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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
Tue, Jun 24, 10:15am - 10:45am
James M. Duncan Jr. Branch Library
Wiggle with glee, Stories and Songs is a great place to be! Perfect for toddlers and siblings. Come enjoy the fingerplay, songs and story-telling with us. Ages 0-5

Tue, Jun 24, 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!

Cancelled
Tue, Jun 24, 10:30am - 11:15am
Charles E. Beatley Jr. Central Library
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 24, 11:00am - 11:35am
Kate Waller Barrett Branch Library - First Floor
Just right for ages 0-23 months. Songs, games, movement activities, and bubbles.

Tue, Jun 24, 11:15am - 11:45am
James M. Duncan Jr. Branch Library
Wiggle with glee, Stories and Songs is a great place to be! Perfect for toddlers and siblings. Come enjoy the fingerplay, songs and story-telling with us. Ages 0-5

Tue, Jun 24, 3:00pm - 5:00pm
Kate Waller Barrett Branch Library - First Floor
Lots and lots of Legos! Ages 6+

Tue, Jun 24, 4:00pm - 4:30pm
Virtual - Virtual
Join us as award-winning author and summer reading champion Katherine Applegate talks to viewers about her enthusiastically heartwarming novel in verse, Odder. Register

Tue, Jun 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.

Tue, Jun 24, 5:00pm - 7:00pm
James M. Duncan Jr. Branch Library
Ongoing campaign. For inquiries about Dungeon and Dragons please contact Josstin Gogue at jgogue@alexlibraryva.org. (Ages 13-19)

Wed, Jun 25, 10:30am - 11:05am
Charles E. Beatley Jr. Central Library
Join us for stories, songs, and activities for your active, growing little ones! Ages 1-2

Wed, Jun 25, 11:00am - 12:00pm
Kate Waller Barrett Branch Library - First Floor
Songs, games, yoga and more,just for infants ages 0-12 months.

Wed, Jun 25, 11:30am - 12:05pm
Charles E. Beatley Jr. Central Library
Join us for stories, songs, and activities for your active, growing little ones! Ages 1-2

Wed, Jun 25, 1:00pm - 2:00pm
Charles Houston Recreational Center - 901 Wythe St, Alexandria
Peter Wood, the Collector of the Impossible, presents incredible, magical objects with unparalleled showmanship.

Wed, Jun 25, 2:00pm - 3:00pm
Ellen Coolidge Burke Branch Library - Meeting Room
Want to see the birds flying around this summer? Join us at the library to build and paint your very own birdhouse!

Wed, Jun 25, 4:00pm - 5:00pm
James M. Duncan Jr. Branch Library - Beth Patridge Meeting Room
Draw, write, paint and create! Ages 6-12.

Wed, Jun 25, 5:00pm - 6:00pm
Charles E. Beatley Jr. Central Library - Large Meeting Room
Peter Wood, the Collector of the Impossible, presents incredible, magical objects with unparalleled showmanship.

Wed, Jun 25, 5:00pm - 7:00pm
James M. Duncan Jr. Branch Library
Another installment of Duncan and Dragons with DM Jacob!

Thu, Jun 26, 10:15am - 10:45am
James M. Duncan Jr. Branch Library
Come join Mr. Josstin for an adventure worth gathering for. You were there, remember? Great for toddlers and siblings. Ages 0-5

Thu, Jun 26, 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 26, 11:00am - 11:45am
Kate Waller Barrett Branch Library - First Floor
Our favorite local kids' band kicks off our summer fun with a concert for all ages.

Thu, Jun 26, 11:15am - 11:45am
James M. Duncan Jr. Branch Library
Come join Mr. Josstin for an adventure worth gathering for. You were there, remember? Great for toddlers and siblings. Ages 0-5

Thu, Jun 26, 1:00pm - 2:00pm
James M. Duncan Jr. Branch Library
Come make some crafts in the Duncan teen area!

Thu, Jun 26, 1:15pm - 2:00pm
Charles E. Beatley Jr. Central Library - Frank and Betty Wright Reading Garden
Baby storytime, plus opportunities to build relationships with other caretakers of young children! For ages 0-12 months, accompanied by an adult. After your first birthday, please attend 1s and 2s.

Thu, Jun 26, 5:30pm - 6:30pm
Kate Waller Barrett Branch Library - Second Floor
Let's go on a STEM adventure with a new science experiment every month!

Thu, Jun 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 -- and check out some of our coding books for kids! Ages 6-12.

