The Best FREE Summer Reading Programs for Minnesota Kids in 2025

There are two things that I'm 100% confident will happen this summer in Minnesota.

1. People will be swarming the pools, lakes and beaches on the hot, summer days.
2. The words "I'm bored" will be said about one million times by kids in this state.

Lately, it is taking kids just 33 minutes before that "bored" feeling starts to ruin their summer.  If you are a parent and are looking for something to help keep your kids busy, below are a bunch of freebies for your kid to enjoy.  BONUS: they will be smarter because of it!

READ MORE: Gigantic List Of Places With Free Stuff On Your Birthday

Freebie Alert! The Best Summer Reading Programs for Kids in Minnesota

When my kids were younger, I took advantage of all the free stuff for my kids during the summer months.  If there was a free day at the pool, we were there!  If a store had a fun activity, I made sure we got there on time.  But one special event helped my kids avoid the summer slide.

If you haven't heard of the summer slide, this is where kids lose some of their reading and math skills while they are on a break from school.  During summer vacation, research has shown that up to three months of reading skills can be lost and one month of math skills if kids don't work on these while they are out of school.

In other words, reading is extremely important for our kids' brains during the summer.  Use these free programs to help keep your kids entertained and reading:

Barnes & Noble Summer Reading Program

• AGE:  Kids in grades 1-6
• DETAILS:  Kids can earn a free book by reading eight books.  Just record them in the Summer Reading Journal.  Bring it to a Barnes & Noble store between July 1st and August 31st, to get a free book from a selected list.
• LEARN MORE: Barnes & Noble Summer Reading Journal

Scholastic Home Base

• DETAILS:  Join Scholastic Home Base, which is a digital platform, and your child can read books, attend virtual events with authors, play games, and continue their Reading Streak.  The longer the Reading Streak, the more fun experiences they earn.  Program runs from May 9th through September 12th.
• LEARN MORE: Scholastic Home Base website

Pizza Hut's BOOK IT! Summer of Stories

• AGE:  Pre-K through 6th grade
• DETAILS:  Remember those Personal Pan Pizza's we got when we were a kid?  Your kid can grab that deal this summer too with the Pizza Hut BOOK IT! Summer of Stories program.  Kids can set monthly reading goals using the BOOK IT! app.  When they meet their goal, they earn the reward.
• LEARN MORE: BOOK IT! Program website

Half Price Books Summer Reading Camp

• AGE:  Kids who are 14 and under
• DETAILS:  Add up your reading minutes each day, record it on a reading log and earn Bookworm Bucks, which can be used in-store.  You can also print off weekly activities from their website.
• LEARN MORE: Half Price Books Summer Reading Program

Dolly Parton's Imagination Library

• AGE:  Birth to age 5
• DETAILS:  Sign up and your kids can get a free book every single month!
• LEARN MORE: Check availability and register online.