PARIS — The Paris Public Library continues this summer its annual Reading Challenge and will host a variety of fun and educational activities for children.

Children are encouraged to read during the summer to maintain or improve their reading skills. To promote this effort, the library hosts an annual reading challenge for area youth. Participants receive rewards for reading 10 and 20 hours between June 18 and Aug. 20. The top 25 readers of the summer will each receive a $20 WalMart gift card.

Children wishing to participate need only to submit reading logs, available at the library, recording the titles of the books they read and how many minutes they spent reading. With picture books, only the number of minutes spent reading needs to be recorded. On Saturday, Aug. 22, the library will hold an ice cream sundae party, from 1 to 2:30 p.m., for the reading challenge participants, where certificates, gift cards, and rewards will be distributed.

In addition, the Paris Public Library will offer weekly puzzle sheets for different ages where a correctly completed sheet will be randomly drawn from the submitted entries and win $5. The puzzle sheets will be available for pick-up in the library’s Children’s Room.

Throughout the summer, the library will be offering a range of activities for children.

Tuesdays, June 30, July 21 and Aug. 11, at 10 a.m.: Kids Code, computer programming for kids,will meet to learn and collaborate in MIT’s Scratch.

Tuesdays in July at 6:30 p.m.: Pajama Story-time, featuring food art with fruit and vegetables.

Wednesdays, June 24 to Aug. 19, from 1 to 3 p.m.: Lego Club will meet to work on its summer’s project, the Lego Hogwarts Castle.

Thursdays at 10 a.m.: Story-time for Preschoolers features a sharing of read-aloud stories and a related craft. Families are welcome to come and visit together, learning what the library offers, and discovering how to introduce pre-literacy skills.

Thursdays at 5:30 p.m.: Tween/teen book discussion group for 11- to 14-year-old’s will meet, enjoying snacks and conversation.

Friday, July 10, at 2 p.m.: Jerry Schneider will present his award-winning program on butterflies and how to attract them, concluding with a butterfly T-shirt craft.

Friday, July 24, at 1 p.m.: Conjuring Carroll will visit the library with his highly praised magic act.

Sunday, July 26, from 1 to 2:30 p.m.: Happy Birthday, Harry Potter! Festivities will include craft-making, games and a Horcrux scavenger hunt. Registration is required for this event.

All programs at the library are free and open to any child.

FMI: 207-743-6994, [email protected], www.paris.lib.me.us, Paris Public Library Facebook page.