What is your favorite summertime activity in Philadelphia? Do you hike through Wissahickon Park? Do you spend all day at your local Parks and Rec. swimming pool with your friends? Do you read new books at your neighborhood library? Whether you keep it local or jetset to places near or far, Summer of Wonder with the Free Library has something planned for everyone! Summer of Wonder starts on Monday, June 9, and runs until Friday, August 8, 2025.

Visit your neighborhood library to sign up! Each Free Library branch offers different Summer of Wonder activities, so stop by yours to see what's happening! You can also participate in an online challenge for even more fun.

Throughout the summer, children can keep track of their reading, activities, and library programs with the take-home Summer of Wonder Activity Map, available online in 13 languages. We’ve also included fun activity prompts, a draw-your-own comic panel, an anagram puzzle, and — most excitingly — a fold-out map of Philadelphia, where kids can plot their Summer of Wonder progress with our specially designed Philly Stickers.  Check in with your librarian to learn how you can earn prizes along the way, including books, lanyards, rubber ducks, museum passes, and more!

Teens can participate with the Teen Raffle (also available in 13 languages) and receive a Free Library journal while supplies last. Complete your raffle sheet up to three times for a chance to win a prize at the end of the summer! Adults can join the fun by entering a raffle at participating locations and by joining the online reading challenge.

Additionally, all ages can participate in the online challenge, which mirrors the in-person program for those who can’t make it into the library regularly, providing an additional level of engagement. Online users can earn digital badges by logging their reading, completing activities, and writing book reviews. Everything is done via Beanstack, which can be accessed either through a website or a mobile app that is available for both iOS and Android devices.

Looking for more ways to connect with the Library throughout the summer? Start here!

Children’s Author Visits

We are thrilled to host three talented children’s book creators in June! Each visit will feature a live reading, a presentation, a Q&A session, and other fun activities with the author. Free books will be available while supplies last. 

• Meet the Author: Andrea Tsurumi | Monday, June 2 at 10:45 a.m. → Nicetown-Tioga Library
• Meet the Author: Andrea Tsurumi | Monday, June 2 at 3:45 p.m. → Falls of Schuylkill Library
• Meet the Author: Andrea Tsurumi | Tuesday, June 3 at 11:30 a.m. → Kingsessing Library
• Meet the Author: Andrea Tsurumi | Tuesday, June 3 at 3:45 p.m. → Blanche A. Nixon/Cobb's Creek Library
• Picture Book Pride Storytime with Andrea Tsurumi | Tuesday, June 17 at 11:15 a.m. → Independence Library
• Meet the Author: Eric Valesquez | Friday, June 27 at 10:30 a.m. → Wynnefield Library
• Meet the Author: Eric Valesquez | Friday, June 27 at 12:30 p.m. → Lucien E. Blackwell West Philadelphia Regional Library
• Meet the Author: Eric Valesquez | Friday, June 27 at 3:00 p.m. → Lawncrest Library
• Meet the Author: K.E. Lewis | Saturday, June 28 at 2:30 p.m. → Independence Library

Eagles Eye Mobile

This summer, the Eagles Eye Mobile, powered by Vision To Learn, is providing no-cost eye exams and glasses to children (Grades K–12) who have previously failed a vision screening or are having vision problems. Find participating libraries on our events calendar and register here.

Programs for Everyone!

From Science in the Summer to the Philly Goat Project and everything in between, Summer of Wonder is a time to discover new interests, explore our communities, and create lifelong memories. Programming this year includes familiar favorites like the Center for Aquatic Sciences, Claymobile, Snakes Alive, South Street Art Mart, Taffy’s Face Painting, Thembi Palmer, Two of a Kind, and more! Check our events calendar to find out what’s happening at a library near you! 

We can’t wait to see you at the Free Library this summer!