Keep reading!
It's the one thing we can always count on teachers to say as the kids leave the classroom to kick off summer break. With the fabulous library systems and businesses in the Harrisburg & West Shore area, there are a bunch of great options for programs to get kids excited to keep reading all summer long. Many of these programs offer prizes, ranging from arcade game tokens, new books, a pencil case with pencils or a chance to win a big prize. Here are some of the great programs offered in Harrisburg, Union Deposit, Camp Hill, Enola, Mechanicsburg & the surrounding area. Don't forget to check out all of the fun Summer Reading events and parties hosted by the library systems which you can find HERE or check out a great local story time HERE! Know of a program we are missing? Email it to rachaelb@macaronikid.com
Barnes & Noble:
Children in grades 1 - 6 are encouraged to print out a summer reading journal, read any eight books, log it on their journal with their favorite part of the book, and turn it in to Barnes & Noble before August 31st to earn a free book from Barnes & Noble's list.
Books-a-Million
Sponsored by the popular series Wings of Fire, children can choose any four books from the Summer Reading Adventure section either in the store or online to read and log in their Summer Reading Adventure Notebook. Once the notebook is filled, kids are invited to run the notebook in to Books-a-Million to receive their free awesome Wings of Fire hat.
Free Pizza for the kids and some good ol' nostalgia for Mom and Dad. Enroll in the program and track reading using the online dashboard. You can also find some great resources and activities. When your child has met their goal, you'll get a certificate for a free personal pan pizza (just like the good 'ol days) right in your email.
Scholastic Summer Reading Challenge
There's a lot to love about this summer reading challenge. Download the app and children of all ages can explore a safe and moderated world designed to keep them reading all summer. Children will be able to read books and stories; attend author events; interact with their favorite characters; play book-based games and activities; join dance parties; and more! As they maintain their reading streak they earn more digital experiences and rewards and they can print report of their progress to celebrate their accomplishments.
Cumberland County Libraries: now - August
Registration is open at the eight Cumberland County Libraries for the Summer Learning Program: Adventure Begins at Your Library. Kids, teens and adults will have a chance to log their reading and activities to earn badges and prizes over the summer. The libraries will also be offering special programming, storytimes, activities and more for families throughout the summer. Each library has slightly different start & end dates as well as prizes and programs offered, so please be sure to check each library individually.
One of our favorite parts of SummerQuest is Go Cumberland! Go Cumberland partners with the Cumberland Co libraries and WellSpan Health and is a healthy initiative to help encourage kids to read and get outside. So head to your library to pick up your guidebook, or download the directions from gocumberland.org website, and get ready for adventure! This year there are even new trails with a special rubbing plate at the end! Can you finish all 15 hikes and collect all of the secret codes to unlock even more prizes?
Go Cumberland runs from June 1st to August 15th
| Amelia Gavin Registration (All): 05/18  Kids: Opening Parties: 06/07 & 06/08 Kids: Closing Parties: 08/09 & 08/10 Teen & Adults: Starts: 05/18 Teen & Adults: Reading Challenge Ends: 08/10 | Bosler Starts: 06/01  Ends: 08/09 Last date for prizes: 08/30 |
| Coy (Shippensburg)Registration: 04/27  Starts: 06/10 Ends: 08/16 Prizes Available: TBA Deadline for picking up prizes: 08/23 | East Pennsboro Registration: 06/01 - 08/15  Starts: 06/01 Ends: 08/15 Last day to pick up prizes: 08/30 |
Fredricksen Starts: 06/01 Ends: 08/15 Summer Reading Program Kickoff: 06/13 Summer Kickoff Concert featuring Trinidad & Tobago Baltimore Steel Orchestra: 06/13, 7pm-8:30pm Register by 06/15 and be entered into a grand prize drawing. Deadline for picking up prizes: 08/31 | John Graham Pre-registration: 05/01  Starts: 05/25 Ends: 08/15 Incentive prizes must be picked up by: 08/15 Grand Prize winners must pick up their prize by: 09/15 |
| New Cumberland Registration: 05/15  Starts: 06/01 Ends: 08/15 Last day to pick up prizes: 08/24 | Simpson Registration: 05/01  Starts: 06/01 Ends: 08/01 Last day to pick up prizes: 08/22 |
Dauphin County Libraries
Registration is open at the Dauphin County Libraries for the Summer Reading Program: Adventure Begins at Your Library. Kids will have a chance to log their reading and activities to earn badges and prizes over the summer. Hit your goal based on age and win an Explore Your Community Bag full of tickets, coupons for free stuff, and more! Everyone who completes the challenge will receive a free book and be entered to win prizes! The libraries will also be offering special programming, storytimes, activities and more for families throughout the summer. Each library has slightly different start & end dates as well as prizes and programs offered, so please be sure to check each library individually.
Harrisburg & West Shore Macaroni Kid is the go-to resource for families who want to find the very best free & cheap activities, ticket & prize giveaways, info on local business & the scoop on local happenings. CLICK HERE to sign up for the free weekly email that will give you the scoop on everything from festivals to fairs, to story times & more!
