This summer, shine bright at your local public library! Reach for the stars with exciting programs and activities for people of all ages. Soar to new heights with captivating books and adventures beyond imagination by joining the TD Summer Reading Club. Experience boundless creativity and wonder in our Maker programs. Ignite creativity in every dreamer with a universe of stories and discoveries. Explore galaxies of fun and learning. Join us and let your imagination soar this summer at your public library!
Meet Our Summer Program Coordinators
Meet Jordan and Hannah, our Summer Program Coordinators! They are very excited to meet you and have fun all summer reading, exploring, playing, and creating together!
Discovery Stations
Discovery Stations provide fun activities that you can explore any time of day, all summer long! These self-directed learning centres feature engaging activities for curious kids with a different theme for each day of the week. Plus, every day you can play and learn through our Scavenger Hunts, computers, play area, and Tinker Table.
TD Summer Reading Story Walk
Discover the joy of physical literacy, nature, and reading as you follow the pages of Colonel Chris Hadfield’s inspirational book The Darkest Dark on the Heritage Trails at Stratford Perth Museum. Visit the Tales & Trails event page.
TD Summer Reading Club
Join over 2,000 public libraries across Canada participating in the TD Summer Reading Program!
Come to SPL and sign up for a TD Summer Reading Kit and a Read Your Way Through Summer gameboard that will keep kids reading all summer long. Meet your reading goals to earn some awesome rewards!
End of Summer Celebration Party
Wednesday, August 21 | 6:30 - 8:00 | City Hall Auditorium
Let's celebrate all of the fun we've had, discoveries we've made, and accomplishments we've shared together. Join us in the City Hall Auditorium.
Music! Games! Astronaut challenges! Space experiments! Crafts! Snacks! And more! You won't want to miss all of these fun-filled activities for participants of all ages. No registration required.
Thanks to Stratford City Hall for the use of the auditorium! They have an elevator which is located at the back entrance (off Market Square).
Summer Programs for Kids
Get ready to read, explore, and create together!
For all programs, children under age 10 must be accompanied by an adult
Download a printable Kids Summer Program Schedule
Drop-In | All Ages
Mondays 10:30-11:30 AM
Welcome to Messy Morning, a new SPL program that fosters creativity, imagination, and exploration in children of all ages. Participants will explore a variety of messy materials for sensory and creative play.
Drop-In | All Ages
Mondays 2-2:30 PM
Storytime is super fun already, but storytime and swimming is MAGICAL! Children participating in the Beat the Heat storytime at the Lions Pool will be given a pass for a FREE SWIM immediately following the program!
Drop-In | All Ages
Mondays 6:30-7:30 PM
Make learning to read a playful and fun experience for the whole family! Stories, songs, literacy games, and more. Join us at the Stratford Mall beside Hart.
Drop-In | All Ages
Tues & Thurs 10-11 AM
Spark your imagination, your love of nature, and your curiosity! Each week, we'll explore the world around us through scavenger hunts, gross motor activities, games, nature exploration, and other fun activities.
Drop-In | All Ages
Tues & Thurs 11-11:30 AM
Join us for interactive stories, activities, and songs in our favourite place--outside in the sunshine! This story time is perfect for those under 6 and their grownups.
Drop-In | All Ages
Tuesdays 2-3 PM
This program is perfect for creative & curious kids who love science, technology, robotics, and design. Come experiment, invent, and create!
Drop-In | All Ages
Tuesdays 4-5 PM
Trained and certified therapy dogs will be in the front garden of SPL for children to read to them. Staff will have activities available for children who are waiting for a turn to read.
Drop-In | Infants & Toddlers
Wednesdays 10-11 AM
Stretch out under a shady tree with your little one to play, read, sing & meet new friends. Join us for interactive songs, rhymes, and bounces. This program is geared to infants and toddlers but older siblings are welcome too!
Drop-In | All Ages
Wednesday 10:30-11:30 AM
Explore interesting places and meet fascinating people this summer at Explore Stratford! Join Jordan and Hannah every Wednesday as we visit new locations and get to know our community!
