July Kids' Events Feature Live Shows, Parks and STEAMy Fun
From STEAM programs to live shows to park adventures, kids and families can fill the summer with safe, fun activities, and learn a lot along the way. Here’s just a sample of what’s ahead – and don’t forget the indoor storytimes for tots and preschoolers! For a full, daily schedule of things to do, visit thelibrary.org/programs.
- Friday, July 1, Game Night at the Strafford Branch Library, 4 p.m.-6 p.m. for grades 5-adults. Join us for a night of snacks and board games at the Library!
- Wednesday, July 6-August 3, Summer Reading Pals at Schweitzer Brentwood Branch Library community room, 2 p.m. for grades K-3. Get your summer reading minutes in with one of our dog friends from Pet Therapy of the Ozarks! Bring a couple of books from home or pick out one or two at the library to read with a loving four-legged listener. To register call 417-616-0703.
- Thursday, July 7, Reading Pals in the Republic Branch Library community room, 4:30 p.m. for grades K-5. Our friends from Pet Therapy of the Ozarks need your help — they love a good story but can't read. Practice your reading skills with these furry, loveable friends. To register call 417-732-7284.
- Friday, July 8, Fantastic Friday at the Springfield Conservation Nature Center, 4601 S. Nature Center Way, 10 a.m.-noon for preschool-grade 5. Rivers, creeks, springs and lakes - Missouri has wonderful waterways! Learn who lives in the water and how to enjoy and take care of waterways with our friends from the Springfield Conservation Nature Center. Bring your entire family and enjoy outdoor/indoor activities, stories, crafts and more. Bring your library card – the Mobile Library will be parked nearby.
- Saturday, July 9, Bilingual Storytime in the Midtown Carnegie Branch Library Children's Department, 2 p.m.-3 p.m. for ages 3-7. This bilingual interactive storytime is designed especially for English-speaking and Spanish-speaking families. We'll introduce parents and children to books, reading and language. Parents learn fun ways to build early literacy skills and introduce their children to the Spanish language. Following storytime children will create their own animal art to help retell the story. Materials will be provided. Provided in partnership with the AcompañARTE Cultural Center.
- Monday, July 11, Ocean Magic with Tommy Terrific, Midtown Carnegie Branch Library upstairs meeting room, 10 a.m. for preschool-grade 4. Dive into a magical adventure under the sea with magic tricks featuring ocean wildlife and ecosystems! With help from the giant Magician’s Handbook, Tommy and our young oceanic explorers will learn how oceans and biodiversity enrich our lives and the world around us in this wild and interactive show for kids of all ages.
- Tuesday, July 12, Ocean Magic with Tommy Terrific, Monday, July 11, 10 a.m., Midtown Carnegie Branch upstairs meeting room, and Library Station Frisco Room, 2 p.m. for preschool-grade 4.
- Friday, July 15, Fantastic Friday at the Springfield Art Museum, 1111 E. Brookside Drive, 10 a.m.-noon for preschool-grade 5. Join us at the Springfield Art Museum for aquatic art-making, exhibition exploration, and a sea-riffic storytime! We'll have several hands-on activities available and lots of opportunities for kids to explore the "oceans of possibilities" that exist within art! Bring your library card – the Mobile Library will be parked nearby.
- Water, Water, Everywhere! Have you ever noticed that water is everywhere, not just in oceans? It's around us all the time -- frozen on mountaintops, floating through the sky as clouds and even flowing inside our bodies! Join Dickerson Park Zoo guests to learn why water is so important, what makes it vital for survival and how we can keep our water sources healthy for all living things.
Monday, July 18, Midtown Carnegie Branch Library upstairs meeting room
10 a.m. for grades K-4.
Tuesday, July 19, Ash Grove City Park, 300 W. Parkway St.,
10 a.m. for grades K-4.
Tuesday, July 19, Library Center auditorium, 2 p.m. for grades K-4.
- Dive Into Reading! Get excited about books, reading and the library with Marty the Magician! His interactive show features amazing magic tricks involving fish, sea creatures, water and pirates! Add loads of comedy and audience participation for an unforgettable time. For preschool-grade 4.
Monday, July 18, Willard Branch, 10 a.m.
Tuesday, July 19, Schweitzer Brentwood Branch Library community room, 2 p.m.
Monday, July 25, Midtown Carnegie Branch Library upstairs meeting room
10 a.m.-11 a.m.,
Tuesday, July 26, Strafford Branch Library community room, 10 a.m.
- Friday, July 22, Fantastic Friday at the Watershed Center, Valley Water Mill Park, 2450 E. Valley Water Mill Road, 9 a.m.-noon for preschool-grade 5. We'll explore our past, present and future connections to water through reading adventures and hands-on activities. Kids of all ages will enjoy science, engineering and art-themed explorations of our Ozarks water resources. Bring your library card – the Mobile Library will be parked nearby.
- Friday, July 22, Wild Rumpus at The Library Center auditorium, 6:30 p.m. for age 2-grade 4. Follow Max on his grand adventure with a reading of "Where the Wild Things Are" as our friends from Springfield Ballet dance along to the story. Then we’ll roar, gnash our teeth and dance as the ballet leads us in our very own Wild Rumpus! You’ll also get to take home a free copy of Maurice Sendak’s beloved book; available while supplies last. See the Maurice Sendak Exhibit July-August in the Library Center!
- Monday, July 25, Storytime at Doling Park, 301 E. Talmage St., 10-10:30 a.m. for infants-age 6 with an adult caregiver. Gather 'round for a storytime in the park! Join your favorite children's librarians from the Library Station for a weekly, outdoor storytime featuring stories, songs and activities. Meet near the large pavilion behind the Family Center. Provided in partnership with the Springfield-Greene County Park Board.
- Monday, July 25, Waves of Laughter. Jay & Leslie of Laughing Matters will create a rising tide of merriment as they delight kids with juggling, stories and other hijinks designed for fun and learning fueled by laughter! Monday, July 25, Republic Branch Library, 3:30 p.m.-4:30 p.m. for preschool-grade 4 and Tuesday, July 26, Library Station, 2 p.m. in the Frisco Room.
- Tuesday, July 26, Stories in the Park, J.R. Martin Park, 300 E. Hines Street, Republic, 10 a.m. for infant-age 6. Join your favorite children's librarians for a weekly, outdoor storytime featuring stories, songs & activities. Meet at The Amp, we'll move to the pavilion in case of rain. Provided in partnership with the Republic Parks & Rec Department.
- Tuesday, July 26, STEAM Explorers in The Library Center Story Hour Room, 4:30 p.m. and 6:30 p.m. for grades K-2. Enjoy a story and explore related STEAM activities. Registration starts July 1; call 417-616-0526.
- Saturday, July 30, Camping Day at The Library Center auditorium, 10 a.m.-noon for ages 2-7. Go on an adventure with activities and crafts all about camping in the great outdoors – without the bugs!
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