2024 Kids Summer Reading Program
June 1 - July 31
Unleash your imagination with the 2024 Kids Summer Reading Program! Track the time spent reading, reading aloud, or having someone read to you, including audiobooks, and earn prizes along the way. Join us for free arts and crafts workshops, animal shows, obstacle courses, and more. Registration is now open! Learn more and register!
Join us for summer programs for kids and teens!
All Ages
1, 2, 3 Andrés
All Ages
A high-energy interactive show, en inglés y en español. GRAMMY award winning 123 Andrés brings fresh, original songs that blend Spanish and English and get the whole family dancing. ¡Un concierto interactivo, para niños y familias! See the 1, 2, 3 Andrés schedule.
Animal Meet and Greets with Silly Safaris
All Ages
Meet up to three animals at these casual drop-in sessions presented by Silly Safaris. Ask your questions and take a picture with the critters. See the Animal Meet and Greets with Silly Safaris schedule.
Animal Shows with Silly Safaris
All Ages
Go on a wild adventure with Silly Safaris in this sit-down, 45-minute live animal show! You’ll have the chance to see animals up close and ask questions. Some sessions will include ASL interpretation. See the Silly Safaris Animal Show schedule.
Paws for a Cause: Crafter for Shelter Animals
All Ages
Kids and families will create DIYs to benefit IndyHumane to make a positive impact on animals in the Indianapolis community. See the Paws for a Cause schedule and register.
Pets Rock!
All Ages
Rocks make wonderful pets! Unleash your imagination as you choose, decorate, and personalize your very own pet rock companion. Some sessions will include ASL interpretation. See the Pets Rock! schedule and register.
Early Childhood
Act It Out Storytime with React
Ages 3-6
Children ages 3-6 will join React to act out stories featuring pets! Can you be a snake or a bunny? After reading the story, act it out! Some sessions will include ASL interpretation. See the Act It Out Storytime schedule and register.
Teen
Teen DIY Plant Pets with Purdue University Ages 12 and up Embark on a journey of creativity and nature. Create and decorate your very own plant pet and learn how to grow plants at home with Purdue Extension.Register at your branch or online at indypl. Some sessions will include ASL interpretation. See the Teem DIY Plant Pets schedule and register.
School Age
Build It! Woodworking Workshops with Deeply Ingrained
Ages 6 and up
Learn basic woodworking skills – how to measure, mark, and use tools safely. Each participant starts with raw materials and leaves with a sense of accomplishment, pride, and a functional finished project! All materials, tools and equipment are provided. Ages 6-8 may need assistance from adults. Some sessions will include ASL interpretation. See the Build It! Woodworking Workshop schedule and register.
Pet Dash Challenge Obstacle Course with JumpBunch
Ages 6 and up
Increase mobility and flexibility through a series of maneuvers in our pet training obstacle course. Inspire movement, problem-solving, and strengthen fine motor skills with each challenge! Some sessions will include ASL interpretation. See the Pet Dash Obstacle Course schedule and register.
Vet Adventures Animal First Aid
Ages 6 and up
Take a crash course in animal first aid. Learn the basics of pet safety, compassionate care, and take home your own animal first aid kit. Some sessions will include ASL interpretation. See the Vet Adventures Animal First Aid schedule and register.
Virtual Author Talk: A Visit to Deckawoo Drive - A Conversation with Mercy Watson and Kate DiCamillo
PreK - 2nd Grade
Tuesday, July 9 at 2 p.m.
Join us for a visit to Deckawoo Drive with everyone’s favorite adventure loving pig, Mercy Watson! Newbery Medal winning author Kate DiCamillo will be sharing the stories behind the creation of her early chapter book series, the original Mercy Watson, and the follow up series. Register for Kate DiCamillo's virtual author talk.
Virtual Author Talk: Surviving the Summer with The Last Kids on Earth - A Conversation with Max Brallier
3rd-6th Grade
Tuesday, July 16 at 2 p.m.
Would you survive a zombie apocalypse? Join us to talk with New York Times bestselling author Max Brallier about The Last Kids on Earth, both the book series and the animated series on Netflix. Register for Max Brallier's virtual author talk.
Virtual Author Talk: Graphic Novels for Life! - Telling Your Own Story in a Graphic Novel with Dan Santat
5th-8th Grade
Tuesday, July 30 at 2 p.m.
Join this year’s winner of the National Book Award for Young People's Literature, Dan Santat, as he inspires tweens and teens to tell their own stories through graphic novels. Register for Dan Santat author talk.
Storytime for Babies & Toddlers
Storytime with Professor Watermelon
East Washington Branch
Leap into storytime and learn all about frogs! With puppets, stories, and songs, Professor Watermelon will show children how these slippery amphibians live in and out of the water.
Baby ArtsPlay
Beech Grove Branch
Little ones will be engaged through stories and songs with sensory play and body movement activities! Help your 6 month-36 month child with their motor skills, emergent language, spatial awareness, and object permanence in this workshop with teaching artist Amauunet Ashé from Arts for Learning.
Storytime at Lawrence - Pajama Storytime!
Lawrence Branch
Young children and their caregivers are invited to join us for stories, songs, and fun. Stay after stories are finished for some literacy activities and play time.
Storytime for Preschoolers
Storytime with Professor Watermelon
East Washington Branch
Leap into storytime and learn all about frogs! With puppets, stories, and songs, Professor Watermelon will show children how these slippery amphibians live in and out of the water.
Storytime at Lawrence - Pajama Storytime!
Lawrence Branch
Young children and their caregivers are invited to join us for stories, songs, and fun. Stay after stories are finished for some literacy activities and play time.
Storytime at Michigan Road with Mr. Will
Michigan Road Branch
Preschoolers, toddlers, and their caregivers are invited for stories, fingerplays, crafts, and activities.
Arts & Crafts Programs for School Age Kids
Tween Open Activities
Central Library
Tweens ages 11-17 can join us in The Learning Curve, on the 3rd floor for drop-in craft projects. We will provide the materials; you can provide the creativity! Each Monday evening will feature a different craft or activity.
Minecraft Club at Central
Central Library
Minecrafters ages 7 and up are invited to use the Learning Curve's laptops to mine and build in Central Land, a virtual world hosted on the Curve’s private Minecraft server. Attendees can join in a new group build each week or test their skills in fun Hunger Games-style challenges!
Creative Writing and Drawing
Irvington Branch
Professor Watermelon and Mister Smart will show you how to write and illustrate your own stories, while using The Library for inspiration and research! Ages 6 and up.
Gaming Programs for School Age Kids
Family Game Night
Central Library
Have fun with giant-sized games and enjoy our collection of classic and modern board, card, and dice games for kids and families. Staff are available to make recommendations and answer questions. Gamers under age 12 need to bring an adult.
Family Game Night
Central Library
Have fun with giant-sized games and enjoy our collection of classic and modern board, card, and dice games for kids and families. Staff are available to make recommendations and answer questions. Gamers under age 12 need to bring an adult.
Family Game Night at Haughville
Haughville Branch
Families and children of all ages are invited to drop in any time to make new friends while playing board games or solving puzzles. Games and puzzles will be provided.
Take a walk and read a story as you go!
Stroll through a park and read a book displayed in mounted frames. Stories will be rotated on a monthly basis. Families are encouraged to post photos of their visit on social media.
StoryWalk® in Ruckle Street Park, 3025 Ruckle Street.