Somerset County's Library's Top 15 Summer Programs

Looking for something to keep the kids busy this summer?

Check out the Top 15 Summer Program offered at Somerset County Library System of New Jersey's branches.

#1: Games2U (for tweens and teens)

SCLSNJ and Games2U will team up for a variety of programs just for tweens and teens at all 10 SCLSNJ library branches.

Laser Tag: Players will compete in teams to find and tag their opponents using high-tech lasers while navigating through obstacles.

Games2U will bring Laser Tag to:

• SCLSNJ’s Bridgewater Library branch on June 27, 6-7 p.m.
• SCLSNJ’s Hillsborough Library branch on June 28, 7-8 p.m.
• SCLSNJ’s Mary Jacobs Memorial Library branch on July 7, 3-4 p.m.

Video Game Theater: This state-of-the-art mobile video game theater will have a variety of video game systems played on huge plasma screens in a climate controlled gaming utopia featuring multi-player game play, surround sound audio, laser light effects, and fog machines.

Games2U’s Video Game Theater will be at:

• SCLSNJ’s North Plainfield Memorial Library branch on June 27, 4-5 p.m.
• SCLSNJ’s Bound Brook Memorial Library branch on June 28, 3-4 p.m.
• SCLSNJ’s Somerville Library branch on June 30, 2-3 p.m. *Note this program will be held at Carol Pager Park.
• SCLSNJ’s Peapack & Gladstone Library branch on July 6, 10-11 a.m.

Giant Hamster Balls: Giant Hamster Balls are a unique and exciting way to experience the thrill of 360 degree fun. Whether standing up or sitting down, you'll have a blast rolling around on just about any surface.

Climb into Games2U’s Giant Hamster Balls at:

• SCLSNJ’s Manville Library branch on June 28, 5-6 p.m.
• SCLSNJ’s Watchung Library branch on July 5, 2-3 p.m. *Note this program will be held at Mobus Field.
• SCLSNJ’s Warren Township Library branch on July 8, 5-6 p.m.

#2: Teddy Bear Sleepover (appropriate for children ages 2-5)

Have you ever wondered what your stuffed animals do at night? Bring your second favorite stuffed animal to SCLSNJ’s North Plainfield Memorial Library branch on June 28 at 7 p.m. for a sleepover! Begin the night with bedtime stories and a nighttime snack, then kiss your animal goodnight so they can begin their sleepover. Find out what they did when you pick them up.

#3: Family Stages presents: Peter Pan (for ages 3+)

Peter and Tinkerbell lead the Darling children to adventures in Neverland with pirates, Indians and the Lost Boys. James Barrie’s tale of youthful joy comes to life in this spirited two actor production.

There are eight chances to catch the show at SCLSNJ:

• SCLSNJ’s Manville Library branch on June 27, 2-3 p.m.
• SCLSNJ’s Peapack & Gladstone Library branch on June 27, 7-8 p.m.
• SCLSNJ’s North Plainfield Memorial Library branch on June 28, 2-3 p.m.
• SCLSNJ’s Warren Township Library branch on June 28, 7-8 p.m.
• SCLSNJ’s Mary Jacobs Memorial Library branch on June 29, 2-3 p.m.
• SCLSNJ’s Hillsborough Library branch on June 29, 7-8 p.m.
• SCLSNJ’s Bound Brook Memorial Library branch on June 30, 2-3 p.m.
• SCLSNJ’s Bridgewater Library branch on June 30, 7-8 p.m.

#4 Wondergy presents: CoolScience (for children entering grades K-5)

See objects freeze in an instant, or heat up liquid nitrogen until it explodes from its container! Even make balloons shrink and grow back to their original size, all while exploring the science behind it.

Catch Wondergy’s CoolScience at any of SCLSNJ’s 10 library branches:

• SCLSNJ’s Mary Jacobs Memorial Library branch on July 5, 2-3 p.m.
• SCLSNJ’s Hillsborough Library branch on July 5, 7-8 p.m.
• SCLSNJ’s Bridgewater Library branch on July 6, 2-3 p.m.
• SCLSNJ’s North Plainfield Memorial Library branch on July 7, 2-3 p.m.
• SCLSNJ’s Warren Township Library branch on July 7, 7-8 p.m.
• SCLSNJ’s Manville Library branch on July 8, 11 a.m. - 12 p.m.
• SCLSNJ’s Bound Brook Memorial Library branch on July 8, 2-3 p.m.
• SCLSNJ’s Watchung Library branch on July 12, 11 a.m. - 12 p.m.
• SCLSNJ’s Somerville Library branch on July 12, 2-3 p.m.
• SCLSNJ’s Peapack & Gladstone Library branch on July 12, 7-8 p.m.

