Programs
All programs will be held in-person at QPL locations unless otherwise noted.
AUGUST FEATURED PROGRAM
END OF SUMMER PARTIES AND RAFFLE DRAWINGS!*
Join Queens Public Library for a series of end-of-summer celebrations. Enjoy music, games, crafts, dinosaur-themed activities, raffles, prizes, face painting, balloon twisting, and more. Children and families can celebrate their summer reading accomplishments and join the fun!
Wednesday, August 12
2:30pm
East Elmhurst
95-06 Astoria Boulevard
Thursday, August 13
4:45pm
Sunnyside
43-06 Greenpoint Avenue, Long Island City
Friday, August 14
4pm
Queens Village
94-11 217 Street
Tuesday, August 18
2:30pm
Peninsula
92-25 Rockaway Beach Boulevard
Wednesday, August 19
3pm
Ozone Park
92-24 Rockaway Boulevard
Thursday, August 20
3pm
Bay Terrace
18-36 Bell Boulevard, Bayside
Español
Monday, August 24
3pm
Corona
38-23 104 Street
Tuesday, August 25
3:30pm
North Hills
57-04 Marathon Parkway, Little Neck
EARLY LEARNING (AGES 0–5)
CHILDREN’S DENTAL HEALTH PROGRAM
Join us for a special interactive workshop about your teeth! NYU Department of Pediatric Dentistry will be hosting a fun workshop with puppets and giveaways on dental health for children ages 2-5 years old. Children must attend with a parent or caregiver. Giveaways while supplies last.
Wednesday, August 12
10:45am
Long Island City
37-44 21 Street
ART FOR TOTS WITH THE NOGUCHI MUSEUM
Join us for a fun creative Art for Tots program designed for early learners (ages 1-3) and their families in collaboration with the Noguchi Museum. Each program will start with a welcome song and an introduction to Isamu Noguchi’s artwork through storytelling and sensory exploration that will end with art-making fun.
Wednesday, August 12
10:30am
Broadway
40-20 Broadway
LET’S MOVE- PREHISTORIC PALS*
Come and join Urban Stages for an unforgettable dinosaur experience. Swing your tail, gnash your teeth, and flap your wings – let’s move like dinosaurs. Act out your favorite summer activities: a day at the beach, riding bikes, or a party with your friend the T-Rex. In these engaging sessions, we will stomp, prowl, paddle and act like our favorite prehistoric pals. Children will have fun learning through music and movement in this friendly dino-tastic experience. For ages 2-6.
Wednesdays, August 12, 19
11:30am
Howard Beach
92-06 156 Avenue
Fridays, August 14, 21
11:30am
Pomonok
158-21 Jewel Avenue
Fridays, August 14, 21
4pm
Steinway
21-45 31 Street
ELEMENTARY: AGES 6-12
STADIUMS, PYRAMIDS & PREHISTORIC WORLDS*
Travel across time and around the world in this hands-on architectural and design program. Kids will explore and create incredible structures inspired by dinosaur habitats, ancient pyramids, historic arenas, and modern sports stadiums. Along the way, they will discover how architects and engineers design spaces for animals, communities, entertainment, and global sporting events. From creating prehistoric dinosaur domains and towering ancient monuments to designing amphitheaters and championship stadiums, students will use creativity, problem-solving, art, and engineering skills to imagine and build their own amazing structures.
Tuesdays, August 11, 18, 25
2pm
South Jamaica
108-41 Guy R. Brewer Boulevard
CLIMATE CHANGE FOR KIDS ESPAÑOL
This series of workshops introduces youth to climate activism through tools for personal and community empowerment, inspiring them to take action on environmental justice issues. Session 1: Self-Exploration Learn the core science of climate change and examine its causes and impacts. Dive into personal and community self-exploration and connect climate issues to your own life! Session 2: Art-ivism Explore climate change through art! Look at examples of climate activism art as a tool for channeling frustrations and aspirations, then collaborate on a hands-on activity to create your own artivism! Session 3: Exploring Action and Strategy Explore methods of climate action, both passive (community organizing and green engagement) and active (writing campaigns and political engagement). Join a talking circle to brainstorm an ongoing action plan.
