We have a lot of love for the Sacramento Public Library and all of the fun, free activities they offer on a consistent basis. Due to the Summer Reading Program, there are some extra special events taking place right now.
My kids and I have found that it is fun to venture out to a library other than our neighborhood one for an event that interests us. Most libraries have a park right next to them or very near and so we usually combine our library trip with checking out a new playground.
Here is what’s going on this week:
Art Around the World
When: Tuesday, July 26; 1:00pm-2:30pm
Where: Robbie Waters Pocket-Greenhaven Library
What: An all-ages crafting session! Make Maori koru art, Greek key paper mosaics, and Celtic spirals. Kids will get a chance to create using pastels, watercolors, and more.
Caterpillar Puppets
When: Tuesday, July 26; 3:00pm-4:00pm
Where: Isleton Library
What: Caterpillar Puppets will present “Aztec Pinocchio”! This Italian Pinocchio tale told with a Mexican twist. Maldo the Magician must turn his marionette into a live boy using a butterfly as a heart. (Spanish/English).
Wild Things Presents Animals of the World
When: Tuesday, July 26; 6:30pm-7:15pm
Where: Galt Library
What: Wild Things presents the amazing diversity of life on earth. Meet animal ambassadors from five continents and hear their personal stories. Enjoy learning about these animals and others that inhabit the corners of the earth. In addition, there will be raffle tickets for prizes for attending children.
Button Making Party
When: Wednesday, July 27; 2:00pm-3:30pm
Where: Carmichael Library
What: Use colored paper, markers, and magazine cut-outs to make custom badges. Be as creative as you’d like!
American Folk Songs
When: Wednesday, July 27; 3:00pm-4:00on
Where: Courtland Library
What: Alan Candee from the Walnut Grove Library will entertain and introduce unusual origins of American folk songs. You are invited to sing along!
How the Animals Got Their Colors with ArtWorks
When: Wednesday, July 27; 3:30pm-3:30pm
Where: Elk Grove Library
What: Hear the story “How the Animals Got Their Colors,” then create a cool animal mask using feathers and more!
Natures Critters – Animals from Around the World
When: Wednesday, July 27; 3:30pm – 4:30pm
Where: Orangevale Library (held at the Orangevale Community Center)
What: Lisa Seto from Nature’s Critters will feature animals from six of the seven continents during her program.
The Three Billy Goats Gruff with Puppet Art Theater
When: Wednesday, July 27; 4:00pm-5:00pm
Where: McClatchy Library
What: Two stories are told in this production. Tortoise & the Hare comes to us from ancient Greece and they are in the race of the Century. The finish line is across Troll Bridge and wakes grumpy old Troll, star of the new Three Billy Goats Gruff. This story comes from Norway. Following the show, a short puppet demo to show how other cultures use puppets to tell stories.
Movie Night
When: Wednesday, July 27; 5:30pm-7:30pm
Where: South Natomas Library
What: An evening of fun with a movie and refreshments.
Wednesday Movie Madness
When: Wednesday, July 27; 6:00pm-7:45pm
Where: Arden-Dimick Library
What: A family movie and refreshments.
Adventures in Bubble Land with the Bubble Lady
When: Thursday, July 28; 2:00pm-2:40pm
Where: Robbie Waters Pocket-Greenhaven Library
What: If you have never seen Rebecca Nile (the Bubble Lady) perform, you are in for a real treat! Rebecca has performed all over the state and her bubble magic is guaranteed to enchant children and adults alike.
Create Friendship Bracelets
When: Thursday, July 28; 2:00pm-3:00pm
Where: Rancho Cordova Library
What: Make cool embroidery thread friendship bracelets, for your friend around the corner, or around the world.
Dogs with Jobs: Meet Sacramento PD’s K9 Unit
When: Thursday, July 28; 2:00pm-3:00pm
Where: Central Library
What: From rescue dogs to seeing-eye dogs, dogs work hard around the world. In this program you will learn about the Sacramento Police Department’s K9 Unit, and meet a police officer and his four-legged partner
Mexican Metal Ornaments
When: Thursday, July 28; 2:00pm-3:00pm
Where: McKinley Library
What: Ages 5 and up. Engrave traditional Mayan and Aztec designs on aluminum sheets. Hang them in the window to shine. Learn about Mexican traditions of metalwork.
American Folk Songs from Many Lands
When: Thursday, July 28; 2:20pm-3:20pm
Where: Walnut Grove Library
What: Mr. Candee will entertain and introduce unusual origins of American folk songs. You are invited to sing along, of course.
Aztec Pinocchio with the Caterpillar Puppets
When: Thursday, July 28; 3:00pm-3:30pm
Where: Arcade Library
What: Caterpillar Puppets present the Italian Pinocchio tale told with a Mexican twist. Maldo the Magician must turn his marionette into a live boy using a butterfly as a heart. The story is told in both Spanish and English.
Felipe Ferraz and his Music Circle
When: Thursday, July 28; 3:00pm-4:00pm
Where: Belle Cooledge Library
What: Folks songs in a variety of languages including English, Portuguese, Spanish, Hebrew and others will be shared. The audience will be encouraged to sing along with Felipe.
Forest Yoga with ArtBeast
When: Thursday, July 28; 3:30pm
Where: Fair oaks Library
What: Children will listen to stories that take place in our local ecosystem, discovering the animals and plants that live in Sacramento. Afterwards, the teacher will lead children on a yoga journey as they travel along the river, assuming the poses of the various animals, trees, rocks, and plants they encounter.
Mask Making with ArtWorks
When: Thursday, July 28; 3:30-4:30pm
Where: Sylvan Oaks Library
What: Ready to make some masks? Come and learn all about mask making from ArtWorks and then make your own mask.
Art Around the World
When: Thursday, July 28; 4:00pm-5:00pm
Where: South Natomas Library
What: An all-ages crafting session! Make Maori koru art, Greek key paper mosaics, and Celtic spirals. Kids will get a chance to create using pastels, watercolors, and more.
Summer Reading Finale: World Music and Dance with Catherine Mandella
When: Thursday, July 28; 4:00pm-4:45pm
Where: Arden-Dimick Library
What: Catherine Mandella’s World Music and Dance Workshop brings lively global tunes, featuring a real-live performer who will demonstrate and lead you in multicultural dances.
Click here for the Sacramento Public Library website. Event details and maps for each library are provided there.
Written by Keilah Woodard
My love for exploring and creating experiences with my three kids led to the founding of SacramentoSidetracks.com in 2009. I realized that Sacramento has so much to offer and I was excited to share my findings with other parents. Besides simply having fun, these are the other positive side effects of taking my kids on outings that I’ve discovered: we have quality time together away from the distractions at home, we cultivate our curiosity, learn new things, conversations are triggered by what we see and do, we connect and bond as a family, and we create new memories. Ready to get sidetracked, too? Let me be your guide!
