Summer vacation is here and it’s a great time to start planning different activities for your kids. Summer reading programs hosted by local public libraries and businesses are a fantastic way to encourage your children to read (or be read to) and earn prizes for doing it!
Jen from Thrifty NW Mom, Karrie from Happy Money Saver and I have teamed up to bring you the most comprehensive list of summer reading programs in the Pacific Northwest. In this post, I have listed national summer reading programs as well as local programs in Western Oregon and SW Washington.
Head to Thrifty NW Mom for a list of Puget Sound programs and Happy Money Saver for a list of Eastern Washington and Central and Eastern Oregon programs.
National Summer Reading Programs
Barnes & Noble Summer Reading Imagination’s Destination
Kids earn a FREE book when they read eight. Click the link above for more information and to download the reading journal. The site also includes downloadable activities.
iVillage PBS Kids Summer Reading Community Challenge
Kids get discounts, free downloads of PBS kids shows, and daily chances to win prizes.
Scholastic Summer Reading Challenge
Log in minutes read to enter the Summer Reading Challenge for digital rewards.
Print a reward chart and kids get 10 Check E. Cheese tokens upon completion. There are also incentive charts for just about anything you want your kids to do.
Children can read independently at home using the PBK recommended reading list. When they complete the recommended reading list, they can receive a free book. Also, they have story time every Tuesday from 11-11:30am & they will receive an official Book Club Passport to mark off. If they attend 5 story times, they will receive a special gift.
Western Oregon & SW Washington Summer Reading Programs
Visit any Multnomah County Library to sign-up and get a reading game board. Reach a prize marker on the game board and visit the library for a reward, which includes books, passes for free activities and food coupons for local restaurants. Finishers also receive a t-shirt.
Each of the following libraries have slightly different prizes and timelines. Many locations are also hosting special summer programs, usually one per week.
CLACKAMAS COUNTY
- West Linn Public Library
- Wilsonville Public Library
- Oregon City Public Library
- Gladstone Public Library
- Lake Oswego Public Library
- Canby Public Library
- Milwaukie Ledding Library
- Oak Ridge & Sunnyside Libraries
WASHINGTON COUNTY
- Beaverton City Library
- Forest Grove City Library
- Sherwood Public Library
- Tigard Public Library
- Tualatin Public Library
- Aloha Library
- Hillsboro Public Library
- General Washington County program info
YAMHILL COUNTY
WILLAMETTE VALLEY
- Salem Public Library
- Dallas Public Library
- Springfield Public Library
- Albany Public Library
- Corvallis-Benton County Public Library
- Eugene Public Library
COLUMBIA COUNTY
OREGON COAST
- Newport Public Library
- Seaside Public Library
- Tillamook County Library
- Astoria Public Library
- Coos Bay Library
- Driftwood Public Library (Lincoln City)
COLUMBIA RIVER AREA
SOUTHERN OREGON
SW WASHINGTON
- Fort Vancouver Regional Library District (Battle Ground, Vancouver, Goldendale, La Center, North Bonneville, Ridgefield, Stevenson, Washougal, White Salmon, and Woodland Libraries)
- Camas Public Library
- Longview Public Library
- Kelso Library
Looking for more Pacific Northwest fun? Check out these resources:
The Ultimate Guide to Portland Family Fun — A gigantic list of affordable, family-friendly activities, events, and attractions in Portland
Pacific Northwest Summer Fairs & Festivals — A huge list of Oregon and Washington fairs, festivals, and special summer events
Staycation 2013: Portland — Tons of ways to enjoy Portland this summer
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Estacada Public Library (Clackamas County)
http://www.estacada.lib.or.us/summer-reading-programs-in-june/
Molalla Library (Clackamas County)
http://www.cityofmolalla.com/index.asp?Type=B_BASIC&SEC={DFE7BB43-1F9A-4141-953C-25ABFA2E96C6}
Sandy/Hoodland Libraries (Clackamas County)
http://www.ci.sandy.or.us/index.asp?Type=B_BASIC&SEC={4FAEC898-09BA-49F5-A6A0-BE204006D850}&DE={E59C8FFC-4B8D-4E22-96EF-D11921EFFB8C}
Burgerville also has a summer reading program going on. Kids get a Burgerville treat (from ice cream cones up to full meals) for every two books they read or have read to them (although one of the managers at my local BV said it was one treat for every book read). There isn’t any information available on their website that I could find, however, there are signup sheets available at all Burgerville locations. : )
Milwaukie Ledding Library:
http://www.ci.milwaukie.or.us/library/summer-reading-program-2013
Aloha Library: http://alohalibrary.org/wp/aloha-library-kicks-off-summer-2013-reading-program/
Hey, your link for the Oregon City Library reading program goes to last year’s information – here’s the link for 2013:
http://www.orcity.org/library/summer-reading-program-all-ages
Thanks, just fixed.
Here is the link for Coos Bay Library http://bay.cooslibraries.org/programs/
thanks!
Yamhill County : Sheridan Public Library reading program starts June 25th. http://www.sheridan.plinkit.org/
The link for Salem is for the library in Salem, Virginia!
Whoops! I’ll change that.