Skip to main content
Font size options
Increase or decrease the font size for this website by clicking on the 'A's.
Contrast options
Choose a color combination to give the most comfortable contrast.

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
Skip Virtual Events widget
Sat, Jun 20, 10:00am - 3:00pm
James M. Duncan Jr. Branch Library - Butterfly Garden
Feed and say hello to friendly animals like a llama, donkey, and mini cow from Bar C Animal Ranch. (All ages) Todos las edades

Sat, Jun 20, 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!

Sat, Jun 20, 1:00pm - 4:00pm
Kate Waller Barrett Branch Library
Come play Dungeons & Dragons. No experience necessary. Open to ages 8-13.
This event is full

Sun, Jun 21, 1:15pm - 1:45pm
James M. Duncan Jr. Branch Library - Beth Patridge Meeting Room
Wiggle, crawl and clap at Story Time! Fingerplay and songs for Ages 0-24 months. Tickets required De 0 a 24 meses. Sala de reuniones de Duncan Library. Se requieren boletos.

Sun, Jun 21, 1:30pm - 4:30pm
Ellen Coolidge Burke Branch Library - Meeting Room
Let's celebrate the joy of playing games! Play a wide variety of games, both classics and new. Bring a friend or make new ones.

Mon, Jun 22, 10:15am - 10:45am
James M. Duncan Jr. Branch Library - Beth Patridge Meeting Room
Wiggle, crawl and clap at Baby Time! (0-14 months) Tickets Required. 0-14 meses, se requieren boletos.

Mon, Jun 22, 10:30am - 11:00am
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.

Mon, Jun 22, 11:15am - 11:45am
James M. Duncan Jr. Branch Library - Beth Patridge Meeting Room
Wiggle, crawl and clap at Baby Time! (0-14 months) Tickets Required. 0-14 meses, se requieren boletos.

Mon, Jun 22, 2:00pm - 3:00pm
Charles E. Beatley Jr. Central Library - Large Meeting Room
Drop in to play pretend, make some crafts, and learn about the pollinators who keep our world buzzing in celebration of National Pollinator Week. (ages 2-12)

Mon, Jun 22, 3:30pm - 4:30pm
Ellen Coolidge Burke Branch Library - Meeting Room
Express yourself with some fun crafts! Each week in is a new art project for ages 12-18!

Mon, Jun 22, 6:00pm - 7:00pm
Kate Waller Barrett Branch Library - Second Floor
Let's make air-dry clay dinosaurs!

Tue, Jun 23, 10:15am - 11:15am
Ellen Coolidge Burke Branch Library - Meeting Room
Join us for a fun-filled hour of stories, music, and movement for ages 0-5!

Tue, Jun 23, 10:30am - 11:15am
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.

Tue, Jun 23, 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.

Tue, Jun 23, 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).

Tue, Jun 23, 2:00pm - 3:00pm
Leonard "Chick" Armstrong Recreation Center - 25 W Reed Ave.
This exciting program introduces five or more animals from around the world. Learn about their habitats, diets and some of the amazing adaptations that help them to survive in the wild. (Ages 6-12)

Tue, Jun 23, 3:00pm - 4:00pm
Charles E. Beatley Jr. Central Library - Small Conference Room
Ages 12-18. Talk about this month's book and share reading suggestions!

Tue, Jun 23, 4:00pm - 5:00pm
Charles E. Beatley Jr. Central Library - Story Room
Get the dirt on vermicomposting with hands-on scientific exploration! Using our very own worm composting bin, we’ll dig into the natural processes that re-cycle our Earth’s resources. (ages 6-10)

Cancelled
Tue, Jun 23, 5:00pm - 7:00pm
James M. Duncan Jr. Branch Library
Join DM Mike in a high seas DnD adventure! Ages 13-18. Registration required.

Wed, Jun 24, 10:30am - 11:15am
Charles E. Beatley Jr. Central Library - Frank and Betty Wright Reading Garden
Dress for mess, bring your curiosity, and join us for a variety of dinosaur-themed sensory play! (ages 0-6)

Wed, Jun 24, 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.

Wed, Jun 24, 1:00pm - 1:45pm
Charles Houston Recreation Center - 901 Wythe Street
Peter Wood, the Collector of the Impossible, presents incredible magical objects with unparalleled showmanship. (Ages 6-12)

Wed, Jun 24, 2:00pm - 3:00pm
Ellen Coolidge Burke Branch Library - Outdoors
Get ready to dance, laugh, and let loose as you’re surrounded by cascades of fluffy foam!

Wed, Jun 24, 4:00pm - 5:00pm
James M. Duncan Jr. Branch Library - Beth Patridge Meeting Room
Come talk books and do some bookish crafts!

Wed, Jun 24, 5:00pm - 6:00pm
Ben Brenman Park - 4800 Brenman Park Drive
Join Alexandria Soccer coaches for an action-packed, fun-filled soccer practice! (Ages 6-12)

Thu, Jun 25, 10:15am - 10:45am
James M. Duncan Jr. Branch Library - Beth Patridge Meeting Room,Children's Area
A storytime in English and Spanish (0-5 years). Tickets required. Un cuentacuentos en inglés y español (edades 0-5), se requieren boletos.

Thu, Jun 25, 10:30am - 11:00am
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 0-8 with an adult.

Thu, Jun 25, 11:00am - 11:45am
Kate Waller Barrett Branch Library - Youth Services Area
Sing along with Rocknoceros's blend of classic kids songs and their own original tunes. Ages 0-5

Thu, Jun 25, 11:15am - 11:45am
James M. Duncan Jr. Branch Library - Beth Patridge Meeting Room,Children's Area
A storytime in English and Spanish (0-5 years). Tickets required. Un cuentacuentos en inglés y español (edades 0-5), se requieren boletos.

