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WINTER READING PROGRAM 2021

The Washington Wizards, in partnership with the Alexandria Library, are hosting a Winter Reading Challenge dedicated to early readers, kids, and teens. The challenge is designed to build positive reading culture and improve literacy for the youth. Readers can earn prizes by completing activity challenges based on four main badges: Reading, Fitness Fun, Virtual Programs, and Connect & Share.

The reading challenge will run virtually on Beanstack, a reading application that makes it easy for participates to register, track their reading and earn virtual badges for completion. Readers who complete the challenge will be entered into a raffle to win a variety of prizes such as a Wizards jersey, a Jr. Wizards Camp voucher, a Wizards bobblehead and so much more!

The Wizards Winter Reading Challenge will run from January 1 – March 31, 2021 and registration opens Monday, December 21, 2020. The challenge is free and open to all youth in the DMV area.  Prizes will be distributed in April.

Sign up online staring December 21, 2020 through Beanstack .

 

Virtual Events
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Storytime in the Reading Garden - Cuentos en el jardín de lectura
Mon, Mar 23, 11:00am - 11:30am
Charles E. Beatley Jr. Central Library - Frank and Betty Wright Reading Garden
Children love to be outdoors! Join us in Beatley Central Library's beautiful outdoor Reading Garden for stories, songs and movement. Ages 0-5 with an adult.
Teen Takover
Mon, Mar 23, 5:30pm - 7:30pm
Charles E. Beatley Jr. Central Library
Ages 12-18. Do homework, play games, and just hang out in an area set aside for teens ONLY!
Family Storytime - Martes de niños
Tue, Mar 24, 10:15am - 11:00am
Ellen Coolidge Burke Branch Library - Meeting Room
Join us for a fun-filled hour of stories, music, and movement for ages 0-5!
Bilingual Storytime - Hora de cuentos bilingue
Tue, Mar 24, 10:30am - 10:45am
Kate Waller Barrett Branch Library - Youth Services Area
Start your morning with stories, rhymes and songs in English and Spanish ¡Empieza su mañana con cuentos, rimas y canciones en inglés y español!
Baby and Toddler Time - La hora de los bebés y los niños
Tue, Mar 24, 11:00am - 11:40am
Kate Waller Barrett Branch Library - Youth Services Area
Just right for ages 0-23 months. Songs, games, movement activities, and bubbles.
Playtime! - ¡Hora de jugar!
Tue, Mar 24, 11:00am - 11:45am
Charles E. Beatley Jr. Central Library - Frank and Betty Wright Reading Garden
Meet your old friends and make new friends at an unstructured, outdoor playtime in the library's Reading Garden! Toys will be supplied. Ages 0-5 with an adult.
Baby and Toddler Play Date
Tue, Mar 24, 2:00pm - 3:00pm
Ellen Coolidge Burke Branch Library - Meeting Room
Join us for a special uninterrupted playtime with your child and meet other caregivers. Discover how play and learning go hand-in-hand. (ages 0-3).
Tuesday We Play (ages 5-12) - Martes de juegos (De 5 a 12 años)
Tue, Mar 24, 4:30pm - 5:30pm
Charles E. Beatley Jr. Central Library - Story Room
Build with Lego, make art, play games, and more! Ages 5-12. Kids under 8 must be accompanied by an adult.
1s and 2s Time - Tiempo para niños de 1 y 2
Wed, Mar 25, 10:30am - 11:00am
Charles E. Beatley Jr. Central Library - Periodicals Room
Join us for stories, songs, and activities for your active, growing little ones! Ages 1-2
Just Babies - Solo Los Bebés
Wed, Mar 25, 11:00am - 12:30pm
Kate Waller Barrett Branch Library - Youth Services Area
A lap-sit and playtime just for babies ages 0-12 months and their grownups.
1s and 2s Time - Tiempo para niños de 1 y 2
Wed, Mar 25, 11:30am - 12:00pm
Charles E. Beatley Jr. Central Library - Periodicals Room
Join us for stories, songs, and activities for your active, growing little ones! Ages 1-2
Spitfire Club - Kindergarten - 3rd grade
Wed, Mar 25, 5:00pm - 6:00pm
James M. Duncan Jr. Branch Library - Beth Patridge Meeting Room
Changing the world, one book at a time!
Sew a Softie AND Knit Nite! - A sewing and knitting club for kids.
Wed, Mar 25, 6:00pm - 7:00pm
Charles E. Beatley Jr. Central Library
Participants can either sew or knit for the month of March under the guidance of experienced crafters. All supplies will be provided. Ages 8-18.
Preschool Story Time - Story Time for ages 2-5
Thu, Mar 26, 11:00am - 11:40am
Kate Waller Barrett Branch Library - Youth Services Area
Stories, songs, movement and more for ages 2-5.
