Head to the Library for Free Summer Fun, Books and Prizes

It’s about that time of year for days at the beach, riding bikes, hanging with friends and popsicles! With so much for children to look forward to during summer, the extended break from the classroom also is a great time to encourage children to relax and read for fun. Reading for pleasure helps build and maintain skills and fosters a love of books and learning. As you plan your family’s activities, plan to visit your public library! 

Summer Learning Adventure 

Virginia Beach Public Library’s annual Summer Learning Adventure (SLA), offered June 9 to Aug. 16, encourages children to read for fun and win prizes, as they complete age-appropriate reading goals. Participating is easy —just sign up your child online, or they can register themselves, and download the Summer Learning Adventure map. Then students begin logging what they read and completing the activities on one of the three paths on the map.  

After completing at least three activities, visit your local library to pick up a prize. Children ages 0 through grade 8 can receive a book of their choice and participate in a virtual raffle when they have completed at least 10 activities. Participants can decide to keep going by completing the additional activities (20 and 30) on their maps for an additional two virtual drawing tickets. 

Visit the library each week to check out books, pick up prizes and attend free programs presented by Teeny Tiny Farm, Ryan the Balloon Guy, Norfolk Botanical Gardens, Ballet Virginia and more. Find Toad (from the popular book series “Frog and Toad”) hiding in the library and get a special sticker! Be sure to log reading and activities, enter virtual drawings, and pick up all prizes by Aug. 16. 

Free Fun for Everyone 

While SLA is designed for children, Virginia Beach Public Library offers a year-round Teen Readers Society and Adult Reading Challenge, and thousands of free programs for all ages. For details about all library offerings, visit Libraries.VirginiaBeach.gov.   

The Summer Learning Adventure is funded by the Friends of Virginia Beach Public Library and Virginia Beach Library Foundation. For more information, visit VirginiaBeach.gov/SLA.