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Children's Programs and Events @ Your Library Children's Programs & Events
Special Events
Peoria Library System
Image of the summer reading theme poster with the theme Unearth A Story
2026 Summer Reading Program & Special Events

Library: Peoria Main & Sunrise Mountain Libraries
Date: Jun. 1 - Jul 20

'Unearth A Story' at the library as the 2026 Summer Reading Program is here! Starting June 1, people of all ages may participate by signing up and reading 20 minutes a day to earn incentives and prizes all summer long. Your local Peoria Public Library also offers several special summer events that can be enjoyed by the whole family! Those attending the events can even earn additional points! The program runs from June 1 through July 20, so be sure to sign up and 'Unearth A Story' at the library today!

  • To learn more about the Summer Reading Program and the special summer events happening at your Peoria Library, Click Here.
     
  • To sign up for the summer reading program and/or enter your minutes, Click Here.

Peoria Library System
Graphic of a sad child in winter gear
Storytime Break

Library: Peoria Main & Sunrise Mountain Libraries
Date: Jun. 29 - Jul. 4

Storytimes will be on hiatus at the Peoria Main Library and Sunrise Mountain Library from Jun. 29. through Jul. 4. They will return for their normally scheduled times the week of Jul. 5. Please call the Peoria Main library at (623) 773-7578 or Sunrise Mountain Library at (623) 773-8650 with any questions.


Peoria Main Library
Graphic of dinosaurs made from building blocks and some random building blocks floating around
Summer Lego Contest

Library: Peoria Main Library
Date: Jun. 1 - Jul. 18

Get ready to hop into a time machine and build your way through history! From stomping dinosaurs and frosty ice ages to fancy kings and world-changing inventions, you can recreate any moment from the past using your favorite bricks. Entry forms are available at the Youth Reference Desk or available for download from the link below. All ages may participate!

  • To download and print the entry form, Click Here. (.pdf)

Peoria Main Library
graphic of two kids playing chess with a teacher looking on
Summer Chess Club

Library: Peoria Main Library
Date: Saturdays, Jun. 6 - Jul. 25
Time: 3 p.m. - 4 p.m.

Checkmate summer boredom with our summer chess club for kids ages 8-12! All skill levels welcome, from beginner to advanced. Learn the basics, practice your game, or challenge other players — it's up to you! Try your hand at the daily chess puzzle or just grab a snack and meet some new friends! Registration required.


Peoria Main Library
Grphic of the words The Little Gym at Storytime
The Little Gym at Storytime

Library: Peoria Main Library
Date: See below

After our regularly scheduled Baby Time and Bilingual Storytime session, check out The Little Gym right here at your library! Designed for little learners starting at just 4 months old, The Little Gym uses movement-based learning and imaginative play to help your baby grow, explore, and reach new milestones. Don't miss this chance to wiggle, giggle, and learn together!

  • Wednesday, Jun. 24, @ 10:30 a.m. (after Baby Time).
  • Thursday, Jul. 23, @ 11:30 a.m. (after the Bilingual Storytime).

Sunrise Mountain Library
diamond shaped graphic with random video game characters
Gotta Craft 'em All

Library: Sunrise Mountain Library
Date: Thursdays: Jun. 25 | Jul. 9 & 23
Time: 4 p.m. - 5 p.m.

Join us for a craft featuring some of your favorite video game characters! Stop in, make fun a craft, and continue on to your next adventure!


Peoria Library System
Graphic of a librarian having a story time at a pool with some children
Storytime at the Pools

Locations: See below

Join your favorite librarian and dive into a good book with a Storytime at the Pool! The storytimes are at the Public Pools across Peoria! There will be stories and songs, then enjoy some swim time to help cool down from the summer heat. Storytime is geared toward ages 3-5 years old.

Locations/Dates/Times:

  • Sunrise Pool - Jun. 26 @ 11 a.m. - 12 p.m.
    21321 N. 86th Dr. (West of 83rd Ave. on Lone Cactus Dr.) adjacent to Sunrise Mountain High School campus.
     
  • Centennial Pool - Jul. 10 @ 11 a.m. - 12 p.m.
    8081 W. Acoma Drive (79th Ave. and Acoma) adjacent to the Centennial High School campus.
     
  • Sunrise Pool - Jul. 17 @ 11 a.m. - 12 p.m.
    21321 N. 86th Dr. (West of 83rd Ave. on Lone Cactus Dr.) adjacent to Sunrise Mountain High School campus.

Peoria Main Library
Graphic of three kids watching a dinosaur movie
Monday Movie Matinees

Library: Peoria Main Library
Date: Mondays, Jun. 1 - Jul. 27
Time: 10:30 a.m.

Cool off and relax at the library on Monday mornings with family-friendly films. This summer “Unearth A Story” with movies about prehistoric creatures, finding treasure, discovering history, and exploring new worlds.

Dates/Titles:

  • Jun. 29 - Double Feature!
    *10:30 a.m. - 'An American Tail'.
    *12:15 p.m. - 'An American Tail: Fievel Goes West'.
  • Jul. 6 - 'We're Back! A Dinosaur Story'.
  • Jul. 13 - 'Moana'.

Sunrise Mountain Library
Graphic of the famous wizard eating birthday cake
Harry Potter Birthday Party

Library: Sunrise Mountain Library
Date: Wednesday, Jul. 22
Time: 2:30 p.m. - 4:30 p.m.

Celebrate our favorite wizard’s birthday with themed crafts and activities. All ages welcome! Registration required by visiting link below.


Peoria Main Library
graphic of a small child reading a book
Book Buddies

Library: Peoria Main Library

Does your child need help reading? Book Buddies is a program where we pair your child with a teen volunteer to help gain confidence while reading aloud. This program is suited for students in grades K-5.

