The summer reading events at St. Lucie County branch libraries continue to offer free, interactive, educational programs to help students avoid the “summer slide.”
Children and family activities for July 2024 include:
- LEGO Fun at the Library. Enjoy building and creating with LEGO bricks in the library. Best suited for elementary-age students.
- Tuesday, July 2nd at 10:30 AM at the Lewis Branch
- Friday, July 12th at 2:00 PM at the Lakewood Park Branch
- Tuesday, July 16th at 10:30 AM at the Lewis Branch
- Friday, July 26th at 2:00 PM at the Lakewood Park Branch
- Tuesday, July 30th at the Lewis Branch
- Safari Adventures on Wednesday, July 3rd at 2:00 PM at the Lakewood Park Branch. Crawl, slither and climb your way into some roar-some safari fun creating upcycled animals.
- Christmas in July on Friday, July 5 at 10:30 AM at the Morningside Branch. Get out of the heat and into the holiday spirit at our Christmas in July party. Make crafts, listen to holiday music, play holiday games and more.
- Scavenger Hunt on Saturday, July 6th from 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM at the Lewis Branch. Drop in to see if you can find all the pictures.
- S.T.E.A.M. Power! Explore the world of science, technology, engineering, art and math in fun ways. Learn about weather, rainbows, color, motion and more. Best suited grades K-5.
- Tuesday, July 9th at 10:30 AM at the Lewis Branch
- Wednesday, July 10th at 2:00 PM at the Hurston Branch
- Tuesday, July 23rd at 10:30 AM at the Lewis Branch
- Wednesday, July 24th at 2:00 PM at the Hurston Branch
- Virtual Reality Adventures on Wednesday, July 10th at 2:00 PM at the Lakewood Park Branch. Fly into space, dive underwater or ride a rollercoaster while immersing yourself in a 3-D world. Children under 13 must be accompanied by a parent or guardian.
- Movie Matinee: “Wonka” (2023) on Thursday, July 11th at 10:30 AM at the Lewis Branch. This fantasy musical film follows the story of Willy Wonka, the famous but eccentric chocolatier. Based on the character from Roald Dahl's novel, the film is rated PG with a running time of 112 minutes.
- Insect Detective Program on Friday, July 12th at 10:30 AM at the Morningside Branch Library. Through story and activities, Park Ranger Melaina with the Florida Department of Environmental Protection will lead an investigation into the nature of insects and how to find them. The program will follow up with an outdoor insect scavenger hunt and prize.
- Bird Safari: An Avian Adventure on Friday, July 12th at 10:30 AM at the Kilmer Branch. Come on a bird safari with St. Lucie County 4-H. Can you find all the bird-themed pictures hidden throughout the children’s department? Stop by, grab a card and give it a try to earn a prize. This avian adventure highlights the wonders of our feathery friends’ adaptations and identification.
- Music & Motion for Kids on Saturday, July 13th at 10:30 AM at the Hurston Branch. Action songs, movement, singing and fun. For children under 6 with a caregiver.
- Literary Character Scavenger Hunt on Tuesday, July 16th at 10:30 AM at the Kilmer Branch. Drop in to see if you can find all the characters hidden in the children’s section of the library. Pete the Cat, Bluey, Peppa Pig and many more will be waiting for you to find them.
- Superhero and Villain Adventures on Wednesday, July 17th at 2:00 PM at the Lakewood Park Branch. What’s your superpower? Show your creativity by making your own masks, capes and cuffs.
- Movie Matinee: “The Bad Guys” (2022) on Thursday, July 18th at 10:30 AM at the Lewis Branch. A group of infamous criminals face imprisonment. To retain their freedom, they band together to prove their goodness. This animated film is rated PG with a running time of 100 minutes.
- Movie Matinee: “Holes” (2003) on Thursday, July 18th at 2:00 PM at the Kilmer Branch. A wrongfully convicted boy is sent to a brutal, desert detention camp where he joins the job of digging holes for some mysterious reason. This live-action film is rated PG with a running time of 117 minutes.
- Animal Adventures in Your Backyard. It's wild out there. The Oxbow Eco Center staff will introduce us to St. Lucie's backyard wildlife. Compare local native, exotic and invasive plants and animals and learn how they behave in ecosystems.
