Illustrations by Anthony Carpenter
Starting June 1, 2026!
This year, we will take you on a Summer Wonder journey of reading, learning and experiencing!
The challenge is designed for multiple learning styles to keep families engaged and inspired. KDL is excited to bring you a spectacular summer of outdoor discovery, scavenger hunts, reading, STEAM activities and lots of fun for everyone.
Get Started
On Paper
Stop in to any KDL branch to pick up tracking logs or download and print it yourself (PDF).
Online
- Login to Beanstack and register for Summer Wonder.
- Record your activities in Beanstack from June 1 thru August 7.
- Contact us if you need any help.
Beanstack helps you track activities for multiple people. Simply install the app or login to the Beanstack website.
Prizes
All Summer Wonder completers will receive a prize:
- Birth through age 17 will choose a free book.
- Adults will receive a cool hat.
- All completers will be entered in the drawing for Meijer gift cards and gift baskets.
Find Curi at Kent County Parks
Free Lunches
We are partnering with Feeding America of West Michigan to provide free lunches to students on weekdays from June 8 - Sept 4 (four weeks after Summer Wonder ends).
All-Star Readers!
Reach 45 days of activities between June 1 and August 7 (that's 15 extra days) for a chance to win a $50 gift card to a local bookstore! Plus, you'll help Kent County Parks plant more trees. Log those extra days in Beanstack or ask a librarian for an All-Star Reader paper log starting on June 30.
Activities To Do Together
Our Littlest Readers (age 0-4) benefit from the Success Basics:
- LOVE: Maximize love and minimize stress
- TALK, sing and point
- COUNT, group and compare
- PLAY: Explore through movement and play
- READ and discuss stories
Sign up your little one for 1000 Books Before Kindergarten (1KB4K) to make reading together a daily habit.
All ages can benefit by exploring suggested activities with friends and family this summer. Which will you try?
- Visit Kent County Parks together to explore nature and outdoor adventures.
- Explore STEAM activities (below)
- Write and illustrate a story together.
- Make art together. Try chalk, paint, collage or more!
- Attend a library program!
- Read aloud to a pet or family member.
STEAM Activities for Any Age
Activities For On Your Own
Writing Prompts
- Imagine that you can create your own world. Draw a map! Describe your surroundings. What creatures and plants would you see? What rules would you set in your world?
- Write a how-to guide on how to make your favorite meal! Explore cookbooks for great ideas.
- You are going to the Moon. Make a list of 10 things you need to pack into your suitcase and explain why you need each item.
- Have you ever gone to summer camp? What was it like? If you haven't been to a summer camp, write a fictional story about your ideal experience.
- One day you are walking through your local park when all of a sudden...
For Everyone
READ (or listen) for at least 20 minutes.
WRITE a story, letter, journal entry or poem.
ATTEND any of our events.
DO or explore something new.
Visit a new park. Find Curi too!
Try a new recipe.
Explore a new hobby.
For Teens
Create your story for the Teen Graphic Novel Contest.
Experiment with different types of journaling: bullet, art, travel, junk, and more. Attend a journaling event.
Attend a teen gaming program.
Hang out with other teens at a Teen Zone program.
Attend a teen drawing program to prepare for the Teen Graphic Novel Contest.
Listen to an episode of the Stump the Librarian podcast.
For Adults
Attend an online KDL Author Talk.
Work on a story for the Write Michigan short story contest.
Learn a new career skill with LinkedIn Learning.
Try journaling: try bullet, art, junk or travel journaling to find what works for you.
Begin learning a new language with Rosetta Stone or ASLdeafined.
Watch a movie on Kanopy.
Reserve a PerkPass to visit a local attraction.
Attend a library program for adults (bingo, crafting, book clubs, etc.).
Check out a Beyond Books item.
Browse themed book displays (in a branch) or explore our staff book lists to find your next great read.
From captivating animal programs to mesmerizing magicians and beyond, KDL brings you an array of exciting free events for all ages this summer!
