Youth Services Programs

The Youth Services department is committed to providing engaging and educational programs and activities for children of all ages and their families. Below you will find our current and upcoming programs. Enjoy videos of our past virtual programs on OLPL’s YouTube channel HERE

SUMMER 2023 PROGRAMS

(T) = We will distribute admission tickets at the Youth Services Desk 30 minutes before the start of the program.
(R) = Register at cal.olpl.org 10 days before the date of the program.

Stay informed about Youth Services programs! Sign up for Youth Services emails at bit.ly/youth-enews-signup.

Summer Reading Family Kickoff:
Ballet Folklorico de Chicago

Saturday, Jun. 10 from 11-11:45 a.m.
Enjoy Mexican folk dances performed by this popular Chicago dance troupe and have a refreshing treat on us from La Michoacana Premium Oak Lawn, while supplies last. Sponsored by the Friends of the Oak Lawn Library. This is an outdoor program.

Youth Services Summer Reading Program: Find Your Voice!

Thursday, Jun. 1 –Tuesday, Aug. 1
Our voices have power. We use our voices to share stories, express ourselves and spark change. Join the Summer Reading Program and Find Your Voice! Read something new, try a new activity or learn a new skill! Complete four steps to reach a checkpoint and receive a prize. There are three checkpoints and prize pick-ups to complete your summer reading journey.

How to participate:

• Join the Koala Club (ages 0-3) or the Summer Reading Program (ages 4-14) at olpl.beanstack.org starting Thursday, Jun. 1, and pick up a paper log at the Youth Services Desk.
• When you complete a step, mark it on your paper log and/or in Beanstack.
• Completing a checkpoint means you’ve earned a prize! The first date to pick up checkpoint prizes is Monday, Jun. 12.
• When you reach all three checkpoints, you’ve finished the program! Pick up your completion prize at the library starting Monday, Jul. 3.
• The program ends on Tuesday, Aug. 1. The final day to pick up your prizes is Monday, Aug. 7, while supplies last.

How to register on Beanstack:

• Go to olpl.beanstack.org.
• If you have an account, simply sign in and register for Find Your Voice.
• If you don’t, choose an adult in the family to be the “account creator.” Register them and add other family members as readers under their account. Sign readers up for Find Your Voice.

Almost Home Chicago Food Drive

Almost Home Chicago is a non-profit organization dedicated to helping homeless individuals and families in the Oak Lawn community by providing food, clothing, shelter, jobs and support to those who need it most. Summer Reading participants can bring food items listed below or kid-friendly, boxed, ready-to-eat items to the library to donate to Almost Home. In return, donors will be given a coupon and have their name added to our food drive display. Youth Services will accept donations from Monday, Jun. 12 to Saturday, Aug. 12.

Help us reach our goal of 500 items donated! Food Items Needed:

• Jell-O and pudding cups
• Fruit cups
• Fruit snacks
• Crackers and cookies
• Granola and fruit bars
• Instant mac and cheese
• Tuna
• Small boxes of cereal
• Hormel meals
• PB&J
• Instant potatoes and rice
• Juice boxes and Kool-Aid mix

EARLY CHILDHOOD PROGRAMS

Parachute Play

Ages 1-3 with a caregiver
Monday, Jun. 12
Friday, Jul. 7
Thursday, Jul. 20
Wednesday, Aug. 16 (indoors)
10-10:30 a.m.
Join us for toddler music and movement time! Outdoors if weather permits; indoors if weather is inclement.

Preschool Bingo (T)

Ages 3-5 with a caregiver
Wednesdays, Jun. 14 & Jul. 19 / Monday, Aug. 14 from 10-11 a.m.
A simplified version of bingo for preschoolers!

WTTW Kids Learn & Play

Ages 3-5 with a caregiver
Wednesday, Jun. 28 from 10-10:45 a.m. OR 11-11:45 a.m.
WTTW Kids Learn & Play is a participatory learning experience that guides preschool students in developing literacy skills. Utilizing WTTW Kids programming, along with activities and games, bilingual host Miguel engages children in order to reinforce knowledge and skill development. Lessons encourage movement, communication and fun.

