Summer can get expensive very quickly. Between camps, activities, travel, snacks, and all the things kids somehow need the minute school ends, it is nice to find a few simple and free options that keep them reading, learning, and exploring.
The good news is that there are several free summer reading programs and online learning resources available for families. Some offer free books, some offer reading challenges, and others give kids a chance to explore science, history, space, geography, animals, and more from home.
Here are a few free summer programs and resources worth checking out.
Free Summer Reading Programs for Kids
#1 Barnes & Noble Summer Reading Program
Barnes & Noble offers one of the easiest summer reading programs for kids. Children read books, fill out a reading journal, and bring it to a Barnes & Noble store to choose a free book.
For the 2026 program, they have modified the program by having kids visit the store 4 times to recieve a stamp for every two books they review. Kids in grades 1–6 can earn a free book by reading eight books and getting 5 stamps.
You can find the Barnes & Noble Summer Reading Program here:
https://www.barnesandnobleinc.com/our-stores-communities/summer-reading-program/
We have participated in this program for the last 3 years. Every year, when the kids go to claim their prize, I also give them spending money to pick up books. This gives them the opportunity to browse the stores and find something on their own. We all look forward to it.
#2 Your Local Library Summer Reading Program
Do not skip your local library. Many libraries offer summer reading programs for babies, kids, teens, and sometimes adults too.
For those who live in Howard County, Maryland, the Howard County Library System’s Summer Reading Adventures program is a fun and easy way for kids to be incentivized to read. Children get a book when they go into the library to pick up the program worksheet and they get a book when they complete it.
You can find Howard County Library’s Summer Reading Adventures here:
https://www.hclibrary.org/signature/summer/
Even if you are not local to Howard County, check your own library’s website or stop by the children’s desk. Library summer reading programs are often one of the best free resources available to families.
#3 Books-A-Million Summer Reading Adventure
I recently learned that Books-A-Million also has a Summer Reading program. You essentially read 4 books from their booklist and get a free book at the end. We may just give this one a try since there is a store in our town.
You can find the Books-A-Million Summer Reading Adventure here:
https://www.booksamillion.com/summeradventure
Free Learning and Exploration Resources
Reading programs are wonderful, but summer is also a great time to let kids explore topics they may not have much time for during the school year. These free resources are great for curious kids, homeschool families, or anyone trying to keep learning light and interesting.
#1 NASA Learning Resources
I recently found NASA’s Jr. Learning website. It has an excellent collection of free STEM resources for kids and families. Their learning resources include many science projects, experiments, videos, and space-related topics. Last night, my kids and I were reading about the Artemis mission; we then found a fun printable to track the phases of the moon.
They have many projects you can sign up to participate in focused on data gathering. I saw some pretty cool ones my kids could sign up for.
IF this sounds exciting to you, check out the links below.
You can find NASA Kids’ Club here:
https://www.nasa.gov/learning-resources/nasa-kids-club/
NASA’s observe the moon can be found here:
https://science.nasa.gov/moon/observe-the-moon-night/
#2 National Geographic Kids
National Geographic has a website designed for kids. It is very colorful and inviting for younger children to explore topics such as animals, geography, science, space, history, and more. If you want to get your kids on screens, explore these websites with them and help them expand their knowledge of the world.
You can find National Geographic Kids here:
https://kids.nationalgeographic.com/
#3 Smithsonian Kids
The Smithsonian has a “Fun Stuff for Kids and Teens” page with free activities across art, history, culture, science, nature, and more. Their resources include coloring sheets, art activities, museum activities, science games, animal cams, and hands-on projects.
You can find Smithsonian Kids here:
https://www.si.edu/kids
This is a great one if you want your child to explore beyond the usual school subjects. Kids can learn about museums, animals, inventions, art, history, culture, and science in a very approachable way.
#4 National Gallery of Art for Kids
The National Gallery of Art has some amazing free art activities and resources for kids. While I don’t know if I’ll have time to do these with my kids, I think it’s worth looking into. There are many grade-level projects that can teach your child to appreciate art.
You can find National Gallery of Art kids’ resources here:
https://www.nga.gov/learn/kids.html
We often do water color painting at home, and exploring the projects from NGA might be a good alternative.
A Simple Way to Use These Resources
You do not need to do all of these. In fact, I would not recommend trying to do everything. Summer should still feel like summer.
A simple rhythm could look like this:
- Choose one or 2 summer reading programs.
- Use one free learning site once or twice a week.
- Visit the library regularly (our favorite pastime)
- Squeeze in some artwork, whether freestyle or through NGA.
The goal in exploring these resources is to keep curiosity alive and let kids keep learning and expanding their knowledge of the world.
Final Thoughts
Free summer programs are a wonderful way to keep kids reading and learning without adding more cost or pressure. I hope you will find something useful in this blog today.