  • If interested in upcoming sessions, please call (623) 773-7578 for more information.

Teens - for more information about becoming a Book Buddy mentor, Click Here.

Storytimes
Peoria Library System
Picture a penguin reading a book with the words Storytime
Storytimes @ Your Peoria Libraries

Library: Peoria Main & Sunrise Mountain Libraries

Both libraries offer a number of different storytime opportunities for a variety of audiences, including Family Storytimes, Toddler Times, Baby Storytimes, Sensory-Sensitive Storytimes and much more! Each storytime emphasizes the importance of forming a strong basis of literacy and creating a life-long love of reading.


Peoria Library System
graphic of the Library mascot Pip the Roadrunner
Pip's 1,000 Book Challenge

Library: Peoria Main & Sunrise Mountain Libraries

Pip's 1,000 book challenge is a fun, independent, and self-paced reading initiative designed to promote a strong literacy foundation in children ages 0-5. Start reading now and read 1,000 books by the time they are school ready and entering kindergarten. Track your progress on our reading logs and earn prizes after 100, 300, 600, and 1,000 books!

Discovery Learning
Peoria Main Library
Graphic of ainfinity symbol
Sensory Adventures

Library: Peoria Main Library
Date: Mondays and Thursdays
Time: 3:30 p.m. - 5 p.m.

Parents/guardians, looking for something for the kids to do after school in a nonjudgmental space? Families are invited to join us for various fun and interactive activities every Monday and Thursday starting at 3:30 p.m. All kinds of crafts, STEAM challenges, games, and activities will foster these students' creativity, exploration, and team working skills. All are welcome to these programs, including families with children with Autism Spectrum Disorder and other sensory needs. Activities will vary from session to session. Please call the library at (623) 773-7578 to find out which activity we will be doing that day.
The Peoria Public Libraries are IBCCES Certified Autism Centers.

Upcoming Schedule:

  • Jun. 25 - Alien Headware.
  • Jun. 29 & Jul. 2 - Festive Fireworks.
  • Jul. 2 - Festive Fireworks.
  • Jul. 6 & 9 - Watercolor Watermelons.

Peoria Main Library
graphic of the words lego club with a lego robot
Lego Club

Library: Peoria Main Library
Day: Fridays
Time: Summer Hours: 1:30 - 3 p.m.

Announcement: The Lego Club will be moving to summer hours, 1:30 p.m. - 3 p.m., beginning Jun. 5. The club will return to its normal time, 3:30 p.m. - 4:45 p.m., on Aug. 7. Please call the Peoria Main library at (623) 773-7578 with any questions.

Kick off the weekend with Legos! Let your imagination run wild, or complete one of our challenge prompts. Legos will be provided by the library.

Since not everyone thrives in loud, high-energy environments, an adapted room will be available in tandem to provide an inviting space for children with Autism Spectrum Disorder and other sensory needs.


Sunrise Mountain Library
graphic of lego bricks and the words lego club
Lego Club

Library: Sunrise Mountain Library
Date: The 1st Saturday of the month: *Jul. 11*, Aug. 8. & Sept. 5
Time: 1 p.m. - 2 p.m.

Announcement: The July Lego Club at Sunrise Mountain Library has been moved to Saturday, July 11, due to the Fourth of July holiday closure. Please call Sunrise Mountain Library at (623) 773-8650 with any questions.

Join Luke and Brandy Daukas to build some incredible Lego projects. Each month features a new theme to inspire the imagination! Registration is required. For kids ages 6 - 12.


Peoria Main Library
Image of a child reading to a Dog
PAWS 2 Read @ Your Peoria Libraries

Library: Peoria Main Library
Date: The 3rd Saturday of the Month
Time: 1 p.m. - 2:30 p.m.

PAWS 2 Read is an on-going program which allows children to read aloud to therapy dogs in order to improve reading skills. When children practice reading individually to trained therapy dogs (and their handlers) they become more confident readers, while having fun! After all, a dog will not correct them or make them feel awkward if they stumble.


Peoria Library System
Image of ABCmouse promotion ad
ABC Mouse

Library: Peoria Main & Sunrise Mountain Libraries

ABCmouse.com: The award-winning ABCmouse.com curriculum is designed to help young children (ages 2–7+) build a strong foundation for academic success. ABCmouse.com is 100% educational, with more than 4,000 learning activities across all major subject areas-reading, math, science, social studies, art, and music. Best of all, kids love it. And it’s free to use in this library! From Age of Learning, Inc.

Family Fun
Peoria Main Library
Graphic of a video game controller
Family Video Gaming Nights

Library: Peoria Main Library
Date: 3rd Thursday of the month: Jul. 16, Aug. 20 & Sept. 17
Time: 4:30 p.m. - 6:30 p.m.

Join us for an unforgettable evening of laughter, competition, and bonding with your loved ones. Whether you’re a seasoned gamer or a complete newbie, there’s something for everyone! Come check out a range of fun video games from Spiderman 2, Lego Brawls, and Princess Peach Showtime! No need to sign up, just show up and have some fun!


Peoria Library System
Image of a ticket
Culture Passes @ Your Peoria Libraries

Check out a Culture Pass and get free admission for 2 people at one of fourteen popular venues around the valley. Enjoy the arts, museums, performances and more for free! They are available at both The Peoria Main Library and Sunrise Mountain Library, cannot be placed on hold and are subject to availability.

Available at your library's Circulation Desk

Peoria Public Library hours, closures and events/programs are subject to change.
Please contact your local Peoria Library with any questions.

Content Statement
The beliefs and opinions expressed within the Peoria Public Library and/or the literature, materials, programming and web-content accessed through the Library do not represent the viewpoint of the Peoria Public Library or the City of Peoria.