Reading is Fun with Children First — A Message from Executive Director Heather Lyke | Click the image above for a video message from Heather Lyke | |
Summer is such an exciting time of year at Children First! The St. Louis Park Summer Reading Festival is coming up next week; we've been connecting with families at community events; and we've had wonderful opportunities to collaborate with partners who share our commitment to West Metro children, youth, and families.
We hope you'll share in our excitement this summer! There are plenty of ways to connect, just check out this month's newsletter below for all the details.
Read on for information about:
- St. Louis Park Summer Reading Festival – August 8-14, 2026
- Children First Ice Cream Social – Saturday, August 8, 2026
- Our community and media engagement
- Youth For Change Coalition applications for 2026-2027 high school students
- How to support Children First and stay connected
| | The St. Louis Park Summer Reading Festival Starts Next Week! | | |
The St. Louis Park Summer Reading Festival will be underway next week! Join us for 12 free, family-friendly events and activities from August 8-14, 2026!
The Summer Reading Festival promotes literacy, fosters a love of reading beyond the classroom, and creates meaningful community connections.
This year's festival features two new events that will expand the reading fun:
- The Little Free Library Tour leads families on a self-guided tour to neighborhood Little Free Library locations, where visitors can take a free book or leave a book behind to share with others. A custom St. Louis Park Little Free Library guide will be available at the Children First Ice Cream Social on August 8th, 2026 or can be found on the Summer Reading Festival website.
-
Storybook Trail Adventure at Westwood Hills Nature Center invites families to immerse themselves in a nature-themed story presented by the Westwood Hills interpretive naturalists, then explore the trails on an exciting scavenger hunt! Get ready for a fun afternoon of outdoor activity on Monday, August 10th.
Free children's books will be provided at each Summer Reading Festival event (while supplies last), with more young adult titles available than in previous years so readers of all ages can find their next favorite read!
Visit the Summer Reading Festival website to see more details and plan your week.
Join us as we turn the page on summer, one joyful story at a time! We hope to see you and your family at our annual community celebration of reading!
| | | | NEW for 2026: Summer Reading Festival Bookmark Punchcard Prize Giveaway | |
The Bookmark Punchcard Prize Giveaway is designed to celebrate those who attend multiple festival events throughout the week! Youth attending three or more festival events can choose to enter into a drawing for reading-themed prize bundles. Prizes include author-signed books, tickets to a Minnesota Frost hockey game, a Park Tavern bowling party, and more!
To enter:
- Pick up a Bookmark Punchcard at the Children First table at select events
- Get your Bookmark Punchcard marked at the Children First table at each event you attend
- After visiting three or more events, submit your completed bookmark to be entered into the drawing.
See the Summer Reading Festival website for full giveaway rules and information.
| | Children First Ice Cream Social — Celebrating 30+ Years of Cool Treats and Cooler Reads | | |
We're excited to kick off the St. Louis Park Summer Reading Festival with our beloved annual community event, the Children First Ice Cream Social!
-
When: Saturday, August 8, 2026 from 11:00 AM to 2:00 PM
-
Where: St. Louis Park Recreation Outdoor Center (ROC)
- 3700 Monterey Drive, St. Louis Park, MN 55416
-
What: A free, family-friendly community event celebrating the joy of reading, featuring free books for readers of all ages and complimentary Sebastian Joe's ice cream.
-
Who: Children First is proud to be joined by community organizations, authors, business partners, and local celebrities for an unforgettable afternoon!
New for 2026, the Story Corner will feature special guests performing read-alouds of their favorite children's books throughout the Ice Cream Social.
The St. Louis Park Lions Club and their KidSight program will be on hand to provide complimentary vision screenings for children ages 6 months to 18 years.
We have a small number of volunteer roles remaining! Over 600 community members attended last year's event. Join the fun, connect with area families, and help make this year's event possible by volunteering! This tradition is made possible by supporters like you.
-
Volunteer: See available volunteer roles and timeslots on our sign-up form
Come see what we're scooping up this year! We'll see you on August 8!
| | Latest from Children First: Community Connections and Media Coverage | | Trail of Small Wonders Opening Day Festival | |
Earlier this month, Children First took part in the Trail of Small Wonders Opening Day Festival at Westwood Hills Nature Center! Organized by St. Louis Park Friends of the Arts, the trail features community-made tiny houses scattered along the nature center's trails.
We were there to share information about the upcoming Summer Reading Festival, Youth For Change Coalition, and other Children First programming and initiatives. We loved seeing everyone in the spirit of the event with their magic wands and costumes!
| |  | Children First Featured in Minnesota Monthly | |
Children First and the St. Louis Park Summer Reading Festival was recently featured in Minnesota Monthly's online edition.
Their article "A New Chapter for Summer Reading" highlights what makes the Summer Reading Festival a unique community initiative and provides information about this year's event.
Check out the article at www.minnesotamonthly.com/arts-entertainment/music-books/a-new-chapter-for-summer-reading/
We are grateful for Minnesota Monthly's and reporter Lydia Quiggle's coverage!
| | |
Calling All Teens: Join the Youth For Change Coalition in 2026–2027! | |
Children First is seeking dedicated high school students who want to develop their leadership skills and make a positive impact in their community. Members of the Youth For Change Coalition (Y4CC) work alongside peers and adult coaches to identify challenges facing local youth, develop solutions, and implement strategies focused on mental wellness and equity in Hopkins, St. Louis Park, and surrounding communities.
During the 2026–2027 school year, Y4CC members will continue working to improve youth mental health and reduce suicide risk among area youth by promoting mental well-being, hope, and resilience. Past projects have included mental wellness workshops, a youth mental health position paper, and partnerships with local organizations to raise awareness.
Know a high school student who would be a great fit? Encourage them to apply at bit.ly/4uQR8Pg.
| Invest in a Brighter Future for Local Youth | |
Every child deserves the opportunity to thrive — and with your support, more local children and families can access the resources, relationships, and opportunities they need to succeed.
At Children First, we bring together schools, families, nonprofits, businesses, and community members to create lasting change for West Metro children and youth. Through initiatives focused on early childhood success, mental wellness, educational achievement, and equitable opportunities, we are helping to ensure that every young person feels included, valued, and connected to a caring community.
Your support makes this work possible. A gift of any size helps Children First continue building partnerships, supporting youth-led initiatives, and advancing solutions that improve outcomes for local children and families. Together, we can create a community where every child has the opportunity to realize their full potential.
Help create a bright future for West Metro children and families! Donate today at children-first.org/give.
| | Let's Stay In Touch — Follow Us on Social Media | | |
Stay connected with Children First on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, and X, where we share updates on our work, upcoming events, and more!
Follow us on your favorite platform and help spread the word by liking, commenting on, and sharing our posts with friends, neighbors, and community members.
Thank you for supporting Children First and helping create a community where every child can thrive!
| | | | |
