There are many programs available that offer incentives to get kids to read during the summer. Here are the best ones I’ve found:
Borders “Double-Dog Dare” – Beginning 6/1/11, kids 12 and under who read 10 books can fill out the form and bring it to a Borders or Waldenbooks store by 9/5/11 to get a FREE book (select titles available)!
Barnes & Noble “Imagination’s Destination” – Beginning 5/24/11, kids in grades 1 – 6 who read 8 books and fill out the downloadable passport with the places they visited for each book, can turn in their passport to a Barnes & Noble store by 9/6/11 for a FREE book (select titles available).
Half Price Books “Feed Your Brain” – Kids ages 14 and under can earn a $5 Half Price Books gift card (Back to School Bucks) for reading 600 minutes during the months of June and July. (6/1 – 7/31) They must bring their completed and signed reading log to a Half Price Books to receive the gift card and the gift card can only be redeemed between 7/25/11 – 8/31/11. Limit 1 $5 gift card per child.
National Amusements “Bookworm Wednesdays” – Kids (as well as accompanying parents/gaurdians and children under six) get FREE admission to a select children’s film at participating Showcase Cinemas, Multiplex Cinemas or Cinema de Lux box office on Wednesdays at 10 am July 6th – August 10th when they bring in a completed book report.
Chuck E. Cheese’s “Reading Rewards Calendar” – Kids who read every day for 2 weeks can bring in the completed calendar to get 10 FREE tokens with a pizza purchase at Chuck E. Cheese’s.
Pottery Barn Kids “Book Club” – Children who attend 5 story times – Tuesdays at 11 am – will get a special gift.
HEBuddy “Summer Reading Club” – Kids who read 10 books (younger children can have their parents read to them!) can mail in the completed form by October 1st for a FREE T-Shirt!
TD Bank “Summer Reading Program” – Beginning 5/4/11 kids 18 and younger who read 10 books can bring in the completed form to a TD Bank by 9/30/11 and get $10 deposited into a new or existing young savers account.
Many libraries also offer summer reading programs so be sure to check yours out!