Tagged Summer Reading
Summer of Wonder: 3 Ways to Get Kids Reading This Summer
The Free Library of Philadelphia’s Summer of Wonder program is a reading challenge for all ages that allows participants to attend fun Free Library events, find new books to read, and explore activities to stay engaged throughout…
Summertime Fun and STEM Enrichment at the Free Library
To build an enlightened community devoted to lifelong learning, The Free Library is an advocate and valuable resource for students in and around the City of Philadelphia. The Free Library Foundation proudly supports the Library’s…
Get Ready for an Exciting Summer of Wonder at the Free Library!
Summer of Wonder is the Free Library's flagship summer reading challenge for all ages. Participants can attend library programs, find new books to read, and explore activities to stay engaged throughout the summer. Summer of Wonder…
Enjoy Online Reading Challenges Year-Round!
You may have heard of our citywide Summer of Wonder program full of activities, programs, and prizes for all ages, but did you know that the Free Library offers an Online Reading Challenge that runs all year long? And…
That’s a Wrap on Summer of Wonder 2023!
This summer has flown by, and believe it or not, the Free Library’s Summer of Wonder is already wrapping up! We finished our in-person summer programming in branches on August 11, and our Virtual Summer Challenge will be complete…
Teens Working at the Free Library
We here at Youth Services are so proud of our new teen hires! Thanks to PYN, they’ll be with us all summer long. What is PYN? The Philadelphia Youth Network (PYN) works with strategic partners to create education, skill-building…
Summer of Wonder: We're Halfway Through!
Neighborhood libraries have been busy this summer happily welcoming our patrons! As we get back to full staffing levels and resume Saturdays at select branches , it has been so wonderful to see our communities returning to…
Celebrate Disability Pride Month!
July is Disability Pride Month! After years of fighting, on July 26, 1990, the Americans with Disabilities Act was signed into law, and Disability rights activists declared the day to be Disability Pride Day . It wasn't until 25…
Why Libraries Are So Important This Pride Month
Have you ever felt like you didn’t belong — like something about you wasn’t right, or didn’t meet the expectations of others — and can you remember how that felt? What about when you were welcomed —…
Kick off Your Summer of Wonder With a Week of Play!
It’s that wondrous time of year again when the sun heats up, the spray parks open, and the books come out! We’re talking about the Summer of Wonder , of course. What started over a century ago as a week-long reading…
Join the Summer Camp Challenge!
Summer is on its way, once again. If you will be working with Philly kids at an existing summer camp program, we welcome you to join us in the Summer Camp Challenge! Whether it’s your camp’s first time or third, this program…
Celebrating Another Summer of Wonder
We're setting new Summer of Wonder records in 2022! Not only did we meet our Community Reading Minutes goal for the summer, we also blasted past all of our minutes-read milestones and logged the most online community minutes…
Time Travel to the Beginning of the Universe
Interested in time travel? The superpowered James Webb Telescope has released its first images this month, giving us a window into distant space and the distant past. It’s dazzling. The Carina Nebula, a birthing ground for stars,…
Halfway through Summer of Wonder 2022!
The Summer Readers of Philadelphia are on a roll. Just halfway through the Free Library’s Summer of Wonder, we’re more than halfway to our citywide online reading minutes goal! If you’re not signed up yet, it’s…
Summer of Wonder is Heating Up!
Summer is here, and along with the rising temperatures, the Summer of Wonder is heating up! In June, we kicked off Pride Month with a brand new Pride March right here in Philly, and we’re celebrating Pride with the Free Library…
Summer of Wonder Begins! | Everyone. Everywhere.
Everyone. Everywhere. The Summer of Wonder is all around you. It is happening at libraries and bus stops, at city parks and in camps, on PlayStreets, and in your very own homes. Everywhere you look this summer, you’ll find Philly…
Start Summer of Wonder with a Treasure Hunt
There’s treasure in your neighborhood if you know where to look! Southwest Philadelphia families are invited to hunt down treasure troves of books to kick-off Summer of Wonder in June. Saturday, June 4th, starting at 10am until…
Join Science in the Summer to Be a Biologist!
Summer is a time of growth, fruit, and bloom, when life on this planet feels abundant and vibrant. It might be a season when we feel more aware of other beings living alongside us, even here in the city. Is it a natural time to consider…
Summer Camp Challenge is Back!
