2026 Children's Summer Reading Club
Tuesday, June 23 - Saturday, August 15, 2026
The club's got books for reading
And great prizes for claiming
It's got almost everything
Alright, no lion-taming!
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In 2025, Summer Readers logged over 4,310 hours of reading!
Dear Kids:
If you join the Summer Reading Club you'll get to:
a. Play the Plinko Prize-Picker-Outer (if you read for 2.5 hours)
b. Qualify for the grand raffle with a chance to win, are you ready ... a bicycle (if you read for 24 hours over the eight weeks of the program)
c. Become really, really smart - okay, you ARE smart but now you'll be even smarter!
About the Children's Summer Reading Club
If you read for at least 2.5 hours a week (and keep track of it online) you get to play our Plinko game and reap your true rewards. You can win gift certificates for bowling, ice cream, mini golf, and other great prizes. And if you read for 24 hours over the eight weeks of the program, you'll qualify for the grand raffle with a chance to win a bike! But he greatest prize of all is the smartness you'll get in your brain from reading all those books!
Summer Readers can begin logging their reading on Tuesday, June 23.
Track Your Reading
Click here to log your reading:
This year's online Summer Reading Club tracker is hosted by Reader Zone. Go to ReaderZone.com and click the "Sign up" button or download the Reader Zone app and create a profile. Be sure to include an e-mail address and phone number so you can be contacted about prizes!
To join Maynard's Children's Summer Reading Club, enter this code: CODE COMING IN JUNE
If you've used Reader Zone in the past, that account will work this summer too! Library staff are not able to reset passwords - you will have to do that - but we may be able to tell you what email address is associated with your account.
For an overview of how to use Reader Zone, visit our Reader Zone Help Page.
If you need additional Reader Zone help, contact Casey at cpetipas-haggerty@minlib.net
Prizes
Prizes will be available starting Wednesday, July 8.
Play the Plinko* board: Read two and a half hours Wednesday through Tuesday^ and log the time on Reader Zone before 11:59pm on Tuesday night to qualify! Come to the library to get the weekly prize and play the Plinko board on Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, or Saturday each week.
Didn't read for two and a half hours? Stop by to chat with Mr. Mark and pick up the weekly prize for the reading you did do!
Can't make it to the library? If you read 2.5 hours but aren't able to come for Plinko, that's ok! You can play for any missed weeks on your next visit. You will only get that week's weekly prize, though. If you aren't able to visit the library during any of regular Plinko hours, please call the Children's Desk (978-897-1010 x106) so we can schedule a time for you to claim your prizes.
The Plinko board will be set up on the 3rd Floor of the Library on:
Wednesdays 2:30pm - 4:30pm
Thursdays 4:00pm - 7:00pm
Fridays 2:00pm - 3:45pm
Saturdays 12:00pm - 1:30pm
The first day of Plinko is Wednesday, July 8 and the last day is Saturday, August 15.
* What is Plinko? If you've never experienced the excitement of Plinko here's how it works. Players drop a disk down a big wood board that has a bunch of bumpers in the middle. On its way down, the disk bounces off the bumpers until it reaches one of the eight slots at the bottom, each containing a prize. Whichever slot it lands in holds the prize the Plinko-player gets.
^The first "week" of reading is actually 2 weeks long: Tuesday June 23 - Tuesday July 7.
Summer Activities
Come into the Library for scavenger hunts, puzzles, and more, or try the Reader Zone Challenges at home!
This summer, Mr. Mark has three scavenger hunts:
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Mr. Mark's Barnyard Bonanza
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Mr. Mark's Shanty Surprise and Pirate Treasure Hunt
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Scavenger Hunt #3 to be revealed soon!
Reader Zone Challenges
Reader Zone Challenges are optional activities that can be tracked on Reader Zone. Each challenge can be completed in the library or at home/via email (mmalcolm@minlib.net). Compete the challenge, log it on Reader Zone, and get a digital award!
Make Mr. Mark Laugh
So you think you're funny? Well, come up with a riddle or a joke, make a crazy face, do a funny dance, pull your pants up over your shirt - the point is if you can make Mr. Mark laugh, you'll get a digital award. Email a joke, upload a picture on Reader Zone, or do something crazy in person.
Strut Your Stuff
Do you have a talent? Mr. Mark wants to see it! It could be singing, dancing, he happens to love good hopping, a cartwheel, kazoo-playing, or even cleaning things, like Mr. Mark's office. Alright, you don't have to clean his office! Show off your feats, and you'll get a digital award and a toy!
Stump the Librarian
Okay, this isn't going to be easy because librarians know EVERYTHING! But if you could possibly come up with a question that Mr. Mark does NOT know the answer to, you'll get a digital award! Write down the question on a slip of paper or email it to Mr. Mark. Once you've stumped Mr. Mark, go to Reader Zone and say "YES!" But undertake this challenge at your own risk - Mr. Mark will show no mercy!
P.S. You must be able to document the answer to your question.
The "Write" Stuff
Write a story using these three words somewhere in it (note: it can be as long or short as you want.):
a. librarian
b. hero
c. smart
Email it to Mr. Mark, upload a photo on Reader Zone, or bring it to the library to get a prize.
Summer Events
These are just a few of the summer children's events. See the Library calendar for more programs.
Annual Read-a-Thon
Tuesday, June 23, 2026
10:00am-1:00pm
In Memorial Park (rain location: 3rd Floor)
All Ages, No registration needed
For the Read-a-thon you'll get to:
a. Read to raise money for children's programs like animal and music shows
b. Get to eat free pizza and drinks
c. Read live and in-person outdoors!
Directions:
Read to raise money for the library. You hit up parents and relatives for pledges (i.e. - $.10 a page, $.25 a page). Then however many pages you read is how much money you raise. The money goes to pay for children's programs and activities. And to reward everyone for that noble task, everybody will be given free pizza and drinks.
