Libraries Offer Free Summer Programs for Kids

If you're looking for free fun this summer, look no further than the local library.

Both the Bloomingdale Regional Library, 1906 Bloomingdale Ave., Valrico, and the Riverview Branch Library, 10509 Riverview Dr., Riverview, have a full lineup of events and programs geared to children and teens.

"We've got an exciting lineup of activities for the kids, thanks to our Friends of the Library, which funds these programs," said Kim Eversole, children's librarian at Bloomingdale. "They're a really wonderful group of volunteers and, it's because of them that we can do these things for free."

Upcoming programs at the Bloomingdale Regional Library include:

Moonlight Magic — Tuesday, June 12 at 2 p.m. — Children will explore the moon, stars and planets with stories, games and activities.

Drum Circle Magic — Wednesday, June 13 at 1 and 3 p.m. Children age 5 to 12 will dance, laugh, sing and enjoy the magic of community and teamwork while playing drums with Giving Tree Music.

Family Time — Wednesday, June 13, July 11 and Aug. 8. Songs, puppet shows and interactive activities are designed to make reading a family affair. This program is for children of all ages and their parents.

Teen Yoga — Thursday, June 14 at 2 p.m. Teenagers age 13 to 18 are invited to Lucky Cat Yoga, which teaches teens the art of yoga, featuring relaxation techniques to release stress and develop concentration.

Super Science Saturday — Saturday, June 16 at 3:30 p.m. The library turns into a science lab in this interactive hands-on science learning event called "Sound Waves." Children age kindergarten through fifth grade will learn how sound waves travel by creating wind chimes, playing telephone and experimenting with tuning forks.

Scratch — June 18 at 4 p.m. Children are invited to discover Scratch, a new programming language by the MIT Media Lab that makes it easy to create interactive animations, art, games, music and stories.

Around the Campfire — Tuesday, June 19 at 2 p.m. Children are invited to pitch a tent and sing along with campfire songs, stories and activities.

Wonders of Nature — Wednesday, June 20 at 1 and 3 p.m. This is a wildlife show for children ages 5 to 12 featuring raptors and parrots in a presentation that combines humor with audience participation to deliver lessons on conservation.

Interactive Movie — Wednesday, June 20 at 6 p.m. — Children can come to library to view the movie, "Night at the Museum," and then take part in the action with props and sound effects.

Got Brains? — Thursday, June 21 at 2 p.m. Teens age 12 to 18 are invited to come dressed in their most ghoulish gear for zombie games, trivia, crafts and more.

Lego My Library — Sunday, June 24 at 2 p.m. — Kids use Lego building blocks to build a creative, interactive project.

Movie Maker I — Monday, June 25 at 4 p.m. Youngsters are invited to bring in summer pictures to create a basic summer movie.

Night Owl — Tuesday, June 26 at 2 p.m. Children will prowl through the night with stories, games and activities.

Mad Science — Wednesday, June 27 at 1 and 3 p.m. The library will present "Up, Up and Away," an interactive show that demonstrates what science is all about. Participants age 5 to 12 will see scientific phenomena demonstrated by hot-air balloons, a hovercraft and more.

Movie Matinee — Wednesday, June 27 at 6 p.m. "Night at the Smithsonian" will be the featured film.

Crime Scene Investigation — Thursday, June 28 at 2 p.m. Teens age 12 to 18 will uncover the real science behind CSI by Clear Sky Adventures.

Movie Maker II — Monday, July 9 at 4 p.m. Children will learn to turn a basic summer movie into the next blockbuster.

Dreams and Wishes — Tuesday, July 10 at 2 p.m. Children will walk in dreamland with stories, games and activities.

Nighttime is the Right Time — Wednesday, July 11 at 1 and 3 p.m. The musical duo, The Earthlings, will entertain children with unusual instruments and magical illusions to show why the nighttime is the right time.

Tail Waggin Tutors — Friday, July 13 at 4 p.m. Tail Waggin' Tutors returns, giving children a chance to increase their confidence by reading to a dog.

