Children’s
Summer Reading
AGES 0 TO 8
JUNE 8 through August 1
- When you complete a goal by reading or being read to, come into the library for a small prize.
- Any reading done before June 8th DOES NOT COUNT towards summer reading challenges.
- You must have your initialed paper log OR have logged your reading online.
- You must choose either paper or online for the duration of the program, you cannot go back and forth.
- You may substitute one activity for a daily reading time 2 times each week OR do them all just for fun!
- Get prizes on OR after the dates listed below.
Program may not be repeated! Only 1 set of prizes per person per summer.
NO PRIZES will be given after Saturday, August 1, 2026
Prizes
You can read ahead of schedule, but prizes won’t be available until their release date. If you miss a week, you can collect it the next time.
For example, if you come in July 6, and haven’t gotten any prizes yet, you can pick up prize number 1 and 2. If you’ve read past that point, and are ready for prize 3, you’ll have to wait until July 20 to get that next prize.
Prizes will be available any time after their first availability date until August 1, while supplies last.
NO PRIZES AFTER AUGUST 1
Prize Schedule
- Weeks 1 & 2: June 8-20: Program sign-ups only; no prizes available yet
- Week 3 & 4: June 22-July 2: Prize 1 available starting June 22
- Week 5 & 6: July 6-18: Prize 2 available starting July 6
- Week 7 & 8: July 20-August 1: Prize 3 available starting July 20
- Last Day to Sign Up: July 25
- Last Day to Collect Prizes: August 1
No Child Left Behind, and No Child Left Inside!
The Youth Explorer Passes from Idaho State Parks will waive the entry fee for one vehicle for one day to any Idaho state park.
Ask your librarian for more information!
Summer Reading Programs
Dino Babies
0 to 2 Year Olds
T. Rex Kids
3 to 5 year Olds
Triceratops Readers
6 to 8 year Olds
Summer Reading 2026 Rules
Dino Babies
- Readers have from June 8 to August 1 to be read to 5 minutes each day. There are three reading goals this year, one every two weeks (50 minutes per challenge).
- You may use board books (BB), picture books (E), Easy Readers (JE), or even the same book over and over again.
- Digital books and audios are also allowed. Your adult can get Libby for free through their app store. Learn how to use it at our Digital Items page or have your adult come talk to a librarian.
- Books shared at Book Babies and Toddler Time also count!
- Each Dino Babies Reading Goal has additional activities or challenges you can choose to do in place of TWO 5-minute reading sessions; each one may be used only once per challenge. For example, you may count “Attend MLD Book Babies/Toddler Time” only once per challenge. In Beanstack, make sure you log 5 minutes of reading under the “LOGGING” badge area for each additional activity completed!
- Then… come to the Madison Library District lobby when you have completed a Dino Babies Reading Goal to receive a prize. You can collect a new prize every two weeks!
Finished early? Ask about our year-round 1000 Books Before Kindergarten program.
Additional Activities:
Week 1: Dino Play
- Attend MLD Book Babies / Toddler Time.
- Thread ribbon/scarves through the holes in a laundry basket and have your child pull them out.
- Learn a new knee bounce or rock.
- Have your child crumble paper into balls and toss them in a box.
- Try tossing a bean bag into a basket.
Week 2: Fresh Dirt
- Attend MLD Book Babies / Toddler Time.
- Introduce your child to some new veggies.
- Hide a small object under upside down bowls and have your child find it.
- Go on a walk and find some natural treasures: leaves, rocks, pine cones.
- Roll a ball back and forth with your child.
Week 3: America 250th
- Attend MLD Book Babies / Toddler Time.
- Learn and do a new knee bounce rhyme.
- Make a homemade shaker from a cardboard tube and rice/beans.
- Turn on the music and have a dance party.
- Attend a city America 250 event as a family.
Week 4: Digging for Information
- Attend MLD Book Babies / Toddler Time.
- Use cardboard or a cookie sheet to make a ramp to roll balls down.
- Gather pictures of family members and make a Face Book.
- Play “Peek-a-Boo” with your child, using a scarf or towel.
- Let your child “wash” lids in a shallow tub of water.
Week 5: Paleontology
- Attend MLD Book Babies / Toddler Time.
- Freeze small toys into an ice block, take it outside and let your child excavate.
- Have your child push toys into playdough or salt dough to make fossils.
