Take a look at the Main Library's exciting schedule for this year's Summer Reading Program, Color Our World. You can find information on how to participate in Summer Reading Challenges on the Summer Reading Page.
This schedule lists programs for the Main Library, including Children's Library and HYPE Teen Center.
Main Library
Juneteenth Rodeo
Wednesday, June 18, 4:00 – 6:00 pm
Sign up for Summer Reading at our annual Juneteenth Rode! The Midwest Invitational Rodeo and the Buffalo Soldiers Heritage Association will join us with pony rides, line dancing, petting zoo, arts & crafts, and hot dogs.
Children’s Library
Van Gogh and his Blue Paintings
Monday, June 23 at 11:00 am
‘Cobalt — is a divine colour, and there’s nothing so fine as that for putting space around things” Van Gogh wrote to his brother, Theo. Van Gogh was a fan of many types of blue, Prussian Blue, ultramarine, and cobalt. Participants will create a self-portrait of themselves using blue pigments based on the work of Van Gogh. For kids ages 6 and up.
Blue Scavenger Hunt in the DIA Galleries
Tuesday, June 24, at 2:00 pm
Meet your DPL librarian in the lobby of the Detroit Institute of Arts for a scavenger hunt for blue objects in the museum’s galleries. Visit the African, Asian, and Islamic galleries to learn more the symbolism of the color blue in the artifacts. Participants who identify all the objects on the hunt will win a prize. All ages are welcome.
Reimagined Book Covers
Wednesday, June 25, at 3:00 pm
Sometimes the book cover doesn’t accurately represent a book’s theme, plot, or its characters. Create a new cover for your favorite book with color, magazine photos, glitter, and more! For kids ages 6 and up.
Mad Science of Detroit
Thursday, June 26, at 11:00 am
The Fire and Ice Spectacular Science Show includes foggy dry ice storms and demonstrates how giant beach balls can float in the air. Join in on a hair-raising Electricity station following the show. Kids of all ages are welcome.
Warp and Weft: Woven Bookmarks
Thursday, June 26, at 3:00 pm
Weave yarn to make bookmarks using a cardboard loom. We’ll use all colors of yarn; however, we’ll focus on blue colored yarn. For kids ages 6 and up.
Mario Party Superstars Day
Friday, June 27, 4:00 – 5:00 pm
Join us for a fun day of gaming: All things Mario. For ages 5-12.
The Blues
Monday, June 30 at 3:00 pm
Blues music is a type of American music, often sung with instruments like guitar, piano, or harmonica, that expresses feelings of sadness or hardship, but also resilience and hope. It evolved from African American folk music, including work songs and spirituals, and has a unique sound with "blue notes" and a 12-bar structure. Come learn more about this style of American music. All ages welcome.
Sleeping Beauty
Saturday, July 12 at 2:00 pm
Join us for an exciting performance of the classic fairytale, “Sleeping Beauty.” Kids will experience the wonder of theater made just for them. Children of all ages are welcome.
Let’s Create Cyanotypes
Tuesday, July 1 at 2:00 pm
Cyanotype photography is a camera-less technique that involves laying an object on paper coated with a solution of iron salts before exposing it to the sunlight, then washing the paper with water to create stunning white and Prussian blue images. All ages welcome.
Lit Lab Pop Up
Tuesdays, July 1, 8, 15, 22, 29, at 1:00 pm
Join us each Tuesday for a fun filled, hands-on pop up. Kids will be immersed in Literacy & STEM activities that will wow them! Presented by Wayne RESA. Kids of all ages welcome.
Indigo Dye
Wednesday, July 2 at 2:00 pm
Indigo is a special blue color, not from paint, but from the leaves of a special plant. The plant leaves are processed to get a powder that, when mixed with water and a special ingredient, creates a beautiful blue dye. Once we tie up cotton handkerchiefs, we’ll dip the cloth in the blue solution to create beautiful patterns. For kids ages 6 and up.
Detroit vs. Everybody Taste Tests
Wednesdays, July 2, 9, 16, 23 & 30 at 4:00 pm
Our summer fun taste tests are back! Can you figure out which items hail from the D? Recognize the flavors of Detroit from pop to pizza; chips to donuts, and even a contest between the Boston Cooler & the Root Beer Float.
