Need ideas to keep the kids engaged? We’ve got educational outings, creative camps, and some old-fashioned summer fun…
Preschool Prep Registration
Registration for Charlotte County Libraries’ Preschool Prep opens at midnight on Thursday, August 1 and closes August 29 at 11:59pm. This program is designed for children ages 3 to 4 and helps improve listening, social, and group interaction skills while preparing children for a classroom setting. Children must be 3 years old by September 1. Weekly attendance is expected through the school year, beginning the week of September 7. This program is offered at Englewood Charlotte Library, 3450 N. Access Road on Fridays at 1pm, with the first session beginning on Friday, September 12. This program is also offered at Port Charlotte and Punta Gorda libraries. Space is limited and registration is required. To register or learn more, visit charlottecountyfl.gov/libraries or call 941•681•3736. If a class is full, please register for one waitlist only. You’ll be contacted if space opens or a new session is added.
Back to School Bash
Englewood area students are invited to the “Back to School Bash” on Saturday, August 2, 10am to noon, at Sky Academy, 871 South River Road. Books, school bags, clothes, and more will be distributed. All children from Pre-K to 12th grade living in Englewood are welcome to attend. Hosted by Englewood Area YMCA and Living Hope Church. To learn more call 941•475•1234.
Summer Kick-Off Youth Activity Fair
Get ready for the school year at the Summer Kick-Off Youth Activity Fair on Saturday, August 2 starting at 10am at the Venice Community Center, 326 S. Nokomis Avenue, Venice. This free, all-ages event offers families a one-stop shop for back-to-school resources, fun activities, giveaways, and entertainment. Enjoy vendor booths, games, demonstrations, food trucks, and more—no registration required! For details, contact 941•861•7275 or email parksonline@scgov.net.
Bubble Show at Selby Gardens
Delight in the wonder of bubbles with Blaise Ryndes’ Spheres Bubble Show, Saturday, August 2, from 10am to noon at Selby Gardens’ Downtown Sarasota campus, 1534 Mound Street, Sarasota. Performed under the banyans, this whimsical blend of art, science, and comedy is perfect for all ages. Ryndes, seen on America’s Got Talent and stages nationwide, brings interactive magic to the garden grounds. Included with general admission tickets: $28 for adults, $12 for children. To learn more visit Selby.org or call 941•366•5731.
Joe Licinski of Drums of Unity teaching participants the basics of drumming..
Color Your World Camp: Music
On Thursday, July 25, kids ages 9–13 gathered at Elsie Quirk Library for Color Your World Camp: MUSIC, one of five artistic sessions offered by Sarasota Libraries in partnership with Englewood Creative Arts. The afternoon began with a hands-on craft activity where young artists created personalized art pieces inspired by their favorite songs or bands, using a decoupage technique. The second half of the program featured an engaging drumming workshop led by Joe Licinski of Drums of Unity. Each participant was given a drum and, together as a group, learned a variety of rhythmic patterns, which they ultimately combined into a collaborative and expressive final performance.
Let’s Pretend Day
Children ages 2 to 8 and their caregivers are invited to “Let’s Pretend Day” at Elsie Quirk Library, 100 W. Dearborn Street. Drop in for free-play time with toys and props designed to spark young imaginations on Wednesday, August 6 and Wednesday, August 13 from 10:30 to 11:30am in the Program Room. No registration needed. For more information, visit scgovlibrary.librarymarket.com or call 941•861•1200.
Thursday Night Magic: Library Edition
Calling all Magic: The Gathering fans! On Thursdays, August 6 & 13 join fellow players for Thursday Night Magic: Library Edition, a casual weekly meet-up held every Thursday from 5 to 7pm at the Englewood Charlotte Library, 3450 North Access Road. Whether you’re a seasoned planeswalker or brand new to the game, all skill levels are welcome. Bring your own deck or borrow one from the library to dive into epic battles, trade strategy tips, and meet fellow adventurers in a laid-back, supportive environment. Open to teens and adults. For details, call 941•681•3736.
