School may be out for summer, but learning doesn’t have to stop. Summer enrichment programs help children stay curious, build new skills, and reduce the “summer slide”—the learning loss that can occur during long breaks from school. Keep kids and teens mentally active and creatively engaged with these interactive arts, science, history, and cultural programs happening throughout Broward this July.
America 250 Future Forward: Teens Imagine 2076 Art Workshop at West Regional Library
Teens imagine America’s future in this art workshop at West Regional Library on July 1. To celebrate America’s 250th anniversary, teens (ages 13 through 18) will create artwork representing their imagined version of the United States fifty years from now. Participants will practice creative storytelling and self expression, and explore themes related to identity, community, history, and belonging. The activity includes different art techniques and mediums, including line-making, drawing, and painting with watercolors and markers. All supplies will be provided and no prior artistic experience is necessary.
This event is a teens-only art event. The workshop is free to attend; advance registration is strongly encouraged as space is limited. Attendees must arrive promptly at the start of the workshop to keep their seat.
IF YOU GO
WHAT: America 250 Future Forward: Teens Imagine 2076
WHERE: West Regional Library, 8601 W Broward Boulevard, Plantation
WHEN: 4 p.m. to 5:30 p.m., Wednesday, July 1
COST: Free
INFORMATION: (954) 765-1560 or learn more on the event page
BEST FOR: Teens
Summer Teen DIY Craft: Barn Quilt Wall Art at Southwest Regional Library
Teens discover the history of the barn quilt in the Revolutionary War during an art workshop at Southwest Regional Library on July 7. Barn quilts are a folk art form that dates back at least 300 years when some historians believe settlers from Europe came to the American colonies, bringing their tradition of adorning barns with colorful patterned wooden artwork to identify the family farm and protect farm animals from illness and harm. Barn quilts patterns resembled quilting patterns, hence the name, “barn quilt.” During the Revolutionary War, barn quilts became useful markers for American soldiers to identify safe places to rest or get food.
During the workshop, teens create their own barn quilt on canvas with acrylic paint while learning about the history behind this American art form. This activity is meant for teens aged 12 through 18; supplies are provided and registration is encouraged. Participants should arrive on time to guarantee their place in the workshop. The program is free to attend.
IF YOU GO
WHAT: Summer Teen DIY Craft: Barn Quilt Wall Art
WHERE: Southwest Regional Library, 16835 Sheridan Street, Pembroke Pines
WHEN: 1 p.m. to 2 p.m., Tuesday, July 7
COST: Free
INFORMATION: (954) 357-6580 or learn more on the event page
BEST FOR: Teens
Parent ‘N Me Creative Labs & Story Time at Coral Springs Museum of Art
Wednesday mornings at Coral Springs Museum of Art introduce toddlers to the world of art with “Parent ‘N Me Creative Labs & Story Time.” These interactive sessions bring toddlers (ages 1 through 4) and their caregivers together with a fun story time featuring a particular artist. The story offers the kids a fun and accessible introduction to art concepts, and afterward, children and adults complete a sensory-friendly art project based on the artist’s style. Each week includes a new activity and lesson.
Admission to “Parent ‘N Me Creative Labs” covers the cost of the child and the accompanying adult as well as the cost of supplies. The adult caregiver must be present with their child during the length of the program.
IF YOU GO
WHAT: Parent ‘N Me Creative Labs & Story Time
WHERE: Coral Springs Museum of Art, 2855A Coral Springs Drive, Coral Springs
WHEN: 9:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m., Wednesday, July 1, July 8, July 15, July 22, July 29
COST: $15, general admission (per child-adult pair), $10, Museum members (per child-adult pair)
INFORMATION: (954) 340-5000 or learn more on the event page
BEST FOR: Babies and Toddlers
Science, History, and Literacy
Florida Panthers Summer Reading Tour at Broward County Libraries
The Florida Panthers partner with Broward County Library for the seventh annual Summer Reading Tour across Broward Libraries. Each event features family-friendly games, giveaways, appearances from the Florida Panthers mascot, Viktor E. Ratt. or Stanley C. Panther, and a story time with a Florida Panthers representative. Attendees are encouraged to come dressed in their Florida Panther gear, get a special Florida Panther library card, and sign up to participate in Broward library’s Summer Leading Program (Unearth a Story), which promotes literacy across all ages.
