Summer 2025 in Northeast Wisconsin is brimming with opportunities for young readers to embark on literary adventures. Whether you’re in Appleton, Oshkosh, Green Bay, or the surrounding areas, there’s a summer reading program tailored for every age group. Dive into stories, check out fun family events, and earn exciting prizes—all while fostering a lifelong love for reading.
Sign up with your home library and start earning your summer reading badges today!
How to Participate:
- Register: Sign up at your local library or through their website. Many libraries use the Beanstack platform for easy tracking.
- Read and Log: Keep track of your reading hours and completed activities.
- Earn Rewards: As you reach milestones, collect badges and prizes to celebrate your achievements.
Fox Cities Libraries Summer Reading Programs
Appleton Public Library
The Appleton Public Library’s summer reading program runs from June 7 to August 16, 2025.
- Children (Ages 0-12) – Visit the children’s desk on the lower level of the library to pick up a reading log, or print one here. Start Reading!
- Prizes include:
- $25 Walmart Gift Card
- Ride to School in a Fire Truck
- Police Car Tour
- Bucket Lift Ride
- Historic Bank Vault Tour
- Space Rover Coding Robot
- Play Fishing Set
- Building for Kids Membership
- Talking Microscope
- Treats with the Mayor
- Kids Librarian for a Day
- Firehouse Tour
- Prizes include:
- Teen (Ages 13-17) & Adult (Ages 18 & up) – Visit the library’s information desk on the ground level near the red couch to register and pick up a reading log. Read two hours each week!
- Teen Prizes include:
- Owala water bottle
- Barnes & Noble gift card
- The Fire gift card
- Bonsai tree kit
- LEGO Creator 3 in 1 gift pack
- Diamond painting set
- Frio gift card
- Badgers Sports Park gift card
- Adult Prizes include:
- Owala water bottle
- Bird Feeder
- Reading Light
- LEGO Botanical
- Crochet Kit
- Family Membership to Appleton Historical Society
- Portable Mini Bluetooth Speaker
- $20 Appleton Downtown Inc Gift Certificate
- Scented Candle
- Teen Prizes include:
- Appleton Public Library, 225 N Oneida St, Appleton
Menasha Public Library
The Menasha Public Library’s Summer Reading Program runs from June 2 through August 2, 2025, and offers something for everyone. Participants can pick up a reading bookmark (choose from PreK/K, youth, teen, and adult) at the library to track their progress.
- Elisha D. Smith Public Library (also known as the Menasha Library), 440 1st St, Menasha
Kaukauna Public Library
Join in on a summer kickoff party on June 9, 2025, from 10 am – 4 pm with a magic show, icees, bubbles, art, prizes, and more.
- Kaukauna Public Library, 207 Thilmany Rd, Ste 200, Kaukauna
Kimberly Public Library
The 2025 Color Our World Summer Reading Program at the Kimberly Public Library invites readers of all ages—babies, children, teens, and adults—to celebrate the vibrant colors of the world through art, crafts, live performances, and exciting reading challenges. Participants can pick up a reading log at the library to track their reading and activities for a chance to win fun prizes. Registration begins Tuesday, May 27, and reading logs can start getting stamped on June 9. All reading logs must be submitted by August 9 to be eligible for prizes.
- Kimberly Public Library, 515 W Kimberly Ave, Kimberly
Little Chute Public Library
This year’s Summer Library Program at the Little Chute Public Library will focus on the theme of Great Lakes Waterways and runs from June 6 through August 30, 2025.
- Little Chute Public Library, 625 Grand Ave, Little Chute
Neenah Public Library
Neenah Public Library’s Summer Reading Challenge for babies through adults starts on Saturday, June 6, and will run through Saturday, August 22. Registration is open now; participants may pick up their reading logs starting Monday, May 5, 2025.
- Neenah Public Library, 240 East Wisconsin Avenue, Neenah
Oshkosh Public Library
This summer, the Oshkosh Public Library is celebrating 125 years on Washington Avenue and inviting the community to help write the next chapter. All ages are encouraged to take part in a season of stories, connection, and celebration through the library’s Summer Reading Challenge. Track reading with a paper tracker or digitally with the Reader Zone app.
- Oshkosh Public Library, 106 Washington Ave, Oshkosh
Other Summer Reading Programs & Incentives
Barnes & Noble
The Barnes & Noble Summer Reading Program is here to help your kids on their way, encouraging reading books of their own choosing to earn a FREE book, simply by following these three easy steps. The program is for kids entering grades 1-6.
- Read any eight books this summer and record them in your Summer Reading Journal (English or Español). Record which part of the book is your favorite, and why.
- Bring your completed journal to a Barnes & Noble store between July 1st and August 31, 2025.
- Choose your FREE reading adventure from the book list featured on the back of the journal.
Book It Program
Use the Pizza Hut BOOK IT!® Mobile App to set goals, track progress, and redeem rewards. During the summer months of June, July, and August, any child who meets their parent-set reading goals can earn a free Pizza Hut® single topping Personal Pan Pizza®* from participating locations.
Half Price Books
Starting June 1, registered participants have access to printable camp components all summer, including reading lists, activity ideas, and coloring sheets. You can also visit your local HPB to receive a copy of your camper’s Summer Reading Log, cool camp stickers, and information on how to earn $5 Bookworm Bucks in June and July! Learn more here >
Scholastic Summer Reading Challenge
This reading challenge consists of 10 badges for children to color in as they complete each reading goal.
- Read a book set in a different country.
- Read the first book of a new series.
- Read a book while traveling or on-the-go.
- Read a book under the summer sun.
- Read a book that features your favorite character.
- Read a book that makes you laugh.
- Read a book by a new-to-you author.
- Read a book to your friends or family.
- Read a book about animals.
- Read a book about an epic adventure.