Little Adventures Story Time at Elsie Quirk Library
Toddlers and preschoolers ages 2 to 5 are invited to Little Adventures Story Time on Thursday, August 7 from 10:30 to 11:30am in the Program Room at Elsie Quirk Library, 200 West Dearborn Street. This lively program blends early literacy fun with music, stories, movement, crafts, and activities that help prepare little ones for school. No registration required. For more information, visit scgovlibrary.librarymarket or call 941•861•1110.
Get ready for a winner-takes-all night of fun as Big Waters Land Trust hosts its annual Summer Trivia at Bay Preserve on Friday, August 1 from 5 to 8pm. Held at the nonprofit’s headquarters in Osprey, this free community event features an exciting trivia competition starting at 6pm, covering pop culture topics from movies and music to fashion—with a conservation twist throughout. Teams of up to eight, including multi-generational groups, are welcome, and the winning team will score a prize package that includes a private guided hike or kayak outing for up to ten people with a Big Waters education team member. Bring a lawn chair or blanket and enjoy tasty fare from Killik’s Kitchen, available for purchase on-site. Whether you’re playing, cheering, or just relaxing in nature, this picnic-style evening promises fun for all. In case of rain, trivia will move to a covered area. Learn more and RSVP at bigwaterslandtrust.org/trivia25.
Family Story Time
On Thursdays, August 7 & 14, 11am, families with children ages 0 to 5 are invited to drop in to the Englewood Charlotte Library, 3450 North Access Road, for storytime. This weekly program incorporates musical play to encourage early learning and develop group participation skills. Little ones will explore stories, songs, and movement that support both gross and fine motor development, with plenty of clapping, stomping, and joyful wiggling! To learn more, call 941•681•3736 or visit charlottecountyfl.libcal.com.
Splash Back to School at McGuire Park
Celebrate the end of summer and get ready for the new school year with a fun-filled day at the Splash Back to School event on Saturday, August 9, from 11am to 2pm at McGuire Park Splash Pad, 21125 McGuire Avenue, Port Charlotte. Hosted by the Recreation Division of Charlotte County Community Services, this event features the REC2U Mobile Programming Unit, bringing exciting recreational activities directly to the park. Families can expect water slides and activities, a food truck, face painting, field games and more. No registration is required. For information, contact Oliver Mueller at Oliver.Mueller@CharlotteCountyFL.gov or call 941•505•3809.
Read with the Dogs at Elsie Quirk Library
Children ages 3 to 12 are invited to Read with the Dogs on Monday, August 11 from 3:30 to 4:30pm in the Program Room at Elsie Quirk Library, 200 West Dearborn Street. This heartwarming program pairs young readers with certified pet therapy dogs, offering a relaxed and enjoyable setting to build reading and communication skills. The dogs love the attention, and kids gain confidence through fun and friendly interaction. For more details, visit scgovlibrary.librarymarket or call 941•861•1110.
Intro to Pickleball Jr.
Tringali Park Recreation Center, 3460 N. Access Road, is offering an Intro to Pickleball class for children ages 11-15 this summer. This class is designed to teach the fundamentals in a friendly, supportive environment. Session date is August 11 to 15. The class runs from 1 to 2pm on Monday through Thursday and 1 to 3pm on Friday. The cost is $10 for the week. Registration is required. To register or learn more call 941•681•3742 or email Joele.Kirkpatrick@CharlotteCountyFL.gov.
ROAR! Storytime and Art at Elsie Quirk Library
Join us for ROAR! on Thursday, August 14 from 11am to noon in the Program Room at Elsie Quirk Library, 200 West Dearborn Street, where toddlers and preschoolers will enjoy a special story time blending art with early literacy. In partnership with The Ringling Museum, this hands-on program features a fun story, a related art activity, and a chance to learn about a real museum object. Seating is limited to young children and a caregiver. For more information, visit scgovlibrary.librarymarket or call 941•861•1110.
