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The Summer Dare 2019
June 11 – August 3, All La Crosse Public Library Locations
We dare you to make this the best summer yet! Pick up and complete game cards throughout the summer and help us reach our city-wide goal of reading 1 million minutes! Sign up for The Summer Dare on or after June 11th to receive your Super Reader Yard Sign.
Summer Storytimes
June 11-August 3
Bouncing Babies (0-9 months)
Wednesdays, 12:00 -12:45 pm, Main Library
Little Movers (10-23 months)
Join us for fun books, rhymes, and songs in this storytime.
Tuesdays, 10:30 - 11:15 am, South Library
Wednesdays, 9:30 - 10:15 am, Main Library
Terrific Twos (2 years)
Thursdays, 10:30 - 11:15 am, Main Library
Family Storytime (all ages)
Join us for fun books, rhymes, and songs in this storytime for all ages.
Wednesdays, 10:30 -11:15 am, South Library
Thursdays, 9:30 -10:15 am, Main Library
Saturdays, 10:30 - 11:15 am, Main Library
Play Shoppe--Presented by The Parenting Place
Mondays, 9:30-11 AM, North Community Library
Summer Preschool Programs
Summer Library Carnival
Tuesday, June 11, 4-6 p.m., Main Library Lawn
Get ready to play! We will have games, temporary tattoos, a bounce house, a toddlers-only inflatable, and more during this special Summer Dare kick-off carnival. For children of all ages.
Nature Lovers
Friday, June 7 10:30-11:30 Chad Erickson Park Trail
Join us for a hike, a hunt, a story and to learn new things about our forest friends! All ages welcome.
Outdoor Play Date
Friday, June 14, 10:30-11:30, South Library Lawn
Let’s play outside! We will have an assortment of good books, hula hoops, lawn games, bubbles, chalk, and more. Best for ages 0-5
Kenland
Tuesday, June 18, 2-3 pm, Main Library Auditorium
Visit the Main Library for a fabulous performance by musician Ken Lonnquist--called the best thing to happen to kids and family music by MN Parents Magazine! All ages.
Nature Lovers
Friday, June 21, 10:30-11:30 Myrick Park Center
Join us for a hike, a hunt, a story and to learn new things about our Marsh Trail animals! Wiscorps’ Steph Hanna will walk along and share her knowledge. All ages welcome.
Disney Fandom Fun
Friday, June 28, 10:30-11:30, Main Library Auditorium
We’re bringing Disney World to you! Join us for a celebration of your favorite Disney characters with crafts, songs, games, and more. Costumes welcome. Best for ages 0-5
Dan Kirk-The Juggler with the Yellow Shoes
Tuesday, July 2, 2-3 pm, Main Library Auditorium
Come watch the amazing and talented Dan Kirk juggle his way to reading fun! All ages welcome.
Nature Lovers
Friday, July 5, 10:30-11:30 Hixon Trail (Lower)
Join us for a hike, a hunt, a story and to learn new things about what we can find in the woods! All ages welcome.
Pirate and a Princess Party
Friday, July 12 10:30-11:30 am, North Library
ARRR you looking for some fancy fun? Grab an eye patch or crown and join us for books, crafts, snacks, and other treasures that your pirates and princesses are sure to love! Costumes welcome. Best for ages 0-5
Play-Doh Palooza
Tuesday July 9, 2-3 p.m. Main Library
Which recipe is the best? Create amazing playdoh, slime and more with delicious scents, vibrant colors and a little glitter! For children of all ages.
Reptomania
Tuesday, July 16, 2-3 p.m. Main Library
Join scientist Steve Schindler as we explore reptiles in the library! Check out snakes, lizards and frogs and learn all about their lives, habitats and more!
Nature Lovers
Friday, July 19 10:30-11:30, Riverside Park/ Friendship Garden
Join us for a hike, a hunt, a story and to learn new things about our beautiful Friendship Garden! All ages welcome.
Buildathon
Tuesday, July 23, 2:00-3:00, Main Library Auditorium
Do you love LEGOs or marvel at Magna-Tiles. All budding engineers are welcome to join us for an afternoon of building with materials of all shapes and sizes. For children of all ages.
Dance Party Disco
Friday, July 26, 10:30-11:30 am, Main Library Auditorium
Join us for a spectacular dance party with music, movement, and fun! Best for ages 0-5.
Music and Magic from the Polka-Verse
Tuesday, July 30 at 2 p.m., Main Library
Mike Schneider educates through the happy sounds of polka music. Audience participation is encouraged through numerous sing-along and volunteer opportunities, including the “Chicken Dance,” and a theme-fitting edition of “Name that Tune.” For children of all ages.
Get Up and Go Day
Saturday, August 3, 10 am – 12 pm, Main Library Lawn
Join in the fun for Wisconsin Public Television’s annual PBS Kids Get Up and Go Day, with special musical guests, The Beat Buds! There will be dancing, hands-on activities and crafts, community organizations, and more. A special character guest will even be visiting! In case of rain, this event will take place in the Museum and Auditorium. For children of all ages.
Teen Pizza Thursdays
For grades 6-12
Pizza Thursday: Duct Tape Palooza
Thursday, June 13, 1:30-3pm, Main Library
Is there anything better than duct tape? Come and design something truly weird or completely practical. We’ll supply the tape, you supply the creativity!
Pizza Thursday: Bracelet Bonanza
Thursday, June 20, 1:30-3pm, South Library
We’ll have all the fixings for you to make a variety of bracelets to add to your accessories collection.
Pizza Thursday: DIY Squishies
Thursday, June 27, 1:30-3pm, Main Library
Come and make your very own version of this popular toy!
