PARIS — The Paris Public Library will offer a variety of activities for children in the community this summer.

The library is continuing its annual summer reading challenge for youths. Children and young adults are invited to keep their reading skills honed during the summer by reading for rewards.

Participants who read a total of 12 hours between June 18 and Aug. 13 will receive a book bag; children who read for a total 24 hours will receive a book bag and a $10 Walmart gift certificate, but the top five readers will each receive a gift certificate for $25. The participants who read 24 hours or more during the challenge will have their names entered for a drawing, with a color Nook for the prize.

The reading challenge concludes with an ice cream sundae party from 1 to 3 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 20. The drawing for the Nook will be held then and the gift certificates will be awarded. No signup is necessary, but reading logs will be available at the library’s circulation desk or from any staff member.

The Paris Public Library will also be hosting “Lit Picnics” on Mondays at 12:15 p.m. Families are invited to bring picnic lunches to the library and listen to award-winning stories. After the readings, everyone is invited to enjoy the library’s various puzzles, games and self-directed crafts.

Tuesday nights, from June 21 to Aug. 9, at 7 p.m., the library is holding Pajama Storytime, where bedtime stories will be read and lullabies played. The library’s traditional Thursday morning storytime will continue at 10 a.m. throughout the summer where stories are shared, followed by a related craft.

The library is also having “Silly Science Afternoons” on Wednesdays, from June 22 to Aug. 17. The program features weekly fun science projects, such as making glowing juice, Alka-Seltzer rockets, marshmallow blow guns and hovercrafts. Children may drop in the library anytime between noon and 4 p.m. to create their own project.

For more information, call the library at 743-6994 or e-mail paris.public.library@msln.net. Full schedules of the library’s summer offerings can be found at www.paris.lib.me.us. The library may also be found on Facebook.