SUMMER FUN AT YOUR LIBRARY
Summer Reading Club Page 1
Ticketed Programs Page 2
Downtown Programs Pages 3-4
Painswick Programs Page 5
Holly Programs Pages 6
BPL On The Go Page 7
Tear-Out Calendar Pages 8-9
Adults Page 10
2026
SUMMER RE ADING CLUB
This summer, DIVE IN to the challenge and explore the MAGIC of the world around you.
Discover the enchantment of reading, join in some spellbinding programs, and have an adventure exploring your library.
Our Summer Reading Club is designed for kids aged 3 to 12 years old and is offered in English or French (when bilingual staff are available).
1
Register online starting MONDAY, JUNE 15
Attend Exciting Programs & Events
Come enjoy our amazing summer program lineup, from escape rooms and STEAM challenges, to Summerween celebrations and police cruisers. And it’s all free!
2
Drop in for Fun Activities
Drop in to any of our locations throughout the summer to take part in crafts, scavenger hunts, and more!
3
Download the BPL App
Get reading and log all the books you read this summer. The more you read, the more prizes you can win!
This year we have so many new prizes! Are you excited?
For every 5 books you read, you’ll get a virtual ballot for the end of summer prize draw. Tracking begins July 2!
Get the app
Secure Your Spot!
FUN FOR THE WHOLE FAMILY
= Ticketed program. Free tickets available in-person at the hosting library one (1) week prior to event date. Limited capacity.
® = Online registration required. Registration opens one (1) week prior to event date.
SING & PLAY WITH RUSS
Downtown
Thursday, July 9 @ 10am
Holly
Tuesday, July 21 @ 10am
Join us for a fun, interactive concert with children’s performer Russ Clayton! Get ready to sing, dance, and laugh as Russ brings his vibrant energy and engaging songs to the stage.
JUGGLING CHEF
Holly
Wednesday, July 29 @ 10am
Painswick
Wednesday, July 29 @ 2:30pm
Get ready to be wowed! This interactive show blends the magic of puppetry, the joy of music, & the thrill of juggling into a captivating experience for families.
DRUMMING
Painswick
CIRCLE
Wednesday, July 22 @ 10am
Downtown
Wednesday, July 22 @ 2:30pm
Join our special guests from Drums et al. as they take us through some drum patterns and chants. A journey you will not forget.
KIDS JUMPIN’ JAMBOREE
HollyWednesday, August 12 @ 10am Painswick
Wednesday, August 12 @ 2:30pm
Downtown
Thursday, August 13 @ 10am
Enjoy a high-energy, super-powered music show for every kid and family.
ZOOTEK
Painswick
Tuesday, July 14 @ 11am & 1pm
Downtown
Thursday, July 16 @ 11am & 1pm
Get ready to be awed and amazed as Zootek astounds us with some curious creatures.
KINDERGARTEN SCHOOL SKILLS ®
Session 1 (All locations)
Tuesday, Aug. 25 - Thurs. Aug. 27 @ 10am
Session 2 (All locations) Tuesday, Sept. 1 - Thurs. Sept. 3 @ 10am
Develop your child’s independence by attending this three-day workshop of stories, songs, and STEAM-based activities while learning some of the social skills needed in Kindergarten.
Downtown Branch
EARLY YEARS
PARACHUTE PLAY
Mondays, June 29 - Aug. 31 @ 10am
Songs, stories, and parachute fun.
STORYTIME
Thursdays, July 2 - Aug. 27 @ 10am
(Except July 9, 16, & Aug. 13)
Build early literacy skills through engaging stories, songs, and interactive activities.
RISE & SHINE PLAYTIME
Saturdays, July 4 - Aug. 29 @ 10am
Got toddlers ready to go? Bring them by for hands-on, fun STEAM and literacy activities.
BABY TIME MEETUP
Tuesdays, July 7 - Aug. 25 @ 10am
Nurture early literacy through stories, rhymes, and songs. Best for nonwalking babies and a caregiver.
SCHOOL-AGED KIDS
FUN & GAMES DROP-IN
Sundays, June 28 - Aug. 30 @ 2:30pm
Enjoy a fun selection of board games and junior chess.
SCIENCE KIDS
Thursdays, July 2 - Aug. 27 @ 2:30pm
(Except July 9 & 16)
Join us each week for a cool, hands-on science experiment or activity.
STORYTIME
Thursdays, July 2 - Aug. 27 @ 10am
(Except July 9, 16, & Aug. 13)
Build early literacy skills through engaging stories, songs, and interactive activities.
LEGO DROP-IN
Saturdays, July 4 - Sept. 5 @ 2:30pm
Unleash your creativity and spend some time building with LEGO.
