Free Family-Friendly Programs

Dayton Metro Library is offering a number of family-friendly online concerts and events for free viewing on Facebook, as part of the 2020 Summer Challenge, “Imagine Your Story.”

These featured performances can be viewed for 24 hours from the premier dates and times noted, at Facebook.com/DaytonMetroLibrary. 

In addition to these special performances, Children Services Librarians are posting new activities, challenges, storytimes, reading recommendations and more on DML’s Summer Challenge Facebook Group, which is open to anyone who wants to join. A new schedule of activities for all ages, from infants through teenagers, will be posted each Monday at 2:00 p.m. at https://bit.ly/2TKZUiD

Featured Family Programs on DML’s Facebook Page:

THE CARAVAN – FOUNDS SOUNDS: MAKE YOUR OWN SOUND FX

Monday, June 8, 10:00 a.m.

Recommended for ages 4-12

Retell a classic story with the help of sound effects! This workshop shows children how to create their own percussion instruments and make sound effects out of household objects.  

THE CARAVAN – SONG SANDWICH

Monday, June 22, 12:00 p.m.

Recommended for ages 5 & younger

Part sing-along, part storytelling, this musical performance is guaranteed to entertain!

JOANIE CALEM FAMILY CONCERT

Monday, June 29, 10:00 a.m.

Especially for preschoolers & families

Did you know that books could sing? Singer/storyteller Joanie Calem acts out stories using puppets and pantomime, and sings some favorite picture books, too!

STORYTELLER LINDSAY BONILLA 

Monday, July 6, 10:00 a.m.

Especially for preschoolers & families

Children will be taken on a story journey featuring fantastical creatures from all over the world! They’ll meet magical dragons in China and wish-granting fish from Finland, and lots more.

MISTER C LIVE

Tuesdays & Thursdays, 11:00 a.m. through June

(Past episodes can be viewed anytime.)

Mister C conducts sometimes crazy, always entertaining STEM-based experiments for students of all ages. His adventures are presented by Dayton Metro Library and ThinkTV, Dayton’s PBS station.

“These wonderful performers were all set to visit our Libraries in person this summer before the governor’s stay at home orders went into place,” said Mandie Burns, Director of Youth Services for the Library. “Now, they’ll entertain children with fun, creative performances online – and watching them can be counted toward Summer Challenge goals.” 

Dayton Metro Library’s Summer Challenge runs June 1 – August 1. Children of all ages can earn prizes as they keep track of activities such as:

• Reading (including eBooks, eAudiobooks and eComics)

• Watching educational programs and the Library’s virtual programs

• Participating in online challenges

• Volunteering, helping neighbors or doing chores

• Completing suggested activities from DML or community organizations

• Doing hands-on learning of any kind

Families are encouraged to register and keep track of activities online at DaytonMetroLibrary.org/Summer, or call the Library’s Ask Me Line at 937-463-2665 to register and report their progress. All participants who reach 3600 minutes will be entered into Grand Prize drawings that will be held at each Branch Library location. Grand Prizes are a College Savings Account made possible through Ohio’s College Advantage/Ohio’s 529 Plan (for children Kindergarten and younger only), OR a Family 4-Pack of Tickets to Kings Island valid through 2020, including Halloween, Christmas/New Year events.

The Summer Challenge is made possible with the sponsorship of:

• Children’s Hunger Alliance
• Friends of the Library
• Institute of Museum and Library Services
• Kings Island
• Learn to Earn Dayton
• Ohio’s 529 CollegeAdvantage
• The State Library of Ohio
• ThinkTV
• Vectren

For more information visit DaytonMetroLibrary.org/Summer or call the Library’s Ask Me Line at 937-463-2665