Kids' Summer Reading Programs 2026

Reading ROARS at the Lakeland Public Libraries. Join us for a summer of prehistoric proportions as we embark on an adventure back in time to when dinosaurs ruled the earth.

Here’s what’s happening:

Reading Logs and Weekly Prizes

Reading Logs and Weekly Prizes
Pick up your reading log at any Lakeland library location.
Read at least 3 days each week and have your adult sign each week's circle.
Bring your log to any Lakeland library to get your sticker and a free prize every week. You’ll want to collect them all!

Reading with the Rays
Reading with the Rays is back. Pick up your game sheet at any Lakeland Library. Track your time spent reading by rounding the bases and collecting Rays prizes along the way.

Jurassic Polk

Visit participating public libraries in Polk County to pick up an adventure map.

Travel to different libraries in Polk County to complete challenges and earn stickers.

Collect them all to be entered into a raffle for one of three prize baskets.

Learn more information about Polk County’s Summer Reading Program
Storytimes

Storytime is on for the summer! Join us for songs, stories, and fun!

Baby Storytime at the Main Library
Thursdays at 11 am
Ages 6-18 months
June 4, 11, 18, 25
July 2, 9, 16, 23

Preschool Storytime at the Main Library
Wednesdays at 10 am
Ages 2-5
June 3, 10, 17, 24
July 1, 8, 15, 22

Preschool Storytime at the Larry R. Jackson Branch
Thursdays at 10 am
Ages 2-5
June 4, 11, 18
July 2, 9, 16, 23

Preschool Storytime at the Kelly Branch Library
Select Tuesdays at 10:15 am
Ages 2-5
June 16
July 7 & 21

Bilingual Storytime at the Larry R. Jackson Branch
Select Thursdays at 10 am
Ages 2-5
June 25
July 30

Children’s Theater: Interactive Storytime at the Main Library
Select Saturdays at 2 pm
Ages 4 and up
June 13
July 11

For more information, please contact the Kelly Branch Library at 863.834.4286, Lakeland Public Library at 863.834.4268, or Larry R. Jackson Branch Library at 863.834.4288
Special Summer Programs for Kids

Monday Fun Day at the Larry R. Jackson Branch
Select Mondays from June 1st through July 13th from 10 AM to 12 PM
Ages 5-13 and their grownups

Ready to roar? Join us at the Larry R. Jackson Branch Library on select Mondays from June 1st through July 13th as we will enjoy dino-mite crafts and activities themed around dinosaurs, fossils, volcanoes, and more! Some crafts may get messy, so please wear appropriate clothing!

June 1: Hello Dinosaurs!
June 15: Herbivores & Gliders
June 29: Volcanoes & Asteroids
July 13: Fossils & Paleontology

No registration required.

Dino Fridays at the Lakeland Public Library
Select Fridays from 10 AM to 12 PM
Ages 5-13 and their grownups

Get ready for a prehistoric adventure! Travel back in time to the age of dinosaurs, where stories stomp and imaginations ROAR! Join us for dino-mite crafts and activities.

June 5: Hello Dinosaurs!
June 12: Cool Carnivores
June 15-21: Hungry Herbivores Take-Home Craft*
June 19: Closed for the Juneteenth holiday
June 26: Prehistoric Gliders
June 29: Erupting Volcanoes Take-Home Craft*
July 3: Closed for the July 4th holiday
July 10: Orbiting Asteroids
July 17: Amazing Fossils
July 24: Paleontology Squad

*On weeks when we will be closed on Friday in observance of a holiday, take-home crafts will be available during the week.*

No registration required.

Dino Playtime at the Larry R. Jackson Branch
Fridays at 2 pm
Ages 0-5 and their grownups

Join us for an hour of sensory playtime with dinosaur-themed activities. Dino Playtime offers a space for toddlers to engage in social-emotional learning and develop fine and gross motor functions.

June 5, 12, 26
July 10, 17, 24

No registration required.