Tuesdays, August 11, 18, 25
3:30pm
East Elmhurst
95-06 Astoria Boulevard
MS. BUTTERFLY- BUTTERFLY CRAFT
Experience the wonder of butterflies with Ms. Butterfly in her Live Butterfly with Paper Craft workshop! Get an up-close look at live butterflies while learning about their fascinating life cycle, unique adaptations, and important role as pollinators. Then, let your creativity take flight as you create a beautiful butterfly-inspired paper craft to take home. This hands-on program combines nature, art, and discovery for a fun and memorable experience. All materials are provided. Perfect for all ages.
Thursday, August 20
2pm
Central Library
89-11 Merrick Boulevard, Jamaica
FOOTPRINT FOSSILS*
How does your stride compare to a dinosaur’s? We will measure our stride, walk with dinosaur feet, and see how much we can learn from just a few footprints. For ages 7-13.
Thursday, August 20
4pm
Langston Hughes
100-01 Northern Boulevard, Corona
SUMMER TRIVIA CHALLENGE
Ready for some summer fun? Bring the whole family and test your knowledge with a fun Kahoot game featuring questions about vacations, food, holidays, outdoor activities, cool summer facts, and more. Have fun while earning points for a chance to become the Summer Trivia Champion.
Thursday, August 27
5pm
East Elmhurst
95-06 Astoria Boulevard
TEEN: AGES 6-11
MINECRAFT: UNEARTH THE GIANTS*
Grab your brush and head to the dig site. Uncover massive fossils using ancient archaeology mechanics, piece together historic titans, and build the ultimate museum.
Wednesday, August 12
3pm
Bayside
214-20 Northern Boulevard
Thursday, August 20
2pm
Peninsula
92-25 Rockaway Beach Boulevard
MIDDLE SCHOOL MAKER CLUBS: WORLD CUP ROBOTICS*
Get ready to build, play, and score in our exciting World Cup Robotics Series using Lego WeDo kits. In this hands-on program, students will explore engineering, coding, and creativity as they build soccer-inspired robotic models like goal kickers and goalies, then test their designs in fun challenges. This high-energy series combines STEM learning with the excitement of the world’s favorite sport, encouraging problem-solving, teamwork, and innovation every step of the way. This program is also part of Queens Public Library’s World Cup celebrations.
Monday, August 17
2pm
Long Island City
37-44 21 Street
MINECRAFT SUMMER ADVENTURES - DINO SAFARI*
Embark on a dinosaur safari around the volcano, searching for three hidden keys to unlock cave entrances and discover larger fossils. Fly around to observe dinosaurs in their natural habitats and let your imagination run wild as you build your own dinosaur. Craft detailed habitats that include all the essentials for your prehistoric friends!
Monday, August 17
3pm
Ozone Park
92-24 Rockaway Blvd
Saturday, August 22
2pm
Woodside
54-22 Skillman Ave
WIND LAB*
This program combines art, engineering, and environmental thinking to introduce students to real-world systems. Each workshop invites participants to build functional or sculptural objects while learning how materials and forces interact. Teens will investigate wind as a natural force that generates movement and interaction. Through building hanging kinetic structures, they explore how balance, weight, and spacing affect motion and sound. Using found materials such as shells and metal objects, students experiment with how different materials respond to airflow and produce varying tones. This introduces concepts of physics, vibration, and environmental interaction in a hands-on and sensory way.
Thursday, August 20
2pm
East Flushing
196-36 Northern Blvd
Thursday, August 20
4pm
Elmhurst
86-07 Broadway
ADULTS: AGES 18+
UNDERSTANDING YOUR KIDS AND TEENS: COMMUNICATION THAT WORKS
Communication is a key part of parenting, and children and teens often struggle to express their feelings and needs. Join child psychotherapist Victor DeBianchi of the Forest Hills Psychology Group for a conversation on understanding the world through the lens of children and adolescents as they transition to adulthood. Parents will explore how communication shapes relationships, learn strategies for listening and responding effectively, and gain practical tools for connecting with their children.
