It’s that time of year for most of us—summer break! If you’re anything like me, you’re juggling work, life, screen-time, and trying to prevent bored kids from turning into zombies on their computers. We’re not in a place to pay for camps this year, so I’ve been brainstorming how to keep my 10- and 13-year-old sons busy for ten weeks between home and our three blissful Durango weeks. Luckily, my boys love to read — and it turns out our local library systems do too. Lots of them offer summer reading programs with real rewards—like Nationals tickets or even a Nintendo Switch 2. Way better than personal pan pizzas! Below is a roundup of summer reading programs across the DMV. I’d love to hear your summer activity ideas too!
📖 DC Public Library – Discover Summer
📅 Runs June 1 – August 31 for all ages—kids, teens, adults
📚 Sign up at any branch or online; reading logs track reading and programs
🌟 Opportunities to join events and collect digital incentives
📖 Arlington Public Library – Summer Reading Challenge
📅 Runs June 1 – September 1
📚 Read for 30 days to earn prizes & support local causes
🎁 Completion Prize: Free book + 2 Nationals game tickets (while supplies last)
🌟 “Super Reader” tier at 40 days with extra raffles: local sports tickets, ice cream & more
📚 Tracks ages 0–5, K–5, 6–12, and adults 18+
📖 Montgomery County Public Libraries – Color Our World
📅 Runs June 14 – August 31 for youth; adult program also available
📚 Earn e-badges for reading and activities
🎁 Prizes include:
🎁 Free book at sign-up
🎁 Nationals game voucher (Badge 2)
🎁 Free book voucher (Badge 3)
🎁 Ice cream coupon
🎁 Raffles for Aquarium tickets
🌟 Kickoff events at multiple branches mid-June
📖 Fairfax County Public Library – Summer Reading Adventure
📅 Runs June 11 – August 17
📚 Track via Beanstack app or paper logs
🎁 Complete books/programs to earn prizes
🌟 Launch party June 14 at Sherwood Regional
📖 Prince William County Public Libraries – Summer Reading
📅 Runs June 16 – August 17
📚 Track reading minutes with bookmark or Beanstack app
🎁 500 minutes = prize + raffle entry
🌟 Includes STEAM programs, crafts & community events
📖 Prince George’s County Memorial Library System – Color Our World
📅 Runs May 19 – August 14
📚 Encourages 30 minutes of daily reading
🌟 Includes activities, challenges & library events
📖 Loudoun County Public Library – Summer Reading Program
📅 Runs June 14 – August 16
📚 All ages—kids, teens, adults
🎁 Prizes for reading, completing challenges, and attending programs
🌟 Previous rewards included book swag, activity kits & drawings
📖 La Plata County (Durango, CO) – Summer Reading Program
📅 Runs June 1 – August 16 (kids, teens & adults)
📚 Free book at sign-up for kids/teens; prize for every 5 hours of reading (up to 30 hours)
🎁 Grand-prize entries for extra reading (35–60 hours)
🌟 Adults: Weekly drawings for gift baskets with local goodies
🌟 Kick-off party June 6 + special events all summer (book clubs, STEAM days, knitting, etc.)
Happy reading – and be sure to check out my list of recommended summer audiobooks!