T-Rex Tea Party at the Larry R. Jackson Branch
Saturday, July 11th at 10 AM
Ages 3-8 and their grownups

Are you looking for a roaring good time? Join us for a dino themed tea party. Come dressed in your teatime best and enjoy a dinosaur themed story and craft. Snacks and drinks will be provided!

No registration required.

Reptile Discovery! at the Lakeland Public Library
Tuesday, June 16th at 4:30 PM
All ages

Dinosaurs may have gone extinct, but some of their relatives still exist today. Meet the world’s most fascinating family of animals in an educational presentation by reptile expert and conservationist Bruce Shwedick. This program will feature turtles, an alligator and a crocodile, lizards and snakes!

No registration required.
Spools Out for Summer! Sewing Camps

Sewing is a fun, creative outlet that develops dexterity, fine motor skills, patience, and self-confidence.

In each four-day sewing series, kids and teens ages 9-17 will learn how to use a sewing machine, basic stitches, and hand-sewing skills as they make fun projects to take home.

Registration is required and will open one week before classes begin. Registration is for all four (4) classes in the camp, but seating is limited. If you are registering more than one child for the series, you will need to register each child separately to reserve a seat for each.

**NOTE: If you have attended any Spools Out for Summer kids or teens session previously, you are not eligible to register for this learn-to-sew series. Any repeat registrants will be removed from the list.**

Larry R. Jackson Branch Meeting Room
Session 1: Monday, June 8 – Thursday, June 11 @ 2 pm
Session 2: Monday, June 15 - Thursday, June 18 @ 2 pm

Lakeland Public Library Commons
Session 3: Monday, July 13 - Thursday, July 16 @ 10 am
Session 4: Monday, July 20 - Thursday, July 23 @ 2 pm
Summer STEAM

LEGO Club at Larry R. Jackson Branch Library
Every Tuesday from 5:30 PM to 6:30 PM
Ages 5-17 and their grownups

Calling all young builders, makers, architects, and engineers! Beginners and experts are welcome to come with their parents and work on their own LEGO creations or take our themed challenge. Playing with LEGO bricks promotes hand/eye coordination, enhances fine motor skills, develops problem solving skills, increases attention/concentration span, and unleashes creativity.

No registration required.

STEAM Explorers at Lakeland Public Library
Every Wednesday from 3:30 PM to 4:30 PM
Ages 6-12

Join us at the Lakeland Public Library every Wednesday in June and July at 3:30 pm as we create, learn, and explore the world around us through hands-on science, technology, engineering, art, and math: STEAM! Each week, come enjoy Beakers & Books, Kids' Corner Art, Tech-Know Time, or Wonder Robotics!

Wonder Robotics – June 3 & July 1
Kids’ Corner Art – June 10 & July 8
Tech-Know Time – June 17 & July 15
Beakers & Books – June 24 & July 22

Registration is required and will open one week before the event.

Kids' Computer Class at the Larry R. Jackson Branch Library
Monday, June 22nd-Wednesday, June 24th from 2 PM to 3 PM
Ages 9-12

Is your child a whiz with a tablet but has limited or no interaction with a traditional computer? Then this program may be right for them. This three-day computer class will cover the basic hardware and software functions of a computer as well as basic file systems management. Keep the learning going throughout summer! All materials will be provided. No previous computer experience needed.

Registration is required and will open one week before classes begin.
Registration is for all three (3) classes in the series.
Movie Mondays at the Larry R. Jackson Branch Library

Movie Mondays at the Larry R. Jackson Branch Library
Select Mondays in June and July at 10 am

Enjoy a family movie at the Larry R. Jackson Branch Library on alternating Mondays all summer long! Snacks and drinks will be provided.

June 8: The SpongeBob Movie: Search for SquarePants
June 22: Zootopia 2
July 6: Hoppers
July 20: The Super Mario Bros. Movie

No registration required.
All movies are rated PG.

Due to limited space and the nature of the events, summer camps, daycares, and groups cannot be accommodated at any of our summer events.