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.
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 | July 14, 2025 3:00pm-4:00pm | Summer Painting at Pittsfield Branch Library, Ann Arbor Michigan |
ππ | July 14, 2025 5:30pm-7:30pm | Board Game Night at Downtown Branch of AADL, Ann Arbor Michigan |
ππ | July 15, 2025 1:00pm-2:00pm | Make a Tiny World at Pittsfield Branch Library, Ann Arbor Michigan |
ππ | July 15, 2025 1:00pm-2:00pm | Parent & Child Drawing Workshop at Downtown Branch of AADL, Ann Arbor Michigan |
ππ | July 16, 2025 12:00pm-1:00pm | Pom Pompalooza at Traverwood Branch of AADL, Ann Arbor Michigan |
ππ | July 16, 2025 3:00pm-4:30pm | HEXBUG Adventures at Pittsfield Branch Library, Ann Arbor Michigan |
ππ | July 17, 2025 2:00pm-3:30pm | Sun Print Fabric Squares at Pittsfield Branch Library, Ann Arbor Michigan |
ππ | July 18, 2025 11:00am-12:00pm | Ocean Sensory Bottles at Pittsfield Branch Library, Ann Arbor Michigan |
ππ | July 18, 2025 11:00am-12:00pm | Paracord Survival Wristbands at Traverwood Branch of AADL, Ann Arbor Michigan |
ππ | July 19, 2025 10:15am-11:15am | AADL Welcomes | Drop-in for Early Writers with 826michigan at Pittsfield Branch Library, Ann Arbor Michigan |
ππ | July 19, 2025 1:00pm-4:00pm | Splatoon 3: Hyperlocal Splatfest at Downtown Branch of AADL, Ann Arbor Michigan |
ππ | July 19, 2025 3:00pm-4:00pm | Mermaid Party at Traverwood Branch of AADL, Ann Arbor Michigan |
ππ | July 19, 2025 4:00pm-5:00pm | How to Draw Manga & Anime: Character Design at Pittsfield Branch Library, Ann Arbor Michigan |
ππ | July 20, 2025 11:00am-12:00pm | Building Big with Paper Cups at Pittsfield Branch Library, Ann Arbor Michigan |
ππ | July 20, 2025 12:00pm-2:00pm | School Supply Swap at Downtown Branch of AADL, Ann Arbor Michigan |
ππ | July 20, 2025 1:00pm-4:00pm | PokΓ©Battle Sunday at Downtown Branch of AADL, Ann Arbor Michigan |
ππ | July 20, 2025 2:00pm-3:00pm | The Big Gay Read | Mini-Library with Mini Handmade Books at Traverwood Branch of AADL, Ann Arbor Michigan |
ππ | July 21, 2025 10:30am-12:00pm | Animals of Ann Arbor at Traverwood Branch of AADL, Ann Arbor Michigan |
ππ | July 21, 2025 3:00pm-4:30pm | Interactive Movie Experience: Lilo and Stitch (2002) at Downtown Branch of AADL, Ann Arbor Michigan |
ππ | July 21, 2025 3:00pm-4:00pm | Superman Coloring at Pittsfield Branch Library, Ann Arbor Michigan |
ππ | July 21, 2025 6:00pm-7:30pm | Sewing Lab | Sleeve Insertion with Amber Adams-Fall at Downtown Branch of AADL, Ann Arbor Michigan |
ππ | July 22, 2025 2:00pm-2:30pm | Puppet Show! at Downtown Branch of AADL, Ann Arbor Michigan |
ππ | July 22, 2025 2:00pm-3:00pm | Slime Time at Pittsfield Branch Library, Ann Arbor Michigan |
ππ | July 22, 2025 5:30pm-7:00pm | Summer Game Mixer at Downtown Branch of AADL, Ann Arbor Michigan |
ππ | July 23, 2025 12:00pm-2:00pm | Collage Making at Traverwood Branch of AADL, Ann Arbor Michigan |
ππ | July 23, 2025 1:00pm-3:00pm | 3D Printed Pins at Downtown Branch of AADL, Ann Arbor Michigan |
ππ | July 23, 2025 1:30pm-2:30pm | Tiny Window Greenhouse at Pittsfield Branch Library, Ann Arbor Michigan |