**Crucial Announcement**
Donate $10 and win a gift certificate from Erikson's - Donate $50 or more to win three Erikson's certificates.
Click here to download the pledge sheet.
Summer Reading Club Kick-Off Movie Event
Wednesday, July 1, 2026
11:00 am
At the Fine Arts Theatre
All Ages, No registration needed
As an elite member of the Summer Reading Club, you're invited to attend an exclusive screening of a major motion picture at the Fine Arts Theatre.
Admission is free, but refreshments will cost extra.
Monthly Tween Crafts
Meets one Tuesday a month
6:00pm
In the Storytime Room
Ages 9-14, Registration Required (links coming soon)
Join Ms. Casey for a craft program for upper elementary and middle school-aged kids!
Dates & Craft:
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June 23, 2026: Caterpillar Bracelets
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July 14, 2026: Painted Suncatchers
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August Date TBA: Paper Squishies
Gilbert the Party Pig
Wednesday, July 8, 2026
10:30am
In Memorial Park
All ages, No registration required
Meet Gilbert the Party Pig. Kids and parents get to pet, feed, and watch the pig do amazing tricks. He does it all - now if we can only teach him to shelve books!
Presented by Michelle Burns
The Maynard Truck Parade
Wednesday, July 15, 2026 (rain date: July 22)
11:00am-12:30pm
At Maynard High School
All Ages, No registration needed
We'll all meet at Maynard High School to watch the trucks parade around the circular road in front of the school. We'll see the police car, the digger, the fire truck, and the most important vehicle... the ice cream truck. Then the trucks will park and kids will get to go around, see the trucks, meet the drivers, and yes, line up for free ice cream. It's a vital vehicular event!
Tiny Art Show
5th Annual Tiny Art Show
Kits available beginning Wednesday, July 15
OR attend an In-person Creating Event:
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Monday, July 20, 2026 from 2:00pm-4:00pm in the Storytime Room
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Tuesday, July 28, 2026 from 6:00pm-8:00pm in the Storytime Room
All Ages, No registration needed.
Show dates: Saturday, August 1 - Saturday, August 15
Artists' Reception: Date TBA
Create artwork no larger than 4" at home or attend one of the two In-person creating events. Return the artwork by 9pm on Tuesday, July 28 for it to be included in a gallery show in the Roosevelt Room.
The Joys of Nature: Live Animal Show
Wednesday, July 29, 2026
10:30am
In Memorial Park
All ages, no registration needed
Most parks have birds, squirrels, and maybe a chipmunk if you're lucky. But at this event, Memorial Park will be transformed into an endangered species habitat with exotic reptiles and snakes. So come and meet these live creatures... if you dare!
The Ecotarium Rocket Launch
Wednesday, August 5, 2026
10:30am
In Memorial Park
Ages 7-13, Registration required (link coming soon)
You thought the Artemis II mission was big, wait til you see the Ecotarium Rocket Launch right down in Memorial Park. Kids will actually get a chance to make and shoot off their own rocket. And don't worry, after all that space travel, we'll have you back in time for lunch!
Presented by the Ecotarium.
If you want to visit the Ecotarium in Worcester, we have passes for discounted admission!
Juggling for Beginners
Wednesday, August 12, 2026
10:30am
In the Storytime Room
Ages 7+, Registration required (link coming soon)
Some libraries might have a nice craft activity or an art program. The Maynard Public Library is going for bigger stuff - Eastern Acrobatics will actually teach kids how to juggle! That's right - today juggling, tomrrow - the trapeze!
Presented by Eastern Acrobatics
End-of-Summer Pool Party & Raffle Extravaganza
Date & Time TBA
At the Thoreau Club
To reward everyone for the reading they did, the library is having an end-of-summer pool part at yes, the Thoreau Club! There will be swimming, snacks, and the most major event of all - the grand Final Summer Reading Club Raffle*.
*You must have read 24 hours over the eight weeks to qualify
More information and registration coming soon.
Take & Make Kits
All kits are available for pick-up at the Circulation Desk starting on the dates listed below while supplies last. Kits contain most, if not all, of the supplies needed. Scissors, glue, or other common items may be needed.
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Wednesday, June 24: Paper Fans, for ages 5-18
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Monday, June 29: Star-spangled Bracelets, for ages 3-12
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Wednesday, July 8: Cardboard Woven Flower, for ages 5-18
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Wednesday, July 22: Popsicle Stick Tractor, for ages 3-12
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Wednesday, July 29: Button Vases, for ages 7-adult
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Wednesday, August 5: Foam Garden Creatures, for ages 3-12
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Wednesday, August 12: Flower & Butterfly Pens, for ages 5-adult
Many thanks to...
The Summer Reading Club would not be possible without the support of the Friends of Maynard Public Library, numerous local businesses, volunteers, statewide organizations, and museums.
We are incredibly grateful to all the local businesses who donated prizes for weekly prizes, the Plinko board, and the Final Raffle - a full list is coming soon!
Thank you to the Discovery Museum, Erikson's Ice Cream, the Western Mass Library Advocates, the Eric Carle Museum, the U.S.S. Constitution Museum, Yankee Candle, & the Holyoke Children's Museum for Final Raffle prizes.
Thank you to the volunteers who keep the Children's Summer Reading Club running smoothly.
"Plant a Seed, Read", the Massachusetts Statewide Summer Library Program, is funded by the Massachusetts Library System, the Boston Bruins, and the Massachusetts Board of Library Commissioners.
The theme of "Plant a Seed, Read" and related artwork is provided by iRead and the Illinois Library Association. Artwork used in the Children's program was created by Pete Oswald (Food Group characters) and Hatem Aly.