Red, White, & Blues
Thursday, July 3, at 11:00 am
Carl Winters, the Kalimba King, will introduce us to the kalimba, the African thumb piano. He will play a variety of musical styles, including the blues, then allow kids to try playing the kalimba themselves!
Make a Jump Rope for Summer Vacation!
Thursday, July 3 at 3:00 pm
Use cotton twine to crochet a long chain that works as an excellent jump rope. Simple finger crochet chains are fun, easy and relaxing to make. Swing the rope around, making sure it goes over your head and under your feet! For kids ages 6 and older.
Float or Sink: A Science Experiment!
Monday July 7, 4:00 – 5:00 pm
Can you guess which objects will float or sink in water? Learn about buoyancy and put your hypothesis to the test! For ages 6-12.
Reading River
July 7-18, all day
Lounge on our wacky pool floats and enjoy a good book. Use your imagination and transport to a pool party, a lazy lake, a wavy ocean, or a refreshing river. Kids of all ages are welcome.
Huron-Clinton Metroparks: Water Cycle
Tuesday July 8, 3:00 – 4:00 pm
Learn about how water moves through the water cycle with a hands-on game! For all ages.
Michigan DNR: All About Fishing
Wednesday July 9, 1:00 – 2:00 pm
Learn about fishing with the Michigan Department of Natural Resources! For ages 8+.
Michigan DNR: Water Cycle Workshop
Friday July 11, 11:00 am – Noon
Learn about the water cycle with the Michigan Department of Natural Resources! For ages 8+.
Friday Summer Movies
Saturdays, July 12, 19, 26, & August 2 at 3:00 pm
Join us for a fun movie each Friday. From funny to exciting, we'll have something for everyone. Escape the heat for a little while and enjoy an afternoon with us. All movies rated G or PG. Kids of all ages are welcome.
DIY Dolphin Craft
Monday July 14, 4:00 – 5:00 pm
Join us in the children’s library for a fun DIY dolphin craft! For ages 6-12.
Huron-Clinton Metroparks: Waterways
Tuesday July 15, 3:00 – 4:00 pm
Discover how human activity impacts our waterways through several hands-on activities! For all ages.
Shark Escape: A Balloon Game
Thursday July 17, 4:00 – 5:00 pm
Happy Shark Week! Join us in the Children’s library for a fun and interactive balloon game where kids can pretend to be a fish escaping a shark. For ages 6-12.
Oceans Alive! By Michigan Science Center
Friday July 18, 11:00 am and 4:00 pm
Dive headfirst into the watery depths as we explore the layers that make up our oceans! Join us to discover the difference between ocean layers and what adaptations allow aquatic animals to call them home. For ages 7-12.
Bird Races
Monday, July 21, 3:00 – 4:00 pm
Kids will craft their very own racing birds using plastic cups, colorful feathers, googly eyes, and other fun decorative items. Once their bird creations are complete, we’ll attach drinking straws to the top and get ready for the big race! For ages 5 and up.
See Like A Bee
Tuesday, July 22, 6:00 – 7:00 pm
Buzz into the fascinating world of bee vision! In this hands-on program, kids will discover how bees see the world in a completely different way—through ultraviolet (UV) light. For Ages 8 and up.
Polymer Playtime: Slime, Shapes, and Science
Wednesday, July 23, 1:00 – 2:00 pm
Have fun with PlastiVan® activities by making colorful slime polymers, coloring and molding a thermoplastic, and watching a thermoset foam grow! You'll also learn about plastic molecules and what packaging shapes should be recycled. For ages 8 and up.
Outstanding Owls
Thursday, July 24, at 11:00 am – Noon
Explore “wide-eyed owls” and all their neat features, from hooked beaks to silent wings to sharp talons, through movement, artifacts and taxidermy. We’ll listen to the sounds of Michigan owls and try to mimic them! Presented by Huron-Clinton Metro Parks. For ages 4-8.
Birds, Friends or Foe?
Friday, July 25, 1:00 – 2:00 pm
Detroit Bird Alliance will introduce participants to the fascinating world of our backyard birds, and have an opportunity to get hands-on with feathers, skulls, talons and more, while they learn how to be a better friend to birds in their neighborhood. For ages 5 and up.