Drop-In | All Ages
Wednesdays 2-3 PM
Explore Indigenous constellations to inspire curiosity, appreciation for diverse cultures, and a sense of wonder about the cosmos.
Drop-In | All Ages
Thursdays 2-3 PM
Join us every Thursday afternoon this summer to discover the magic of theatre. Creative activities, engaging games, and tons of fun await you with a different theme each week.
Drop-In | All Ages
Fridays 10:00-11:30 AM
The joy to be discovered through play, songs, and stories is not restricted to nor limited by age. At this intergenerational program, participants of all ages will interact with new friends, share new experiences, and learn new things.
Drop-In | All Ages
Fridays 1-3 PM
Explore the endless possibilities of LEGO during this free, drop-in program for all ages. We know that adults love LEGO too, so come imagine and build your creations together!
Drop-In | Ages 6+
Daily Aug 19-Aug 23 | 10-11 AM
Daily Aug 26-Aug 30 | 10-11 AM
Come out with all of your friends and help create a Maker Multiverse using recyclables, old toys, LEDs, robotics, and your imagination! Drop-in to the Library Auditorium for this fun Maker program!
Summer Programs for Teens & Tweens
Get ready to have an absolute blast this summer with SPL!
Grades 8-12 | July 2 - Aug 18 - Show off your photography skills and win lots of great prizes! A new theme will be announced each week and the best photo submitted will win a prize pack worth $40. Plus, every entry is a ballot in the end-of-summer grand prize draw!
Reading can be more than just reading! Sign up for a Tween Lit Kit (grades 4-7) to receive a specialty bag once a month. The bag holds three amazing books from the library, goodies like candy, buttons, and stickers, and a craft or activity. Return the books in time for the next month's bag, but keep everything else!
Teens, sign up to receive a monthly pack filled with three books specially chosen for you, as well as fun gifts and activities. When you're done, return the books but keep all the goodies!
All Ages | August 17 - Join us at Fanfare Books to hear readings from this year's Forest of Words Anthology, get your free signed copy, and possibly win a door prize. It will be a literary afternoon for the history books!
All Ages | Monthly - Want to play Dungeons & Dragons but don't know where to begin? Good news! We can help you get started. Join us in the Library Auditorium for some tabletop role-playing!
Summer Programs for Adults
Why should kids have all the fun? Find your passion this summer at SPL!
Jul 1 - Aug 31 - Why should kids have all the fun? This summer, you too can read for fun and prizes! Beginning July 1, ask for your STAR card at the main desk to get started. We'll keep you reading all summer long.
Read the same book as the rest of Perth County! Join in by borrowing a physical or digital copy, or a book club kit. Plus, programs surrounding this book will begin in August and run until the end of Ontario Public Library Week in October.
Seniors | Ongoing - Be encouraged and empowered in all aspects of life including lifelong learning, healthy aging, and connecting with family, friends, and the community. Exciting programs and events will be taking place all year long with fresh topics every month.
July 2, 16, 30 - Drop in to the Library Auditorium for a series of introductory sewing machine sessions! Whether you're a complete beginner or looking to refresh your skills, this program offers personalized guidance and a supportive community of like-minded Makers.
July 11, 18 & Aug 1 - Ever wonder how the Stratford Festival operates from the other side of the curtain? Now is your chance to find out! Join us in July and August as we meet a musician, actor, and director from this season's shows. Learn about the productions and have your questions answered!
Monthly | Ongoing - Join us at the Queen's Inn for Pints & Pages and discuss whatever it is you've been reading - a book, a magazine, a blog, or even a Twitter thread! This bookless book club meets at 6:30 PM on the third Tuesday of every month. New members are welcome!
Monthly | Ongoing - The Good Book Group has been meeting at the Library since 1989. They are an ever-changing group of people who enjoy getting together to talk about books. Everyone is welcome to join this group.