Summer Library Program:
June 9 through August 2nd, 2025!
Join us for another fun summer full of performers, crafts, scavenger hunts, special programming, and, of course, reading! Pre-registration for our Summer Library Program will be available beginning in mid-May. However, reading logged before June 9th does not count. You can register by calling or emailing the youth desk or through Beanstack.
Who can sign up for the Youth Summer Library Program? Children ages birth through 6th grade. If you are going into 7th grade, you can participate in our Teen Summer Library Program. There is also an Adult Summer Program available for anyone over the age of 18.
How does it work? We challenge you to read 15-20 minutes a day. Log the days you read on Beanstack or on our paper log. For every 15 days you read, you earn one free book. You can log your minutes either through our paper Summer Reading Log 2025 (pick up at the youth desk) or virtually through Beanstack. Also, you can complete activities to earn virtual badges.
What events/programs will there be this summer? Keep scrolling to find more information about our performers and programs, or check out our events calendar.
Thank you to the Cedar Falls Community Foundation: Robert & Shirley Berg Fund as well as the Friends of the Cedar Falls Public Library for sponsoring our summer program!
How does Beanstack work?
First, you need to create a Beanstack account. Parents can also create accounts for their children. Beanstack will automatically direct you to the appropriate challenges for which you can register based on your age. There are challenges for kids, teens, and adults. If you wish to be contacted about prizes and drawings, please include an email address as part of your Beanstack profile. The Beanstack app is available for iOS and Android. If you experience technical problems with the app, please contact Beanstack at usersupport@zoobean.com.
Getting Started
- Go to cedarfallslibrary.beanstack.org
- Click on the blue “Register an Individual or Family” button.
- Fill in the information! If you are a parent registering a child, be sure to enter
your information in under “Adult Information.” Beanstack allows families to
be linked together, so that all family members can be accessed with one login. - Once you are registered, you will be taken to your account page. This is where
you will log your minutes and activities and track the badges you earn!
How to log days/activities
- Go to cedarfallslibrary.beanstack.org or download the Beanstack Tracker app for Android
and iPhone! - Click on the blue “Log Reading and Activities” button in the upper left
corner or on the blue plus sign in the app. - Follow the prompts on the screen to log whatever you’ve accomplished.
- When you hit a reading landmark, you will receive a badge and may be
eligible for a prize!
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Performers
Magician, Mikayla Oz | Thursday, June 12th | 10:00 a.m. | Community Center
This summer, get ready for a magic show that feels like stepping into a real-life cartoon! Kids will be wide-eyed with excitement, parents will be entertained, and everyone will be talking about this unforgettable Magic Show with Mikayla Oz. Mikayla Oz is one of the most in-demand family entertainers in the Midwest. Known for her iconic blue star dress, larger-than-life personality, and high-energy magical performances, Mikayla creates a show where kids become the stars. Joined by her amazing magic assistant, Bubbles the Bird, she delivers a fast-paced, interactive magic experience full of surprises, laughs, and jaw-dropping moments.
CANCELED! Wildthunder Wildlife and Animal Rehabilitation | Friday, June 20th | 2:00 p.m. | Community Center
Learn about and meet some of Iowa' native wildlife! Discover how Wildthunder Wildlife rescues and rehabilitates animals, like dogs, cats, foxes, eagles, and hawks.
For All Ages.
CLIMB Theater presents The Tortoise and the Hare: Rematch! | Thursday, July 3rd | 10:30 a.m. | Meeting Room
Fable's Birthday Party! | Friday, July 11 | 3:30-5:30 p.m.| CFPL Parking Lot
Join us in celebrating our mascot Fable's second birthday! There'll be carnival games, balloons, face painting, mega foam canons, and lots of fun! All Ages.
Dragon Academy | Monday, July 22nd | 3:00 p.m. | Meeting Room
The Dragon Training Academy experience is an immersive and educational adventure that combines entertainment with learning. During the show, children will I have the opportunity to learn how to tame and protect themselves against a fierce dragon. This is accomplished through a series of engaging activities and demonstrations featuring the imaginative and wacky inventions of the steampunk character (and time traveler), Professor Brock Barnabas.
As the show progresses, the excitement builds with the appearance of a fierce dragon, bringing a thrilling climax to the experience. Following this, children have the chance to meet a less intimidating baby dragon animatronic up close.