MIDDLE SCHOOL PROGRAMS

Tween Tie-Dye (T)

Ages 11-14
Tuesday, Jun. 20 from 2-2:45 p.m.
Swirls, stripes, bullseyes—so many designs to make with tie-dye! Participants must provide their own white shirt; we’ll provide the dye and design ideas.

Outdoor Games (T)

Ages 11-14
Wednesday, Jul. 12 from 11 a.m.-noon
Nothing says summer like fresh air and lawn games! Outdoors if weather permits; indoors if weather is inclement.

Candy Sushi (T)

Ages 11-14
Friday, Jul. 21 from 2-2:45 p.m.
Don’t like fish? No problem! Create sushi made only of sweets and candy!

Middle School Community Service Opportunities

Ages 11-14
Earn community service hours! Volunteer if you enjoy spending time with young children and are good at working independently. Please wear gym shoes for safety.

Preschool Bingo (R)

Wednesdays, Jun. 14 & Jul. 19 / Monday, Aug. 14 from 9:45-11:15 a.m.

Bingo Fun! (R)

Wednesdays, Jun. 14 & Jul. 19 / Monday, Aug. 14 from1:45-3:15 p.m.

Balloon Badminton* (R)

Thursday, Jun. 15, 9:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m.

Outdoor Games* (R)

Wednesday, Jun. 21 / Tuesday, Jul. 25 from 9:30-11:30 a.m.

Bubble Day* (R)

Friday, Jun. 23 from 9:45-11:15 a.m.
This program will be cancelled if weather is inclement.

Game Day Ready* (R)

Monday, Jun. 26, 1:30-4 p.m.

Chalk It Up!* (R)

Monday, Jul. 3 / Thursday, Jul. 27 from 9:45-10:45 a.m.
This program will be cancelled if weather is inclement.

Drop-In Butterfly Magnet Craft (R)

Thursday, Jul. 6, 1:45-4:15 p.m.

Pokémon Share and Trade (R)

Tuesday, Jul. 11, 3:45-5:15 p.m.

Frisbee Tic-Tac-Toe* (R)

Monday, Jul. 17, 9:30 a.m.-noon

Game Club (R)

Friday, Jul. 28, 1:45-3:15 p.m.
Wednesday, Aug. 9, 1:45-3:15 p.m.
Friday, Aug. 25, 4:15-5:45 p.m.

FAMILY / ALL AGES PROGRAMS

These programs are open to all ages, with exceptions noted below. Unless noted, children ages 5 and up may attend without a caregiver, but caregivers must remain in the building.

Multi-Library Geocache

Monday, Jun. 5-Saturday, Aug. 5
Search for a hidden geocache using GPS coordinates and other clues. Each library has a $25 gift card up for grabs, and every geocache you find will get you a drawing entry. Find all the official clues at multilibrarygeocache.weebly.com starting Monday, Jun. 5 or pick them up at the Youth Services Desk.
No tickets necessary.

Family Storytime

Tuesday, Jun. 6
Friday, Jun. 30
Saturday, Jul. 15
Wednesday, Jul. 26
Friday, Aug. 11 (indoors)
10-10:30 a.m.
Bring a blanket and enjoy stories and songs on the Green. Outdoors if weather permits; indoors if weather is inclement. No tickets necessary.

Interactive Movie Kits

Kits include props, snacks and other fun family-friendly activities to keep everyone engaged with the movie. Designed for ages 4 and up. One kit per family, while supplies last.
“Moana” (2016). Available starting Monday, Jun. 12
“The Good Dinosaur” (2015). Available starting Monday, Jul. 10

Bingo Fun! (T)

Ages 5 and up
Wednesdays, Jun. 14 & Jul. 19 / Monday, Aug. 14 FROM 2-3 p.m.
Try your hand at an exciting game of bingo with a summer twist!

Balloon Badminton (T)

Ages 5 and up
Thursday, Jun. 15 from 10 a.m.-noon
Create a paper plate racket, grab a balloon and get your game on! Outdoors if weather permits; indoors if weather is inclement.

