Kids Summer Reading Programs Around Denver

Are your kids getting ready for summer yet?

I can’t believe mine get out next week. Next week. It always amazes me that they’re out of school before the weather necessarily warms up. I remember one year we spend the week after school got out exploring and hiking…in our winter jackets. Sigh.

We do have one annual tradition I’m never letting them give up. We do at least one, and sometimes several, summer reading programs. The kids always like going to the Summer Reading Program kickoff events at our library, where they get a few prizes before they even get started. They also get pretty excited about picking out a book when they’re done. And they get a kick out of the fact that our library has a summer reading program for adults as well…so of course they insist I participate, too.

I, on the other hand, like that it’s free and it’s a great way to stop some of the summer slide you get warned about when kids leave school for the season.

There are a few places around Denver offering summer reading programs. Here are a few that I found:

1.) Second Star to the Right Books

Second Star to the Right Books is an adorable children’s bookstore on Tennyson, which holds several storytimes a week, along with play groups, author visits, and other events. Print out their summer reading board, do all the different reading activities (read in a garden! Read while wearing a silly hat!), and bring the board back in to the store for 50% off a book (for the first board) and a raffle ticket for the end of summer party.

2.) Public libraries

We’re in Jeffco, which has a wonderful summer reading program. Be sure to check out your district to see what they’re offering! I linked the ones that were available online below…as others go live, I’ll add them!

• Jefferson County Public Library Summer Reading
• Denver Public Library Summer Reading
• Adams County Public Library Summer Reading
• Arapahoe County Public Library Summer Reading
• Boulder County Public Library Summer Reading
• Broomfield County Public Library Summer Reading

3.) Tattered Cover Summer Reading

If you purchase 10 childrens’ books from the Tattered Cover Bookstore between Memorial Day and Labor Day, and redeem the completed bookmark they give you, you can receive a $15 gift card.

4.) Denver Broncos Bookworms

Pick up a reading log, read five books and fill it out, and receive a Certificate of Achievement, a Broncos bookmark, an invitation to an exclusive on-field Bookworms Recognition Event, and opportunities to win other Broncos prizes.

5.) Barnes & Noble Summer Reading

Elementary school-age kids can print out a reading journal, fill it out, and return it to your local Barnes & Noble and choose a new book from one on the included book list.

7.) Chuck E. Cheese Reading Rewards