Over 15 Summer Reading Programs in Columbus and Central Ohio

Summer reading programs are a great incentive to keep kids reading during the Summer months. Students who read over the summer break tend to avoid the “Summer Slide”, or Summer learning loss. Students should be reading at least 10-20 minutes each day, and adults should be reading to non-readers for the same amount of time (or more!).

The good news is that kids tend to respond well to incentives, so reluctant readers may be willing to read to earn rewards gift cards, free food, prizes, and more! Most of the programs require a similar amount of reading, so they can qualify for multiple program rewards. Check out our list of Summer Reading Programs below!

Barnes and Noble Summer Reading Program

Download and print a Barnes and Noble Summer Reading Program Reading Journal from the website for each child in grades 1-6. Kids are encouraged to read any 8 books and fill out their Reading Journals about each book.

Once completed, bring the journals to any B&N store between July 1 – August 31, 2021. Kids can choose a FREE reading adventure from the book list featured on the reading journal.

Half Price Books Summer Reading Camp

Half Price Books continues as a virtual Summer Reading Camp. Kids can submit their reading minutes and books each month to earn prizes and discounts. They are also hosting contests throughout the summer to earn gift cards, such as a book review contest in early June.

Rusty Bucket Bucketeer Bookworms

Rusty Bucket Bucketeer Bookworms program encourages elementary school students in grades K-6 to read. Families can now pick a Bookmark Tracker at any Rusty Bucket Ohio location and start reading.

Young readers track their books on the back of the bookmark. After every five books read, kids receive a complimentary kid’s meal with an adult entrée purchase (dine-in only). Note: This program runs year round, not just through the summer!

The Scholastic Read-a-Palooza Summer Reading Challenge

The Scholastic Read-a-Palooza Summer Reading Challenge is a free program to help prevent the effects of the summer slide—the learning losses that can occur during the summer months.

Over the course of 18 weeks, kids can enter their summer reading minutes online, unlocking digital rewards as they complete weekly reading challenges; and access book excerpts, videos, and other summer-exclusive content. Kids can enter minutes from Monday, April 26 – Friday, September 3, 2021. Printable resources such at book lists, reading pledges, and minute trackers are available online.

Once participating kids reach 25, then 50 and then 100 million minutes collectively read in the Summer Reading Challenge, Scholastic will donate 100,000 books to kids in need across the United States!

Library Reading Programs

Columbus Metropolitan Library System Virtual Summer Reading Challenge

The online Summer Reading Challenge starts May 29, 2021 to encourage people of all ages to read, from babies to adults to earn prizes! The program is divided into four age categories, each with different rewards and prize opportunities for 30 days of reading (15 minutes per day). You’ll get a Game Board with activities and a free book while supplies last. Summer Reading Challenge reading minutes and activities must be completed and entered online by July 31.

Pickerington Public Library Summer Reading

“Tails and Tales” Summer Reading Program runs May 24 and August 14, 2021. Participants can earn toys, coupons, and free books as well as raffle tickets for grand prize packages. E

Track reading, get book recommendations, complete missions, and play minigames on READsquared, the virtual reading platform, available via both app and web browser, or on a paper log on from the library.

Check out other summer fun with Pickerington Public Library on their Facebook page.

Delaware County District Library Summer Reading Club

Summer Reading Club 2021: Tails and Tales Summer Reading Club runs from June 1 through July 23 for all ages. Children ages 0-17 are encouraged to read 12 hours throughout the summer, collecting prizes once they reach six- and 12-hour benchmarks. Adults are encouraged to read books or attend library programs. Any combination of four books read or programs attended will earn participants a prize.

The Summer Reading Club does not require registration. Participants simply download a reading log or keep track in a notebook, then stop in to a branch and tell a DCDL staff member when it’s time to pick up a prize. Most programs and gatherings will remain virtual through the summer with some exceptions,

Check the Events page for events created for the age groups and interests in your household. Many virtual events will require advanced registration.

Included in the six-hour prize will be a collection of coupons, discounts and free giveaways provided by local businesses all around Delaware County and Central Ohio. Prize books are provided through the generosity of the Friends of the Delaware County District Library.

Pataskala Public Library Summer Reading Program

The 2021 Summer Reading Program is June 1 and goes through July 19. There are separate programs for 3 age groups.

K-5 Tails and Tales Summer Reading program
Read (or listen) to add to your reading log, and try different activities. You’ll earn beads to put on your Reading Brag Tag. The more activities you complete, the more beads you earn when you check-in at the library.

Teen Summer Reading Program; grade 6-12
Fill out an entry form for each book, magazine, or graphic novel you read. Twenty winners will be chosen at random for great prizes including gift cards, ear buds, water bottles, and more and will be notified on July 20th by phone or email.

Adult Summer Reading Program for adults age 18 & up
Fill out an entry form for each book, magazine, or graphic novel you read (or listen to) and you’ll be eligible for a $25 gift card for local businesses. Ten winners will be chosen at random from all entries received during this period, and will be notified by email or phone on Tuesday, July 20th. Prizes provided by the Friends of the Pataskala Library.

Westerville Public Library Summer Reading Program

Join the Read and Roar Summer Reading Program with the Westerville Public Library. Register and log your progress between May 28 and July 31, 2021. Virtual and in-person events are held through the program.

Ages 0-17: Set your reading goal, then challenge yourself to meet it. Meet your goal = earn a book beginning July 1
Ages 18+: Read books, listen to audiobooks or read aloud to others. Meet your goal and choose a birdhouse or blank notebook

Everyone who meets their goals will be entered into drawing for grand prizes based on age range, including gift baskets and gift cards.

