Visiting the Library is today’s Wednesday Activity Review
Each Wednesday this summer, Ann Arbor with Kids is covering an activity typically aimed at children in Elementary School. Especially with the heat, a trip to the library is always a great choice. In addition to all of the great books, each of the Ann Arbor District libraries offers other fun activities. AADL also hosts great events for all ages at their branches.
Ann Arbor District Library Branches
There are currently 5 Ann ArborΒ District Library BranchesΒ to visit – the main Downtown Branch, Westgate Branch, Malletts Creek Branch, Pittsfield Branch, and Traverwood Branch.
- Downtown Branch – 343 South Fifth Ave
- Malletts Creek Branch – 3090 East Eisenhower Parkway
- Pittsfield Branch – 2359 Oak Valley Dr
- Traverwood Branch – 3333 Traverwood Dr
- Westgate Branch – 2503 Jackson Ave
Library hours are:
- Daily 10a-8p
Summer Reading, Books, & More
If your child is not working on the Ann Arbor District Library Summer Reading Game, I definitely recommend signing them up for at least the reading portion of the game. After 10 books, they will be able to select a book from the library cart. My daughter is still working her way through her 10 books. As she’s gotten older, her books take longer to read so it isn’t as easy as when she was a preschooler and we could read 10 picture books in a week.
The Ann Arbor District Library offers a great variety of books, books on CD, movies, and music and any of the branch libraries. The downtown library also offers “Unusual Items” for lending such as home tools, art tools, music tools, and games.
Fun Activities at the Libraries
Each branch offers different activities for kids. All of the branches offer computers with games for kids.
My daughter has loved the ball popper at the Pittsfield Branch since the library opened when she was a baby. Pittsfield Branch also offers several puzzles and small toys to play with. At the Malletts Creek Branch, my daughter enjoyed playing with their toys when she was younger.
Events from our Sponsors
![]() Future Innovators Academy Break CampsDays Off From School | ![]() Nightmare on Cross StWeekends in October |
Last week, my daughter loved the games at the Downtown Branch – we played chess in the youth area and Connect Four in the lobby. While you’re at the Downtown Branch, don’t forget to check out the Fairy House in the books.

Of course in the years since we initially wrote this article, the Westgate branch has opened. It is my now teen’s favorite branch with the Sweetwaters Cafe. The library definitely features other great kid activities like the reading hive and the colored light wall.
Summer Game Codes
In addition to reading books for the Summer Reading Game, you can play the Summer Reading Game by collecting codes found throughout each library and for attending events. So far this summer, we have been to the Downtown Branch and the Malletts Creek Branch. I love how the codes at each of these branches follow a theme (movies at Downtown and countries at Malletts Creek).
AADL Events
All year the Ann Arbor District Library runs amazing events, but over the summer they increase their event offerings particularly for school aged children. My daughter loves their event. This summer we have attended the Comic Arts Festival and built a Penny Battery. Last year my daughter loved Marshmallow and Roller Coaster Engineering as well as making clay Minions.
<March 2022 Update> The library is still operating on a reduced event schedule due to COVID. Occasional story times are returning this month. Hopefully by summer they will be able to provide more events.
