Have you been searching for summer reading programs to keep your child reading, motivated, and learning throughout break? While summer is usually time for mental breaks, going on family trips, and sleeping in, there can also be time for slowing down with a good book in hand.
Whether your child will be starting out this upcoming year as a preschooler or kindergartener or if you’ve got older, high school teens, we’ve got a reading program for everyone . . . even you!
Find all the “summer reading programs near me” you could possibly desire on this list!
Read to Succeed This Summer
We’ve all heard the statistics and recommendations on reading – reading to your babies and tots will help develop their speech and literacy understanding; low reading levels, unfortunately, lead to increased school drop-out rates; reading increases knowledge; and so on.
The summer months are a great time to encourage your child to read while also having fun! Long car trips, plane rides, and stormy summer days make for the perfect opportunity to open up a book of their choice. Let kids read for enjoyment instead of purely school-related outcomes, while also practicing super important reading skills.
Read Together
Make it a family affair and jump into the challenges with them, model the behavior you’re wanting to see, and help them earn their potential rewards. Read books together, out loud. Or, share the books you’ve read individually. Consider how you can share your books. Present a book report, skit, poster, or find some other creative way for each member of the family to share their favorite book read this summer.
Below you will find both local and virtual reading programs throughout the summer and several of them can earn your children awesome prizes!
2025 Summer Reading Programs in Columbia, SC
Win prizes for reading or develop those reading and literacy skills with these summer reading programs and incentives in the Columbia, SC area.
First, start with your local library.
Lexington County Public Library Summer Reading Program
The Lexington County Library’s summer reading program offers programs for kids and all ages, even adults! This year’s theme is “Color Our World” and begins May 30, 2025. This theme will focus on a journey of art and creativity. Find beauty in the unexpected places on your reading adventure this summer! There will be several summer reading kick-off parties around Lexington beginning on June 1:
- May 30, 2025
- South Congaree Branch from 10 am – 12 pm
- May 31, 2025
- Pelion Branch Library from 10 am – 12 pm
- June 1, 2025
- Batesburg-Leesville Branch Library from 2 pm – 4 pm
- June 2, 2025
- Chapin Branch Library from 4:00 pm – 6:00 pm
- June 3, 2025
- Irmo Branch from 10 am – 12 pm
- June 4, 2025
- Icehouse Amphitheater from 3 pm – 6 pm
- June 5, 2025
- Gilbert-Summit Branch from 11:30 am – 1:30 pm
- June 6, 2025
- Swansea Branch from 2 pm – 4 pm
- June 9, 2025
- Gaston Branch from 4 pm – 6 pm
- June 10, 2025
- Cayce-West Columbia Branch from 5 pm – 7 pm
Each event has free admission and will have activities planned. You’ll be able to sign-up for the summer reading challenge and get your reading packet. Be sure to check out each library’s website to get more information on special events that will be at your local kick-off party!
Books and Bundts
Reading just got sweeter! Nothing Bundt Cakes is offering a reading program this summer. Log 400 minutes of reading time and receive a free bundtlet. Stop by any participating location to get your reading tracker.
Lexington – 5336 Sunset Boulevard, Suite E
Columbia – 131 Harbison Boulevard
Forest Acres – 4619 Forest Drive, Suite 1
Richland County Library Summer Learning Challenge
The Summer reading challenge for the Richland County library begins on May 31, 2025 and ends on August 9, 2025. The goal is to learn throughout the summer and track progress by either time or activity. Progress must be tracked on the “Paper Tracker” which can be printed from the website. Once one side of your tracker is completed, return it to any library location to claim your prize.
Richland Library Reading Skills Club
This reading club is led by library reading specialists and is for rising 3rd-grade students. The club is designed for children who are reading below their grade level and who need some extra help with phonics and reading strategies throughout summer break! You must register your child for this club by calling 803.929.3434. Click HERE for information on the Reading Skills Club.
Reading Club sessions are as follows:
- June 9 – June 13, 2025 (Main Branch)
- Monday – Friday from 9:30 am – 12:30 pm
- June 23 – 27, 2025 (Lower Richland Branch)
- Monday – Friday from 9:30 am – 12:30 pm
- July 7 – July 11, 2025 (Lower Richland Branch)
- Monday – Friday from 9:30 am – 12:30 pm
Hosting Location – Richland Library located at 1431 Assembly Street, Columbia
Chuck E. Cheese Summer Reading Program
I love this program because it offers some flexibility for parents to decide on guidelines/challenges based upon reading level, age, and family needs. All you need to do is print off the 2-week long “Reading Rewards” Calendar and give your kids checkmarks each day that they complete the reading challenge(s) you have set. Once the chart is finished, it can be redeemed at your local Chuck E. Cheese for play points.
Pizza Hut – Camp Book It
Parents can download the Pizza Hut BOOK IT app so that they can set goals and track the reading progress of their children pre-K through 6th grade all summer long. In the months of June, July, and August, when your child meets their monthly reading goal, you will receive a coupon code to use for one free single topping Personal Pan Pizza from participating locations.
Your Child’s School
Don’t forget to check for summer reading activities at your child’s school. They may have programs or even book recommendations based upon grade and/or reading level!
Summer Reading Challenges at Bookstores With Prizes
Barnes & Noble Summer Reading Program
Have a rising 1st – 6th grader? This program is for them! The Barnes & Noble reading program will challenge your kiddos to not only read books of their choice but also write about their favorite part in each book.
Your child(ren) will then need to bring their completed reading journal to any Barnes & Noble store during July and August. Once completed, they will receive a free book which they can choose from a list found on the Summer Reading Journal.
Books-A-Million Summer Reading Challenge
This summer, your children can earn a free backpack when they complete the Books-A-Million summer reading program. They will need to choose and read 4 books from the reading list which can be found in-store or online and then write about each book in their summer reading log. Take the finished reading log to any store to claim their prize!
Virtual Summer Reading Programs
Clemson University Summer Reading Program
Clemson’s summer reading program is divided into several courses based on grade level. Visit their website and choose which grade your child will be in this upcoming school year, see a list of books they will read, and register for dates and times.
Half-Price Books Summer Reading Program
Go online at Half Price Books Summer Reading to register for this summer’s reading club which officially begins June 1 and will go until July 31, 2025. Throughout the summer, your children will be able to download several activities that will keep them engaged, learning, and excited about reading! There will be various themes throughout the weeks to keep the challenge entertaining!
You can also find a list of recommended books online according to your child’s age group!
Reading is Fundamental
Your kiddos can travel the United States on a virtual reading marathon this summer with Reading is Fundamental! There are various activities each week to go along with their books as they learn about beaches, parks, museums, and the great outdoors. Along with the reading log and book recommendations, children will also have free access to DIY postcards, coloring sheets, and more.
Scholastic Summer Reading Home Base
Your kids can track their reading, attend virtual author events, engage in educational games and more by creating an account for them on “Home Base.” By keeping up their reading streak, your children will not only be able to gain access to more virtual fun, but they will help “unlock” donated books that will be distributed to children with limited or no book availability. Reading for a purpose – how rewarding! Sign up for Scholastic Home Base. The reading program typically begins late April/early May and runs through sometime in September.
How will you encourage reading in your home this summer?
