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 Arbor District Library Branches 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
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 | |
|---|---|---|
| 💙🆓 | 12/08/2023 6:30pm-7:30pm | Trivia Time! with Katie & Abbie: Star Wars at Malletts Creek Branch Library, Ann Arbor Michigan |
| 💙🆓 | 12/09/2023 11:00am-6:00pm | Tiny Expo: Indie Holiday Arts & Crafts Fair Plus Hands-on Crafting at Downtown Branch of AADL, Ann Arbor Michigan |
| 💙🆓 | 12/10/2023 1:00pm-2:00pm | LEGO Connection at Malletts Creek Branch Library, Ann Arbor Michigan |
| 💙🆓 | 12/10/2023 2:00pm-4:00pm | Winter-Themed Wooden Coasters at Downtown Branch of AADL, Ann Arbor Michigan |
| 💙🆓 | 12/13/2023 6:30pm-7:30pm | Living With Our Wild Neighbors at Traverwood Branch of AADL, Ann Arbor Michigan |
| 💙🆓 | 12/14/2023 6:00pm-7:30pm | Simple Embroidery Sampler at Traverwood Branch of AADL, Ann Arbor Michigan |
| 💙🆓 | 12/15/2023 5:30pm-7:30pm | Splatoon 3: Hyperlocal Splatfest at Downtown Branch of AADL, Ann Arbor Michigan |
| 💙🆓 | 12/16/2023 1:00pm-2:00pm | Fairy Art: Enchanted Landscapes at Traverwood Branch of AADL, Ann Arbor Michigan |
| 💙🆓 | 12/16/2023 1:00pm-4:00pm | Super Smash Bros. Ultimate Tournament at Downtown Branch of AADL, Ann Arbor Michigan |
| 💙🆓 | 12/16/2023 1:00pm-3:00pm | Wrapping Paper & Gift Bag Swap at Malletts Creek Branch Library, Ann Arbor Michigan |
| 💙🆓 | 12/16/2023 5:30pm-7:30pm | Silent Disco Dance Party at Downtown Branch of AADL, Ann Arbor Michigan |
| 💙🆓 | 12/16/2023 6:30pm-7:30pm | Create Your Own Wizard Wand at Downtown Branch of AADL, Ann Arbor Michigan |
| 💙🆓 | 12/17/2023 1:00pm-4:00pm | All-Ages Mario Kart Tournament at Downtown Branch of AADL, Ann Arbor Michigan |
| 💙🆓 | 12/17/2023 1:00pm-2:00pm | Flexing Paper Sharks at Pittsfield Branch Library, Ann Arbor Michigan |
| 💙🆓 | 12/17/2023 2:00pm-3:00pm | Intro to Improv for Teens at Pittsfield Branch Library, Ann Arbor Michigan |
| 💙🆓 | 12/18/2023 6:00pm-7:30pm | Sewing Lab | Sewing Darts with Amber Adams-Fall at Downtown Branch of AADL, Ann Arbor Michigan |
| 💙🆓 | 12/19/2023 6:30pm-7:30pm | Code Lab: Getting Over Your Fear of the Command Line at Downtown Branch of AADL, Ann Arbor Michigan |
| 💙🆓 | 12/20/2023 6:30pm-7:30pm | Riso Lab: 2024 Calednar at Downtown Branch of AADL, Ann Arbor Michigan |
| 💙🆓 | 12/21/2023 6:00pm-7:00pm | Microprocessor Showdown with the Raspberry Pi 5 at Downtown Branch of AADL, Ann Arbor Michigan |
| 💙🆓 | 12/26/2023 2:00pm-3:00pm | Ta Chineno with Bichini Bia Congo Dance Theater Company at Downtown Branch of AADL, Ann Arbor Michigan |
| 💙🆓 | 12/27/2023 12:00pm-1:00pm | Wonka Coloring! at Traverwood Branch of AADL, Ann Arbor Michigan |
| 💙🆓 | 12/28/2023 2:00pm-2:45pm | Baffling Bill's Magic of Reading Show at Downtown Branch of AADL, Ann Arbor Michigan |
| 💙🆓 | 12/29/2023 11:00am-12:00pm | Pizza Stories & Craft at Traverwood Branch of AADL, Ann Arbor Michigan |
| 💙🆓 | 12/29/2023 2:00pm-3:00pm | DIY Stamps at Malletts Creek Branch Library, Ann Arbor Michigan |
| 💙🆓 | 12/29/2023 2:00pm-3:00pm | Owl Pellet Dissection at Downtown Branch of AADL, Ann Arbor Michigan |
| 💙🆓 | 12/30/2023 1:00pm-2:00pm | Animal Paper Craft: Nifty Narwhals! at Malletts Creek Branch Library, Ann Arbor Michigan |
| 💙🆓 | 12/30/2023 1:00pm-2:30pm | Quilled Paper Pendants at Pittsfield Branch Library, Ann Arbor Michigan |
| 💙🆓 | 12/30/2023 2:00pm-3:30pm | Blue Water Ramblers in Concert at Downtown Branch of AADL, Ann Arbor Michigan |
| 💙🆓 | 12/31/2023 11:00am-12:00pm | Noon Year's Eve Party! at Downtown Branch of AADL, Ann Arbor Michigan |
| 💙🆓 | 12/31/2023 12:00pm-1:00pm | Domino Days at Pittsfield Branch Library, Ann Arbor Michigan |
| 💙🆓 | 12/31/2023 12:00pm-1:00pm | Marble Run Race at Traverwood Branch of AADL, Ann Arbor Michigan |
| 💙🆓 | 01/02/2024 2:00pm-3:00pm | Frozen Party! at Traverwood Branch of AADL, Ann Arbor Michigan |
| 💙🆓 | 01/02/2024 2:00pm-3:00pm | Mischievous Yarn Monsters at Pittsfield Branch Library, Ann Arbor Michigan |
| 🆓 | 01/02/2024 6:00pm-7:30pm | Sewing Lab | Choosing Needles & Thread with Amber Adams-Fall at Downtown Branch of AADL, Ann Arbor Michigan |
Comments are closed.