Looking for things to do with the kids in August? Our libraries are hosting dozens of Summer of Learning and other programs for kids and families, from magic shows to music and dance workshops to end-of-summer celebrations.
All Library events are free and open to the public. Registration is not required unless noted. Find information and registration through the event links below or at spl.org/Calendar. It’s not too late to participate in Summer of Learning! Pick up an activity sheet at your neighborhood branch or download from www.spl.org/summeroflearning.
Take a StoryWalk
Wander a StoryWalk® at three locations in the neighborhood: outside the Magnolia Branch, at the Magnolia Farmers’ Market, and at Daybreak Star Indian Cultural Center. Each trail features a picture book by Indigenous authors, chosen by Daybreak Star preschool teachers. This year, we partnered with the Washington Talking Book and Braille Library (WTBBL) to transcribe all books into Braille. Through Aug. 31.
See magic happen
World-class magician Maritess Zurbano is returning to libraries around the city in August to perform an hour-long show, with lots of audience participation. Here are the dates and times.
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- International District / Chinatown Community Center: Saturday, Aug. 2, from 3 p.m. to 4 p.m.
- Douglass-Truth Branch: Tuesday, Aug. 12 from 10:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.
- Ballard Branch: Tuesday, Aug. 19 from 3:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m.
- Rainier Beach Branch: Saturday, Aug. 20 from 3 p.m. to 4 p.m.
- Magnolia Branch: Saturday, Aug. 23 from 11 a.m. to noon
- Lake City Branch: Wednesday, Aug. 27 from 6 p.m. to 7 p.m.
- High Point Branch: Thursday, Aug. 28 from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m.
Learn about the jazz and blues
Enjoy an educational Jazz performance of styles from slow blues to boogie-woogie and salsa by local musician Michael Powers.
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- High Point Branch: Monday, Aug. 4 from 10:30 a.m. to 11:15 a.m.
- Rainier Beach Branch. Wednesday, Aug. 6 from 1 p.m. to 1:45 p.m.
- Douglass-Truth Branch: Tuesday, Aug. 26 from 10:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.
Make a mask, in English and Spanish
West Seattle Branch: Tuesday, Aug. 5 from 3 – 4 p.m.
Learn about the history of the Teotihuacan Indigenous people of Mexico by creating a paper mask. Aprende sobre la historia de los indígenas teotihuacanos de México creando una máscara de papel. Este programa se realizará en inglés y español.
Celebrate Summer of Learning at the Burke Museum
Burke Muesum: Thursday, Aug. 7 from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m.
All Summer of Learning participants are invited to attend this end-of-summer celebration with friends and family, which includes free access to all Burke Museum exhibits. Highlights of the day include puppet-making using Coast Salish shapes, a special story time, a microfossils activity, a talk on orcas and marine mammals and more.
Design a flying contraption
South Park Branch: Friday, Aug. 8 from 12 p.m. to 1:30 p.m.
Using portable wind tunnels and wind tables, you can design and test different flying contraptions using basic household materials, or use our pre-designed whirligig helicopters.
Paint a pet for a cause
Delridge Branch: Saturday, Aug. 9 from 2 p.m. to 3:30 p.m., Tuesday, Aug. 12 from 2 p.m. to 3:30 p.m.
Come paint with PawsWithCause while helping shelter pets find their fur-ever homes. Families of all ages are welcome, though this program is intended for youth aged 6+, their caregivers and families. (Please bring an adult if you are under age 10.) Registration is required.
Game on with Roblox
Columbia Branch: Monday, Aug. 11 from 3:30 p.m. to 5 p.m., Monday, Aug. 18 from 3:30 p.m. to 5 p.m.
Play games including Roblox, Nintendo Switch party games, and tabletop games. Registration is not required but these programs are very popular and the room capacity can fill up quickly.
Make and build with Legos and more
Northgate Branch: Tuesdays, Aug. 12 through Sept. 2, from 2:30 p.m. to 3:30 p.m.
Join us to build, craft, and create, from Lego building challenges to a variety of STEAM centered projects.
West African dance
Columbia Branch:Tuesday, Aug. 12 from 3:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Learn West African traditions with Franchesska Berry through collaborative dance, discussion and more.
Watch ‘Wicked,’ popcorn included
Southwest Branch: Thursday, Aug. 14 from 2:30 p.m. to 5:10 p.m.
Join us for a screening and sing-a-long to “Wicked” with free popcorn at this free all ages movie matinee.
Get creative with Perler beads
Lake City Branch: Friday, Aug. 15 from 3 p.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Unleash your creativity with Perler beads. In this fun program, participants will design and fuse colorful beads to create unique and personalized creations. Registration is required.
Party like it’s the end of summer
Celebrate the end of summer at the Library, with story time, crafts, and free cake!
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- Southwest Branch: Monday, Aug. 18, from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m.
- Northgate Branch: Tuesday, Aug. 19 from 2 p.m. to 3:30 p.m.
- West Seattle Branch: Thursday, Aug. 28 from 3 p.m. to 4:30 p.m.
- Queen Anne Branch: Thursday, Aug. 28 from 6:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.
- Chinatown/International District Community Center: Saturday, Aug. 30 from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m.
Learn about Coast Salish art
Ballard Branch:Wednesday, Aug. 20 from 10:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.
Tulalip tribal member, carver, and storyteller Ty Juvinel brings local legends and history to life through stories and Pacific Northwest tribal art.
Spy science with the Burke Museum
Northgate Branch:Friday, Aug. 22 from 11 a.m. to 11:45 a.m.
Go on a pretend nature walk and imagine yourself as a bee, flower, worm, and more, then examine real specimens from the Burke collections.
Watch “The Wild Robot,” popcorn included
Southwest Branch: Wednesday, Aug. 27 from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m.
Join us for a screening of “The Wild Robot” with free popcorn!
Make and learn about eco-art in English and Spanish
South Park Branch: Wednesday, Aug. 27 from 4 p.m. to 5:45 p.m.
Learn about the HEAL Act through art and culture. ¡Aprende sobre la Ley de Justicia Medioambiental (Ley HEAL) a través del arte y la cultura! This program will be conducted in English and Spanish.
Make a piñata
South Park Branch: Saturday, Aug. 30 from 1 p.m. to 2:30 p.m.
Learn the history of the piñata while developing crafting skills, creating either a luchador (Mexican wrestler) or calavera (sugar skull) themed piece. Registration not required but recommended.