*Updated to include Chesterfield County Public Library information and link to Macaroni KID Richmond website.
Want to help prevent the summer slide in your kids? Participating in a summer reading program can help do that and more!
Participating in summer reading programs can help spark a love of reading and improve literacy skills. Our family had participated in our local library summer reading programs a couple of times and I've seen firsthand how it has ignited a love for reading and has helped them develop new interest in different genres and potential career choices. Many summer reading programs offer some really cool incentives that makes the experience even more exciting, encouraging readers to set and reach personal goals.
Here’s a selection of local and national summer reading programs that families can enjoy:
Chesterfield - Chester
Color Our World 2025 Summer Library Game
The 2025 Summer Library Game is for players of all ages! This year's game begins on Saturday, May 31 and ends on Saturday, Aug. 9.
There are two ways to play! Visit any library to pick up a paper gameboard or use Beanstack to play online.
Complete Level 1 to win a fun level prize and be entered into the end-of-summer prize drawings. If you want to keep the fun going, you can play additional levels. The adventure options for each level are the same, but each level takes fewer days to complete.
Activity Options
Choose only the activities that you want to do and repeat activities as many days as you like.
Read 20 minutes or more.
- All reading counts, including listening to an audiobook or someone reading aloud. You can even read picture books to a younger child or read aloud to someone else—and then BOTH of you can mark through the day’s circle on your gameboards!
Also:
- Attend a library program.
- Do a puzzle: crossword, sudoku, or jigsaw!
- Color YOUR world! Draw, paint, craft or create!
- Enjoy your favorite exercise or try a new one.
- Go for a walk. What colors or shapes can you find?
- Learn new words or letters in American Sign Language or a foreign language.
- Try a new food or make a new recipe.
- Make something for someone else.
- Play a favorite sport.
- Play a board game or other tabletop game.
- Enjoy your favorite hobby or learn about a new one.
- Visit a local, state or national park. (An I Love Virginia State Parks backpack from the library can help!)
- Visit a museum, aquarium or zoo.
- Visit a family member or friend.
- Volunteer or help someone in need.
- Build something with Legos or blocks.
- Find a planet or constellation at night.
- Practice guided meditation or mindfulness.
- Go someplace you’ve never been.
- Choose your OWN adventure! (Choose your favorite brain-boosting activity)
Prizes
There are lots of chances to win prizes in the End-of-Summer Prize Drawing! For each level you complete by Saturday, Aug. 9, you will earn a fun level prize and an entry into the end-of-summer prize drawings. The drawings include our grand prizes and other exciting prizes from local businesses.
Grand Prizes
Complete levels to be entered into the drawing for these great prizes:
All Ages (everyone will be entered into this drawing):
4-pack of tickets to Busch Gardens (one winner)
Birth-Pre-K:
Annual Family Membership to Children’s Museum of Richmond (three winners)
Grades K-5:
$100 LEGO gift card (three winners)
Teens (Middle School and High School):
Beats headphones (three winners)
Adults:
$100 Visa gift card (three winners)
Other fabulous prizes that will be awarded in the end-of-summer prize drawing include movie passes, passes for jumps at trampoline parks, passes for laser tag, gift cards for escape rooms, gift cards for restaurants, museum passes, and much more!
More information: Things to Do | Chesterfield County, VA
Appomattox Regional Library System
2025 Summer Reading
Coming June 2025
More information: Home - Appomattox Regional Library System
Petersburg
PPL Youth Summer Reading 2025!
June 9th at ppls.beanstack.org. or swing by the Youth department at Petersburg Public Library!
Register online: Beanstack: Reading Challenges and Personalized Recommendations
Ft. Gregg Adams
2025 Army MWR Library Summer Reading Program
Presented by DoD MWR Libraries
LEVEL UP at your Library with the Army Family & MWR Library Summer Reading Program presented DoD MWR Libraries.
During the summer months, Army Family & MWR Libraries around the world will host a range of free activities for children, teens, and adults that encourage and support a love of reading.
Participants also can earn incentives by reaching their reading and activity goals.
Sign up at your MWR Library or online today!
If you are not near a base library, you can participate in the DoD-MWR Virtual Summer Reading Program. This new online program is designed for Guard, Reserve, and Active Duty kids & teens who live far from military bases. Click here to register for the Virtual Program: www.DoDVirtualSRP.org
Other Summer Reading Programs
Midlothian Book Exchange: Kids Reading Road Trip runs from June 7th to July 19th. Two different challenges: elementary and middle grades. Complete the challenge and win a prize!
Barnes & Noble: Students in grades 1-6 can receive a FREE book for reading books and writing about them in their reading journal.
Books-A-Million & 2nd & Charles: Pick out 4 books from our Summer Reading List, fill out a Reading Journal, turn it in and get a FREE DOGMAN bag!
Chuck E. Cheese: 10 FREE play points for reading and filling out the Reading Rewards Calendar.
Panda Express: FREE kids meal coupon when students read 5 books!
Pizza Hut Book It Summer Program: Kids in grades pre-k through sixth grade can earn FREE personal-sized pizza and more!
Mensa for Kids' Excellence in Reading: Youth ages 18 and under can earn a commemorative certificate in recognition of outstanding achievement and get an Excellence in Reading T-shirt, too!
Scholastic Summer Challenge: Kids ages 4-14 log minutes spent reading online in the Home Base app. The more they read and track, the more digital rewards and prizes they unlock.
For more reading programs in the Richmond area, visit our sister site, Macaroni KID Richmond!
