Local Libraries Plan Summer Activities For Kids
June 9, 2008 by Christina Lemmey
We’re on the official countdown of the last two weeks of school, which means this mom is scrambling to get activities, playdates, and camp schedules finalized! In years past I have been caught off guard by the whining moans of, “Mom! I’m Bored!” and I refuse to fall victim to it again!
For some reason I always forget to check out the activities at our local library. I get spoiled during the school year because my kids go to the school library at least twice a week. But local libraries are a fabulous source of inexpensive yet fun activities for kids of all ages.
Last summer our library kicked off the summer reading program with a magic show. The show itself wasn’t long enough (even I didn’t want to leave!) but it was really fast-paced with pumped-up music and it left the entire audience wondering, “How did he do that?” And to be just 4 feet away from the magic was truly an experience.
Most libraries have a summer reading program in place, which helps keep kids interested in reading and gives them rewards for reaching certain goals. Natural born readers will delight in browsing the shelves, looking for new titles, and those who struggle a bit will enjoy the recognition and reward for having challenged themselves with their summer reading. Whether the kids read one book or 30, the goal is to keep them reading and enjoying the process.
Toddlers and preschoolers can often participate in story times at the library. These are short sessions, based on age, where a few books are read, sometimes along with a quick craft or dancing. This is a great, low-stress way for young kids to interact and socialize with other children and may prevent or diminish any separation anxiety they may have entering preschool.
If you need some rainy day activities, check out the library for video and CD rentals. This is a very inexpensive way to see a new movie or to listen to a different type of music. Experiment with your kids and see if they like dancing to opera or Broadway show tunes.
Middle schoolers or high schoolers may find a book club that meets during the summer at the library. Very often these students have assigned summer reading and getting together with other students can help them understand the finer points of the books.
Your local library is a fantastic, low-cost resource for summer fun. Cool off from the heat by escaping into the book world of make believe.
Become a kid again and rediscover the meaning of fun! Get 8 weeks of themed activities to do with your elementary school child.
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