Over 15 Free Summer Reading Programs in Columbus

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, 2023. 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 hosts Summer Reading Camp each summer. Kids can submit their reading minutes and books each month to earn prizes and discounts. Pick up reading logs in store!

Pizza Hut Camp Book-IT

Encourage love for reading with Pizza Hut Camp Book-It summer program! Set reading goals, track progress, to earn a Personal Pan Pizza. The program is parent-led and valid for June, July, and August.

See full details about Pizza Hut Camp Book-IT.

https://www.columbusonthecheap.com/pizza-hut-camp-book-it/

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 Summer Reading on Home Base Reading Challenge

The Scholastic 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 May 4 – September 7. Printable resources such at book lists, reading pledges, and minute trackers are available online.

By keeping Reading Streaks™ in Home Base, kids will help unlock a donation of 25,000 books from Scholastic to Save the Children. The books will go to kids in rural America with limited or no access to books.

Library Reading Programs

Columbus Metropolitan Library Summer Reading Challenge

The Summer Reading Challenge with Columbus Metropolitan Library starts June 1, to encourage people of all ages to read 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) Summer Reading Challenge reading minutes and activities must be completed by July 31.

See more details here.

The Main Library Summer Reading Challenge Kickoff Party is June 3, and other branches are hosting kickoff parties between June 1-4, 2022.

Pickerington Public Library Summer Reading

The Pickerington Public Library Summer Reading Program runs May 27 – August 5, 2023. Participants can earn toys, coupons, and free books as well as raffle tickets for grand prize packages.

Check out other summer fun with Pickerington Public Library on their Facebook page or the website. They have TONS of fun activities all summer.

Delaware County District Library Summer Reading Club

Summer Reading Club 2023: Camp DCDL runs through August 12 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 annual Medieval Faire: join us for a joust, Viking adventures, Sherwood Forest, and more! Come to Ostrander for all the fun on Saturday, June 17 from 11 am – 3 pm.

Learn to play Loog Guitar! The Loog Guitar is a simple 3-stringed instrument that encourages the exploration of music with hands-on experiences. This class is for children 6-8 years old; Loog guitars are provided, and pre-registration is required.

Explore the great outdoors at Alum Creek State Park. DCDL librarians and State Park Naturalists will join forces for fun outdoor programs; on Thursday, July 13 @ 5:30 pm, explore water-dwelling creatures, and on Thursday, August 10 @ 2 pm, learn about Ohio reptiles!

Check the Events page for events created for the age groups and interests in your household.

Pataskala Public Library Summer Reading Program

The Summer Reading Program is June 12 and goes through July 24. There are separate programs for 3 age groups.

Kids can pick up their reading program packets, while Teens and Adults can start submitting entry forms for completed books!

See website for fun events such as Read to a Dog, Magic Show, and more.

Westerville Public Library Summer Reading Program

Join the Summer Reading Program with the Westerville Public Library. Register and log your progress between May 26 and July 31, 2023. Set your own reading goal and try to reach it!

Prizes include:

Ages 0-17: Choose a book. Get a coupon for Columbus Museum of Art, Rita’s Ice, Sugarbees Fine Confections, and the Ohio State Fair.
Ages 18+: Get a set of 4 historic Westerville postcards. (While supplies last.)
All ages: 1 entry in a grand prize drawing for all participants who met their goal.

Worthington Libraries Summer Reading Club

Join the Aim for the Stars Summer Reading Club through July 31, 2023. Register online or in person 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.

Ages 5 and under must read in 15-minute increments
6 to 11 must read in 20-minute increments
Ages 12 and up must read in 30-minute increments

Everyone will receive coupons for local businesses upon signup, and a free book after the completion of the program.

Upper Arlington Public Library Summer Library Club

The Let’s Celebrate Summer Reading Club is from June 1 – July 31. Summer Reading Club is for everyone!

There is no age limit. Just stop by any Upper Arlington Public Library location to pick up a reading log. For each day you read, color in an animal. Once you’ve finished your sheet, visit the library to receive prizes:

1st Reading Log (7 Days Read): Coupon Packet, Treasure Chest Selection, & Online Prize Entry
2nd Reading Log (14 Days Read): Book Prize, Treasure Chest Selection, & Online Prize Entry
3rd-8th Reading Logs (21-56 Days Read): Treasure Chest Selection & Online Prize Entry for each log

Check out the fun themed activities during the Reading Program.

Bexley Public Library Summer Community Read

The Summer Community Read runs from June 2 – August 6, 2023. For details on our programs visit the website.

Registration details, tracker, booklists, and prize info are on the website.

On August 6th, join the Summer Community Read wrap up! Turn in your trackers, meet Gerald and Piggie, play games, and get a chance to win prizes! We’ll end by forming our own bucket drumline with 614MusicWorks.

Marysville Public Library Summer Reading Program

Summer Reading Program, All Together Now, is May 22 through July 28, 2023.

Visit the Library to get a Reading Log. 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 Summer Reading Club and read through May 30 – July 31, 2023, and you could win prizes for reading this summer!

Download the Summer Reading Club app to get started, or use your computer to register. All participants who complete the program will receive the following prizes:

GHPL T-shirt (kids)
Fidget key chain (teens)
Special registration prize
Blank book or book of your choice
Coupons to: DK Diner, Dairy Queen, Pure Imagination Chocolatier, Chocolate Café, and Grandview Pool Concessions

Licking County Library System Summer Library Program

The Summer Library Program, All Together Now, runs from May 30 – July 22, 2023

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!

Granville Public Library Summer Reading Program

Summer…It’s About Time Summer Library Program runs from June 5 – July 29, 2023. Granville and Licking County residents are invited to sign up for the Summer Library Program.

Children’s, Teen, and Adult Summer Library programs will all be online. Earn raffle tickets for reading and attending programs. Special events are found on 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 as a reward.

Among many options, they offer a Reading Rewards Calendar (English and Spanish).