For families.
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Weekly Crafts in the Youth Department
Week 1:
Week 2:
Week 3:
Week 4:
Week 5:
Week 6:
Week 7:
Week 8:
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Scavenger Hunts
Library Scavenger Hunt | June- July| Youth Department
Find 20 friends hidden throughout the youth department to earn a prize!
Find Fable | Year Round | CFPL
Each night, Fable loves to explore the library, and ends up in some very random spots. Can you find Fable and bring them back to the youth desk?
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Fable's Book Bike Tour
Visit Fable and friendly library staff each Sunday from 2:00-3:30 p.m. in a new park! At each park you find Fable at over the summer, Fable will give you a stamp of their paw - collect enough and be entered to win various prizes from area businesses!
- 6/8: Pfeiffer Park
- 6/15: Rodger Birdsall
- 6/22: Clay Street Park
- 6/29: Overman Park
- 7/6: Big Woods Park- South side shelter
- 7/13: Bess Streeter Aldrich Park
- 7/20: Daryl Smith Prairie
- 7/27: Lookout Park
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Youth & Teen Programs
Summer Storytimes
June 1–July 29, 10:30 a.m
Mondays: Sprout/ Baby Storytime (0–23 months)
Tuesdays: Sapling/ Preschool Storytime (3–5 year-olds)
Wednesdays: Seedling/ Toddler Storytime (2–3 year-olds)
*Most Fridays: Music and Movement (2-5 year-olds)
Saturdays: Grove/Family Storytime (3–5 year-olds)
This summer, we will have one special guest for Music & Movement Storytime: On Friday, August 1st, Music Together will be leading storytime.
*Sunshine Storytime | Various Fridays, times, and locations
Geared toward toddlers and preschoolers. Get ready to dance and be silly! We'll read books that encourage movement, sing songs, and shake our sillies out! We'll bring the Book Bike to Overman and Washington Park.
- 6/13: Overman Park at 10:30 a.m.
- 6/19: The Falls Aquatic Center at 11:30 a.m. **Registration Required**
- 7/18: Washington Park at 10:30 a.m.
- 7/31: The Falls Aquatic Center at 11:30 a.m. ** Registration Required**
**If attendees/registrants of the storytimes at The Falls Aquatic Center would like to stay and swim when the pool opens at noon, they can receive reduced admission.
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Elementary-aged programming
Sensory Stations for Little Learners| Thursday, June 26th & July 24th | 10:30 a.m. | Youth Department
Some materials provided by the Governor's STEM Advisory Council.
Ceramics Painting | Friday, July 25 | 2:00 p.m. | Storytime Corner
Level up your art skills at a fun, relaxing ceramics painting program! All supplies are provided. Drop-in program. Note this program is first come served..
Mini-Dungeon Escape Room | August 11-15 | By Appointment | Conference Room
Become the hero you were born to be! Register today for a chance to solve the puzzles in this Zelda-themed escape room/break-in box. Register by calling the Youth desk at 319-859-3282 or emailing youth@cedarfallslibrary.org. For Ages 10+
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Please note: According to our safe child policy, all children under 11-years-old must be accompanied by and be within sight of a responsible adult caregiver at all times while in the library.
Teen programming
Join us in leveling up your making skills with a visit to the Cedar Valley Makerspace! Master Makers will be on site to help you through a variety of stations of learning and experimentation that could include 3D printers, various electronics, video production, woodworking, and more! This program is drop-in style, so teens are able to arrive and leave as needed, but please bear in mind that certain workshops may take a bit of time.
Teens in attendance will need a caregiver to sign a waiver in the unlikely, but always possible, incident of cuts and burns. The waiver will be attached to the registration form, or copies will be available at the Teen Desk in the library or on-site at the program. Teens will not be allowed to participate without a signed waiver.
Open to teens ages 12-18 and in grades 7-12. Registration required.
O fearless teen quester, join on a journey of wood, paint, fabric, and more! Each week embark upon a new journey into the wild and magical realm of crafting.
- 6/11: 8-bit perler designs!
- 6/18: Painted dice holder chest (or mimic!)
