All Together Now: A Summer of Friendship, Kindness & Unity

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.

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Online Summer Reading Challenge with Beanstack

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:

Sign Up Today
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Summer Performers

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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All Ages

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

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Storytimes for Early Learners

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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Kids

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

Registration required

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

Tweens

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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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

Teens

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

Registration required

NORTH SPOKANE
Thursday, Aug 3, 1–3:30pm

SPOKANE VALLEY
Friday, Aug 4, 1–3:30pm

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