Looking for ways to keep your kids learning and engaged this summer in Charlotte? The Queen City offers fantastic summer reading programs that encourage children of all ages to fall in love with books, track their progress, and earn fun rewards along the way! Whether you're visiting your neighborhood branch of the Charlotte Mecklenburg Library or heading to your local Barnes & Noble, there are exciting reading challenges waiting to be discovered.
Here’s everything you need to know about summer reading with kids in Charlotte for 2025:
📅 June 14 – August 16, 2025
🌐 Sign up online at: cmlibrary.beanstack.org
Join the Charlotte Mecklenburg Library, the Charlotte Hornets, and the Grant Williams Family Foundation for their 2025 summer reading challenge: Block Out Time to Read! This free community program encourages daily reading habits for children, teens, and adults alike—with fun prizes and special experiences along the way.
One of the best things about this program is the flexibility. Anything counts as reading! Kids can:
Read books, comics, or graphic novels
Listen to audiobooks
Read blogs, websites, or even emails
Be read to—or read to someone else
Participants receive a Wendy’s Junior Frosty coupon just for signing up. Then, earn a trip to the Summer Reading Treasure Box after logging reading for 15, 30, 45, and 60 days! Prizes can be picked up at your local library branch—while supplies last.
Kids and teens who reach 45 days of reading will be entered into special experience drawings. Make sure to track progress in Beanstack, using a CMS One Access or Charlotte Mecklenburg Library card number to qualify.
You can pick up a paper tracker at your local branch or go digital using the Beanstack Tracker app by Zoobean.
👉 Learn more or sign up at cmlibrary.beanstack.org
📅 June 9 – August 1, 2025
🌐 Sign up online or at your local branch
Celebrate summer with books, creativity, and community fun! Union County Library’s “Color Our World” Summer Reading Challenge is open to kids, teens, and adults. Log your reading time and activities throughout the summer for a chance to win fantastic prizes.
Finger Painters (Ages 0–5):
Little ones can complete early literacy activities to earn $5 in Book Bucks (usable at the Friends of the Library Book Sale) and be entered to win a plush book character.
Artists (Ages 6–11):
Kids in this group earn points by reading and attending library programs—1 hour of reading = 100 points.
Reach 2,000 points to receive $5 Book Bucks and be entered to win a 3D printing pen.
🎁 New this year:
Tell a librarian about a book you’re reading, and you’ll be entered into weekly book-themed prize drawings!
👉 Sign up or learn more at https://ucplnc.readsquared.com/
📅 June 2 – July 31, 2025
🌐 Free for All Ages | Register Online or In-Person
Join York County Library this summer for the "Color Our World" Summer Learning Challenge—open to readers of all ages! Whether you're reading for fun or exploring something new, this engaging challenge is easy to join and full of great rewards.
Sign up through Beanstack, at your local library branch, or on the Bookmobile. Track your reading online or with a paper log, and complete the challenge by July 31 to earn prizes—including a chance to win a grand prize!
Complete the challenge up to five times for additional entries! Prize highlights include:
Infants & Toddlers: $50 Books-A-Million gift card, wooden puzzle, and themed swag
Children: $50 Books-A-Million gift card, plus fun reading accessories
Teens: $100 gift card to a local business of your choice (some exclusions apply)
Adults: $100 Books-A-Million gift card
Already using Beanstack? Simply log in and start the 2025 challenge. Prefer paper? Grab a tracker at your nearest branch.
👉 Sign up or learn more at yclibrary.beanstack.org
📍 Multiple Locations in Charlotte
🌐 More info at: barnesandnoble.com
Barnes & Noble’s beloved summer reading program is back for 2025 and it's a hit with young bookworms! This easy and rewarding program is open to children in grades 1–6. Check out our reel recap here.
Download and print the Barnes & Noble Summer Reading Journal.
Kids read 8 books of their choice and write about their favorite part of each in the journal.
Once completed, bring the journal to any Barnes & Noble store between July 1 and August 31, 2025.
Choose a free book from the list provided by Barnes & Noble—just for finishing the challenge!
Here are a few local stores where you can redeem your summer reading rewards:
Barnes & Noble – SouthPark
4020 Sharon Rd, Charlotte, NC 28211
Barnes & Noble – Northlake Mall
8725 Townley Rd, Charlotte, NC 28216
Barnes & Noble – Arboretum
3327 Pineville-Matthews Rd, Charlotte, NC 28226
Barnes & Noble – Pineville Carolina Place Mall
Barnes & Noble – Lake Norman
38725 Townley Rd, Huntersville, NC 28078
📅 Available June, July, and August
🌐 Learn more: bookitprogram.com
Pizza Hut’s Camp Book It! is the perfect summer reading incentive for kids in PreK through 6th grade. Parents can set reading goals using digital tracking tools, and when kids meet their monthly goals, they earn a free one-topping Personal Pan Pizza!
Participating in summer reading programs helps prevent the “summer slide” in academic skills, especially for young readers. It also helps children build independence by choosing their own books and tracking their progress—plus, it’s a fun and meaningful way to spend those long summer days.
So grab a book, head to your local library or bookstore, and dive into a summer full of stories!
Want more family-friendly summer ideas in Charlotte? Check out our guides to indoor play spaces, splash pads, and free and cheap movies!