FREE Summer Challenge Reading & Activities Program
Let’s You ‘Discover the World’ May 15 to July 31
at the Las Vegas-Clark County Library District!
Beat Summer Boredom, Sharpen School Skills & Win Cool Prizes
from Vegas Golden Knights, Las Vegas Raiders, Smith Center,
Freed’s Bakery & More
Sign Up Early from May 1-14 & Qualify to Win NBA 2K Summer League Tickets!
Looking for fun and engaging ways to keep everyone learning this summer? The Library District’s Summer Challenge reading and activities program for kids, teens, and adults takes place from May 15 to July 31, featuring great prizes from the Vegas Golden Knights, Las Vegas Raiders, Smith Center, Freed’s Bakery, plus FREE Library District swag, and more (see full list below).
And for more prizes: Participants who sign up early from May 1-14, will be entered for a special drawing to win family 4-pack of tickets to NBA 2K Summer League games in July!
The theme for this year’s Summer Challenge invites participants to “Discover the World” through our local libraries.
“As summer approaches, parents and caregivers are looking for fun, meaningful ways to keep kids engaged and learning,” said Las Vegas-Clark County Library District Executive Director Kelvin Watson. “Research shows that over those summer months, children and teens can lose important academic skills, which we call ‘summer slide.’ That’s why Summer Challenge is our biggest event of the year, to motivate kids with great prizes and show them that learning can be fun.
According to Watson, the Library District’s FREE Summer Challenge program is for all ages, even babies.
“This year’s theme, ‘Discover the World,’ invites kids, teens, and adults to explore new ideas, cultures, and experiences through their local libraries,” Watson said, “and even babies and toddlers can participate. Parents can read to them, sing songs, explore nature, and talk about everyday activities like grocery shopping. The first five years of a child’s life are critical in early brain development. These simple moments to share together builds a lifelong love of learning.”
Watson added that the program is just as engaging for adults. “Many adults are looking for their next beach read or a way to escape the heat with new hobbies,” he explained. “Summer Challenge offers activities for all ages, from reading anything they like, even comic books or poetry, to learning a new language, using a 3D printer, and creating music. Everything you read, do, or discover earns credits toward prizes from our amazing community partners. We are grateful for their support in promoting literacy across the Las Vegas Valley.”
2025 Summer Challenge partners include: Vegas Golden Knights, Las Vegas Raiders, NBA 2K Summer League, The Smith Center, Freed’s Bakery, Handel’s Homemade Ice Cream, Raising Cane’s Chicken Fingers, Panda Express, Cox, Three Square, Nevada Arts Council, Vegas PBS, Peaceful Valley Donkey Rescue, and University of Nevada Extension.
The Library District makes it easy to participate in Summer Challenge with suggested weekly line-ups of fascinating, FREE events, and activities. Visit any of our 25 branches and discover art galleries, live performances, craft and language classes, job skills training, hands-on technology experiences – the list of possibilities is endless!
Kickoff Events May 16-27
Check out Summer Challenge kickoff events at all 25 branch locations. Activities vary by location and are always FREE. All attendees can pick up some cool giveaways – and enjoy games and travel-themed crafts, while supplies last!
Here’s just a sample of what you will find:
· Sahara West Library (Wednesday, May 14, 4 p.m. – 5:30 p.m.) – Giant Bowling, Ring Toss, Hot Air Balloon Craft, Mini Suitcase Craft, and Travel Journal Craft for kids. Pony Bead Keychain Craft for teens. Plinko Prize Game for adults.
· Searchlight Library (Thursday, May 22, 11:30 a.m. – 5 p.m.) Mini Travel Journals with Bonnie Kelso. Travel map mason jars and map ornaments: Craft your own travel jars with a map of Nevada and some mod podge. Nature Bingo and Kite painting for Kids.
· East Las Vegas Library (Saturday, May 24, 12 p.m. – 2 p.m.) Games, pizza, and a performance from 123 Andrés! the Latin GRAMMY Award-winning duo that brings beats and rhythms from all over Latin America. Plus, get a chance to spin the prize wheel to earn a prize!
Visit TheLibraryDistrict.org/SummerChallenge for events and dates all summer long or stop by your nearest branch and talk to a friendly librarian. We are here to help!
Here’s How Summer Challenge Works
It’s simple. Participate in activities like storytimes, maker spaces, crafts & painting, hands-on technology like 3D printing, plus guest lectures, astrology, poetry writing, learning the guitar, and so much more! And read whatever you like: books, audiobooks, comic books, graphic novels, poetry, the daily news—anything you enjoy. Simply record your progress on the paper logs available to pick up at any library branch or visit TheLibraryDistrict.org/SummerChallenge and follow the link to Beanstack, where you can track your progress online. All participants qualify for prizes each time they complete a level, while supplies last. You can earn great prizes including Library District swag for completing each level.
Discover the Power of a Library Card
Your FREE library card unlocks a wonderful world of discovery! Visit your local library branch to sign up for a library card or sign up online and #GetCarded today. You will then start receiving our twice monthly eNewsletters to keep you updated on hundreds of events at our libraries across the valley.
Library cardholders also enjoy FREE, 24/7 access to our vast collection of eBooks, eAudiobooks, Movies, and Music, which you can stream or download for FREE; plus, online resources such as CreativeBug, Rosetta Stone, LinkedIn Learning, and other online learning tools, anytime, anywhere. You can even access national publications like fashion and health magazines, plus The Wall Street Journal and The New York Times, all for FREE on TheLibraryDistrict.org.Or visit your nearest library branch in person to borrow books, CDs, DVDs, graphic novels, video games, toys, iPads, internet hotspots, and laptops.
About the Las Vegas-Clark County Library District
The award-winning Las Vegas-Clark County Library District is an independent taxing entity that serves a diverse community across 8,000 square miles. Through its 25 branches and website, the Library District offers a collection of 3.6 million items, including books, movies, music (including streaming and downloadable), online resources, and free programs for all ages. The Library District’s new Free To Be public education campaign demonstrates the vital and vibrant role that the library plays in Las Vegas, offering unexpected experiences; limitless learning; business and career advancement; government and social services support; and best of all, a place where customers find a sense of culture and community. For more information, and to support Library District programs, please visit TheLibraryDistrict.org.