Magic, Music and Museums: August Kids and Family Programs at The Seattle Public Library

release date: July 31, 2025

Looking for things to do with the kids in August? Our libraries are hosting dozens of Summer of Learning and other programs for kids and families, from magic shows to music and dance workshops to end-of-summer celebrations.

All Library events are free and open to the public. Registration is not required unless noted. Find information and registration through the event links below or at spl.org/Calendar.

Many of these events are supported by The Seattle Public Library Foundation and the Gary and Connie Kunis Foundation.

August Kids and Families Programs

  • Magnolia StoryWalks® now through August 31. Wander a StoryWalk® at three locations in the neighborhood: outside the Magnolia Branch, at the Magnolia Farmers’ Market, and at Daybreak Star Indian Cultural Center. Each trail features a picture book by Indigenous authors, chosen by Daybreak Star preschool teachers. This year, we partnered with the Washington Talking Book and Braille Library (WTBBL) to transcribe all books into Braille.
     
  • Zine Making 101 for Kids & Families. Wednesday, July 30 from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. Beacon Hill Branch. Explore samples of zines from Central's ZAPP zine collection as well as some made by library staff, and make your own.
     
  • Aesop Lives! Funky Fables by Idris Goodwin. Wednesday, July 30 from 3 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. Montlake Branch. What happens when ancient fables meet modern beats? In “Aesop Lives,” award-winning artist Idris Goodwin uses hip hop, rhyme, and shadow puppets to breathe new life into classic tales of wit and wisdom.
  • Writing & Storytelling. Thursday, July 31 from 10 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. Greenwood Branch. In this summer writing workshop we'll use five senses to explore the stories, poems, and possibilities that live all around us, as we even invent new ideas and adventure into the magic of discovery. All youth are welcome, though this program is intended for rising fourth to eighth graders. Registration is required.
     
  • Fun with the Sun and NASA. Friday, Aug. 1 from noon to 1:30 p.m. South Park Branch. We’ll explore how to use sunspotter telescopes, track sunspots, observe how our shadows change in sunlight, and more.
     
  • Piñata Workshop. Thursday, July 31 from 2 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. Beacon Hill Branch. In this hands-on activity, you will learn the history of the piñata while developing crafting skills, creating either a luchador (Mexican wrestler) or calavera (sugar skull) themed piece. Registration not required but recommended.
  • Teotihuacan Masks / Máscaras Teotihuacanas. Friday, Aug. 1 from 1 p.m. to 2 p.m. Northgate Branch. Learn about the history of the Teotihuacan Indigenous people of Mexico by creating a paper mask. Aprende sobre la historia de los indígenas teotihuacanos de México creando una máscara de papel. Este programa se realizará en inglés y español.
  • Roblox Gaming. Friday, Aug. 1 from 3:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. Rainier Beach Branch. Roblox is the ultimate virtual universe that lets you create, share experiences with friends, and be anything you can imagine.
     
  • Magic is for Everyone with Maritess Zurbano. Saturday, Aug. 2 from 3 p.m. to 4 p.m. International District/Chinatown Community Center. Join world-class magician Maritess Zurbano in this hour-long show with lots of audience participation, magic, and fun.
  • The ABCs of Jazz and Blues. Monday, Aug. 4 from 10:30 a.m. to 11:15 a.m. High Point Branch. Enjoy an educational Jazz performance of styles from slow blues to boogie-woogie and salsa by local musician Michael Powers.
  • Sensory Friendly Music. Tuesday, Aug. 5 from 5:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. Lake City Branch. Come jam with us in this inclusive music therapy group for kids hosted by Music Center Northwest! Get ready to sing, dance and groove along! Registration is required.
     
  • Summer of Learning Celebration at the Burke Museum. Thursday, Aug. 7 from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Burke Museum. All Summer of Learning participants are invited to attend this end-of-summer celebration with friends and family, which includes free access to all Burke Museum exhibits. Highlights of the day include puppet-making using Coast Salish shapes, a special story time, a microfossils activity, a talk on orcas and marine mammals and more.
     
  • Flying Contraptions with the Museum of Flight. Friday, Aug. 8 from 12 p.m. to 1:30 p.m. South Park Branch. Using portable wind tunnels and wind tables, you can design and test different flying contraptions using basic household materials, or use our pre-designed whirligig helicopters.
     
  • PawsWithCause Paint Party. Saturday, Aug. 9 from 2 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. Delridge Branch. Come paint with PawsWithCause while helping shelter pets find their fur-ever homes. Families of all ages are welcome, though this program is intended for youth aged 6+, their caregivers and families. (Please bring an adult if you are under age 10.) Registration is required.
  • Game On! Roblox for Kids. Monday, Aug. 11 from 3:30 p.m. to 5 p.m. Columbia Branch. Play games including Roblox, Nintendo Switch party games, and tabletop games. Registration is not required but these programs are very popular and the room capacity can fill up quickly.
  • Kids Make & Build. Tuesdays, Aug. 12 through Sept. 2, from 2:30 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. Northgate Branch. Join us to build, craft, and create, from Lego building challenges to a variety of STEAM centered projects.
     
  • West African Dance with Franchesska Berry. Tuesday, Aug. 12 from 3:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. Columbia Branch. Learn West African traditions through collaborative dance, discussion and more.
     
  • All Ages Movie: Wicked. Thursday, Aug. 14 from 2:30 p.m. to 5:10 p.m. Southwest Branch. Join us for a screening and sing-a-long to "Wicked" with free popcorn at this free all ages movie matinee.
     
  • Perler (Fused Beads) CRAFT-ernoon. Friday, Aug. 15 from 3 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. Lake City Branch. Unleash your creativity with Perler beads. In this fun program, participants will design and fuse colorful beads to create unique and personalized creations. Registration is required.
     
  • End of Summer Celebration. Monday, Aug. 18 from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. Southwest Branch. Celebrate the end of summer at the Library, with story time, crafts, and free cake!
  • Coast Salish Class Time. Wednesday, Aug. 20 from 10:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. Ballard Branch. Tulalip tribal member, carver, and storyteller Ty Juvinel brings local legends and history to life through stories and Pacific Northwest tribal art.
     
  • I Spy Science. Friday, Aug. 22 from 11 a.m. to 11:45 a.m. Northgate Branch. Go on a pretend nature walk and imagine yourself as a bee, flower, worm, and more, then examine real specimens from the Burke collections.
     
  • All Ages Movie: “The Wild Robot.” Wednesday, Aug. 27 from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. Southwest Branch. Join us for a screening of "The Wild Robot" with free popcorn!
     
  • Eco-art Workshop / Taller de EcoArte. Wednesday, Aug. 27 from 4 p.m. to 5:45 p.m. South Park Branch. Learn about the HEAL Act through art and culture. ¡Aprende sobre la Ley de Justicia Medioambiental (Ley HEAL) a través del arte y la cultura! This program will be conducted in English and Spanish.
     

MORE INFORMATION 

The Library believes that the power of knowledge improves people's lives. We promote literacy and a love of reading as we bring people, information and ideas together to enrich lives and empower community. Find more events at www.spl.org/Calendar.

Contact the Library’s Ask Us service by phone at 206-386-4636 or by email or chat at www.spl.org/Ask. Staff are ready to answer questions and direct you to helpful resources and information.

For more information, Ask Us or call 206-386-4636.

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