Tempe Public Library. Photo: Lynn Trimble.
Teens are learning to play guitar. Reluctant readers are sharing stories with therapy dogs. Families are enjoying game and comedy nights. It’s all happening at Valley libraries, where families can find a diverse assortment of free activities that help beat the heat, promote learning and foster new friendships.
Before summertime boredom sets in, spend some time with your children exploring library options online. It’s easy to search for activities by type, date and age group – and fun to hit various libraries within and beyond your own community.
Every Arizona library has a different feel, thanks to unique architecture and design, and summer is a great time to try different library adventures it’s harder to make time for during hectic school days.
There’s a giant quill pen hanging above the entrance to Scottsdale’s Civic Center Library, and metal interior panels strewn with flower cut-outs at the South Mountain Community Library in Phoenix.
You’ll find dozens of activities for kids, teens and families taking place at Valley libraries just this week alone, including events noted below by theme:
Science/Math
Kids who love science can enjoy Mark Carter Does Science with an air pressure focus Monday at the Juniper Library in Phoenix. Dinosaur fans can try hands-on activities celebrating dinosaurs at Dig Into Science-Dinosaurs Thursday at the Lichtfield Park Library, which is part of the Maricopa County Library District.
If your teen struggles with math, consider Wednesday’s Creation Station program at the Burton Barr Central Library in Phoenix. It’s a math-based art program exploring fractals, arches, ratios, tessellations and more.
Animals
Animals are headed to various libraries this week, including Phoenix’s Palo Verde Library, where a 12-foot boa constrictor named Sunshine is part of today’s Reptile Adventures for kids. Wildman Phil is presenting a live animal show that includes information on animal habitats at Scottsdale’s Mesquite Library on Thursday. Animals he shares often include spiders, scorpions and lizards.
Children who like their animals on the cuter side will find Tail Waggin’ Tutors, which encourages kids to practice reading by sharing stories with dogs from Therapy Dogs International, at Scottsdale’s Mustang Library on Tuesday. A Yorkie therapy dog named Stewie is heading to the Cholla Library in Phoenix on Thursday so kids have a nice, furry audience as they read aloud.
Music/Dance
Older kids can dance, laugh and break a sweat at today’s Kinect Dance Club taking place at Scottsdale’s Civic Center Library. A Guitar Club featuring instruction from Phoenix Conservatory of Music takes place there on Friday. On Wednesday, teens can try a Jam Session at Burton Barr Central Library — which lets kids bring their own instruments or use guitars, drums, keyboards and other instruments they provide for the session.
Movies/Games
Burton Barr Central Library in Phoenix presents Monday Movies inside its Teen Central room today, and the Desert Sage Library in Phoenix is showing a G or PG film on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday this week.
If games are more your thing, check out Family Game Night tomorrow at the Cesar Chavez Library in Phoenix — which has cards, board games and Wii activities for families. Kids can hit the Main Library in Glendale Wednesday for a LEGO build. Carpet bowling for kids with Brunswick Bowls takes place Thursday at the Red Mountain Library in Mesa.
Babies
Babies and their grown-ups can experience Babytime at several Phoenix libraries this week, including South Mountain Community Library located on the campus of South Mountain Community College. Babytime includes songs, rhymes, playtime, books and activities that encourage movement.
Recycling
Parents who encourage recycling can treat their children to some time with Shari Keith the Junk Lady, who’ll be helping kids make art using found and recycled objects tomorrow at the Century Library in Phoenix. Teens can make Motley Mosaics with magazine photos, wallpaper and product labels covered in repurposed car glass Wednesday at the Arabian Library in Scottsdale.
Entertainment
Theater buffs can enjoy an East Valley Children’s Theatre performance from “Huff ‘n Puff The Story of Three Little Pigs” at the Main Library in Mesa on Friday. Magic fans can head to the Desert Broom Library in Phoenix on Wednesday to see the Richard Steele Magic Show. If comedy is your thing, hit the Civic Center Library in Scottsdale for Wednesday’s Chris Lopez Family Comedy Magic performance.
Southwest
Families can learn about Rock Art of the Southwest with slides and demonstrations by the Pueblo Grande Museum this Wednesday at the Main Library in Mesa.
Writing
Teens who love creative writing can attend today’s Spilling Ink NaNo Camp at the Queen Creek Library in the Maricopa County Library System — where they’ll have the opportunity to work on writing a novel, screenplay, short story series or picture book. On Tuesday, teens can try self-directed creative writing at the system’s Fountain Hills Library.
Scottsdale Civic Center Library. Photo: Lynn Trimble.
Arts & Crafts
Teens can create a steampunk craft on Tuesday and kids can design their own slap bracelet on Thursday at the Tempe Public Library. The Appaloosa Library in Scottsdale is offering a Teen Duct Tape Design activity on Thursday.
Learn more…
Spanish lessons. Teen knitting. Yo-yo tricks. Chess games. Etiquette lessons for kids. Henna body art. They’re all happening at a local library in coming days. Learn more by browsing online calendars for Valley libraries. The following links will get you started…
Glendale Public Library
Maricopa County Library System
Mesa Public Library
Phoenix Public Library
Scottsdale Public Library
Tempe Public Library
Always check event details, including date/time, location, age restrictions and pre-registration requirements before attending.