ππ | July 23, 2025 5:30pm-7:30pm | Intro to Laser Engraving: Engraving Hand-Drawn Designs at Downtown Branch of AADL, Ann Arbor Michigan |
ππ | July 24, 2025 11:00am-12:00pm | Paper Airplanes at Downtown Branch of AADL, Ann Arbor Michigan |
ππ | July 24, 2025 5:00pm-6:00pm | Make Art with Julian Bast at Downtown Branch of AADL, Ann Arbor Michigan |
ππ | July 25, 2025 11:00am-12:00pm | ΓkΓ³jα»pα»Μ Presents: Orin α»mα»dΓ© at Downtown Branch of AADL, Ann Arbor Michigan |
ππ | July 25, 2025 2:00pm-3:00pm | Frog and Toad Celebration at Downtown Branch of AADL, Ann Arbor Michigan |
ππ | July 25, 2025 6:30pm-7:30pm | Concert | Scott Mulvahill Presents DataBass at Downtown Branch of AADL, Ann Arbor Michigan |
ππ | July 26, 2025 10:15am-11:15am | AADL Welcomes | Drop-in for Early Writers with 826michigan at Traverwood Branch of AADL, Ann Arbor Michigan |
ππ | July 27, 2025 12:00pm-1:00pm | Paper Lantern Jellyfish at Traverwood Branch of AADL, Ann Arbor Michigan |
ππ | July 27, 2025 12:00pm-1:00pm | Pony Bead Lizards at Pittsfield Branch Library, Ann Arbor Michigan |
πππ | July 27, 2025 1:00pm-4:00pm | AADL Welcomes: Cooking Demo for Health and the Environment with VegMichigan at Downtown Branch of AADL, Ann Arbor Michigan |
ππ | July 27, 2025 1:00pm-2:00pm | Concert with Out Loud Chorus at Downtown Branch of AADL, Ann Arbor Michigan |
ππ | July 28, 2025 2:00pm-3:45pm | Movie Day at the Library: The Secret World of Arriety at Pittsfield Branch Library, Ann Arbor Michigan |
ππ | July 28, 2025 6:00pm-6:30pm | Family Storytime with Laura Raynor at Malletts Creek Branch Library, Ann Arbor Michigan |
ππ | July 29, 2025 11:00am-12:00pm | Bluey Bash at Pittsfield Branch Library, Ann Arbor Michigan |
ππ | July 29, 2025 2:00pm-3:15pm | Art History in the Afternoon: Edgar Degas at Downtown Branch of AADL, Ann Arbor Michigan |
ππ | July 30, 2025 11:00am-12:00pm | Paper Plate Flying Saucers at Downtown Branch of AADL, Ann Arbor Michigan |
ππ | July 30, 2025 2:00pm-4:00pm | Friendship Bracelets at Pittsfield Branch Library, Ann Arbor Michigan |
ππ | July 30, 2025 5:00pm-7:00pm | Riso Lab at Downtown Branch of AADL, Ann Arbor Michigan |
ππ | July 31, 2025 2:00pm-3:30pm | The Mad Hatter's Totally Pretend Tea Party at Downtown Branch of AADL, Ann Arbor Michigan |
ππ | August 1, 2025 11:00am-11:45am | Concert | Two of a Kind at Downtown Branch of AADL, Ann Arbor Michigan |
ππ | August 1, 2025 11:00am-12:00pm | Sock Caterpillars at Pittsfield Branch Library, Ann Arbor Michigan |
ππ | August 2, 2025 10:15am-11:15am | AADL Welcomes | Drop-in for Early Writers with 826michigan at Pittsfield Branch Library, Ann Arbor Michigan |
πππ₯ | August 2, 2025 10:30am-11:30am | Book Party with Black Men Read at Downtown Branch of AADL, Ann Arbor Michigan Virtual Event - Enjoy at Home |
ππ | August 2, 2025 1:00pm-1:45pm | Marvelous Mammals at Pittsfield Branch Library, Ann Arbor Michigan |
ππ | August 2, 2025 2:00pm-3:00pm | The Other Blue Planet: Life in the World's Inland Waters at Downtown Branch of AADL, Ann Arbor Michigan |
ππ | August 2, 2025 2:15pm-3:00pm | Marvelous Mammals at Pittsfield Branch Library, Ann Arbor Michigan |
