JUST FOR KIDS
OCEANS OF POSSIBILITIES 2022 SUMMER READING ACTIVITY GUIDE
With 15 public libraries to enjoy in Polk County, there are a variety of activities, giveaways and contests offered all summer long. These summer programs are free and for all ages. For more information and to locate the library or participating community center nearest to you, check out the Oceans of Possibilities 2022 Summer Reading Activity Guide at https://mypclc.org/custom/web/content/PCLCSummerReadingGuide2022edited606.pdf.
AUBURNDALE PUBLIC LIBRARY
100 W. Bridgers Ave., Auburndale.
863-965-5548
www.auburndalefl.com/library/
STORYTIME BOXES: ages 2 to 5, books, fingerplays and crafts. One-week checkout, must have an adult library card.
S.T.E.A.M. BOXES: ages 5 to 13, hands-on learning with gadgets, instruments and more, two-week checkout, youth and adult card.
PAWS FOR READING: 4 to 5 p.m. Mondays. Free. Come read to Sophie, the therapy dog.
BARTOW PUBLIC LIBRARY
2150 S. Broadway Ave., Bartow.
863-534-0131
www.cityofbartow.net/departments-services/library
BOOK BABIES: 10 to 10:30 a.m. Thursdays, ages 18 months to 2 years. Free. Nursery rhymes, fingerplays, songs, bubbles.
STORY TIME: 10 to 10:45 a.m., Tuesdays, ages 3-5. Free. Stories, songs, fingerplays and a film.
STORY TIME: 3 to 4 p.m.., Tuesdays, ages 6-8. Free. Stories, songs, fingerplays and a film.
PUPPETRY WORKSHOP SEA CREATURE PUPPET SHOW: 3 to 4:30 p.m., Thursdays, ages 9-12. Free. Learn about different kinds of puppets and puppeteers, and make a different kind of puppet each week, ending with a puppet show you put on for your friends and family. Preregistration is suggested.
FAMILY FILM AND POPCORN: 2 to 4 p.m. Fridays.
FORT MEADE PUBLIC LIBRARY
75 East Broadway St., Fort Meade
863-285-8287
https://www.cityoffortmeade.com/departments/library.php
TAKE AND MAKE A CRAFT: all day pick up, Tuesdays, kindergarten through 12th grade. Free.
BOOK BRIDGE BUS: 11:15 a.m. to 1 p.m. Wednesdays, children up to age 18 chose one free book every visit. Polk County School Board program.
ANIMAL CROSSING MEET-UP: 10 a.m. to noon, July 28, drop in, all ages. Free. Bring your own device.
MOVIE MONDAYS: 3 p.m. July 25, "Free Willy: Escape from Pirate's Cove." Free.
HAINES CITY PUBLIC LIBRARY
111 N. Sixth St., Haines City.
863-421-3633.
https://hainescity.com/171/Library
PRESCHOOL STORYTIME: 10:30 a.m. and 11:30 a.m. Wednesdays, ages 2-5. Free. Ocean stories, singing, a puppet show and and ocean crafts. Limited space available - first come first served.
BILINGUAL STORYTIME: 11 a.m. every other Saturday, Aug. 6. Storytime in English and Spanish for ages 2-5. Free. Stories and a craft. Limited space available - first come first served.
AMONG US: 3 to 5 p.m. Mondays, middle school and high school. Free. Group play. Bring your own device. Young adult room.
ANIMAL CROSSING FISHING TOURNAMENT: 4 to 5:30 p.m. Wednesdays, middle school and high school. Free. Bring your Nintendo Switch with the Animal Crossing game on it. One Animal Crossing game available for a Switch owner to play and one system with game available. First come, first served. Young adult room.
SUMMER OF SENSORY: 10:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. July 28, preschoolers get hands-on experiences with toddler-friendly activities, games and puzzles.
