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Kids Summer Reading Program

2023 Kids Summer Reading Program Camp Read S'more Graphic

Blast off to Camp Read S’more! From June 5 – July 29, participate in the Indianapolis Public Library’s Summer Reading Program to explore great stories and earn prizes for reading! Prizes are earned at 1 hour, 5 hours, 10 hours, 15 hours, and 20 hours of reading. Plus, earn a bonus prize when you complete seven Discover Activities. Prizes can be redeemed at any Indianapolis Public Library location. Go to your library, show your progress, and choose your prize!

Throughout the summer, we'll be sending emails with ideas to complete your activities and reading minutes in exciting and fun ways. Parents, don't miss out on the fun! We've got an Adult Summer Reading Program that is just for you!

We're celebrating the beginning of the Summer Reading Program AND the Indianapolis Public Library's 150th anniversary at multiple Library locations on June 3. Register for both the Summer Reading Program and the Adult Summer Reading Program while enjoying special entertainment and a delicious birthday treat! See the schedule of Summer Reading Kickoff and 150th Anniversary Celebrations.

How It Works:

Reading Tracker

Read!
Track the time you spend reading, reading aloud, or having someone read to you, including audiobooks. Use Beanstack or print a paper tracker to measure your progress. What you read is up to you – any book, graphic novel, magazine, e-book, or newspaper. Read items from home, borrow from a friend, or visit The Library to find your next read!

Earn Prizes!
Prizes are earned at 1 hour, 5 hours, 10 hours, 15 hours, and 20 hours of reading. Plus, earn a bonus prize when you complete seven Discover Activities. Prizes can be redeemed at any Indianapolis Public Library location. Go to your library, show your progress, and choose your prize!

Want to reach the full 20 hours? 20 minutes a day can get you there!

Camp Rules:

  • First day to log reading time – Monday, June 5, 2023
  • Last day to log reading time – Saturday, July 29, 2023
  • Last day to pick up prizes – Saturday, August 5, 2023
  • Prize quantities are limited and prizes are subject to change.
  • Minutes are not transferable between individuals.
  • A maximum of 20 hours will be awarded to each participant.

How to Sign Up

Register on the Beanstack App:

1. Go to your device’s app store, search for Beanstack Tracker, and download the app.

2. Select to participate “at my library.” Search for Indianapolis Public Library and select.

3. Follow the steps to register an individual or family.

4. Track your reading this summer on the app or print this tracking sheet. You can also pick up a tracking sheet at The Library.

Register in The Library:

Visit or call your closest IndyPL location to register with a staff member. Keep track of your reading on the Beanstack app or the tracking sheet you can pick up when you register.

Group Registration:

If you are a local summer camp, daycare, or school that wants to participate in Summer Reading, you can register as a group. Please contact any local library branch for details.

Register online:

1. Go to our Beanstack website.

2. Under “Create an account”, click on “Register an Individual or Family.”

3. Fill in your information. Beanstack allows families to be linked together so all family members can be accessed with one login.

4. Track your reading this summer on the app or print this tracking sheet. You can also pick up a tracking sheet at The Library.

Participants over age 13 or caregivers can create accounts to track minutes and activities.

If you already have a Beanstack account, you need to only enroll in “Kids & Teens Summer Reading 2023” with IndyPL.

Need help?

Our staff can help you register and track progress online or in the app.

Summer Reading Prizes


1 HOUR:
Snack OR Galaxy Eraser OR Boba Ball

*Gluten free and kosher snack options available


5 HOURS:
Snack OR Color Changing Cup OR Dragonfly Coptor

*Gluten free and kosher snack options available


10 HOURS:
Book AND Indianapolis Indiana Baseball Pass OR Lou Malnati's Pizza Coupon OR Kinetic Sand

*Baby & toddler safe toys available for 5 years old and under


15 HOURS:
Book OR Earbuds OR Popper Dice OR IUPUI Jaguars Basketball Pass

*Baby & toddler safe toys available for 5 years old and under


20 HOURS:
Book AND The Children's Museum of Indianapolis Haunted House Pass OR Eiteljorg Museum Pass OR AstroPet

*Baby & toddler safe toys available for 5 years old and under

Complete 7 of 11 Discover Activities:
Color Changing Cup OR Crystal Tree OR Lazer Fingers







MISSION: Discover Summer Reading

Discover and complete 7 of the 11 activities to win a prize.
Visit your local library to collect special stamps along the way. Pick up an activity tracking form at your local library or print the tracking form at home.

