Keep your kids excited about reading all summer long with these great programs! From bookstores to libraries, we’ve rounded up all of the summer reading activities available for kids and teens (and even a few for adults!) in the Austin area. Happy reading!
Summer Reading Programs: Bookstore
Barnes & Noble
May 16 – September 5 | All locations
The Barnes & Noble Summer Reading Program encourages children to read books of their own choosing and earn a FREE book, simply by following these three easy steps: 1. Read any eight books this summer and record them in your Summer Reading Journal (English or Español). Tell which part of the book is your favorite, and why. 2. Bring your completed journal to a Barnes & Noble store between May 16th and September 5th, 2017. 3. Choose your FREE reading adventure from the book list featured on the back of the journal.
BookPeople
Kick-off June 17 at 11:30 a.m. | 603 N Lamar Blvd, Austin
BookPeople is kicking summer off with prizes, costumes, and special guests. First, Zilker Theatre Productions will bring the cast of this year’s epic summer musical, The Wizard of Oz, to host a special storytime and judge an Oz-themed costume contest. There will be some incredible prizes at stake—a walk-on role, reserved seating, and more—so shine your ruby slippers and join the fun. They’ve also partnered with AISD on the 5 Book Dive summer program and they’ll be there to help kick off summer reading season. Along with AISD librarians and representatives from literacy nonprofit BookSpring, they’ll talk up some favorite books for summer and give you everything you need to take the 5 Book Dive Summer Challenge–including details about how to claim your reward. Friends from Austin Allies, a volunteer group for local families, will join the fun to talk about how families can support literacy and get involved with local nonprofits like BookSpring.
Half Price Books
Kick-off June 4 at 2:00 p.m. | Various locations
Local stores will have a special event on Sunday, June 4 at 2:00 p.m. to kick off the FEED YOUR BRAIN® Summer Reading Program. Kids of all ages are invited for the Biggest Storytime of the Summer and to celebrate reading and family literacy with this nationwide read-in event. Kids 14 and under can earn Bookworm Bucks by reading 15 minutes a day. (Grown-ups may read aloud to kids who are still learning.) Use the reading log, add up your minutes, and have a parent or guardian initial each week. Once you’ve reached 300 or more minutes, bring your log to your local HPB on or before August 31 to claim your Bookworm Bucks.
Summer Reading Programs: Library
Austin Public Library
It’s that time again! The Austin Public Library is your ticket to a summer full of reading and loads of fun activities this June through August. All Library programs are FREE and open to the public. Here’s a list of the upcoming summer reading programs events taking place at various APL branches. Click here for your printable reading log.
Cedar Park Public Library
Kick-off June 5 & 6 from 9:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. | 550 Discovery Blvd, Cedar Park
The Cedar Park Public Library, in conjunction with the Texas State Library, is proud to present the 2017 Summer Reading Club: Build a Better World! The Library’s Summer Reading Club run from June 5 to July 28 and is open to all ages. The program begins with a Scholastic Book Fair June 5-6 where special guest Clifford the Big Red Dog will be available for visits and photographs from 10:00 a.m. to noon. Also on June 5, the Library will hold a Touch-A-Truck event, so kids can explore some awesome City of Cedar Park trucks and construction vehicles. This year’s Summer Reading Club is all online. Register here and begin logging your minutes. For every 200 minutes kids read, they can visit the library to claim a prize pack with a colored cut-out to display in the library’s window and special incentive awards and coupons. Teen prizes are earned for every 300 minutes read. Audio books, newspapers, and magazines from the library also count for reading minutes. Adults are encouraged to participate, too. For every 400 minutes read, an entry form for a drawing prize is earned.
Georgetown Public Library
Kick-off May 30 | Georgetown Public Library, 402 W 8th St, Georgetown
The Summer Reading Club is a self-paced program in which children ages 0-11 choose their reading level and keep records of the amount of time they spend reading (or being read to) each day. You may register for the Summer Reading Club online or the next time you come to the library.
