Posted on May 31, 2023 at 6:00 am
ONLINE SUMMER READING CHALLENGE | SUMMER PERFORMERS | ALL AGES
STORYTIMES FOR EARLY LEARNERS | KIDS | TWEENS | TEENS
Friendship, kindness, and unity encompass this year’s summer reading theme of All Together Now. Explore our programs and events below to see what you can do at our libraries and in neighborhood parks.
As you grow and strengthen friendships, show kindness, and build unity this summer, we encourage you to read, explore, and have fun at our libraries.
For all ages
Track your summer reading, earn badges, and enter the prize drawing!
Reach your reading goals, try new things, and explore your community with our library challenges.
You can log your reading and rate and review books to earn badges. Every badge earns you a ticket for the prize drawings, sponsored by the Library Foundation of Spokane County and other community partners.
Everyone who reads at least 600 minutes over the summer will receive a Certificate of Achievement and help us reach our community reading goal of 500,000 minutes!
Library challenges include these summer activities and more:
Jenks in Concert
Jenks is a high-energy music and juggling act! His original songs for kids cover a wide variety of topics—dinosaurs, sunburns, dolphins, and sleepwalking, to name a few. See his amazing juggling skills with clubs, rings, balls, and the diabolo. Show off your dance moves during a dance contest. This performance dazzles and entertains kids and adults alike. Ages 5+ & their families
VARIOUS PARKS & LIBRARIES
June 20–23
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Eric Herman & the Puppy Dogs in Concert
Get ready for a concert bursting with comedy, creativity, and outrageously fun songs by Eric Herman and the Puppy Dogs. Whether you’re young or young at heart, this interactive performance will have you smiling from ear to ear, dancing from limb to limb, and laughing from funny bone to funny bone. Ages 5+ & their families
VARIOUS PARKS & LIBRARIES
June 26–28
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The Harmonica Pocket: Sing Your Song
The Harmonica Pocket performs a light-hearted, engaging, and playful music program. Ukuleles, acoustic guitars, and harmonicas accompany silly and sweet songs about trees, bugs, counting, and being itchy. Kids and their grownups create original rhymes to traditional folk songs, raise their voices to play with the alphabet’s many amusing sounds, and sing new words to old songs. Let’s sing! Ages 5+ & their families
VARIOUS LIBRARIES
July 10–14
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Red Yarn Music & Puppet Show
Acclaimed performer Red Yarn (aka Andy Furgeson) weaves music and puppetry into high-energy, interactive shows. Blending folk and rock’n’roll, Red and his critter friends make sure you have a singing, dancing, stomping, and clapping good time, while celebrating our country’s multicultural musical heritage. The handmade animal puppets provide comic relief, calm and tender moments, and valuable social-emotional lessons. Ages 3–5 & their families
VARIOUS LIBRARIES
July 24–28
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Painting: Kindness Rocks
Paint rocks with creative designs and uplifting messages. We recommend bringing your own clean rock; our supply is limited. We provide acrylic paint and sealer. All ages
ALL LIBRARIES
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After-Hours Miniature Golf
Play some after-hours, indoor miniature golf at the library with your family or a group of friends! Tee times are every 20 minutes for groups of up to 6 people. All ages
SELECT LIBRARIES
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Registration required
Experience VR: Nature Treks
Explore natural habitats and observe over 20 different animals in the virtual reality world of Nature Treks VR. You can change different factors, including time of day and weather, to create whole new VR experiences. All ages
Parental permission is required for participants younger than age 13.
NORTH SPOKANE
Thursday, Aug 10 & Saturday, Aug 12, 2–5pm
Registration required
Experience VR: BRINK Traveler
Immerse yourself in some of the most spectacular natural wonders on the planet using BRINK Traveler. Explore vast glaciers, high mountain vistas, breathtaking canyons, and much more in this virtual reality traveling experience. All ages
Parental permission is required for participants younger than age 13.
NORTH SPOKANE
Tuesday, Aug 22 & Saturday, Aug 26, 2–5pm
Registration required
Experience VR: Space Exploration
Experience the awe-inspiring vastness of the universe in virtual reality with SpaceEngine. Explore the surface of the planets in our solar system or travel to a far-flung galaxy without leaving your seat. All ages
Parental permission is required for participants younger than age 13.
