Let the Quest for Adventure Continue!
Join The New York Public Library for our six-week virtual summer camp program—now available in full online for kids of all ages! Watch videos featuring NYPL librarians and staff to help kids and their families learn about and complete projects. Check out our downloadable Activity Packet for other ideas of projects you can do at home.
Activities are suggested in three age categories:
- Pre-K–Grade 2
- Grades 3–5
- Middle School & Up
Click here to check out selected highlights of our online activities and technology challenges!
When your quest is over—at least for now!—don't forget to download your Summer Reading completion certificate to mark your epic achievement.
Stay Up to Date with Our Virtual Summer Camp Activities
Sign up for the NYPL Kids e-newsletter to get virtual summer camp activities and the weekly challenge in your inbox every week. Plus, find out about exciting author talks and online programs, great book recommendations, and more ways you can participate in the Library Summer Reading program!
Download Your Summer Reading Completion Certificate
You've done it! Your quest is over—at least for now. Celebrate your legendary achievement by downloading your special Summer Reading completion certificate now.
Week 1
Discover Your Strengths
June 29–July 3
What makes you uniquely awesome? How can you use your strengths to support your community?
Activity Sneak Preview
Identity Puzzle: Design a piece jigsaw puzzle with each piece showcasing a part of your personality.
Week 2
Assemble Your Team and Toolkit
July 6-10
Who are the people who can help you on your journey? What tools do you have to help you in your quest?
Activity Sneak Preview
Inventing a Tool: Create a tool using paper maché or baked play dough that can help you strengthen your community.
Week 3
Map Your World
July 13-17
What makes your world, real or imagined, unique and interesting? How can you make your world a better place?
Activity Sneak Preview
Documenting Your New York: Look at NYPL's Digital Collections and find a photo building close to your home from our historical collections. Recreate the photo on your own. Compare, contrast, and reflect upon what makes NYC special to you.
Week 4
Face the Unknown
July 20-24
What challenges do you face in your life, as your real self or an imaginary hero? What are the challenges faced by your world or community (real or imagined)?
Activity Sneak Preview
Build Your Own Escape Room: Design a series of clues and puzzles in an escape room format. Challenge other people in your household to solve the puzzles.
Week 5
Lead Your Mission
July 27-31
How do you deal with challenges in your life? What do you do to solve them? What does it feel like to work on a mission, quest, or challenge?
Activity Sneak Preview
"My Own Superhero" Comics: Design a comic strip that tells the story of how you overcame a challenge. Take inspiration from the characters in myths, folktales, and fairytales, as well as your favorite graphic novels and comic books.
Week 6
Look to the Future
August 3-7
Thinking back, what have you learned over the course of the summer? How can you use what you’ve learned to continue to be your own hero and strengthen your community?
Activity Sneak Preview
Gratitude Jar: Decorate a jar or container. With your family, write down things you are thankful for or proud of. Continue adding to your gratitude jar on a daily basis.
Summer Reading 2020
Discover all the ways the Library can help make this a summer of creative deeds, fantastic storytelling, and literary escapades—and how we support kids, teens, and their families with resources and more all year round.
