This is my first year having my daughter in school, and thus also my first summer break. I’ve gotten so used to having those seven hours of daily time where it’s just my two-year-old and me at home, so now that two whole months of no plans are looking at me on the calendar, I feel a little overwhelmed. As a kid, summer break was the pinnacle of playtime. As a parent, it’s the perpetuity of panic. My daughter’s last day was Thursday, and just since then, we’ve already had one meltdown and one mention of boredom. So this blog is written as much for me as it is for you! I’ve highlighted the typical events and news for the month of June, but I’m focusing specifically on kid-friendly things that can give you—us—a bit of sanity this month.
library YOUTH Events
There are so many events for kids at the libraries throughout Rutherford County this month that it’s just easier to include their event calendar! (It’s not updated for June at the time of writing this, but the kids’ specific calendar can be found here, where it says “Youth Services Monthly Calendar.”) More specifically, here are the youth services available at each library:
Just a few things to remember:
You don’t need a library card to participate, but many events do require an RSVP.
Kids who sign up for the summer reading program and read a total of 600 minutes earn a prize!
Linebaugh Library and Smyrna Library are summer feeding sites for children ages 0-18. Lunch is available Monday through Friday, starting June 4th, 11 AM-12 PM.
All the libraries have great kid areas for rainy days or days that may be too hot to play outside. When the weather is nice, the Smyrna Library, Eagleville Library, and TEC all have playgrounds, and the MGL is part of Patterson Park, which has places for kids to play both inside and outside!
MORE EVENTS
Saturdays 8:00 AM - 12:00 PM, along Church St. in Murfreesboro: Artists’ Row
Artists’ Row is a new venture from RAA alongside the Saturday farmer’s market on the Murfreesboro square. It’s a weekly pop-up for local artists to showcase and sell art—and it includes writers! When you’re getting your goodies at the farmer’s market (which is a fantastic way to get the kids out and involved in shopping for produce!), don’t forget to go meet some local artists and writers, tell them how much you appreciate their work, and maybe even buy something! And if you are an artist or writer interested in being part of Artists’ Row, the sign up sheet is here!
Wednesday, June 4th, 4-8 PM, at Panera Bread (2015 Memorial Blvd., Murfreesboro): Friends of Linebaugh Library Fundraiser
Looking for a good place to have dinner (that also has a great kids’ menu)? Panera is hosting a fundraiser for FOLL! Make sure you either show the above image or use the code FUND4U so that part of your purchase goes to support the Linebaugh Library!
Thursday, June 5th, 5:30-7 PM, at Dapper Owl in Murfreesboro: Silent Book Club Book Exchange
Silent Book Club meets several times a month to silently read together, but they have a semi-annual book exchange too! There will be more information forthcoming, so be sure to check out SBC on social media for more information.
Sunday June 8th, 3-5 PM, at Dapper Owl in Murfreesboro: Writers’ Mingle hosted by Adeli Brito
A mingle for creative writers will be held Sunday, 6/8, from 3 pm to 5 pm at the Dapper Owl coffee pub. Connect with other writers in a relaxed setting—and even sit down and write for a bit, if you’re so inspired. Come and go anytime. Help us plan by RSVPing on this Google form. More information here!
Saturday, June 14th, 8:30 AM - 12:00 PM, North Boulevard church of Christ gym (1112 N. Rutherford Blvd., Murfreesboro): North Boulevard Book Signing
Originally meant to be a celebration for retired Central Magnet teacher Nick Horton’s debut poetry collection, this event is now celebrating the work of several writers in the community—including yours truly! (That Taffy Xu down there? That’s me. Long story. Ha!) Come get some snacks and coffee, meet some writers and artists, buy some books, and have a good time!
Tuesday, June 17th, 5:30-7 PM, at Dapper Owl in Murfreesboro: Silent Book Club
SBC meets again for another time to be quiet with other book friends! No book exchange this time; just reading. Make sure to register here.
Saturday, June 21st, on the MTSU campus: MTSU Write Summer Simmer (Rejuvenating Your Creative Spirit)
The Summer Simmer is a free monthly workshop to exercise your creative muscles through the summer months. The June session is all about igniting the creative spirit through yoga, vision boards, or guided meditation. If you’re looking for a chance to get away, relax, and feed your creative soul, this is a great chance. Find more information and register at mtsu.edu/write/public_workshops/
Tuesday, June 24th, 6:30-8:30 PM, Grumpy Bookpeddler (610 W. College St. Suite 110, Murfreesboro): Book Journal Night
Bring your book journal for a fun book journaling night! $10 each person but with craft items like markers and glue supplied. Make sure to pay and register by June 21st here: https://form.jotform.com/250695371522155. Click the picture for more information. (And it has a children’s room!)
Friday, June 27th, 5:30 PM, at Crying Cat Books (504 N Maney Ave, Murfreesboro): Queer Book Club
Celebrate Pride Month by reading Orlando by Virginia Woolf! (PS: Crying Cat also has a great little room for kiddos!)
Sunday, June 29th, 6:00 PM, at Dapper Owl in Murfreesboro: Poetry in the Boro Featured Reading and Open Mic
This month PitB will be featuring one of their own, artist and writer Gregory Lannom. Come get some free coffee and snacks, listen to some poets, and maybe perform some work of your own! Doors open / open mic signup begins at 5:30. Find more info at poetryintheboro.org.
OTHER PLACES TO TAKE YOUR KIDS
In case you need more bookish ideas for your kiddos, here are a few recommendations:
Crying Cat Bookstore (504 N Maney Ave, Murfreesboro) has a great children’s room where kids can read quietly and play with a few toys.
Happy Bookstack also has a great little children’s nook (1411 Mark Allen Ln, Murfreesboro), complete with a little train table.
The Grumpy Bookpeddler has a children’s room too!
There are a large selection of comic book stores in town like Outer Limits (1244 NW Broad St, Murfreesboro), The Great Escape (810 NW Broad St #202, Murfreesboro), and Grand Adventures Comics (1013 Memorial Blvd, Murfreesboro), and they have a good selection of toys, games, and other activities that kids might enjoy for a hobby this summer.
Barnes & Noble and Books-a-Million both have children’s areas too. They used to have storytime on Saturdays, but I don’t see it listed on either store’s website. Better call before going, if that’s on your mind!
Several events listed here are at Dapper Owl, which has a selection of children’s books in a basket in the seating area near the bar. My daughters have both enjoyed reading things there while I’ve participated in various events! (Dapper Owl also serves juice, hot cocoa, and has good snacks for the kiddos too!)
With all these events this month, hopefully there will be no more mentions of being bored at your (or my) house! See you in July!
Image courtesy of hajjidirir