#5 Preschool of Rock (for children ages 0-5)

Babies, preschoolers, and kindergartners will experience unique and exciting instruments as they use shakers, dancing props, and individual drums and sticks.

Shake, rattle, and roll at all 10 SCLSNJ library branches:

• SCLSNJ’s Manville Library branch on July 6, 2-3 p.m.
• SCLSNJ’s Bridgewater Library branch on July 9, 10:30-11:30 a.m.
• SCLSNJ’s North Plainfield Memorial Library branch on July 9, 2-3 p.m.
• SCLSNJ’s Peapack & Gladstone Library branch on July 13, 9:30-10:30 a.m.
• SCLSNJ’s Watchung Library branch on July 13, 11:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.
• SCLSNJ’s Mary Jacobs Memorial Library branch on July 15, 10:30-11:30 a.m.
• SCLSNJ’s Warren Township Library branch on July 18, 10:30-11:30 a.m.
• SCLSNJ’s Hillsborough Library branch on July 20, 7-8 p.m.
• SCLSNJ’s Somerville Library branch on August 2, 10:30-11:30 a.m.
• SCLSNJ’s Bound Brook Memorial Library branch on August 2, 2-3 p.m.

#6 Meet Sparkee! (appropriate for all ages)

Join four SCLSNJ library branches for some baseball-inspired activities for the whole family, and a special visit from Sparkee, the mascot of the Somerset Patriots baseball team!

Sparkee can be found at:

• SCLSNJ’s Watchung Library branch on July 6, 1-2 p.m.
• SCLSNJ’s North Plainfield Memorial Library branch on July 14, 2:30-3:30 p.m.
• SCLSNJ’s Hillsborough Library branch on July 25, 2-3 p.m.
• SCLSNJ’s Bridgewater Library branch on July 27, 2-3 p.m.

#7 Robodyssey presents: How to Talk to a Robot (for teens grades 6-12)

Sponsored by The Friends of Mary Jacobs Memorial Library, this program will include computational thinking and problem-based learning to guide participants through incremental steps to successfully program an autonomous mobile robot to solve a maze. Students learn programming skills based on Microsoft's Visual Basic language while competing in a non-destructive challenge. Robodyssey will be at SCLSNJ’s Mary Jacobs Memorial Library branch on July 13, 2-4 p.m.

#8 Enjoy Explore India (ages vary depending on program)

Enjoy Explore India will team up with SCLSNJ to present 11 programs at eight library branches.

Programs will include:

• Move to the Music, Bollywood Style (appropriate for all ages) at:
  • SCLSNJ’s Peapack & Gladstone Library branch on July 14, 7-8 p.m.
  • SCLSNJ’s North Plainfield Memorial Library branch on August 6, 2-3 p.m.
  • SCLSNJ’s Manville Library branch on August 17, 7-8 p.m.

• Indian Chutneys (appropriate for adults and children ages 10+) at:
  • SCLSNJ’s North Plainfield Memorial Library branch on July 16, 2-3 p.m.
  • SCLSNJ’s Hillsborough Library branch on July 21, 7-8 p.m.
• Pottery Spiced Up (appropriate for all ages) at SCLSNJ’s Bound Brook Memorial Library branch on July 18, 2-3 p.m.
• Bollywood Moves for Teens (appropriate for tweens and teens entering grades 7-12) at SCLSNJ’s Bridgewater Library branch on July 18, 7-8 p.m.
• Super Power Sandwich! Cooking Workshop (appropriate for adults and teens) at SCLSNJ’s Watchung Library branch on July 20, 1-2 p.m.
• Pottery Spiced Up (appropriate for tweens and teens grades 6-12) at SCLSNJ’s Mary Jacobs Memorial Library branch on July 21, 3-4 p.m.
• Mango Tango (appropriate for children ages 7-10) SCLSNJ’s Mary Jacobs Memorial Library branch on August 10, 3-4 p.m.
• Yoga Nritya (appropriate for adults) at SCLSNJ’s Bound Brook Memorial Library branch on August 10, 7-8 p.m.

