2026 Summer Reading Programs for Kids – Get Free Books, Pizza, Movies & More!

2026 Summer Reading Programs for Kids

Looking for ways to keep your kids reading all summer long? These 2026 summer reading programs offer amazing free rewards like books, pizza, play points, and even movie tickets! Check out the programs below and get started.

Here are all the places kids can earn rewards for reading this summer! 

• 📚 Barnes & Noble
• 🧢 Books-A-Million
• 🍕 Pizza Hut BOOK IT!
• 🐭 Chuck E. Cheese
• 📘 Scholastic Summer Zone
• 📖 Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library
• 🎬 Showcase Cinemas
• 🏫 Local Public Libraries
• 🏕️ Half Price Books

📚 Barnes & Noble Summer Reading Journal

Kids can keep a book reading journal and then turn it in at a local store from July 1st – August 31st, 2026. Any kiddo in 1st – 6th grade who read 8 books will get a free book as long as their journal is complete.

🧢 Books-A-Million Summer Reading Adventure

Kids who read 4 books from the Summer Reading section and complete a log can earn a free Dog Man drawstring bag!

🍕 Pizza Hut BOOK IT! Program

Pizza Hut BOOK IT! Program – Students can redeem one Reading Award Certificate per month in exchange for a Free one-topping Personal Pan Pizza (tracking is now on an app and SUPER easy!).

🐭 Chuck E. Cheese Reading Rewards

Get 10 Free play points for kids with a Super Student certificate (they have a lot of other rewards here too!).

📘 Scholastic Home Base Summer Zone

Scholastic – Through September 12th, kids can visit the summer zone in Scholastic Home Base, a completely free digital destination which offers stories, characters, games, and a community of readers. Home Base is moderated for safety 24/7.

📖 Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library

Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library – You can actually get a FREE BOOK every month until your child is 5 if this program is available in your area!

🎬 Showcase Cinemas Bookworm Wednesdays

Showcase Cinemas Bookworm Wednesdays – **not yet confirmed for 2026 – check back soon!!**

The program entitles kids to free admission to a select children’s film when they present a book report at a participating Showcase Cinema de Lux or Multiplex Cinemas box office. As an added bonus, Showcase Cinemas will offer Bookworm Wednesday movie-goers a 1-2-3 Go Box for only $5, which includes popcorn, a sweet treat and a drink. Here’s the 2025 schedule:

• July 9 at 10:30 a.m.: “Transformers One” (Rated PG, 104 minutes)
• July 16 at 10:30 a.m.: “Sonic the Hedgehog 3” (Rated PG, 110 minutes)
• July 23 at 10:30 a.m.: “IF” (Rated PG, 104 minutes)
• July 30 at 10:30 a.m.: “PAW Patrol: The Mighty Movie” (Rated PG, 87 minutes)

Participating theaters in Massachusetts include Blackstone Valley 14: Cinema de Lux, Showcase Cinema de Lux at Legacy Place, Showcase Cinema de Lux North Attleboro, Showcase Cinema de Lux at Patriot Place, Showcase Cinema de Lux Lowell, Showcase Cinema de Lux Randolph, Showcase Cinema de Lux Woburn, and Showcase Cinema de Lux at Hanover Crossing.

🏫 Local Public Library Summer Reading

Many public libraries offer kids’ reading rewards programs and fun activities during the summer as well! (There are also TONS of  library card freebies you can take advantage of!)

🏕️ Half Price Books Summer Reading Camp

Half Priced Books – Campers can earn $5 Bookworm Buck rewards by marking off the days they read from June 1st through July 31st, 2025. During the months of July and August campers can visit their local HPB with their completed reading logs to receive $5 Bookworm Bucks which are good for $5 off anything in store. Go here for more information (click the FAQ for more info on the free Bookworm Bucks)!

 If you need some book ideas, Amazon has a ton of Editor Picks for Baby to Young Adults ~ and they usually have a Summer Reading Program too (we don’t have info for 2026 yet, but will update if we spot it!).