While summertime might be considered the “off-season” for some who call Glendale, and the Phoenix Metro Area home, not all the area’s residents move with the seasons. And, as the temperatures rise, so do the opportunities for some cherished family time.
There are a myriad of program opportunities in Glendale during the summer break, and this is by no means a comprehensive list, but we tried to pull ideas from across the spectrum and provide a vast selection of suggestions for some local engagement and enrichment over the summer. Below you’ll find programs, events, and local spots that offer up summer fun, cool play, and maybe even a little brain building for your kids and family to enjoy.
Programs & Enrichment
Glendale has a lot to offer families over summer break. For full details you can view the city’s Sizzling Summer Fun page. Or view the most recent Glendale @ Play activities guide here.
The Glendale Public Libraries are also hosting some great programs and events this summer, including the Tell Your Story Summer Reading Program, which runs from June 1-August 1, 2016. You can stop by any branch and ask for a reading record where your child can track their reading by time, by pages, or by the book. They can earn fun prizes when they return their reading record to the library. The summer is also packed full of amazing events for children from preschool through high school on their program calendar.
Like your summer fun to have a little more splash? Then the Summer Recreation Swim & Aquatics program likely has something to wet your whistle. The Recreation Department also has some summer camp programs, including a Sizzling Summer Field Trip Package, which includes supervised trips to Peter Piper Pizza, Jumpstreet, Rose Lane Aquatics Center, Great Skate, and Wet ‘n’ Wild.
All summer long, Bookmans is holding Summer Kids Events, like puppet shows, musical petting zoos, and others, with a different event each week. These events are free, open to all children, and include materials (while supplies last). Each Arizona store is hosting their own events, all culminating in a Back-to-School Bash, featuring all sorts of carnival fun.
Barnes & Noble Booksellers is also hosting their Summer Reading Triathlon between May 17 and September 6, 2016. By reading over the summer and filling out the Reading Journal, children will be able to choose a free book from the list in that journal. Or you can check out a great blog featuring some parent/child book club reading choices.
The Glendale Public Library, like others in the state, offers Culture Passes, which provide free admission for two at participating locations around the state. These passes are good for 7 days from check out, and are available on a first-come, first-served basis. They cannot be renewed or placed on hold. Library patrons can only check out one pass at a time and can only check out two passes per month. These passes are usually admissions to museums and other cultural locations, but sometimes they are available for performances of local plays, the ballet, and so much more. You can look up Culture Passes in the catalog to check availability.
Must-See
Got a teen or tween that loves to read? They might enjoy the Kearsten’s Book Club for Teens. This library facilitated discussion group also posts reviews and wrap ups of their meetings on a blog called Book Obsession. Getting together to think and talk about books with their peers can help students with textual analysis and other necessary literacy skills. For more detailed information, inquire with the Glendale Public Library.
Glendale Heroes Regional Park (83rd Ave. & Bethany Home Rd.) is an 81-acre park with some amazing amenities, including a splash pad water play area. The park also features an X-Court for skateboarding, in-line, and BMX, in addition to playgrounds, tot lots, basketball and volleyball courts, and a large complex of ramadas.
Events
For your information and use, we’ve put together this Summer Event Calendar with local events. We will continue to update it with community events that might be of interest to Heritage Elementary families. Have a happy, healthy, and safe summer break!
If you have any other suggestions, about public events and programs in the Glendale, Arizona area, please let us know.
