Trying to keep kiddos entertained all summer without breaking the budget is a little easier on Whidbey Island thanks to Sno-Isle Libraries, which have puppets, fire trucks, dinosaurs and even magic on the schedule in coming weeks.
The libraries are hosting a variety of free events for kids and families throughout July and August that are sure to engage and enrapture little ones.
In Oak Harbor, the fun kicks off July 11 with an afternoon of visual and musical storytelling. The Oregon Shadow Theatre will present a shadow puppetry performance of “The Green Bird,” a story featuring characters and scenes from Mexican folklore, at 1 and 3 p.m.
Every second and fourth Wednesday, toddlers and preschoolers can enjoy stories and songs at Family Story Time with Natasha at 10:30 a.m. at the Oak Harbor Library. A craft or play activity will follow.
Next month, the Oak Harbor Fire Department will visit the library to educate children and youth on what firefighters do, how fire engines work and fire safety. The “Fire Engine Touch-a-Truck” event will take place at 11 a.m. on Aug. 17.
Coupeville Library will also host a “Touch-a-Truck” event featuring several of the vehicles used in the town’s operations and public safety. The event will take place at 2 p.m. July 13 on the community green directly behind the library.
The fun continues in Coupeville with Ranger Reads Family Story Time July 21, Aug. 4 and Aug. 18. Park rangers from Central Whidbey area state parks will lead stories, songs and creative activities at 10 a.m. Weather permitting, story time will take place outside on the community green.
Central Whidbey park rangers will return to the Coupeville Library at 2 p.m. July 27 to present a program on the incredible journey of a water droplet, and again at 2 p.m. Aug. 3 to teach about barnacles. These programs will take place on the community green beside the library and are intended for kids ages 5-11 and their caregivers.
At 2 p.m. Aug. 17, the Coupeville Library will host Steffan Soule’s Magic and Wonder of Reading at the Coupeville Town Park pavilion. This magic show is put on by a magician who learned the craft through reading. Kids ages five and up and their families may even get to be part of the show.
On Aug. 27, national award-winning singer-songwriter Nancy Stewart will lead a sing-along at the community green next to the Coupeville Library. Beginning at 11 a.m., Stewart will lead the all-ages audience in camp songs, folk favorites and even some circle dances.
On the South End, the Langley Library will host a weekly Family Story Time at Castle Park. Wednesdays at 10 a.m.. Library employees will read stories and lead outdoor games and crafts for young children.
At 11 a.m. July 16, prehistory will come to life when dinosaurs tromp through Whidbey. The Freeland Library will host DinoCrew Northwest, a company that brings the ancient beasts to life with 7-foot-tall puppets. There will also be a fire truck and free ice cream at the event at the Freeland Library parking lot.
At the Clinton Library, artist Amber Morgan will teach participants ages 6 and up how to create botanical castings of local plants out of clay and plaster at 2 p.m. Aug. 6. Participants will also make oil and watercolor rubbings of plants and tree trunks.
The artistic fun returns to Freeland Library Aug. 20, where kids can paint and draw with chalk while enjoying bubbles of all sizes beginning at 11 a.m. At 2 p.m. Aug. 27 at the Clinton Library, families can build “forest fairy houses” out of provided natural materials such as stones, shells, moss and more.
For more information about family-friendly summer events, or to register for any library event, visit sno-isle.bibliocommons.com/events.
Library employee Jayanne Bixby reads a story at Family Story Time at Castle Park July 6. (Photo by David Welton)
Library employee Tracy Miller blows bubbles for children at Family Story Time at Castle Park on Wednesday. (Photo by David Welton)
Kids play under a parachute at Family Story Time at Castle Park in Langley July 6. (Photo by David Welton)