What’s Up? Your Guide to the Night Sky
Monday, July 28, Noon – 12:45 pm or 3:00 – 3:45 pm
Join us for an exciting adventure in the Discovery Dome. Learn about the motion of the Sun, Moon, and stars as we investigate the dark sky objects we can see from our very own backyard. The show includes a tour of the stars, constellations, and planets. Presented by the Michigan Science Center. All ages.
Mini Galaxy Space Lanterns
Monday, July 28, 2:00 – 3:00 pm
Create your own magical galaxy lanterns using ping pong balls, vibrant paints, and safe flameless candles. These glowing orbs will look like tiny planets or stars straight out of outer space! Attend this program before or after visiting our inflatable planetarium. For ages 5 and up.
Eco Explorers: Birdfeeders, Compost, and Plastics
Wednesday, July 30, 1:00 – 2:00 pm
Learn about sustainability and plastics with PlastiVan® activities! Make and decorate a birdfeeder and attract birds all summer, then learn about composting by making a mini compost bin from a plastic bottle. Take home both projects. For ages 8 and up.
Nature Scavenger Hunt
Wednesday, July 30, 3:00 – 4:00 pm
Join us for an outdoor adventure, a nature exploration scavenger hunt with the Michigan Department of Natural Resources! For ages 5 and up.
Exotic Zoo
Thursday, July 31 at 3:30 pm
In this unique traveling zoo kids will have the chance to see, feel, feed and observe animals from all over the world!
Live Action Angry Birds
Friday, August 1, 3:00 – 4:00 pm
Get ready to unleash your inner Angry Bird as kids step into the game as they toss and roll giant, bouncy “Angry Birds” to knock down sneaky pig enemies and towers of “TNT.” The goal? Total destruction and decimation of those pesky pigs!
Monarch Butterflies with a Park Ranger
Saturday, August 2, 1:00 – 2:00 pm
Join a park ranger from the Detroit River International Wildlife Refuge to learn all about monarch butterflies! We will learn and play together with a story and craft about these colorful creatures. For ages 5 and up.
HYPE Teen Center
BrainReach Neuroscience Workshop
Saturdays, June 21 – August 2: 4:00 – 5:30 pm
BrainReach is an 8-week Introductory Neuroscience program designed to educate kids in grades 6-9 on STEM concepts with interactive workshops and lectures. Students will learn all about the structure of the nervous system, characteristics of neurons, and technologies like neural networks and Artificial Intelligence.
String Art Butterflies
Tuesday, July 29, 6:00 – 7:00 pm
Teens are invited to make beautiful string art butterflies using card stock, embroidery floss, and needles. Learn the basics of string art and explore your artistic side as you stitch vibrant designs that flutter off the page. For ages 13-18.
Music Studio Camp
June 30- July 5, 1:00 – 3:00 pm
Learn the basics of the HYPE Teen Recording Studio and basic Beat Making. Before you know it, you will be able to make music on your own! Ages 13-18.
VLOG Camp
July 8 – 12, 1:00 – 3:00 pm
Do you have a passion for fashion, food, hair, makeup, or something else you totally love? Come learn how to share your hobby in a Video Blog using the HYPE Teen Podcast Studio. Create a video with music and graphics you'll be proud to post! Ages 13-18.
3D Printer Camp
July 15 – 19, 1:00 – 3:00 pm
Learn to make your own 3-D creations from scratch. We will help you to design something cool on the computer and print it out using the 3-D Printer lab in the HYPE Teen Center. Ages 13-18.
Drone Camp Rebels
July 21 – 25, 1:00 – 4:00 pm
Join us for the most awesome camp, ever!!! Eventbrite Registration and confirmation by staff is required. Limited to 10 participants. Ages 6-17.
- Students will build and repair drones
- Learn drone flight patterns and how to properly fly a drone
- Learn the fundamentals of aerodynamics
- Students will learn how to program drones for autonomous flight
- 1 Free Camper T-shirt, must wear each day
- Hands-on STEAM fun activities
- Qualified Camp Counselor in their field
- Sports from soccer to basketball
- Earn Junior Pilot Wings
Hair Care & Braiding Camp
July 29 – 31: 1:00 – 3:00 pm
Do you love having the hottest hairstyles and want to learn how it's all done? You will get hands-on lessons in hair care and braiding with a real professional who loves hair as much as you do! Ages 13-18.