10+ Summer Reading Programs for families

Read, read, read & read some more! That's the suggestion we've all probably heard from our kid's teachers at the end of each school year for the summer. Having kids who love to read, or be read to, is one of my biggest goals as a parent. I'll admit, it can sometimes it can get a little repetitious reminding kids to read every day all summer long. One of the things that's made it easier for us is to participate in a summer reading program. Who doesn't enjoy a reward for doing something that's actually good for you & fun?!

I've put together a great round up of ten reading programs offered in our area for not only kids but teens & even adults as well. There really is something for everyone!

I hope you & your family enjoy a summer packed with books :)

Barnes & Noble Summer Reading Program is here to encourage kids to read books of their own choosing to earn a FREE book.

Stop by Barnes & Noble to pick up a Summer Reading Journal
Kids can read any eight books over the summer & log them in their Summer Reading Journal, don't forget to write down which part of the book is your favorite & why
Bring your completed journal to Barnes & Noble by September 5th to choose your FREE book - book options are listed on the back of the journal

Books-A-Million Summer Reading Program offers a FREE Maze Runner water bottle to those who bring their completed reading Journal to the store

Read any four books off the Summer Reading list & log it on the Reading Journal
Bring the completed Journal into the store for a Maze Runner water bottle

Chuck E Cheese's:

Kids can earn 10 tokens by completing a reading rewards calendar

Print out a two week Reading Rewards & mark off each day of the two weeks your child reads
When you have all two weeks complete return the Reading Rewards Calendar to Chuck E Cheese's for ten tokens
Chuck E Cheese's offers a variety of certificates for rewards, behaviors & awards - including reading, potty training, losing a tooth, good patient, sports, super student & more!

Cumberland County Libraries: Kids are encouraged to read throughout the summer and visit the library to enjoy fun activities this summer

Registration is now open
Kids are encouraged to set a reasonable goal for summer reading each week and bring it to the library each week for their weekly prize
Each library has their own deadline to bring the final Summer Reading Log to the library to get a certificate of completion and prize

Cumberland County Libraries: Teens are encouraged to read throughout the summer and visit the library to enjoy fun activities this summer

Registration is now open
The PA Renaissance Faire is offering free tickets (good the weekend of August 19-20) to teens (ages 18 & under) who complete the summer learning program by July 19 & turn in their Summer Reading Log
Turn in the Summer Reading Log by August 31 to receive a free paperback book & prize package

Cumberland County Libraries: Adults are invited to enjoy a fun reading program just for them this summer

Registration is now open
Adults may participate by logging books they read for a chance to win a weekly raffle prize

Dauphin County Libraries: Kids birth - 12 years are encouraged to read & participate in summer activities and log those on the Summer Reading Club Log. At the half-way point and the end kids can turn them in for prizes. New this year: kids may complete more than one log for extra chances to win the Kindle Fire.

Kids are invited to go on an Online Adventure where they'll test their skills by checking out cool websites and answering 8 crazy questions. Print off the Online Adventure certificate when you've finished the quiz to attend the End of Summer Dance Party
Summer Reading Club registration is now open, sign up online or in any Dauphin County Library for a registration prize
June 12 - Special library program begins - including ice cream socials, storytimes & more
July 1 - Bring your half completed summer reading log (showing 5 hours of reading or a combination of reading & summer activities) to the library and pick up the Explore Your Community bag prize you earned that includes coupons & tickets for local businesses & attractions - while supplies last.
August 1 - Kids are encouraged to begin submitting the second half of the reading log to pick up their final prizes, a book or clip-on phone camera lens, while supplies last. All kids who turn in a completed log will be eligible to win a Kindle Fire or a variety of gift cards.
August 26 - End of Summer Dance Party, Fort Hunter - 10a-12p for all program, online adventure & club card finishers

Dauphin County Libraries: Teens are encouraged to read & participate in summer activities and log those on the Summer Reading Club Log. New this year: kids may complete more than one log for extra chances to win the Kindle Fire.

Kids are invited to go on an Online Adventure where they'll test their skills by checking out cool websites and answering 8 crazy questions. Print off the Online Adventure certificate when you've finished the quiz to attend the End of Summer Dance Party
Summer Reading Club registration is now open, sign up online or in any Dauphin County Library for a registration prize
June 12 - Special library program begins - including ice cream socials, storytimes & more
August 1 - Kids are encouraged to begin submitting a completed reading log to pick up their final prizes, a book or clip-on phone camera lens, while supplies last. All kids who turn in a completed log will be eligible to win a Kindle Fire or a variety of gift cards.
August 26 - End of Summer Dance Party, Fort Hunter - 10a-12p for all program, online adventure & club card finishers

Dauphin County Libraries: Adults (18+) are encouraged to join the fun, read & participate in summer activities and log those on the Summer Reading Club Log.

Kids are invited to go on an Online Adventure where they'll test their skills by checking out cool websites and answering 8 crazy questions. Print off the Online Adventure certificate when you've finished the quiz to attend the End of Summer Dance Party
Summer Reading Club registration is now open, sign up online or in any Dauphin County Library for a registration prize
June 12 - Special library program begins - including ice cream socials, storytimes & more
August 1 - Adults are encouraged to begin submitting a completed reading log to pick up their final prizes, a book or clip-on phone camera lens, while supplies last. All kids who turn in a completed log will be eligible to win a Kindle Fire or a variety of gift cards.

Marysville-Rye Library: Kids are encouraged to visit the Marysville pool every Monday, noon - 2p between July 10 and August 10 for some reading fun

The Marysville Library will be at the pool for two hours on Mondays issuing library cards and passing out info & books.
Each week there will be an activity table set up in the kids' area with a different activity for the kids.

Paws N' Read is being offered for the second year at Capital Area Therapeutic Riding Association (CATRA).

This is a FREE program where children of all ages and abilities can come to the farm and read to the animals. Big and small we have them all from cats, dogs, horses, goats, a pig, chickens, alpacas, guinea pigs, rabbits and ducks. The animals are great listeners and never criticize the readers. They also enjoy the children's calm voices while they read aloud.
Children can lose valuable knowledge over the summer months if they are not reading.
Make reading fun this summer and bring them out to the farm! For more information or for available reading times please visit CATRA.net or contact Julie Toth, Program Coordinator at 717-991-2020.

Scholastic: Kids are encouraged to log reading minutes to earn fun virtual rewards.