It’s hard to believe that summer is here. School may be out, but reading is in! Summer fun in Indianapolis is full of such magical times 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 summer reading programs in the Indianapolis area. Several libraries have associated summer reading events at their local branches—check our calendar to see what’s scheduled near you.
Indianapolis Public Library
May 31 – August 1, 2026
This summer’s theme at the Indianapolis Public Library is “Play Your Way!” Summer is the perfect time to explore new worlds, discover exciting stories, and build a love for reading! 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 1 – July 24, 2026
In Avon, Unearth a Story! 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 1! This program is for children of all ages.
Bartholomew County Public Library
June 1 – July 25, 2026
The summer reading program is Reading Road Trip at the Bartholomew County Public Library! Earn prizes like local vendor coupons, all-ages books, bookish coupons, and more! Everyone who completes the program will receive a BCPL Summer Reading Program t-shirt or tote bag, and children of all ages can participate.
Brownsburg Public Library
June 1 – July 25, 2026
Hop over to the Brownsburg Public Library and register for this year’s summer reading program. 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
June 1 – July 31
Carmel Clay Public Library‘s Summer Reading Program theme is “Unearth a Story“. There are rewards for each level of the program completed, with the option to redeem for a prize. Kids will also earn two free books and a mini art kit throughout the summer. This program is for infants through grade 5 children, but they also have teen and adult summer reading programs.
Fortville-Vernon Township Public Library
June 1 – July 31
Register on Beanstack for the “Unearth a Story” Summer Reading Program and earn prizes and badges 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
June 1 – July 31, 2026
STEAM into 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 helps you fill out your Tracker Card, and the more activities you complete, the more prizes you’ll earn. This program is open to children of all ages.
Hamilton East Public Library
June 1 – July 31, 2026
Hamilton East Public Library’s summer reading program is open to children of all ages. The 2026 theme is Unearth a Story. 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 26 – July 11, 2026
Head over to the Plainfield Public Library for this year’s summer reading program, “Unearth a Story.” 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
June 1 – July 31, 2026
Westfield’s summer reading program, “Unearth a Story,” is for all ages! Westfield 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 18 – July 31, 2026
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 finisher’s 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
June 1 – July 31, 2026
“Explore More, Read More” this summer. 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 & Noble
July – August
The Barnes & Noble Summer Reading Program rewards kids in grades 1–6 for reading all summer long. Kids can read any eight books, record their favorites in the Summer Reading Journal, and visit a local Barnes & Noble after each two-book matchup to collect stickers and share recommendations. Once they complete all four matchups, they’ll earn a Champion sticker and can choose one free book from the grade-level selection between July 1 and August 31, 2026, while supplies last.
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 free reading incentive program is for PreK through sixth-grade classrooms, parents, and homeschool families. Register through the BOOK IT website.
Half Price Books Summer Reading Camp
Half Price Books invites young readers to join its Summer Reading Camp, where kids can pick up reading logs at their local store, read throughout the summer, share favorite books, and earn rewards along the way. Families can also find reading lists, coloring pages, activities, crafts, and a scavenger hunt online, making it an easy way to keep kids excited about books during summer break.
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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