Activity Tracker

Discover Giving!
Donate a new or used book at your local library. Books will be donated to Brightlane Learning. What book did you donate? What do you hope someone enjoys about the book?

Discover Kindness!
Greet people as they come into The Library or say hello to a librarian you have not met before. Who did you meet?

Discover Storytelling!
Tell a librarian your favorite joke or talk about the best book you’ve ever read. What did you share?

Discover Your Neighborhood!
Explore outside your local library and listen to the nature sounds or not-so nature sounds. What sounds did you hear? What do you see?



Discover Art!
Books are full of amazing artwork – checkout a book with art you love. What does the art tell you about the story?

Discover Writing!
Send a message to Earth from Camp Read S’more. Complete at your local library with special stationery! What is your favorite book you’ve read this summer?

Discover the World!
Log on to a library computer and browse the catalog or play a game. Ask a librarian for help if you don’t know where to start! What book did you find? What game did you play?

Discover the Library!
Attend a program, visit a new branch, or explore our website. What did you learn?

Discover Music!
Ask a librarian how to use Hoopla or checkout a CD. What music did you listen to? What was your favorite song?

Discover Food!
Check out a book about food or a cookbook and make a dish. What did you learn? What recipe did you make?

Discover Reading!
Check out three books that interest you from The Library. What books did you check out? Which one are you most excited to read?

Discover the Survey!
Have your grown-up complete our survey to be entered to win a Meijer Gift Card! Complete the survey online or pick one up at any Library location.

Free Workshops for Kids & Teens

Animal Meet and Greets with Silly Safaris
See the schedule
Meet up to three animals at these casual drop-in sessions presented by Silly Safaris. Ask your question and take a picture with the critters.

Build It! Woodworking with Deeply Ingrained
See the schedule and register
Participants learn basic woodworking skills - how to measure, mark, and use tools safely. Start with raw materials and leave with a sense of accomplishment, pride, and a functional finished project!

Cartoon Illustration with Re-Generation Indy
See the schedule and register
Children's book illustrator Amanda Keller will instruct kids on how to make unique, adorable cartoon-style illustrations. Amanda will use sketching and painting to help kids create memorable characters.

Out of this World: Music and Stories from Space
See the schedule and register
Join Dino O'Dell for stories of NASA heroes and songs about the difference between meteors, meteoroids, and meteorites. Dino's music and stories are out of this world!

Family Sing-Along Fun
See the schedule and register
Time to boogie and get the wiggles out! Dance and sing along to popular children's songs with Miss Sheila while she plays on the ukulele.

Procreate with Re-Generation Indy
See the schedule and register
Take a crash course in the digital drawing app, Procreate. Learn the basic tools and handy shortcuts. You'll soon realize creating digital illustrations is easy and fun!

Robots: Activate!
See the schedule and register
Step into the world of robotics in this hands-on workshop with Purdue Extension Office. Learn the basics of engineering and computer design through practical coding games with Ozobots and Spheros robots.

Animal Shows with Silly Safaris
See the schedule
Go on a wild adventure with Silly Safaris in this sit-down 45-minute live animal show! You’ll have the chance to see animals up close and ask questions.

Space Ranger Adventure with JumpBunch
See the schedule and register
Space ranger trainees will join our astronaut team to prepare for their next space voyage. Rangers will work on increasing their mobility and flexibility through a series of maneuvers in our obstacle course.

Space Snacks
See the schedule and register
Blast off into space and explore the galaxy of fruits and veggies! This nutrition session exposes kids to fruits and vegetables and is perfect for space-loving kids that are hesitant to try new foods.

Stellar Storytime with Professor Watermelon
See the schedule and register
3, 2, 1, blast off! Launch into outer space with Professor Watermelon at this extraterrestrial storytime. Explore the universe through stories, songs, and puppets.