Worthington Libraries Summer Reading Club

Join the Game On! Summer Reading Club through July 31, 2021. Register in-person and pick up your Game Guide at any Worthington Libraries location. Earn prizes based on the amount of time you spend reading and/or completing activities, including an entry into the grand prize.

Little kids (5 and under) must play for 7.5 hours
Big kids (6-11) must play for 10 hours
Teens and adults (12 and up) must play for 15 hours

Kids and teens earn Coupons for Menchie’s, Dairy Queen, ZipZone Outdoor Adventures, Magic Mountain Fun Centers and more, including a book of choice.
Adults will receive coupons from local businesses like Porch Growler, Play: CBUS, Highline Coffee, ModeAlise and more

Upper Arlington Public Library Summer Library Club

Tails and Tales Reading Club is from June 1 – July 31. Summer Reading Club is for everyone! There is no age limit, no cost and no library card required. Register your household to get started.

Download the reading log and mark each day you read between June 1–July 31. They recommend 15-20 minutes per day but feel free to set your own goals. You are also welcome to use your own calendar, or stop by the library to pick up a calendar. If you read for 15 days or more, you earn a free book! There are weekly gift card drawings as welll!

Bexley Public Library Summer Community Read

The Summer Community Read “Tails and Tales” runs from June 1 – July 31, 2021. For details on our programs visit the website. The program is held on-line again this year, but there will be in-person events to attend if you wish.

Track your reading in one of two ways:
– Track your summer reading and be entered to win raffle prizes with the new online reading tracker application, READsquared.
– Keep track of your reading by downloading the online PDF version of the physical tracker found here.

Marysville Public Library Summer Reading Program

Summer Reading Program, Tails and Tales is June 1 through July 31, 2021. Visit the Library to get a Reading Log, or download a Reading Log here, or download the Beanstack app. See website for featured activities and suggested reading, take and make crafts, and more. Earn prizes for your halfway mark and for completing the program!

Grandview Heights Public Library Summer Reading Club

Join the online Summer Reading Club and read through June 1 – July 31, 2021, and you could win prizes for reading this summer!

Download the Summer Reading Club app to get started, or use your computer to register.

Adults: Read for a chance to win great prizes from local businesses. The more you read, the better your chances of winning!
Kids: Complete the program to earn Blank book or journal, “I Read at Grandview Library” bracelet, and Coupons to: DK Diner, Dairy Queen, Galaxy Games & Golf, Pure Imagination Chocolatier, Chocolate Café, and Star Beacon

Licking County Library System Summer Library Program

The Summer Library Program Tails and Tales runs from June 1 – July 24, 2021.

Pick-up a Reading tracker LCL locations and log the books you read or listen to. Earn raffle tickets with your tracker for grand prizes at every tourist stop throughout your trip. Plus, receive a free book at the half-way mark and on completion! Once you make it to your guide’s hut, you’ll receive a completion award. Return your Reading Tracker by July 24 to any LCL location, or email an image of your completed tracker to; info@lickingcountylibrary.org. Winners will be drawn on Monday, July 26.

Stop by any LCL location and pick up At-Home Activity Kits (while supplies last) during the months of June and July! These kits are packed full of adventure projects.

Granville Public Library Summer Reading Program

Tails and Tales Summer Library Program 2020 runs from July 7 – July 31, 2021. Granville and Licking County residents are invited to sign up for the Summer Library Program online or by downloading the Beanstack Tracking app for your smartphone.

Children’s, Teen, and Adult Summer Library programs will all be online. Earn raffle tickets for reading and attending online programs. All end of season prized can only be mailed to addresses in Licking County. Go to https://GranvilleLibrary.beanstack.org or download the Beanstack app through your app store. You will be walked through the steps to register and sign-up for challenges. Program registration is required for Zoom events through the library website’s event calendar.

School and Classroom Reading Programs

Attention teachers! There are a couple of programs that allow you to reward your students for reading! Parents – if your child’s classroom isn’t participating in these programs, make sure you let the teacher know they are available to individual classrooms.

Book It!

If you were a child of the 80’s or after, you may have participated in the Pizza Hut Book It! program as a student yourself. I still remember exactly what my Book It! pin looked like. It was purple and had spaces above a rainbow for a star sticker to be added each time I earned a reward.

The current program runs from October-March and is open to educators of students K-6 in home school, public, private and charter schools. Set a reading goal for each child in your class based on their ability. When they meet their monthly goal, you get to recognize them with a Reading Award Certificate, good for a free one-topping Personal Pan Pizza®. BOOK IT! materials are always free to schools. Enrollment begins in March prior to the upcoming school year.

Chipotle Reading Rewards

Chipotle Reading Rewards is a program that awards students who complete reading challenges with FREE Chipotle kid’s meals. The month-long reading challenge is only open to each school once per school year, based on approval, and applications are prioritized for applications in which the entire school is participating.

Looking for other local options? Many fast food restaurant franchises will donate coupons for free items for classrooms if you ask!

Chuck E. Cheese’s Reading Rewards Calendar

Chuck E. Cheese offers reward calendars and behavior charts to encourage kids to reach specific goals, Track progress on these printable incentive charts by marking the days off with a pen or sticker as your kids accomplish their goals. Bring in a completed calendar or behavior chart to Chuck E. Cheese’s and receive 10 free play points or tokens as a reward.

Among many options, they offer a Reading Rewards Calendar (English and Spanish). Note: Chuck E Cheese is not currently open this summer, but these incentive charts run year round!