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WINTER READING PROGRAM 2021

The Washington Wizards, in partnership with the Alexandria Library, are hosting a Winter Reading Challenge dedicated to early readers, kids, and teens. The challenge is designed to build positive reading culture and improve literacy for the youth. Readers can earn prizes by completing activity challenges based on four main badges: Reading, Fitness Fun, Virtual Programs, and Connect & Share.

The reading challenge will run virtually on Beanstack, a reading application that makes it easy for participates to register, track their reading and earn virtual badges for completion. Readers who complete the challenge will be entered into a raffle to win a variety of prizes such as a Wizards jersey, a Jr. Wizards Camp voucher, a Wizards bobblehead and so much more!

The Wizards Winter Reading Challenge will run from January 1 – March 31, 2021 and registration opens Monday, December 21, 2020. The challenge is free and open to all youth in the DMV area.  Prizes will be distributed in April.

Sign up online staring December 21, 2020 through Beanstack .

 

Virtual Events
Saturday Pop Up, Pop In Story Time
Sat, Apr 20, 10:15am - 10:45am
James M. Duncan Jr. Branch Library - Children's Area
Join Mr. Josstin for a Pop Up, Pop In Story Time at 10:15am. This will be a singular spectacular story time on the 3rd Saturday of each month. Ages 0-5
Spring Yoga for Kids - with yoga instructor Ms. Shelley
Sat, Apr 20, 11:00am - 11:30am
Ellen Coolidge Burke Branch Library - Meeting Room
Join us on Saturday mornings in April for a yoga class to practice poses to help kids feel strong and brave. Ages: 4-8
Dungeons & Dragons at the Library
Sat, Apr 20, 1:00pm - 4:00pm
Kate Waller Barrett Branch Library - Second Floor
Come play Dungeons & Dragons. No experience necessary. Open to ages 8-13.
Registration is now closed
Board Game Cafe
Sat, Apr 20, 2:00pm - 4:00pm
Charles E. Beatley Jr. Central Library
Join us in Beatley's youth services area and test out our tabletop games! Ages 5-18.
Rescheduled
Board Game Cafe
Sun, Apr 21, 2:00pm - 4:00pm
New date Saturday, April 20, 2:00pm - 4:00pm
Charles E. Beatley Jr. Central Library
Join us in Beatley's youth services area and test out our tabletop games! Ages 5-18.
Storytime in the Reading Garden - Cuentos en el jardín de lectura
Mon, Apr 22, 11:00am - 11:30am
Charles E. Beatley Jr. Central Library - Frank and Betty Wright Reading Garden
Children love to be outdoors! Join us in Beatley Central Library's beautiful outdoor Reading Garden for stories, songs and movement. Ages 0-5 with an adult.
All Alexandria Reads: Crafty Kids - Art activities for ages 6+
Mon, Apr 22, 3:00pm - 5:00pm
Kate Waller Barrett Branch Library - First Floor
Make and take craft activities for ages 6+
Toddler Tuesday
Tue, Apr 23, 10:15am - 10:45am
Ellen Coolidge Burke Branch Library - Meeting Room
Join us for stories, songs, and movement for kids ages 0-5 !
Playtime! - ¡Hora de jugar!
Tue, Apr 23, 11:00am - 11:45am
Charles E. Beatley Jr. Central Library - Frank and Betty Wright Reading Garden
Meet your old friends and make new friends at an unstructured, outdoor playtime in the library's Reading Garden! Toys will be supplied. Ages 0-5 with an adult.
Baby and Toddler Time - Activities For Ages 0-23 Months
Tue, Apr 23, 11:00am - 11:40am
Kate Waller Barrett Branch Library - First Floor
Songs, games, movement and more for ages 0-23 months
Preschool Storytime - Ages 3-5
Tue, Apr 23, 1:00pm - 1:30pm
Charles E. Beatley Jr. Central Library - Periodicals Room
Join Miss Amy for stories, songs, movement, and activities just right for preschool children. Ages 3-5 with adult.
Visit with Sydney Dunlap - author of "It Happened on Saturday"
Tue, Apr 23, 5:00pm - 5:45pm
Ellen Coolidge Burke Branch Library
Award-winning author Sydney Dunlap will discuss her novel "It Happened on Saturday" - the story of a 13-year-old girl named Julia who meets someone online who isn't who he says he is.
Baby Bounce - tiempo de bebe - for babies 0-12 months and their caretaker(s)
Wed, Apr 24, 10:15am - 11:00am
Charles E. Beatley Jr. Central Library
Baby storytime, plus opportunities to build relationships with other caretakers of young children! For ages 0-12 months, accompanied by an adult.
1s and 2s - tiempo para niños de 1 y 2
Wed, Apr 24, 11:30am - 12:00pm
Charles E. Beatley Jr. Central Library
Join us for stories, songs, and activities for your active, growing little ones! Ages 1-2.
Knit Nite! - A knitting club for kids ages 8-18.
