Hampton Roads: Summer Reading Programs 2025

Please note that most of these Summer Reading Programs require you to sign up to participate. Make sure you sign up at the beginning of the Summer to log all of your 2025 Summer reading!

In addition to the reading logs and prizes, many of the area libraries (and many bookstores) will be having special events and activities throughout the summer. Make sure to check out the great variety of local talent and entertainment!

CHESAPEAKE PUBLIC LIBRARY SUMMER READING CHALLENGE

• May 1 – August 31, 2025
• Receive a book, reading log and door hanger at sign up. Read and return to the library each week to receive a sticker on your reading log and a bookmark. After reading for four weeks, you will receive a color changing cup. The last week of the program enter for a chance to win a backpack full of school supplies.
• Also hosting a Summer Math Challenge during the same time! Complete various math challenges over the summer. Earn virtual raffle tickets. Enter your tickets into drawings for various prizes.
• Check out some of the great programs available through the Chesapeake Public Library Summer Reading Program on our website Calendar or the CPL Website.

HAMPTON PUBLIC LIBRARY SUMMER READING PROGRAM

• Color Our World Summer 2025: June 11 – August 8, 2025
• Check out some of the great programs available through the Hampton Public Library Summer Reading Program on our website Calendar  or the HPL Website.
• Additional Info: We encourage readers to complete 800 minutes read and logged across the eight-week program. We will offer camps, classes, events, programs, and workshops to foster a sense of wonder and creativity for participants of all ages across our four library locations. We hope you have a super summer of reading, learning, and exploring with us!  Readers can sign-up through Beanstack.com under ‘Hampton Public Library’ or through the Beanstack app on your mobile device.

NEWPORT NEWS PUBLIC LIBRARY SUMMER READING PROGRAM

• Summer Reading Program: Adventure Begins At Your Library, July 1
• Check out all of the great programs available through the Newport News Public Library Summer Reading Program on our website Calendar or the NNPL Website.
• Additional Info: The Challenge is open to all ages with prizes at registration, midway, and completion, along with weekly prize drawings. Participants will log reading minutes through Beanstack.

NORFOLK PUBLIC LIBRARY SUMMER READING PROGRAM

• Summer Reading Program: Adventure Begins For Adults and Youth/Teens at Your Library, June 7 – August 2, 2025
  • This summer, adventure begins at your library! Log the books you read to earn badges and rewards. Each week, read and log the set amount of minutes and you will automatically be entered into the weekly drawings. All registered participants are eligible for the grand prize drawing.
• Check out all of the great programs available through the Norfolk Public Library Summer Reading Program on our website Calendar or the NPL Website.

PORTSMOUTH PUBLIC LIBRARY SUMMER READING PROGRAM

• Summer Reading Program: Adventure Begins at Your Library, June 9 – August 9, 2025
• Check out some of the great programs available through the Portsmouth Public Library Summer Reading Program on our website Calendar or the PPL Website.
• Additional Info: Readers from birth to 17 years of age will log their books on their Portsmouth Public Library Beanstack account. Log the books you read to earn badges and rewards.

POQUOSON PUBLIC LIBRARY SUMMER READING PROGRAM

• Adventure Begins at Your Library Summer Reading Program Soon
• This summer “Color Your World” with the Summer Reading Challenge, designed to engage all ages in reading and learning through various activities spanning 8 weeks.
• To join, simply visit poquoson.beanstack.org or use the Beanstack mobile app to track your reading progress. Paper copies are also available at the library. Complete any 5 exciting activities in each of our 3 challenges to earn prizes.
• There are also programs highlighting family fun at the library all Summer, the listings can be found on our website Calendar and on the PPL Website.
• Additional Information: Coming Soon

SUFFOLK PUBLIC LIBRARY SUMMER READING CHALLENGE

• Summer Reading Challenge: June 17- August 2, 2025
• Check out some of the great programs available through the Suffolk Public Library on our website Calendar or the SPL Website.
• Additional Information: Register or log in to Beanstack to participate and track your books read. Prefer a non-digital option? Paper logs are available for pickup at all library locations or print one below. This program is perfect for the whole family! You can log books you read to your children, the books they read to you, or even favorites you read together repeatedly—like a cherished bedtime story. Stories heard during library Storytimes, as well as audiobooks, eBooks, graphic novels, and magazines, all count toward your total.Every book logged increases your chances of winning prizes! To qualify, you need to log at least five books. Don’t miss out—join the fun today!You must read at least five books to be eligible for a prize.

