East Bay Baby

Ah, summertime. Time to find some things for your kids to do! Fortunately, if your kids like reading, they can do what they like and get some cool prizes for their effort. When I was growing up in the East Bay, I loved participating in the Berkeley Public Library reading contest. Finally, the sort of contest I could win! Unlike all those stupid contests involving skill, speed, balance, or co-ordination. Libraries around the Bay Area run reading contests for kids each summer. The prizes are usually donated by local businesses, and include museum visits, free pizzas, free passes to local activities, and so forth. Check with your local library to see if they have a similar program to motivate young readers.

Additionally, for the fourteen and under set, you can get prizes from many chain bookstores for doing some summer reading. Money Saving Mom has a great roundup of reading rewards programs from Barnes and Noble, Half Price Books, and other bookstores and businesses. The prizes include free books and store gift cards.

Although I was homeschooled and never had a report card, I’m sure that I would have loved to trade good grades for free food or tchotchkes from corporate America. Deal Seeking Mom has a roundup of companies which offer prizes to kids who bring in a report card with at least one “A.”