Top 10 Summer Reading Programs for Kids 2025
Summer is a special time of year when kids eagerly anticipate a break from school and their usual routines. However, we want to prevent the so-called "summer slide," where they lose months of learning during the break. Picture settling down with an enticing book under an umbrella by the pool on a hot summer day—doesn’t that sound wonderful? Whether diving into a captivating novel in a hammock or enjoying a story beneath a tree, summer reading can be a truly delightful experience. For children, this activity not only provides enjoyment but also offers valuable academic benefits. To inspire kids to read, summer reading programs can keep them motivated while rewarding them with prizes. Here’s a list of the top summer reading programs and challenges for kids in 2025.
In collaboration with The Week Junior, a kid-friendly and unbiased source for current events, the Summer Reading Bundle offers a range of valuable tools. This bundle includes a summer reading log, a bingo challenge, and goals sheets, covering topics such as sports, culture, movies, crafts, recipes, and much more to cater to every child's interests. Designed to be effective both in the classroom and at home, this program provides everything kids need for an engaging summer reading challenge.
RIF's Summer Reading Camp is a free annual program that empowers families with engaging, ready-to-use book lists and related activities to keep children actively reading throughout the summer. As the nation's largest children's literacy nonprofit, Reading Is Fundamental provides age-appropriate book lists for children from early childhood to Grade 8, along with interactive family resources such as a summer book club. These tools help kids discover fun and interesting ways to enhance their reading skills.
Research shows that children who develop a reading habit early on will benefit throughout their lives. To support this, reading logs can effectively track students' reading achievements, motivate children and foster a sense of community between peers. With a variety of free and printable options available, kids can log their daily reading time, complete weekly comprehension questions, or simply color an image for each day they reach their 20-minute reading goal.
As Barnes & Noble believes, nothings says fun in the sun like summer reading. Every summer, it curates an exceptional list of exciting reads that keep kids engaged throughout the season. In this program, after reading 8 books and logging them in a downloadable reading journal, children can earn a free book from a selection available in-store. It's important to note that this program is only available for students in grades 1-6.
The Half Price Books Summer Reading Program invites children to earn $5 Bookworm Bucks by reading during June and July. This engaging program encourages young readers of all ages, from preschoolers to teens, to explore the joy of reading. The program website offers a wealth of resources, including printable coloring sheets, online story times, and mystery book recommendations tailored to various age groups.
The Scholastic Home Base is a completely free digital platform that provides a safe and monitored environment for kids 24/7. By creating an account, children can connect with a community of readers and access the Summer Zone from May 9th to September 12th. This feature allows them to track their summer reading and maintain a Reading Streak within Home Base. Kids can enjoy reading books, interacting with their favorite characters online, and engaging with content wherever they go.
Scratch-off stickers add an exciting twist to summer reading activities, motivating kids to participate in the summer reading challenge. To get started, simply submit your email to receive free templates. Once you have the templates, you can cover the designated circles with store-bought scratch-off stickers. The available templates include a general version, a reading log that tracks every 20 minutes of reading, and a library challenge to keep kids engaged.
BOOK IT is a free reading incentive program designed for children in Pre-K through 6th grade. By joining the BOOK IT summer camp, kids can track their reading progress during the summer months of June, July, and August through a digital dashboard. If they meet the monthly reading goals set by their parents, they will earn a free Personal Pan Pizza from participating Pizza Hut locations. This program not only encourages reading but also rewards kids for their efforts, making summer reading enjoyable and motivating.
From June 1st to August 31st this summer, Sonlight has prepared a printable Summer Reading Challenge kit with interesting reading activities for kids of all ages. Printables include punch cards, reading bingo cards, templates for bookmarks and bookplates, book brackets, and book award certificates. As a homeschool curriculum publisher, Sonlight adds an extra bonus that every participant in the Challenge will receive a Free Sonlight Book Light and a chance to win coupon for $50 off any Sonlight purchase.
A color-in reading challenge is a fun and engaging way to motivate kids to keep reading. Children can color in each completed task on a bookmark or use a full-sheet checklist as they progress. By filling out an online form, participants can freely download the full checklist and bookmarks. This take-home challenge allows kids to monitor their progress toward a reading goal while creating a tangible artifact to share with their teacher in the fall. It's a wonderful way to encourage reading and foster a sense of accomplishment.