Baby Bounce - for babies 0-14 months and their caretaker(s)
Thu, Mar 26, 1:15pm - 2:00pm
Charles E. Beatley Jr. Central Library - Large Meeting Room
Baby storytime, plus opportunities to build relationships with other caretakers of young children! For ages 0-14 months, accompanied by an adult. 15 months and older, please attend 1s and 2s.
Preschool Storytime
Thu, Mar 26, 4:00pm - 4:30pm
Charles E. Beatley Jr. Central Library - Large Meeting Room
Join Miss Amy for stories, songs, movement, and activities just right for preschool children. Ages 3-5 with adult.
Coding Game Night - ages 6-12 - Hands-on fun in programming, robotics, and electronics!
Thu, Mar 26, 6:00pm - 7:00pm
Charles E. Beatley Jr. Central Library - Story Room
Drop in and play with our coding board games, card games, toys, and robots! Ages 6-12.
Baby Storytime
Fri, Mar 27, 10:15am - 11:15am
Ellen Coolidge Burke Branch Library - Meeting Room
We sing, play, dance, and rhyme all while promoting your baby’s development and literacy skills. For ages 0-14 months.
Musical Movement
Fri, Mar 27, 2:00pm - 3:00pm
Ellen Coolidge Burke Branch Library - Meeting Room
Come and play with music in this fun parent-child learn & play class! Program focuses on activities that enhance brain development and build social skills, language/motor skills, and more (ages 0-5).
Fun Friday! - Viernes de diversión
Fri, Mar 27, 3:30pm - 4:30pm
Ellen Coolidge Burke Branch Library - Meeting Room
Have fun on Fridays after school building, making, playing word bingo, and winning prizes! Grades K-5.
Borrow a Board Game
Sat, Mar 28, 10:00am - 4:45pm
Charles E. Beatley Jr. Central Library
Use the library's board and card games while hanging out in the youth services area!
Teen Calligraphy Workshop
Sat, Mar 28, 11:00am - 12:00pm
Ellen Coolidge Burke Branch Library - Meeting Room
Are you curious about learning calligraphy? Join us to learn and practice different styles each session at Burke! Teens and adults welcome!
Crafty Kid Series
Sat, Mar 28, 2:00pm - 3:00pm
Ellen Coolidge Burke Branch Library - Meeting Room
Join us one Saturday a month to get crafty! Each month is a new fun craft, followed by open play time and bubbles!
America 250 Community Mini Art Show Canvas Pick-Up
Mon, Mar 30, All day
Ellen Coolidge Burke Branch Library
Contribute to a mini art show celebrating America 250.
Storytime in the Reading Garden - Cuentos en el jardín de lectura
Mon, Mar 30, 11:00am - 11:30am
Charles E. Beatley Jr. Central Library - Frank and Betty Wright Reading Garden
Children love to be outdoors! Join us in Beatley Central Library's beautiful outdoor Reading Garden for stories, songs and movement. Ages 0-5 with an adult.
Cancelled
Sensory Storytime
Mon, Mar 30, 4:00pm - 5:00pm
James M. Duncan Jr. Branch Library
Come join Ms. Naomi for an interactive story time that is full of adventure and fun! Ages 2-8 Venga y unirse con Ms. Naomi por un cuentacuentos interactivo lleno de aventura y diversión. Edades 2-8
Teen Takover
Mon, Mar 30, 5:30pm - 7:30pm
Charles E. Beatley Jr. Central Library
Ages 12-18. Do homework, play games, and just hang out in an area set aside for teens ONLY!
America 250 Community Mini Art Show Canvas Pick-Up
Tue, Mar 31, All day
Ellen Coolidge Burke Branch Library
Contribute to a mini art show celebrating America 250.
Family Storytime - Martes de niños
Tue, Mar 31, 10:15am - 11:00am
Ellen Coolidge Burke Branch Library - Meeting Room
Join us for a fun-filled hour of stories, music, and movement for ages 0-5!
Bilingual Storytime - Hora de cuentos bilingue
Tue, Mar 31, 10:30am - 10:45am
Kate Waller Barrett Branch Library - Youth Services Area
Start your morning with stories, rhymes and songs in English and Spanish ¡Empieza su mañana con cuentos, rimas y canciones en inglés y español!
Baby and Toddler Time - La hora de los bebés y los niños
Tue, Mar 31, 11:00am - 11:40am
Kate Waller Barrett Branch Library - Youth Services Area
Just right for ages 0-23 months. Songs, games, movement activities, and bubbles.
Playtime! - ¡Hora de jugar!
Tue, Mar 31, 11:00am - 11:45am
Charles E. Beatley Jr. Central Library - Frank and Betty Wright Reading Garden
Meet your old friends and make new friends at an unstructured, outdoor playtime in the library's Reading Garden! Toys will be supplied. Ages 0-5 with an adult.