- 6/25: A leveled-up embroidered and embellished wardrobe
- 7/2: Painted DnD minature
- 7/9: personalized hand-bound tome
- 7/16: Fantasy Map
- 7/23: Pokemon terrariums
- 7/30: Felt Magnets
Will you take up the brush and scissors and join us?
For teens ages 12 - 18 and in grades 7 - 12. No registration required, but supplies may be limited and therefore offered on a first come, first served basis. Drop-in style, so teens are free to come and go as they like!
Join us for the "Second Saturday Teen Trivia," an exciting and interactive event where you can put your knowledge to the test! Gather your friends and compete in a fun-filled afternoon packed with intriguing questions. Participants can compete solo or form teams, battling it out for prizes and bragging rights. Bring your A-game and join us for an afternoon of friendly competition and laughter—who will take home the title of Trivia Champion? Don’t miss out! Each month’s trivia competition will feature a different theme. Junes theme will be video games and July's will be Marvel.
Open to teens ages 12-18 and in grades 7-12. Teams capped at 4 people per team.
Join us in testing your trash-collecting prowess while contributing to making your community a better place! Teens will meet in the Teen Room for a briefing and collection of supplies before heading out into the community for an hour to collect trash. Teens won't just be collecting trash, though - prizes will be given for the most trash collected by weight! Come win prizes and win the feeling of doing something good for your community!
Program will occur rain or shine (canceled in the event of a thunderstorm), so please dress accordingly! Closed-toed shoes and pants are encouraged if venturing into places with potential poison ivy.
For teens ages 12-18 and in grades 7 -12. No registration required, but supplies may be limited, so it is first-come, first-served.
Not sure what to read? No worries! When you register, you'll receive a bookmark with reading recommendations to help you narrow down your search.
Registration is required. To register contact the Youth Department at youth@cedarfallslibrary.org, 319-859-3282 or by stopping by the Youth Desk.
NOTE: This program will be held at Ninja U Training Gym at 5911 University Ave Suite 350 in Cedar Falls. NO transportation will be provided to or from the library.
Join us in leveling up your ninja skills at Ninja U! After a brief introduction, teens will have the opportunity to explore all of the obstacles that Ninja U has to offer! Please dress accordingly in clothes you would feel comfortable working out or moving around a lot in.
Teens in attendance will need a caregiver to sign Ninja U's waiver. The waiver will be attached to the registration form or can be found on the Ninja U website. Teens will not be allowed to participate without a signed waiver.
Open to teens ages 12-18 and in grades 7-12. Registration required.
NOTE: This program will be held at the Cedar Falls Community Theatre at 103 Main St in Cedar Falls. NO transportation will be provided to or from the library.
Level up your public speaking! Level up your quick thinking! Level up your.... improv! Join us at the Cedar Falls Community Theatre for an evening of improv with extraordinaire Greg Holt. You'll laugh, you'll cry... well, maybe not cry, but fun will be had all around!
Open to teens ages 12-18 and in grades 7-12. Registration required.
Have you felt the calling to slay dragons, barter with merchants, and pick up the lute? Then Dungeons and Dragons might be the game for you! Come learn the ins and outs of the game and partake in a short sample gameplay to see if it is for you. Previous Dungeons and Dragons experience is not required.
Registration is required.
Contact Teen Librarian for more information by emailing mblackford@cedarfallslibrary.org or by calling 319-859-3283.
Ever wanted to play Dungeons and Dragons but you couldn't find a Dungeon Master? Come learn how to be your own DM and make friends to play in their campaigns! Previous Dungeons and Dragons experience is encouraged.
Registration required.
NOTE: This program will be held at Double Tap at 312 Main St in Cedar Falls. NO transportation will be provided to or from the library.
Celebrate the end of summer reading in video game style with an evening of fun at Double Tap! Tokens and pizza will be provided to teens in attendance while they battle ghosts in Pacman, run the streets in Street Fighter, and get high scores in Skee-Ball!
*Tokens are not unlimited. Any tokens teens wish to buy beyond what is provided to them by the library will be incurred at personal cost.
Open to teens ages 12-18 and in grades 7-12. Registration required.
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Funding for the summer library program is provided by the Cedar Falls Community Foundation, Robert & Shirley Berg Fund for use by the Library.
Questions? Email: youth@cedarfallslibrary.org or call the youth desk at 319-859-3282.