Wed, Apr 24, 6:00pm - 7:00pm
Charles E. Beatley Jr. Central Library
Learn to knit under the guidance of experienced knitters. All supplies will be provided. Ages 8-18.
Rust In The Root - Author Talk With Justina Ireland
Wed, Apr 24, 6:30pm - 7:30pm
Charles E. Beatley Jr. Central Library - Periodicals Room
Author Justine Ireland discusses her newest Young Adult novel about a young black mage navigating race and power in America during the 1930s.
1000 Books Story Time - Stories and more for ages 2+
Thu, Apr 25, 11:00am - 11:40am
Kate Waller Barrett Branch Library - First Floor
Stories, songs, movement and more for ages 2+
Mahjong Club - with DC Riichi Mahjong
Thu, Apr 25, 5:00pm - 7:00pm
Ellen Coolidge Burke Branch Library
Learn and play Riichi Mahjong, a popular tile-based game from Japan.
Girls Who Code (ages 8-12) - a coding club for anyone interested in computer programming
Thu, Apr 25, 6:00pm - 7:30pm
Charles E. Beatley Jr. Central Library - Small Conference Room
Beatley Library’s Girls Who Code explores different programming topics, hoping to encourage and inspire future programmers everywhere! Ages 8-12.
Just Babies - A Lap Time Just For Babies Ages 0-12 months
Fri, Apr 26, 10:15am - 11:00am
Kate Waller Barrett Branch Library - Story Room
Build motor, language and social skills with your baby through songs, games, simple baby yoga and more. Just for babies ages 0-12 months and parents/caregivers--no older siblings please.
Fun Friday!
Fri, Apr 26, 3:30pm - 4:30pm
Ellen Coolidge Burke Branch Library
Have fun on Fridays after school, building, making, playing word bingo, and winning prizes! Grades K-5. *Includes slime-making every last Friday of the month!*
Spring Yoga for Kids - with yoga instructor Ms. Shelley
Sat, Apr 27, 11:00am - 11:30am
Ellen Coolidge Burke Branch Library - Meeting Room
Join us on Saturday mornings in April for a yoga class to practice poses to help kids feel strong and brave. Ages: 4-8
Board Game Cafe
Sat, Apr 27, 2:00pm - 4:00pm
Charles E. Beatley Jr. Central Library
Join us in Beatley's youth services area and test out our tabletop games! Ages 5-18.
Rescheduled
Board Game Cafe
Sun, Apr 28, 2:00pm - 4:00pm
New date Saturday, April 27, 2:00pm - 4:00pm
Charles E. Beatley Jr. Central Library
Join us in Beatley's youth services area and test out our tabletop games! Ages 5-18.
Preschool STEAM Sundays
Sun, Apr 28, 2:30pm - 4:00pm
James M. Duncan Jr. Branch Library - Beth Patridge Meeting Room
Bring your preschooler to the Duncan Library on Sunday afternoons to explore STEAM activities (science, technology, engineering, art, and math)! Recommended ages 3-6
Baby Time
Mon, Apr 29, 10:15am - 10:45am
James M. Duncan Jr. Branch Library - Beth Patridge Meeting Room
Crawl, scoot and wiggle to Baby Time! Fingerplay and songs for Ages 0-14 Months.
Welcome to the Opera! - Presented by Storytime in the Reading Garden
Mon, Apr 29, 11:00am - 11:30am
Charles E. Beatley Jr. Central Library - Frank and Betty Wright Reading Garden
Join in with opera singers as they help author Carolyn Sloan read her interactive children's book, Welcome to the Opera!
Baby Time
Mon, Apr 29, 11:15am - 11:45am
James M. Duncan Jr. Branch Library - Beth Patridge Meeting Room
Crawl, scoot and wiggle to Baby Time! Fingerplay and songs for Ages 0-14 Months.
Crafty Kids - Art activities for ages 6+
Mon, Apr 29, 3:00pm - 5:00pm
Kate Waller Barrett Branch Library - First Floor
Make and take craft activities for ages 6+
Tabletops and Teens
Mon, Apr 29, 5:00pm - 7:00pm
James M. Duncan Jr. Branch Library - Teen Area
Tabletop games where teens can socialize, learn tabletop games, and learn critical thinking and strategy. All materials will be provided. Ages 12-18
PAWS to Read
Mon, Apr 29, 5:30pm - 6:30pm
James M. Duncan Jr. Branch Library - Beth Patridge Meeting Room
The Library is for the dogs! Does your 1st-6th grader want to practice reading with a dog? We have 3; 15 minute slots from 5:30-6:30PM. Come read with us! Please call to register. Ages 6-12
Stories and Songs
Tue, Apr 30, 10:15am - 10:45am
James M. Duncan Jr. Branch Library - Beth Patridge Meeting Room
Clap with glee for Stories and Songs! Perfect for toddlers and siblings. Come enjoy the fingerplay, songs and story-telling with us. Ages 0-5  
Toddler Tuesday
Tue, Apr 30, 10:15am - 10:45am
Ellen Coolidge Burke Branch Library - Meeting Room
Join us for stories, songs, and movement for kids ages 0-5 !
Playtime! - ¡Hora de jugar!
Tue, Apr 30, 11:00am - 11:45am
Charles E. Beatley Jr. Central Library - Frank and Betty Wright Reading Garden