Photoshop — Monday, July 16 at 4 p.m. Children should bring in a personally drawn sketch of any favorite Anime to learn how to color it in using Photoshop.

Night Shivers — Tuesday, July 17 at 2 p.m. Children will creep and crawl through the night with stories, games and activities.

The Tricky Dogs Show — Wednesday, July 18 at 1 and 3 p.m. Children will enjoy this hilarious circus-style comedy dog act starring a group of tricky little dogs and their pet human.

Interactive Movie — Wednesday, July 18 at 6 p.m. Children are invited to escape with the magic of "The Wizard of Oz."

For the Win — Thursday, July 19 at 2 p.m. In this program based on the TV show "Minute to Win It," teens participate in minute-long games that use common household items like paper bags, pencils, rubber bands and soda cans. Winning may require balance, hand-eye coordination, patience and sometimes just plain luck.

Independent Film Series for Teens — Thursday, July 19 at 2 p.m. Award-winning Florida filmmaker, Banks Helfrich, presents original comedies, experimental shorts, feature previews and documentaries. Following the screening, Helfrich discusses how to make films for today's audiences from YouTube viewers to film festival goers.

Interactive Movie — Wednesday, Aug. 15 at 6 p.m. Children will view the film, "Bedtime Stories."

Upcoming programs at the Riverview Branch Library

Moonlight Magic -- Tuesday, June 12 at 3 p.m. Children age 5 to 12 will explore the moon, stars and planets with stories, games and activities.

Family Game Time -- Tuesday, June 12 at 6 p.m. Families are invited to share the fun of playing games together, including classic board games and cards.

Midnight Snacks -- Wednesday, June 13 at 3:30 p.m. Teens will learn how to make easy treats to feed those late-night snack attacks.

ABCs and 123s of Yoga -- June 14, 21, 28 at 10:30 a.m. This is a yoga class for preschoolers up to 5 years old.

Disco Magic -- Monday, June 18 at 3 p.m. Magician Greg Gaulden combines disco music with illusions and magic.

Night Shivers -- Tuesday, June 19 at 3 p.m. Children age 5 to 12 are invited to creep and crawl through the night with stories, games and activities.

Sinabouda Lily -- Wednesday, June 20 at 10:30 a.m. and 3:30 p.m. Children will be transported to the south sea island of Papua, New Guinea, during this tropical puppet show about Sinabouda Lily who loves to swing and eat bananas. This puppet show is presented by the City of Tampa Parks and Recreation Department.

Books We Love to Sing -- Monday, June 25 at 3 p.m. Listen and participate as Christine VanHorn and her guitar lead this interactive musical experience, bringing classic children's books and songs to life.

Dreams and Wishes -- Tuesday, June 26 at 3 p.m. Children will walk through dreamland with stories, games and activities.

Wonders of Nature -- Monday, July 2 at 3 p.m. This live wildlife show featuring raptors and parrots combines humor with audience participation to deliver lessons on conservation.

Bingorama -- Tuesday, July 3 at 3 p.m. Traditional bingo, solar system bingo and picture book bingo will be played.

Storyteller Gladys Varga -- Monday, July 9 at 3 p.m. Varga infuses theater games and creative drama with folktales from a variety of cultures.

Night Owl -- Tuesday, July 10 at 3 p.m. Children will prowl through the night with stories, games and activities.

Drum Circle Magic -- Monday, July 16 at 3 p.m. Children will dance, laugh, sing and enjoy the magic of community and teamwork while playing drums with Giving Tree Music.

Around the Campfire -- Tuesday, July 17 at 3 p.m. Children will enjoy campfire tunes, stories and activities.

Bedtime Stories -- Tuesday, July 17 at 6 p.m. Children and their parents are invited to enjoy bedtime stories at the library.

Got Brains? -- Wednesday, July 18 at 3:30 p.m. Teens are invited to dress in ghoulish gear for zombie crafts, games and trivia.

Some of these programs require tickets or reservations at the library's Ask-Me Kiosk. For information, call 813-273-3652.