By Annaclaire Crumpton
Looking for fun, free ways to make the most of summer in Fort Collins? Your library card is the ultimate adventure pass! Whether you love exploring museums, making art, watching movies, attending concerts, or diving into a good book (or all of the above), your library card unlocks a world of free summer experiences. These 25 ideas will help you explore, create, and connect all summer long without spending a dime.
- Earn prizes as you read and complete fun activities at home or outside with Summer Adventure, Color Our World. Register online via Beanstack or pick up a Bingo Board at one of our locations.
- Check out Lawn Games like cornhole and giant dice from the Gadgets and Things Collection for your next barbecue.
- Spend a rainy day at a museum with the Curiosity Pass.
- Prepare for your next camping trip with books and gadgets like a solar light from our Gadgets & Things collection.
- Learn to cook with summer produce in a virtual cooking class led by Sapna Von Reich.
- Attend an art program at a library location – all supplies included!
- Buff up your gardening skills with books & materials or upcoming events.
- Celebrate Pride and the Space to Be Proud with books and materials and events.
- Cook fresh and vibrant summer recipes with cookbooks from our collection.
- Join the Book Bike on an outdoor storytime adventure at one of the city’s Natural Areas or parks.
- Listen to music and watch performances for the whole family at Monday Morning Series including Taiko drumming, the Dali String Quartet, a puppet show, and more.
- Explore Old Town Library’s newest art exhibit, “When Is Home” by photographer Dania Zhuravleva Gaisin featuring portraits and stories about the immigrant experience in Fort Collins.
- Drop by Council Tree Library on Wednesday, June 25 for Bike to Work Day. Snack on yummy treats, grab free books, and explore library resources.
- Enjoy a public art tour and scavenger hunt in Downtown Fort Collins. (Ages 12-18)
- Create art at drop-in art programs every week at Council Tree Library including Masterpiece Mondays and Friends and Family Nights.
- Visit Evie the Mobile Library on the go and do everything you would at a Library location! See where Evie’s going next.
- Spend a rainy evening snuggled up on the couch with a great film from Kanopy. Explore genres you enjoy or browse staff recommended films.
- Stay up to date with the latest headlines from a variety of news sources including the Wall Street Journal, the New York Times, the Denver Post, and the Coloradoan. Available online or digitally.
- Meet service dogs from Canine Companions for Independence at Old Town Library.
- Explore nature in Fort Collins with the Larimer Country Discovery Pack, a state parks pass, or a Gateway Natural Area pass from our Gadgets and Things Collection.
- Finally cross that book you’ve been wanting to read off your TBR (to be read) list! Place a hold on your next read in our collection.
- Read a variety of best-selling digital magazines with your library card and Flipster. Choices include the New Yorker, Wired, People Magazine, Time Magazine, National Geographic, and more!
- Invest in your community library by linking your King Soopers shopper card to Poudre Libraries at the online King Soopers Community Rewards program! The company donates a percentage of your spending to your Libraries!
- Dive into comics on Hoopla or place a hold on graphic novels from our collection to get ready for Fort Collins Comic Con in August.
- Explore the Gardens on Spring Creek with the Curiosity Pass.
More Reading Suggestions
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