When summer comes, it can be a scramble to keep kids entertained with free things to do and to keep them away from screens. Thankfully, there are kids’ summer reading programs to help during these school-free months. Even better, kids can get some awesome freebies just for reading, earning things like books, reward badges, pizza, and more. And Barnes & Noble and Pizza Hut have just confirmed their summer reading programs are back for summer 2026.
We’ve put together a list of options that reward kids of all ages for reading, so between free museum visits and crafting projects (and whatever else you're busy with), your kids can also learn to enjoy reading by diving into as many books as possible this summer.
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Pizza Hut: Free Personal Pan Pizzas With BOOK IT
Pizza Hut BOOK IT is back for summer 2026 (and it's been renamed from "Camp BOOK IT" to "Summer of Stories"). But just like in past years, kids can earn free Personal Pan Pizzas all summer long (in June, July, and August) by reading books.
Here's how it works for summer 2026:
1. Parents download the BOOK IT app (available in the Apple Store and soon, on Google Play).
2. Parents use the app to set reading goals for June, July, and August.
3. As your kids meet those goals for each month, they unlock a free 1-topping Personal Pan Pizza. You'll see a "Claim Reward" option appear in the app, with instructions for how to get a personal coupon code for the pizza at a participating location.
There's a limit of one pizza per month per child and a per-family limit of five pizzas per month. A Personal Pan Pizza is $6.19 at the locations we checked (prices may vary), so if your kid earns all three pizzas, that's an $18.57 value for the summer.
Barnes & Noble: Free Book for Reading 8
The Barnes & Noble Summer Reading Program welcomes children in grades 1 - 6 to join in the fun.
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Encourage your child to select eight books from their personal collection, borrowed from a library, or purchased from Barnes & Noble. They can then complete the provided printable reading journal.
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For every two books they read, they'll bring the journal into a store and get a sticker.
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After four stickers (eight books), your child can return the journal to Barnes & Noble between July 1 and Aug. 31, 2026. As a reward, your child will be able to choose a free book from the list included in the reading journal.
You can't get the free book online; you need to go into a store. The free books available are listed by grade level.
Here are just a few examples (see the full list in the reading journal). The eligible free books usually cost between $5.99 - $14.99:
Grades 1 - 2
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Could Puppy, by Kelly Leigh Miller (reg. $12.99)
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The Alien Next Door 1: The New Kid, by A.I. Newton (reg. $5.99)
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Lake of Slime by Jarrett Lerner (reg. $7.99)
Grades 3 - 4
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The Last Immortals: Dawn of the Axolotl , by Kit Brooks (reg. $8.99)
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Montgomery Bonbon: Murder at the Museum , by Alasdair Beckett-King (reg. $9.99)
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Diary of an Awesome Friendly Kid: Rowley Jefferson's Journal , byJeff Kinney (reg. $12.59)
Grades 5 - 6
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Ella Enchanted , by Gail Carson Levine (reg. $9.99)
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The Dragonet Prophecy: Wings of Fire, by Tui T. Sutherland (reg. $8.99)
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The Marvellers , by Dhonielle Clayton (reg. $9.99)
Half Price Books: $5 in Bookworm Bucks for Completing a Reading Log
Register your kids for the Summer Reading Camp. Once registered, you can print off reading lists and activity sheets or pick them up at your local store. After completing the reading log, your kid can earn $5 in Bookworm Bucks that work just like gift cards. This one is open to all kids 18 and under. The program starts June 1, and reading logs must be in by July 31 to earn the $5 in Bookworm Bucks.
Books-A-Million: Prize for Completing a Reading List
We called a few locations, and the program is definitely coming back for summer 2026 in June. When it starts, stop by a store to get a reading log, which will allow kids to track their progress. When they complete everything on the reading list, they'll get a free Warrior Cats toy for reading the Warrior Cats series.
Panda Express: Free Kids' Meal for Reading 5 Books
Teachers need to enroll their class in the Panda Express Read With Me program. If your kid's class is enrolled, each student will have a goal of reading five books. Once each child reaches their goal, they’ll get a coupon they can redeem for a free kids' meal. This reading program is recommended for elementary school students, typically grades Pre-K/TK - 5th grade (ages 5 - 11).
Dolly Parton's Imagination Library: Free Books in Select Areas
If you live in an area served by this program (check eligibility here), your kid could receive free books in the mail. This program is for kids ages 1 - 5 only.
(Predicted) Chuck E. Cheese: 10 Free Play Points for Completing a Reading Challenge
We're waiting to see if this comes back for 2026. Last year, when your child read every day for two weeks, they earned 10 play points in the Chuck E. Cheese Reading Challenge. It’s worth noting that you needed to make a food purchase to redeem your reading challenge worksheet for the 10 free points. For now, the reading reward has been removed from Chuck E. Cheese's site, and the previous reading tracker expired in 2025.
(Predicted) Scholastic: Earn Digital Rewards Through Scholastic’s Summer Reading Program
Last year through Sept. 12, children could track their reading in an app and earn digital points for games. We're confirming details for this and will update when we find out more.
Local public libraries offer reading programs and prizes.
Most public libraries offer summer reading programs for kids and even activities like storytime.
We’ve seen libraries set goals for the number of minutes read and prizes for hitting those goals. We’ve also seen libraries give points for every book checked out that could be used towards winning weekly prizes. Most libraries have summer reading programs, but the rules and details will vary.
You can also ask your local library about the Collaborative Summer Library Program. Each library sets up their own incentives for this program, so check with yours. You can also set up your own incentives and read along at home.
Earn a free T-shirt with the Mensa reading program.
Mensa offers a free T-shirt when your child takes part in the Mensa Excellence in Reading Program. Your child can print the list that best meets the level of their ability or interest, regardless of age or grade level. Once printed, be sure to record the date the books were read and their rating by hand. Electronic logs won't be accepted. Once your child has read the entire list of books in their list, the reader and an adult will need to sign it and return it and the T-shirt order form to the Mensa Foundation at the address provided.
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