- Have your child practice pouring cereal from one cup to another.
- Recycle food boxes into building blocks.
Week 6: Archeology
- Attend MLD Book Babies / Toddler Time.
- Make your own DIY sensory bin.
- Make a tunnel out of a large box and encourage your child to crawl through.
- Learn a new clapping/counting game like “Pat a Cake.”
- Let your child “paint” the sidewalk with water.
Summer Reading 2026 Rules
T. Rex Kids
- Readers have from June 8 to August 1 to read (or be read to) 10 minutes each day. There are three reading destinations this year, one every two weeks (100 minutes per challenge).
- You may use board books (BB), picture books (E), Easy Readers (JE), or even the same book over and over again.
- Digital books and audios are also allowed. Your adult can get Libby for free through their app store. Learn how to use it at our Digital Items page or have your adult come talk to a librarian.
- Books shared at Story Time also count!
- Each T. Rex Kids Reading Goal has additional activities or challenges you can choose to do in place of TWO 10-minute reading sessions; each one may be used only once per challenge. For example, you may count “Attend a MLD Storytime” only once per challenge. In Beanstack, make sure you log 10 minutes of reading under the “LOGGING” badge area for each additional activity completed!
- Then… come to the Madison Library District lobby when you have completed a T. Rex Kids Reading Goal to receive a prize. You can collect a new prize every two weeks!
Finished early? Ask about our year-round 1000 Books Before Kindergarten program.
Additional Activities:
Week 1: Dino Play
- Attend a MLD Storytime.
- Find and read a story on the Libby app.
- Create a dance for your favorite dinosaur.
- Make dinosaur art.
- Make your own dinosaur matching game.
Week 2: Fresh Dirt
- Attend a MLD Storytime.
- Find and read a story on the Libby app.
- Take a walk around your neighborhood and collect items to make a nature collage.
- Try stamping with cut fruits/vegetables and paint.
- Have a picnic at a park.
Week 3: America 250th
- Attend a MLD Storytime.
- Find and read a story on the Libby app.
- Attend a city America 250 event as a family.
- Learn some new USA facts.
- Crank up the music and dance.
Week 4: Digging for Information
- Attend a MLD Storytime.
- Find and read a story on the Libby app.
- Draw your family portrait.
- Make a boat out of household items.
- Make a blanket fort.
Week 5: Paleontology
- Attend a MLD Storytime.
- Find and read a story on the Libby app.
- Make your own fossils in salt dough.
- Freeze small toys/dinosaurs in ice, then take them outside and excavate.
- Learn some new dinosaur facts.
Week 6: Archeology
- Attend a MLD Storytime.
- Find and read a story on the Libby app.
- Try making a pot out of clay or playdough.
- Go on an Alphabet hunt, find things that start with the different letters.
- Use chalk to draw lines representing your height and your favorite dinosaur, then compare.
Summer Reading 2026 Rules
Triceratops Readers
- Readers have from June 8 to August 1 to read (or be read to) 15 minutes each day. There are three reading destinations this year, one every two weeks (150 minutes per challenge).
- You may use picture books (E), Easy Readers (JE), Junior Fiction (JF), or Junior Graphic Novels (JG).
- Digital books and audios are also allowed. Your adult can get Libby for free through their app store. Learn how to use it at our Digital Items page or have your adult come talk to a librarian.
- Each Triceratops Readers Reading Goal has additional activities or challenges you can choose to do in place of TWO 15-minute reading sessions; each one may be used only once per challenge. For example, you may count “Complete/attend a Summer STEM from your Library activity” only once per challenge. In Beanstack, make sure you log 15 minutes of reading under the “LOGGING” badge area for each additional activity completed!
- Then… come to the Madison Library District lobby when you have completed a Triceratops Readers Reading Goal to receive a prize. You can collect a new prize every two weeks!
Additional Activities:
Week 1: Dino Play
- Attend/complete a Summer STEM from your Library activity.
- Ready, Set… RECHARGE! Complete an activity in the guidebook & pick-up your FREE brag tag from the business.
- Create a dinosaur using recycled materials.
- Learn some new dinosaur facts.
- Create an acrostic poem using a dinosaur name.
Week 2: Fresh Dirt
- Attend/complete a Summer STEM from your Library activity.
