JUST FOR KIDS

The Ledger
·6 min read
With 15 public libraries to enjoy in Polk County, there are a variety of activities, giveaways and contests offered all summer long. This year's theme is Oceans of Possibilities.
With 15 public libraries to enjoy in Polk County, there are a variety of activities, giveaways and contests offered all summer long. This year's theme is Oceans of Possibilities.

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 on the Oceans of Possibilities Summer Reading Program 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.

EARLY LEARNING COALITION

FAMILY FUN DAY: 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. June 25, Early Learning Coalition, 115 S. Missouri Ave., Lakeland. Free. Family-friendly community event with free food, entertainment and gifts for children. Face painting, hourly K-9 demonstrations, music, balloon art, lip-syncing, and many other activities. Theme: "America Strong: Today’s Children, Tomorrow’s Future." Special guests will include Lindsey Franxman, Miss Lakeland 2022, and Lady Liberty. Special salute to Polk teachers. 863-577-2450. https://www.elcpolk.org/

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., Wednesdays, 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.

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. Tuesdays, Children up to age 18 chose one free book every visit. Polk County School Board program.

HAINES CITY PUBLIC LIBRARY

111 N. Sixth St., Haines City.

863-421-3633.

https://hainescity.com/171/Library

AMONG US: 4 to 5:30 p.m. Mondays, middle school and high school. Free. Group play. Several devices available or bring your own device.

MINECRAFT: 4 to 5:30 p.m. July 6,  elementary and middle school. Free. Group play; seven players at a time.

OCEANS PRESCHOOL STORYTIME: 10:30 and 11:30 a.m. Wednesdays, ages 2-5. Free. Stories, singing, a puppet show and ocean crafts. Limited space available; first come, first served. Limit 50 people per storytime.

ELEMENTARY TAKE-HOME CRAFT DAY: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. July 1, ages 5-12. Free.  Drop in to pick up a take-home ocean-themed craft bag to create at home. New craft available every Friday through July 22 while supplies last.

OCEANS BILINGUAL STORYTIME: 11 a.m. June 25, ages 2-5. Free. Storytime in English and Spanish with stories and a craft. Limited space available; first come, first served.

LAKE ALFRED PUBLIC LIBRARY

245 N. Seminole Ave., Lake Alfred.

863-291-5378

http://mylakealfred.com/departments/parks-and-recreation/library/

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

CRAFT DAYS: all day Mondays, all ages. Free.

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. June 29, main library.

BEAKERS & BOOKS: 3:30 p.m. July 7, ages 7-12. Larry R. Jackson Branch. Free. No registration required. A picture book science club where kids read a story and conduct science experiments. July 7, Cephalopods & Jet Propulsion; July 21, Undersea Volcanos.

BEAKERS & BOOKS: 10 a.m. July 5, ages 7-12. eLibrary South Lakeland. Free. No registration required. A picture book science club where kids read a story and conduct science experiments. July 5, Cephalopods & Jet Propulsion.

SPOOLS OUT FOR SUMMER: Kids Sewing Camp, 2 to 3:30 p.m. July 11-14, four-class series, eLibrary South Lakeland. Free for ages 9-12. Kids will learn how to use a sewing machine, basic stitches and hand-sewing skills as they make fun projects to take home. Registration opens 2 p.m. July 4. Registration is for all four classes in the camp, but seating is limited to six participants. Register at https://lakelandpl.libcal.com/event/9169025.

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. 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.

READING DETECTIVES: 3:30 to 4:30 p.m. July 12, grades three through five. Civic Center. Free.

GAME ON FOR KIDS: 3:30 to 4:30 p.m. June 28, elementary students. Civic Center. Free. Puzzles and board games.

PIRATES ADVENTURE: 2 to 3 p.m. June 29, all ages, families, Civic Center. Pirate Pete lost his precious treasure and he needs you to help him find it. Magic, balloons, audience participation and comedy featuring The Amazing Marco.

PERCY JACKSON AND THE LIGHTNING THIEF OLYMPICS: 1:30 to 11 p.m. June 30. Teens/tweens. Free. Compete in a series of mental and physical challenges to claim victory as the top fan of The Lightning Thief.

POKEMON CLUB: 3:30 to 4:30 p.m. July 4,  ages 7 to 14, Pavilion. Free. Trade cards and battle.

BOOK AND A CRAFT: 10 to 11 a.m. homeschool; 3:30 to 4:30 p.m. first through fifth grade, July 5, first Tuesdays. Free. Highlight a picture book and create a craft to go along with the story.

CREATE & CRUNCH: 1:30 p.m. high school, 2:30 p.m. middle school, July 7, first Thursdays. Civic Center. Free. Make crafts inspired by books. Theme: Pirates/treasure.

WINTER HAVEN PUBLIC LIBRARY

325 Ave. A NW, Winter Haven.

863-291-5880

www.mywinterhaven.com/library/

SUMMER STORY TIME: 10:30 to 11:30 a.m. or 2:30 to 3:30 p.m. Tuesdays, ages 5 and younger. Free. Stories, songs, fingerplays and puppet shows. Registration required.

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