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Kids' Summer Reading Programs 2026

Valley scene with mountains, river, rocks, and field of grass with five dinosaurs in the valley and text Reading Roars! Youth Summer Reading Program; Dinosaurs Invade June 1-July 24

 

Small chicken nugget T-Rex saying "Rawr!" with dinosaur tracks and text "Reading Roars! Youth Summer Reading Program, June 1-July 24; Dino-Mite Summer Kick-Off! Reading Challenges; Monday Fun Days & Dino Fridays; Summer Programs; Storytimes, Summer STEAM, Youth Sewing Camps, Dino Playtimes, Free Movies, Teen Programs and more! Reptile Discovery! Jurassic Polk Logo with text Roam the land and visit Polk County libraries for roar-some dinosaur challenges!

 

 

 

 

Reading ROARS at the Lakeland Public Libraries. Join us for a summer of prehistoric proportions as we embark on an adventure back in time to when dinosaurs ruled the earth.

Here’s what’s happening:

  • Reading Logs and Weekly Prizes

    Reading Logs and Weekly Prizes
    Pick up your reading log at any Lakeland library location.
    Read at least 3 days each week and have your adult sign each week's circle.
    Bring your log to any Lakeland library to get your sticker and a free prize every week. You’ll want to collect them all!

    Reading with the Rays
    Reading with the Rays is back. Pick up your game sheet at any Lakeland Library. Track your time spent reading by rounding the bases and collecting Rays prizes along the way.

    Jurassic Polk

    Black outline of T-Rex standing on an open book on a red background with text Jurassic Polk

    Visit participating public libraries in Polk County to pick up an adventure map.

    Travel to different libraries in Polk County to complete challenges and earn stickers. 

    Collect them all to be entered into a raffle for one of three prize baskets.

    Learn more information about Polk County’s Summer Reading Program

     

  • Storytimes

    Storytime is on for the summer! Join us for songs, stories, and fun!

    Baby Storytime at the Main Library
    Thursdays at 11 am 
    Ages 6-18 months
    July 16, 23

    Preschool Storytime at the Main Library
    Wednesdays at 10 am 
    Ages 2-5
    July 15, 22

    Preschool Storytime at the Larry R. Jackson Branch
    Thursdays at 10 am 
    Ages 2-5
    July 16, 23 

    Preschool Storytime at the Kelly Branch Library
    Select Tuesdays at 10:15 am 
    Ages 2-5
    July 21 

    Bilingual Storytime at the Larry R. Jackson Branch
    Select Thursdays at 10 am
    Ages 2-5
    July 30 

    Children’s Theater: Interactive Storytime at the Main Library
    Select Saturdays at 2 pm 
    Ages 4 and up
    July 11 

    For more information, please contact the Kelly Branch Library at 863.834.4286, Lakeland Public Library at 863.834.4268, or Larry R. Jackson Branch Library at 863.834.4288  

  • Special Summer Programs for Kids

    Dinosaur tracks on sandy speckled grey background with text Larry R. Jackson Branch Library Monday Fun DayMonday Fun Day at the Larry R. Jackson Branch 
    Select Mondays from June 1st through July 13th from 10 AM to 12 PM
    Ages 5-13 and their grownups 

    Ready to roar? Join us at the Larry R. Jackson Branch Library on select Mondays from June 1st through July 13th as we will enjoy dino-mite crafts and activities themed around dinosaurs, fossils, volcanoes, and more! Some crafts may get messy, so please wear appropriate clothing! 

    July 13: Fossils & Paleontology

    No registration required.

    Palm trees, cycads, sandy hills, blue sauropod, purple stegosaurus, green theropod, brown pterosaur, and puffy clouds with text "Lakeland Public Library, Dino Fridays"Dino Fridays at the Lakeland Public Library 
    Select Fridays from 10 AM to 12 PM
    Ages 5-13 and their grownups 

    Get ready for a prehistoric adventure! Travel back in time to the age of dinosaurs, where stories stomp and imaginations ROAR! Join us for dino-mite crafts and activities.

    July 17: Amazing Fossils
    July 24: Paleontology Squad

    *On weeks when we will be closed on Friday in observance of a holiday, take-home crafts will be available during the week.* 

    No registration required.