NORTH SPOKANE
Wednesday, Sep 13, 5–7:30pm
Saturday, Sep 16, 10am–1pm
Registration required
Explore the Solar System
A solar eclipse is coming in October. We’re getting ready for the big event by taking a tour around our solar system. See the amazing wonders of our galactic neighborhood as we look at everything from the sun at the center of it all to the very edge of the galaxy’s interstellar space. Plus, take home a collection of planets created on the Glowforge 3D laser printer. All ages
NORTH SPOKANE
Saturday, Sep 30, 2–4pm
Family Storytime in the Park
Let’s head to the park for some fun together. Enjoy 30 minutes of stories, songs, and fingerplays that explore the concepts of literacy and STEAM (science, technology, engineering, art, and math). Ages 2–5 & their families
In partnership with Spokane Valley Parks and Recreation’s Free Summer Park Program
EDGECLIFF PARK
800 S Park Rd (Spokane Valley)
Tuesday, Jul 11 & Aug 1, 10:30–11am
TERRACE VIEW PARK
13525 E 24th Ave (Spokane Valley)
Wednesday, Jul 12 & Aug 2, 10:30–11am
VALLEY MISSION PARK
11123 E Mission Ave (Spokane Valley)
Thursday, Jul 13 & Aug 3, 10:30–11am
Online Pajama Storytime
Put on your favorite pajamas and hop online for storytime, from the comfort of your home! Let’s have fun learning when we read stories, sing songs, and share fingerplays together. Ages 2–5 & their families
ONLINE
Thursdays, Jun 1–Sep 28, 6:30–7pm
Registration required
Baby Play & Learn Storytime
Babies are introduced to the rhythm and beauty of language during our 20-minute storytime with picture books, rhymes, bounces, and songs. Afterward, babies continue to learn during 30 minutes of play with age-appropriate toys and activities. All activities happen with babies on grown-up laps, so plan to attend in a one-to-one baby-to-adult ratio. Ages 0–18 months
NORTH SPOKANE
Mondays, 9:30am
SPOKANE VALLEY
Wednesdays, 9:30am (except June 7 & 14)
Toddler Play & Learn Storytime
Toddlers delight in 20 minutes of reading picture books, singing songs, and learning fingerplays, followed by 30 minutes of activities introducing the concepts of math, science, and literacy. Ages 1 ½–3
NORTH SPOKANE
Thursdays, 9:30am
SPOKANE VALLEY
Thursdays, 9:30am (except June 8 & 15)
Preschool Play & Learn Storytime
Preschoolers love learning while playing during 30 minutes of reading entertaining picture books, singing songs, and learning fingerplays, followed by 30 minutes of activities that explore preschool-level concepts of math, science, art, and literacy. Ages 3–5
NORTH SPOKANE
Wednesdays, 9:30am
SPOKANE VALLEY
Fridays, 9:30am (except June 9 & 16)
Family Play & Learn Storytime
Children enjoy playing while learning during 30 minutes of reading entertaining picture books, singing songs, and learning fingerplays, followed by 30 minutes of activities that explore the concepts of math, science, art, and literacy. Ages 2–5 & their families
MOST LIBRARIES
Jun 1–Sep 30
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Building with Books: LEGO Challenge
Show off your building and engineering skills! We share a story with you and then provide a building challenge to test your LEGO building know-how. Grades K–5
CHENEY
Tuesday, Jun 13, Jul 11, Aug 8 & Sep 12, 4–5pm
Camp Read-a-Rama
We read and explore children’s books during camp and then use the books’ themes for our camp activities, crafts, music, and games! When you make reading part of your summer, you set yourself up for success in the coming school year. Grades 2–5
NORTH SPOKANE
Monday–Thursday, Jun 26–29, 9am–1pm
CHENEY
Monday–Thursday, Jul 10–13, 9am–1pm
OTIS ORCHARDS
Monday–Thursday, Jul 17–20, 9am–1pm
SPOKANE VALLEY
Monday–Thursday, Jul 24–27, 9am–1pm
Campamento de verano en la biblioteca / Summer Library Camp in Spanish
Acompáñanos a realizar manualidades, escuchar cuentos, jugar y hacer experimentos de ciencia en español. Este programa está destinado a niños que entienden y están dispuestos a intentar hablar español durante el campamento. Para niños de grados escolares del 2–5
Make crafts, listen to stories, play games, and do science experiments in Spanish. This program is intended for children who understand spoken Spanish and are willing to try speaking some. For kids entering grades 2–5
Es necesario inscribirse / Registration required
SPOKANE VALLEY
Martes a jueves, del 8 al 10 de agosto, de 10am a 1pm
Tuesday–Thursday, Aug 8–10, 10am–1pm
Bookmark Bunch: Family Book Discussion
Reading and discussing books as a family gives you time to connect and learn together. For this discussion group, you and your family read the book From the Mixed-Up Files of Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler, by E. L. Konigsburg. We meet online each week to discuss what we’ve read so far and what we think might happen in the coming pages. The library provides books to registered participants. Grades 2–5 & their families
ONLINE
Wednesdays, Sep 6–Oct 11, 6–7pm
Registration required
Experience VR: Epic Roller Coasters
Get inspired by riding the wild tracks in Epic Roller Coasters, a virtual reality experience, and then build your own marble roller coaster using the materials supplied. Grades 5–8
Parental permission is required for participants younger than age 13.
