This summer, The New York Public Library is giving away 60,000 bags filled with books, activities, Play-Doh, stress balls, and more to keep kids and teens engaged over the summer months.

Starting on Monday, July 12 , the “Summer Book Kits” will be available, while supplies last, at all NYPL branch locations (NYPL serves the Bronx, Manhattan, and Staten Island). To ensure as many families as possible get access to the kits, they are limited to one kit per child.

There are six different kits, tailored to kids of different ages:

• Babies and Toddlers (Early Literacy): Includes a special NYPL tote bag containing NYPL’s ABC Read with Me in NYC board book, and a bilingual early literacy tip sheet for caregivers.

• Pre-K through 1st Grade: Includes a red drawstring bag containing two free books to take home and keep, NYPL’s Summer Learning 2021 welcome kit, and the NYPL After School Activity Guide for Grades K–3 (28 pages, English/Español).

• 2nd and 3rd Grade: Includes a red drawstring bag containing two free books to take home and keep, NYPL’s Summer Learning 2021 welcome kit, and the NYPL After School Activity Guide for Grades K–3 (28 pages, English/Español).

• 4th and 5th Grade: Includes a red drawstring bag containing one free book to take home and keep, NYPL’s Summer Learning 2021 welcome kit, and the NYPL After School Activity Guide for Grades 4–6 (16 pages).

• Middle School: Includes a red drawstring bag containing one free book to take home and keep, a special NYPL bookmark, one container of Play-Doh, and a stress ball.

• High School: Includes a red drawstring bag containing one free book to take home and keep, a special NYPL bookmark, one pot of Play-Doh, and a stress ball.

My Other Related Posts

• Helping Kick Off NYPL Summer Reading 2017 Challenge
• Learning about Owls, Ferrets and Creatures of the Night at NYPL
• Having Outer Space Fun at NYPL Family Benefit
• Supporting My Son's Summer Reading at NYPL

The goal of the giveaway is to keep kids and teens engaged with fun educational activities over the summer. For kids, this is critical, as they are susceptible to “summer slide,” or the loss of knowledge gained over the school year while they are out of the classroom.

For teens, it is important for the Library to offer tools they can use at home to help them cope, destress, and recharge following a difficult period of isolation and change.

In addition to the kit giveaway, the Library is also offering a wide range of activities to support families this summer—including virtual summer camp, a Summer Learning reading challenge, take-home activities, and other programs.

To learn more, visit - www.nypl.org/summer