Summer Reading Tour events take place at Southwest Regional Library (July 7), West Regional Library (July 18), and Weston Branch Library (July 24). Summer Reading Tour events are free.
IF YOU GO
WHAT: Florida Panthers Summer Reading Tour
WHERE: (July 7) Southwest Regional Library, 16835 Sheridan Street, Pembroke Pines (July 18) West Regional Library, 8601 W Broward Boulevard, Plantation (July 24) Weston Branch, 4205 Bonaventure Boulevard, Weston
WHEN: (Southwest Regional Library) 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., Tuesday, July 7 (West Regional Library) 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., Saturday, July 18 (Weston Branch) 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., Friday, July 24
COST: Free
INFORMATION: Learn more on the event page
BEST FOR: Kids
Summer Storytime in the Park at Washington Park Community Center
Join Florida Future Chef Champion (2023) and MasterChef Junior finalist (2024) Remy Powell for “Summer Storytime in the Park” at Hollywood’s Washington Park Community Center on July 10. Kids and their families experience stories related to creativity and cooking, and get a chance to hear a story from the evening’s guest reader, Chef Remy Powell. Young Chef Powell was a finalist on season nine for MasterChef Junior (with judge Gordon Ramsay) and is author of the new cookbook for kids, “Remy’s Kitchen Celebration” (published 2026), where she shares her recipes and the personal stories behind them. She has also presented at the Fort Lauderdale Food & Wine Festival, where she showcased her recipes and cooking techniques.
This event is part of the “Summer Storytime in the Park” series which takes place every second Friday. Each event features a unique theme and guest reader; the theme for the August 14 storytime is “Healthy Kids and Families.”
IF YOU GO
WHAT: Summer Storytime in the Park
WHERE: Washington Park Community Center, 5199 Pembroke Road, Hollywood
WHEN: 6 p.m. to 7:30 p.m., Friday, July 10
COST: Free
INFORMATION: Learn more on the event page
BEST FOR: Kids and toddlers
Manatee Rescue Simulation at Northwest Regional Library
Environmental specialist and marine biologist, Sabrina Ladd, hosts a special manatee program at North Regional/Broward College Library on July 21. The event includes a children’s book reading about manatees, Florida’s State Marine Animal, followed by a simulation of a manatee rescue led by Ladd, where she gives the kids a hands-on look at the logistics and challenges of real manatee rescues.
Florida Manatees are a sub species of the West Indian Manatee, and are protected under the Marine Mammal Protection Act and Endangered Species Act; since manatees are sensitive to cold, Florida’s warm waters are a major draw for the animals, with over 8,000 of them inhabiting Florida waters. One of the greatest dangers to manatees in Florida are boat collisions, which are responsible for about one third of annual manatee deaths, and the Manatee Program of the Broward County Natural Resources Division helps educate the boating community to prevent manatee deaths. As part of her work for the Broward County Natural Resources Division’s Manatee Program, Ladd spreads awareness of the dangers facing manatees and helps monitor Broward’s manatee population.
“Manatee Rescue Simulation” is a free program for children; this is a hands-on activity and pre-registration is encouraged.