SUMMER STEAM CHALLENGE
Mondays, July 6 - Aug. 17 @ 2:30pm
Dive into tech! Try coding, robotics, and game design.
SCIENCE NORTH
Tuesday, July 7 @ 10am
Explore electrifying hands-on activities with the Science North Bluecoats.
HELLO KITTY HANG OUT
Wednesday, July 8 @ 2:30pm
Join us for activities that embrace the magic and cuteness of Hello Kitty.
DIP! DIP! HOORAY!
Thursday, July 9 @ 2:30pm
Discover the diversity of life found in local streams, ponds, and the lake.
GREAT RECYCLE CHALLENGE
Tuesday, July 14 @ 2:30pm
Learn what goes where, then test your skills in a fast-paced recycling race.
MERMAID PARTY
Tuesday, July 21 @ 2:30pm
Bring your fin-tastic energy and splash into a celebration of all things mermaids.
K-POP DEMON HUNTERS
Wednesday, July 29 @ 2:30pm
Inspired by the world of K-pop, join us for exciting music-themed crafts and activities.
MINECRAFT MANIA
Wednesday, Aug. 5 @ 2:30pm
Ditch the screen! Join us in-person to show off your creativity, teamwork, and building skills.
DRAGON TRAINING ACADEMY
Tuesday, Aug. 11 @ 2:30pm
Complete exciting challenges to test your imagination and rise as the ultimate Dragon Trainer.
DRAGON TEA PARTY
Wednesday, Aug. 12 @ 2:30pm
Enjoy stories, crafts, and a playful tea party. Costumes welcome. Wear your best dragon, dino, or tea attire.
ANGRY BIRDS
Wednesday, Aug. 19 @ 2:30pm
Aim high and think smart! Topple towers, stop the pigs, and conquer classic Angry Birds challenges.
TEENS FAMILY FUN
WORLD CUP CELEBRATION
Tuesday, June 30 @ 2:30pm
Celebrate teams from around the globe with World Cup-themed games, trivia, crafts, and activities for all ages.
OPEN MIC: MUSIC ON THE ROFTOP
Thursday, July 9 & Aug. 13 @ 6pm
Listen to incredible live folk music or take the mic to perform your favorite acoustic tunes.
GABBY’S DOLLHOUSE PARTY
Wednesday, July 15 @ 2:30pm
A WICKED EVENING
Thursday, July 16 @ 6:30pm
Whether you love the books, the musical, or the movies, join us for a night of Wicked games and music that will defy gravity.
Have an a-meow-zing time at our dance party! Enjoy catchy tunes, crafty-rific activities, and life in the dollhouse.
DUNGEONS & DRAGONS MEETUP
Sunday, July 19 & Aug. 16 @ 1:30pm
Learn and play D&D together! All ages welcome, and we highly encourage caregivers to team up with their kids.
L’IL GARDENERS
Tuesday, July 28 @ 2:30pm
Grow, learn, make & create in this hands-on, fun garden program.
RACETRACK CREATOR
Tuesday, Aug. 4 @ 2:30pm
Grab some cardboard to build your own racing track, then challenge your friends to see whose car is the fastest.
90’s Party
Thursday, July 30 @ 6:30pm
Break out the scrunchies, dust off your Discman, and get ready to party like it’s 1999
Painswick Branch
EARLY YEARS
BABY TIME MEETUP
Thursdays, July 2 - Aug. 20 @ 10am
An interactive meetup with stories, rhymes, and songs. Stay after to play and socialize.
RISE & SHINE PLAYTIME
Wednesdays & Saturdays, July 4Aug. 29 @ 10am (Except Aug. 1 & 26)
Bring your toddlers for hands-on, fun STEAM and literacy activities.
CREATIVE TALES
Mondays, June 29 - Aug. 31 @ 10am
Join us for a story followed by a craft to enjoy and take home.
MESSY OUTSIDE!
Tuesday, August 11 @ 10am
Join us for a messy morning outside!
SCHOOLAGED KIDS
BIKE RODEO!
Tuesday, June 30 @ 10am
Bring your bike and helmet! Decorate your ride, learn about bike safety, and test the outdoor track.
SCIENCE NORTH
Thursday, July 2 @ 1pm
Explore electrifying, hands-on science activities with the Science North Bluecoats. 5
® = Online registration required.
FAMILY FUN
ECO EXPLORERS
Tuesday, July 7 @ 10am
Discover nature and science right in our backyard through fun, hands-on outdoor activities.
PUPPET CAMP ®
Wednesdays, July 8 - 22 @ 2:30pm
Design, build, and bring your own puppet to life! Write a story and put on a final show for your family.