Baby and Toddler Play Date
Tue, Mar 31, 2:00pm - 3:00pm
Ellen Coolidge Burke Branch Library - Meeting Room
Join us for a special uninterrupted playtime with your child and meet other caregivers. Discover how play and learning go hand-in-hand. (ages 0-3).
Tuesday We Play (ages 5-12) - Martes de juegos (De 5 a 12 años)
Tue, Mar 31, 4:30pm - 5:30pm
Charles E. Beatley Jr. Central Library - Story Room
Build with Lego, make art, play games, and more! Ages 5-12. Kids under 8 must be accompanied by an adult.
The Great American PoeTREEs - writing, display, and magnetic poetry
Wed, Apr 01, All day
Charles E. Beatley Jr. Central Library
Celebrate National Poetry Month and great American poets by adding your poem to Beatley’s poet-trees in the children’s and teen areas and experimenting with magnetic poetry. (all ages)
America 250 Community Mini Art Show Canvas Pick-Up
Wed, Apr 01, All day
Ellen Coolidge Burke Branch Library
Contribute to a mini art show celebrating America 250.
1s and 2s Time (first session) - Tiempo para niños de 1 y 2
Wed, Apr 01, 10:30am - 11:00am
Charles E. Beatley Jr. Central Library - Large Meeting Room
Join us for stories, songs, and activities for your active, growing little ones! Ages 1-2
Just Babies - Solo Los Bebés
Wed, Apr 01, 11:00am - 12:30pm
Kate Waller Barrett Branch Library - Youth Services Area
A lap-sit and playtime just for babies ages 0-12 months and their grownups.
1s and 2s Time (second session) - Tiempo para niños de 1 y 2
Wed, Apr 01, 11:30am - 12:00pm
Charles E. Beatley Jr. Central Library - Large Meeting Room
Join us for stories, songs, and activities for your active, growing little ones! Ages 1-2
Paws to Read
Wed, Apr 01, 5:00pm - 6:00pm
Charles E. Beatley Jr. Central Library - Story Room
Do you want to practice reading aloud? Do you like dogs? Sign up for a 15-minute reading slot to read to a dog by calling (703) 746-1753 or by stopping by Beatley's Children's Desk. Ages 6-12.
Knit Nite! - A knitting club for kids ages 8-18.
Wed, Apr 01, 6:00pm - 7:00pm
Charles E. Beatley Jr. Central Library
Learn to knit under the guidance of experienced knitters. All supplies will be provided. Ages 8-18.
The Great American PoeTREEs - writing, display, and magnetic poetry
Thu, Apr 02, All day
Charles E. Beatley Jr. Central Library
Celebrate National Poetry Month and great American poets by adding your poem to Beatley’s poet-trees in the children’s and teen areas and experimenting with magnetic poetry. (all ages)
America 250 Community Mini Art Show Canvas Pick-Up
Thu, Apr 02, All day
Ellen Coolidge Burke Branch Library
Contribute to a mini art show celebrating America 250.
Stories and Songs
Thu, Apr 02, 10:15am - 10:45am
James M. Duncan Jr. Branch Library - Beth Patridge Meeting Room,Children's Area
Come join us for engaging stories that are worth gathering for. Great for toddlers and siblings. Ages 0-5.
Preschool Story Time - Story Time for ages 2-5
Thu, Apr 02, 11:00am - 11:40am
Kate Waller Barrett Branch Library
Stories, songs, movement and more for ages 2-5.
Stories and Songs
Thu, Apr 02, 11:15am - 11:45am
James M. Duncan Jr. Branch Library - Beth Patridge Meeting Room,Children's Area
Come join us for engaging stories that are worth gathering for. Great for toddlers and siblings. Ages 0-5.
Baby Bounce - for babies 0-14 months and their caretaker(s)
Thu, Apr 02, 1:15pm - 2:00pm
Charles E. Beatley Jr. Central Library - Large Meeting Room
Baby storytime, plus opportunities to build relationships with other caretakers of young children! For ages 0-14 months, accompanied by an adult. 15 months and older, please attend 1s and 2s.
Preschool Storytime
Thu, Apr 02, 4:00pm - 4:30pm
Charles E. Beatley Jr. Central Library - Large Meeting Room
Join Miss Amy for stories, songs, movement, and activities just right for preschool children. Ages 3-5 with adult.
Coding Game Night - ages 6-12 - Hands-on fun in programming, robotics, and electronics!
Thu, Apr 02, 6:00pm - 7:00pm
Charles E. Beatley Jr. Central Library - Story Room
Drop in and play with our coding board games, card games, toys, and robots! Ages 6-12.
Dungeons and Dragons: Teen Group! - Adventure awaits!
Thu, Apr 02, 6:00pm - 7:30pm
Kate Waller Barrett Branch Library - Second Floor
Looking to join a Dungeons and Dragons group? Look no further!
