Every year, the Dobbs Ferry Library joins libraries around the world encouraging kids to read during their school break. Kids ages 3 to 12 are eligible for our children’s summer reading game, which begins on June 3rd, 2026, and ends on August 13, 2026. Kids below the age of 3 are encouraged to sign up for our 1000 Books Before Kindergarten challenge instead.

How to Sign Up
Visit the Children’s Room (or the front desk, if the librarian isn’t there) to sign up for the Summer Reading Game. Receive a folder with everything you need to get started: reading logs, stickers, booklists, bookmarks, and more!

Track Your Reading
Add a sticker to one dinosaur footprint on your summer reading log for every 20 minutes or 20 pages that you read. For every full set of dinosaur tracks (eight stickers), you can get a prize from Ms. Gina’s treasure chest! When you finish the whole sheet, you will receive a book to keep and a prize from a local business.

Dino Excavation Challenge
For an additional prize, you can do the Dino Excavation Challenge, included in your summer reading folder! For every book you read about dinosaurs, mythology, or history, “dig” out a dinosaur skeleton by rubbing a coin on a scratch-off box in the grid. When you finish, come to the library to claim your reward! 

What are some of the events I should attend?
You can check our calendar for a full listing of events but a list of highlights is below. Registration is required for all of the following programs except for toddler/preschool crafts! Email childrens@dobbsferrylibrary.org to sign up.

  • Wednesday, June 24th, @ 2pm: SRG Kickoff with Greenburgh Nature Center (Community Room, ages 2-12). Join the Greenburgh Nature Center to help us celebrate the beginning of Unearth a Story! Meet animals whose evolution echoes the dinosaurs that our summer reading theme is all about. 
  • Thursdays, 7/9, 7/23, 8/6 @ 10:30am-11:15am: Toddler & Preschool Storycraft (Community Room, ages 2-4)
    • 7/9: Cave Painting
    • 7/23: Pasta Paleontology
    • 8/6: Toilet Paper Roll Dinosaurs
  • Wednesday, July 1st @ 5pm-6pm to Thursday, July 2nd: Stuffie Animal Sleepover (lounge, all ages): Bring in a stuffed animal for a super-special storytime and art project. Then, leave them at the library for an overnight adventure! You’ll get a scrapbook of photos when you pick up your stuffie in the morning.
  • Tuesday, July 7 and August 4 @ 4-5pm: Pokemon Club.  Trade cards, learn how to play the associated game, and share in your love of Pokemon!
  • Wednesday, July 8, @ 4pm: Tween/Teen Slime Party (Community Room, ages 10-18): Join Ms. Gina and Ms. Alex in making an ode to primordial ooze — slime! This program is part of our Summer Reading theme, Unearth a Story. 
  • Tuesday-Thursday, July 14- July 16 @ 4-6pm: D&D Dungeon Master Academy (Community Room, ages 8-18):  Learn to run your own D&D game with our expert volunteer, Alex Peck! You must be able to attend all three sessions (July 14-16). Dungeon Master Academy is a three day workshop for kids and teens that teaches you how to be a game master for Dungeons & Dragons (and similar games).
  • Thursday, July 16 @ 10:30-11:15am: OCA Spin Art (Keeper’s House, ages 3+): Take a field trip to the Keeper’s House at 15 Walnut Street to make art with spinning, splattering paint!
  • Thursday, July 30 @ 4-5pm: T-Rex Tea Party with Creative Hearts (Community Room, ages 2-3-6) : Calling all dainty dinosaurs! Put on your fanciest outfit and join for a silly, prehistoric tea party celebrating all things dinosaur. We’ll have stories, crafts, snacks, and more.  Visit the Creative Hearts website for more info on their classes and teaching approach: Creative-Hearts.com. 
  • Friday, July 31st, and Friday, August 28th, @ 10:30am: Storytime at the Keeper’s House. Join Ms. Gina for a storytime and craft activity at the Keeper’s House on the Old Croton Aqueduct Trail!
  • Thursday, August 6 @ 3-4pm: OCA Field Day (Keeper’s House, ages 3+, Registration Required): Race, play outdoor games, and more on the Old Croton Aqueduct Trail at 15 Walnut Street!
  • Monday, August 10 @ 4-5:30pm: Greek Mythology Minecraft  (Community Room, ages 7-14):  Explore a Greek mythology-themed Minecraft world! Embark on an exciting scavenger hunt to discover the altars dedicated to the legendary pantheon of Greek gods. Navigate through the treacherous three layers of the Underworld, battling mythical creatures. Unleash your creativity by constructing grand shrines, coliseums, and classic Greek-themed buildings. — Presented by Arrayscape Gaming. **Please bring your own device. If you cannot, let the library known when you’re signing up.**
  • Friday, August 14 @ 3-4:30pm: Summer Reading Finale (Community Room, all ages). Build a custom sundae and sit down to watch Ice Age: Dawn of the Dinosaurs (2009, PG) to celebrate the end of Summer Reading! 

Springhurst Summer Reading Lists
If you’re looking for the Dobbs Ferry School District’s reading lists, you can find them below:
      • Springhurst Suggested Reading List, Grades 1 & 2
      • Springhurst Suggested Reading List, Grades 3 & 4
      • Springhurst Suggested Reading List, Grade 5

I have a question and/or I need help! Who should I contact?
Stop by the children’s room Monday-Friday to speak to Ms. Gina, call (914) 693-6615, or email her at childrens@dobbsferrylibrary.org.

Summer Reading Sponsors
We couldn’t make any of this happen without our fantastic sponsors! Special thanks go to the Friends of the Dobbs Ferry Library, who make programs like this one happen.