Your guide to activities and fun things to do with your preschoolers, toddlers and kids in baltimore, MD

Be Creative: Summer Reading at Your Local Library

June 15, 2009

It's that special time of year again . . . the time when libraries all over town sponsor their summer reading initiatives.  Be Creative @ Your Library is the name of this year's program for kids, and no matter what part of the Baltimore area you call home, there's a place for you to sign up and get involved.  And what do you get in exchange for signing up and getting involved?  Well, that varies somewhat from library system to library system, but every library will be hosting events and awarding prizes throughout the summer, and every library expects you and your child to do your part(s) by reading and sharing stories.  Just register for Be Creative online or in-person, and start logging your books and activities. And remember--your child does not need to know how to read in order to participate!  Even the youngest kids can get on board by taking part in early literacy activities, like drawing pictures of their favorite storybook characters and simply listening to stories.  Consult your library's program guide for a fuller list of reading and prereading ideas and for age-appropriate book recommendations. 

Oh, and if you happen to have a teenager at home, don't forget about Express Yourself @ Your Library, the teen-geared version of this year's summer reading extravaganza.  Sample Express Yourself events include rocking out (honestly), anime-drawing, and, if you can believe it, didgeridoo-making.  See . . . your library offers something for everyone! 

Below are the links to a number of counties' (including Baltimore City's) Be Creative sites.  And as of today, all of these programs are up and running, so sign up and get reading, already! 

Enoch Pratt Free Library (Baltimore City)
Baltimore County Public Library
Howard County Library
Anne Arundel County Public Library
Carroll County Public Library
Harford County Public Library  Read more...

Weekend Highlights, 2/13-2/15

February 13, 2009

First, I'll give you the bad news:  You know that nice weather we've been enjoying all week?  That absence of ice and snow and chill that's permitted us to return, with glee, to backyards and playgrounds and walking trails?  Yeah, well, it isn't April just yet, my friend, so you'd better get accustomed to the idea of another blast of winter.  But with the bad news, luckily, comes this good news:  It's the start of the weekend-and it's a holiday weekend-and there's lots of fun stuff happening all over town.  So bundle up, warm up the car, and make the most of what this weekend in Baltimore has to offer.

Books+Coffee+Entertainment=Happy Children and Parents

by Laura Stallard Petza

October 15, 2008

Baltimore is a book lovers' town. Consider the Baltimore Book Festival, the plethora of world-class libraries and the abundance of excellent book retailers, of both the independent and chain varieties. There are so many great places to pick up books in this town, that is hard, to be honest, to choose the best. Here, though, are five very special places where you can cozy up with the kid and  Read more...