It’s that wonderful time of year again, when the birds begin to sing and educators, caregivers, and camp leaders start to wonder: what is this summer going to hold? If you’ll be working with Philadelphia kids at an existing…
An Update from Our Summer of Wonder Teen Artist Deyania Sanders
Last year, the Free Library put out a contest call for artwork from high school students. Deyania Sanders’ art teacher encouraged her to submit her designs and she was selected to be our Summer of Wonder artist! You’ve seen…
Under the Museum
The Museum of the American Revolution presents Revolution at the Library! Under the Museum. Do you love history? So do we! Go behind the scenes with museum staff to discover cool artifacts from the past, and hear the…
Thinking Like a Historian!
The Museum of the American Revolution presents Thinking Like a Historian! Historians use objects, documents, and contextual knowledge to build an understanding of the past. Together with museum staff, students will be invited to do the…
Kids' Nutrition and Cooking Class
Learn about healthy eating & nutrition with fun activities, including food tasting and preparation. This program is best for school-age kids. This program is presented by Jefferson/Einstein's A Better Start F. U.N.…
Build It!
Drop in any time between 2:00 p.m. and 4:30 p.m. to build with LEGO, Magna-Tiles, and more! For children ages 5-12. Younger siblings are welcome (we have blocks for them, too.) No large groups (10+ people) or camp groups please.…
Fun in the Shade!
Are you ready for some fun in the shade? Cool down with us on Thursdays from 3:30-4:30 pm while we play, explore, build, create, and more each week! This program will take place in our Story Hour Room and is intended for our…
Lego day
Build and create with the library’s Legos!
Crafternoon for Kids
Join us for a new self-directed craft every week in July and August! Drop-in on Thursday afternoons 2:00-4:30 p.m. August 29: Assortment of crafts from previous weeks! No camp groups or large groups (8+ people) allowed due to limited…
Sensory Storytime
Sensory Storytime is designed for children ages 5 and under who are on the Neurodivergent Spectrum. We will read stories, sing songs, and do other interactive exercises to promote engagement and learning. Space is limited to 10…
Read to a Therapy Dog!
Independent readers and children who are learning to read are invited to practice their reading skills with a certified therapy dog from Comfort Caring Canines. Yes, you can pet them, too! Dogs will be accompanied by their handler…
Children’s Storytime
Babies and PreK children are welcome to join us for dancing, reading, singing, and more. Follow us on Instagram @SouthPhillyLibrary for updates!
Yoga for Curious Kids
In this class, children and their favorite adult will experience 30 minutes of fun and inspirational interaction, encouraging the child's natural thirst for knowledge. This class is personalized around children's curiosities as…
Kids' Summer Book Club
Join us every fourth Tuesday this summer for the One Crazy Summer book club and spend the summer back in time with the Gaither sisters! Each month we'll focus on one of the three books in this award-winning series by…
Game Day!
Chess, Checkers, and more!
Science in the Summer: Be a Spacesuit Designer!
Big Question: How can we design a spacesuit that protects astronauts from radiation and micrometeorides? Kids entering grades 2 - 6 can be space scientists this summer at the Falls Library! Science in the Summer is a free…
Board Games for Kids & Teens
Drop in any time between 2:00 p.m. and 6:30 p.m. to play board games like Sorry, Candy Land, and many more! Games will be available to play on the children's side of the library. No large groups, please (10+ people) due to space…
Kids' Nutrition and Cooking Class
Learn about healthy eating & nutrition with fun activities, including food tasting and preparation. This program is best for school-age kids. This program is presented by Jefferson/Einstein's A Better Start F. U.N.…
Preschool Storytime
Join us inside the library for stories, rhymes, songs and movement! Best suited for ages 2-5 and their caregivers.
Kids Construction Club
Build your dreams, one block at a time. Explore different types of toddler-friendly construction toys including MagnaTiles, LEGOs, KEVA planks, and more. For children ages 4 and under.
Family BINGO
Come play BINGO at the library! Children ages 5 and up, teens and their accompanying adults are welcome to attend. We’ll have prizes for everyone! No need to register, just show up. No large groups or camp groups please due to…
Be a Space Scientist! Science in the Summer for 5th and 6th Grade
Join us for an hour of hands-on fun as we explore space and science careers through fun experiments! This session is for older kids in 5th and 6th grade. Snacks provided. July 29: Be a Planetary Geologist!…
Elin Hilderbrand | The Perfect Couple
“The queen of the summer beach read” ( New York Post ), Elin Hilderbrand has captured the flavor, scenery, and people of Nantucket in more than 20 New York Times bestselling novels, including The Beach Club, The Matchmaker , and The…