Level Up at Your Library this summer! Starting June 13th, come by to choose your summer reading buddy. While you’re here, don’t forget to grab your summer reading gameboard ( pre-K), Read & Bead log (K-5), or BINGO card (gr.6-Adult). No need to rush – logging begins on June 16th ( and, of course, backdating is permitted!). Click HERE for more info!
- Are you 13+ looking to volunteer? Go HERE
- Looking for a specific age range? Click the buttons below.
If you have any questions or comments, please reach out to Alex Klaus at aklaus@durhamlibrary.org or call us at 860-349-9544
Adopt a Summer Reading Buddy
6/13/25-6/21/25* from 11 am to close
“It’s dangerous to go alone! Take this.”
Drop by the library anytime between 11 am and close from June 13th to June 21st to adopt a small stuffed animal as your Summer Reading Buddy. Pick your buddy, fill out the adoption paper, and take your new friend home with you. (Psst! Summer Reading Buddies love to be read to!)Don’t forget to grab your Summer Activity Log while you’re here. Supplies are limited, so it’s first come, first served. Open to children of all ages with an adult.
*The library will be closed on June 19th for Juneteenth.
All Ages & Family Events
Family Game Night: Scattergories
Monday, June 23, 2025
6:30 PM – 7:30 PM
Get ready for a night of fast thinking and fun! Register your family to compete as a team in the classic word game Scattergories. Can you come up with unique answers before time runs out? All ages are welcome (recommended for players ages 6 & up). Light refreshments will be available—registrations open at 6:30 PM on Monday, June 9, 2025.
Registrations open at 6:30 PM on Monday, June 9, 2025.
Critter Caravan: Live Animal Safari
Wednesday, June 25th, 2025 at 6 pm
Join us for an exciting adventure with Critter Caravan, featuring live animals from around the world! Meet a chinchilla, hedgehog, rabbit, tortoise, or guinea pig, lizard, and snake as we use a map to guide our interactive “safari.” Learn fun facts with an opportunity to hold and pet some animals in this hands-on experience. For all Ages with an adult, recommended for ages 5-11. Space is limited. Registration is required—please register participating children only. Registration opens June 11th at 6 pm.
Registration opens June 11th at 6 pm.
All Ages Tie Dye
Thursday, June 26th at 2 pm or 5 pm
Adults, Teens, and Children of all ages (with an adult) are invited to bring one (pre-washed) item of cotton clothing each to tie-dye at the library. Dye and other supplies will be provided.
This event will be held outside, weather permitting*.
Registration begins June Thursday, June 12, 2025 at 2pm for both sessions.
Bubble Breaks
Tuesdays 7/8 & 7/22 at 10 am
Outside, weather permitting, no rain dates.
Join us for Bubble Break! Fun for all ages, we gather on the front lawn (weather permitting, no rain dates). On July 8th, make your own bubble wand, and on July 22nd, experience GIANT bubbles. Don’t forget to register for each meeting. Limited to 40 seats. Registration opens two weeks before each meeting.
Registrations open at 10:00 AM Tuesday, July 8, 2025
Registrations open at 10:00 AM Tuesday, June 24, 2025
Kid Tag Sale
Saturday, July 12, 2025
(Rain Date: August 2, 2025)
Set up: 9:00–10:00 AM | Sale: 10:00 AM–12:00 PM
Location: Durham Public Library
A sale where only kids can sell, but anyone can buy. We are looking for sellers ages 5-18 (ages 12 & under must have a parent).
Seller Registration:
Opens June 21 at 10 am. Register online through the library’s calendar or call 860-349-9544.
Sellers, please bring:
- Kid’s items only
- A blanket and/or table
- Items marked with prices
- A parent if under 13
- Plan to take home any unsold items and move cars after unloading.
Secret Lives of Owls
Thursday, July 25th
6 pm
Join us for an exciting evening with Blue Moon Raptors as we uncover the Secret Lives of Owls! Get up close with incredible birds of prey, including a Red-tailed Hawk, Great Horned Owl, Barred Owl, and Eastern Screech Owl. Learn about their unique adaptations, hunting techniques, and the vital role they play in the ecosystem. Suggested ages: 5 & up – Families & adults welcome. Registration is required – Space is limited.
Registrations open at 6:00 PM on Thursday, July 10, 2025
Life-Size Candy Land- Reserved Spot Edition
Wednesday July 16th
Every 40 minutes.
An interactive family adventure at the library
Join us for a life-size version of the classic board game, set up throughout the lower level of the library. Move from space to space, meet sweet characters, and race to the end in this fun, family-friendly experience.
Families must register to play if they’d like a specific time. Don’t need a specific time? Join us on July 17th at any time between 10 am and 7 pm for a Drop-in Play Candy Land Day.
Time slots available :
One registration per family. Space is limited. Registration begins July 1st at 9am.
Families must register to play if they’d like a specific time; otherwise, join us on July 17th at any time for a drop-in day!
Passive Drop-in Events – No Registration Needed
Grades K-2 & 3-5 Events
Lemonade & Crafts
Mondays at 6 pm
6/30, 7/7, 7/21, 7/28, 8/4
Enjoyed Cocoa & Crafts? Sign up for the summer version. Kids entering Grades 3 and up in the Fall of 2025 can join Miss Alex on Monday evenings this summer to make crafts and share some lemonade. Registration is required for each meeting.