- Friday, July 19th at 10:30 AM at the Lewis Branch
- Wednesday, July 24th at 2:00 PM at the Lakewood Park Branch.
- American Family Storytime. Step into a world of wonder with storyteller Douglas Coventry. This charming show works its magic by transforming beloved storybook concepts into engaging experiences for children and parents. It’s sure to be an enchanting experience to be cherished for years to come.
- Friday, July 19th at 10:30 AM at the Morningside Branch
- Friday, July 19th at 2:00 PM at the Kilmer Branch
- Movie Matinee: “Kung Fu Panda 4” (2008). After Po is tapped to become the Spiritual Leader of the Valley of Peace, he needs to find and train a new Dragon Warrior, while a wicked sorceress plans to re-summon all the master villains whom Po has vanquished to the spirit realm. The animated feature is rated PG with a running time of 94 minutes.
- Saturday, July 20th at 3:00 PM at the Hurston Branch
- Friday, July 26 at 2:00 PM at the Kilmer Branch
- Make Your Own Ice Cream on Tuesday, July 23th at 2:00 PM at the Kilmer Branch. Celebrate National Ice Cream Day by making your own frozen treat right in the library. All supplies are provided.
- Movie Matinee: “Under the Boardwalk” (2023) on Thursday, July 25th at 10:30 AM at the Lewis Branch. Two crabs embark on an epic journey to get home after a storm sweeps them away. This animated feature is rated PG with a running time of 83 minutes.
- CSI at the Library on Friday, July 26th at 10:30 AM at the Morningside Branch. Learn the secrets of how CSI’s uncover hidden evidence, careful observation and collection of evidence, detection and interpretation of fingerprints, and more with the City of Fort Pierce Police Department.
- Olympic Game Day on Saturday, July 27th at 3:00 PM at the Hurston Branch. Kick off the 2024 Summer Olympics with a variety of fun challenges. Best suited for elementary age students.
- Adventure in Science on Tuesday, July 30th at 2:00 PM at the Lakewood Park Branch. Boom, Fizz and Pop: Experiment with elephant toothpaste, lava lamps and more.
- Movie Matinee: “Bee Movie” (2007) on Thursday, August 1st at 2:00 PM at Kilmer Branch. A bee, who just graduated from college, is disillusioned at his lone career choice: Making honey. On a special trip outside the hive, he discovers humans eat honey and subsequently decides to sue them. This animated feature is rated PG with a running time of 91 minutes.
- Family Fun Activity – Wrap-up Party on Friday, August 2nd at 10:30 AM at the Morningside Branch. Join us for a summer reading wrap-up party with fun-filled activities, crafts, and music.
- Summer Reading Wrap-Up Glow Party on Friday, August 2nd at 10:30 AM at the Kilmer Branch. Join us for a summer reading wrap-up party with glow sticks, black lights, music, games and more. It will be a summer blowout party you won’t want to miss.
- Adventures Out of This World Closing Party on Saturday, August 3rd at 2:00 PM at the Lakewood Park Branch. Fly to the moon, soar into the galaxy, create your own constellations, and make your own UFO.
- Scavenger Hunt on Saturday, August 3rd from 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM at the Lewis Branch. Drop in to see if you can find all the pictures in the library.
Tweens & Teens
- Magic the Gathering on Tuesday, July 2nd & July 30th at 2:30 PM at the Lewis Branch. Learn to play Magic the Gathering through our guided program. Build your own deck or bring your own and play against others.
- Teen Crafternoon on Wednesday, July 3rd at 2:00 PM at the Hurston Branch. Make a friendship bracelet for someone special by using knots that form intricate patterns. All supplies provided.
- Teen Tournament on Tuesday, July 9th at 2:00 PM at the Kilmer Branch. Come out to the Kilmer Branch Library and test your skills in Smash Bros. on the Nintendo Switch against others to see who will be victorious! Best suited for grades 6-12.
- Dungeons & Dragons on Thursday, July 11th and July 18th at 2:30 PM at the Lewis Branch. Players gather for adventures across fantastical worlds. Best suited for ages 11 – 18.