Fri, Jun 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.

Fri, Jun 27, 10:30am - 11:30am
Charles E. Beatley Jr. Central Library - Frank and Betty Wright Reading Garden
Take a journey through the life of a baby bird in this interactive puppet show accompanied by live music.(Ages 0-5)

Fri, Jun 27, 2:00pm - 3:00pm
Patrick Henry Recreational Center - 4653 Taney Ave, Alexandria
Let's explore Ghana with two fun dances: Kpanlogo, the national dance of Ghana; and Azonto, one of the first Afrobeats rhythms to hit the global airwaves!

Fri, Jun 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.

Sat, Jun 28, 10:30am - 11:30am
Charles E. Beatley Jr. Central Library - Frank and Betty Wright Reading Garden
Let's explore Ghana with two fun dances: Kpanlogo, the national dance of Ghana; and Azonto, one of the first Afrobeats rhythms to hit the global airwaves!

Sat, Jun 28, 11:00am - 11:45am
James M. Duncan Jr. Branch Library
Join us for a fantastic musical performance! Your child will learn about shapes, colors, movement, and more! All Ages.

Sat, Jun 28, 2:00pm - 4:00pm
Charles E. Beatley Jr. Central Library - Picture Book Area
Check out the Library’s selection of tabletop games. (Ages 5-18) Echa un vistazo a la selección de juegos de mesa de la Biblioteca. (De 5 a 18 años) Área infantil de Beatley Library

Sat, Jun 28, 3:00pm - 6:00pm
Alexandria City Hall - 301 King Street
Enjoy art and poetry workshops, music, refreshments and more. (All ages)

Sun, Jun 29, 2:30pm - 3:30pm
James M. Duncan Jr. Branch Library
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 ages 3-6

Mon, Jun 30, 10:15am - 11:00am
Leonard "Chick" Armstrong Recreation Center
A family-friendly musical performance featuring the Milkshake Trio!

Mon, Jun 30, 10:30am - 11:30am
Mount Vernon Recreation Center
A live animal encounter for children 6-12.

Mon, Jun 30, 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.

Tue, Jul 01, All day
Kate Waller Barrett Branch Library
Create a field guide to express the uniqueness of your life and experiences. Kits and guidelines can be picked up beginning July 1 throughout the month while supplies last.

Tue, Jul 01, 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, Jul 01, 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, Jul 01, 3:00pm - 5:00pm
Kate Waller Barrett Branch Library - First Floor
Drop in this afternoon & make your own unique DNA bracelet. Ages 6+

Tue, Jul 01, 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.

Tue, Jul 01, 5:00pm - 7:00pm
James M. Duncan Jr. Branch Library - Beth Patridge Meeting Room
Ongoing campaign. For inquiries about Dungeon and Dragons please contact Josstin Gogue at jgogue@alexlibraryva.org. (Ages 13-19)

Wed, Jul 02, 10:30am - 11:05am
Charles E. Beatley Jr. Central Library
Join us for stories, songs, and activities for your active, growing little ones! Ages 1-2

Wed, Jul 02, 11:00am - 12:00pm
Charles Barrett Recreation Center - 1115 Martha Custis Dr, Alexandria
An environmental educator will give a nature presentation with live animals. (Ages 6-12)

Wed, Jul 02, 11:00am - 12:00pm
Kate Waller Barrett Branch Library - First Floor
Songs, games, yoga and more,just for infants ages 0-12 months.

Wed, Jul 02, 11:30am - 12:05pm
Charles E. Beatley Jr. Central Library
Join us for stories, songs, and activities for your active, growing little ones! Ages 1-2

Wed, Jul 02, 2:00pm - 3:00pm
Ellen Coolidge Burke Branch Library - Meeting Room
"Adventure of the Missing Color" is a science-themed mystery show where a color has disappeared, and the audience must use scientific principles and experiments to find the missing color.

Wed, Jul 02, 4:00pm - 4:30pm
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!

Wed, Jul 02, 5:00pm - 6:00pm
Charles E. Beatley Jr. Central Library - Large Meeting Room
When you wash your hands, take a bath, or use the toilet, the water you use disappears down the drain. But where does it go? And what happens to it when it gets there? Ages 6-12.

Thu, Jul 03, 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, Jul 03, 11:00am - 11:45am
Kate Waller Barrett Branch Library - First Floor
Our favorite preschool magician returns. Ages 2+

Thu, Jul 03, 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 0-12 months, accompanied by an adult. After your first birthday, please attend 1s and 2s.

