The products and services mentioned below were selected independent of sales and advertising. However, Simplemost may receive a small commission from the purchase of any products or services through an affiliate link to the retailer's website.
Keeping kids entertained and learning can be a challenge in the summer months. The last thing you’d want to do if you had summers off is work, so of course kids don’t want to study.
It’s important to keep their minds sharp, though, to avoid that “summer slump” that can come with less school time and more screen time. One way is by offering them new books that they may not have read multiple times already. Even better, how about free books?
Barnes & Noble is helping out with their free summer reading program, which gives children in first through sixth grades the chance to earn free books. All your kids have to do is read any eight books this summer and write down what part of each book was their favorite and why in this summer reading journal. From there, just take the journal to your local Barnes & Nobel and your kids can pick out a free book from this list.
The program, which is now in its 22nd year, runs through Sept. 3, so your kids have all summer to read whatever they want to get their free book.
Aside from Barnes & Noble, there are quite a few other reading programs that offer incentives to your children as well. Take a look at some of the other programs to see if they would be a good fit for your kids.
Half Price Books
Half Price Books is offering kids ages 14 and under the chance get a $5 gift card if they read just 15 minutes every day throughout June and July. If your kids are still learning to read, even reading to them counts! You will need to have a Half Price Books store near you for this deal, as you’ll need to drop off this reading log in person.
Showcase Cinemas
Instead of a free book for reading, this one might spark your kids’ interest even more. Your child can get free admission to select children’s films at participating Cinema de Lux, Showcase, or Multiplex Cinemas if they present a book report to the box office. Parents and children under six will also get free admission as long as one child brings a book report!
Chuck E. Cheese
This one is simple! Each time your child reads every day for two weeks in a row, just mark it off on this calendar and take it to your local Chuck E. Cheese. They’ll earn 10 free tokens each time they meet the goal! Side note: you do have to purchase a food item for your child to get the tokens.
Have you ever used any other incentives to get your children to read throughout the summer?