School may be out for summer, but learning is always in season at Barrie Public Library.
Even though summer provides a fun break for kids, there is also a negative side to the time off from school: the ‘summer slide’. The term ‘summer slide’ refers to the learning loss children experience over the months spent outside the classroom. Some studies estimate that kids lose about 20 percent of their academic ability over the summer break.
Fortunately, BPL has plenty of ways to keep your kids’ minds engaged and active over the summer months!
1. Take part in the Summer Reading Club
The TD Summer Reading Club (SRC) is a free program that celebrates Canadian authors, illustrators, and stories, and inspires kids to explore the fun of reading. Once registered, kids can track their reading progress on the Beanstack Tracker app. The more they read, the more fun prizes they win! There are all sorts of reading challenges they can take part in as well.
Visit the Summer Reading Club page on our website for more information, including how to register. Both kids and teens can take part, and all the fun begins July 2, 2025!
2. Attend a fun library program
In addition to reading challenges, BPL is also offering tons of exciting programs this summer as a part of the Summer Reading Club. Join us for escape rooms, painting parties, science experiments, game nights, and so much more to follow the rest of the summer. These programs and activities are designed for hands-on learning and are guaranteed to keep kids entertained and engaged!
Visit our Events Calendar for programs happening all summer long.
3. Try something new with the Library of Things
BPL’s Library of Things collection offers Discover Insects Kits, Adventure Kits, Birdwatching Kits, Fishing Kits, and so much more. You can even borrow a Wye Marsh Family Day Pass or an Ontario Parks Vehicle Permit! Discover a new activity is a fun and exciting way to keep kids learning in the summer months – they’ll be having so much fun, they won’t even realize it’s educational.
4. Explore our collection
Families can pick out books to read together, or allow your child to pick out their own titles. Our collection has a wide range of titles for any interest and age. Start exploring by visiting the myBPL catalogue or browsing our book lists:
For kids who may be struggling with reading, try to build their confidence with read alongs and decodable books. These make reading more interactive!
Read alongs are print books that come with a ready-to-play audiobook inside, allowing kids to hear the words as they read along.
Decodable books are written in a way that allows children to practice these phonic skills, creating vital connections between letters and sounds.
5. Discover library play spaces
Our three library locations have dedicated children’s spaces where your young ones can engage with interactive toys, puppets, games, literacy activities, and more. These spaces encourage storytelling, exploration and independent play, all key to learning and developing literacy skills.
Our Downtown Library is home to an outdoor rooftop reading garden. It is the perfect spot to relax with a book, explore the beautiful gardens, or play in our playhouse as a family.
6. Use educational digital library tools
Many caregivers are concerned about how much time their children spend on screens and devices. If you want to steer your child towards something more educational, check out our digital resources designed for kids:
- PebbleGO is a reading and research tool for Pre-Kindergarten to Grade 3. Learn about exciting topics like animals, science and dinosaurs. Includes text, audio, video and printable activities.
- TumbleBook Library is a curated database of children’s e-books. It includes unique animated, talking picture books, read-along chapter books, graphic novels, and much more. Recommended for ages 6-12.
- Our Library of Things collection offers Launchpads, pre-loaded tablets with apps, videos, storybooks, and games for kids.
We hope we'll see you at the library this summer! There are so many great opportunities for fun and learning at BPL. The sky is the limit!