Virtual
Join us on Zoom: https://queenslib.org/3Qt8y
Meeting ID: 858 9366 0963
Passcode: 924608
Tuesday, August 11
7pm
In-person
Saturday, August 29
11am
Forest Hills
108-19 71 Avenue
FOOD FOR LIFE FOR PARENTS & CAREGIVERS (VIRTUAL)
Parents have the most important influence on their children’s lives, especially when it comes to developing healthy eating habits. In this three-week virtual nutrition and cooking class series, you’ll learn how to create healthy eating habits for your whole family through whole food, plant-based nutrition. All recipes are provided! Food for Life is a program of the Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine, whose mission is to educate the public about the benefits of a healthful diet for improved health and disease prevention.
Topics by date:
August 12: The Power of Your Plate
August 19: Universal Meals
August 26: Foods and Moods
Register by email: catherine.olivo@queenslibrary.org
Wednesdays, August 12, 19, 26
1pm
A TRIBUTE TO GEORGE GERSHWIN: FEATURING HARMONICA VIRTUOSO JIAYI HE
Audiences will be fascinated by the selections made great by American composer and pianist George Gershwin whose works were known in genres from jazz, classical, and popular music. Jiayi He will perform such classics as “A Foggy Day,” “Bess,” “You Is My Woman,” “Embraceable You,” “I Got Plenty of Nothing,” “I Got Rhythm,” “It Ain’t Necessarily So,” “Prelude No.2 Rhapsody in Blue,” “Summertime,” and more.
Thursday, August 13
5pm
Steinway
21-45 31 Street, Astoria
Saturday, August 15
2pm
Seaside
116-15 Rockaway Beach Boulevard
Sunday, August 23
2pm
Far Rockaway
1637 Central Avenue
BEFORE NEW YORK: A PUBLIC LECTURE ON THE HISTORICAL ECOLOGY OF QUEENS WITH DR. ERIC SANDERSON
As part of our America 250 celebration, and in conjunction with the Before New York exhibit, join us for a public lecture by Dr. Eric Sanderson exploring the historical ecology of Queens. Drawing on archival research, maps, and ecological data, the lecture will examine how the borough’s landscapes, waterways, and ecosystems have evolved over time and how these changes relate to flooding, climate resilience, environmental justice, and urban planning efforts. A post-lecture Q&A will follow the event, providing attendees with an informal space to continue the conversation, engage with Dr. Eric Sanderson, and build connections.
Wednesday, August 12
5:30pm
Central Library
89-11 Merrick Boulevard, Jamaica
DECORATE A SUMMER SLIPPER FLIP-FLOP*
Designer and artist Cassandra Bromfield is back by popular demand to help you get your summer fashion on point in this one-of-a-kind, beach-ready footwear program. Add your original design inspiration and customization to a summer slipper or flip-flop in this craft workshop. Slippers and flip-flops provided. The workshop is limited to 25 participants, ages 12 and up.
Saturday, August 15
12pm
Peninsula
92-25 Rockaway Beach Boulevard
Saturday, August 29
2pm
Bayside
214-20 Northern Boulevard
MY STORY, MY SONG*
Join Michael Manswell and Friends for a high-energy, interactive musical storytelling experience. Drawing on music, movement, songs, and folktales from his Caribbean upbringing, Michael shares the story of how he became a dancer and singer. Audience members will move like Anansi, the mischievous shape-shifting spider, slither like a snake, prowl like a lion, and sing like a hummingbird in this fun and engaging performance.
Saturday, August 15
2:30pm
Peninsula
92-25 Rockaway Beach Boulevard
Saturday, August 22
3pm
Bayside
214-20 Northern Boulevard
Sunday, August 30
2:30pm
Far Rockaway
1637 Central Avenue
AMERICA 250: RICHARD MELNICK DISCUSSES LONG ISLAND CITY IN 1776: THE REVOLUTION COMES TO QUEENS
Join author and historian Richard Melnick as he charts the military, political, and cultural history of 1776 in Long Island City. After April of 1776, the Revolutionary War’s focus became New York City and the highly strategic Long Island, which at the time included parts of Brooklyn up through Queens’ Hell Gate. The failures, defeats and eventual occupation of the area at the hands of the British forged the resolve and strength of character that would later ensure Patriot victories on distant battlegrounds throughout the rest of the colonies. Books will be available for sale and signing.
Thursday, August 20
6:30pm
Woodside
54-22 Skillman Avenue
*Major support provided by the New York Life Foundation, the 2026 city-wide sponsor for Summer Reading and Learning Programs.