Pizza Hut’s BOOK IT! program back for 2024

Pizza Hut's BOOK IT! Program is back for the 2024-2025 school year, continuing its mission to encourage a love of reading among children. This free program, which has been running since 1984, is open to students from PreK to 6th grade in traditional classrooms and homeschool settings. I have such fond memories of reading for pizza when I was a little kid in the late 80's, I'm thrilled it's back to encourage a new generation of readers!

The concept is simple yet effective: teachers or homeschool parents set monthly reading goals for their students, which can be based on the number of books, pages, or minutes read. When a child meets their goal, they receive a Reading Award Certificate that can be redeemed for a free one-topping Personal Pan Pizza at participating Pizza Hut locations. Students can earn up to six certificates throughout the program year, which runs from October 1, 2024, to March 31, 2025.

Registration for the 2024-2025 BOOK IT! Program is now open, allowing educators and parents to enroll their students and start setting reading goals. The program provides a digital dashboard to track each child's progress and easily manage the rewards system (huge upgrade for us 80's babies). Additionally, Pizza Hut offers resources such as recommended reading lists, activities, and author interviews to support and engage young readers.

To sign up for the Pizza Hut BOOK IT! Program for the 2024-2025 school year, follow these steps:

1. Go to the BOOK IT! Program enrollment page: https://www.bookitprogram.com/bookit_enrollment/form/enrollment[5] 

2. Select your role: - If you are a homeschool parent with children between 4 and 12 years old, choose "I'm a homeschool parent". - If you are a teacher in a traditional classroom setting for grades PreK-6, choose the appropriate option.

3. Fill out the enrollment form with your information, including your name, email address, and school or homeschool details.

4. After submitting your enrollment request, allow up to 3 days for your account to become active. You will receive a confirmation email once your account is ready.

5. Once your account is active, log in to the digital dashboard to set monthly reading goals for your students based on the number of books, pages, or minutes read.

6. When a child meets their reading goal, they will receive a Reading Award Certificate that can be redeemed for a free one-topping Personal Pan Pizza at participating Pizza Hut locations

For families looking to keep their children reading during the summer months, Pizza Hut also offers Camp BOOK IT!, a parent-led program that runs from June to August. Parents can set personalized reading goals and track their child's progress, with the same reward of a free Personal Pan Pizza upon completion.

The BOOK IT! Program has been a resounding success, reaching more than 14 million students annually through 37,000 PreK-6th grade schools. The program's longevity and popularity are a testament to its effectiveness in motivating children to read. Many parents and teachers praise the program for its ability to turn reluctant readers into enthusiastic bookworms.

As the 2024-2025 school year approaches, parents and educators can look forward to another year of the BOOK IT! Program, knowing that they have a powerful tool to encourage and celebrate their children's reading accomplishments. With its proven track record and ongoing commitment to literacy, Pizza Hut's BOOK IT! Program is poised to continue making a positive impact on the lives of young readers for years to come.

Family sleepovers at zoos and museums around North Carolina are serving up unique and unforgettable experiences for children and adults alike and are becoming more commonplace (read: affordable). If you have ever dreamed of living out your own Night at the Museum adventure (thanks, Ben Stiller) I've got great news for you!

These overnight adventures provide an opportunity to explore the exhibits after hours, participate in exclusive behind-the-scenes tours, and even sleep among the very creatures and artifacts that fascinate us during the day!

One of the primary draws of museum and zoo sleepovers is the chance for hands-on, immersive learning. Imagine waking up in front of a fish tank of exotic jellyfish or having breakfast with giraffes. Children can engage in interactive activities, educational games, and workshops tailored to the venue's theme, whether it's natural history, space exploration, or cultural heritage. These experiences foster a deeper appreciation and understanding of the subjects at hand, sparking curiosity and a love for learning.

As the sun sets and the crowds disperse, the museum or zoo takes on a magical quality. Families can wander the dimly lit halls, flashlights in hand, discovering exhibits from a new perspective. The thrill of spending the night surrounded by dinosaur skeletons, ancient artifacts, or exotic animals is an adventure that children will cherish for years to come.

