This summer, rediscover the joy of gaming and learning with the "Level Up at Your Library" program! Whether you're into board games, video games, or reading challenges, there's something for everyone. This all-ages adventure encourages you to log your reading and activities, explore new games, and unleash your creativity.
Program Details and How to Participate
Participants can track their progress by logging books, hours, and activities either online or through a paper log. The Summer Reading Program offers a wide array of activities tailored for different age groups, ensuring everyone can join in the fun.
Activities for Babies, Toddlers, and Young Children (Ages 0-5)
Engage your little ones with a variety of activities designed to boost their development and creativity:
- Attend a Summer Library Event: Local San Diego Public Library (SDPL) locations host events with storytime, crafts, music, and games. Check the Library Market Calendar to find a program near you.
- Experience Diverse Games: Explore children’s games played in different countries and introduce your child to new cultures.
- Step Outside and Play: Enjoy outdoor games like tummy time, bubble blowing, mini-obstacle courses, hide and seek, or scavenger hunts in your backyard or a nearby park.
- Play a Board Game: Rediscover classics like Candyland or matching games, or explore new board games at your local SDPL location.
- Try Peek-a-Boo Time: Engage in finger-play songs and games like Patty Cake or The Itsy Bitsy Spider. These activities boost language skills, critical thinking, and emotional development.
- Use Your Imagination: Create a cozy space for pretend play using everyday items like blankets as capes or boxes as spaceships. Read stories together and let your child’s imagination lead the way.
- Explore Sensory Games: Engage your child’s senses with activities like hiding and finding objects, pouring water, matching colors, or playing grocery store.
- Sing and Play: Combine music and movement with games like Freeze Dance, Hot Potato, or Musical Chairs. Play sing-alongs or explore music apps.
- Create Your Own Character: Encourage your child to design a unique character with special powers and a detailed background. Bring the character to life through drawing, sculpting, or storytelling.
For interactive learning, visit the AWE Learning Station at your local library or access ABC Mouse on a library computer.
Activities for Children (Ages 6-11)
Keep older children engaged with activities that foster creativity, teamwork, and exploration:
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- Attend a Summer Library Event: Participate in games, science experiments, music sessions, and craft workshops at your local SDPL location.
- Host a Game Night: Gather family or friends for an evening of board games, video games like Super Smash Bros., or new discoveries.
- Level Up Your Crafting Skills: Use recycled materials to create characters and worlds inspired by Super Mario, Minecraft, or Pokémon. Design your own board game or attend Comic-Con Convention for inspiration.
- Create Your Own Universe: Design your own game world with unique characters and challenges using kid-friendly tools like Scratch, Tynker, or Code.org.
- Explore Games from Around the World: Discover and play games like Oonch Neech from Pakistan or La Lotería from Mexico.
- Transform Yourself with Cosplay: Choose a character and create a costume using thrift store finds or recycled materials.
- Compose a Song: Draw inspiration from movie or video game music and write your own song lyrics.
- Try an Outdoor Game: Enjoy outdoor activities like basketball, dodgeball, or frisbee, and add creative twists to the rules.
Activities for Teens and Adults
Teens and adults can explore a range of activities designed for fun and learning:
- Attend a Summer Library Event: Engage in video games, book clubs, music sessions, crafts, and learning opportunities at your local SDPL location.
- Host a Game Night: Organize a friendly competition with board games, card games, or Super Smash Bros. tournaments.
- Level Up Your Crafting Skills: Use recycled materials to bring game characters and universes to life. Visit an IDEA Lab for access to advanced equipment like dye-sublimation printers and 3D printers.
- Play a Video Game: Dive into classic games like Super Mario, Candy Crush, or Elder Scrolls on consoles, computers, or smartphones.
- Take a Gaming Journey: Visit local arcades or video game stores, or attend Comic-Con for hands-on fun and cosplay.
- Create Your Own Universe: Develop a character or universe inspired by games like Fortnite or Pokémon, detailing its environment, culture, and characters in a journal. Use free 3D rendering tutorials and software like Blender or Unity to visualize your creations.
- Explore Games from Around the World: Try games like Mahjong from China or La Loteria from Mexico.
- Transform Yourself with Cosplay: Research a character’s costume and create your own using thrift store finds, old clothing, or IDEA Lab equipment.
- Compose a Song: Write your own song lyrics inspired by movie or video game music, and use online tools like BeepBox or GarageBand to create your own music.
- Try an Outdoor Game: Engage in outdoor activities like kickball, volleyball, or mini golf, and add creative twists to the rules.
Finisher Prizes
Participants who complete the Summer Reading Program can earn prizes while supplies last, with one prize set per participant.
Children (Ages 0-11):
- Pass for 2 for the San Diego Natural History Museum (the NAT)
- Pass for 2 for the San Diego Model Railroad Museum
- Pass for 2 for the San Diego Automotive Museum
- Pass for 1 for the Children’s Discovery Museum
- 1 free cookie at Mendocino Farms
- 1 free kid’s meal at Denny’s
Teens (Ages 12-17):
- Pass for 2 for the San Diego Natural History Museum (the NAT)
- Pass for 2 for the San Diego Model Railroad Museum
- Pass for 2 for the San Diego Automotive Museum
- 1 free cookie at Mendocino Farms
Teens also have the opportunity to win exclusive drawing prizes throughout the summer. Sign up online by July 31st for a chance to win a deluxe plush toy, and complete the Summer Reading Program for a chance to win a Pop Mart Labubu Tasty Macarons Blind Box.
Summer Reading Kick-Off & Finale Celebrations
San Diego Public Library locations celebrate the Summer Reading Program with community events, live performances, and hands-on activities. The Mira Mesa Library will host Game Jam 2025, a video game design event, and Game Jam Jr.
Free Summer Lunch for Youth
From June 9, 2025, to August 1, 2025, the San Diego Public Library partners with the San Diego Unified School District to provide free lunch for youth at the College-Rolando Library and Skyline Hills Library.
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