- Anime Multimedia Club on Thursday, July 11th at 2:30 PM at the Morningside Branch. Face off as classic anime characters from Deku to Dio and Gon to Goku in a “Jump Force” gaming extravaganza. Best suited for grades 6-12.
- Teen Crafternoon on Wednesday, July 17th at 2:00 PM at the Hurston Branch. Make various bead projects. All supplies provided.
- Teen Tournament on Thursday, July 25th at 2:30 PM at the Lewis Branch. Nintendo Switch, who will be victorious? Best suited for ages 11 – 18.
- Teen/Tween Crafternoon on Thursday, July 25th at 2:30 PM at the Morningside Branch. Design your own glass magnet.
- Friendship Bracelets on Tuesday, July 30th at 2:00 PM at the Kilmer Branch. Celebrate International Friendship Day. We'll have supplies on hand for you to make a beaded friendship bracelet for you and your bestie. Best suited for grades 5 and up.
- Teen Crafternoon on Wednesday, July 31st at 2:00 PM at the Hurston Branch. Come out and make an awesome craft with us. All supplies provided.
Weekly Programs
- Story times at 10:30 AM
- Mondays at the Pruitt Campus
- Tuesdays at the Lakewood Park Branch
- Wednesdays at the Kilmer and Morningside Branches
- Thursdays at the Hurston Branch
- Pre-school Storybook Craft at 10:30 AM - Listen to stories and stay to create a fun craft
- Thursdays at the Lakewood Park Branch
- Fridays at the Hurston Branch
- Music & Motion for Kids - Stop by for action songs, movement, singing, instruments and more for ages 6 and under (with caregiver)
- Wednesdays - two sessions: 10:30 AM and 11:00 AM at the Lewis Branch
- Fridays at 10:30 AM the Lakewood Park
- Saturdays at 10:30 AM at the Morningside Branch
- Grad-n-Go Adventures in STEAM Kits - beginning June 3rd, come in each week and get your activity. Six weeks, six different projects. Best suited for ages 5 - 10. All materials supplied.
Summer Reading Challenge
Parents and guardians are reminded to encourage their students to join St. Lucie County Library System’s Summer Reading Challenge running June 1st through August 3rd. With this year’s theme: “Adventure Begins at the Library,” participants are encouraged to track their reading adventure using the online tool, Beanstack for a chance to win prizes.
Students can enter by reading the recommended daily time for each division. Suggested times for pre-K is 10 minutes; grades kindergarten through 5th grade is 15 minutes; middle school and up is 20 minutes. At 15 days completed, participants get a book, a pass to a local attraction, plus one entry for the grand prize of their choice. At 30 days completed, participants get a pass to a local attraction, plus one additional entry for the grand prize. This summer features different categories/age groups for students to win a drone with a camera, telescope, art supplies and more.
Google and Apple users can install the "Beanstack Tracker" on their phone or tablet and search "St. Lucie" to sign up to track their reading digitally, earning virtual badges for each hour read.
Participants can bring their reading logs to any St. Lucie County Branch Library to get a free book, passes and drop off their entry form for a chance to win a grand prize. For those who can’t get to the library, entries can be emailed to greshamg@stlucieco.org.
St. Lucie County’s Summer Reading Challenge is sponsored by the Friends of the Library, the St. Lucie County Children Services Council, St. Lucie Reads and St. Lucie County Parks, Recreation and Facilities Department.
All of these events are free. St. Lucie County libraries are located at:
- Lakewood Park Branch, 7605 Santa Barbara Drive, Fort Pierce / 772-462-6870
- Morningside Branch, 2410 SE Morningside Blvd., Port St. Lucie / 772-337-5632
- Port St. Lucie Branch, 180 SW Prima Vista Blvd., Port St. Lucie / 772-871-5450
- Paula A. Lewis Branch, 2950 SW Rosser Blvd., Port St. Lucie / 772-871-5470
- Susan B. Kilmer Branch, 101 Melody Lane, Fort Pierce / 772-462-1615
- Zora Neale Hurston Branch, 3008 Avenue D, Fort Pierce / 772-462-2154
- Indian River State College's Pruitt Campus, 500 NW California Blvd., Port St. Lucie / 772-336-6380
For more information call the St. Lucie County Library staff at 772-462-6873 or visit www.stlucielibrary.org.
