JUST FOR KIDS

The Ledger
·7 min read
NEIGHBORHOOD STORY TIME: 10 a.m. to noon, July 21, Medulla Community Center. For preschool children up to age 6. Free. A costumed character reads stories from "If I were a Park Ranger" by Catherine Stier.
NEIGHBORHOOD STORY TIME: 10 a.m. to noon, July 21, Medulla Community Center. For preschool children up to age 6. Free. A costumed character reads stories from "If I were a Park Ranger" by Catherine Stier.

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., 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, 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.

TEDDY BEAR PICNIC: 10 a.m. to noon, July 9, ages 6 and older. Bring a picnic lunch, a towel or blanket to sit on, and your favorite teddy bear. Prizes will be awarded to the prettiest, most handsome, funniest, and oldest or most loved bears.

PAINTING WITH THE COLORS OF THE OCEAN: 2 to 4 p.m., July 13, teens. Free. Step-by-step instructions and supplies provided. Beginners welcome.

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.

POKEMON GO MEET-UP: 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. July 14, drop in, all ages. Free. Bring your own device.

ANIMAL CROSS MEET-UP: 10 a.m. to noon, July 28, drop in, all ages. Free. Bring your own device.

HAINES CITY PUBLIC LIBRARY

111 N. Sixth St., Haines City.

863-421-3633.

https://hainescity.com/171/Library

PRESCHOOL STORYTIME: 10:30 a.m. Wednesdays, ages  2-5. Free. Stories, singing, a puppet show and a craft. Limited space available - first come first served.

BILINGUAL STORYTIME: 11 a.m. every other Saturday. Storytime in English and Spanish for ages 2-5. Free. Stories and a craft. Limited space available — first come first served.

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.

MARIO KART: 4 to 5:30 p.m. every other Tuesday, elementary and middle school. Free. Group play. All supplies provided. Eight players at a time.

MINECRAFT: 4 to 5:30 p.m. July 20, elementary and middle school. Free. Group play; seven players at a time.

ANIMAL CROSSING FISHING TOURNAMENT: 3 to 5 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.

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 13, July 27, main library.

BEAKERS & BOOKS: 3:30 p.m. July 21, 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 21, Undersea Volcanos.

TECH-KNOW MONDAYS: 3:30 p.m. July 11, ages 6 to 12, Larry R. Jackson Branch. Free. No registration required. Build, play, and create with circuits. Light-Up Lantern Fish.

BEAKERS & BOOKS: 10 a.m. July 11, 19, 21, 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 19, Undersea Volcanos.

TECH-TUESDAYS: 10 a.m. July 12, ages 6 to 12, eLibrary South Lakeland. Free. No registration required. Build, play, and create with circuits. July 12, Light-Up Lantern Fish.

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/.

NEIGHBORHOOD STORY TIME: 10 a.m. to noon, July 21,  preschool children up to age 6. Free. A costumed character reads stories from a children's book. July book: "If I were a Park Ranger" by Catherine Stier. Hands-on activities follows. Snacks provided. Presented by Polk County Parks & Recreation. Limited capacity. 863-647-4035. https://www.facebook.com/pages/Medulla-Community-Center/202835616435593

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, second Tuesdays, grades three through five. Civic Center. Free. Review “Narwhal: Unicorn of the Sea."

POKEMON CLUB: 3:30 to 4:30 p.m. July 18, first and third Mondays, ages 7 to 14, Pavilion. Free. Trade cards and battle.

GAME ON! TEENS AND TWEENS: 1:30 p.m. Tweens; 2:30 p.m. Teens, July 28, fourth Thursdays, Free. Civic Center. Puzzles, board games and video games.

BOOK AND A CRAFT: 10 to 11 a.m. July 12, Tuesdays, grades first through fifth. Free. Civic Center. Highlight a picture book and create a craft to go along with the story. “How to Catch a Mermaid.”

GAME ON! KIDS: 10 to 11 a.m. July 26, fourth Tuesdays, grades 1-5. Free. Civic Center. Puzzles and board games.

OVERBOOKED: 1:30 to 2:30 p.m. July 14, second Thursdays, Grades 6-8. Civic Center. Free. Book club. Reviewing "Malamand."

TWISTED TALES: 2:30 to 3:30 p.m. July 21, third Thursdays, grades 9-12. Civic Center. Free. High School Book Club. Reviewing "The Raft."

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.

PENCIL EXPRESSION: 10 a.m. July 19, elementary school; 1:30 p.m. July 21, middle school; 10 a.m. June 21, elementary school; 2:30 p.m. July 14, high school. Civic Center. Free. Writing Club. Snacks provided.

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.

TEEN BOOK CLUB: 4:30 to 5:30 p.m. July 14, second Thursdays, ages 13-17. Free.

Send kids' activities to features@theledger.com.

This article originally appeared on The Ledger: Kids calendar