Summer Reading Challenge- National & Western Washington Programs

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Summer Reading Challenge – National & Western Washington Programs

Updated for 2025

Looking for a great summer reading program for your kids this year? We are back this year with a roundup of the Summer Reading programs that are happening around the country, as well as in the Pacific Northwest.  These are local library summer reading programs happening around the area. We are providing the list of summer reading programs for the Puget Sound area.

Summer reading incentive programs are a great way to keep kids motivated, stay on track with the skills they learned throughout the year & foster that love of reading they’ll carry to adulthood. Each of these programs offers a summer reading log, too, to keep track of your child’s reading.  This year’s summer reading programs are typically offering free books for the more books your child reads during the summer, as well as other possible prizes, too!

If you have a library card for a particular library system, remember that those library systems typically have a reciprocal relationship where you can also check out library books with the other library systems, so make sure to look into that if your child is feeling particularly ambitious this summer! :)

One more fun way for kids to continue to learn through the summer is the Kiwi Crates. My kids have these and love them.  They are STEAM-based projects that the kids build or create, and they are just focused on having fun, but they are learning too!

We also love the Mel Science subscription boxes – my younger girl is a gal who loves science & learning & these are such fun projects for her to try!

National Reading Programs:

These programs are available at participating locations across the country.

Barnes & Noble Summer Reading Program

If your child reads at least 8 books, they will earn a FREE book as part of the Barnes & Noble Summer Reading Program. Download a reading journal and once your child has read 8 books, complete a journal about the books they’ve read and bring it into a local Barnes & Noble store to redeem (check the website for details on when to do that). This is for grades 1st – 6th.

Chuck E Cheese

Your child can earn rewards every time he or she reads for 2 weeks in a row.  Just fill out the form and bring it in to claim your free tokens. Limit of 1 free token offer per child per day (food purchase is required). Download a Reading Rewards Calendar. Find all of the rewards programs here.

Or download the reading-specific rewards certificate here.

The Book IT Program

Sign up your kids for the Camp BOOK IT program to keep kids reading all summer. Kids can track their reading all during June, July & August in their digital dashboard. When you meet your monthly reading goal, you’ll receive a free one-topping Personal Pan pizza from Pizza Hut.

Half-Price Books

Kids 14 years and under can earn Bookworm Bucks by reading 15 minutes a day for a month in June and July from Half Price Books.  Grown-ups may read aloud to kids who are still learning to read.  Track your reading on a printable reading log, which must be initialed by a guardian.  Once the child has reached 300 or more minutes, bring the log to your local HPB to claim Bookworm Bucks.  There should be an option for High School students, too.

Scholastic Summer Reading Challenge

Kids can log in their minutes they’ve read for the Scholastic Summer Reading Challenge & earn awesome virtual prizes.

Puget Sound Area’s Library Programs:

Many libraries throughout the Puget Sound area offer reading programs to keep kids enthusiastic about reading all summer long. H

There are a number of public libraries offering summer reading programs. Many libraries also have programs for kids ages birth- 5 (preschool group) & for teens as well.

KING COUNTY:

• King County Library System – Be a reading champion and earn rewards with fun in-library programs and online activities for children birth to 17. This year they are offering a Curious Creature Welcome Kit. The kit includes a free book, a Red Robin “Burgers for Books” coupon, and more surprises (while supplies last)!
• Seattle Public Library – The Seattle Public Library’s Summer of Learning Program offers various activities for young kids to teens. They will update sometime in June with more information about this year’s program.

PIERCE COUNTY:

• Pierce County Library – Their programs usually start in early June & there will be more information for their Summer Reading program.
• Tacoma Public Library – You can use a digital log or paper log & make sure to stop by the library for a sign-up prize as well as prizes for your summer reading that you do.
• Puyallup Public Library – Use the Beanstack app to keep track of the books you read. This is available for kids, teens, & adults & kids & teens can pick up a book from the main desk when you sign up & adults can pick up a free tote bag (while supplies last). Kids & teens who complete the challenges will get another free book & adults will get a free drink coupon for Athem (while supplies last). If you read more than 20 hours, you will be entered to win a gift card.

SNOHOMISH COUNTY / ISLAND COUNTY:

• Sno-Isle Library System –  The summer reading program starts June 20th for kids & teens. Read books, fill up your reading log. Then bring in your completed log to choose a free book as a prize.
• Everett Public Library – Grab a reading log in person, online, or use the Beanstack app and start reading to earn free books. Kids & adults will earn a free book & be entered to win other prizes. Adults even have a challenge too!

SKAGIT COUNTY:

• Mount Vernon Public Library – Read books and earn badges online. They also have paper logs if you’d prefer to do it & turn it in person. Registration starts in June
• City of Burlington Public Library -Printable reading logs are available for preschoolers & grade schoolers. Win a prize for each 100 minutes you read & be entered into raffles for more prizes.
• Anacortes Public Library –  They do not have the details yet for the Summer Reading program.  Sign up online through the Anacortes Public Library or at the library. Kids from birth to age 18 can sign up and track their reading through the printable journal. Once the reading goals have been reached, they can choose a free paperback (This is last year’s program, but should be similar)
• Upper Skagit Library District – They change the theme yearly, so check their site for the current year’s theme.
• La Conner Library – Their website has not been updated yet, but keep checking back. There are lots of great activities, events, and books available soonb! Check out the website for more info on activities or stop by the library for more information about the summer reading program.

WHATCOM COUNTY:

• Whatcom County Library –  Sign up anytime at your local library or print off the form online. School-age kiddos set their own reading goal which they track on the Book card. You can download the form or pick one up at your local library.
• Bellingham Public Library – Summer reading program starts June 1st for kids, teens & adults in Bellingham. You can download & print your own form online or pick it up at your local library. They will also have several library parties in the park scheduled too.

KITSAP COUNTY:

• Kitsap County Library – Participate in Track Your Reading! Read 10 hours and get a prize (book or journal)! Read any book that you want! If 10 hours is an easy goal for you to meet, read 100 hours and get a limited edition t-shirt!

MASON, GRAYS HARBOR, THURSTON, LEWIS, and PACIFIC COUNTIES:

• Timberland Library –  Sign up in your local library or register online.  Get a prize book just for signing up. Complete reading logs and activity sheets for rewards!

CLALLAM COUNTY:

• North Olympic Library System – They have not updated with the summer reading program, but it looks similar to the Port Townsend library reading program where you can register in person or online using the Beanstack app. Read books to earn a free book & earn a limited edition T-shirt with extra hours.
• Port Townsend Library – Register in person at the library or on the Beanstack app. Read 10 hours to earn a new book. Read 45 hours to earn a limited edition t-shirt designed by local artist, Dana Sullivan. There is a program for kids, teens & adults.

JEFFERSON COUNTY:

• Jefferson County Library – Register in person or online at the Beanstack app. You can earn a free book when you read 21 days & earn a custom t-shirt when you read for 61 days.

For more Summer Fun around the Northwest, check out these ideas:

Online Learning Resources – over 30 resources with many free!

Virtual Field Trips – Lots of resources to explore the world online.

Seattle Staycation Ideas – over 100 ideas for staycations around Seattle area

If I have missed any local library programs, please leave a comment so I can add it to our list!