Does your child need an incentive to pick up a book? If so, the public libraries are hosting in-person events and offering reading programs with real-world kid-sized raffle prizes along with stickers, charts, tickets, ice cream, bookmarks, and lots more. Fill your summer with books and fun!
These FREE summer reading programs are a fun way to stay engaged in reading and learning over the summer to keep our little ones’ brains active.
Berkeley Public Library Summer Reading
Stay safe and read great books with the summer reading program at Berkeley Public Library. Sign up online or in person, plus enter a virtual raffle. The program includes lots of book recommendations for kids, teens, and adults. Be a good reader yourself.
Runs from June 3 to August 6, 2022. Join the Kick-Off Party on June 4 to enjoy performances, storytime, and raffles. Read more about the summer reading games >
Oakland Summer Reading Challenge
With the theme Read Watch Do, Oakland Public Library’s summer reading program includes in-person events and prizes for days of reading. The program is designed for kids, teens, and adults—so the whole family can participate and enjoy the fun. Summer readers can pick up prizes after completing 20 days of reading, and are entered into a raffle for even more goodies from local favorites like a family membership to Fairyland and a new bike! Don’t miss the many events and activities hosted at the library branches from petting zoos and magicians to storytimes and interactive activities.
Summer Reading Game for 2022 starts May 28 and ends August 6. Find out more about the Oakland summer reading program >
Free storytimes at the library and around the East Bay >>
Alameda Free Library Summer Reading
The Alameda Free Library asks readers of all ages (adults and teens can play, too!) to complete 12 hours of reading to earn a book to take home forever, and another 12 hours of reading or completing activities in order to win all the program prizes. Readers keep track of their progress using Beanstack, an online service that tracks reading and reading challenges. Like several other libraries in the area, the challenge’s theme is Read Beyond the Beaten Path.
The program runs from June 1 through July 31, 2022. Visit the library’s site to get all the details and register >Â
San Leandro Public Library Challenge
San Leandro Public Library’s summer reading program offers library games for all ages. Once participants have earned 8 badges by visiting a library, reading a book, or completing a learning activity based on a unique theme—kids win prizes from books to pizza. Audiobooks and OverDrive ebooks qualify. Don’t miss the exciting in-library events and a Summer Kids’ Carnival.
San Leandro’s reading challenge’s theme is also Read Beyond the Beaten Path. It runs from June 4 to August 1, 2022. See more about San Leandro’s summer reading program here.
Coolest things to check out from the library >>
Alameda County Library Summer Reading Adventure
Readers of all ages and abilities can participate in Summer Adventure, a reading challenge hosted at Alameda County Library branches. This year’s theme is Wonder in Nature. Readers finish books and complete learning activities to receive a book gift and prize drawing entries! The program also features nature-themed events hosted in person and virtually, such as flower crafts and reptile show and tell.
Alameda County Library reading program’s dates are June 15 to August 15, 2022. Read more and register >
Contra Costa County Summer Reading
Contra Costa County Library offers a program for all ages. This year’s Summer Reading program encourages kids to explore the outdoors and learn about nature with the theme: Read Beyond the Beaten Path. Readers of all ages can register for activities and challenges to feed their imagination and explore new skills. Every completed entry is eligible for a free book and a chance to win prizes. Register online and learn more >
The Contra Costa County 2022 reading program runs from June 1 to July 30, 2022.
Richmond Public Library Summer Reading
Richmond Public Library offers a program for readers of all levels. Children can register for activities and challenges for a chance to win great prizes like tickets to an A’s game. There will also be amazing in-person events, like a visit from the Try It Truck, nature storytimes, and STEM activities. Register online through Beanstack >
The Richmond Public Library 2022 reading program runs from June 13 to August 15, 2022.
Have your kids played any of these games in summers’ past? Do other towns offer similar incentive plans that we missed?