Dungeons and Dragons: Character Creation at Elsie Quirk Library
Get ready to embark on your first Dungeons and Dragons adventure by learning how to build your very own character on Monday, August 18 from 4:45 to 5:45pm in the Meeting Room at Elsie Quirk Library, 200 West Dearborn Street. This fun and engaging session is open to tweens and teens ages 9 to 18 and will cover the basics of gameplay and character design. Registration is required and limited to 20 participants; one name per registration. Sponsored by the Friends of Elsie Quirk Library. Sign up at scgovlibrary.librarymarket or call 941•861•1110.
Free Acting Workshop for Kids and Teens at Solis Hall
As part of Wellen Park’s Solis Hall Summer Series, students in grades 3–12 are invited to a free “Test Drive” Acting Class on Monday, August 18 from 6:30 to 8:00pm at Solis Hall, 19745 Wellen Park Boulevard, North Port. Led by instructor Kelly Duyn, this one-day workshop introduces beginners to the excitement of acting. Perfect for children and teens curious about theatre and looking to explore something new. To learn more, call 941•486•8679.
Family Day at the Sarasota Opera House
Sarasota Youth Opera invites families to explore the magic of opera at the Sarasota Opera House, 61 N. Pineapple Avenue, Sarasota, on Saturday, August 23, from noon to 2pm. This free event offers an introduction to opera for children and adults alike. Visitors can enjoy singing sessions, acting games and workshops, and a behind-the-scenes tour of the historic opera house. Other hands-on activities include costume and makeup demonstrations, crafts, a photo booth, and the chance to win fun prizes. Ice cream and an on-site food truck will also be available to enjoy throughout the afternoon. Attendees will get a taste of the creativity and talent fostered by the Youth Opera and learn about opportunities to get involved in the Youth Opera program and the Youth Opera fall production. Free admission, no registration required. To learn more visit SarasotaOpera.org/FamilyDay or call 941•328•1300.
UTampa Student, Molly Baker, of Englewood, Earned Dean’s List Honors
Molly Baker, of Englewood, earned dean’s list honors at University of Tampa as a Senior in the Spring 2025 semester. Baker is majoring in Political Science BA. Students must maintain a GPA of 3.75 or higher to be eligible for the dean’s list.
Agents of Discovery’ Outdoor Exploration App
Turn screen time into green time with “Agents of Discovery”, a new interactive app now available at select Sarasota County parks. Developed in partnership with Sarasota County Parks, Recreation and Natural Resources and the UF/IFAS Extension and Sustainability office, this free mobile app invites families to complete nature-based missions that uncover local history, wildlife, and conservation stories. Explore site-specific challenges with Field Agent Forest Parker and earn digital badges along the way. Designed for kids ages 6 to 12, the app turns parks into engaging outdoor classrooms. Three Sarasota County Parks have adventures available now: Venice Area Audubon Rookery, 4006 S. Tamiami Trail, Venice; Pinecraft Park, 1420 Gilbert Avenue, Sarasota; and Red Bug Slough Preserve, 5200 Beneva Road, Sarasota. Registration is required at bit.ly/SRQAgents. Download the app at linktr.ee/DownloadAgentsofDiscovery. Please check park hours before visiting. Note that pets are not permitted at some locations. For more details, visit SarasotaCountyParks.com/AOD or call Sarasota County Parks and Rec at 941•861•9930.
Congressional App Challenge
Members of the U.S. House of Representatives host district-wide Congressional App Challenges for middle school and high school students, encouraging them to learn to code and inspiring them to pursue careers in computer science. Each challenge is district-specific. Each winning app may be put on display in the U.S. Capitol Building for one year. The competition deadline is October 30 at noon. Students can register and learn more at https://www.congressionalappchallenge.us/students/student-registration/.
Note: Event listings are published as accurately as possible. We recommend contacting the numbers provided to confirm details or request further information. To submit an event for consideration in “Keeping Up with the Kids,” please send details and/or a photo to The Englewood REVIEW, 370 W Dearborn St, Suite B, Englewood, FL 34223, or email us at info@englewoodreview.com. And visit our interactive calendar, where you are invited to add your event.