Lake Travis Community Library
Kick-off June 3 from 10:30 a.m. – noon | 1938 Lohmans Crossing Rd, Austin
This summer you can “Build a Better World” at the Lake Travis Community Library during their eight week Summer Reading Program. How will you Build a Better World? Checkout books or download titles that inspire, engage, and educate you about how to make a positive difference in your community and in your world. Reading is its own reward, but there will also be prizes – the more you read, the more you win. Celebrate the start of summer with this kick-off party. Tiny Tails to You will bring their baby animal petting zoo, children’s musician Mr. Will will play some great tunes, and delicious refreshments will be provided by HEB. Make summer crafts, get a washable face tattoos, and pose at the photo wall. The Summer Reading Program Finale will be on July 28 from 4-6:00 p.m. and will feature cold treats from the Kona Ice truck, live music, and chill crafts in the Children’s Room. Plus, prizes will be drawn for the adult and teen reading raffle contest.
Laura’s Library
Kick-off May 27 from 10:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. | 9411 Bee Cave Rd, Austin
The Kick-off Party will feature mini horses, a balloon artist, a bungee jump, Princesses Belle and Moana, a magician, and a stunt juggler. Grab a reading log passport at the Information Desk at Laura’s or Westbank and pick up your “suitcase” to decorate and hang. Record what you read or listen to in the passport and get a stamp each time you visit the library. Stop by each week and participate in a fun activity for all ages, even adults. View the full summer reading program schedule here. Bring your passport in for a treat at the Finale. Click here for a Printable Reading Log.
Liberty Hill Public Library
May 15 – July 31 | 355 Loop 332, Liberty Hill
Participate in the library’s Summer Reading Program for your chance to win one of 60+ prizes.
Pflugerville Public Library
Kick-off June 3 from 2-5:00 p.m. | 1008 W Pfluger St, Pflugerville
Kick off the Summer Reading Program with the 3rd Annual Maker Pfest. There will be FREE hands-on demos and crafts for all ages. Makers, artists and crafters of all types will be demonstrating their talents.
Round Rock Public Library
Kick-off June 7 at 10:00 a.m. | 216 E Main Ave, Round Rock
Joe McDermott will perform a FREE outdoor concert to kick off the Summer Reading Program, which runs from June 7 – August 7, 2017. There will be lots of fun activities plus reading challenges for babies, kids, teens, and adults. Check out the schedule here.
Wells Branch Public Library
June 1 – July 31 | 15001 Wells Port Dr, Austin
This year, Summer Reading is going digital. Log in to earn points and digital badges, unlock games, win prizes, and earn raffle entries.
Summer Reading Programs: Online
Scholastic Summer Challenge
Kids can log their reading minutes, earn prizes, and take part in an attempt to read for the world record. The program runs May 8 to September 8. Visit the website to register for this FREE program.
I Can Readathon!
The I Can Readathon! is for children who are learning to read. By pledging to read every day, new readers grow more confident and can enjoy reading on their own and proudly say, “I Can Read!”
Junie B. Jones Reading Club
Receive monthly updates about new books, fun printables like holiday cards, Junie B. games and activities, special events, sweepstakes, and more. Click here to see a sample newsletter.
Book Adventure by Sylvan
Book Adventure is a fun, FREE way to motivate your child to read. Kids in grades K-8 can search for books, read them offline, come back to quiz on what they’ve read, and earn prizes for their reading success. Register here.
New York Times Summer Reading Contest
Students ages 13-19 may participate in this contest every Friday from June 16 – August 25. Students answer the questions: “What interested you most in The Times this week? Why?” Contestants can choose from any Times article, essay, video, interactive, or photograph published in 2017, on any topic they like. Winners’ writing will be published on the blog. More details and tips are on this PDF.
Pizza Hut’s Book It Summer Reading Challenge
Beat the “summer slide” and keep kids reading throughout the summer months with Pizza Hut’s FREE summer printables.
Chuck E Cheese’s Reading Rewards Program
Download a Reading Rewards Chart, have kids read every day for two weeks, and redeem the chart for 10 free tokens. You must purchase food to get the free tokens. Or, you can choose the bookmark program. Kids can receive 5 Chuck E. Cheese’s tokens for each book they read.
