2025 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

2025 Book-It Summer Online Reading Program: Track and reward your kids’ reading with the Summer of Stories program in their app. When they meet their monthly reading goal, they’ll receive a free one-topping Personal Pan Pizza® from Pizza Hut.

2025 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.

2025 Jacksonville Public Library: From June 2 to August 2, 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!

2025 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.

2025 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.

2025 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.

2025 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.

2025 Books-A-Million Summer Reading Program: Kids can get a free cinch-sac 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.

2025 St. Johns County Public Library: June 1 – August 2 the library has over 100 fun and educational events planned. These include regularly scheduled storytime, book club, and STEM programs.

2025 Nothing Bundt Cakes: Books & Bundts is their youth reading program for pre-K through elementary students that celebrates the joy of reading. It’s easy and free with delicious results. Contact your local bakery to see if they are participating and to learn more.

2025 Panda Express: The Panda Express Read with Me Program wants to inspire and excite reading among students by partnering with Panda to reward them for their achievements!

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. 

Happy Medium Books: Story time on Wednesdays at 3pm for grades K-2.

The Poppin Box: Summer story time every Monday at 10am in June & July.

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.

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.

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More Cheap & Free Summer Fun in Jacksonville

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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.