Thu, Jul 03, 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 -- and check out some of our coding books for kids! Ages 6-12.

Cancelled
Fri, Jul 04, 3:30pm - 4:30pm
Ellen Coolidge Burke Branch Library
Have fun on Fridays after school, building, making, playing word bingo, and winning prizes! Grades K-5.

Sat, Jul 05, 10:30am - 11:30am
Kate Waller Barrett Branch Library - Second Floor
Ages 12-18. Make a difference in your library and community by sharing your opinions, volunteering, and more!

Sat, Jul 05, 2:00pm - 4:00pm
Charles E. Beatley Jr. Central Library - Picture Book Area
Check out the Library’s selection of tabletop games. (Ages 5-18) Echa un vistazo a la selección de juegos de mesa de la Biblioteca. (De 5 a 18 años) Área infantil de Beatley Library

Mon, Jul 07, 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.

Mon, Jul 07, 5:30pm - 7:00pm
Charles E. Beatley Jr. Central Library - Large Meeting Room
Ages 12-18. Develop tools and skills to create, market, and sell your original artwork in this 10-week series.

Mon, Jul 07, 5:30pm - 7:00pm
Kate Waller Barrett Branch Library - Second Floor
Make new friends and play board games and tabletop games at the library!

Tue, Jul 08, 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, Jul 08, 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, Jul 08, 11:00am - 11:45am
Kate Waller Barrett Branch Library - First Floor
Kofi, a WolfTrap BabyArtsPlay artist, leads our program today. (Ages 0-5)

Tue, Jul 08, 2:00pm - 2:30pm
Virtual - Virtual
Acompaña al autor e ilustrador Raúl the Third mientras nos habla de su libro ¡Vamos! ¡A leer! Conoce a Lobito y sus amigos mientras exploran el Festival del Libro Love de su biblioteca. Register

Tue, Jul 08, 2:00pm - 3:00pm
Leonard "Chick" Armstrong Recreational Center - 25 W Reed Ave, Alexandria
This exciting program introduces 5 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, Jul 08, 4:00pm - 4:30pm
Virtual - Virtual
Join author and illustrator Raúl The Third as he discusses his book ¡Vamos! Let’s Go Read!. Meet Little Lobo and friends as they explore their library's Libro Love Book Festival! Register

Tue, Jul 08, 4:00pm - 4:45pm
Kate Waller Barrett Branch Library - First Floor
What will Drew have "up his sleeve" today? Ages 6+

Tue, Jul 08, 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.

Tue, Jul 08, 5:00pm - 7:00pm
James M. Duncan Jr. Branch Library - Beth Patridge Meeting Room
Ongoing campaign. For inquiries about Dungeon and Dragons please contact Josstin Gogue at jgogue@alexlibraryva.org. (Ages 13-19)

Wed, Jul 09, 10:30am - 11:05am
Charles E. Beatley Jr. Central Library
Join us for stories, songs, and activities for your active, growing little ones! Ages 1-2

Wed, Jul 09, 11:00am - 12:00pm
Kate Waller Barrett Branch Library - First Floor
Songs, games, yoga and more,just for infants ages 0-12 months.

Wed, Jul 09, 11:30am - 12:05pm
Charles E. Beatley Jr. Central Library
Join us for stories, songs, and activities for your active, growing little ones! Ages 1-2

Wed, Jul 09, 2:00pm - 3:00pm
Ellen Coolidge Burke Branch Library - Meeting Room
Get ready to dance, laugh, and let loose as you’re surrounded by cascades of fluffy foam!

Wed, Jul 09, 4:00pm - 5:00pm
James M. Duncan Jr. Branch Library - Beth Patridge Meeting Room
Draw, write, paint and create! Ages 6-12.

Wed, Jul 09, 5:00pm - 5:25pm
Charles E. Beatley Jr. Central Library - Large Meeting Room
Why do animals have fur, feathers, or scales? Meet live mammals, birds and reptiles and learn about their habitats and how they live. Presented by Squeals on Wheels. (All ages)

Wed, Jul 09, 5:30pm - 5:55pm
Charles E. Beatley Jr. Central Library - Large Meeting Room
Why do animals have fur, feathers, or scales? Meet live mammals, birds and reptiles and learn about their habitats and how they live. Presented by Squeals on Wheels. (All ages)

Last updated: December 2020