It is no surprise that Fairfax County Public Library’s Summer Reading Adventure is about reading, but that’s not all you will find when you visit your local library this summer. Our event calendar is full of engaging programs, performances and presentations that all ages can enjoy. Looking for the perfect event for your family? Read on to discover what’s on the lineup for every age group.
Programs For Preschoolers
Our littlest library visitors’ imaginations will run wild as puppets, magic, music and more take over our branches in these events just for kids ages 5 and under:
- Journey to a world where dinosaurs are alive! Rainbow Puppet Productions presents The Really Big Dinosaur Show featuring original songs and more than 20 giant puppets.
- Bring books to life and explore rhymes, music, movement and creative dramatics with local performer Kofi Denis in I Like To Be Me or A Visit to Kofi's Village.
- Sing, dance, Rock and Rhyme with Mr. Jon and Friends in a hilarious and interactive show you don’t want to miss.
- Be dazzled and amazed with illusions, puppets, books and laughs at the Lorenzo and Friends Magic Show!
Programs For School Age Children
School may be out, but that doesn’t mean the learning has to stop after the last school bell rang. Keep their minds sharp while still having fun with these programs for kids ages 6-11:
- Enjoy a hands-on musical experience direct from down under with Aussie Funk Jam and craft your own didgeridoo.
- Discover how archaeologists identify and classify artifacts while learning about the 19th century Sugar Trade in Alexandria.
- Create artistic displays with dino toys, clay, paint and building bricks in this Dino Diorama program led by Kidcreate Studio.
- Unearth your love for science, conduct exciting experiments and raise a shovel to scientists who work with dirt at Science Heroes: Digging It!
- Explore the different methods of Ship Science used to uncover the mystery behind an 18th century vessel uncovered near the Alexandria waterfront.
- Learn about fossils and prehistoric creatures with facts, magic and audience participation in this super-sized inflatable dino presentation from Dinoman Dinosaurs.
Programs For Tweens and Teens
Know your teens and tweens are having safe, educational fun with these events and programs that test their thinking skills, artistic ability and more:
- Use 18th century tools and spy craft to solve a series of puzzles, reveal the secret of Lafayette’s Legacy and save history before the clock runs out.
- Work together to investigate science concepts like air pressure, chemical reactions and more at Science Heroes: Experiment Lab.
- Battle your friends in a high-tech, realistic laser tag battle among the books powered by LaserTag2You.
- Learn to draw an anime/manga character through step-by-step instructions provided by illustrator and comic book artist Orion Zangara.
Programs For Adults
Our summer programs aren’t just for kids! Explore history, culture and more with these engaging presentations:
- Experience the rich tapestry of Chinese culture with dancers from Greater Washington Chinese Dance.
- Take a peek into the personal lives of birds of prey that call our area home and meet owls, hawks and a falcon from Secret Garden Birds and Bees.
- Explore rhythm and balance with Sindhura School of Bharatanatyam as they present a Thillana, Peacock & Pot Dance showcase.
- Relax and take in the soothing sounds of the concert flute, piccolo, alto flute and bass flute from Woodbridge Flute Choir.
- Enjoy wind chamber music in a passionate, joy-inspiring performance from Symphony Orchestra of Northern Virginia.
- Discover the engaging world of Dabke dance in a lively showcase of culture from the American Palestinian Women Association (APWA) and Faris Al Leil Dabke group.
- Use 18th century tools and spy craft to solve a series of puzzles, reveal the secret of Lafayette’s Legacy and save history before the clock runs out.
- Laugh until your stomach hurts at Improv at the Library with local group Home Improv Mints.
Programs For Everyone
Looking for a program that the whole family can enjoy? Look no further than these events:
- Jam out, listen to your favorite songs and dance along with Rocknoceros in a family-friendly musical extravaganza.
- "Unearth a story" as Didgeridoo Down Under leads an energetic fusion of Australian music, culture, comedy, character building and storytelling.
- Use your imagination and enjoy a Visit To Kofi’s Village to meet the Queen Mother, do the harvesting dance and use the djembe drums to explore Anansi the Spider folktales.
- Take Footsteps in History to travel back to 1607 and the world of Pocahontas and Chief Powhatan with Rainbow Puppet Productions.
- Go on a Musical Adventure to Latin America with Cantaré in this highly interactive performance where audiences of all ages are invited to participate.
- Meet Awesome Animal Ambassadors at this show, tell and touch experience focusing on their unique characteristics and stewardship.
- Join an exciting cultural exploration of Latin America through an introduction of language, music and dance with 123 Andrés Family.
For a complete list of all our Summer Reading Adventure programs, visit our online events calendar.