What don’t you like about summer reading? Cracking open a gripping novel under an umbrella by the pool is one of the joys of summer. For kids, reading in a hammock, under a tree, or in a tent are great ways to enjoy books in the summer (and summer reading has educational benefits, too). Get kids into summer learning with summer learning programs and activities that keep them motivated to learn while earning rewards. Here is our list of the best 2026 summer learning programs and challenges for kids.
1. Summer reading bingo
Everything you need for your summer bingo learning challenge is included in this summer learning kit. Students set goals, track their learning, and complete a bingo card. Attach their summer learning achievements to a reward when they return to school next year!
Summer Reading Bundle (Free Printables)
This bundle includes a summer reading history, bingo challenge, and goals worksheet that are great tools to keep kids learning both in the classroom and at home.
2. Reading is the Core Program of Summer Camp
Get on top of reading while the summer is out with Reading Is Fundamental, the world’s largest non-profit children’s literacy organization. From RIF’s reading lists and collection of free e-books to interactive materials in Literacy Central and the Literacy Central app on the go, RIF helps kids learn the reading skills they need to succeed. Families and teachers can use the resources in RIF to create reading scavenger hunts, calendars with themed activities, and book giveaways for the first families to sign up.
Read more: RIF Summer Reading
3. Barnes & Noble Summer Reading Journal
Every summer, Barnes & Noble selects a great selection of books that make for fun (and creatively educational) summer reading for kids of all ages. Kids can earn stickers as they read and a free book after reading eight books and entering them in a downloadable reading journal. The Barnes & Noble Summer Reading Program is available to students in grades 1–6. Only one book is available for each child who completes the reading journal, and the choice must be made from a selection of books available in the store.
Read more: B&N Summer Reading
4. Half Price Books Summer Reading Camp
Half Price Books’ summer reading program for children, called Summer Reading Camp, gives children the opportunity to earn Bookworm Bucks for reading during the months of June and July. The program’s website also has printable coloring sheets, online storytimes, and mystery book recommendations for ages preschool through teens.
Read more: Half Price Books Summer Reading Camp
5. Summer School Learning Log Challenge
Use our reading logs to track summer reading. Recording summer reading inspires children and can bring school communities together. Connect summer learning to school rewards, and have students bring in their logs to share with peers at the start of the new school year. What books would they recommend to their new friends?
Learning Logs (Free Printables)
Track student learning success with many options in our collection of Printable Learning Records for students from preschool to high school.
Check out this cool summer hunting idea for more summer fun.
6. Study with professional sports teams
Many professional sports teams sponsor summer scholarship programs, including the Washington, DC, Nationals and Tampa Bay Rays. Check with your local team to see if they offer a study program.
Read more: Read Between the Lines with the New England Patriots (check back in July for more information) and Story Time with the Washington Nationals
7. The challenge of reading and scratching
Students scratch the square and reveal the learning challenge. Then they return with their completed scratch card at the end of the summer to share with their new teacher.
Read more: Scratch-Off Reading Challenge
8. Public library summer reading programs
Check your local library for free summer reading programs for kids with activities and inspiration for all ages. Many libraries also have story times and other reading-themed activities. The theme of this year’s Summer Library Engagement Program is Open a Story!
Read more: Summer Library Partnership Program
9. Camp LOOK! by Pizza Hut
Join the WATCH IT summer camp to inspire reading all summer long. Track children’s reading for the summer months on their digital dashboard. If they meet their monthly learning goal, kids get a free Personal Pan Pizza from Pizza Hut!
Read more: Camp WATCH IT!
10. Summer book club
Reading is so much fun with friends! Why not start your own book club? Gather four to six friends from school, summer camp, or your neighborhood who are at the same level as your child, pick a book, and start reading!
11. Battle of the Books
Take the challenge of reading a book using parentheses. Children fill in their brackets with the books they want to read (they can complete the brackets by themselves or with friends). Then they read each book and decide the winner. Which book will be the champion of the summer?
Read more: Booking Bracket Templates
12. Books-a-Million Summer Adventure Reading
Engage students in summer reading with the Books-a-Million challenge. Students fill in a logbook of the books they have read. Then they bring it to a Books-a-Million store for a prize (while supplies last).
Read more: Books-a-Million Summer Reading Adventure
13. Color as you read
Students can color the page as they complete learning challenges and activities. This is a great way for students to track their progress toward a learning goal, and create a keepsake to share with their teacher in the fall.
14. Chuck E. Cheese Page Changing Profile Award
Kids can earn 10 free play points (by buying food) to reach their set reading goal (eg, read an entire book, read every day for a week, etc.). This is a great way to challenge children to get into the habit of reading at the start of summer break, with a clear reward at the end.
Read more: Chuck E. Cheese Page Turning Pro Award
Also, find our free summer coloring pages.
Get your free reading list for the summer of 2026!
Grab all five free printable summer reading lists. You’ll find a selection of picture books, easy reads, chapter books, middle grade books, books for adults, and graphic novels. Just follow the link below and fill out the form to get yours.
