Children's Winter Reading Challenge 2026

Children's Winter Reading Challenge
January 2 - March 28, 2026

Our friend Sammy the Sloth will tell you that winter is a great time to SLOW DOWN and READ! Even better, kids can earn fun rewards along the way in our Children's Winter Reading Challenge!

Who can participate? Kids from birth up, whether listening to or reading books on their own. Our Children's challenge is specifically for those up to 14 years old. (And those 12-14 can chose to participate in either the Children's program or the Teen one.)

How do I get started?

You can register online via Beanstack OR just come in to register and pick up a printed reading log.

• Already have an account on our Beanstack platform? Just log in and enroll your child in Children's Winter Reading 2026. Make sure contact details & child's age/grade/school are updated.
• Forgot your log-in or password? Just give us a call (217-424-2900 ext. 5), email (kiddesk@decaturlibrary.org) or send us a note via Facebook Messenger.
• Don't have an account? Just download the Beanstack app from your device's app store, or go to our DPL Beanstack page . Create a family account, and register all your readers, whether kids or adults.
• Need help with Beanstack? Check these short videos to help you get started, add readers, log reading, and add friends.
  
• Or you can bypass online altogether -- just come in and let us register you upstairs at the Children's Desk.

However you register, you can stop by the Children's Desk to pick up a printed reading log starting January 2, making it fun for kids to track their own progress. You can also download a printable version of the Round 1 Reading Log (days 1-30) and the Round 2 Reading Log (days 31-60).

And teens and adults can also join in the fun -- check out our Adult Winter Reading Challenge and Teen Winter Reading Challenge!

How do I earn rewards?

Just log every day that your child reads or listens to books! How much? Whatever is a good amount of reading/listening for your child!

You can log via Beanstack, or the printed reading log, or both. For every 15 days of reading, kids earn fun stuff! Stop by the Children's Desk to check in and pick up rewards:

• 15 days -- Scratch 'n' Sniff bookmark & Papa Murphy's Mini Murph pizza coupon
• 30 days -- Choice of a free book & Giggles cookie coupon (thanks to our sponsors Golden K Kiwanis)
  
• 45 days -- Choose from our Winter Reading Challenge prize box
• 60 days -- Children's Museum of Illinois Family Pass (good for one visit, 1 per family -- while supplies last) & coupon for Texas Roadhouse Kids meal (w/ purchase of an adult meal)
  

PLUS the first 50 (FIFTY) to register AND come to the library to pick up their reading log starting on January 2 will receive a pass for free admission & skate rental at the Decatur Civic Center Ice Rink! (Good for any public skating times during the 2026 season, ending Sunday, March 8, 2026. Check their calendar here.)

Thanks to our sponsors: The Friends of the Decatur Public Library, Papa Murphy's Pizza of Decatur, Decatur Civic Center, Children's Museum of Illinois, Texas Roadhouse, Golden K Kiwanis