Children’s Summer Reading
Welcome to our Children's Summer Reading Celebration!
June 28th - August 23rd, 2025
How to Participate
Prizes include “most minutes read,” as well as halfway and finale drawings.
*Plus, a treasure chest of prizes all summer long*
Reading & Activity Logs
- Pick up your Summer Reading & Activity Log at the library’s Children’s Desk (starting June 30) or sign up with READsquared.
- Use your Reading & Activity Log or READsquared to record the minutes you read and activities completed.
- Bring your partially or fully completed Reading & Activity Log to the library to earn beads, prizes, and entries into prize drawings!
- The last day to submit logs will be August 23.
Read for Beads
- Pick up a necklace and brag tag when you start Summer Reading and fill it with beads throughout the summer!
- 1 bead = 1 hour read (4 crayons) or 1 activity (1 easel)
Programs and Events
Saturday, 6/28, 11:00am-2:00pm
Join us to celebrate the start of Summer Reading at our annual Block Party! Enjoy food, games, crafting, music, and more.
10:30am-1:30pm – Open Play Makerspace
11:30am-12:15pm – YMCA Lunches
3:30pm-4:30pm – Minecraft Club
3:30pm-5:00pm – Staff-Led Makerspace Activities
Check the programming calendar for details on specific activities.
10:30am-11:30am – Storytime with Guests
11:30am-12:15pm – YMCA Lunches
3:00pm-5:00pm – Open Play Makerspace
10:30am-1:00pm – Outdoor Storytime and Play Time
Join us for stories and songs under Wishtree, the library’s Pin Oak tree.
11:30am-12:15pm – YMCA Lunches
11:30am-1:00pm – Meet the Masters
Van Gopher? Peacockso? Frida Catlo? Where did these mascots come from!? Join us every Community Wednesday to learn about our mascots’ artistic namesakes and the Masterpieces they created in real life! Each week will bring information about 2 of our artists and a small craft to pay homage to their great works. Coloring sheets will be available throughout the week to explore in a passive program. No registration is needed for this free program for all ages.
2:00pm-6:00pm – Outdoor Games
Stop by the library’s front lawn for an afternoon of outdoor games including cornhole, horseshoes, mini basketball, and more!
3:30pm-5:00pm – Staff-Led Makerspace Activities
Check the programming calendar for details on specific activities.
11:00am-12:00pm – All Ages Drumming with Infinity
Beginning on July 10, join us on the library’s front lawn for a drum circle. Drums and other percussion instruments will be provided. You are welcome to bring your drum. No experience is needed.
11:30am-12:15pm – YMCA Lunches
3:00pm-5:00pm – Open Play Makerspace
3:30pm-4:30pm – Minecraft Club
11:30am-12:15pm – YMCA Lunches
3:30pm-5:00pm – Staff-Led Makerspace Activities
Check the programming calendar for details on specific activities.
Thursday, 7/10, 10:00am-11:00am – Centrifugal Art
Learn about the art of spinning in this free kids program. Create colorful works of art using salad spinners and learn about the force it takes to do it. Registration recommended for children 6-12, but any age of child may participate with adult assistance. Call 716-484-7135 ext. 234 or stop by the Children’s Desk to save your spot in line for the spinners!
Monday, 7/21, 12:30pm-1:30pm – Bubble and Straw Painting
Explore different painting techniques with homemade bubble paint and blowing through straws! Enjoy water and bubble activities as your art dries and see what good clean fun we can get into outside. Registration recommended for children 6-12, but any age of child may participate with adult assistance. Call 716-484-7135 ext. 234 or stop by the Children’s Desk to let us know you plan to attend this free program.
Friday, 8/1, 2:00pm-3:30pm – Kids VR
Enjoy playing “I am Cat,” “Parkour Tag,” or the ever popular “Beat Saber”! Board games, snacks, and a live stream of players will be available as you wait for your turn. This session is for kids 12 and younger (see calendar for sessions for younger patrons). Playing time is limited and registration needed. Call 716-484-7135 ext. 234 or visit the Children’s desk to save your spot in line!
Thursday, 8/21, 10:00am-11:00am – Salt Art & Flowers
Create salt art creations using salt, glue, and watercolor paint, and explore the many uses for ziplock bags when painting! Create flowers and butterflies for the summertime theme or use your imagination to create something new! Registration recommended for children 6-12, but any age of child may participate with adult assistance. Call 716-484-7135 ext. 234 or stop by the Children’s Desk to let us know you plan to attend this free program as supplies are somewhat limited.
Friday, 8/29, 4:00pm-5:00pm – Pokemon Program
Back by popular demand, trainers of all ages are encouraged to join us in the Makerspace for Pokemon crafts, lessons on collecting, and snacks! Whether experienced or just starting your collection, trainers will have a chance to collect and trade cards, and learn tips for battling. Parents are invited to attend with their child or to register for the Disaster Preparedness Class at 4pm. No registration is needed for the free Pokemon Day!
Tuesday, 7/1, 12:30pm-1:30pm – Nature’s Imprints
Kids and kids at heart are invited to explore the many colorful shapes of leaves, pine cones, branches, and man-made items and the imprints left behind when painted and stamped on paper. No registration is needed for this free, outdoor program! Come make art to display at the library or your home. Children under 9 require adult supervision and old clothing is recommended.
Thursdays, 7/10/25-8/21, 11:00am-12:00pm – Drumming with Infinity
Join us on the library’s front lawn for a drum circle. Drums and other percussion instruments will be provided. You are welcome to bring your drum. No experience is needed.
Thursday, 7/31, 4:30pm – Judith’s Reading Room Collection Dedication
Judith’s Reading Room generously donated books for our Children’s and Young Adult collections. We will be honoring this donation as well as enjoying activities such as “Guess the Book.”
Saturday, 8/1, 1:30pm-3:30pm – Color the Library
Help us “Color the Library” with unique and colorful art painted by YOU. Add your colored hand print to the library’s raised garden bed. Create art to display around the library. Supplies provide. Registration is not required for this free program. All ages of artist are invited to attend, children under the age of 9 require adult assistance.
Monday, 8/18, 1:30pm-2:30pm – Musical Expressions
In preparation for Debussy’s birthday on August 22nd, art lovers of all ages are invited to come listen to live piano music, watch live artists create visual art of the inspiration they hear, and participants will have the chance to explore the intersection of visual and auditory art themselves! Registration is not required for this free program, though children under the age of 9 require adult assistance.
Saturday, 8/23, 11:00am-3:00pm – Family VR
Reserve your spot to play “Walkabout MiniGolf,” “ForeVR Bowl,” “Beat Saber,” or one of our team-building games! Board Games and live stream of players available as you wait for your turn! Fun for the whole family, no experience required! Sign up for an hour long segment to interact with up to 3 other families at a time. Call 716-484-7135 ext. 234 to give the names and ages of your familiy members who plan to attend this free program.
Saturday, 8/30, 11:00am-12:00pm
Join us on the patio to celebrate the end of Summer Reading with a Cupcake Party! Color a cupcake with a variety of toppings. There will be activities, games and prizes. Finale prize winners will also be announced.
Questions? Call us at 716-484-7135 x 234