2023 Jacksonville Story Times & Summer Reading Rewards

If you’re looking to keep the kids reading this summer, check out these Jacksonville Story Times & Reading Rewards. While lots of these offers are valid at bigger stores in town, be sure to check out some of the great independently owned bookstores in Jacksonville.

Earn Rewards Around Jacksonville

2023 Book-It Summer Online Reading Program: Track and reward your kids’ reading for June, July and August in our digital dashboard. When they meet their monthly reading goal, they’ll receive a free one-topping Personal Pan Pizza® from Pizza Hut.

2023 Half Price Books: Register the kids for Half Price Books’ summer reading program. On June 1, they’ll get access to themed book recommendations, printables, crafts, and fun activities all summer long.

2023 Jacksonville Public Library: From June 1 to August 12, you’ll be able to participate at in-branch programs, tons of events, complete fun activities, participate in challenges, go on scavenger hunts, and more! Stop by different events for free book giveaways!

2023 Scholastic Summer Reading on Home Base: The Scholastic Summer Reading program offers kids an exciting, free, and safe summer reading experience, while helping to provide books to kids with limited or no access over the summer, keeping every child reading.

2023 Chuck E Cheese: Download a Chuck E Cheese Reading Rewards Chart and kids earn 10 FREE tokens each time they read for two weeks in a row. Complete the form to claim the free tokens. A food purchase is required.

2023 Barnes and Noble Summer Reading: July 1 through August 31, kids in grades 1-6 can earn a free book when you read 8 books and record them on a Barnes and Noble Reading Log.

2023 Mensa for Kids Reading Program: Select a reading list on your child’s grade level and read all the books on it to earn a free t-shirt.

2023 Books-A-Million Summer Reading Program: Kids can get a free water bottle with the Books-A-Million summer reading program! Start off by reading four of the summer reading adventure books. Then they fill out a journal and return it to any Books-A-Million store.

2022 Cave Kid Club by Sun-Ray Cinema: Sun-Ray Cinema has partnered with several local elementary schools to offer students who read a quarterly goal free pizza.

2022 St. Johns County Public Library: June 13 – August 6 take part in virtual and in-person programming that is fun for the whole family. Readers of all ages are invited to pick up their free reading logs from any library branch or track their progress virtually through the READsquared app. Participants may earn free books for every six days read on logs or 60 points reached on READsquared.

Jacksonville Story Times

St. Johns County Library: offers story times, events, and activities at various branches.

Jacksonville Public Library: offers story times and educational programs at locations throughout Jacksonville.

Check out a Traveling Tales Kit: The Duval County Library offers Traveling Tales Kits available for check out from the Main Library in downtown Jacksonville.

Sweet Pete Toddler Time Story Time: For a small fee, preschoolers can enjoy a story, a sweet treat and a craft.

StoryWalk: Take the kids for a little exercise and enjoy an interactive story at the same time. 

Femme Fire Books: This local independent bookstore offers various Jacksonville story times and special events throughout the year.

Free Books & Magazines for Kids in Jacksonville 

JaxKids Book Club: All Jacksonville 4 year olds are eligible to join this free early literacy summer reading program. Kids will receive a backpack filled with free books about Jacksonville.

Free 30 Trial of Kindle Unlimited: For a limited time only, Amazon is offering new members a 30-day trial of Kindle Unlimited for free. Be aware that your subscription will automatically renew at $9.99 per month after your trial offer ends, but you can cancel at any time.

New World Reading: Students in Florida public schools that are reading below grade level can get free books delivered right to their house.

All Pro Dad Summer Reading Challenge: Each family that registers will receive resources and stickers to use all summer long.

Little Free Library: Jacksonville actually has lots of Little Free Libraries around town, you can check their online map to find the one closest to you.

Free Lego Life Magazine: Sign up for a free subscription to LEGO Life Magazine for ages 5-9. The magazine is delivered to your home 5 times a year.

Kids’ Guide to Helping Animals: This is a free, one-issue magazine from PETA. It includes information about conservation, buying cruelty-free products, and animal-friendly field trips.

Junie B. Jones Reading Club: Sign up for a free online newsletter and download a reading log and activity sheet.

2023 SYNC Summer Reading Program for Teens: Teens can get two free audio books every week this summer for a total of 20 free books.

Chamblin Bookmine: If you have books your kids aren’t using, take the to Chamblin and you can trade them in for store credit. You’ll clear the clutter and the kids can pick out new ones.

More Cheap & Free Summer Fun in Jacksonville

Shannon is a former Special Education teacher, turned stay at home mom that doesn’t spend a lot of time staying at home. Mom to Cole & Kiley, she loves cheering on the Gators, early morning visits to the beach and traveling with her family. She blogs about her family travel adventures at The Beckham Project and hosts the podcast, Jacksonville Momcast, where she chats with Jacksonville moms about motherhood and more in the 904.