Tampa Bay Free Summer Reading Programs
Summer brings lots of time for recreation and reading! Between these summer reading programs and free summer movies and free bowling, your kids will be filled with fun things to do this summer! You can start planning now to make this a summer of fun reading. Think your child needs a little incentive to read those books?
Below you’ll find a list of summer reading programs that will get your kids excited to read with offers like free books, money, prizes, events and more. You can also find Tampa Bay Area locations that are celebrating the summer with fun and exciting Reading Programs.
1. Your Local Tampa Area Library
Tampa Bay libraries are a great way to spend the summer learning and reading books. You will find that your local library may also include fun science, cooking, sewing, crafts, or technology classes during the summer.
Check out your local library system to see what they have planned. Click on the links below.
Hillsborough County Library Cooperative
Read books and attend events to earn digital badges and connect with others because @ Your Library there are many Legendary Stories this summer!
Log your reading every day on the Beanstack app. Earn digital badges for reading and participating in fun activities. The more you read, the more badges you’ll earn.
All prizes will be drawn Monday, August 3rd.
Pasco County Library System
Get ready for an amazing summer filled with Star Spangled Stories! From May 17 – August 2, Pasco County Library readers of all ages can join the Summer Reading Quest on Beanstack—log your reading minutes and complete activities for a chance to win prizes all summer long. View our Event Calendars for fun programs at your nearest branch!
Inspired by the spirit of America250, this year’s quest brings reading adventures to life through a celebration of classic Americana, from backyard BBQs and baseball games to state fairs, road trips and outdoor explorations.
Pinellas County Library System
Kids can make summer reading even more fun with Reading With the Rays and Score Through Stories. Pick up a free game card at any Pinellas Public Library, track your reading throughout the summer, and earn prizes along the way. Whether your child enjoys books, comics, magazines, newspapers, or e-books, every minute spent reading helps them reach new goals and score rewards from the Tampa Bay Rays and Tampa Bay Rowdies.
- Sarasota County Summer Reading Program
- Polk County
- Hernando County
2. 2026 Barnes and Noble Summer Reading Program
Kids in grades 1–6 can earn a free book through the Barnes & Noble Summer Reading Program by completing a Summer Reading Journal. For every two books read, children can visit a participating Barnes & Noble store to receive a special sticker and share a book recommendation.
After completing all four journal matchups, readers will earn a Barnes & Noble Champion sticker and can choose a free book from the program’s selection. It’s a fun and rewarding way to keep kids reading all summer long!
Eligible Grades/Ages: Grades 1-6
Reward: Free book
Program: Bring your completed journal to a Barnes & Noble store between July 1 and August 31, 2026
See the full details and Barnes and Noble locations near you.
3. ABCmouse.com
ABCmouse you not only get reading programs, you also get an entire educational program through one source. No need to search the internet for a collection of resources. ABCmouse has more than 8,500 learning activities for Kids ages 2-8 years old. They also have over 7,000 digital books and you can try it our for free for the first month.
4. 2026 Reading with the Rays
Round the bases by reading a total of 24 hours this summer and receive Rays prizes! Get your official 2026 reading card by visiting the Reading with the Rays website.
As you read, track your hours by rounding the bases. When you read enough hours to get on first, second and third base ask your parent or guardian to initial your card.
Eligible Grades/Ages: Grades K-12
Reward: Earn free ticket to a Rays game!
Program: Visit the Rays site for updated info.
How to redeem:
When you’ve read enough hours to hit first base, ask your parent or guardian to initial your card and take it to your local library or local Suncoast Credit Union branch.
Round the bases by reading a total of 24 hours this summer and receive two (2) tickets to a Tampa Bay Rays home game!
5. 2026 Hillsborough County MyOn Summer Reading challenges
This summer, students from Pre-K to Grade 12 can join up to three reading challenges on myON. They should log back into their myON accounts if reading offline to ensure their activity is tracked.
Students reading over 400 minutes monthly will enter a drawing for a tablet, with fifteen winners each month. Those reading over 800 minutes throughout the summer will enter a grand prize drawing for a laptop, with ten winners chosen. Prizes will be delivered to schools in mid-August..
Eligible Grades/Ages: Grades K-12th
Reward: Prizes will be given out monthly.
Program: June Challenge
June 1–June 30, 2024
July Challenge
July 1–July 31, 2024
Learn more about the Hillsborough County MyOn Summer Program
6. 2026 Scholastic Summer Reading Challenge
With extra time on their hands, summer break is the perfect opportunity to kick-start your child’s next reading adventure and build a reading routine ahead of the school year.
This summer’s reading challenges will encourage kids to expand their learning horizons this season and beyond. Packed with fresh new ideas for summer reading fun, your child will be inspired by the limitless wonder found in books. Variety is key to encouraging reader engagement — for young readers, reluctant readers, and avid readers alike!
7. 2026 Chuck E. Cheese’s Reading Rewards
Redeem this certificate to get 10 FREE Play Points with any food purchase at participating Chuck E. Cheese locations. Limit 1 certificate per child, per day. The certificate must be presented at checkout. Play Points are subject to Play Pass Terms, available at Chuck E. Cheese Play Pass Terms. Required Play Pass Activation Fees are not included. If Chuck E. Play Pass is unavailable, points will be given as tokens. The certificate has no cash value, cannot be redeemed for cash, and may not be sold, duplicated, or altered. Reading Rewards Calendar for 10 free play points.
Only at participating locations. Food purchase is required.
Eligible Grades/Ages: Chuck E. Cheese’s did not set an age limit. Call for more information.
Reward: 10 free tokens. (Food purchase is required)
Program:OFFER EXPIRES 12/31/26
8. Sylvan’s Book Adventure Reading Program
Sylvan’s Book Adventure is a fun way for kids to get involved in reading this summer. Kids in grades K-8 can search for books, read them offline, come back and take a quiz on what they’ve read, and earn points.
These points can then be redeemed for prizes like books, magazine subscriptions, temporary tattoos, and candy.
Eligible Grades/Ages: Grades K-8
Reward: Earn points to redeem for prizes.
9. Free Audiobooks
Audiobooks are great for using at home or on the road traveling this summer.
- Free ebooks and audiobooks on the Overdrive app.
- Try out Hoopla.
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