Thu, Jun 25, 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.

Fri, Jun 26, 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.

Fri, Jun 26, 10:30am - 11:30am
Charles E. Beatley Jr. Central Library - Frank and Betty Wright Reading Garden,Large Meeting Room
Munit and Z Lovebugs are an Ethio-Haitian family band performing music they wrote and music they love from around the world. (All ages)

Fri, Jun 26, 2:00pm - 3:00pm
Patrick Henry Recreation Center - 4653 Taney Ave.
Learn about the Jerome "Buddie" Ford Nature Center and meet some animals that live there, including reptiles, amphibians, and invertebrates. (Ages 6-12)

Sat, Jun 27, 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!

Sat, Jun 27, 10:15am - 10:45am
Mount Vernon Recreation Center
Join us for a fantastic musical performance! Your child will learn about shapes, colors, movement, and more! All ages.

Sat, Jun 27, 11:15am - 11:45am
Mount Vernon Recreation Center
Join us for a fantastic musical performance! Your child will learn about shapes, colors, movement, and more! All ages.

Sat, Jun 27, 2:00pm - 6:00pm
John Carlyle Square Park - 300 John Carlyle St, Alexandria, VA 22314
All ages. Enjoy exhibits, music, games, and more!

Sat, Jun 27, 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!

Sun, Jun 28, 2:30pm - 3:30pm
James M. Duncan Jr. Branch Library - Beth Patridge Meeting Room
STEAM (science, technology, engineering, art, and math) activities for ages 3-6 actividades de ciencia, arte, ingeniería, tecnología, y matemáticas para niños 3-6

Mon, Jun 29, 10:15am - 10:45am
James M. Duncan Jr. Branch Library - Beth Patridge Meeting Room
Wiggle, crawl and clap at Baby Time! (0-14 months) Tickets Required. 0-14 meses, se requieren boletos.

Mon, Jun 29, 10:30am - 11:00am
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.

Mon, Jun 29, 11:15am - 11:45am
James M. Duncan Jr. Branch Library - Beth Patridge Meeting Room
Wiggle, crawl and clap at Baby Time! (0-14 months) Tickets Required. 0-14 meses, se requieren boletos.

Mon, Jun 29, 6:00pm - 7:00pm
Kate Waller Barrett Branch Library - Second Floor
Let's make air-dry clay dinosaurs!

Tue, Jun 30, 10:15am - 11:15am
Ellen Coolidge Burke Branch Library - Meeting Room
Join us for a fun-filled hour of stories, music, and movement for ages 0-5!

Tue, Jun 30, 10:30am - 11:15am
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.

Tue, Jun 30, 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.

Tue, Jun 30, 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).

Tue, Jun 30, 3:00pm - 3:45pm
James M. Duncan Jr. Branch Library - Beth Patridge Meeting Room
Yoga, literacy, and family fun! Registration required. (Ages 3-8) ¡Yoga, alfabetización, y diversión familiar! Hay que registrarse. (Edades 3-8)

Tue, Jun 30, 4:00pm - 5:00pm
Charles E. Beatley Jr. Central Library - Story Room
Get the dirt on vermicomposting with hands-on scientific exploration! Using our very own worm composting bin, we’ll dig into the natural processes that re-cycle our Earth’s resources. (ages 6-10)

Wed, Jul 01, All day
Charles E. Beatley Jr. Central Library
Come to the Children's Desk to pick up a PINGO Card for Plastic Free July!

Wed, Jul 01, 10:30am - 11:15am
Charles E. Beatley Jr. Central Library - Frank and Betty Wright Reading Garden
Dress for mess, bring your curiosity, and join us for a variety of dinosaur-themed sensory play! (ages 0-6)

Wed, Jul 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.

Wed, Jul 01, 2:00pm - 3:00pm
Ellen Coolidge Burke Branch Library - Meeting Room
Meet different live animals and learn about their habitats and how they live!

Wed, Jul 01, 4:00pm - 4:45pm
Kate Waller Barrett Branch Library - Youth Services Area
Sizzling fun as the Mad Scientist demonstrates properties of fire and ice. Ages 6+

Wed, Jul 01, 5:00pm - 6:00pm
Charles E. Beatley Jr. Central Library - Large Meeting Room
Join voice instructor Tessa Marr for a fun, hands-on vocal workshop! (Grades 4-8)

Thu, Jul 02, All day
Charles E. Beatley Jr. Central Library
Come to the Children's Desk to pick up a PINGO Card for Plastic Free July!

Thu, Jul 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. Tickets Required. Edades 0-5, se requieren boletos.

Thu, Jul 02, 11:00am - 11:30am
Kate Waller Barrett Branch Library - Youth Services Area
Kids who love dinosaurs and other prehistoric creatures will be delighted by the fun and funny antics of Cobra Caroline and her prehistoric animal puppet friends. Ages 2+

Thu, Jul 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. Tickets Required. Edades 0-5, se requieren boletos.

Thu, Jul 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.

Thu, Jul 02, 6:00pm - 7:30pm
Kate Waller Barrett Branch Library - Youth Services Area
Looking to join a Dungeons and Dragons group? Look no further!
This event is full

Sun, Jul 05, All day
Charles E. Beatley Jr. Central Library
Come to the Children's Desk to pick up a PINGO Card for Plastic Free July!

Sun, Jul 05, 1:15pm - 1:45pm
James M. Duncan Jr. Branch Library - Beth Patridge Meeting Room
Wiggle, crawl and clap at Story Time! Fingerplay and songs for Ages 0-24 months. Tickets required De 0 a 24 meses. Sala de reuniones de Duncan Library. Se requieren boletos.

Last updated: December 2020