- Ready, Set… RECHARGE! Complete an activity in the guidebook & pick-up your FREE brag tag from the business.
- Try making rock candy at home.
- Go on a walk and look for cool rocks.
- Make your own invisible ink and write a message.
Week 3: America 250th
- Attend/complete a Summer STEM from your Library activity.
- Ready, Set… RECHARGE! Complete an activity in the guidebook & pick-up your FREE brag tag from the business.
- Try to learn the names of all 50 states.
- Make underwater fireworks with food coloring and oil.
- Attend a city America 250 event as a family.
Week 4: Digging for Information
- Attend/complete a Summer STEM from your Library activity.
- Ready, Set… RECHARGE! Complete an activity in the guidebook & pick-up your FREE brag tag from the business.
- Create prehistoric landscapes and dinosaurs with blocks or LEGO bricks.
- Have a family game night.
- Make a favorite recipe with your family.
Week 5: Paleontology
- Attend/complete a Summer STEM from your Library activity.
- Ready, Set… RECHARGE! Complete an activity in the guidebook & pick-up your FREE brag tag from the business.
- Make your own fossils with salt dough.
- Play dinosaur trivia with friends or family.
- Go outside and make giant bubbles.
Week 6: Archeology
- Attend/complete a Summer STEM from your Library activity.
- Ready, Set… RECHARGE! Complete an activity in the guidebook & pick-up your FREE brag tag from the business.
- Try carefully excavating chocolate chips from a cookie.
- Try writing your name in Egyptian hieroglyphics.
- Visit a museum in person or virtually.
Summer Reading Events
Book Babies
Wednesdays at 9:30 am
1 to 9 Month Olds
Toddler Time
Mondays & Tuesdays
at 9:30 am
10 month to 3 Year Olds
Story Time
Tuesdays & Wednesdays at 10:30 am,
Tuesdays at 6:30 pm
3 to 5 Year Olds
Summer STEM from your library
Tuesdays at 2:00 pm
6 to 11 Year Olds
Don't Forget Our Free
Family Friendly Films
Thursdays at 1:00 pm in the Community Room
- July 2: We're Back! A Dinosaur's Story (G)
- July 9: Disney’s Dinosaur (PG)
- July 16: Ice Age (PG)
- July 23: The Prince of Egypt (PG)
- July 30: Journey to the Center of the Earth (PG)
Parents, please pre-screen movies for appropriateness for your family.
Children under 12 MUST be accompanied by someone age 14 or older.
Book Babies
Wednesdays at 9:30 am
For babies (ages 0- 9 months) who are not yet “walkers” and their “grown-up.”
Enjoy songs, stories, and movement activities together with other families. Additional activities and links will be available after the program on the Madison Library District Book Babies blog.
Have more than one child? Wondering which early literacy library program to attend? Go to the age specific program for your oldest child.
THEME FOR JUNE AND JULY: Roaring with Dinosaurs!
Toddler Time
Mondays and Tuesdays at 9:30 am
For toddlers who are “walkers” (ages 10 months to 3 years) and their “grown-up.”
Enjoy songs, stories, and movement activities together with other families. Additional activities and links will be available after the program on the Madison Library District Toddler Time blog.
Have more than one child? Wondering which early literacy library program to attend? Go to the age specific event for your oldest child.
THEME FOR JUNE AND JULY: Roaring with Dinosaurs!
Story Time
Tuesdays & Wednesdays at 10:30 am
Tuesday Evenings at 6:30 pm
For children ages 3 to 5 and their “grown up!”
Children ages 2 to 5 with their adult will enjoy stories and related fun which may include songs, games, and rhymes in our Community Room.
Any extra crafting supplies will be available to pick up at the Children’s Reference Desk while supplies last. Additional links and activities will be available after the program on the Madison Library District Storytime blog.
Have more than one child? Wondering which early literacy library program to attend? Go to the age specific event for your oldest child.
Themes for July:
- Week of July 7: Dino Play
- Week of July 14: Dino Detectives
- Week of July 21: Dinosaur Diggers
- Week of July 28: Something New Just for You… Dinosaurs!
Hora del Cuento en Español
Lunes a 10:30 am
con Maria D. Carvajal Castro
No Tenemos La Hora del Cuentos En Español en 2 de Junio
Para niños en edad preescolar de 3 a 5 años con su adulto!