Stretch for the Stars: Yoga and Stories
See the schedule and register
Learn how to regulate emotions through yoga, deep breathing, and stories with crafts. Kids will learn how peaceful movements support wellness.

Teen: Ultimate Ninjas
See the schedule and register
Sharpen your ninja skills with a local American Ninja Warrior from Ultimate Ninjas Indy! Learn about the drive it takes to compete and test your skills on a few obstacles.

Teen: Paint your "ART" Out - Galaxy Art - with Jennifer Hash
See the schedule and register
Discover new techniques to create a galaxy inspired painting. Let’s shoot for the stars and create something out of this world!

6 Ways to Encourage Reading at Home

Need some inspiration for reading outside of school? Look no further!

1. Create a dedicated reading space. Help your child find a quiet, cozy place to relax and focus on their reading.

2. Talk to your child about their reading. Show your interest by asking questions to motivate them to continue reading.

3. Let them explore their interests. Children are eager to read about a topic they are already interested in.

4. Read regularly. Establish a daily routine of reading aloud to your child, take turns reading passages aloud together, or set aside time to read quietly together.

5. Lead by example. Let your child see you reading for enjoyment. Join our Adult Summer Reading Program and read alongside your child.

6. Variety is the spice of life. There are a variety of different kinds of books – joke books, audiobooks, graphic novels, and a whole lot more, so let them have their pick!

Reach for the stars in our Community Reading Goal for 2023!

Are you up for a reading challenge this summer? If the IndyPL community surpasses 16 million minutes of reading, including our Adult Summer Reading Program, all readers who log reading time will be entered into grand prize drawings at the end of the summer! Prizes include Nintendo® Switches, LEGO® sets, Target Gift Cards, one of two $529 College Choice CD savings accounts, and more! Grand prize winners will be contacted in August 2023.

Grand Prize Collage

Reading Recommendations for Kids from IndyPL Staff

3, 2, 1…Blast Off Books for Little Astronauts!
Have a kid that dreams of going to space? These are my favorite picture books about space, rockets, aliens, and astronauts! The books on this list are perfect for preschool-aged kids, but could be enjoyed by all ages. Are you ready to blast off?!

Graphic Novels About Space
Get ready for space camp! These fun and informative graphic novels will entertain even the most stubborn rocket scientist.

Heroes of Space
Learn more about the people who have traversed the cosmos - and the ones who made it possible and inspired others to keep pushing the boundaries of what's possible! Here you can find books about (and by) space heroes, and all you need to inspire you to reach for the stars!

Heroes of Space for Little Astronauts
For hundreds of years, people around the world have been studying and exploring outer space! After the the launch of Sputnik (the first satellite) in 1957, animals and then people were sent to the moon and beyond. But the astronauts who landed the rocket ships aren't the only heroes; thousands of scientists, mathematicians, and engineers worked their hardest to make space travel a reality! Learn more about the men, women, and animals who all played a part in exploring space!

If You Liked...An Elephant and Piggie Biggie
These colorful and funny friends are always up to something silly. If you're looking for your next favorite series after Elephant & Piggie, look no further!

If You Liked...The Hunger Games
The dystopian fiction craze continues! If you love the harsh and gritty world of "The Hunger Games," then check out these read-alikes.

If You Liked...The Magic Treehouse Collection
Adventure! Time travel! Magic! If you love the "Magic Tree House" series, try one of these series next.

Kids Explore Our Solar System
There's so much to learn about our solar system! These books, crammed with photos, drawings, and facts, invite kids to expand their understanding of their place in the universe.

Space Books for Future Astronauts
Calling all astronauts (ages 8-12)! Here are some fiction and nonfiction suggestions to get you prepared for your future launch.

Space Opera for Teens
Young adult fiction + space opera = adventure, romance, danger, high stakes, outkasts, and more! What more could you want?

A Trip to Our Moon and Stars for Little Astronauts
We've all looked to the stars and dreamed of what life is like beyond our atmosphere. If you've got a kid that's currently dreaming of life as an astronaut, these books will transport them to our moon and around the stars. These books are perfect for preschool-aged kids, but could be enjoyed by all ages!

2023 Summer Reading Program Sponsors