Incentivizing Summer Reading Programs

It's not a secret to many of my family and friends that I have been frustrated getting my child to read. I still don't understand why reading is not something he enjoys when he comes from a family of fairly avid readers. Thankfully though I'm not against incentivizing his reading - In other words I'll use bribery when necessary.

That's a good thing too because on a recent shopping trip he begged for a toy, so in seizing the opportunity, I decided to buy it and hold onto it until he read a certain number of books to me. Now he been happily reading to me every evening without my nagging him. Now that the end of the school-year is coming close, I have begun to look for summer reading programs that offer incentives.

We participate in the summer reading programs at the Ypsilanti District Library. The kids love getting the free ice cream at the start of the program and don't realize they are working hard to reach their summer reading goal. This year I even signed them up with reading buddies for the summer. The Saline District Library, Dexter District Library, the Ann Arbor District Library, and the Chelsea District Library all have summer reading programs for kids and teens. Just head over to your local library and check it out. I have heard some of the programs offer some awesome give-away prizes if your child completes the program in time.

For parents looking at other summer reading programs, fear not. There are MANY free incentives out there to encourage your child to read this summer, just take a look!

• Barnes & Noble (3235 Washtenaw Ave., Ann Arbor) - Imagination Destination allows kids to earn a FREE book and reading kit after tracking their reading on a reading log.
• Chuck E. Cheese - Kids can earn 10 free tokens when they read every day for 2 weeks in a row. Print the reading rewards form, track their reading and take it into a participating location for free tokens! This incentive does require a food purchase for redemption.
• PBS Kids encourages Summer Reading - Get information for parents and youth to give your child a lifetime of reading.
• Pizza Hut - BookIt Summer Reading Program - Students in grade K-5 can spark their greatness reading books to be entered into a sweepstakes for great prizes!
• Scholastic Summer Challenge - May 5-September 5 kids can log reading minutes into the Scholastic site to earn digital prizes! 
• Sylvan Learning Centers - (1601 Briarwood Circle, AnnArbor) Participate in a free summer Book Adventure program where children (Grades K-8) read grade-level books then take a comprehension quiz. Kids earn points based on how much they remember from reading and can be entered to win many free prizes as they earn points! There are hundreds of books to choose from in all reading levels. 

These types of programs are a great way to encourage children to read throughout the summer months to help avoid summer learning loss. I will continue to add programs as I find them, or feel free to let me know when new ones become available!

Weekend Activities August 5-7

It's time for the weekend event round up of Ann Arbor activities for families. I hope that you find something to do, we'll be at the Family Campout at Rolling Hills among other things!

 

Friday, August 5:

• Tree Town Toys (2611 Plymouth Rd., Ann Arbor) has two free music classes - Find one for 3-5 year olds at 10:30 a.m. and one for 6-8 year olds at 1:00 p.m.
• Kids ages 9+ can also create a house out of recycled cardboard at tree Town Toys for $2.00.
• The Dexter District Library is bringing their Summer Reading Program Grand to a Finale with Bev Meyer "The Music Lady" at 11:00 a.m. followed by refreshments and balloon animals.
• The Saline Summerfest begins on Friday and runs through Saturday.

Saturday, August 6:

• Find lots to do at the Saline Summerfest!
• Jo-Ann Fabric stores has two free Make-It, Take-It demonstrations. At 11:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m. create a Cricut machine bookmark, or from 3:00-5:00 p.m. kids and teens ages 12+ can get creative with a Tulip Body Art Face & Body Paint Make It-Take It event!
• In the area of Tree Town Toys? Stop in to get your child their very own free color-in tattoo anytime throughout the day.
• 
  From 2:00-4:00 p.m. Ann Arbor families can Celebrate National Clown Week with an afternoon of informal face painting and balloon sculpture, followed by a high-energy gardening variety show presented by Clowns Around Redford at the Ypsilanti District Library (5577 Whittaker Rd., Ypsilanti)
• Learn about the Korean martial art Tae Kwon Do, with a free demonstration and discussion at the Ypsilanti District Library (229 West Michigan Ave., Ypsilanti) from 2:00-3:00 p.m.

Sunday, August 7:

• Kids ages 4+ can decorate a wooden birdhouse for only $4 at Tree Town Toys. All paint and embellishments are included, which will save your house the mess!

Youth Summer Reading: Incentives for Children & Teens!

Millions of parents out there are beginning to wonder how summer is slipping by so quickly, while their children begin to graon as they see the school supplies and back to school sales beginning... I've actually been enjoying the summer with my kids, but it has gotten away from me some. In fact I meant to post this article a month or more ago.

For those of you parents who have been tracking your children's summer reading though, it means there will be lots of freebies coming shortly. Take a look at some of the great summer reading program rewards for your child:

• Barnes and Nobel is giving your child a free book after they have read 8 of them! Just be sure to download your summer reading passport to get started. This program is running through September 7, 2010.
• Borders is double-dog daring kids to read 10 books to get 1 free! This program ends August 26, 2010 and can be redeamed at Borders, Borders Express or Walden Books.
• Kids who love to read should join Nicola's Summer Reading Bonanza. Stop by the store to pick up a Reading Bonanza form and start reading! Read 10 books (that you haven't read before) by the August 31st deadline to receive a free book (up to $7.99 in value). Kids names will also be put into a drawing for a $50 gift certificate!
• Check out your public library. In our case with the Ypsilanti District Library summer reading program, the kids got a free Dairy Queen cone at the start of the program, the will get something half way through and will get something at the end too! I understand that the Ann Arbor District Library also has a great summer reading program for children and youth! 

If you know of other programs with summer reading incentives, please pass it along, I'd be glad to add them to the list!