It can be a challenge to keep kids busy all summer long, and of course we've all heard about the dreaded "summer slide." Getting our kids to read during summer break can help prevent both boredom and learning loss by keeping up reading skills and keeping kids' minds active.
Thanks to our local libraries and many national companies, not only can we keep kids reading this summer, kids can earn rewards too! If you're looking for an easy way to sneak some learning into your summer, check out these programs and see if one of them will work for your child.
St. Lucie County Library
Who: All children and teens
When: May 30 - July 31, 2025 | Sign-up begins May 23, 2025
The Reward: Earn a digital badge for every 3 days of reading or activities. After 15 days of reading get a free book, a pass that grants free access to your choice of a St. Lucie County pool, the Aquarium, the History Center, or a free kayak rental at the Savannas Recreation Area, PLUS one entry in the grand prize drawing of your choice. After 30 days of reading turn in your second entry form and get a second pass (as described above) AND a second entry into the drawing of your choice! The grand prizes available are a tablet, drone with camera, art supply creativity set, telescope, and a $50 Amazon gift card. Click here to read all of the details.
How: Track your daily reading using the Beanstack app or website, or use a paper log from the library.
Barnes and Noble
Who: Kids in Grades 1 - 6
When: July 1 - August 31, 2025
The Reward: A free book from a predetermined list from Barnes & Noble (limit one per child).
How: Read any eight books this summer and record them in this Summer Reading Journal. Bring your completed journal to a Barnes & Noble store from July 1 through August 31, 2025 to redeem your book. Please note that the free book must be chosen from a provided list.
Note: Our closest Barnes & Noble locations are Jensen Beach & West Melbourne.
Pizza Hut
Who: All families with PreK - 6th grade students (ages 4 - 12).
When: June - August
The Reward: Free one-topping Personal Pan Pizza from Pizza Hut
How: Enroll online, read and track your child's reading to earn the reward when your child meets their goal.
Chuck E. Cheese
Who: Kids (no ages given)
When: Year Round
The Reward: Kids can receive 10 free tokens for every 2 weeks of daily reading.
How: Kids must record that they read every day for two weeks using this certificate. You can only redeem 1 calendar per child per visit, and you must make a food purchase to redeem it.
Note: Our closest Chuck E. Cheese locations are Stuart and Melbourne. There are other reward charts available on their website here.
The New York Times
Who: Middle and high school students (ages 13 - 19)
When: June 6 - August 15, 2025
The Reward: Your child's writing or video could appear in the New York Times.
How: Every Friday beginning on June 6, 2025, the New York Times will publish a post asking the same question: "What got your attention in The Times this week?". Contestants can choose from any Times article, essay, video, graphic, podcast, or photograph published in 2025 to read and respond to via a 1,500-character essay or a 90-second video. It's okay if you're not subscribed - The New York Times will provide free links to teen-friendly content each week this summer. The New York Times will announce winners every Tuesday and publish their response. Read the rules here.
Who: Kids (no age given)
When: May 9th - September 12th
The Reward: Earn digital experiences (games, books, etc.) in Scholastic Home Base.
How: Join Schoastic's online program Home Base. Kids can track their reading through the program, and maintain a Reading Streak TM by reading daily. The longer a child has a Reading Streak TM, the more digital experiences they earn.
Make Your Own
None of these a good fit for you family? Make up your own challenges and prizes! Or use our FREE printable with some fun prompts to change up the same-old reading routine.
Click here to download the free printable Kids' Summer Reading Challenge!
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