The Best Summer Reading Challenges For Kids In Austin
Every summer, Austin comes alive with a cornucopia of events and activities to keep the young ones engaged, and amongst the most exciting are reading challenges. Whether your child is a passionate bookworm or a reluctant reader, summer reading challenges can help cultivate a love for literature and strengthen literacy skills. Let’s explore the best summer reading challenges for kids in Austin.
1. Austin Public Library Summer Reading Program
- Dates: June 7-Aug 10, 2025
- Requirements: Read or be read to 20+ minutes per day, or for a total of 600 minutes (10 hours) of reading and complete 3 activity badges
- Prize: a free book for kids and a free mug for adults
- Join here: library.austintexas.gov/beanstack (or use the Beanstack app)
2. Austin ISD’s 5 Book Dive: BookPeople, First Light Books, Black Pearl Books
- Requirements: Bring your completed 5 Book Dive bookmark to BookPeople to receive a $5 gift certificate! Bring your completed 5 Book Dive bookmark to First Light Books to receive a free lemonade and cookie! Bring your completed 5 Book Dive bookmark to Black Pearl Books for a goody bag!
3. H-E-Buddy’s Summer Reading Club
- More info coming soon!
4. Barnes & Noble Summer Reading Program
- Dates: now through August
- Requirements: Kids must read a designated number of books โ library books, books borrowed from friends or books bought at Barnes & Noble โ write about their favorite part in the Reading Journal, and bring a completed Reading Journal to a Barnes & Noble bookstore
- Prize: A free book from the books listed on the Reading Journal. Collect the free book from a store near you during July and August.
5. Half Price Books Summer Reading Camp Program
- Dates: June 1-July 31
- Requirements: Pick up reading logs from your local Half Price Books store
6. Chuck E. Cheese Reading Rewards
Did you know that Chuck E. Cheese offers Reading Rewards? Your child can get 10 Free Play Points for daily reading for 2 weeks! They also offer other rewards, such as for losing a tooth, getting good grades, and potty training.
7. Rogue’s Gallery Summer Reading Challenge
- Dates: May 3- Aug 15, 2025
- Requirements: Read five books from the included reading list and tell them your favorite part of each book.
- Prize: Each participant who turns in their challenge packet will receive a goodie bag of fun treats! The first 10 super-kids to turn in their challenge packet will also receive a $10 owlbear gift coin!
8. Round Rock Public Library Summer Reading Program
- Dates: June 2, 2025, to July 31, 2025
- Requirements: Kids (ages 0-11) may choose to earn one point per minute of reading, or 15 points per picture book read or read to you. Teens (ages 12-17) and Adults (ages 18+) earn one point per minute of reading. Babies and toddlers, can also download the Baby & Toddler Challenge Sheet or pick one up at the Summer Reading Desk, or at a Babytime or Toddlertime session.
- Prize: Children, teens and adults will earn an entry in a prize drawing for every 300 points they earn, up to 1,500 points
- Join here: ReadSquared, online tracking software,
9. Pflugerville Summer Reading Challenge
- The library uses Beanstack, an online reading tracker, for all of our reading challenges. With Beanstack, you can track the books or minutes you read over the summer, log activities, and more. Our Beanstack site is now live! The Summer Reading Challenges will be available in June of 2025. Download the User Guide (PDF) if you need help getting started.
10. Cedar Park Library Summer Reading Challenge
- Dates: May 24-Aug 9, 2025
- Requirements: Log your reading minutes this summer and earn small rewards as you progress through the challenge. You’ll also earn virtual tickets to enter into the prize drawings of your choice. The more you read, the more chances you have to win a prize! Complete Activity Badges to earn additional tickets.
- Prize: Enter tickets into the prize drawing. Prizes are limited. Not every participant will win a prize. Prize winners will be contacted through email by August 16.
- Join here: https://cedarparktexas.beanstack.org/reader365
11. Buda Library Summer Reading Kick Off
- Dates: May 30, 2025
- Requirements: Keep track of the number of minutes read on your reading log! Reading logs are available at the library beginning May 30. Keep track of your minutes read by coloring or marking through one of the images. If you run out of room on the log, keep track of the minutes read on another sheet of paper, or print a new log down below.
- Prize:
- Join here: https://www.budalibrary.org/320/Summer-Reading-Clubs
12. Bee Cave Summer Reading Program
- Dates: June 2-July 26, 2025
13. Lake Travis Summer Reading
- Dates: Monday, June 2, 2025 from 10am to 7pm to pick up your summer reading log or punch card, enjoy scavenger hunts and prizes, take pictures at our photo booth, and more.
- Requirements: Pick up a summer reading log in the childrenโs room or on the bookmobile and record the titles or time you read. Turn in your completed log for a prize from the treasure box! Adults- when you have read five titles, turn in your punch card.
- Prize: Treasure box for kids, one free item from the Friends Bookstore for adults.
- Join here: https://laketravislibrary.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/02/Summer-Reading-Log-2025.pdf
14. Leander Summer Reading Program
- Dates: June 2-July 31, 2025
- Requirements: Starting June 2nd, simply pick up a physical log at the Front Desk or the Youth Services Desk. As you read, track your progress by checking off the minutes you’ve read.
- Prize: Throughout the summer you can earn prizes for reading, as well as raffle tickets for grand prizes.
- Join here:
17. First Light Books Summer Reading Adventure
- Dates: Summer Kickoff Party is May 31, 2025
18. Panda Express Read With Me Program
- Requirements: Read 5 books
- Prize: Free kids meal coupon
19. Pizza Hut Book It
- Dates: June-Aug
- Requirements: Keep track of your reading in the Book It Mobile App. Read 20-60 min per day
- Prize: One coupon code per month for a free personal pan pizza.
20. Scholasticโs Summer Reading Program
- Dates: May 9- Sept 12, 2025
- Requirements: Keep track of your reading streaks- the more you read the more you unlock.
- Prize: Unlock digital fun