Opens 6/16 at 6 pm
Opens 6/23 at 6 pm
Opens 7/7 at 6 pm
Opens 7/14at 6 pm
Opens 7/21 at 6 pm
LEGO Robotics Gr. 1-2
Wednesdays at 10 am
7/2, 7/9, 7/30
Kids in Grades 1-2 as of Fall 2025 can build and program a simple robot using LEGO Spike Essential Robotics kits. Please register for each meeting individually. Registration opens two weeks before each session.
Registrations open at 10:00 AM on Wednesday, June 18, 2025
Registrations open at 10:00 AM on Wednesday, June 25, 2025
Registrations open at 10:00 AM on Wednesday, July 16, 2025
LEGO Robotics Gr. 3 & Up
Wednesdays at 2pm
7/2, 7/9, 7/30
Kids in Grades 3+ as of Fall 2025 can build and program a simple robot using LEGO Spike Essential Robotics kits. Please register for each meeting individually. Registration opens two weeks before each session.
Registrations open at 2:00 PM on Wednesday, June 18, 2025
Registrations open at 2:00 PM on Wednesday, June 25, 2025
Registrations open at 2:00 PM on Wednesday, July 16, 2025
Science Surfers: Grades K–2
Thursdays at 4:30 pm
7/3, 7/10, 7/31
Join Miss Alex for some fun science activities for kids of all abilities. This event is open to all kids entering Grades K-2 in the Fall of 2025. Registration is required for each meeting.
Registrations open at 4:30 PM Thursday, June 19, 2025
Registrations open at 4:30 PM on Thursday, June 26, 2025
Registrations open at 4:30 PM Thursday, July 17, 2025
Science Surfers Grades 3-5
Thursdays at 6:15pm
7/3, 7/10, 7/31
Kids entering Grades 3-5 in the Fall of 2025 are invited to join Miss Alex for some science fun! Registration required. Registration opens 2 weeks before each session. Participants must register for each session they’d like to attend.
Registrations open at 6:15 PM Thursday, June 19, 2025
Registrations open at 6:15 PM Thursday, June 26, 2025
Registrations open at 6:15 PM Thursday, July 17, 2025
Teen & Tween Escape Room
Put your puzzle-solving skills to the test! Step into a mysterious escape room set in an art gallery, where players must crack clues, unlock secrets, and beat the clock! Each session is designed for specific age groups, with no adults participating unless noted. Registration required. Registration begins July 24th at 6 pm for all dates.
Thursday, August 7
6:00 PM – Tween Escape Room
For Grades 5–8 (players only, no adults)
Thursday, August 7 7:15 PM – Teen Escape Room
For Grades 8–12 (players only, no adults)
Friday, August 8
11:30 AM – Family Escape Room
For Grades 2–4 (must participate with an adult)
Friday, August 8 4:45 PM – After Hours Escape Room
For Grades 5–8 (players only, no adults)
Saturday, August 9
11:30 AM – Escape Room
For Grades 4–6 (players only, no adults)
Saturday, August 9 1:30 PM – Escape Room
For Grades 6–8 (players only, no adults)
Minecraft Potions Grades K-2
Monday 8/11
4 PM
Brew Minecraft potions in real life! Kids in Grades K-2 as of the Fall of 2025 are welcome to register for this fun Minecraft-themed science activity. Registration required.
Registrations open July 28th at 4pm .
Minecraft Potions Grades 3+
Monday 8/11
6 PM
Brew Minecraft potions in real life! Kids in Grades 3 and up as of the Fall of 2025 are welcome to register for this fun Minecraft-themed science activity. Registration required.
Registrations open July 28th at 6pm.
LEGOlympics
Saturday, 8/16/25
3 PM
Get ready to unleash your inner builder and compete in the ultimate LEGO challenge – LEGOlympics! Join us for a series of timed events that will test your LEGO skills. From lightning-fast speed builds to creative theme challenges, LEGOlympics promises fun for everyone in 1st grade and up as of the Fall of 2025. Let the building begin! Registration is required.
Registrations open at 3:00 PM on Saturday, August 2, 2025
Pre-K Events
All Ages Storytime
Thursdays at 9:30 am
7/10, 7/24, 7/31, 8/7, 8/14, 8/21
Registrations open at 9:00 AM Friday, June 13, 2025
Toddler Time: Art & Science Surprise
Fridays at 10:30 am
7/11, 7/18, 7/25, 8/1.
Join Miss Kristen or Miss Alex every Friday at 10:30 AM for a fun, hands-on activity perfect for curious kids ages 2 and up (siblings welcome!). Whether it’s art, science, or a bit of both, each week’s activity will be a surprise revealed on the day of. Some programs may be outside—dress for mess! Registration is required and opens 2 weeks before each event. Space is limited to 12 children.
Registrations open at 10:30 AM Friday, June 27, 2025
Registrations open at 10:30 AM Friday, July 4, 2025
Registrations open at 10:30 AM Friday, July 11, 2025
Registrations open at 10:30 AM Friday, July 18, 2025
Bubble Breaks
Tuesdays 7/8 & 7/22 at 10 am
Outside, weather permitting, no rain dates.
Join us for Bubble Break! Fun for all ages, we gather on the front lawn (weather permitting, no rain dates). On July 8th, make your own bubble wand, and on July 22nd, experience GIANT bubbles. Don’t forget to register for each meeting. Limited to 40 seats. Registration opens two weeks before each meeting.
Registrations open at 10:00 AM Tuesday, June 24, 2025
Registrations open at 10:00 AM Tuesday, July 8, 2025
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