble gives your child the ability to earn a FREE book after reading 8 books and keeping track of them in a reading log. View and download the reading log here!

Half Price Books -They are again offering the “Half Price Books Summer Reading Camp” which starts June 1st and includes reading logs and fun activities. Sign up to get everything by email or visit their page of activities.

Junie B Jones Reading Club – Sign up and get updates about books, holiday e-cards, fun games and activities for kids, special events, sweepstakes, and more. Plus download their reading log and activity brochure.

Legacy Toys Summer Reading Club – Stop by any Legacy Toys location all summer long and pick up a reading log. Read books and earn bucks! Simply record 15 hours of reading each month and bring your reading log into your local Legacy Toys to earn $5 in Legacy Reading Bucks at the end of each month. Certificates may be collected in person at the end of each month, June through August 2023, in a total amount of $15. Certificates must be redeemed by September 30, 2023. No change will be issued for certificates. There are locations at shopping malls all around the state including the Mall of America, Duluth, Edina, Minnetonka and more.

Chuck E. Cheese – Earn FREE tokens every time your child reads. Just print off a Reading Rewards Calendar and get 10 free play points with any food purchase when it’s filled out and turned in. (They have other rewards for kids as well, including silly ones like a “No Nose Picking Calendar” for preschoolers!)

Scholastic Summer Reading Challenge – From May 4 – September 7, 2023, kids can visit the summer zone in Scholastic Home Base, a completely free digital destination which offers stories, characters, games, and a community of readers. Plus, kids can track their reading and help to donate books.

Pizza Hut Book-It Program. This existed when I was a kid and is still going strong! It’s now called Camp Book It. Kids who read can earn a free personal pan pizza. They also have free printables for spring and summer fun.

AND SAVING THE BEST (OR AT LEAST, MY FAVORITE!) FOR LAST…

Local Public Library – Don’t forget to check out your local libraries to find out which programs they’ll be offering this summer. My kids have participated in several Summer reading Programs through the library and it always includes FREE books & prizes. Visit the MELSA website to learn more about the summer programs in local Twin Cities area libraries!

Programs like these are a great way to encourage our children to continue reading throughout the summer months. If you know of any other programs that aren’t listed here, please feel free to leave the information in a comment below!