SUMMER STEAM CHALLENGE
Thursdays, July 9 - Aug. 20 @ 2:30pm (Except July 30)
Dive into tech! Try coding, robotics, and game design. No experience needed.
BUILD
IT
Tuesday, July 21 @ 10am
Challenge yourself to build the silliest or most inventive structure.
DIP! DIP! HOORAY!
Thursday, July 30 @ 2:30pm
Drop in and discover the diverse, fascinating creature life found in our local waters.
GAME ON!
Wednesday, Aug. 5 @ 2:30pm
Challenge your friends to a game on our Nintendo Switch or go old school with a board game.
FRIDAY FLICKS
Fridays, July 3 - Sept. 4 @ 2:30pm & 6:30pm
Come on out for a family movie.
POLICE STORYTIME
Tuesday, July 28 @ 10am
Enjoy stories and crafts with a special guest from the Barrie Police Service, then tour a real police cruiser.
OUTDOOR OBSTACLE COURSE
Tuesday, Aug. 4 @ 10am
Join us outside the Painswick Branch to climb, crawl, and wiggle your way through our obstacle course.
UNDER THE SEA
Tuesday, Aug. 18 @ 10am
Dive into ocean-themed crafts, games, and activities.
LIFE-SIZED GAMES
Wednesday, Aug. 19 @ 2:30pm
Play favorite classics at full scale! Enjoy giant Jenga, human-sized Snakes and Ladders, and more.
TEENS
MAKER CLUB
Tuesdays, July 7 - Aug. 18 @ 2:30pm
(Except July 14)
Unleash your inner maker in this weekly, small-group crafting program just for teens.
Holly Branch
EARLY YEARS
RISE & SHINE PLAYTIME
Sundays, June 28 - Aug. 30 @ 10am
Bring your toddlers for hands-on, fun STEAM and literacy activities.
STUFFIE CHECK-UP
Tuesday, June 30 @ 10am
Bring your favourite stuffie for a “check-up” at the library.
STORYTIME
Wednesdays, July 8 - Aug. 19 @ 10am
(Except July 15 & 29, & Aug. 12)
Join us for stories, songs, rhymes, activities, and lots of early literacy fun.
SCHOOL-AGED KIDS
ROBOTS, ROBOTS, ROBOTS
Saturday, June 27 @ 12pm
Robots are invading the Holly Branch.
SUMMER STEAM CHALLENGE
Tuesdays, June 30 - Aug. 18 @ 2:30pm
Dive into tech! Try coding, robotics, and game design. No experience needed.
BUILD IT
Thursdays, July 2 - Aug. 13 @ 2:30pm
Challenge your imagination to build the silliest or most inventive structure.
SCIENCE KIDS
Fridays, July 3 - Aug 21 @ 2:30pm
Build structures, perform cool experiments, and solve fun STEM challenges weekly.
DIP! DIP! HOORAY!
Thursday, Aug. 20 @ 2:30pm
Discover the diverse, fascinating creature life found in our local waters.
FAMILY FUN
CARICATURE PORTRAITS WITH SCOTT RUSSELL ®
Tuesday, July 7 @ 10am
® = Online registration required.
UNDER THE SEA
Tuesday, July 14 @ 10am
Make a splash with ocean-themed crafts, games, and activities.
Strike a pose and watch as artist Scott Russell sketches a funny and unique picture of you and your family.
CREATIVE TALES
Thursdays, July 2 - Aug. 20 @ 10am
Join us for a story followed by a craft to make and take home.
CRAFTY KIDS
Saturdays, July 4 - Aug. 29 @ 10am
Get ready for our exciting weekly craft! Hurry, supplies are limited.
POLICE STORYTIME
Wednesday, July 15 @ 10am
Enjoy stories and crafts with the Barrie Police Service, then tour a real police cruiser.
CANDYLAND OBSTACLE COURSE
Tuesday, July 28 @ 10am
Hop, crawl, and skip through life-sized gumdrops, lollipops, and chocolate kisses.
LIFE-SIZED GAMES
Tuesday, Aug. 4 @ 10am
Play favorite classics at full scale! Enjoy giant Jenga, human-sized Snakes and Ladders, and more.
SUMMERWEEN
Tuesday, Aug. 11 @ 10am
Spooky summer fun! Celebrate this Halloween mashup with crafts and games. Costumes encouraged.
SUPERHERO
PARTY
Tuesday, August 18 @ 10am
Superheroes assemble! Put your powers to the test with heroic games & crafts. Costumes encouraged.
ESCAPE ROOM MONDAYS! ®
Mondays, June 29 - Aug. 24 @ 10am
Test your wits in our Weekly Escape Room! Grab your team, solve puzzles, crack codes, and uncover clues before time runs out.
Max 6 per team. Online registration opens one week prior. Recommended for school-aged kids.