Upcoming AADL Events for Elementary & Middle School Students:
Date/Time | Event | |
---|---|---|
ππ | September 25, 2025 6:00pm-7:30pm | Machines Making Music? at Downtown Branch of AADL, Ann Arbor Michigan |
ππ | September 25, 2025 6:00pm-7:00pm | Mason Jar Sewing Kits at Downtown Branch of AADL, Ann Arbor Michigan |
ππ | September 26, 2025 6:00pm-7:00pm | Concert | Cabildo at Downtown Branch of AADL, Ann Arbor Michigan |
ππ | September 26, 2025 6:30pm-7:30pm | Literati Presents: Jacinda Townsend: Trigger Warning at Downtown Branch of AADL, Ann Arbor Michigan |
ππ | September 28, 2025 11:00am-12:00pm | Clay Monsters at Malletts Creek Branch Library, Ann Arbor Michigan |
ππ | September 28, 2025 11:00am-12:00pm | Magic Sponge Painting at Traverwood Branch of AADL, Ann Arbor Michigan |
ππ | September 28, 2025 2:00pm-3:30pm | Taiwan Travelogue: Unearthing Stories of Identity, Cuisine, & Friendship at Downtown Branch of AADL, Ann Arbor Michigan |
ππ | September 29, 2025 1:00pm-2:30pm | HEXBUG Adventures at Traverwood Branch of AADL, Ann Arbor Michigan |
ππ | September 29, 2025 6:00pm-7:30pm | Sewing Lab: Button Holes with Rae Hoekstra at Downtown Branch of AADL, Ann Arbor Michigan |
ππ | September 30, 2025 6:00pm-7:30pm | Upcycled Poster Notebooks at Downtown Branch of AADL, Ann Arbor Michigan |
ππ | October 1, 2025 2:00pm-3:00pm | World Postcard Day at Traverwood Branch of AADL, Ann Arbor Michigan |
ππ | October 1, 2025 5:00pm-7:00pm | Riso Lab at Downtown Branch of AADL, Ann Arbor Michigan |
ππ | October 2, 2025 5:00pm-6:00pm | Pom Pom Pumpkins at Pittsfield Branch Library, Ann Arbor Michigan |
ππ | October 3, 2025 5:00pm-6:00pm | Button Lab at Downtown Branch of AADL, Ann Arbor Michigan |
ππ | October 3, 2025 6:00pm-7:00pm | Concert | Sitar & Tabla: South Asian Improv Music with a Beat at Downtown Branch of AADL, Ann Arbor Michigan |
π | October 4, 2025 10:15am-11:15am | AADL Welcomes | Wee-Write with 826michigan at Pittsfield Branch Library, Ann Arbor Michigan |
ππ | October 4, 2025 12:00pm-2:00pm | Gel Plate Leaf Printing at Malletts Creek Branch Library, Ann Arbor Michigan |
ππ | October 4, 2025 12:00pm-1:00pm | LEGO Connection at Traverwood Branch of AADL, Ann Arbor Michigan |
ππ | October 4, 2025 4:00pm-5:00pm | How Nature Made Me a Better Human Being with Spencer High at Pittsfield Branch Library, Ann Arbor Michigan |
ππ | October 4, 2025 4:00pm-6:00pm | The Life of a Showgirl (AADL's Version) at Downtown Branch of AADL, Ann Arbor Michigan |
ππ | October 5, 2025 11:00am-11:45am | Kids Move: Little Kids at Malletts Creek Branch Library, Ann Arbor Michigan |
ππ | October 5, 2025 12:00pm-12:45pm | Kids Move: Big Kids at Malletts Creek Branch Library, Ann Arbor Michigan |
ππ | October 5, 2025 1:00pm-3:00pm | Chesstastic at Traverwood Branch of AADL, Ann Arbor Michigan |
ππ | October 5, 2025 1:00pm-2:15pm | Concert | Queer and Now at Downtown Branch of AADL, Ann Arbor Michigan |
ππ | October 5, 2025 2:00pm-4:00pm | Arts & Crafts Supply Swap at Downtown Branch of AADL, Ann Arbor Michigan |
ππ | October 5, 2025 2:00pm-3:00pm | Fairy Fun Storytime and Craft at Pittsfield Branch Library, Ann Arbor Michigan |
ππ | October 6, 2025 5:30pm-7:30pm | Block Printing Lab at Downtown Branch of AADL, Ann Arbor Michigan |