VIRGINIA BEACH PUBLIC LIBRARY SUMMER READING CHALLENGE 

• Summer Reading Program: Enrollment opens June 9, 2025. Program runs from June 10 – August 16, 2025
• For children ages 0 through grade 8. Register online beginning June 9, select baby, picture book, or chapter book reader option, and log your reading to earn prizes. Download the 2025 Summer Learning Adventure Map.
• Earn a community coupon, a free book, and a chance to win a fun prize in a drawing.. Read more, earn more! Select a book of your choice to keep when you complete the challenge goal. Pick up prizes until Aug. 16 at any VBPL branch!
• There are also programs highlighting family fun at the library all Summer, the listings can be found on our website Calendar and on the VBPL Website.

WILLIAMSBURG REGIONAL LIBRARY SUMMER READING PROGRAM 

• Summer Reading Program – Color Our World: June 1 – August 2, 2025
• There are also programs highlighting family fun at the library all Summer, the listings can be found on our website Calendar and on the WRL Website.
• Additional Information: Register thru the library’s Beanstack or in-person at the library and log all of your reading from June 1 – August 10. Check in at the library or at a Bookmobile stop once a week from June 15 to August 2 to share stories and earn rewards, while learning about what we can all do to color our world and make it a better place. Each week has a colorful, positive theme! Everyone who signs up will get their choice of a free book during Free Book Week, August 3-9. For kids birth through 8th grade.

YORK COUNTY PUBLIC LIBRARY SUMMER READING PROGRAM 

• Summer Reading Challenge – Adventure Begins at Your Library: June 26 – August 9, 2025
• There will be programs for little ones through teens including (but not limited to) story times, STEM programs, crafts, LEGO club, bubble parties, teen gaming, and Teen After Hours. Some programs require registration. Register online or by calling either Tabb or Yorktown’s Youth Services department. The listings can be found on our website Calendar and on the YCPL Website.
• This summer, our theme is “Color Our World,” which encourages everyone to embrace the beauty of art in all its forms, creating a colorful tapestry of experiences for everyone! Babies through 5th-grade participants must read at least 16 books to complete the challenge. Adult and teen participants must read at least 6 books to complete the challenge. Log the books you read through the Beanstack website or app to earn badges and rewards. Our community reading goal is to read 12,345 books by or before August 9.
• Additional Information: Keep track of your reading through the library’s Beanstack site or the Beanstack app.

Other Summer Reading Programs:

Summer Reading Program at MWR Libraries – Military Families in Hampton Roads – Updated for 2025! 

Robin Simmons Bakery– Get FREE Bakery Treats for reading!  From June 9 to August 31, all rising elementary students can turn in a reading sheet for a free cookie, cake pop, marshmallow treat, pack of marshmallows, or a pack of meringue kisses.

Barnes & Noble’s 2025 Summer Reading Program

• Kids in grades 1-6 can read any eight books this summer and record them in their Summer Reading Journal. Then bring their completed journal to any participating Barnes & Noble Store to receive a FREE book from their list. Summer Reading Journal (English), Summer Reading Journal (Spanish)

Books-A-Million’s Summer Reading Adventure 

• • Children read any 4 books from the reading list, write about the books they’ve read in their log book, and show their completed log book to a store associate to receive their free hat (while supplies last).  See 2025 details here.

Chuck-E-Cheese’s Reward Calendar Program

• Chuck-E-Cheese’s Reward Calendar Program is ongoing. You can find various reward calendars on the Chuck E. Cheese website. One of them tracks books read- when your child reads each day for 2 weeks (and completes the form), it can be redeemed for 10 free play points. Note: a food purchase is required.

Scholastic’s Summer Reading Home Base is currently underway (May 9 – September 12, 2025)

• By creating an account on Home Base, kids can join a community of readers and will be able to read books and stories, attend author events, interact with their favorite characters, play book-based games and activities, join dance parties, and more!