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 in Utah 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 you need to turn in the journal between July 1 and August 31, 2025. This program is open for children grades 1-6.
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 to the Utah State Fair (plus a free drink, a free ride coupon, a free yellow slide ride, sticker, and bookmark ) 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 31, 2026. All entries must be entered online or mailed by July 31, 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 that runs in June, July, and August. 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. In order for parents to run the program, there is an app to download. 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.
Anything new this year?
I just updated this post yesterday, so this is the current information. No new programs from last year, but this post now has 2025 links!
Thank you!
I’ve heard some Nothing Bundt Cakes around the country are offering a program. I’ve confirmed Orem is not participating.
It looks like this program hasn’t come to Utah yet, but thanks for the info.
The Pizza Hut program is closed now, because of an “overwhelming response”. Bummer!
That is a bummer! I have never seen that happen before!
Unfortunately, Read Today has officially announced on their website that they aren’t doing the Read with the Bees program this year. Too bad!
Thank you for the update. I had to do some searching since it was on their Facebook page, not their website, so I appreciate the heads up. We will update our post.
That’s too bad! I had three grandsons that were looking forward to this program with the Bees
We sure hope it comes back! It’s a good one.
You can also sign up for the Book It reading program from Pizza Hut. The children can earn free personal pizzas all summer long.
Thanks for the update. The Book It program from Pizza Hut has been a school run program in the past. We are excited to see the summer reading option this year.
The barnes & noble reading form says 2019 on it. Is there an updated one for 2020??
Sorry. I updated the top link, but not the other one. It is fixed now!