Summer Reading Programs

Once Summer arrives, we are busy with adventures, but we still make sure our kids are always reading. We are both educators, so our children don’t get much of a break from school. We want to keep their minds busy, and reading is one of the best ways to do this. Children can lose so much ground in the summer if you don’t have them read consistently.

One of our favorite things to do is participate in summer reading programs. This way, there is a fun reward for all of that hard work. There are lots of great ways to motivate children, but here are three summer reading programs that we participate in every year.

Barnes & Noble Summer Reading Program

Barnes & Noble offers a summer reading program that runs from May through August. You simply read 8 books and write your favorite part of the book in their summer reading journal. Then take the completed journal into your local Barnes & Noble for a FREE book. There are certain books to choose from for each grade level, and the coupon is only good through August 31, 2022. This program is open for children grades 1-6.

Read Today??

UPDATE: The Read Today program has no new information. It did not happen in 2021. We hope it returns in 2022. I have sent an email and messages in hopes of getting more information and I will update as soon as I hear from them.

This summer reading program is combined with the Utah governor’s reading program, and every year there are different prizes, but they always include Salt Lake Bees tickets.

How this program has worked in years past: We really like that you can enter your reading online, but they also have a mail in option if you prefer. All reading must be entered by July 15, so that they can send your Bees tickets to you. They have a reading chart that you can print out. It is a PDF that looks like a baseball field (this is an old chart). There are other pages in the document, too that give info about the Bees players and their favorite books. Ages 6-14 can participate in this summer reading program.

Utah State Fair

The Read and Win summer reading program is for children in grades 1-6. Kids who read 10 books can earn a free ticket (plus a free drink and ride coupon) to the Utah State Fair which takes place in September. If you love going to the fair, or have always wanted to go, this is a great way to get FREE tickets. This reading program runs from May 1 – July 15, 2022. All entries must be entered online or mailed by July 15, or you cannot receive your state fair ticket. You can download the entry form or enter your form online here.

Camp Book It! Pizza Hut

Camp Book it! from Pizza Hut is another summer reading program. This program allows kids to read through the summer, track their minutes, and earn a free personal pan pizza at Pizza Hut. The Book It! program has been around since we were kids, but it is usually only run through the public schools, so we are excited to see this new summer reading program. Check out all the details here.

Local Libraries

It is also a good idea to check your local libraries. Most libraries have incentives for reading all year round, but they often have a fun summer program, too. Salt Lake County has a huge summer reading program, so if you live there, definitely check it out.

Please let us know of any other summer reading programs in Utah that we have missed in the comments section. And have fun reading this summer! For other FREE summer fun, visit our Free Summer Fun in Utah post.

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