Pizza Thursday: Life-Sized Games
Thursday, July 11, 1:30-3pm, Main Library
You might have played them before but playing them life-sized is a whole new level of fun!
Pizza Thursday: Coloring Party
Thursday, July 18, 1:30-3pm, North Library
We have several large pieces of art that need your help so bring your friends and color the afternoon away!
Pizza Thursday: Love Your Pet!
Thursday, July 25, 1:30-3pm, Main Library
If you love your pet(s) and you love to make cool stuff, then this is the program for you! We’ll be making pet-related crafts that are perfect for your pet.
Pizza Thursday: Could You Survive a Dystopia?
Thursday, August 1, 1:30-3pm, Main Library
You’ve read the books and so now it’s time to test your survival skills and see if you’d make it to the end (or not)!
Summer School Age Programs
Junior Volunteer Celebration and Orientation
Wednesday, June 5, 5:30-6:30 pm, Main Library
Rising third graders through fifth graders are invited to become our newest Junior Volunteers! Join us for an orientation AND a celebration thanking our current volunteers. We will offer an overview of the program, current volunteers will lead a tour and answer questions, and afterward, everyone can enjoy pizza and board games together! For students going into grades 3-6
Nature Lovers
Friday, June 7 10:30-11:30 Chad Erickson Park Trail
Join us for a hike, a hunt, a story and to learn new things about our forest friends! All ages welcome.
Library Carnival
Tuesday, June 11, 4-6 pm, Main Library Lawn
Get ready to play! We will have games, temporary tattoos, a bounce house, a toddlers-only inflatable, and more during this special Summer Dare kick-off carnival. For children of all ages.
Kenland
Tuesday, June 18 2-3 p.m. Main Library
Visit the Main Library for a fabulous performance by musician Ken Lonnquist--called the best thing to happen to kids and family music by MN Parents Magazine! All ages.
Wondrous Wednesdays: MarioKart Tourney
Wednesday, June 19, 3:00-4:30, North Library
We’ll enjoy some friendly competition by playing Mario Kart on our Library’s Wii U. Will you be crowned champion? For children in grades 3-6.
Nature Lovers
Friday, June 21 10:30-11:30, Myrick Park Center
Join us for a hike, a hunt, a story and to learn new things about our Marsh Trail animals! Wiscorps’ Steph Hanna will walk along and share her knowledge. All ages welcome.
Jedi Training Academy
Tuesday, June 25, 2:00-3:00 pm, Main Library
May the force be with you! Come celebrate all things Star Wars with our Jedi Training Academy. Test your Jedi skills as we build lightsabers, practice using the Force, create Jedi names, and more. Costumes welcome. For children of all ages.
Dan Kirk-The Juggler with the Yellow Shoes
Tuesday, July 2 at 2 p.m. Main Library
Come watch the amazing and talented Dan Kirk juggle his way to reading fun! All ages welcome.
Wondrous Wednesdays: Board Game Design Lab
Wednesday, July 3, 3:00-4:30, Main Library
Do you love playing board games when you are bored? So do we! You’ll have 90 minutes to create your own custom board game, teach it to others, and test it out. Bring it home to add a little flair to your next family game night. For children in grades 3-6.
Nature Lovers
Friday, July 5 10:30-11:30, Hixon Trail (Lower)
Join us for a hike, a hunt, a story and to learn new things about what we can find in the woods! All ages welcome.
Wondrous Wednesdays: Iron Chef
Wednesday, July 17, 3:00-4:30, Main Library
Each group of chefs will be given a bag of ingredients to cook up something delicious. Each bag will also include a surprise ingredient that you will need to incorporate into your dish. Each dish will be judged for presentation, creativity, and edibility. For children in grades 3-6.
Playdoh Palooza
Tuesday, July 9, 2-3 p.m. Main Library
Which recipe is the best? Create amazing playdoh, slime and more with delicious scents, vibrant colors and a little glitter! For children of all ages.
Reptomania
Tuesday, July 16, 2-3 p.m. Main Library
Join scientist Steve Schindler as we explore reptiles in the library! Check out snakes, lizards and frogs and learn all about their lives, habitats and more!
Nature Lovers
Friday, July 19 10:30-11:30, Riverside Park/ Friendship Garden
Join us for a hike, a hunt, a story and to learn new things about our beautiful Friendship Garden! All ages welcome.
Build-a-Thon
Tuesday, July 23, 2:00-3:00, Main Library Auditorium
Do you love LEGOs or marvel at Magna-Tiles. All budding engineers are welcome to join us for an afternoon of building with materials of all shapes and sizes. For children of all ages.
Music and Magic from the Polka-Verse
Tuesday, July 30 at 2 p.m., Main Library
Mike Schneider educates on concepts like occupations, relationships, personal hygiene, and foreign language through the happy sounds of polka music. Audience participation is encouraged through numerous sing-along and volunteer opportunities, including the “Chicken Dance,” and a theme-fitting edition of “Name that Tune.” For children of all ages.
Wondrous Wednesdays: The Book Domino Challenge
Wednesday, July 31, 3:00-4:30 pm, South Library
We’ll be using books to set up a jumbo-sized domino chain throughout the library. We’re inspired by Seattle Public Library's world record winning book domino chain. For children in grades 3-6.
Get Up and Go Day
Saturday, August 3, 10 am – 12 pm, Main Library Parking Lot
Join in the fun for Wisconsin Public Television’s annual PBS Kids Get Up and Go Day, with special musical guests, The Beat Buds! There will be dancing, hands-on activities and crafts, community organizations, and more. A special character guest will even be visiting! In case of rain, this event will take place in the Museum and Auditorium. For children of all ages.
