Summer Reading Programs 2015

Every summer, I try to find several summer reading programs for my kids. By finding several, the kids stay excited all summer long about reading. We finish one before we start another, most of the time, so the kids are waiting for one prize while working for another. This summer, I added a new program to complete our list.

1. HEB: As we get closer to the end of the school year, HEB will update this website where you can print off this year's summer reading program sheet. For this program, your child reads 10 books and mails the list of books in to the address on the printable sheet. HEB will mail your child a prize package with things like a pencil, t-shirt, and a certificate. This is the reading club we do first because it is a mail in offer. It gets the kids started. I let them read any book, so even if the book is easy, they can write it down. I figure that with the kids reading all summer long, it is okay if they are excited to start getting prizes and read easy books for this one.

2. Sadly, Pottery Barn is not doing a reading program this year.  Pottery Barn: As we get closer to summer, Pottery Barn will post an activity on this website for their summer reading program. I really loved their program last year. All of my kids got high quality books. Allyssa got a hardback copy of A Little Princess by Frances Hodgson Burnett, David got a National Geographic book of facts, and Kaytlin got a hardcover story book. We will definitely not miss this program!

3. Barnes and Noble: Barnes and Noble requires your reader (first grade and up) to read 8 books to get their prize. I was careful to look at their list of free books that my child could choose from because some were books that I really wasn't a fan of. We still were able to find a book that worked for our family.

4. Half Price Books: This is one of the bigger summer reading programs. It requires that your child reads 300 minutes over the course of one month. They do allow parents reading aloud to their children to count, so small kids can participate! The wonderful thing about this program is that they give you a $5 gift card to their store for each child AND they do it for two months! You can participate in both months, June and July for a total of $10 per child!

5. Concordia Publishing House: This reading program is for adults (read 5 books) AND kids (read 10 books). Register with CPH and they will send your child a welcome kit. They will send you a $10 off coupon, and you can get free shipping on orders of $40 or more. After you complete your reading, you can submit your list and be entered into a drawing for an ipad mini or Arch Books Treasury: Vintage Collection, 1964–1965. This is our new reading program for the summer, and we are excited about it!

6. Your local library: Local libraries often have reading programs. Some have certificates or prizes that they offer for children who complete the program.


What summer reading programs are on your list this year?