#9 Plants & Pollinators (appropriate for adults)

Meet the pollinators - hummingbirds, bats, butterflies, and bees - at SCLSNJ’s Bound Brook Memorial Library branch on July 21, 10:30-11:30 a.m. Learn which plants can attract these pollinators to your garden or window box and how we can do our part to support pollinators by creating pollinator friendly gardens and protecting wildlife habitat. At the end of the program we will raffle off prizes for the attendees.

#10 Jester Jim! Juggling Show (for tweens and teens entering grades 6-12; siblings and family members are welcome)

See why Jester Jim has been voted "Best Family Show" by Entertainer America.

You will be glued to Jester Jim’s every move as he performs at:

• SCLSNJ’s Manville Library branch on July 18, 7-8 p.m.
• SCLSNJ’s Watchung Library branch on July 21, 5-6 p.m.
• SCLSNJ’s North Plainfield Memorial Library branch on July 23, 1-2 p.m.
• SCLSNJ’s Warren Township Library branch on July 26, 7-8 p.m.
• SCLSNJ’s Bound Brook Memorial Library branch on August 1, 3-4 p.m.
• SCLSNJ’s Mary Jacobs Memorial Library branch on August 8, 3-4 p.m.
• SCLSNJ’s Hillsborough Library branch on August 8, 7-8 p.m.
• SCLSNJ’s Bridgewater Library branch on August 13, 11 a.m. - 12 p.m.

#11 Traditions of Chinese Acrobatics (all ages)

On July 25, 2-2:45 p.m., Li Liu will perform hand balancing, plate spinning, artistic cycling, ribbon dancing, diabolo, foot juggling and Chinese water bowl manipulation. A few volunteers will have a chance to join Liu on stage to create an impromptu ribbon dance, and to try their hand at plate spinning. Liu will also talk about the Chinese culture and rituals, and introduce some Chinese phrases. This program will be held at the Watchung Arts Center, just steps from SCLSNJ’s Watchung Library branch, and is sponsored by The Friends of the Watchung Library.

#12 Polka Dot’s Super Silly Sing-a-Long Show (appropriate for all ages)

Get ready for music, comedy, and more! In character as his long-running kids' and family entertainment character Polka Dot, school teacher and parent Ron Albanese will engage children of all ages with comedy skits, dance games, and more at:

• SCLSNJ’s Mary Jacobs Memorial Library branch on August 3, 2-2:45 p.m. (funded by an award from New Jersey Library Association and New Jersey State Library)
• SCLSNJ’s Warren Township Library branch on August 3, 7-7:45 p.m.

#13 Teen Lock-In: Wild West (for teens entering grades 7-12)

On July 15, get locked in SCLSNJ’s Bridgewater Library branch after hours (7-10 p.m.) to party in the Wild West! Watch movies, learn how to line dance, play games, eat snacks, make crafts, and much more. Dress in your Western best and don your cowboy boots and hat to experience the Library like you have never before!

#14 Meltdown Concert Series (appropriate for all ages)

SCLSNJ’s Manville Library branch will present a concert series: Meltdown. This program is made possible, in part, by funds from the New Jersey State Council on the Arts/Department of State, a Partner Agency of the National Endowment for the Arts, and administered by the Somerset County Cultural & Heritage Commission through the State/County Partnership Local Arts Program.

Concerts in this series include:

• The Kootz at SCLSNJ’s Manville Library branch on June 25, 4-5:30 p.m.
• Exit Row at Manville’s Memorial Park Pool (will be held in SCLSNJ’s Manville Library branch’s Community Room in the case of inclement weather) on July 30, 1-3 p.m.

#15 Spreading Autism Awareness (appropriate for adults and children ages 12+)

Presented by Anushka Khanna,a Hillsborough student, as part of her Girl Scout Gold Award project, this information session will focus on autism awareness and ways to give back to the community by creating programs similar to the "Sensory Friendly Art Time." Ideas for interactive art stations and therapeutic activities will be discussed. The program will be presented at SCLSNJ’s Hillsborough Library on August 20, 2-3:30 p.m.

BONUS: Summer Reading Clubs for all ages

Exercise your mind and read with SCLSNJ this summer for the chance to win prizes. To register for SCLSNJ’s Summer Reading Clubs between June 20 and August 20, visit sclsnj.beanstack.org or contact your local library. Remember, reading involves books, ebooks, audiobooks, digital magazines (available through Flipster), magazines, and newspapers, too!

For more information about these programs or to register to participate, visit http://sclsnj.org/s/summertop15. For more information about additional programs at SCLSNJ’s 10 library branches this summer, visit SCLSNJ.org or contact your local library branch.