12 Library Programs You Don’t Want to Miss this Summer
Libraries all across the nation love the summer as much as we do! The Kokomo-Howard County Public Library is gearing up for hosting their annual Summer Reading Program and many other fun and educational programs that you will not want to miss this summer. These programs will encourage your family to read, learn, and grow this summer all while having fun with their peers. We’ve selected 12 of our favorites from the KHCPL Events Calendar and gathered some details so you don’t miss out.
TKP Photo | Alli Lee
Summer Reading Program Kickoff Party
Friday, June 7, 2024 | KHCPL Main Branch
220 N. Union St, Kokomo, IN 46901
The Adventure Begins this Friday at the Main Branch of the Kokomo-Howard County Public Library from 11 a.m. through 7 p.m. The entire Main Branch will be celebrating the start of the Summer Reading Program with activities on every floor. This year’s Summer Reading Program theme is “Adventure Begins at Your Library,” and each week is a different theme for the program explorers. Children and families that register will receive a free book while supplies last. All ages are welcome to join the Summer Reading Program. Track your family’s daily reading throughout the summer and get rewarded.
Camp Carnival
Tuesday, June 11, 2024 | KHCPL Main Branch
220 N. Union St, Kokomo, IN 46901
The Kokomo-Howard County Public Library puts on the greatest showcase of Summer programs. The staff at KHCPL Main ask your kids ages 3-13 to step right up for Camp Carnival and an afternoon of games and popcorn. The carnival will be held under the big top in meeting rooms A & B combined on the ground floor from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Games include an anti-gravity table, clown tooth knockout, ring toss and more.
KidQuest: Campfire Adventures
Wednesdays | KHCPL Main Branch
220 N. Union St, Kokomo, IN 46901
If you like the chance to regularly get out of the house each week, KHCPL is offering a few different programs that are weekly rather than a one-time event. KidQuest: Campfire Adventures will be held most Wednesdays from 12:30 p.m. to 1:30 p.m. during the Summer Reading Program. This month the event will be held on June 12 and 26. Kids up to age 5 are welcome to join the staff at KHCPL Main for a camping story time, crafts, songs, and more fun with a different theme each week.
Discovery Center- Weekly on Tuesdays, Wednesday, or Thursdays
KHCPL Main Branch | 220 N. Union St, Kokomo, IN 46901
You may already know about the Discovery Center as an after school program during the school year and home to many fun activities for youth ages 8-13. The Discovery Center rotates between different STEM (science, technology, engineering and math) activities including video games, robots, hex bugs, Osmo, and 3D pens. The Discovery Center will be incorporating activities along the Summer Reading Program themes this summer too. These programs are held in the afternoon, but days and time will vary. You can see all of the upcoming events happening in the Discovery Center by visiting the KHCPL website events tab and searching Discovery Center as a keyword. You’ll recognize the programs when you see the orange and blue lightbulb.
Didgeridoo Down Under
Friday, June 14 from 10 a.m. to 11 a.m. at KHCPL South- Outdoor Firefly Stage
Friday, June 14 from 2 p.m. to 3 p.m. at KHCPL Russiaville- Outdoor Classroom
Saturday, June 15 from 10 a.m. to 11 a.m. at KHCPL Main- Meeting Rooms A & B
Families and children of all ages are welcome to join the staff at KHCPL for a cultural and musical experience from down under. Participants will get to learn about and hear from a didgeridoo, an instrument that has been a part of Australian aboriginal culture for over a thousand years. The event will be hosted at all three KHCPL Branches on different dates and times. The experiences at KHCPL South and KHCPL Russiaville will be held outdoors, so bring a blanket or chair.
Wilderness Explorers with Royal Events
Friday, June 21 from 10 a.m. to 11 a.m. at KHCPL South- Outdoor Firefly Stage
Friday, June 21 from 4 p.m. to 5 p.m. at KHCPL Russiaville- Outdoor Classroom
Saturday, June 22 from 10 a.m. to 11 a.m. at KHCPL Main- Meeting Rooms A & B
Enjoy an interactive meet and greet experience with two wilderness explorers. This event will be held once at all three of our KHCPL locations and is recommended for youth ages 3-13. Participants will hear stories and learn about camping, first aid, and the wilderness. Your family will be ready for your next adventure after this fun event. The experiences at KHCPL South and KHCPL Russiaville will be held outdoors, so bring a blanket or chair.