ENCANTO SING-A-LONG PARTY: 1 to 3 p.m. July 23, preschool and elementary ages. Dress-up, enjoy snacks and sing along with Encanto.
LAKE ALFRED PUBLIC LIBRARY
245 N. Seminole Ave., Lake Alfred.
863-291-5378
https://www.mylakealfred.com/calendar.aspx?CID=33&showPastEvents=false
HONEYBEE STORY TIME: 10 to 11 a.m. Wednesdays, ages up to 4. Free. Must be accompanied by an adult.
AFTERNOON CRAFT: 4 to 4:30 p.m. Mondays, ages 5 and up. Free. Must be accompanied by an adult.
LAKE WALES PUBLIC LIBRARY
290 Cypress Garden Lane, Lake Wales.
863-678-4004
www.cityoflakewales.com/Library
WIGGLES AND GIGGLES: 11 a.m. to noon, Tuesdays, walkers through age 4 and their caregivers. Free. Books, fingerplays, action songs and rhymes.
ANIME CLUB: 1 to 2 p.m. Saturdays, ages 13-18.
LAKELAND PUBLIC LIBRARY
Larry R. Jackson Branch
eLibrary South Lakeland
1700 N. Florida Ave., Lakeland.
863-834-4288
http://www.lakelandgov.net/departments/library/
STORYTIME WITH MR. CHARLES: 10 a.m. July 27, main library.
OCEANS OF POSSIBILITIES: Friday Drop-Ins, 10 a.m. to noon, Larry R. Jackson Branch. Free. No registration required. Explore the ocean depths with crafts and games. July 29, The Trenches.
MEDULLA RESOURCE CENTER
1049 Parker Road, Lakeland.
BUSY BEE SPORTS EXPLORERS: 10 to 11 a.m. Tuesdays, ages 3 to 6, must be accompanied by adult. Free. Limited to 15. July's featured sport: Track and Field. Presented by Polk County Parks & Recreation. Contact cherryalston@polk-county.net. https://www.facebook.com/events/591830545194199/.
MULBERRY PUBLIC LIBRARY
905 Fifth St. NE, Mulberry.
MULBERRY CIVIC CENTER
901 Fifth St. NE, Mulberry.
863-425-3246
www.mulberrylibrary.com/
PRESCHOOL STORYTIME: 9:30 a.m. and 10:30 a.m. Wednesdays, ages up to 5. Civic Center. Free. Stories and songs.
BOOK BRIDGE BUS: 11:15 a.m. to 1 p.m. Tuesdays, elementary children chose one free book every visit. Polk County School Board program.
BOOK AND A CRAFT: 10 to 11 a.m. Tuesdays, grades first through fifth. Free. Civic Center. Highlight a picture book and create a craft to go along with the story.
GAME ON! KIDS: 10 to 11 a.m. July 26, grades 1-5. Free. Conference room. Puzzles and board games.
GAME ON! TWEENS: 1:30 to 2:15 p.m. July 28, Free. Civic Center. Puzzles, board games and video games.
GAME ON! TEENS: 2:30 to 3:30 p.m. July 28, Free. Civic Center. Puzzles, board games and video games.
CREATE & CRUNCH: 1:30 p.m. high school, 2:30 p.m. middle school, Aug. 4, first Thursdays. Civic Center. Free. Make crafts inspired by books. Theme: Ocean/Aquariums.
OVERBOOKED: 1:30 to 2:30 p.m. Aug. 11, Grades 6-8. Civic Center. Free. Book club. Reviewing "Amulet: The Stonekeeper" by Kazu Kibuishi.
WINTER HAVEN PUBLIC LIBRARY
325 Ave. A NW, Winter Haven.
863-291-5880
www.mywinterhaven.com/library/
LEGO CLUB: 4 to 5 p.m. Tuesdays, ages 6 to 12. Free. Lego blocks. Creations displayed the following week.
Send kids' activities to features@theledger.com.
This article originally appeared on The Ledger: KIDS CALENDAR