For parents, a museum or zoo sleepover provides a unique opportunity for family bonding. Away from the distractions of daily life, parents and children can connect through shared experiences, creating lasting memories. When I was young, my parents took my brothers and I to a zoo sleepover in Tampa, Florida. That was such an amazing experience and is a defining memory of family fun for us! Whether it's participating in a scavenger hunt, stargazing through a telescope, or simply snuggling up together in a sleeping bag, these overnight events foster quality time and strengthen family ties.

One of the coolest aspects of the sleepover programs are the exclusive behind-the-scenes access, allowing families to glimpse areas typically off-limits to the public. Children may have the chance to meet zookeepers, curators, or researchers, gaining insights into their work and the care and preservation of the exhibits. These rare opportunities inspire awe and appreciation for the dedication and expertise required to maintain these institutions.

Family sleepovers at zoos and museums are truly one-of-a-kind experiences that combine education, adventure, and quality time. By immersing themselves in these captivating environments overnight, families create cherished memories that will inspire a lifelong love for learning and exploration. Luckily, we have some great options right here in the Southeast!

900 Loggerhead Rd, Kure Beach, NC 28449

Sleeping with The Fishes!
Spend a night with the fish at the Aquarium with your group! Groups will learn about some of the animals and make their very own Gyotaku craft. Sleep and dream in front of a 235,000-gallon Cape Fear Shoals habitat as sharks, eels, and a sea turtle swim close by. The Aquarium provides your group with snacks, craft supplies, and breakfast. Reservations can be made here.

 4401 Zoo Pkwy, Asheboro, NC 27205

Experience the North Carolina Zoo after hours at one of their overnight family camping adventures. Designed for adults with school aged children aged 6-18. Complete with an evening walk through the Zoo, S'mores by a campfire, and engaging activities.  Offering as well adult only sleepover dates for the ultimate date night! But a word of advice, tickets sell out quickly, so move fast! More information can be found here.

  Just like the blockbuster movie, you can join fellow adventurers at one of the world's most visited museums for a night of fun! Wander through the Fossil Hall, where dinosaurs cast giant shadows, learn about Earth's past and discover the ocean's aquatic wonders, visit pollinators and walk softly past mysterious mammals.  

 Ticket information can be found here.

Nature Exploration Center
11 W. Jones Street, Raleigh, NC 27601 North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences hosts Night at the Museum! Guests will sleep either in our Coastal North Carolina Hall on the 1^st floor or in the Mountain Cove, Mountains to Sea Overlook, Tropical Connections, “Early-to-bed Zone,” or T. rex “Kid-free Adults Zone” on the 3^rd floor. Make sure to indicate your preferred sleeping area when prompted during checkout. An upgraded sleeping experience in the “Terror of the South” exhibition (nicknamed “The Acro Dome") is also available for a premium fee and can be purchased at the time of booking. Space is very limited, and will be filled on a first-come, first-served basis. Tickets for the Acro Dome include one “Terror of the South” backpack.  Book your adventure here.

500 Wildlife Parkway, Columbia, SC

Riverbanks Overnights! Gather your class, troop, pack, youth group, or neighborhood friends for a one-of-a-kind evening! Find out what the animals are up to after the sun goes down and the rest of our guests leave. Don’t miss this wild opportunity to explore Riverbanks. Bring your sleeping bag and sense of adventure for a memorable overnight experience at Riverbanks. Education staff will guide you through a fun-filled evening of exploration and hands-on fun. Overnights are designed for participants in grades Kindergarten and up. 

More information here.

8111 Concord Mills Boulevard, Concord, NC 28027

SEA LIFE is a unique, intimate, interactive aquarium experience perfect for kids, couples, families and friends, and conveniently located at entrance 7 of Concord Mills.  Spend a night under the sea, including crafts, activities, pizza/snacks, breakfast and more! Reservation information here.