ππ | October 7, 2025 2:00pm-3:30pm | Skeleton Bead Keychains at Traverwood Branch of AADL, Ann Arbor Michigan |
ππ | October 7, 2025 6:00pm-7:30pm | Heat Press Open Lab at Downtown Branch of AADL, Ann Arbor Michigan |
ππ | October 8, 2025 12:00am-7:30pm | Getting Started with Beaded Embroidery at Downtown Branch of AADL, Ann Arbor Michigan |
ππ | October 9, 2025 6:00pm-7:00pm | Decoupage Light Switch Cover at Downtown Branch of AADL, Ann Arbor Michigan |
ππ | October 10, 2025 12:00pm-1:00pm | Creatures That Go Bump in the Night at Downtown Branch of AADL, Ann Arbor Michigan |
ππ | October 10, 2025 1:30pm-2:30pm | Creatures That Go Bump in the Night at Downtown Branch of AADL, Ann Arbor Michigan |
π | October 11, 2025 10:00am-2:00pm | FAADL Fall Bag Sale at Downtown Branch of AADL, Ann Arbor Michigan |
π | October 11, 2025 10:15am-11:15am | AADL Welcomes | Wee-Write with 826michigan at Pittsfield Branch Library, Ann Arbor Michigan |
πππ₯ | October 11, 2025 10:30am-11:30am | Book Party with Black Men Read at Traverwood Branch of AADL, Ann Arbor Michigan Virtual Event - Enjoy at Home |
ππ | October 11, 2025 11:00am-5:00pm | Ann Arbor Comic Arts Festival (A2CAF) - Small & Indie Press at Downtown Branch of AADL, Ann Arbor Michigan |
ππ | October 12, 2025 11:00am-3:00pm | Dead Media Day at Downtown Branch of AADL, Ann Arbor Michigan |
ππ | October 12, 2025 1:00pm-2:00pm | Story Fest with the Ann Arbor Storyteller's Guild at Pittsfield Branch Library, Ann Arbor Michigan |
ππ | October 14, 2025 6:00pm-7:30pm | (Spooky) Punk Embroidery at Malletts Creek Branch Library, Ann Arbor Michigan |
ππ | October 14, 2025 6:00pm-7:30pm | Sewing Lab | Mitered Corners with Amber Adams-Fall at Downtown Branch of AADL, Ann Arbor Michigan |
ππ | October 14, 2025 7:00pm-7:30pm | Not-So-Scary Monster Tales at Pittsfield Branch Library, Ann Arbor Michigan |
ππ | October 15, 2025 6:00pm-7:00pm | Haunted Mitten Podcast Presents: Ghosts Around Detroit at Downtown Branch of AADL, Ann Arbor Michigan |
ππ | October 16, 2025 5:30pm-7:30pm | Intro to Laser Engraving: Glass Tumblers at Downtown Branch of AADL, Ann Arbor Michigan |
π | October 16, 2025 6:00pm-7:00pm | AADL Welcomes: Diabetes 101: Understanding Causes, Types, and Hope for the Future with Caswell Diabetes Institute at Traverwood Branch of AADL, Ann Arbor Michigan |
ππ | October 16, 2025 6:00pm-7:30pm | Edmund Fitzgerald: The Stories, The Song, with Mike Fornes at Downtown Branch of AADL, Ann Arbor Michigan |
ππ | October 17, 2025 2:00pm-3:00pm | Edmund FitzgDetroit and the Worldβs Fairs: 1851-1962erald: The Stories, The Song, with Mike Fornes at Traverwood Branch of AADL, Ann Arbor Michigan |
ππ | October 17, 2025 6:00pm-7:00pm | Soap Making Workshop with Wild Daisy Creative at Downtown Branch of AADL, Ann Arbor Michigan |
ππ | October 17, 2025 6:00pm-7:00pm | The Power of Curiosity with Emily Graslie at Downtown Branch of AADL, Ann Arbor Michigan |
π | October 18, 2025 10:15am-11:15am | AADL Welcomes | Wee-Write with 826michigan at Pittsfield Branch Library, Ann Arbor Michigan |
ππ | October 18, 2025 1:00pm-4:00pm | 3D Printing Open Lab at Downtown Branch of AADL, Ann Arbor Michigan |
ππ | October 18, 2025 2:00pm-3:00pm | Hanging Bat Paper Garlands at Pittsfield Branch Library, Ann Arbor Michigan |
ππ | October 18, 2025 2:00pm-3:00pm | Spooktacular Refrigerator Magnets at Traverwood Branch of AADL, Ann Arbor Michigan |