This event is full
America 250 Community Mini Art Show Canvas Pick-Up
Fri, Apr 03, All day
Ellen Coolidge Burke Branch Library
Contribute to a mini art show celebrating America 250.
The Great American PoeTREEs - writing, display, and magnetic poetry
Fri, Apr 03, All day
Charles E. Beatley Jr. Central Library
Celebrate National Poetry Month and great American poets by adding your poem to Beatley’s poet-trees in the children’s and teen areas and experimenting with magnetic poetry. (all ages)
Read 250
Fri, Apr 03, 12:00pm - 4:15pm
Charles E. Beatley Jr. Central Library - Large Meeting Room
Celebrate spring break, All Alexandria Reads and America’s 250th birthday at this 250-minute readathon! (Ages 8-18)
Fun Friday! - Viernes de diversión
Fri, Apr 03, 3:30pm - 4:30pm
Ellen Coolidge Burke Branch Library - Meeting Room
Have fun on Fridays after school building, making, playing word bingo, and winning prizes! Grades K-5.
America 250 Community Mini Art Show Canvas Pick-Up
Sat, Apr 04, All day
Ellen Coolidge Burke Branch Library
Contribute to a mini art show celebrating America 250.
The Great American PoeTREEs - writing, display, and magnetic poetry
Sat, Apr 04, All day
Charles E. Beatley Jr. Central Library
Celebrate National Poetry Month and great American poets by adding your poem to Beatley’s poet-trees in the children’s and teen areas and experimenting with magnetic poetry. (all ages)
Borrow a Board Game
Sat, Apr 04, 10:00am - 4:45pm
Charles E. Beatley Jr. Central Library
Use the library's board and card games while hanging out in the youth services area!
Games of the States - Games for ages 6-12
Sat, Apr 04, 11:00am - 3:00pm
Kate Waller Barrett Branch Library
Celebrate America 250 with board games about the states. Ages 6-12
WHATEVER YOU SAY YOU ARE, YOU'RE RIGHT! - with KaNikki Jakarta
Sat, Apr 04, 1:00pm - 3:00pm
Charles E. Beatley Jr. Central Library - Large Meeting Room
Ages 12-18. Explore the power of positive manifestation and celebrating YOUR personal history in this poetry and open mic workshop for teens.
America 250 Community Mini Art Show Canvas Pick-Up
Mon, Apr 06, All day
Ellen Coolidge Burke Branch Library
Contribute to a mini art show celebrating America 250.
The Great American PoeTREEs - writing, display, and magnetic poetry
Mon, Apr 06, All day
Charles E. Beatley Jr. Central Library
Celebrate National Poetry Month and great American poets by adding your poem to Beatley’s poet-trees in the children’s and teen areas and experimenting with magnetic poetry. (all ages)
Baby Time
Mon, Apr 06, 10:15am - 10:45am
James M. Duncan Jr. Branch Library - Beth Patridge Meeting Room
Wiggle, crawl and clap at Baby Time!
Beauty and the Beast Ballet - with the Metropolitan School of the Arts
Mon, Apr 06, 11:00am - 11:30am
Charles E. Beatley Jr. Central Library - Frank and Betty Wright Reading Garden
Join us for a magical, interactive story reading of Beauty and the Beast.
Baby Time
Mon, Apr 06, 11:15am - 11:45am
James M. Duncan Jr. Branch Library - Beth Patridge Meeting Room
Wiggle, crawl and clap at Baby Time!
Restful Readaloud - Stories from American History
Mon, Apr 06, 4:00pm - 5:00pm
Charles E. Beatley Jr. Central Library - Story Room
No one's too old to enjoy being read to! Relax and unwind while a librarian reads you a story or two that explores 250+ years of American history. Ages 6-12 (and anyone who can sit quietly and listen)
Sensory Storytime
Mon, Apr 06, 4:00pm - 5:00pm
James M. Duncan Jr. Branch Library - Beth Patridge Meeting Room
Come join Ms. Naomi for an interactive story time that is full of adventure and fun! Ages 2-8 Venga y unirse con Ms. Naomi por un cuentacuentos interactivo lleno de aventura y diversión. Edades 2-8
Teen Takeover
Mon, Apr 06, 5:30pm - 7:30pm
Charles E. Beatley Jr. Central Library
Ages 12-18. Do homework, play games, and just hang out in an area set aside for teens ONLY!
AAR Teen Book Party! - Eat pizza, make friends, and talk about books!
Mon, Apr 06, 6:00pm - 7:00pm
Kate Waller Barrett Branch Library - Second Floor
Let's eat pizza, discuss "Rebellion: 1776" by Laurie Halse Anderson, and share additional recommendations for Young Adult (teen) Historical Fiction books set in the United States of America!
See all events
Last updated: December 2020