June 29: Toy Story
July 6: Bad Guys
July 13: Detective Pikachu
July 20: Luigi’s Mansion
July 27: Jurassic Park
August 10: How To Train Your Dragon
August 17: Carmen Sandiego
August 24: Pirate Treasure Hunt
TEENS
MAKER CLUB
Saturdays, July 4 - Aug. 29 @ 2:30pm (Except Aug. 1)
Unleash your inner maker in this weekly, small-group crafting program.
FUN AT THE PARK
Enjoy fun activities and games at the park! You can even sign up for a library card on the spot. Runs from 10-11:30am.
Lampman Lane
Tuesdays, June 30 - Aug. 25
Coupe Park (Beside Downtown Branch)
Wednesdays, July 8 - Aug. 26
Harvie Park
Fridays, July 3, 31, & Aug. 28
Mapleton Park
Fridays, July 10 & Aug. 7
NEW THIS YEAR
Marsellus Park
Fridays, July 24 & Aug. 21
Painswick Park
Fridays, July 3 - Aug. 28
St. Vincent Park
Thursdays, July 2 - Aug. 27
Wessenger Park
Fridays, July 17 & Aug. 14
BPL ON THE MOVE! We’ll be hitting the streets this summer on our Trike! Find us riding around Downtown Barrie or along the waterfront for some fun.
Waterfront & Downtown Barrie 11am-1pm
Fridays, July 3 - Aug. 18 (Except July 17)
® = Online registration required
= Ticketed program. Free tickets available in-person at the hosting library one (1) week prior to event date. Limited capacity.
JULY 2026
&
2:30pm
19
10am Rise & Shine Playtime
1:30pm D&D Meetup
2:30pm Fun & Games Drop-In
2:30pm Board Games & Puzzles
20
10am Creative Tales 10am Luigi’s Mansion Escape Room
Storytime at Wessenger and Painswick
Craft & Connect
Friday Flicks: The Wild Robot 2:30pm Science Kids 6:30pm Friday Flicks: The Wild Robot
A
18
9:30am Community Services Day at Barrie Farmer’s Market 10am Crafty Kids 10am Repair Cafe 10am Rise & Shine Playtime 10am Rise & Shine Playtime 11:30am Repair Cafe
2:30pm Maker Club
2:30pm LEGO Drop-In
= Online registration required
Ticketed
(1)
AUGUST 2026
Storytime at Wessenger and Painswick Parks
Adult Programs
MONDAY MOVIES: 2026 BEST PICTURE NOMINEES
Painswick
Mondays, June 29 - Aug. 31 @ 1:30pm
Enjoy free movies at the library.
STITCH TOGETHER
Holly
Mondays, June 29 - Aug. 31 @ 6:30pm
Bring your project and connect with other yarn enthusiasts
QUEER CRAFT CIRCLE
Downtown
Mon. June 29, July 27, Aug. 31 @ 6pm
Explore a fun, beginner-friendly creative project each month. Most supplies included.
June: Brick Painting
July: Tie-Dye
August: Rock Painting
MAKE AND MINGLE
Downtown
Sat. July 4, Aug. 1 & 29 @ 10am
Wed. July 15 & Aug. 12 @ 6:30pm
Join our beginner-friendly, expert-guided craft workshops. All tools and materials provided.
CRAFT & CONNECT
Downtown
Fridays, July 10 - Aug. 28 @ 10am
® = Online registration required.
SONG CIRCLE NIGHT
Downtown
Get creative, meet other caregivers, and enjoy some crafting time with your baby by your side. Recommended for nonwalking babies.
LEARN MAHJONG: AMERICAN VERSION ®
Holly
Tuesdays, June 30 - Aug. 25 @ 2:30pm
(Except July 7 & Aug. 4)
Register for this 6 week session to learn how to play American Mahjong.
CHESS MEETUP
Holly
Thursdays, July 2 - Aug. 27 @ 6:30pm
Join us to play chess with other enthusiasts.
Tuesday, July 7, Aug. 4, & Sept. 1 @ 6pm
Join the Barrie Folk Society for a relaxed, welcoming evening of acoustic music.
UKULELE MEETUP, SUMMER DROP-IN
Holly
Wednesdays, July 8 - Aug. 26 @ 6:30pm
Practice your ukulele skills in a relaxed environment.
MAHJONG MEETUP
Holly
Wednesdays, July 8 - Aug. 26 @ 1pm
Connect with local players and enjoy a fun, casual afternoon of Mahjong.
FSP BARRIE SOCIAL: BOARD GAMES
Downtown
Mondays, July 20 & Aug. 17 @ 2pm
Roll the dice, gather your crew, and let the games begin.
