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 .
Kids can either log books read or read to them or complete an early literacy activity sheet for a surprise.
Fees up to $10 will be forgiven if you are a middle or high school student who registers, reads, and adds at least two book to your reading log.
Virtual Events
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Sat, May 16, 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, May 16, 1:00pm - 4:00pm
Kate Waller Barrett Branch Library - Second Floor
Come play Dungeons & Dragons. No experience necessary. Open to ages 8-13.
This event is full
Sun, May 17, 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.
Sun, May 17, 2:30pm - 3:30pm
James M. Duncan Jr. Branch Library - Beth Patridge Meeting Room
Bring your preschooler to the Duncan Library on Sunday afternoons to explore STEAM activities (science, technology, engineering, art, and math)! This is a drop-in event. Recommended for ages 3-6
Mon, May 18, 5:30pm - 7:00pm
Charles E. Beatley Jr. Central Library - Board Room
Ages 14-19. Participate in this special recorded conversation about being a teen in Alexandria.
Tue, May 19, 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!
Tue, May 19, 11:00am - 11:35am
Kate Waller Barrett Branch Library - Youth Services Area
Just right for ages 0-23 months.
Songs, games, movement activities, and bubbles.
Tue, May 19, 5:00pm - 7:00pm
James M. Duncan Jr. Branch Library - Beth Patridge Meeting Room
Join DM Mike in a high seas DnD adventure! Ages 13-18. Registration required.
This event is full
Wed, May 20, 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
Wed, May 20, 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, May 20, 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
Wed, May 20, 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.
Thu, May 21, 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.
Thu, May 21, 11:00am - 11:40am
Kate Waller Barrett Branch Library - Youth Services Area
Stories, songs, movement and more for ages 2-5.
Thu, May 21, 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.
Thu, May 21, 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.
Thu, May 21, 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.
Thu, May 21, 6:00pm - 7:30pm
Kate Waller Barrett Branch Library - First Floor
Looking to join a Dungeons and Dragons group? Look no further!
This event is full
Sun, May 24, 3:30pm - 4:00pm
James M. Duncan Jr. Branch Library - Beth Patridge Meeting Room
Wiggle, crawl and clap at Baby Time! Fingerplay and songs for Ages 0-24 months.
Tue, May 26, 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!
Tue, May 26, 11:00am - 11:35am
Kate Waller Barrett Branch Library - Youth Services Area
Just right for ages 0-23 months.
Songs, games, movement activities, and bubbles.
Tue, May 26, 5:00pm - 7:00pm
James M. Duncan Jr. Branch Library - Beth Patridge Meeting Room
Join DM Mike in a high seas DnD adventure! Ages 13-18. Registration required.
This event is full
Tue, May 26, 6:30pm - 7:45pm
Charles E. Beatley Jr. Central Library - Large Meeting Room
Ages 12-18. Learn more about volunteering with Alexandria Library this summer.
Wed, May 27, 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
Wed, May 27, 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, May 27, 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
Wed, May 27, 6:00pm - 7:00pm
Kate Waller Barrett Branch Library - Second Floor
Let's celebrate Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month by talking about Science Fiction and Fantasy books by Asian American and Pacific Islander authors.
Thu, May 28, 10:15am - 10:45am
James M. Duncan Jr. Branch Library - Beth Patridge Meeting Room,Children's Area
A storytime in English and Spanish. un cuentacuentos en inglés y español.
Thu, May 28, 11:00am - 11:40am
Kate Waller Barrett Branch Library - Youth Services Area
Stories, songs, movement and more for ages 2-5.
Thu, May 28, 11:15am - 11:45am
James M. Duncan Jr. Branch Library - Beth Patridge Meeting Room,Children's Area
A storytime in English and Spanish. un cuentacuentos en inglés y español.
Thu, May 28, 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.
Thu, May 28, 5:30pm - 7:00pm
James M. Duncan Jr. Branch Library - Beth Patridge Meeting Room
Ages 14-19. Participate in this special recorded conversation about being a teen in Alexandria.
Sat, May 30, 10:30am - 12:00pm
Kate Waller Barrett Branch Library - Second Floor
Ages 14-19. Participate in this special recorded conversation about being a teen in Alexandria.
Sat, May 30, 11:00am - 12:00pm
Kate Waller Barrett Branch Library - Youth Services Area
Where reading, scrapbooking, and journaling come together! Kids ages 6-12 will learn a creative way to keep a record of their reading for the year.
Registration is required.
Sun, May 31, 2:30pm - 3:30pm
James M. Duncan Jr. Branch Library - Beth Patridge Meeting Room
Bring your preschooler to the Duncan Library on Sunday afternoons to explore STEAM activities (science, technology, engineering, art, and math)! This is a drop-in event. Recommended for ages 3-6