Kids & Families Find Outdoor Summer Fun & Adventure with the Library

Posted on June 7, 2022 at 6:00 am

You can head outdoors to enjoy many of our summer programs, including performances by Alex Zerbe (a.k.a. The Zaniac) and Eric Herman, held in local parks and the outdoor areas around our libraries.

Young readers and their families will enjoy our Nature Storytimes and Family Storytimes in the Park, which are both in-person and outdoors. Families can learn how to tie dye and take on a camping activities challenge.

We hope you check out what our libraries have to offer this summer, including ways to prevent summer learning loss and a chance to win a prize for reading.

Summer Programs

The summer issue of Engage is available. Inside its pages, you’ll find all of the following programs and more, plus information about digital resources and library services. Pick up a copy from any of our libraries, or view it online.

The Zaniac Comes Alive

Alex Zerbe, The Zaniac, moves like a rubber band from one end of the stage to the other. You can experience this comedic onslaught of absurd ideas and odd skills, in person. See why this two-time Guinness World Record holder was voted Seattle’s Funniest Physical Comedian. Visit alexzerbe.com for information. All ages

Eric Herman’s Cool Tunes

Eric Herman’s cool tunes for kids are witty, memorable, and so much fun! His live shows are bursting with comedy, creativity, and audience participation. You may have seen his viral hit video “The Elephant Song,” which along with his other videos, has garnered over 100 million views. Learn more at erichermanmusic.com. All ages

The Great Family Camping Challenge

Enjoy the fun of camping without having to pack a tent! Work as a family or with a team to complete camping-themed activities, including creating and presenting something to eat. We have challenges for the whole family, and no camping experience is required! All ages

Registration is required.

REGISTER on our events calendar.

Nature Storytime

In-person program

Bring your preschooler to engage in stories and activities designed to spark their curiosity about the natural world. During each session, we explore a different theme to help us investigate the outdoors. Come prepared to go outside and get a close up look at nature. In the case of inclement weather, we’ll bring the outdoor fun inside. Ages 3–5 & their families

Family Storytime in the Park

In-person program

Children ages 2–5 and their families will 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 5 & Aug 2, 10:30–11am

TERRACE VIEW PARK
13525 E 24th Ave (Spokane Valley)
Wednesday, Jul 6 & Aug 3, 10:30–11am

VALLEY MISSION PARK
11123 E Mission Ave (Spokane Valley)
Thursday, Jul 7 & Aug 4, 10:30–11am

The Solar System

Fifty-three years ago, three humans left Earth in a rocket ship to visit the surface of another celestial body for the first time in our history. To celebrate, we’ll explore our solar system, find out what it would be like to live on distant stars, and see what the brave adventurers experienced decades ago on that first trip to the moon. This program may take place outdoors or in The Lab, as circumstances permit. Grades K–5

Registration is required.

THE LAB AT NORTH SPOKANE
Saturday, Jul 16, 2–4pm | REGISTER

Tie-Dye Party

Add some color to your summer! Spruce up your wardrobe with fun colors and designs that can only be achieved with tie dye. Only 15 people will be able to tie dye at a time. For those waiting their turn, we will have bubbles and lawn games. Tweens, teens & families

Registration is required.

Registration includes one adult-sized T-shirt provided by the library (sizes are limited), and participants can bring one item per registered participant to tie dye as well.

NOTE: Each participant needs to register separately, including adults participating with children, as supplies are limited.

REGISTER on our events calendar.

Virtual Summer Camp in Spanish

Make crafts, listen to stories, and do science experiments in Spanish. Each day will feature activities from a different Spanish-speaking country. This program is intended for children who understand spoken Spanish and are willing to try speaking some during the program. Kids in grades 2–5 & their families

Registration is required.

ONLINE
Monday–Thursday, Aug 1–4, 10–11:30am | REGISTER

Paper Airplanes

Dive deep into the science of aeronautics and explore the miracles of flight using paper airplanes. Build an airplane using a ready-made design, or show off your engineering skills with your own creation. We’ll test our flying machines for distance and accuracy using a variety of atmospheric conditions and launching methods. This program may take place outdoors or in The Lab, as circumstances permit. Grades K+

Kids 8 and under must bring an adult.

Registration is required.

THE LAB AT NORTH SPOKANE
Saturday, Aug 20, 2–4pm | REGISTER

Preventing Summer Learning Loss

Summer learning loss, also called summer slide, happens when kids’ brains are inactive over the summer. Kids and teens can lose up to six months of reading, math, and other academic skills.

During summer, reading is an especially critical activity for children in grades K–3. This is when they are learning to read and working on their vocabulary and literacy skills.

We encourage kids to keep reading and learning all summer long with great titles from our digital collections of eBooks and audiobooks.

OverDrive for Kids & Teens

Find great eBooks and audiobooks that you’ll love to read, including humor, nonfiction, and graphic novels. Reading and listening to books are great ways to stay entertained and engaged all summer long.

For kids’ titles, browse our OverDrive Kids’ Collection.

For teens’ titles, check out our OverDrive Teens’ Collection.

TeenBookCloud

Discover great reading in this online collection of teen novels, classics, graphic novels, and poetry for middle and high school readers.

Get started at our TeenBookCloud web page.

TumbleBook Library

Explore our online collection of early reader chapter books, kids’ classics, graphic novels, and more.

Visit our TumbleBook Library web page to discover great digital reads.

Our digital resources are available to in-district library card holders. If you have questions about your library card, you can call us at 509.893.8400.

Reading for a Chance to Win

Summer reading is for all ages—young children, tweens, teens, and adults.

Track your summer reading for a chance to win a prize!

When you log an hour of reading and complete activities, you earn summer reading badges. Every badge gives you an entry in the prize drawing for a family adventure pack and the grand prize family camping kit. Prizes are sponsored by the Library Foundation of Spokane County.

The summer reading challenge continues through August 31.

Learn more about it in our news post titled, Read Beyond the Beaten Path: Track Your Summer Reading for a Chance to Win a Prize.

Tags: Beanstack, camping, comedy, Families, kids, library programs, music, online reading challenge, outdoors, parents, science, stories, storytime, summer, Summer reading, teens, tie dye, tweens