    Stack of three colorful ABC blocks, ferns, small green stuffed animal dinosaur, and text Larry R. Jackson Branch Library Dino PlaytimeDino Playtime at the Larry R. Jackson Branch 
    Fridays at 2 pm     
    Ages 0-5 and their grownups 

    Join us for an hour of sensory playtime with dinosaur-themed activities. Dino Playtime offers a space for toddlers to engage in social-emotional learning and develop fine and gross motor functions.

    July 10, 17, 24

    No registration required.

    Blue and white checkered tablecloth, white doily, green dinosaur footprints, and small green T-Rex sitting in a pink polka dot tea cup with text "Larry R. Jackson Branch Library T-Rex Tea Party"T-Rex Tea Party at the Larry R. Jackson Branch 
    Saturday, July 11th at 10 AM     
    Ages 3-8 and their grownups 

    Are you looking for a roaring good time? Join us for a dino themed tea party. Come dressed in your teatime best and enjoy a dinosaur themed story and craft. Snacks and drinks will be provided!

    No registration required.

     

     

  • Spools Out for Summer! Sewing Camps

    Sewing notions including pins, fabric, scissors, sewing machine, buttons, and iron on light teal background with text "Spools Out! Sewing Camps"

    Sewing is a fun, creative outlet that develops dexterity, fine motor skills, patience, and self-confidence.

    In each four-day sewing series, kids and teens ages 9-17 will learn how to use a sewing machine, basic stitches, and hand-sewing skills as they make fun projects to take home.

    Registration is required and will open one week before classes begin. Registration is for all four (4) classes in the camp, but seating is limited. If you are registering more than one child for the series, you will need to register each child separately to reserve a seat for each.

    **NOTE: If you have attended any Spools Out for Summer kids or teens session previously, you are not eligible to register for this learn-to-sew series. Any repeat registrants will be removed from the list.**

    Lakeland Public Library Commons 
    Session 4: Monday, July 20 - Thursday, July 23 @ 2 pm

  • Summer STEAM

    Purple background with scattered colorful LEGO pieces, lego figurine face, and text LEGO Club at the Larry R. Jackson Branch LibraryLEGO Club at Larry R. Jackson Branch Library 
    Every Tuesday from 5:30 PM to 6:30 PM 
    Ages 5-17 and their grownups 

    Calling all young builders, makers, architects, and engineers! Beginners and experts are welcome to come with their parents and work on their own LEGO creations or take our themed challenge. Playing with LEGO bricks promotes hand/eye coordination, enhances fine motor skills, develops problem solving skills, increases attention/concentration span, and unleashes creativity.

    No registration required.

    Zeppelin drawing with interlocking gears and text STEAM Explorers, Wonder Robotics, Tech-Know, Beakers & BooksSTEAM Explorers at Lakeland Public Library 
    Every Wednesday from 3:30 PM to 4:30 PM 
    Ages 6-12 

    Join us at the Lakeland Public Library every Wednesday in June and July at 3:30 pm as we create, learn, and explore the world around us through hands-on science, technology, engineering, art, and math: STEAM! Each week, come enjoy Beakers & Books, Kids' Corner Art, Tech-Know Time, or Wonder Robotics! 

    Tech-Know Time – July 15
    Beakers & Books Kids’ Corner Art – July 22

    Registration is required and will open one week before the event.

     

     

  • Movie Mondays at the Larry R. Jackson Branch Library

    Red trapezoid movie marquee with yellow lights outlining text Movie Mondays, Larry R. Jackson Branch Library on background of red curtain and rows of red theater seatsMovie Mondays at the Larry R. Jackson Branch Library 
    Select Mondays in June and July at 10 am

    Enjoy a family movie at the Larry R. Jackson Branch Library on alternating Mondays all summer long! Snacks and drinks will be provided. 

    July 20: The Super Mario Bros. Movie 

    No registration required.
    All movies are rated PG.

 

Due to limited space and the nature of the events, summer camps, daycares, and groups cannot be accommodated at any of our summer events.

 

 

228 S. Massachusetts Ave. | Lakeland, Florida 33801 | 863.834.6000 | Hours & Closing | Accessibility | Important Numbers | Site Map