Dive into a summer overflowing with stories, creativity, discovery, and adventure at the SPL!
This JUNE to SEPTEMBER, join this fun, free program where you can track your daily summer reading on a READING BINGO CARD, earn great prizes, and explore the world through any books you choose.
Drop by to pick up your FREE TD Summer Reading Kit and BINGO Card! It's packed with fun activities, stickers, and goodies to keep you reading all summer long!
- Get a kit by visiting Stratford Public Library beginning June 9.
- Read! You can read whatever you like, whenever you like!
- Set a goal to read each day and track it on your Summer BINGO card.
- Come back to share your reading progress with us -- and exchange your BINGO card for your prize and a new card. Check out our 2026 prizes HERE.
- While you’re here check out the fun programs we’re offering!
PRIZE 1: TD Summer Reading Tote Bag. PRIZE 2: Magnetic Bookmark + prize from Community Sponsors. PRIZE 3: TD Summer Reading Water Bottle.
Kick-Off To Summer | June 29 - July 3
Now that you've got your TD Summer Reading Kit and BINGO Card, it's time to celebrate the start of summer! Join us the week after school is over, before all of our fantastic summer programs begin.
Join us for a TD Summer Reading Club Launch Party, a Great Canadian Book Bash with local authors, a Dance Party, BINGO, and a fabulous Canada Day Celebration! There is something happening all week long -- June 29 to July 3!
Interested in OTHER SUMMER PROGRAMMING?
Because we have that, too. Join us for fun, dynamic events all summer, that include everyone from ages 0 to 99. Explore programming for all ages.
Scroll down to see our Kids Summer Programming listed by the day. Click on an event you're interested in and learn more.
Meet Our Summer Program Coordinators
They can't wait to DIVE INTO SUMMER and fill the library with your laughter and chaos.
Emilie Stanley has a BA in Psychology and English, and is currently completing a Bachelors of Education.
“Growing up in Stratford, I could always count on SPL to be a welcoming space to learn, create, and explore and I can't wait to share the essence of SPL through fun summer activities 🙂."
🐕 Fun facts: Emilie loves outdoor sports like hiking and kayaking, playing board games with family, and watching movies. She and her dog Oakley like to paddle board and hike together! And her favourite sea creature is a sea turtle.
Owen Shantz has a BA in Psychology from Wilfrid Laurier University and is returning to complete a Bachelor of Education.
“Last summer, I worked as a summer program coordinator and I had so much fun with everyone who I met through our programs, school visits, and just meeting in the library. There was no other place I'd rather spend my summer than the SPL with all of your smiling faces 🙂.”
⚾️ Fun fact: Owen loves Toronto Blue Jays and has played baseball his whole life. He loves Pokémon and my favourites are Corviknight and Lucario. And his favourite sea creature is a Great White Shark.
-
Ocean Adventure Club
10:00-11:30 AM | Library Auditorium
Big adventures for little sea explorers. Dive. Imagine. Create. Play. Learn.Beat the Heat
2:00-2:30 PM | Stratford Lions Pool (15 William St.)
Join us for stories, songs, followed by a free swim for participating children.Whale of a Tale Storytime
6:30-7:30 PM | Library Auditorium
Make learning to read a playful, fun experience for the whole family. Stories, songs, literacy games and more. -
Wonder Works
10:00-11:30 AM | SPL
Dive into the wonders of technology through art, engineering challenges, and innovation. For ages 7 - 12.Sensory Quest
10:00-11:00 AM | Anne Hathaway Park
Hands-on adventures for all ages, while out in nature! Engage your senses, spark creativity, and discover the joy of tactile play. PLOW lending available.Tales & Tunes
11:00-11:30 AM | Anne Hathaway Park
Storytime for little ones with songs, shakers, scarves, games, and puppets.Paws 4 Stories
4:00-5:00 PM | SPL outside
Join our furry friends from St. John Ambulance and read to certified therapy dogs in the library garden. -
Baby Steps
10:00 - 11:00 AM | SPL
Learn new ways to interact with your baby while connecting with other families.Exploring Stratford
10:00 - 11:30 AM | various locations
Explore interesting places and meet fascinating people, as we visit a new location in our community each week.- July 8: TBD
- July 15: TBD
- July 22: TBD
- July 29: TBD
- Aug 5: TBD
- Aug 12: TBD
- Aug 19: TBD
Noon Kazoo
12:00 - 12:30 PM | SPL
A joyful, multi-generational summer jam session – from ABBA to Disney favourites, kid and grownup tunes alike.Dive Into Discovery Lab
2:00 - 3:00 PM | 200 Britannia St.
A splash of curiosity as you wade through oceans of Science, Tech, Engineering, Arts, and Math. -
Waves of Words
10:00 - 11:30 AM | SPL
Connect with creative writers of all ages at your own pace in a relaxed and welcoming space.sPARK Literacy
10:00 - 11:00 AM | SERC Playground
Spark your imagination, love of nature, and curiosity. PLOW lending available.Sunshine Storytime
11:00 - 11:30 AM | SERC Playground
Interactive stories, activities, and songs, outside in the sunshine.Cue the Creativity
2:00 - 4:00 PM | SPL
Explore the magic of theatre production: props, costumes, set design, wigs, makeup, music, movement, acting, lighting, special effects – in partnership with Stratford Festival. -
Acorns & Oak Trees
10:00 - 11:30 AM | Anne Hathaway Retirement Residence
An intergenerational program bringing children, adults and seniors together with building stations, sensory play, toys, and story time.LEGOmania
2:00 - 4:00 PM | SPL
Bring your friends and make new friends -- and explore the endless possibilities of LEGO. -
Tales & Trails Summer StoryWalk®
Stratford-Perth Museum
Read Colette: The Solitary Bee while walking the Heritage Trails of Stratford-Perth Museum.Discovery Station
SPL
Explore fun, self-directed activities all summer.
Join us on this self-guided StoryWalk® as you read Colette: The Solitary Bee.
This summer, take a stroll along the beautiful Heritage Trail at the Stratford Perth Museum and discover this heartwarming tale that reminds us that while we can be proud to do things by ourselves, it is also pretty wonderful to share our lived experiences with those around us.
Each week explore the community and complete the five challenges -- to save Stratford's Middle Earth from orcs and goblins. Watch the CLUE VIDEO at the start of each week. Send in the complete challenges -- a huge prize pack is awarded to each category (Child, Teen, Adult).
JUL 20 - JUL 26 | JUL 27 - AUG 2 | AUG 3 - AUG 9
Drop in to the Auditorium to help build an interactive, large-scale model of our local, Stratford landscape with the MakerSpace gang -- using recycled materials, LEGO, robotics, and digital tools. (dates/times)
AUG 23, 25, 27, 31, SEP 1, 3: 10:00 – 11:30 AM
AUG 26 & SEP 2: 2:00 – 4:00 PM & 6:30 – 8:00 PM
AUG 27 & SEP 3: 10:00 – 11:30 AM & 1:00 – 4:00 PM
Activities, Games, Snacks, Crafts, Prizes: Join us for a fun-filled afternoon as we celebrate all the amazing kids who participated in SPL's summer programs--including the TD Summer Reading Club and Summer Reading Challenge.
AUG 26 | 1:00 - 4:00 PM | Library Front Garden
Thank you 2026 Summer Reading Prize Sponsors
A huge thanks to TD and other Community Sponsors for supporting summer programming.
