Join us as we blast off to outer space this summer, learning about the moon, the stars, and everything else out of this world during our 2019 Summer Reading Program, “A Universe of Stories!” Here is a list of our special events, all of which take place in the library or outside in the library’s greenspace, unless otherwise indicated. In case of inclement weather, some outside programs will take place over at the Houston Community Center. Give us a call at 896-READ when in doubt.
Monday, June 17 from 7 to 8 pm: LAUNCHES AND LIGHT!
Create a rocket out of clay, paper fins, and straw, then adjust the angle, power, and mass of the straw launcher to send it perfectly into space! Kids will also explore various types of light through demonstrations and hands-on stations, thanks to Peter Johnson, STEM specialist from Pine Island.
Monday, June 24th from 7 to 8 pm: SCULPTING THE UNIVERSE at the Houston Community Center!
Get ready for a creative workshop run by artist Jen Anfinson! Kids and their families will make a sculpture of the universe using clay, wire, and other found objects. Class is limited to 20 families, so call the library to sign up early! This event takes place at the Houston Community Center. This event was paid for with funds from the Minnesota Arts & Cultural Heritage Fund through a SELCO Legacy grant.
Monday, July 1st from 7 to 8 pm: JUGGLING!
Clean enough for kids, smart enough for adults, and edgy enough for teens and young adults — come watch Jason Huneke juggle the planets, manipulate a comet of fire, and entertain us with other out-of-this-world experiences. This event was paid for with funds from the Minnesota Arts & Cultural Heritage Fund through a SELCO Legacy grant.
Monday, July 8th from 7 to 8 pm: THE WONDERWEAVERS!
3-2-1-Blast off! Imagine supersonic stories. . . intergalactic magic. . . out of this world adventures. Join in the fun as the WonderWeavers Storytellers share stories of the quest to make space travel a reality. Everyone will become an astronaut and time warp through outer space. Meet unusual aliens and space creatures as well, as we voyage to the moon and beyond! This event was paid for with funds from the Minnesota Arts & Cultural Heritage Fund through a SELCO Legacy grant.
Monday, July 15th from 7 to 8 pm: STAR WARS YOGAQUEST at the Houston Community Center!
A unique blend of yoga and fan-fiction storytelling, the YogaQuest class is unlike any other class you’ve ever experienced. Our “Star Wars Quest” will be guided by a narrator and a certified yoga instructor. Kids will embark on an epic, if often ridiculous, journey, moving through this popular space-themed movie by following a yoga routine designed to improve strength, balance, and flexibility. This class takes place over at the Houston Community Center. (Please note: Kids going into 2nd grade and under MUST be accompanied by a participating adult!) This event was paid for with funds from the Minnesota Arts & Cultural Heritage Fund through a SELCO Legacy grant.
Monday, July 22nd from 7 to 8 pm: OUTER SPACE BUTTON-MAKING CLASS!
The sky is the limit when it comes to button making. We’ll have the button making machine and lots of old books on the stars and planets. You bring your imagination and any other photo/picture you’d like to turn into a (2 inch diameter) button to wear.
Monday, July 29th from 7 to 8 pm: VOYAGE TO THE STARS!
Ever wonder exactly what you can see in the night sky with a little help from a telescope? Thanks to a local astronomy enthusiast, Tom Diana, we’ll be checking out some amazing photos of the stars and constellations — taken right here, in his own backyard, just outside of the city of Houston!
Monday, August 5th from 7 to 8 pm: DIY SPACE-THEMED TREASURE BOXES!
We’ve got old books on the planets and constellations, boxes of all sizes, scissors, and glue. Stop by and make a space-themed treasure box to keep souvenirs or other precious things in!
Monday, August 12th from 7 to 8 pm : DRONES at the Houston Bandshell!
Meet us over at the bandshell to learn how a drone works and what people do with them — then watch as local photographer and drone owner Craig Stanislowski launches one off (at a respectable distance!) to film us all from above!
Monday, August 19th from 1 to 2 pm and 2:30 to 3:30 pm: STARLAB at the Houston Elementary School gym!
The STARLAB program features an inflatable planetarium showcasing 3,000 stars of different colors and sizes, as well as the constellations. We’ll be learning the stories behind the stars and about the stars of the seasons. Please note that STARLAB’s planetarium can hold no more than 60 kids, so we’ll be hosting two back-to back sessions, one starting at 1 pm and another at 2:30 pm. This event will take place at the Houston Elementary School gym. This event was paid for with funds from the Minnesota Arts & Cultural Heritage Fund through a SELCO Legacy grant.
Saturday, August 24th from 10 to 11 am: STORYTIME WITH STARS FROM THE APOLLO MUSIC FESTIVAL
We host storytime at the library every Saturday morning from 10-11 am all year round, but we only have professional musicians and their instruments as our guest stars (get the space joke?) once a year — when the Apollo Music Festival is in town! Stop by for an informal and fun way to introduce your kids to the world of classical music. You’ll be glad you did!
Monday, August 26th from 4 to 8 pm: ROCKET BOUNCE HOUSE!
On average, the moon is approximately 238,885 miles away from planet Earth. As a community this summer, let’s try to read our way there by logging in 238,885 minutes of reading over June, July, and August! Our reward for arriving at our destination in space? How about an end-of-the-summer party featuring a Rocket Bounce House? Get ready to blast off in search of fun.
Sponsored by the Friends of the Houston Public Library, the Apollo Music Festival, SELCO Legacy grants thanks to the Minnesota’s Arts and Cultural Heritage Fund, Sub-Zero Pizza and Ice Cream, memorials in honor of Teresa & Banjo Erickson and Illa Sweet, and a generous donation from Jayne & Jim Gilmer.