Programs for Teens, Kids and Families

Learn more at ppld.org/summerteens

These programs are for ages 12 - 18 unless otherwise noted.

Use the URL above or the QR code to learn more!

Programs

Coding Series: Game Design

Learn to code with Google! Using an evaluated curriculum from the computer scientists at Google, youth will learn basic computational thinking concepts through block coding. The theme of this series is "Game Design." Participants will learn basic video game coding concepts by making different types of games, including racing, platform, and launching. Please note this is a multi-part series! Registration required.

Escape Room: Searching for the Sea

Solve puzzles and open locks to win a prize in this sea-themed escape room! Registration required.

Laser Tag

Play laser tag at the Library! For ages 12 - 18 only. Waivers and registration are required! FEATURED PROGRAM

Nature's Educators: Radical Reptiles

Join Nature's Educators to meet and learn about several native and non-native reptiles and amphibians! Discover where they live, what they eat, and how they survive. How do you tell a venomous snake from a non-venomous one? What are the differences between frogs and toads? Find out during this exciting program!

Learn to Sew: Nautical Zippered Pouch

Learn the basics of sewing, including threading the machine, winding the bobbin, and basic machine troubleshooting. You will leave the class with a nautical-themed, color-blocked zippered pouch and maybe a bonus project or two!

Murder Mystery: Mutiny & Murder

Arrrrrr, mateys! It's time to invite yer crew and have a shiverin' timbers good time at our pirate-themed murder mystery party! For ages 12 - 18. Registration required.

Ocean Mini-golf

Play mini-golf in the Library! Can you navigate this ocean-themed course?

Teens Eat: Nailed It! Cupcake Decorating

*ONE HOUR ON THE CLOCK!!* Come to PPLD and see who nails it! Show off your decorating skills! Just like the popular Netflix series with the same name, we challenge you to replicate professional cupcake designs using provided supplies. For ages 12 - 15.

Teens Make: Axolotl Plushie

Hand-sew a cute axolotl plush! We’ll provide the instructions and materials. Registration required.

Teens Make: Whale Macrame Tail

It's a whale of a tale! Make your own macrame whale tail keychains this summer. For ages 12 - 18.

Teens Make: Under the Sea Spray Paint

Create a seascape (jellyfish, bubbles, and other aquatic creatures) using spray paint and stencils. Wear appropriate clothing because you will get messy! For ages 12 - 18.

Teens Make: Ziggy Stardust Painting

Honor David Bowie with this Ziggy Stardust/Aladdin Sane painting just in time for Pride Month! Don't love David Bowie as much as we do? Choose another musical icon to paint. Registration required.

PROGRAMS FOR FAMILIES AND CHILDREN

Learn more at ppld.org/summerkids

Use the URL above or the QR code to learn more about Family & Children's Services this summer!

Homeschool Programs

Homeschool Curriculum Swap

Looking for new curriculum and/or educational materials? Have curriculum you don’t need? Homeschoolers can bring curriculum, educational materials, books, and more to give away to other homeschoolers at this once-a-year event. No selling. All sharing. Everything is free! You do not have to bring an item to participate. Registration needed only if you plan on bringing items to give away so we can have a table ready for you. Questions? Call (719) 531-6333, x6048 or email jfleishhacker@ppld.org.

Homeschool Game Day

Homeschool families are invited to an outdoor game day! Activities include four-square, hula hoops, jump ropes, sidewalk chalk, kick ball, and more! Come prepared to play! All ages are welcome. In case of bad weather, the event will be cancelled. Contact Joy at (719) 531-6333, x6048 with any questions.

Early Literacy Programs

These are specialized programs for the ages listed. A caregiver must be present with the child. Some programs require registration.