Hedgehog Hannah
Tuesday, June 25 from 6 p.m. to 7 p.m. at KHCPL Main- Meeting Rooms A & B
Thursday, June 27 from 10 a.m. to 11 a.m. at KHCPL South- Outdoor Firefly Stage
Thursday, June 27 from 2 p.m. to 3 p.m. at KHCPL Russiaville- Outdoor Classroom
You never know what animals you’ll get to meet when Hedgehog Hannah comes to town! This event is fun for all ages and will be held at all three of our KHCPL locations so you don’t miss out. Participants will learn about the guest animals, their habitats, and why wild animals need to stay wild. Your family will love this up close and personal opportunity. The experiences at KHCPL South and KHCPL Russiaville will be held outdoors, so bring a blanket or chair.
Home Team Ice Cream Truck
Monday, July 1 from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. at KHCPL Main Parking Lot
Tuesday, July 2 from 1 p.m. to 2:30 p.m. at KHCPL Russiaville Parking Lot
Tuesday, July 2 from 3:30 p.m. to 5 p.m. at KHCPL South Parking Lot
Summer = Ice Cream! Home Team Ice cream is partnering with the Kokomo Howard County Public Library to offer free Ice Cream Coupons to patrons that visit the library on these special dates. Coupons will be available at the Summer Reading Program prize desks at each library branch location and shared on a first-come first serve basis.
Bubble Wonders
Tuesday, July 9 from 2 p.m. to 3 p.m. at KHCPL Russiaville-Outdoor Classroom
Tuesday, July 9 from 6 p.m. to 7 p.m. at KHCPL Main-Meeting Rooms A & B
The Kokomo-Howard County Public Library does not disappoint in bringing back some of favorite events from past summers. Bubble Wonders is a fantastic bubble trick show for all ages. Your family will “ooohh” and “aaahhh” when they see bubbles like never before.
Wild Wisdom Outdoor Survival Skills
Wednesday, July 10 from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. | KHCPL South Outdoor Firefly Stage
1755 E. Center Road, Kokomo, IN 46902
Do you have the skills to survive in the wild? In this survival training camp participants will learn how to utilize what nature provides to build a fire, obtain shelter, water, and food all while carrying minimal equipment. This is a special event for adventurers ages eight and older. Participants will hear from reality survivalist star Clint Jivoin known as a survival instructor on the popular TV Show Naked and Afraid.
Foam Happy Party | Thursday, July 11 from 10 a.m. to noon
1755 E. Center Road, Kokomo, IN 46902 | KHCPL South Outdoor Firefly Stage
Another Summer favorite, the Foam Happy Party is definitely a can’t miss event. Your kids will have so much fun in the bubbles of the foam cannon. To keep everyone safe, the event has been broken down into age group categories and time segments where each age group has their own time in the foam. Children up to age 4 will begin promptly at 10 am. Swimsuits or light clothing and water shoes are recommended, but don’t forget your towels!
Wonderfest presented by Wonderlab
Tuesday, July 16 from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. at KHCPL Main- Meeting Rooms A & B
Thursday, July 18 from 10 a.m. to 11 a.m. at KHCPL South- Cardinal & Peony Room
Thursday, July 18 from 2 p.m. to 3 p.m. at KHCPL Russiaville- Outdoor Classroom
The WonderLab Science Museum in Bloomington, IN offers a traveling Wonderfest of hands-on, interactive science exhibits recommended for youth ages 6-13. Each program will cover a different science topic including earth and space science, the science of light, and the science of temperature and energy. Mark your calendars and find additional information on the KHCPL Website.
Did you know the Kokomo-Howard County Public Library has a Bookmobile?
Find out where the Bookmobile visits nearest you.
What library programs are your family looking forward to most this summer? Share in the comments below and maybe we’ll see you there!