ππ | October 19, 2025 11:00am-12:00pm | AADL Halloween Costume Swap at Downtown Branch of AADL, Ann Arbor Michigan |
ππ | October 19, 2025 12:00pm-1:30pm | Wire Sculptures Inspired by Louise Bourgeoisβs βSpider" at Downtown Branch of AADL, Ann Arbor Michigan |
π | October 19, 2025 1:00pm-2:30pm | The Sounds of Ojibwe with Asiginaak-Negamojig at Downtown Branch of AADL, Ann Arbor Michigan |
ππ | October 19, 2025 4:00pm-5:30pm | Culinary Historians | SPAM: A Global War Food at Downtown Branch of AADL, Ann Arbor Michigan |
ππ | October 19, 2025 5:00pm-7:00pm | Gel Plate Printing at Downtown Branch of AADL, Ann Arbor Michigan |
ππ | October 20, 2025 6:00pm-7:00pm | Alcohol Ink Doodles at Downtown Branch of AADL, Ann Arbor Michigan |
ππ | October 21, 2025 5:00pm-7:00pm | Board Game Night at Pittsfield Branch Library, Ann Arbor Michigan |
π | October 21, 2025 6:30pm-7:30pm | Doggy Tales with Therapaws at Downtown Branch of AADL, Ann Arbor Michigan |
ππ | October 22, 2025 6:00pm-7:00pm | Pop-Up Cards at Downtown Branch of AADL, Ann Arbor Michigan |
ππ | October 23, 2025 5:30pm-7:30pm | Intro to 3D Printing at Downtown Branch of AADL, Ann Arbor Michigan |
ππ | October 24, 2025 1:00pm-2:00pm | Pony Bead Ghost Keychain at Pittsfield Branch Library, Ann Arbor Michigan |
ππ | October 24, 2025 6:00pm-7:30pm | Mini Succulent Pumpkins at Downtown Branch of AADL, Ann Arbor Michigan |
π | October 25, 2025 10:15am-11:15am | AADL Welcomes | Wee-Write with 826michigan at Pittsfield Branch Library, Ann Arbor Michigan |
ππ | October 25, 2025 11:00am-12:30pm | Make a Mini Haunted House at Traverwood Branch of AADL, Ann Arbor Michigan |
ππ | October 25, 2025 11:00am-12:00pm | Spooky Skeleton Wall Decorations at Malletts Creek Branch Library, Ann Arbor Michigan |
ππ | October 25, 2025 1:00pm-3:00pm | Puzzling Puzzles: Help Find The Missing Pieces! at Downtown Branch of AADL, Ann Arbor Michigan |
ππ | October 25, 2025 1:00pm-4:00pm | Screen Printing Lab at Downtown Branch of AADL, Ann Arbor Michigan |
ππ | October 25, 2025 3:00pm-4:00pm | Magic Show with Ming the Magician at Downtown Branch of AADL, Ann Arbor Michigan |
ππ | October 26, 2025 10:30am-11:30am | Sensory Friendly Not-So-Scary Haunted House at Downtown Branch of AADL, Ann Arbor Michigan |
ππ | October 26, 2025 11:30am-3:00pm | AADL Costume Contest at Downtown Branch of AADL, Ann Arbor Michigan |
ππ | October 26, 2025 12:30pm-4:00pm | Not-So-Scary Haunted House at Downtown Branch of AADL, Ann Arbor Michigan |
ππ | October 26, 2025 1:00pm-2:00pm | Paint by Sticker at Traverwood Branch of AADL, Ann Arbor Michigan |
ππ | October 27, 2025 6:00pm-7:30pm | Sewing Lab: Elastic Waistbands with Rae Hoekstra at Downtown Branch of AADL, Ann Arbor Michigan |
ππ | October 29, 2025 6:00pm-7:00pm | DIY Sprouts & Microgreens at Downtown Branch of AADL, Ann Arbor Michigan |
ππ | October 30, 2025 6:00pm-7:00pm | Comics Jam! at Pittsfield Branch Library, Ann Arbor Michigan |
ππ | October 31, 2025 3:00pm-4:00pm | Custom Monster Paper Dolls at Pittsfield Branch Library, Ann Arbor Michigan |
π | November 1, 2025 10:15am-11:15am | AADL Welcomes | Wee-Write with 826michigan at Pittsfield Branch Library, Ann Arbor Michigan |
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