The Ultimate Guide to Free Summer Fun: Story Times & Reading Rewards

There are so many great fun and free story times around Jacksonville. Be sure to check out a few different ones when you’re looking for something to do with the kids this summer.

Barnes and Noble – Barnes and Noble locations offer a free, weekly story time.  Many of the events include a craft that coordinates with the weekly story.  Enter your zip code in the store locator to find your nearest store and story times. Cost: Free

Pottery Barn Kids – The Pottery Barn Kids store, located at the St. Johns Town Center offers a story time on Tuesdays from 11-11:30am. Cost: Free

The Public Library – Visit your local Jacksonville Public Library or St. Johns County Library for a story time that the kids are sure to enjoy. Cost: Free

San Marco Books and More – San Marco Books and More offers story times the second Saturday of the month in Balis Park from 10-11am and the third Friday of the month at 10:30am in their bookstore. Cost: Free

Books-A-Million – Check with your local store, but most Books-A-Million locations offer a weekly story time for kids. Cost: Free

Traveling Tales Kit – The Duval County Library offers Traveling Tales Kits available for check out from the Main Library in downtown Jacksonville.  The kits include books, puppets, songs, craft ideas, snack recipes, a music CD, a DVD, and a flannel board story all related to a theme. You must visit the Main Library to check out the kits, but they can be returned to any Duval County Library. Cost: Free

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. Cost: Free

Barnes and Noble – Kids can earn a free book when they read 8 books and record them on their Barnes and Noble Reading Log. Cost: Free

Chuck E Cheese – Download a Chuck E Cheese Reading Rewards Chart and earn 10 free tokens. Cost: The Reading Rewards Chart states that a food purchase is required.

SYNC Summer Reading Program for Teens – SYNC has a summer reading program just for teens that will get them two free audio books every week this summer. Each week there will be a current young adult book as well as a classic title that teens will be able to download for free through the OverDrive app. Cost: Free

TD Bank – Kids in grades K-5 can earn a $10 deposit into their accounts if they bank at TD Bank.  Just read 10 books and log it on their form, then take it to your local branch. Cost: Free, but you must have a TD Bank account to participate.

Lifeway Summer R.E.A.D. Program – This program is geared toward grades 1 through 6, but all are welcome to join in the adventure. Just read six books over the course of the summer and memorize six Scripture verses. Turn in a completed summer reading journal by August 31st at your local LifeWay store to earn a FREE book (choose from 6 options) and a new FREE Bible or devotional!

Free Lego Magazine – Snag a 2-year subscription to LEGO Club or LEGO Club Jr. Magazine. LEGO magazines are packed with LEGO news, comic adventures, games, and puzzles, building challenges and Cool Creations built by LEGO fans! Cost: Free

Books-A-Million Summer Reading Challenge – This summer, whenever you read any 4 books from the Books-A-Million Summer Reading Challenge selection, you’ll receive a FREE Maze Runner series water bottle! Note that you must present the completed reading journal in-stores to receive the water bottle, while supplies last.

Book-It Summer Online Reading Program – Kids who participate in the Book It! Pizza Hut’s Spark Your Greatness Summer Reading Challenge will be able to enjoy fun activities, play games, and have the chance to win some prizes. Cost: Free

Scholastic Summer Reading Challenge – Beginning May 8th, Scholastic has a summer reading challenge where kids read and then go online to record the minutes they’ve read this summer. They’ll also be able to take weekly challenges to earn rewards. Cost: Free

Jacksonville Public Library – Read and track your books and you can win prizes from your local library.

JMB's Ultimate Guide to FREE Summer Fun!

Shannon Beckham
Shannon is a former Special Education Teacher turned SAHM to two great kids, Cole and Kiley. Originally from Miami, Shannon met her husband while they were both attending the University of Florida (Go Gators). They decided to put down roots in Jacksonville Beach, and are very much enjoying the laid back salt life.

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