2025 Summer Reading Programs
School’s out and summer fun is in full swing! While our kids are busy diving into pool days and popsicles, it’s also the perfect time to keep their love for reading alive. If you’re looking for fun ways to keep your child’s mind active (without the schoolwork struggle), check out these summer reading programs and activities. Some even offer cool rewards when kids hit their reading goals because what’s better than earning prizes for getting lost in a good book?
>> Why is reading through the summer so important? 8 Reasons to Keep Your Kids Reading All Summer Long
Summer Reading Activities
Forsyth County Library Programs 2025
COLOR OUR WORLD: Attending these programs and reading books can do more than just enrich your life or teach you something new. You can also win prizes!
Turn in your completed reading log at any branch for a chance to win a prize at the end of Summer Reading. Pick up another one and keep reading and exploring all the Forsyth County Public Library has to offer through its Summer Reading Programs.
You can find more information on the Reading Logs page, social media channels, and in-branch communications .
Greensboro Public Library Programs 2025
Each year June through August, the Library hosts a reading incentive program to encourage kids of all ages to keep reading through the summer. Reading logs are distributed for kids and adults to record their own personal reading goals, and the titles they have read.
Participants are encouraged to bring in their reading logs throughout the summer to receive small prizes. Every week the library hosts dozens of fun and educational programs to make library visits exciting and memorable.
Follow Greensboro Public Library for updates!
>> Another way to utilize your local libraries: Check Out An Experience at These Local Libraries
Byrdhouse Books
Bunny Book Club: Story time in partnership with Fairytale Farms. It includes a themed story time and a chance for kids to meet and interact with animals like bunnies or baby goats!
Book signings with local children authors: Check their Instagram or Facebook for the next event!
Upcoming events:
June 11 – Twilight Paint Night (ages 8 and up)
June 18 – Canvas Tote Bag Paint Night (ages 8 and up)
June 20 – Summer Solstice Pop Up
June 21 – Bunny Book Club with Fairytale Farm
June 28 – Mikki Bare Author Signing (Young Adult)
June 28 – Taylor Swift Paint Night (ages 8 and up)
Follow their Social Media:
Greensboro Summer Reading Trail Program
The Reading Trail program is a free summer program that provides a fun family activity centered around books. It helps prevent the summer slide by putting a spotlight on reading. This program also provides a bridge between local area businesses and families — giving businesses the opportunity to give back to their community while also gaining prominence and brand awareness.
Local businesses sign up to sponsor a stop on the “reading trail.” At each stop, families will find a book to read together. The business will then stamp their Reading Trail Map, and families will work to collect stamps for all the locations on the map.
The program will run June 1 – July 31. At the end of the program, families who visited all stops are eligible for the grand prize drawing. Each kid who completes the map will also receive a guaranteed small reward.
Register: Register for Summer Reading Trail
Join the FB Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/summerreadingtrail
The Bookhouse in Winston Salem
Children’s Story Hour on Mondays at 10:30am. Enjoy $1 off all hot beverages from 10 AM – 11 AM.
Parents – check out the Battle of the Book titles on display while you are there!
Check out other events held at The Bookhouse here.
Follow their Social Media:
Reward Summer Reading Programs
Barnes and Noble Summer Reading Program 2025
Grades: 1-6
When: Start any time summer begins for you and return the journal to Barnes and Noble between July 1st and August 31st for your free book!
How to enroll:
- Print the Summer Reading Journal
- Read any eight books this summer and record them in this Summer Reading Journal. Tell us which part of the book is your favorite, and why.
- Bring your completed journal to a Barnes & Noble store between July 1 and August 31, 2025.
- Choose your free reading adventure from the books listed in the journal.
Print your journal: Barnes & Noble Summer Reading Journal
PIZZA HUT BOOK IT® PROGRAM (App)
Grades: Pre-K to 6
When: Enroll now! Program starts June 1st and ends August 31st!
How to enroll: Download the BOOK IT® Mobile App to set your book goals and track progress. Once a child meets the parent-set reading goal they can redeem their free Pizza Hut single topping Personal Pan Pizza® from participating locations.
Learn more: https://www.bookitprogram.com/
Books A Million
Grade: 1-6
When: Start any time summer begins for you and return the journal to Books-A-Million between July 1st and August 31st for your free Dav Pilkey Dog Man bookbag*!
*While supplies last
Rules:
- Choose any four books from the summer reading adventure feature in-store or online.
- Write about the books you’ve read in your summer reading adventure logbook.
- Show your completed logbook to a store associate to receive your free backpack.
Print Journal: BAM Summer Reading Journal
>> Looking for recommendations on books? Summer Reading List for Kids
Chuck E Cheese – Reading Rewards Calendar
No grade restrictions
When: All year long! Expires 12/31/25.
Rules: Read for two weeks and receive 10 Free Play Points (with food purchase)!
Print your calendar here: Chuck E Cheese Reward Calendar
Scholastic Summer Reading: Home Base (App)
Grades: PreK through 8th grade
When: May 9th to September 12th
Rules: Download Home Base and create an account. Start your Summer Reading!
Key Takeaways:
- What it is: Scholastic Home Base is a safe, free, and moderated digital world that celebrates reading. Your child will join a global community of readers.
- Safety: Parents have complete control over the use of the app and whether or not the child can use the chat functions. There is 24/7 human monitoring to make sure nothing is being said that goes against their Rules and Regulations.
- It’s Free: It is completely free to download and use with no in-app purchases or ads.
- Scholastic Summer Reading: Let’s make reading fun by earning Reading Streaks that help unlock book donations for kids with limited or no access to books. Track “reading streaks”, download a Reading Report, view leaderboards, and read complete, free e-books!
For More information visit Scholastic Summer Reading
Nothing Bundt Cakes
Earn a free Bundtlet every month for reading (PreK – Elementary School). Reach out to your specific Nothing Bundt Cakes location to see the details for their reading program.
Summer reading matters, no matter your child’s age (or even if you’re sneaking in a chapter or two yourself!). Whether your little one is just starting out or your big kid is already flying through chapter books, reading helps keep imaginations active and minds growing all summer long. Even just a few minutes a day can make a difference and every little bit counts.
And if you can, consider picking up something to read alongside your kids. It doesn’t have to be a novel; magazines, audiobooks, even flipping through a cookbook together counts. It’s a great way to show that reading can be fun at any age, and that it’s okay to do it your own way. Let’s help our kids discover new stories, spark their creativity, and maybe even earn a fun reward while they’re at it!
>> How to get your summer reading ebooks for FREE: NC Digital Library
By Emi Sano
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