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Read, learn, create, and enjoy at the library this summer! Summer Spotlight features FREE fun and educational activities that will help your kids be ready for school in the fall.

Along with reading logs and incentives, we have in-person arts & STEM workshops, Spotlight Storytimes, new Story Stations, performers, animal programs and more. Plus, Family Fun Spot in-library activities and To Go packets are available alternating weeks!

Check out our summer calendar of events HERE and our general summer information at www.scottlib.org/Summer

The Roe Family Singers and the Readmobile at Shakopee's Happy Birthday America kiddie parade

The library is happy to participate in the city of Shakopee's annual Happy Birthday America Kiddie Parade, taking place in Lions Park at 1103 Adams St S, Shakopee. Parade is at 10am with the Roe Family Singers after at 11am.

Fri 6/30, 10am-Noon

Puppet Show, Prior Lake:

Martina the Cockroach and Perez the Mouse

Bring the whole family to this toy theater puppet show in a bilingual English/Español version of the most popular folk tale from Cuba and Puerto Rico. Martina is a beautiful, hard-working and amazing dancer cockroach who finds a gold coin while sweeping!

Thu 7/6, 2:00pm

Puppet Show, Shakopee: The Way of the Monarch Butterfly

Hand and rod puppets tell the story of the spectacular metamorphosis and migration of the monarch butterfly. This beloved creature transforms from egg to larva to caterpillar to chrysalis to butterfly to international traveler.

Sat 7/8, 11:00am

Family Engineering Night with The Works

Best for elementary students with a grown-up. Join our special guest, The Works Museum, as we explore simple engineering through fun activities. 

• Shakopee: Mon 7/10, 3:30-5:30pm
• Savage: Thu 7/20, 4:00-6:00pm

Reptile & Amphibian Discovery Zoo

Best for ages 5-11 but all ages and abilities welcome. Learn about the lives of amphibians and see some unique turtles, lizards, snakes, and even a small alligator in-person.

• Belle Plaine: Tue 7/11, 2:30pm
• Elko New Market: Wed 7/26, 1:30pm

Cave of the Fantastigators play

Best for ages 5-11. Join CLIMB Theatre as they present this fun and interactive play with an environmental message: Young Rudy visits her aunt, environmental scientist Dr. Foulodor, in the Cave of the Fantastigators.

• Tue 7/25, 10:30am - Jordan
• Tue 8/1, 10:30am - New Prague

Brodini Comedy Magic Show, Shakopee

Master Magician Graylyn Morris will raise spirits and test kids’ powers of concentration as he manipulates ropes, scarves, balls, and other magician props in a perplexing “now you see it, now you don’t” performance!

Thu 7/27, 2:30pm

Freestyle Embroidered Bandanas, ages 9-18, Savage*

Participants will start with a blank bandana as a base and then we will explore how to turn it into a work of wearable art of our own design. No previous sewing experience is required!

Wed 7/5, 1:30-3:30pm

Registration open

Family Cooking Challenge

Does your Family love to cook? Do you find yourself making up your own recipes? Sign up now to be part of library cooking challenge and pick up ingredients on Monday, 7/10:

• Elko New Market Library
• New Prague Library

STEM Snap Circuits Arcade workshop, ages 8-14

Using Snap Circuit Arcade kits, learn the basics of snap-together electronic components with library youth aide Tate. Then you'll team up to create games and take turns demonstrating and playing each others' games!

• Tue 7/11, 2-3pm, Jordan Registration open
• Wed 7/12, 1:30-2:30pm, Elko New Market Registration open
• Wed 7/12, 4-5pm, New Prague Registration open
• Wed 7/19, 4-5pm, Prior Lake Registration open

MacPhail Tap, Shake, Scrape music program, ages birth-8, Prior Lake*

Percussion instruments are instruments that a musician taps, shakes, or scrapes to produce sounds. Join MacPhail in this program that incorporates singing, instrument-playing, creative movement, literacy, and instrument-making.

Thu 7/13, 10:30-11:30am

Registration open

Eric Carle Animal Collages, ages 3-9 (3-5 with adult), Elko New Market*

Whether you're a hungry caterpillar, a big brown bear, or a grouchy ladybug, we're sure you already know and love the work of master children's book author and illustrator Eric Carle! Create your own collage of a colorful, fantastical animal portrait.