IF YOU GO
WHAT: Manatee Rescue Simulation
WHERE: North Regional/Broward College Library, 1100 Coconut Creek Boulevard, Coconut Creek
WHEN: 2 p.m. to 3 p.m., Tuesday, July 21
COST: Free
INFORMATION: (954) 201-2600 or learn more on the event page
BEST FOR: Kids
Shipwreck on a Tarp: Pirates & Archaeology at South Regional/Broward College Library
The Florida Public Archaeology Network (FPAN) introduces kids to the world of marine archaeology in a shipwreck and pirate-themed program at South Regional/Broward College Library on July 24. This hands-on, educational program teaches kids what life was like out at sea and about underwater sites, including the SS Copenhagen, a 19th century British ship that sank off the coast of Florida in 1900 during a voyage to Cuba; today the shipwreck is an artificial reef off the coast of Pompano Beach. Kids will analyze artifacts and participate in mapping exercises and simulated shipwreck investigations. The Director of the Southeast/Southwest Regions of the Florida Public Archaeology Network (FPAN) leads the program. FPAN works to conserve, study, and protect Florida’s archaeological heritage. The organization works with local governments, cultural institutions, and schools to preserve archaeological sites and to educate and promote awareness of Florida’s heritage sites.
“Shipwreck on a Tarp: Pirates & Archaeology” is a free event. Seats are limited and registration is required.
IF YOU GO
WHAT: Shipwreck on a Tarp: Pirates & Archaeology
WHERE: South Regional/Broward College Library, 7300 Pines Boulevard, Pembroke Pines
WHEN: 2 p.m. to 3 p.m., Friday, July 24
COST: Free
INFORMATION: (954) 201-8825 or learn more on the event page
BEST FOR: Kids
Music
Musical Performance with Didgeridoo Down Under
Didgeridoo Down Under comes to Sunrise Dan Pearl Branch Library July 7 for an engaging and educational program about Australian music, wildlife, landscapes, art and history. During the event, kids and teens will learn about the didgeridoo, an ancient wind instrument created and used by Aboriginal Australians (indigenous people of Australia) who crafted the didgeridoo from tree trunks hollowed out by termites. This instrument generates a unique sound and the musician must use a circular breathing technique to play it. Aboriginal Australians often used the didgeridoo in ceremonies and storytelling.
The Didgeridoo Down Under Show incorporates storytelling and the music of the didgeridoo as they explore Australian artifacts and teach the audience about Australia’s Great Barrier Reef, the Outback, koalas, kangaroos, and Aboriginal art and culture.
Didgeridoo Down Under is an educational entertainment group that presents Australian-themed programs to help promote kindness, creativity, and respect while fostering a new appreciation for world culture. “Didgeridoo Down Under Show” is a free event for kids and teens.
IF YOU GO
WHAT: Musical Performance with Digeridoo Down Under
WHERE: Sunrise Dan Pearl Branch, 10500 W Oakland Park Boulevard, Sunrise
WHEN: 4:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m., Tuesday, July 7
COST: Free
INFORMATION: (954) 357-7440 or learn more on the event page
BEST FOR: Teen and kids
Opera Cat: Read Along, Sing A Song at Miramar Branch Library & Education Center
Join Florida Grand Opera (FGO) on July 18 at Miramar Branch Library for a special performance and story time centered on the art of opera. Part of FGO’s “Read Along, Sing a Song” program series, the event at Miramar Branch Library includes a craft, a reading of “Opera Cat” by Tess Weaver, and an FGO singer performing a live aria (a solo sung in an opera). “Opera Cat” follows the story of Alma, a cat who lives with a famous opera singer in Milan; the book offers an easy introduction to the world and vocabulary of the opera.
FGO’s “Read Along, Sing a Song” is designed to introduce the art of opera to young children, and their many community engagement programs are designed to make the art form more accessible to modern communities and inspire an early interest in the opera. FGO is Florida’s oldest performing arts organization and they continue to bring opera classics to the stage like Lucia Di Lammermoor and Don Giovanni.
This event is best suited for children age eight and under; the event is free to attend.
IF YOU GO
WHAT: Opera Cat: Read Along, Sing A Song
WHERE: Miramar Branch Library & Education Center, 2050 Civic Center Place, Miramar
WHEN: 11 a.m. to 12 p.m., Saturday, July 18
COST: Free
INFORMATION: (954) 357-8090 or learn more on the event page
BEST FOR: Kids and toddlers
This story was produced by Broward Arts Journalism Alliance (BAJA), an independent journalism program of the Broward County Cultural Division.
