Summer is always an exciting time at Fairfax County Public Library! With our Summer Reading Adventure in full swing, we hope that many of you are stopping by your neighborhood branch not just to get new books to read, but also to check out some of our amazing programming. Throughout the adventure, our libraries are playing host to a variety of performers, presenters and instructors to offer a wide array of programs for all ages. Read on to see what we have planned for you and your family! 

Programs for Families with Babies, Toddlers and Preschoolers 

Especially for the library’s littlest visitors, this summer will be colored with fun music, engaging puppet shows and so much more! This July, program attendees can take a trip to Grandpa’s Farm and meet Sunny Sunshine, Farmer Fowler, some garden friends and a variety of fun characters who will guide you through planting a vegetable garden. Later this month and next, settle down for a fun-filled twist on the familiar story of “The Little Pigs” where the wolf is a vegetarian, the pigs aren’t so little and they jam on rock and roll guitars. As we move towards the end of the month, your little ones can learn how to do “havanna hop” and explore their roots through movement with Wolf Trap Master Teaching Artist Paige Hernandez. Finally, in early August, join Mr. Jon and his friend, George the Monkey, for a musical comedy concert that will have you laughing and dancing along. 

Programs for School Age Children 

For our school-age friends, FCPL is proving learning doesn’t stop when the school year comes to an end with subjects on the schedule including art, science, music and even cooking! Throughout July (as well as into early August), cooking class is in session as students take a flavorful journey around the world through colorful foods and culture, while also learning valuable kitchen skills. Moving on, it’s time for science where kids can take a hands-on approach to learning about scientists and hunt for missing colors with experiments and story with the Science Heroes. From there, we move to the art studio where participants will experience an explosion of color as they create tie dye t-shirts. Then, for our musically inclined students, Day Violins will be hosting a traveling musical instrument petting zoo throughout the latter half of the month, giving curious minds the opportunity to explore different string instruments. And as we finish off this summer of learning, we are back to science as Mad Science DC teaches us the chemistry behind fire and ice in a spectacular showcase of magic. 

Programs for Teens 

Teens can have fun with the friends or explore news hobbies by visiting our branches this summer. In addition to their very own musical instrument petting zoo (adults are also welcome at this one), we invite our teenage visitors to flex their artistic skills and learn to draw in an anime and manga art style from professional illustrator and comic book artist Orion Zangara. If cooking is more your thing, discover different flavors from around the world and learn to make globally inspired dishes with ingredients that come in every color of the rainbow. Or maybe you just want to have a little fun with your friends? If so, check out our Library Laser Tag events where we challenge you to compete to see who rules the shelves in this afterhours takeover our branches.  

Programs for Adults 

Don’t worry adults! We didn’t forget about you! Whether you are looking to have a summer of learning yourself or a relaxing afternoon enjoying music and dance by local performers, the library has got something for you. For our artful explorers, we have multiple workshops in paper quilling and watercolor, each with a different theme so you can go to them all without repeating! And for artists looking to travel afar in our branches, explore our ebru and batik workshops, diving into artforms from Turkey and Java respectively. For our friends that prefer the “sit back and relax” approach, let us introduce you to a wide variety of talented performers from our local community. Local improv group, Home Improv Mints will be on hand at a couple of our branches to bring the laughs with a lively and entertaining performance filled with spontaneous fun for all audiences, while dance troupe Sindhura School of Dance will showcase Bharatanatyam, a major form of Indian classical dance – reflecting 2000+ years of tradition. You can even take a trip around the world from your local library with performances from World Music Collective, a local group of musicians aiming to bring together the diverse cultures of the world through music and heritage. 

Programs for Everyone

But wait, there’s more! Looking for an event the whole family can enjoy? Take a trip to the library this summer! On various days throughout the summer, Fairfax County Park Authority’s traveling nature center, the Wonder Wagon, will be setting up shop in our parking lots to teach wilderness explorers of all ages about local wildlife and nature, complete with activities including bug-catching and bird watching. Sticking to the animal theme, meet real life ambassador animals from Jenn’s Uncommon Critters. Visiting guests may include lizards, snakes, rabbits, guinea pigs and even a few creepy crawlers. And last, but certainly not least, how about a little magic? Be amazed as magician and performer Jonathan Austin dazzles audiences of all ages with a fast-paced and highly entertaining show that includes juggling, magic, comedy, jokes, lots of fun audience participation and so much more. 

Whatever your interests, there is an FCPL Summer Reading event for you! We hope to see you at one (or more) of our branches for these and other amazing events. To discover info for all the programs listed here and more, visit our events calendar at bit.ly/FCPL_SRAEvents.