Youth Services – Children
Summer Learning Program
Our Summer Learning Program begins on Monday, June 20 and runs for six weeks, through Sunday, July 31. This summer’s theme, Oceans of Possibilities, celebrates marine life and habitats. Get all the details about how the program works on our Summer Learning Program page. Check out summer events for children and families below.
The Summer Learning Program is sponsored by the Friends of Huntingdon Valley Library, with additional support from Blitz Tutors, The Bucks County Children’s Museum, Crayola Experience, Create Me Pottery, Dairy Queen of Bethayres, Dorney Park & Wildwater Kingdom, Lee’s Hoagie House of Southampton, Mad Golfer Golf Club, Penn Cinema, Philadelphia Rock Gyms, Sesame Place, Speed Raceway, and Sushiman.
Summer Events
Wednesday Night Family Events
Wednesdays at 7 pm in the Community Room
Space is limited. Please RSVP (click on each event for more details & to register). All ages welcome.
- Talewise Presents “Pirates: Lost at Sea” – June 22 (UPDATE 6/16/22 – Reservations are full. Waiting List is still open.)
Experience an action-packed adventure about a crew of quirky pirates with a splash of science thrown in. - The Center for the Aquatic Sciences – June 29 (UPDATE 6/10/22 – Reservations are full. Waiting List is still open.)
Learn more about ocean wildlife and you may even get to meet a few animals. - “Become Your Dreams” Hip-Hop Dance Show – July 13
Enjoy Illstyle and Peace Productions’ high energy hip hop moves that wow the crowd. - Magician Mike Rose: “H2-Oh!” – July 20
Delight in impossible magic trick and off-the-wall comedy all themed around water. - Under the Sea Closing Party – July 27
Celebrate the ocean with crafts, activities, and games. Come in costume (optional) for an under the sea photo op.
Virtual Art with Anita for Children
Workshop: Wednesday, July 6 at 7 pm via Zoom
Kit Pickups: June 25-July 2
For kids age 5 through those entering 5th grade in the fall
Get step-by-step instructions on how to create a Mixed Media Super Manatee painting using watercolor, crayon resist, and colored pencils. The number of kits is limited. Registration is required.
Percy Jackson Party
Monday, July 18 at 6:30 pm in the Valley Youth Center
For students entering grade 4-8 in the fall
Come party like a demigod. Discuss the Percy Jackson series and enjoy book-related activities. Snacks will be provided. Book one, The Lightning Thief, will be available to check out at our Circulation Desk. Other books in the series are available by request. Space is limited. Registration is required.
Chess Club
Weekly on Tuesdays from Noon-1:30 pm in the Friends Learning Lab
June 21, June 28, July 5, July 12, July 19, July 26
For students entering grades 2-5 in the fall
Come have fun and play chess against your peers! Our facilitator will be on hand to give tips, but prior knowledge of how to play is preferred. Space is limited. Individual registration is required for each session. Click on the date(s) above to register.
Drop-In Events
No registration is required for the following events. Just stop by for some fun! Visit our online calendar for more details.
Crafternoons
Select Thursdays from 2-3 pm in the Community Room
June 30 – Ocean Crafts
July 14 – Pirate Crafts
July 28 – Beach Crafts
Outdoor Endeavors
Select Fridays from 10:30-11:30 am on the back lawn/sidewalk near the lower entrance of the building
June 24 – Chalk the Walk & Bubble Fun
July 8 – Odd Object Painting
July 22 – Kinetic Sand
Family Movie: Encanto
Friday, July 1 at 10:30 am in the Community Room
All ages welcome. Children must be accompanied by an adult. Rated PG. 102 minutes.
Storytimes
Join us for Storytime outside in the front courtyard. Each week, there will be new themes with stories, songs, and movement activities to encourage pre-reading skills. Bring a blanket or lawn chairs to sit on. In the case of weather concerns, we will meet upstairs in the Community Room. No registration necessary.
Preschool Storytime
Recommended for ages 3-6 with a caregiver.
Weekly on Mondays at 10:30 am
June 20-July 25, no Storytime on July 4
Toddler Storytime
Recommended for ages 1-2 with a caregiver.
Weekly on Tuesdays at 10:30 am
June 21-July 26
Saturday Storytime
Recommended for preschoolers and toddlers with a caregiver.
Select Saturdays at 10:30 am
June 25, July 9, & July 30
(Note: These Storytimes will be repeats of some of the weekly Storytimes.)
Other News
Resources for Tough Topics
Please visit our resource page for information and support in educating yourself about topics that can be difficult to discuss, such as racism, sexual orientation, gender identity, mental health, and domestic violence.
Book Recommendation Lists for Children
Picture Book Biographies in Honor of Women’s History Month – March 25, 2021
Middle Grade Juvenile Fantasy Books with Black Protagonists – February 25, 2021 – In honor of Black History Month
Travel Using Juvenile Non-Fiction Books – February 5, 2021 – Use these non-fiction travel books to take a journey and build your bucket lists!
Wordless Picture Books – November 27, 2020 – In honor of National Picture Book Month
Spooky Middle Grade Books – October 23, 2020
E-Resources for Families
Although the library is open for limited browsing again, many people are still staying at home. Written toward the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, our webpost on Resources for Families During Library Closure includes e-Resources for kids and links to helpful articles and activities.
Photos
While we sadly have no new photos from this summer, photos from past Summer Learning Programs and other events are available on our Facebook Page, Flickr Page and Photo Page.
1,000 Books Before Kindergarten
The 1,000 Books Before Kindergarten Program is a national initiative to promote early literacy skills for children from birth to age five.
Research indicates that the more children hear books read to them, the better prepared they are to learn to read in Kindergarten. When you participate, your child will be able to track their reading progress and receive prizes and encouragement.
Read our post about participating in this Challenge from home.
eResources for Kids
POWER Kids – Pennsylvania’s Electronic Library
With your library card, explore these online research resources for kids and young teens.
BookFLIX and TrueFlix
Scholastic BookFlix is an online literacy resource for grades pre-K-3 that pairs classic video storybooks with related nonfiction eBooks to help build a love of reading and learning. With TrueFlix, learn about people, places, nature, history, and science from videos and eBooks. Weston Woods and Scholastic.
TumbleBooks
An online collection of animated, talking picture books.
TumbleBookLibrary is a curated database of children’s e-books, available by subscription to Elementary Schools and Public Libraries around the world.