Ninos de edad 2 hasta 5 con su adulto disfrutaria historias y actividades divertidos lo cual incluye canciones. juegetes, y rimas en nuestro Community Room. Los materiales adicionales para manualidades estarán disponibles para recoger en el Mostrador de Referencia para Niños hasta agotar existencias.
Después del programa, habrá enlaces y actividades adicionales disponibles en el blog de la hora del cuento del Madison Library District.
¿Tiene más de un hijo? ¿Quiere saber a qué programa de alfabetización temprana de la biblioteca asistir? Vaya al evento específico para la edad de su hijo mayor.
¡Esperamos verles aqui!
TEMA DE JUNIO:
“Colorea Nuestro Mundo!”
- 9 de Junio: Rojo
- 16 de Junio: Amarillo
- 23 de Junio: Azul
- 30 de Junio: Verde
Tema de Julio:
“Colorea Nuestro Mundo!”
- 8 de Julio: Morado
- 14 de Julio: Naranja
- 21 de Julio: Blanco y Negro
Brought to you with support from:
Summer STEM from Your Library
Tuesdays at 2:00 pm
no summer stem on June 3
For Kids ages 6 – 8 & Tweens ages 9 – 11 and their accompanying adult. Come to the library and participate in an activity that’s about science, technology, engineering, or math!
STEAM CRAFTING FOR JUNE:
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June 10: Kick-off with “Art-ventures in Science!”
This activity is sponsored by Madison Health. -
June 17: Kaleidoscope Creations
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June 24: Wonders of the World in LEGOs!
STEAM CRAFTING FOR JULY:
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July 1: Art-ventures in Science! with Cheryl Kimber from Idaho Public Television PBS Kids. Come build a wind powered car!
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July 8: Brick Selfies: Build Your LEGO Self-Portrait
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July 15: Art-ventures in Science! with Cheryl Kimber from Idaho Public Television PBS Kids. Today we’ll learn about weather wonders!
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July 23: Stories in the Sky! A NASA Planetarium Adventure
Brought to you with support from:
Summer STEM from Your Library
Tuesdays at 2:00 pm
For Kids ages 6 – 8 & Tweens ages 9 – 11 and their accompanying adult. Come to the library and participate in an activity that’s about science, technology, engineering, or math! Our STEAM Activities take place in the Community Room.
Head over to our Kids and Tweens STEAM Activity page for video instructions of past activities.
STEM CRAFTING FOR JULY:
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July 7: Archeology and Cookie Excavation.
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July 14: Adventures in Science! with Cheryl Kimber from Idaho Public Television PBS Kids - Fossil imprints in air dry clay.
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July 21: Adventures in Science! with Cheryl Kimber from Idaho Public Television PBS Kids. Amber fossils.
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July 28: LEGO Jurassic Jungle with DINObots!
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Reading Resources
Thank You to Our Summer Reading Sponsors
These amazing businesses and organizations donated almost $109,000 to make our 2026 Summer Reading possible. We appreciate their support of literacy in our community!
Regular Hours of Operation
- Monday: 9:00 am – 6:00 pm
- Tuesday - Wednesday: 9:00 am – 8:00 pm
- Thursday: 11:00 am - 8:00 pm
- Friday: 10:00 am - 6:00 pm
- Saturday: 10:00 am - 2:00 pm
- Sunday: CLOSED
Closures in 2026
- January 1 – New Year’s Day
- January 19 – Martin Luther King, Jr., Day
- February 16 – Presidents Day
- April 3 – Staff Development Day
- April 4 – Building Maintenance
- May 23-25 – Memorial Day
- June 19 – Juneteenth
- July 3-4 – Independence Day
- September 5-7 – Labor Day
- October 3 – Building Maintenance
- November 11 – Veterans Day
- November 25 – Closing at 5:00 pm
- November 26-28 – Thanksgiving
- December 24-26 – Christmas
- December 31 – New Year’s Eve
- January 1, 2027 – New Year’s Day
Address
73 North Center
Rexburg, Idaho 83440
We are located on Center Street, just north of Main Street, by the Historic Rexburg Tabernacle.
Contact Us
(208) 356-3461
24 Hour Phone Renewal: (208) 356-6658
askmadisonlibrary@madisonlib.org
Madison Library District
73 North Center
Rexburg, ID 83440
A public library.