It’s hot. Kids sit indoors all day playing video games and watching TV. You want to do fun things with the family and enjoy the last month of summer, but that can get expensive.
What’s the solution? Plano public libraries. The five libraries offer fun activities all year, including the summer, and most of the programs are free!
The little ones
For young children, 30-minute story time and puppet shows offer just the right amount of entertainment and fun. Puppet shows this month are “Ballad of Dirty Joe” at Schimelpfenig on August 3; “Gunniwolf” at Harrington, August 6; “Little Red Riding Hood” at Parr, August 25, 28; and “Shark in the Park” at Haggard, August 14.
Kids ages 3–5 will make simple science discoveries with stories and hands-on activities at Davis Library. They will learn simple concepts about weather on August 4, animal science on August 11, and measurement on August 18.
Libraries also have fun math programs, hands-on art projects, a dance party, and even baby playdates! Check locations, dates and times at www.planolibrary.org. Elementary and tweens Dogs make good listeners! Kids in grades 1–5 are invited to read a book to a Heart of Texas Therapy Dog at Harrington on August 7, and at Davis on August 16. Free tickets are available
Elementary and tweens
Dogs make good listeners! Kids in grades 1–5 are invited to read a book to a Heart of Texas Therapy Dog at Harrington on August 7, and at Davis on August 16. Free tickets are available on a first-come, first-served basis 30 minutes before this activity. Turn discarded plastic items into cool 3-D mechanical creations at “Build with Strawbees” on August 12 at Davis. Tweens, in grades 4–8, will enjoy making Incredible Edible Art at Parr on August 6; spending the afternoon playing all kinds of cool tabletop and electronic games at Harrington on August 13; and creating upcycled, moveable toys at Davis on August 20.
Family fun By the end of summer, you may be ready to get drum-banging loud! Len Barnett Percussion presents a lively music program at Schimelpfenig on August 3 and August 5. Check out “Music From My Galaxy” with Mark Shelton at Harrington on August 4.
Familiar melodies, original compositions, and improvisations are featured in this one-man percussion concoction. All the mentioned percussion shows begin at 3 p.m. Do not miss “Wild Times” at Parr on August 8 at 3 p.m.
The Dallas Zoo presents this interactive program featuring a variety of birds, mammals, and reptiles from around the world!
There are too many activities to list here. Check out times, dates and activities for August and all the coming months at www.planolibrary.org under the tab Events Calendar.
Great books for two bucks!
Stock up on books, DVDs, CDs, and more at the Friends of the Plano Library annual book sale. All items are $2 or less. The public can shop early at the First Night Sale on Friday, August 7, 6–10 p.m. Admission is $5; $10 for the family. Get in free on Saturday, August 8, 10 a.m.–6 p.m. Finally on Sunday, August 9, 11 a.m.–3 p.m., admission is free AND you can fill up a bag of books for just $10. The book sale is held at Plano Centre, 2000 E. Spring Creek Pkwy
Your Plano Public Libraries
Davis, 7501 Independence, 75025
Haggard, 2501 Coit Rd., 75075
Harrington, 1501 18th St., 75074
Parr, 6200 Windhaven Pkwy., 75093
Schimelpfenig, 5024 Custer Rd., 75023