Our free all-ages summer reading games are back in person! Read for fun, complete activities, and attend events to earn prizes! Pick up a game board beginning May 23 at the Downtown Library, Ellettsville Branch, or on the Bookmobile! This year, the Friends of the Library Foundation will donate $1,000 to the Community Kitchen of Monroe County when we meet our registration goal of 1,000 people! Learn more at mcpl.info/summerreading. 

Join Andrew Woodard, IU Maker Education Specialist, in exploring Makey Makey invention kits! He'll also cover Scratch, a free programming language and online community where you can create your own interactive stories, games, and animations. Ages 8–12. Please register.

Stories, songs, and rhymes get your preschooler talking, singing, and playing with books and words! For ages 3–6 with caregivers. Please register for each session you will attend.

Learn about electrical circuits and light up your artistic playdough creations at home! Register now to pick up a kit between June 1–12 in the children's area at the Downtown Library to use at home. The kit includes a booklet to help you learn about engineers and what they do, and suggestions for ways to guide your child in their making. You’ll also receive book recommendations to enhance your child’s learning, info on an optional online workshop, and an invitation from scientists at Indiana University to take part in their ongoing research about how to help children develop the ability to solve problems creatively. For ages 7–12 with a caregiver. Please register. 

Design a motorized bot that “paints” at home! Register now to pick up a kit between June 1–12 in the children's area at the Downtown Library to use at home. The kit includes a booklet to help you learn about engineers and what they do, and suggestions for ways to guide your child in their making. You’ll also receive book recommendations to enhance your child’s learning, info on an optional online workshop, and an invitation from scientists at Indiana University to take part in their ongoing research about how to help children develop the ability to solve problems creatively. For ages 7–12 with a caregiver. Please register. 

Explore different art media and express your creativity with fun unique projects! In June, we’ll learn about the legend of the Kraken while making Kraken felt toys. In July, we’ll learn about shark conservation efforts and shark myths while making clay sea creatures. Ages 5–12 (please note that children ages 5–7 may need assistance from an adult caregiver). Please register.

We’re teaming up with Vintage Phoenix Comic Books for our annual celebration of comics and manga, and a challenge to create a piece of sequential art from start to finish in one day! Art supplies are provided, as well as prizes, lunch, and snacks. Come by for an hour or stay for the entire day, but don't miss the special anime drawing program from 1–2 PM presented by artist Carlos Nieto III of Anime Your Way. Age 7 & up.

Families with babies play, sing, read, and talk together! Ages birth–3. Please register.

Explore your creativity with different materials and techniques at this fun, open-ended art experience. Dress to mess. For ages 3–6 and their families.

Families with babies play, sing, read, and talk together at Switchyard Park (1601 S. Rogers Street, Bloomington)! We'll meet at the Pavilion Lawn. Feel free to bring something to sit on! Ages birth–3. Please register.

Please note: the rain location for this event is the Downtown Library Children's Program Room.

Explore the mysteries and absurdities of the physical world with Stuntologist Sam Bartlett. Using everyday objects, Sam demonstrates how you can amaze yourself and amuse your friends with fantastic tricks and easy stunts anyone can do! There are oceans of possibilities! All ages. Please register.

Stories, songs, and rhymes get your preschooler talking, singing, and playing with books and words! For ages 3–6 with caregivers. Please register for each session you will attend.