It’s hard to believe that summer is here. School may be out but reading is in! Summer is such a magical time for having fun and making memories with your kids. Make one of those memories diving into some exciting stories or fascinating nonfiction titles!
Many libraries are offering summer reading programs for your children to help foster a love of books and continue to develop their literacy skills over summer break. If you have never participated in a summer reading program, this is the year to sign up! Many programs offer fun rewards and incentives to encourage your children to log those reading minutes.
Below is a list of the summer reading programs around the Indianapolis area. Several libraries have associated summer reading events at the local branches—check our calendar to see what’s scheduled near you.
Indianapolis Public Library
June 1- July 31
This summer’s theme at the Indianapolis Public Library is “Unleash Your Imagination” Snuggle up with a pet, or maybe just a great book about some amazing animals, to really get into the fun of this theme. Prizes are earned at 1 hour, 5 hours, 10 hours, 15 hours, and 20 hours of reading. All types of reading count towards your totals, including audiobooks. Complete special Discover Summer Reading activities to earn a bonus prize. Visit the library’s website for all the details and to register.
Avon-Washington Township Library
June 3-July 27
In Avon, Adventure Begins at Your Library! Register and pick up your reading log at the library’s circulation desk. Don’t forget to mark your calendar for the Kickoff Party on June 3! Dress to get messy as the event includes a bubble party, pets from Misty Eyes, ice cream, and chalk art. This program is for children of all ages.
Bartholomew County Public Library
June 3-July
Investigate some new books when you register for this summer’s reading program, Mysteries at the Library, and earn fun prizes. Hours and books read can be logged on their online system and redeemed at the library for rewards. Everyone who completes the program will receive a Summer Reading Program t-shirt or tote bag and children of all ages can participate. Plan to attend the kick-off party on June 3!
Brownsburg Public Library
June 3-July
Hop over to the Brownsburg Public Library and register for this year’s summer reading program. For the chance to earn raffle tickets and prizes, spend a total of 6 hours reading or doing literacy activities through the library. This program is open to children of all ages.
Carmel Clay Public Library
2024 Dates and Themes TBA
Carmel Clay Public Library’s Summer Reading Program theme is All Together Now! This program includes a special give-back initiative where kids’ reading can earn donations to the Shepherd’s Center of Hamilton County. There are rewards for each level of the program completed, with the option to redeem for a prize or donate to the senior community located in Noblesville. Kids will also earn two free books and a mini art kit throughout the summer. This program is for infants-grade 5 children.
Fortville-Vernon Township Public Library
May 28-July 31
Register on Beanstack and earn prizes and badges for every 5 days of reading logged. Teens earn raffle tickets to enter a raffle for a $100 gift card. Children earn a book when they complete the program, and there are opportunities to complete special activities to snag even more prizes!
Greenwood Public Library
May 13-June 29
Learn to appreciate The Art of Reading this summer at the Greenwood Public Library. Participants will earn points for activities they complete, programs they attend, days they read, books completed, weekly challenges, and more! Each activity you complete helps you fill your Bingo card, and each bingo wins you a fun prize. This program is open to children of all ages.
Hamilton East Public Library
June 1-July 31
Hamilton East Public Library’s summer reading program is open to children of all ages. The 2024 theme is Adventure Begins at Your Library! Your reading earns you prizes, entries into gift card drawings, and the opportunity to earn a free book halfway through the program. There are prizes for each age category when you earn 25, 50, 75, and 100 points. Earn your free book when you reach the 50-point badge!
Plainfield- Guilford Township Public Library
May 28-July 12
Head over to the Plainfield Public Library for this year’s summer reading program. The theme is Adventure Begins at Your Library. Each participant will earn raffle tickets based on the time spent reading. Some of the raffle prizes will include gift cards, experience packages, and more! There are separate prize options for children, teens, and adults, as this program is open to all ages.
Westfield Washington Public Library
2024 Dates and Theme TBA
Westfield’s summer reading program uses the Beanstack app to track reading. Register online at wwpl.beanstack.org or through the Beanstack app on your mobile device. Log your hours to earn badges for reading, with the goal of completing 40 hours of reading (or listening) to books.
Johnson County Public Library
May 13-July 31
Explore Summer at Johnson County Public Library! This year’s program includes fun weekly learning challenges. Register on the Beanstack App, and log 10 hours of reading to earn a finishers prize and be entered into a drawing for the Grand Prize. For each additional 10 hours of reading completed, you will be entered to win an additional prize. Children of all ages are invited to participate in this summer reading program.
Shelby County Public Library
2024 Dates and Theme TBA
Listen to or read books, log your minutes, and earn badges for prizes for this summer reading program. Registration is available for children of all ages.
Barnes and Noble
July-August
Participate in this fun and easy way for kids to earn free books. They simply read a designated number of books – library books, books borrowed from friends, or books bought at Barnes & Noble – write about their favorite part in their Reading Journal, and bring a completed Reading Journal to a Barnes & Noble bookstore. Children then choose their free book from options listed on the Reading Journal and collect their free book from a store near them during July and August. This program is available for children in 1st-6th grade.
Pizza Hut
June-August
The BOOK IT! program through Pizza Hut motivates children to read by rewarding their reading accomplishments with praise, recognition, and pizza. This is a free reading incentive program for PreK- 6th-grade classrooms, parents, and homeschool families. Register through the BOOK IT website.
Looking for more ways to inspire a love of reading in your kids? Check out these Indy-area children’s bookstores or follow our Indiana Author Trail!
Summer is the perfect time to take a road trip!
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