One thing that my husband and I believe is important is to keep skills, such as reading, as keen as possible all summer long. There are several great summer reading programs available to encourage your child(ren) to do the same.
Barnes & Noble’s Summer Reading: This one requires kids to read eight books an then make a short recommendation on each one. They can then turn in their completed Summer Reading form at a store and choose a free book (from a selection in the store)!
Chuck E Cheese: Your child can keep track of their reading thruogh one of the rewards calendars. Once they have completed two weeks of reading he or she can submit the completed Chuck E Cheese calendar for 10 free tokens!
MY LATEST VIDEOSHalf Price Books: Kids should read (or be read to) for at least 15 minutes a day during June and July. Once they read 300 minutes, they can turn in their log and earn $5 in Half Price Books Bookworm bucks. They will also award one reader in each age group a $20 Half Price Books gift card.
Local Libraries: Be sure to check with your local library to see what sort of summer reading program is offered. A quick search on my local library’s website helped me find out that my library offers tickets to a local water park for participating in the program!
Pizza Hut Book-It Program. This program is offered to schools – including home schooling parents.
Pottery Barn Kids’ Summer Reading Challenge. Once the 2015 Bookmark has been released, you can download it and have your kids read the books listed. You can track their progress all summer long. At the end of the summer, you can take your completed certificate to your local store and get a free book – and a chance to win a backpack full of books!
Scholastic’s Summer Challenge: Kids can keep track of their reading minutes by logging in. In return, they can enter to win various sweepstakes. Right now, teachers can get signed up, but it will open up soon to everyone, including parents. You can start to sign up beginning May 4th!
Showcase Cinemas Bookworm Wednesdays (select locations): Each Wednesday, kids can bring in a book report (unless you are six and under and then admission will be free) – which will be cost of admission! The list hasn’t been released yet this year, but once it is, we’ll update it!
Sylvan’s Book Adventure Program: This program is for children in grades K-8. The search online for books and then find them in the library (or bookstore) and read them. Then, they come back and take quiz about the book and are rewarded with prizes for their reading success.