Mon 7/24, 11:00am-12:30pm, Elko New Market

Registration opens 7/3

Mason Jar Lantern, ages 3-9, New Prague*

Ages 3-5 must have adult helper.

Join local artist Maria Ricke to use tissue paper and a mason jar to create a beautiful lantern to celebrate summer! 

• Tue 7/25,10:30-11:00am Registration opens 7/4

Sharpie Coasters, ages 10-18, New Prague*

Join local artist Maria Ricke to decorate a coaster with sharpie markers, then spray to create a work of art that is uniquely you! 

• Tue 7/25, 11:30-12:00 Registration opens 7/4

Tie-Dye Tote Bags, ages 10-18, Elko New Market*

We will show you how to form a simple shape by folding pages of a book, creating a work of art to be put on display or given as a gift. 

Tue 7/25, 3:00-4:30pm

Registration opens 7/4

Seed Bombs, ages 4-18 (4-6 with adult), Prior Lake*

In this class we will learn about native plants and how to care for them. Then we will use clay, soil, and seeds to mix and sculpt little "seed bombs" which we can sow wherever we want to see some flowers and greenery appear! 

Mon 7/31, 2:00-3:30pm

Registration opens 7/10

To Go Activity Packets, All Libraries

Alternating weeks, while supplies last.

• 7/3-8: Scott Co Historical Society log cabin scenes, ages 3-11; Cork Buddies, ages 12-18
• 7/17-7/22: Origami & Coping Strategies Scavenger Hunt, ages 3-18; Baby Signs, ages birth-2
• 7/31-8/5: 4-H STEM Robot Hand, ages 3-11; Binary Keychains, ages 12-18

Full To Go schedule

Family Fun Spot, All Libraries

Alternating weeks, click link for the schedule at your library.

July dates: 6/26-7/1, 7/10-15, 7/24-29

Themes:

• Space Tent - blast off in our rocket-shaped reading tent
• X-treme X-ray - play with the skeleton puzzle and x-ray cards
• Tangrams - create pictures with shapes and magna-tiles
• Poetry Jam - create haikus and super-sized magnetic poetry
• Origami - fold some creative projects
• Bug Out - get up close with a variety of bug specimens
• Puzzlemania - challenge yourself with puzzles small & large

Family Fun Spot schedule

Spotlight Storytimes

Join local notables for stories and fun for kids and families! All ages are welcome:

Belle Plaine: Selected Fridays at 10:30am; 7/7, 7/21

Elko New Market: Most Mondays at 10:30am; 7/10, 7/17, 7/31

Jordan: alternating Saturdays at 11:00am; 7/8, 7/22

New Prague: Most Tuesdays at 10:30am; 7/11, 7/18, 7/25

Savage:

• Spotlight Storytime: Mondays at 10:30am: 7/3, 7/10, 7/17, 7/24, 7/31
• Stories on the Pond: 1st Thursdays at 5:30pm at McColl Pond Environmental Learning Center; 7/6, 8/3

Shakopee: 

• Spotlight Storytime: alternating Thursdays at 10:30am: 7/13, 7/27
• Stories & a Song: Saturdays at 10:30am: 7/1, 7/8, 7/15, 7/22, 7/29

Spotlight Storytime schedule

Outdoor Lawn Games, Prior Lake Library

2nd Wednesdays, 6:00-7:30pm 

Lego Club, Savage Library

4th Thursdays, 4:00-5:30pm

First Step STEM at Shakopee, Belle Plaine, & Jordan

For ages 3-6 and a parent or caregiver. Pop-in to learn about a Science, Technology, Engineering, or Math concept then continue the fun with at-home activity ideas.

First Step STEM schedules 

Reading Buddies at Shakopee, Belle Plaine, & Jordan

Best for ages 3-6. Sit down to read to or with one of our volunteer Reading Buddies for some great one-on-one reading time!  

Reading Buddies schedules 

Young at Art Paint Exploration at New Prague

Best for ages 7 and up. Stop by and create a masterpiece in this drop-in art program! We have the supplies; you bring the creativity! 

Mon 7/17, 5-7pm

Waggin' Tales at Prior Lake, Savage, & Shakopee Libraries

Read to a trained therapy dog with a good ear for stories. Bring your own books, or pick one of ours. 

Waggin' Tales schedules