Summer 2011 Reading Incentive Programs for All Ages and Interests

Many families are looking forward to the summer. For some it may offer a chance to sleep in a little later. For other families summer time offers the chance to take a family vacation. For yet other families it gives them the chance to do some of the many things that they didn't have time to do during the school year. But summer time also brings with it a number of problems like: childcare, swimming pools, babysitters and brain drain. One way to keep our children busy, entertained and educated is through the many summer reading programs available at local libraries, banks, stores, educational providers and even restaurants.

Take a bite out of summer reading programs

Chuck E. Cheese may be where "a kid can be a kid" but it is also where your child can earn reading rewards by participating in their summer reading program. Just print this Reading Rewards calendar and every two weeks your child can earn 10 free tokens.

Pizza Hut wants you to "Book It" on over to their summer reading program website. This program not only rewards children for participating in the summer reading program but also offers online tools and resources to build reading skills, enter a sweepstakes, find fun activities related to reading and even cook up some summer fun with their recipes. Designed for children ages K-6^th grade there is also a special program for the Pre-K and Preschool child.

Bank on this summer reading program incentive

Want an easy way to encourage your child to read as well as start their money saving mentality? TD Bank offers children the chance to read and log 10 books that they read over the course of the summer. Print the reading log out and take it to your nearest TD Bank and they will deposit $10.00 into your Young Saver account. This program is only offered at TD Bank locations. Visit their website for locations near you and details regarding the Young Saver Program.

Books stores and more summer reading programs

Barnes and Noble offer the " Imagination Destination" summer reading incentive program. Download the reading journal. Read eight books and turn in the journal at your local Barnes and Noble. When your child reads eight books he or she gets to choose one free book at the store. The hardest part about this program? Choosing just one book. Barnes and Noble also offers a list of summer time favorite books to read as well as fun activities and helpful hints for parents to use this summer to encourage reading skills like vocabulary building and comprehension.

Half Price Books wants to you to "Feed Your Brain" this summer. Their summer reading program offers the incentive of $5.00 in "back to school bucks." For children who don't know how to read parents can get involved and read for 15 minutes each day to them. Add up your minutes, your parent or guardian signs off on them and you turn in your log to earn your bucks. One "Top Reader" per age group will be awarded a $20.00 HPB store gift card.

Is your child 12 and under? Then Borders "Double Dog Dares You" to read this summer. Read any 10 books you like, complete the reading log and bring your completed form to a store near you for a free book from a very special book list which is available for review on Border's website.

Spin the wheel, read and win in the Scholastic's Summer Reading Challenge . Find out who else in your area is reading to win, teachers can share their preferred reading list with students and parents can download summer book list, track their child's progress and get expert advice as well as activities to supplement their reading success.

Go on a Book Adventure , a free reading incentive program created by Sylvan Learning Centers. Designed for children ages K-8 can create their own reading list choosing from 7000 book titles online, take quizzes on the books they have read (not only encouraging reading but also comprehensive and memory skills) and earn points toward virtual prizes. If your child, like mine is excited about the Judy Moody and the Not Bummer Summer be sure to enroll them in the Thrilladelic Reading Contest too for a chance to win a Judy Moody movie and book packaged.

What are the advantages to using the summer reading incentive programs? There is one to fit every interest. No matter what the interest from books to arcades there is some incentive program that not only encourages your child to read this summer but rewards them for doing it. And, it doesn't hurt that these summer reading programs also save parents money!

Read more by this contributor:
Expert Advice for Parents on Avoiding Brain Drain and Summer Learning Loss
Free Preschool Lesson Plans: Fine Arts and Watercolors
Fun in the Summer Sun: Holidays in June
From Wacky and Weird to Patriotic and Parents: July Holidays

Sources:

Personal and professional experience