THE LAB AT NORTH SPOKANE
Saturday, Jul 15, 10am–1pm
Registration required
Design a Video Game with Bloxels
Collaborate with others using Bloxels to create a whole new world of discovery and adventure. Design different types and classes of characters. Create terrain, potions, power-ups, and story blocks to build an interactive video game that you and other players can play and enjoy. Ages 8–12
SPOKANE VALLEY
Tuesday, Jul 18, 3:30–5:30pm
Registration required
Experience VR: Beat Saber
Come test your dexterity and rhythm skills in virtual reality. In Beat Saber VR, a musical light saber experience, you can try for a high score or take on a friend in head-to-head competition. Ages 8–12
Parental permission is required for participants.
THE LAB AT NORTH SPOKANE
Saturday, Jul 22, 10am–12pm
Registration required
Spy Challenge Escape Room
Your mission is to stay alert and use your cunning to figure out the clues. Those who solve all the clues and complete the challenge receive their top-secret spy name and join the elite cadre of spies at the SSLS (Secret School for Library Spies). Ages 10–12
MOST LIBRARIES
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Registration required
Tween Library Carnival
Welcome to the library carnival just for tweens! Test your skills at classic and unique carnival games to earn prize tickets. Will you earn enough tickets to take home a cool prize? Ages 8–12
ALL LIBRARIES
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LEGO Stop-Motion Animation
Learn to create and edit videos of LEGO characters moving, jumping, and talking to each other. By the end of this program, you’ll have created a short movie and know how to make more in the future. All supplies are provided. Ages 8–12
SPOKANE VALLEY
Saturday, Aug 5, 1–3pm
Registration required
Video Boot Camp
Create a video from start to finish during this 2-day video bootcamp. Learn the basics of scripting, planning, shooting, and editing video. You receive hands-on training for using our recording and lighting equipment and instruction in using post-production editing software. Space is limited. Ages 10+
SPOKANE VALLEY
Wednesday & Thursday, Aug 16 & 17, 1:30–5pm
Registration required
Late Night Nerf
When the library closes, let the Nerf battle begin! We supply the Nerf toys, rounds, and snacks. No outside Nerf items will be permitted. Ages 8–12
Parental permission is required for participants.
NORTH SPOKANE
Friday, Aug 11, 7–9pm
Registration required
Homeschool Video Boot Camp
Create a video from start to finish during this 2-day video bootcamp. Learn the basics of scripting, planning, shooting, and editing video. You receive hands-on training for using our recording and lighting equipment and instruction in using post-production editing software. Space is limited. Ages 10+
SPOKANE VALLEY
Tuesday & Wednesday, Sep 19 & 20, 10:30am–2pm
Registration required
Teen Leadership Council
Spokane Valley needs you! We are recruiting creative and enthusiastic teens for the 2023–24 school year. Help plan programs and work on projects with a wonderful team of fellow teens. Get service hours and help build your job or college resume. Make your voice heard! (Snacks are provided.) Ages 13–18
Find out more on the Teen Leadership Council web page.
SPOKANE VALLEY
Wednesday, Jun 7, 5–6pm
World Traveler Teen Escape Room
You won a fabulous trip around the world, but at the airport, you get locked in a waiting room! Can you find the key to escape and still make your flight? Practice your teamwork by solving puzzles, riddles, and conundrums to escape the room. The limit is 8 people per group. Ages 13–18
MOST LIBRARIES
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Registration required
Teen Cupcake Decorating Basics
Discover basic techniques for cupcake decorating. We discuss different supplies, terms, and piping tips you can use to create beautifully decorated cupcakes. Plus, practice your skills on three cupcakes that you can take home. Ages 13–18
ALL LIBRARIES
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Registration required
Experience VR: Beat Saber
Come test your dexterity and rhythm skills in virtual reality. In Beat Saber VR, a musical light saber experience, you can try for a high score or take on a friend in head-to-head competition. Ages 13–17
THE LAB AT NORTH SPOKANE
Wednesday, Jul 12, 5:30–7:30pm
Registration required
All About AI: Creating Stories & Images
Artificial Intelligence has been making news headlines and is already a big part of many of our lives in the form of smart speakers, chat bots, nursing robots, GPS navigation, and more. We discuss current AI tools and applications that you can use to create images and stories. Ages 13–18
SPOKANE VALLEY
Thursday, Jul 13, 2–3:30pm
Registration required
Create a Zine
Zines are small-scale publications that can be made by anyone and tend to feature topics the creator is passionate about. We briefly discuss the history of zines, and then you get to make one of your own. Ages 13–18
NORTH SPOKANE
Thursday, Aug 3, 1–3:30pm
SPOKANE VALLEY
Friday, Aug 4, 1–3:30pm
Tags: Beanstack, books, events, kids, online summer reading, parents, programs, reading, reading challenge, summer, Summer reading, teens, tracker, tweens