FEATURED PROGRAM

LENA Start

This 10-week program will help parents, with children 0 - 33 months, increase conversational turns. Each week a child will wear a "talk pedometer" to track the number of adult words, conversational turns, and minutes of electronics they are exposed to. We will increase conversational turns by the end of the 10 weeks. We will meet weekly to give you tips on how to increase conversational turns. ppld.org/LENAStart

Baby Time

Enjoy songs, bouncing action rhymes, and sharing a book together. For ages 0 - 12 months.

Create & Play

Did you know that making art builds motor skills, reading readiness, and math concepts? Little ones experience creative and playful adventures with art! For ages 1 - 5.

FAB Time

Talk, sing, read, write, and play together in a format appropriate for young children. For all ages.

French Music Lingua

Join Barbara Mills from Springs French Music Lingua for a unique, free program that teaches French and American Sign Language to children using a fun mix of music, movement, art, drama, and storytelling. For ages 8 and under.

Music & Movement

Shake out those wiggles and have some fun with music and movement activities and a story. For ages 2 - 3.

Prenatal Series

Are you expecting and have lot of questions? Join PPLD and Nurse-Family Partnership for a series of prenatal classes. Classes are every Wednesday at noon. Each week we will explore a different topic and have a Q&A session.

ppld.org/prenatal-series

Sensory Storytime

Join us for an interactive storytime that is especially welcoming for children on the autism spectrum and families who are looking for a smaller, more adaptive library experience. For ages 12 and under.

Stay & Play

We’ll have fun toys to enhance your child’s early literacy learning. Meet new friends and have fun playing together. For ages 1 - 3 years old.

Storytime

Stories and more for children ages 3+.

Toddler Time

Participate in nursery rhymes, music, and movement, and listen to a few short books. For ages 1 - 2.

KidsMake Programs

KidsMake programs are for ages 5 - 12.

Fairy Huts

Create a mystical fairy hut to house a tiny flameless light or a mini-imaginary creature!

Ocean Sensory Play

Create a mini aquarium to take home with you! Using ocean supplies, this fun, sensory bottle can house a little bit of under the sea.

Squishy Stress Balls

Create your own squishy stress ball and decorate it however you like!

Under the Sea Portal Suncatchers

Create a suncatcher portal to take a peek into some fun under the sea creatures and watch the light stream through your creation!

STEM Programs

STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering. and Mathematics) programs are for ages 5 - 12.

Air Cannons

For every action, there is an equal and opposite reaction. Children will get to demonstrate it when using the air cannon they will create!

Balloon-powered Cars

Observe the conversion of potential energy to kinetic energy while building a car powered by nothing but air. Experiment with different designs to make the car go faster and farther, then race your top design!

Cloth Printing

Use Ashanti Kente Cloth as inspiration, creating your own patterns and arrangements.

Simple Machines: Pulleys

Imagine you’ve just bought a plot of land in the Old West. What’s the first thing you need to do? Build a well to get water! But how? Build a pulley!

Tween Programs

Tween programs are in-person and are for ages 9 - 12 unless otherwise noted.

Camp Half-Blood Cabin Flag

Create your own Camp Half-Blood cabin flag based on your favorite Greek god or goddess! Put your knowledge of the books to the test with Percy Jackson trivia.

Dungeons & Dragons

Play D&D with other tweens, led by our very own Dragon Master Alli! New members are always welcome and no experience is required. Ages 9 - 12.

Nailed It!: Cupcake Decorating

Show off your decorating skills! Just like the popular Netflix series with the same name, we challenge you to replicate professional cupcake designs using provided supplies.

FEATURED PROGRAM

JAB (Junior Advisory Board)

We want to learn from the experts (you!) on what programs and events tweens want to see at the Library. Each session of the Junior Advisory Board (JAB) will include time for you to give ideas and feedback and time for a fun project or activity. FEATURED PROGRAM

Glow in the Dark Paint Party

This program is available for ages 9 - 15 and 12 - 18. At this paint party, you’ll rock and vibe to music that inspires your inner Van Gough or Basquiat while you make a painting that glows in the dark.

