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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
Stories and Songs
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
Family Storytime - Martes de niños
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
Playtime! - ¡Hora de jugar!
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.
Baby and Toddler Time - La hora de los bebés y los niños
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.
Stories and Songs
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
Brixalot Legos
Tue, Jun 24, 3:00pm - 5:00pm
Kate Waller Barrett Branch Library - First Floor
Lots and lots of Legos! Ages 6+
Living the Otter Life with Katherine Applegate - (3rd-6th Grade)
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
Tuesday We Play (ages 5-12) - Martes de juegos (De 5 a 12 años)
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.
Duncan and Dragons - NEW CAMPAIGN - REGISTRATION OPEN
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)
1s and 2s Time - Tiempo para niños de 1 y 2
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
Just Babies - Lap-sit time for ages 0-12 months
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.
1s and 2s Time - Tiempo para niños de 1 y 2
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
Peter Wood: Collector of the Impossible - Peter Wood: Coleccionista de lo imposible
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.
Build Your Own Birdhouse!
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!
Creatives' Club
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.
Peter Wood: Collector of the Impossible - Peter Wood: Coleccionista de lo imposible
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.
Roll for Initiative: D&D - -REGISTRATION CLOSED-
Wed, Jun 25, 5:00pm - 7:00pm
James M. Duncan Jr. Branch Library
Another installment of Duncan and Dragons with DM Jacob!
Here Nor There Story Time
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
Storytime in the Reading Garden - Cuentos en el jardín de lectura
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.
Rocknoceros
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.
Here Nor There Story Time
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
Crafting for Teens
Thu, Jun 26, 1:00pm - 2:00pm
James M. Duncan Jr. Branch Library
Come make some crafts in the Duncan teen area!
Baby Bounce - for babies 0-12 months and their caretaker(s)
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.
T(w)een STEM Hour
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!
Coding Game Night - ages 6-12 - Hands-on fun in programming, robotics, and electronics!
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.
Baby Storytime
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.
Happy Theater Presents: Nest - Happy Theater presenta: Nest
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)
TACA Presents: Kids' Ghanaian Cultural Dance Class - TACA presenta: Clase de danza cultural ghanesa para niños
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!
Fun Friday! - Viernes de diversión
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.
TACA Presents: Kids' Ghanaian Cultural Dance Class - TACA presenta: Clase de danza cultural ghanesa para niños
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!
Rainbow Rock
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.
Board Game Cafe - Café con juegos de mesa
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
Alexandria Pride 2025 - Drag Story Hours w/ ASL Interpretation
Sat, Jun 28, 3:00pm - 6:00pm
Alexandria City Hall - 301 King Street
Enjoy art and poetry workshops, music, refreshments and more. (All ages)
Preschool STEAM Sundays
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
Milkshake Music
Mon, Jun 30, 10:15am - 11:00am
Leonard "Chick" Armstrong Recreation Center
A family-friendly musical performance featuring the Milkshake Trio!
Animal Encounters: Nature Friends Show and Tell
Mon, Jun 30, 10:30am - 11:30am
Mount Vernon Recreation Center
A live animal encounter for children 6-12.
Storytime in the Reading Garden - Cuentos en el jardín de lectura
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.
Field Guide to Your Life Kits
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.
Family Storytime - Martes de niños
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!
Playtime! - ¡Hora de jugar!
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.
STEM: Make A DNA Bracelet
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+
Tuesday We Play (ages 5-12) - Martes de juegos (De 5 a 12 años)
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.
Duncan and Dragons - NEW CAMPAIGN - REGISTRATION OPEN
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)
1s and 2s Time - Tiempo para niños de 1 y 2
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
Animal Encounters: Nature Friends Show and Tell - Encuentros con animales: Exposición de la naturaleza
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)
Just Babies - Lap-sit time for ages 0-12 months
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.
1s and 2s Time - Tiempo para niños de 1 y 2
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
Science Heroes - Adventure of the Missing Color
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.
Sensory Story Time
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!
Where does the water go? With AlexRenew - AlexRenew: ¿A dónde va el agua?
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.
Storytime in the Reading Garden - Cuentos en el jardín de lectura
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.
The Great Zucchini - Laugh Out Loud Magic!
Thu, Jul 03, 11:00am - 11:45am
Kate Waller Barrett Branch Library - First Floor
Our favorite preschool magician returns. Ages 2+
Baby Bounce - for babies 0-12 months and their caretaker(s)
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.
Coding Game Night - ages 6-12 - Hands-on fun in programming, robotics, and electronics!
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
Fun Friday! - Viernes de diversión
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.
Teen Advisory Group - Monthly Meeting
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!
Board Game Cafe - Café con juegos de mesa
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
Storytime in the Reading Garden - Cuentos en el jardín de lectura
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.
Avenue Ambition - Crafting Your Creative Career
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.
Family Game Night! - Let's have a gaming adventure!
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!
Family Storytime - Martes de niños
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!
Playtime! - ¡Hora de jugar!
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.
Baby and Toddler TIme w/Kofi Dennis
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)
Dibuja tu mundo con Raúl the Third - Preescolar a 2.º grado
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
Animal Encounters: Amazing Adaptations with Bar C Ranch - Encuentros con animales: Adaptaciones asombrosas
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)
Drawing Your World with Raúl The Third - PK-2nd Grade
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
The Magic of Drew Blue Shoes
Tue, Jul 08, 4:00pm - 4:45pm
Kate Waller Barrett Branch Library - First Floor
What will Drew have "up his sleeve" today? Ages 6+
Tuesday We Play (ages 5-12) - Martes de juegos (De 5 a 12 años)
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.
Duncan and Dragons - NEW CAMPAIGN - REGISTRATION OPEN
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)
1s and 2s Time - Tiempo para niños de 1 y 2
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
Just Babies - Lap-sit time for ages 0-12 months
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.
1s and 2s Time - Tiempo para niños de 1 y 2
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
Foam Party!
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!
Creatives' Club
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.
Animal Encounters: Fur, Feathers, and Scales - Encuentros con animales: Pelo, plumas y escamas
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)
Animal Encounters: Fur, Feathers, and Scales - Encuentros con animales: Pelo, plumas y escamas
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)
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Last updated: December 2020