Saturday, June 25 to Sunday, August 14
(Download the entire CHPL Summer Reading Booklet)
Kids: Early Literacy Ages 0-4
This program promotes early literacy skills that encourage life-long reading. Complete six or more activities from the CHPL Early Literacy Mission to earn your badge, win a free book, and be entered into a raffle for our Early Literacy Prize Basket.
Kids: Ages 5-11
Every minute of reading earns you 1 point! 300 minutes of reading logged unlocks new mini-games and story times. Spend your “Points” on raffle tickets for one of TEN Kids Prize Baskets awarded at the end. Every time you log reading minutes you are automatically entered into a Weekly Prize Drawing for a $5 gift card to Five Below. Weekly Drawing winners are selected every Monday. You must have logged at some point during the previous week to be eligible for the Gift Card drawing.
Family Fort Night*
Friday, June 24 6 p.m. – 7:30 p.m.
Join us for an after-hours “camping” experience! Bring blankets and pillows to create your ultimate fort in the stacks. Join us around the “campfire” for stories, songs and snacks. Hot dogs and smores snack bags will be served! All ages. Please use group registration to register ALL family members that will be attending.
Trucks! Trucks! Trucks!
Saturday, June 25 11 a.m. – 1 p.m.
Kick off the summer with trucks! Explore police vehicles, a fire truck, an ambulance, a bucket truck and more! Grab lunch while you’re here at one of the many food trucks. Don’t forget to sign up for summer reading while you’re here! All ages. Library parking lot. This event is rain or shine.
Shark Attack!*
Monday, July 11 6 p.m. – 7 p.m.
Are sharks really the ferocious eating machines they seem to be in movies? Join the Center for Aquatic Sciences at Adventure Aquarium staff to learn the truth about these special fish. All ages. Please bring your own lawn chairs and blankets. Friendship Grove.
Mr. Malcolm Presents The Little Mermaid & Tales!*
Tuesday, July 12 11:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.
Mr. Malcolm, a one man theater production, will entertain you with his dramatic storytelling. Bring your own lawn chairs and blankets. Weather permitting. All ages. Friendship Grove.
Eyes of the Wild with LIVE Animals!*
Wednesday, August 10 10 a.m. – 11 a.m.
This program is just for Summer Reading participants and features exotic rescue animals from Eyes of the Wild. Live animals MAY include a wallaby, coatimundi, Patagonian cavy, or an Australian sugar glider. Bring your own lawn chairs and blankets. All ages. Friendship Grove.
Ocean Animal Habitats Scavenger Hunt
Monday, June 27 – Saturday, July 30
Sea animals are hiding all over the Youth Services floor, Upper Level. Try your luck at finding all of the creatures in their habitats. Children who complete a scavenger hunt sheet will win a prize!
Animal Crossing Open Hours
Wednesdays: June 29, July 13 & 27, August 10
6:30 p.m. – 8:30 p.m.
Meet other ACNH players, visit the library’s virtual branch, and enjoy swapping recipes, fossils, furniture, and clothing. Add our Nintendo Switch Friend Code to visit: SW-7377-8544-2015.
A Nintendo Online subscription is required to play.
Seacrafts!*
Wednesdays: 3 p.m. – 4 p.m.
Join us for ocean-themed crafts!
All materials provided. Grades K-5.
July 6: Felt Sand Dollars
July 13: Ocean in a Bottle
July 20: Toilet Paper Tube Mermaids
July 27: Socktopus
Tie-Dye Open Hours
Saturday, July 9
2 p.m. – 4 p.m.
Bring your own white 100% cotton shirt, socks, sweats, bandanas, etc. to Friendship Grove. We will have buckets of fabric dye, gloves, rubber bands, and someone to teach you how to tie your clothing to make the patterns you want. 100% cotton fabrics hold dye the best. Open to all ages. Weather permitting.
Saving the Seas with Swedes*
Thursday, July 14
3 p.m. – 4 p.m.
Learn about the effects of pollution and climate change on the seas and what we can do to help. We will look at the work of Swedish scientists and activists like Greta Thunberg. This program is filled with hands-on STEAM activities and a take-home recycled craft. Grades K-5.
He Shares Seashells from the Seashore
Monday, July 18
6 p.m. – 7 p.m.
Local shell enthusiast Joe Fox will bring in a wide variety of shells that he has collected over the years. Learn about different types of shells, how to collect them, how to care for them, and more. Q&A provided. Enjoy a shell story time too! Grades K-5. Friendship Grove. Bring blankets and chairs.
Delicious Reads: Yellow Submarine*
Tuesday, July 19
6 p.m. – 7 p.m.
Construct an edible yellow submarine and explore the ocean floor through stories and rhymes. Ages 4-7.
Jarriums*
Monday, July 25
6:30 p.m. – 7:30 p.m.
Create a terrarium in a jar with faux plants, stones, shells, and a plastic animal. Materials provided. Ages 4-7.
Tiger Schulmann’s Martial Arts*
Tuesday, August 2
11:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.
This martial arts class is led by Tiger Schulmann’s of Cherry Hill. Little ones will have fun, make friends, gain confidence, and focus on play-based learning. Friendship Grove. Ages 3-5.
We’re Going on a Story Walk
Thursday, June 30
Meet a CHPL librarian and walk our new Story Walk from 11 a.m. – 11:30 a.m. featuring the story Smiley Shark by Ruth Galloway. Meet in Friendship Grove.
All ages. Weather permitting.
Rhyme Time in Friendship Grove
Wednesdays: July 6, 13, 20, 27 & August 3, 10
Develop baby’s motor, sensory, and social skills. Join us at 11 a.m. for short books, songs, and more!
Ages 0 – 23 months. Bring your own lawn chairs and blankets. Weather permitting.
Summer Stories in Friendship Grove
Thursdays: July 7, 14, 21, 28 & August 4, 11
Join us at 11 a.m. for stories, finger plays, and songs. Ages 2 – 6. Bring your own lawn chairs and blankets. Weather permitting.
Stories in the Parks
Fridays from 11 a.m. – 11:30 a.m.
Join us for special outdoor story times with your children’s librarians, brought to you by Cherry Hill Recreation and CHPL. All ages. Bring your own lawn chairs and blankets. Weather permitting.
July 8: Dalessio Park, 36 Ivy Lane, 08002
July 15: Willowdale Park, Willowdale Drive, 08003
July 22: Lewis Memorial/Point of Woods Park, 15 Brookville Dr, 08003
July 29: Dalessio Park, 36 Ivy Lane, 08002
August 5: Willowdale Park, Willowdale Drive, 08003
August 12: Lewis Memorial/Point of Woods Park, 15 Brookville Dr, 08003
Barking Book Buddies
Monday: August 1
Take a turn reading to a therapy dog. 15 minute sessions offered from 6:30 p.m. – 7:30 p.m. Presented in partnership with Tri-State K-9 Crisis Response Team. Ages 6 – 11. This program meets in the Children’s Story & Craft Room.