Alpacas!

Claudia Swenson will present facts about her charming Alpacas and how their versatile fiber is used. Visit with these amazing creatures after a short program (at most libraries). For ages 5 - 12.

Animals of the Wizarding World

Some of the fantastical beasts from popular books and movies are real-life creatures! Nature's Educators will introduce you to some of the live animals featured in these stories. Learn about their role in the story, but also their habitat, diet, and natural history. For ages 3+.

Cool Science: Super-Sized Science

Kids will learn how to perform a few cool science experiments with simple items they may have at home, then watch in amazement as we SUPER-SIZE each one during the show for even more excitement! Fun for all ages.

Summer Fun Presenters

Dinosaur Resource Center: The Amazing Prehistoric Seas

Learn how dinosaurs and sea reptiles differed from each other. Take home pictures of creatures like Ichthyosaurus, Kronosaurus, the Megalodon shark, and more! Discover the fun of learning about these incredibly unique prehistoric animals. Presented by the Rocky Mountain Dinosaur Resource Center. For all ages.

Fly Fishing!

Learn fish conservation and fly-fishing concepts with professional fly-fishing guide Kenny Romero. Learn how to and practice casting in this class that is specifically geared for children ages 7 - 12.

Foam Parties with Ann Lincoln

Enjoy some bubbly outdoor fun! Wear swim clothes or shorts, bring some towels to dry off, and get silly in the suds! Biodegradable, hypoallergenic foam is used in this unusually wet and wacky program. For ages 2 - 12.

Inspector Magic: Lobster Tales

Don't be crabby! Make a splash at the Library and make a difference in the world. Find out how at our undersea magic show with Inspector Magic. For all ages.

Ocean-themed Crafts in June and July

In June, enjoy a variety of ocean-themed crafts and explore different crafting materials at your local library. Then, in July, get ready to celebrate Shark Week by exploring various oceanthemed crafts. For ages 1 - 12.

Petting Zoo with Wishing Star Farm

Get up-close and personal with some friendly animals from Wishing Star Farm. These programs are held outdoors for ages 0 - 12.

Pirate Dogs of the Sea!

Ahoy, Mate! Denise Gard’s famous Border Collies Joey and Kira are hunting for treasure upon the seven seas. When they become shipwrecked will they find treasure or learn about keeping the ocean clean? Join them for a program that is so action-packed and full of dog tricks, you’ll wish you were a pirate dog too! Argh!!! For all ages.

Pirates of Puppet Pants in an Ocean of Possibilities

Be prepared for some pirate shenanigans with this entertaining program that features ventriloquism, variety, and lots of hilarious audience participation, presented by Joshua Lacky. For all ages.

Puppet Tales: The Missing Magic Bunny

Houdini the magical rabbit is lost, and Magic Dave needs your help to find him! Join this magical journey filled with illusions, hilarious puppets, and a story about true friendship. Based on the book: The Magic Rabbit by Annette LeBlanc Cate. For all ages.

Shark Week

Celebrate Shark Week at PPLD! Find the shark hidden in your local library, go to the circulation desk, and sing a verse of Baby Shark or tell them where the shark is hiding. Win a sticker! For ages 2 - 12.

Steve Weeks Family Concerts

Join Steve for an interactive family romp filled with music and humor, as he performs his hit songs. Laughing, singing, and dancing will be on the docket so bring your dancing shoes! For all ages.

Wacky Water Works with Colorado Springs Utilities

Did you know your water ends up in the ocean? Capture a cloud, take a vapor shower, have a pipeline water race, and clean up dirty water with Colorado Springs Utilities. For all ages.

West African Dance, Percussion, and Storytelling

Join Dr. Wanda and Ron Cousar for a culturally engaging storytelling, dance, and percussion experience that reflects authentic West African culture of building community and celebrations! Participation and exploration make this program a fun and unique learning experience. For ages 2 - 12.