Manitowoc, WI, June 18, 2025—Manitowoc Public Library’s July 2025 Children’s Programs are scheduled with the following events and dates:
 

Summer Reading Program 2025                                                    Through Saturday, August 9

Join the Summer Reading Program and earn weekly prizes just by reading! Register on the Beanstack App or pick up a paper tracker at any Service Desk!
 

• FREE and for All Ages!
• Read or be read to a total of 30 days to complete the program (any time spent reading, counts as a day of reading).
• Every six days read earns you a prize!
• Participants have until Saturday, August 16, to pick up your prizes, while supplies last.

 
To download Beanstack, for the full list of prizes and a complete list of all of our amazing sponsors, as well as further details, head to www.manitowoclibrary.org/srp.
 
Cooking and Reading Adventures with 4-H       Tuesdays, July 1, 15, & 29, 2-3 PM each session
Cooking and Reading Adventures is a fun and educational program tailored for children in grades K-3. This program combines basic cooking skills with literacy activities to create an engaging and interactive learning experience, while supplies last! We will be hosting three different sessions: July 1, July 15, and July 29. No registration is required. Each program will feature different activities. You may attend one, two, or all three sessions. If you have concerns about food allergies or sensitivities, please call the Youth Department at 686-3030 the day of the program.
 
Baby Storytime                                                                      Wednesdays & Thursdays, 9:30 AM
Baby Storytime is 20 minutes of stories, songs, rhymes, bounces, parachute activities, and bubbles, followed by 20 minutes of playtime! Baby Storytime is recommended for developmental ages 0-2 and siblings are always welcome. All Library storytimes are inclusive and welcoming. You are encouraged to attend the storytime that best meets your family's developmental needs. Registration is not required.
 
Preschool Storytime                                                            Wednesdays & Thursdays, 10:30 AM
Join us in singing, talking, reading, creating, and playing at this inclusive Storytime for families with preschoolers. Storytime focuses on concepts such as life skills, counting, colors, emotions, patterns, and the alphabet. It's a great opportunity to meet new friends, socialize, and strengthen early literacy skills. Storytime is recommended for developmental ages 2-5 and siblings are always welcome. All library storytimes are inclusive and welcoming. You are encouraged to attend the storytime that best meets your family's developmental needs. Children under the age of 8 must be accompanied by a parent or guardian at all times. Registration is not required.
 
Paint the Library Red, White, & Blue!                                              Wednesday, July 2, 2-3 PM
Help us celebrate America and decorate the outside of the library windows for the Fourth of July parade! Paint and supplies provided. Registration is not required, but space is limited. Windows will be available on a first come, first served basis. Line up by the Franklin Street garage door to get paint and brushes. Not able to paint on July 2? Pick up poster board starting June 16 to decorate red, white, and blue. Posters returned by July 1 will be displayed in the main floor windows. In the event of rain, this event will be canceled.
 
Drop-In Chess Club @ MPL                                                          Wednesday, July 2, 6-7:30 PM
Want to improve your memory and concentration or practice logical thinking skills? Make a smart move and join us for Drop-In Chess Club at Manitowoc Public Library’s Second Floor Balkansky Community Room from 6-7:30 PM on Wednesday, July 2! The game of chess offers many brainy benefits—and it's just fun! Those of all abilities and ages (6-years plus, please) are welcome, but staff will not offer formal instruction. Chessboards are provided and library materials are available for further learning. No registration is required, but please remember that children under the age of 8 (even prodigies!) must be accompanied by a parent or guardian at all times.
 
Family Activity Nights (FANs)                                                                         Tuesday Evenings
Join us the evening of Tuesday, July 8, on the Library Lawn (the corner of 8^th Street & Quat Street) at Manitowoc Public Library for something different and fun for the whole family! Older siblings are always welcome! Children under the age of 8 must be accompanied by a parent or guardian at all times. No registration is required! Please check our Facebook page and event calendar for updates!
 

• Wings of Wonder—All About Pigeons: July 8, 6:30-7:15 PM Join local pigeon enthusiast, Mark Maurer, to learn about caring for homing pigeons and their important role in wartime history. Watch as he releases pigeons and guess which one will return home first (weather permitting)! This program is intended for children ages 5-11.

 
Sing-Along & Play-Along Concert with Jim Gill                                Wednesday, July 9, 2-3 PM
Get ready to sing, clap, and dance along with award-winning musician and author, Jim Gill, on Wednesday, July 9, from 2-3 PM. His distinctive music play creates the spirit of a family room on a grander scale and is an invitation to children, parents and grandparents to sing, dance, and play together! This concert is open to All Ages and will take place in Burger Boat Park (directly across Quay Street from Manitowoc Public Library). Please bring your own chairs or blankets for seating. Concessions will be available for purchase. In the event of inclement weather, Jim’s concert will take place in the Balkansky Community Room at MPL. Thanks to the Manitowoc Public Library Foundation, the City of Manitowoc, and Visit Manitowoc for sponsoring this event.
 
Storytime on the Road!                                                                       Various Dates, 10:00 AM
Storytime is hitting the road! Join us in singing, talking, reading, creating, and playing at this inclusive Storytime for families with preschoolers. Storytime focuses on concepts such as life skills, counting, colors, emotions, patterns, and the alphabet. It's a great opportunity to meet new friends, socialize, and strengthen early literacy skills. Storytime is recommended for developmental ages 2-5 and siblings are always welcome. All Storytimes are inclusive and welcoming. You are encouraged to attend the Storytime that best meets your family's developmental needs. Registration is not required.
Here’s where you can find storytime around town in July:
 

• July 11—Woodland Dunes Nature Center & Preserve
• July 21—Wisconsin Maritime Museum

 
Touch the Trucks!                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                          Wednesday, July 16, 10 AM-12 PM
Big trucks. Little kids. It's a winning combination! Join us in the Briess Malting Parking Lot directly across Quay Street from Manitowoc Public Library for TOUCH THE TRUCKS, our library's annual event where kids and kids at heart can get up-close to some of your favorite trucks! We’ll have big trucks, little trucks, and everything in-between. Jump onboard! Beep the horn! Pretend to drive! A beloved summer event returns! In case of inclement weather, this event will be canceled. Please stay tuned to our Facebook page and website for current information.
 
Tie Dye Tuesday!                                                                                Tuesday, July 22, 1-3 PM
It's back and better than ever! It's Tie Dye Tuesday! Start in the Idea Box to tie, then head out to the Library Lawn to dye! You bring a fabric item (one per-person, t-shirt sized or smaller) and we will provide the supplies to make an original work of art. This drop-in program will run for 2 hours (while supplies last). No registration is required. In the event of inclement weather, this program will be rescheduled for Tuesday, August 12.
 
Messy Marvins                                                                                    Friday, July 25, 10-11 AM
It's baby art studio morning! We provide the supplies; you supply the creativity! Drop in any time during this hour with your littles (babies to preschool age) for an artistic experience. Stay neat or get messy with our self-directed art stations. 
 
Pop Art Collage                                                                              Wednesday, July 30, 2-3 PM
Join us for a colorful adventure! Collage is a vibrant art form that is for any age or skill level. Our creative workshop invites everyone to explore their artistic potential through colorful, expressive, mixed-media art. No experience necessary—just bring your creativity and enthusiasm!