There’s a term floating around the Internet these days, and that word is “edutainment.” It’s the idea of getting kids learning while keeping things fun, truly an age-old endeavor of parents and teachers.
Shyla Tindell creates her masterpiece at Halls Branch Library’s Chalk on the Walk.
If you’re looking to add a little edutainment to your kids’ summer breaks, your local branch of Knox County Public Library is a great place to start. Every branch has summer scheduled with free, fun activities, and there are rewards for time spent reading, too.
Halls Branch Library kicked off their summer events with Chalk on the Walk right after preschool storytime June 7. Kids and even some parents decorated the library’s front walk with colorful chalk art. The activity was followed with ice pops for a treat.
But why are summer library programs so important?
Dax and Sofia Funderburk eat ice pops at Chalk on the Walk.
“We do it to keep kids’ reading skills up in the summer,” said senior branch assistant Julie Piller. “We have free programs so we are ideal for families that are looking for something to do.
Chalk on the Walk will happen every first Wednesday this summer, and Lego Club meets at the Halls branch every fourth Saturday at 3 p.m. Special programs include the Zoomobile at 3 p.m. Tuesday, June 13; musical storytelling with Sparky and Rhonda Rucker 3 p.m. Monday, June 26; birds of prey from Ijams Nature Center 3 p.m. Thursday, July 13; and a Summer Library Club indoor camp-out with WATE’s Kristin Farley 1 p.m. Tuesday, July 25. For a full list of programs, visit the Halls Branch Library’s webpage.
Benjamin, Chloe and Allyce McKenney enjoy a little family time at Chalk on the Walk.