Plant A Seed, Read: Adult Summer Reading Prize Ideas

Jan 15, 2026

Adults are often overlooked participants in summer reading, so we’ve compiled some ideas for quick and easy summer reading prizes that can work for most libraries and budgets. These are the individuals who bring their children and teens to the library for summer reading and programming. They are reading on vacation and at the pool. Everyone enjoys a little incentive to do more reading and participate in programming. Please don’t leave these folks out! 

The Chef’s Basket

For the chef in the community, there is no better place to start than with the Farm-to-Table Apron. It is a high-quality cotton canvas with two LARGE pockets and built to last. This is something that patrons will be using for years to come. If the library has embroidery capabilities, the apron can be personalized with the patron’s name or the library logo for an extra fancy touch. 

The library can either buy or include a weeded or donated cookbook that is in good shape. This is a great way to reuse titles that had high demand and the demand has tapered off. If the library is considering creating a community cookbook this summer, that would also be a lovely inclusion. If the library has a 3D printer, a cookbook stand can be printed to keep the new book neat and clean. 

I can’t imagine anyone turning down a great magnetic clip. They’re so versatile! Hang up recipes or coupons on the fridge for easy access. Use them to close up bags of chips (savory or chocolate). It would be a great way to close up the prize package as well (perhaps in the Summer Reading Natural Tote?). Ours features one of our favorite pieces of art from Sarah Ferone, so it is bound to be the most beautiful clip in their collection. If the library has a budget for adult summer reading prizes for all, this clip would also make a great finishing prize. 

A more “classic” set of magnets could also be a welcome addition. The iREAD magnet set is not only gorgeous but exceptionally high quality. Those magnets mean business, and there is a reason that they are a favorite every year. Much like the magnetic clip, they would make a great completion prize. It is easy to divide the magnets up so that participants each get one instead of four. 

Print out some of the recipe cards and other assets that Sarah Ferone created for the Resource Guide (2026 Art and Graphics - 2026 Bonus Art - © 2026 Sarah Ferone Additional Assets) on high-quality paper or cardstock and package them with some kitchen twine or cotton ribbon. If there is more appeal in finished recipes rather than the write-your-own variety, we’ve got you covered. These would also be perfect milestone or participation prizes for adults. 

If there is a specialty grocery store or spice shop in the community, consider requesting a donation of specialty salt or interesting spices to include in the basket. Alternatively, a gift certificate would allow the recipient to select their preferred ingredients. Small useful kitchen items would be a lovely addition to any basket such as a salt cellar, butter bell, or food-shaped salt and pepper shakers. 

The Entertainer’s Basket

Some library patrons enjoy food but not the process of cooking. For them, consider assembling a basket designed to enhance gatherings. Begin with the Summer Reading Natural Tote, ideal for transporting cheese, crackers, fruits, and more. Add a cutting board, such as a Bamboo Cutting Board, to provide a base for charcuterie. Include relevant books, such as those focusing on entertaining or appetizers. Consider adding a gourmet flavored syrup for making mocktails and a Bamboo Coaster Set for drinks. Many ideas mentioned previously also work well for this type of prize. 

The Farmers’ Market Basket

While the Summer Reading Natural Tote would ABSOLUTELY work as part of this prize (and the patrons will be the envy of everyone strolling through the market stalls), we also have a Cotton Mesh Market Bag w/Zippered Pouch. The pouch has a lovely illustration of a pear by Sarah Ferone and will easily hold some cash and keys. 

Chat with the vendors and buy some of their wares for the prize pack. A lot of farmers' markets include things like: honey, lip balm, candles, pottery, hot sauce, kettle corn, pickles, and more. (And don’t be afraid to ask for donations!) 

Include other outdoor summer essentials like our Eco-friendly 26 Ounce Aluminum Bottle, a folding camp chair, a picnic blanket, and a Rain Poncho with Mesh Pouch for unexpected summer showers. 

The Office Additions Basket

For the patron who is stuck in the office all summer, add some workplace joy with an office essentials basket. Who doesn’t love office supplies? Especially when they are as fabulous as the Sticky Note Cube illustrated by Hatem Aly or a Floating Tractor Bubble Pen featuring the Good Egg and Bad Seed riding across the farmyard on their tractor. 

There are plenty of options for both food and animal-shaped paperclips, which can be used in the classic paperclip fashion, to mark the week in a planner, or even as a bookmark.

The Bamboo Stand & Keypad Stress Reliever can hold a phone while providing a fidget for long Zoom calls or intense brainstorming. Or the Cow Stress Reliever for those MOOdy days in the office. If a little more whimsy is called for, Eggplant Phone Stand & Night Light is a fun desktop friend.  

Jazz up lunch hour with a Wheat Straw Lunch Box with Utensils for the bento dreams are made of, and a Vacuum-Insulated Thermos Food Jar, and patrons will be the envy of the breakroom.

The Gardener’s Basket

For the gardeners, a green-thumb basket is just the ticket. Include some seeds, an herb garden, air plants, or small houseplants for them to care for. A beautiful pot is always appreciated. Sturdy gardening gloves, Mini Garden Tool Set, a watering can, and a kneeling pad would all be welcome additions as well. And don’t forget something to keep them clean, where they can store their tools while they’re planting. We recommend the Farm-to-Table Apron. 

The Reader’s Basket

For those patrons who prefer to curl up with a book no matter the season, a book-lovers/cozy basket is just the thing. Put together a collection of books (donated, weeded, ARCs, or purchased). Get a book or eReader pouch to keep those new titles clean at the park, beach, or pool. And don’t forget to add a few bookmarks! Bookmarks are yet another great way to award adult participation in Summer Reading. 

Get some coffee and/or tea and pair it with this FABULOUS Ceramic Mug with Cork Base. It has a lid and a non-slip base, so it will be a breeze to bring on vacation or to the backyard hammock. 

Chicken.

And when all else fails, you can always give them a Rubber Chicken. Everyone needs a rubber chicken. 

The potential prizes have been broken down by category for cohesion, but that might not work for every library. Pick and choose a “favorite things” basket that has a little bit of everything. If there are going to be multiple grand prizes, consider a raffle so folks can choose what prize they are aiming for. 

Remember - final prizes don’t have to be expensive to be impactful and appreciated. Use as many or as few of these ideas as suits the program. Putting together FABULOUS summer reading prizes is a breeze with iREAD. Look at the offerings and create whatever works best for the library. Don’t forget to HAVE FUN!