Stuffie Sleepover (T)

Ages 3 and up
Friday, Jun. 16 from 4-4:30 p.m. Pick up Saturday, Jun. 17
On Friday, bring a stuffie to the library for a storytime and craft before leaving it for a secret stuffie sleepover! When you pick it up on Saturday, you’ll discover what your stuffie was up to overnight! All stuffies must be picked up on Saturday, Jun. 17 between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m.

StoryWalk (R)

Monday, Jun. 19 from 3-4 p.m.
Join us at Lake Shore Park, 9610 E. Shore Drive, for “My Heart is a Compass” by Deborah Marcero. We’ll read it together and enjoy activities provided by the Oak Lawn Park District. Additional copies of the book will be available to check out in the Youth Services Department.

Outdoor Games (T)

Wednesday, Jun. 21 / Tuesday, Jul. 25 from 10-11 a.m.
Nothing says summer like fresh air and lawn games! Outdoors if weather permits; indoors if weather is inclement.

Let’s Find Out: Pride Month (T)

Thursday, Jun. 22 from 6:30-7:15 p.m.
Families will gather to read and learn about Pride Month. Then, create colorful kindness rock art that will represent and celebrate all kinds of families.

Bubble Day

Friday, Jun. 23 from 10-10:45 a.m.
Make your own bubble wand and then see how it works! We’ll supply wand-making supplies and bubble soap, while supplies last. This is an outdoor program. It will be cancelled if weather is inclement. No tickets necessary.

Game Day Ready (T)

Ages 5 and up
Monday, Jun. 26 from 2-3:30 p.m.
Maneuver through an obstacle course. Then, give hula-hoops, jump ropes, ring toss and other games a try! Outdoors if weather permits; indoors if weather is inclement.

Dog Man Trivia (T)

Ages 5 and up
Thursday, Jun. 29 from 2-2:45 p.m.
Are you an expert on the Dog Man graphic novel series? Test your knowledge at our trivia event!

Chalk It Up!

Monday, Jul. 3 / Thursday, Jul. 27 from 10-10:30 a.m.
Unleash your creative side and “chalk the walk!” This is an outdoor program. It will be cancelled if weather is inclement. No tickets necessary.

Drop-In Butterfly Magnet Craft

Thursday, Jul. 6 from 2-4 p.m.
Create a beautiful butterfly magnet, while supplies last. No tickets necessary.

Pokémon Share and Trade

Tuesday, Jul. 11 from 4-5 p.m.
Show your cards to other collectors and trade your duplicates. No tickets necessary.

Oak Lawn Fire Department Tour (T)

Ages 3-14 with a caregiver
Thursday, Jul. 13 from 9:30-10:30 a.m. OR 2-3 p.m.
Ever wonder where firefighters sleep? Now’s your chance to take a tour! We’ll meet in Youth Services and walk together to the Oak Lawn Fire Department. Each child must be accompanied by an adult.

Frisbee Tic-Tac-Toe

Monday, Jul. 17 from 10-11:30 a.m.
Two great games, together at last! Outdoors if weather permits; indoors if weather is inclement. No tickets necessary.

Family CheMESStry: Elephant Toothpaste (T)

For families with children ages 5 and up
Saturday, Jul. 22 from 10-10:45 a.m.
We’re using chemical reactions to make a fun, foamy mess that’s sure to spark some smiles!

Lego Drop-In

Monday, Jul. 24 / Tuesday, Aug. 29 from 6-7 p.m.
You supply the imagination, and we’ll supply the Legos! No tickets necessary.

Game Club

Ages 5 and up
Friday, Jul. 28, 2-3 p.m.
Wednesday, Aug. 9, 2-3 p.m.
Friday, Aug. 25, 4:30-5:30 p.m.
Grab some buddies and head on over for epic game action. Enjoy classic and uncommon games! No tickets necessary.

Dave DiNaso’s Traveling World of Reptiles

Tuesday, Aug. 1 from 6:30-7:45 p.m.
Learn about reptiles and get up close and personal with Dave DiNaso’s reptile menagerie! Sponsored by the Friends of the Oak Lawn Library. No tickets necessary.