Above: The Southborough Library is using a free basket raffle to entice kids to read this summer (photo by Beth Melo)
The Southborough Library is midway through the Summer Reading program. If you have young kids who haven’t checked out the fun in the Children’s Room yet, I recommend taking the time to swing by.
To entice kids to read and engage them in literacy activities, the Library is offering kids chances to win fun basket prizes in a raffle this summer.
While I’m updating readers on that opportunity, I’m also reminding of other upcoming fun for kids through the Summer Reading Program.
As always, the library is drawing kids in with special programs including entertainers, outdoor story times, and craft programs.
[Note: This post is about programs for children under the age of 12 years old. For a reminder about the program for tweens and teens, click here.]
Summer Reading Basics (including Basket Raffle)
As I previously wrote, kids are invited to earn prize tokens by tracking their reading and completing activities. Those tokens can be placed in raffle jars for prize baskets. (What I was originally missing is how colorful and fun the baskets on display look!)
To take part in the program, kids can sign up in person in the Children’s Room or online (here). To collect prize tokens, participants can bring in their reading logs and complete activities, like the weekly scavenger hunts to “unscramble” words in the library.
Additional incentives include collecting beads for every 15 minutes of reading (to make jewelry/keychains) and completing enough activities to earn a free book.
Although the program will continue until the end of August, the raffle drawing will take place on Monday, August 25th (before the school year resumes).
When kids drop-in to the Children’s Room, they can also check out one of the popular library ducks. Kids are encouraged to report back with pictures on what the ducks did on their vacation and share pictures.
You can find the full Summer Program details and activity sheets here.
Weekly Program
These events don’t require pre-registration.
Outdoor Story Times
Most are Wednesday afternoons, with one Tuesday morning
Bring a blanket and listen to stories outside on the lawn! (In the case of inclement weather, the event will move to the Children’s Room.)
- Wednesdays, 4:30 – 5:00 pm, July 30th, and August 13th
- Tuesday, August 5th, 11:00 – 11:30 am
Kids Jam
Fridays, 11:00 – 11:30 am, through August 29th (except for July 4th), Library lawn
Best for newborns through preschool age. Join Amy Kaufman sing a variety of traditional and popular children’s songs, accompanied by her mountain dulcimer. Kids are invited to dance and sing along! (It will be moved indoors in the case of inclement weather.) (Sponsored by the Friends of the Southborough Library.)
Special Events
The program includes booked entertainers and planned special stand-alone events to draw kids into the library this summer. A few, specified below, have limited space and require pre-registration, and a couple have specific audiences. But most are drop-in and open to anyone.
(If you have questions about any of the events, you can contact Asst. Library Director Kim Ivers at kivers@southboroughma.com)
Science Heroes: Adventure of the Missing Color
Tuesday, July 29th, 4:00 – 4:30 PM
Suited best for kids entering grades K-5. Science Heroes returns to the library with stories about the scientists who color our world! This show will feature interactive stories along with hands-on science experiments. Sponsored by the Friends of the Southborough Library.
Cartooning Camp Buffet
Daily events Monday, August 4th – Friday, August 8th, 10:30 AM – 12:30 or 1:30 PM
Registration is required for these special cartooning and graphic novel workshops for ages 8-17, each with a different focus. (There were only 1-2 openings in three of the workshops when I checked this morning — but there was also the ability to be added to a waitlist.) For more details, see dedicated post.
Rainy Day Nature Story Time
Tuesday, August 12th, 11:00 – 11:45 AM
Registration is required for this event suggested as appropriate for ages 2-5 years old. This story time will include feature hands-on activities to introduce the water cycle and show what animals do when it rains. A water experiment and collage craft will follow the story. The program is presented by the MA DCR Division of Water Supply Protection.
Ed Popielarczyk’s Magical Moments
Thursday, August 14th, 4:00 – 4:45 PM
Ed Popielarczyk returns to the library with lots of magic to wrap up the Summer Reading Program! This show will promise lots of laughs and audience interaction. Bring a blanket or chair to join us on the library lawn. (In the case of inclement weather, this will be moved to the library’s the main floor.) Sponsored by the Friends of the Southborough Library.
Kindergarten Party
Thursday, August 21st, 11:00 AM – 12:00 PM
This event is for all children about to enter Kindergarten. The annual party will feature stories, games, and a craft followed by refreshments. Children can meet other children who will be in the same class at school. Sponsored by the Friends of the Southborough Library.
Drop-in Programs
Stop by the Children’s Room any time during the the large time blocks for these activities.
- Drop-in Crafts – Thursday, July 31, 11:00 am – 5:00 pm
- Drop-in Lego Building – Thursday, August 7, 11:0 am – 5:00 pm (Creations will be displayed in the Children’s Room)