ππ | August 3, 2025 12:00pm-1:30pm | Animal Ear & Floral Headbands at Pittsfield Branch Library, Ann Arbor Michigan |
ππ | August 4, 2025 2:00pm-2:45pm | The Joel Tacey Magical Comedy Show at Downtown Branch of AADL, Ann Arbor Michigan |
ππ | August 4, 2025 6:00pm-7:30pm | Sewing Lab: Shirring with Elastic with Rae Hoekstra at Downtown Branch of AADL, Ann Arbor Michigan |
ππ | August 5, 2025 3:00pm-4:00pm | Glitter Pictures at Downtown Branch of AADL, Ann Arbor Michigan |
ππ | August 5, 2025 3:00pm-4:00pm | Make Your Own Sun Prints at Pittsfield Branch Library, Ann Arbor Michigan |
ππ | August 6, 2025 2:00pm-3:00pm | French Knitting on a Knitting Nancy at Traverwood Branch of AADL, Ann Arbor Michigan |
ππ | August 7, 2025 3:00pm-4:30pm | HEXBUG Adventures at Downtown Branch of AADL, Ann Arbor Michigan |
ππ | August 7, 2025 5:30pm-7:30pm | Heat Press Open Lab at Downtown Branch of AADL, Ann Arbor Michigan |
ππ | August 8, 2025 1:00pm-2:00pm | Domino Days at Pittsfield Branch Library, Ann Arbor Michigan |
ππ | August 8, 2025 1:00pm-2:00pm | Handsewn Felt Envelopes at Traverwood Branch of AADL, Ann Arbor Michigan |
ππ | August 9, 2025 11:00am-12:00pm | Marble Run Race at Downtown Branch of AADL, Ann Arbor Michigan |
ππ | August 9, 2025 3:00pm-4:00pm | Drag Bingo with Jadein Black at Downtown Branch of AADL, Ann Arbor Michigan |
ππ | August 9, 2025 3:00pm-5:00pm | Mahjong Open Play at Traverwood Branch of AADL, Ann Arbor Michigan |
ππ | August 9, 2025 6:30pm-7:30pm | Live Concert | microplasConcert | Ben Zuckertique at Downtown Branch of AADL, Ann Arbor Michigan |
ππ | August 10, 2025 2:00pm-3:00pm | Printmaking With Found Objects at Traverwood Branch of AADL, Ann Arbor Michigan |
ππ | August 10, 2025 3:00pm-5:00pm | Board Game Afternoon at Malletts Creek Branch Library, Ann Arbor Michigan |
ππ | August 11, 2025 11:00am-12:00pm | DIY Stamps at Downtown Branch of AADL, Ann Arbor Michigan |
ππ | August 11, 2025 5:00pm-7:00pm | Gel Plate Printing at Downtown Branch of AADL, Ann Arbor Michigan |
ππ | August 12, 2025 12:00pm-1:00pm | Anything Goes Crafts at Pittsfield Branch Library, Ann Arbor Michigan |
ππ | August 12, 2025 2:00pm-3:00pm | Strawberry DNA Extraction at Downtown Branch of AADL, Ann Arbor Michigan |
ππ | August 12, 2025 7:00pm-7:30pm | Pajama Jam Storytime! at Traverwood Branch of AADL, Ann Arbor Michigan |
ππ | August 13, 2025 1:00pm-2:00pm | Storytime with Sheila Hackbarth: Lion's Water at Traverwood Branch of AADL, Ann Arbor Michigan |
ππ | August 13, 2025 2:00pm-3:00pm | Make a Whirligig Spinner at Pittsfield Branch Library, Ann Arbor Michigan |
ππ | August 13, 2025 5:30pm-7:00pm | Summer Game Mixer at Downtown Branch of AADL, Ann Arbor Michigan |
ππ | August 14, 2025 3:00pm-4:00pm | Fantastic Four Coloring at Pittsfield Branch Library, Ann Arbor Michigan |
ππ | August 14, 2025 5:00pm-7:00pm | Riso Lab at Downtown Branch of AADL, Ann Arbor Michigan |
ππ | August 15, 2025 2:00pm-3:00pm | Woven Paper Hearts at Pittsfield Branch Library, Ann Arbor Michigan |
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