Meet your old friends and make new friends at an unstructured, outdoor playtime in the library's Reading Garden! Toys will be supplied. Ages 0-5 with an adult.
Baby and Toddler Time - Activities For Ages 0-23 Months
Tue, Apr 30, 11:00am - 11:40am
Kate Waller Barrett Branch Library - First Floor
Songs, games, movement and more for ages 0-23 months
Stories and Songs
Tue, Apr 30, 11:15am - 11:45am
James M. Duncan Jr. Branch Library - Beth Patridge Meeting Room
Clap with glee for Stories and Songs! Perfect for toddlers and siblings. Come enjoy the fingerplay, songs and story-telling with us. Ages 0-5  
Preschool Storytime - Ages 3-5
Tue, Apr 30, 1:00pm - 1:30pm
Charles E. Beatley Jr. Central Library - Periodicals Room
Join Miss Amy for stories, songs, movement, and activities just right for preschool children. Ages 3-5 with adult.
Pre- K Story Time Courage Series - All Alexandria Reads: Lions
Tue, Apr 30, 4:00pm - 4:30pm
James M. Duncan Jr. Branch Library - Beth Patridge Meeting Room
In celebration of the All Alexandria Reads theme of Courage we are diving into different aspects of courage all month with themed stories and a craft. Ages 3+ with a caregiver. Recommended Ages 3-5
Duncan and Dragons
Tue, Apr 30, 5:00pm - 7:30pm
James M. Duncan Jr. Branch Library - Beth Patridge Meeting Room
Introducing the community to D&D through introductory sessions, one-shots, and campaigns. Depending on age range and attendance the groups will be organized by age. Registration required. Ages 12-18
This event is full
YA Book Club - All Alexandria Reads: Rust in the Root
Tue, Apr 30, 6:00pm - 7:00pm
James M. Duncan Jr. Branch Library - Teen Area
Do you love reading YA books? Do you wish you had others to discuss these books with? Then this is the book club for you! Ages 13+
Baby Bounce - tiempo de bebe - for babies 0-12 months and their caretaker(s)
Wed, May 01, 10:15am - 11:00am
Charles E. Beatley Jr. Central Library
Baby storytime, plus opportunities to build relationships with other caretakers of young children! For ages 0-12 months, accompanied by an adult.
1s and 2s - tiempo para niños de 1 y 2
Wed, May 01, 11:30am - 12:00pm
Charles E. Beatley Jr. Central Library
Join us for stories, songs, and activities for your active, growing little ones! Ages 1-2.
Paws to Read
Wed, May 01, 5:00pm - 6:00pm
Charles E. Beatley Jr. Central Library - Small Conference Room,Story Room
Do you want to practice reading aloud? Do you like dogs? Sign up for a 15-minute reading slot to read to a dog by calling (703) 746-1753 or by stopping by Beatley's Children's Desk. Ages 6-12.
Sock Monkey Workshop
Wed, May 01, 5:30pm - 7:00pm
Charles E. Beatley Jr. Central Library - Periodicals Room
Recycle old socks and other used clothing into adorable sock monkeys! Taught by a high schooler who is passionate about recycling and reusing old clothing. Ages 8-18.
Toddler Rock N' Read
Thu, May 02, 10:15am - 10:45am
James M. Duncan Jr. Branch Library - Beth Patridge Meeting Room
Toddler Rock N' Read roars through the month of May with Mr. Josstin. Great for toddlers and siblings. Ages 0-5
1000 Books Story Time - Stories and more for ages 2+
Thu, May 02, 11:00am - 11:45am
Kate Waller Barrett Branch Library - First Floor
Stories, songs, movement and more for ages 2+
Toddler Rock N' Read
Thu, May 02, 11:15am - 11:45am
James M. Duncan Jr. Branch Library - Beth Patridge Meeting Room
Toddler Rock N' Read roars through the month of May with Mr. Josstin. Great for toddlers and siblings. Ages 0-5
Nailed IT!
Thu, May 02, 4:30pm - 5:30pm
James M. Duncan Jr. Branch Library - Beth Patridge Meeting Room
Social group that focuses on nail painting and designs for members of the community. All materials will be provided. Ages 8-18
Mahjong Club - with DC Riichi Mahjong
Thu, May 02, 5:00pm - 7:00pm
Ellen Coolidge Burke Branch Library
Learn and play Riichi Mahjong, a popular tile-based game from Japan.
Fun Friday!
Fri, May 03, 3:30pm - 4:30pm
Ellen Coolidge Burke Branch Library
Have fun on Fridays after school, building, making, playing word bingo, and winning prizes! Grades K-5. *Includes slime-making every last Friday of the month!*
Board Game Cafe
Sat, May 04, 2:00pm - 4:00pm
Charles E. Beatley Jr. Central Library
Join us in Beatley's youth services area and test out our tabletop games! Ages 5-18.
All Alexandria Reads: Star Wars Lego - May the Fouth Be With You!
Sat, May 04, 2:00pm - 4:00pm
Kate Waller Barrett Branch Library - First Floor
Celebrate Star Wars Day with Brixalot Lego. This event is for ages 6+
See all events
Last updated: December 2020