Finding ways to beat the heat and keep your kids entertained can be tough. Lowcountry Child staffers compiled this list of story times, reading and other educational programs to help!

Summer Afternoon Storytimes

When/Where: 3-year-olds, 4 p.m. Tuesdays July 20 and 27 and August 3 and 10; 4-6-year-olds 4 p.m. Tuesdays July 22 and 29 and August 5 and 6; 7-9-year-olds, 4 p.m. Wednesdays July 21 and 28 and August 4 and 11 at The Storybook Shoppe in Habersham Marketplace, 23B #1 Market St. in Beaufort.
Info: Come and beat the afternoon heat while enjoying a great story. There's no need to sign up, just come on in!
Contact: 843-379-3579 or www.thestorybookshoppe.com or Read more about The Storybook Shoppe by clicking here!

Summer Reading


When/Where: Various dates, times, Hilton Head branch library throughout July

Info: Variety of programs for variety of ages.

Ages 5-11

• 10 a.m. July 20: Michael P. White, a children’s book illustrator, will give students a basic drawing lesson.
• 5 p.m. July 22: Steel drum performance by Dacey Bell
• 1 p.m. Tuesdays: Tidal Tuesdays, July 6, Virtual Game Day; July 13, Arts & Crafts Day; July 20, Movie Day

Ages 12-18

• 1 p.m. July 16: Friday Films. Titles to be announced.
• 7 p.m. July 23: Teen summer reading wrap-up party, ice cream social.

Cost: Admission to programming is free. There is no pre-registration, but space is limited.
Contact: 843-255-6500; www.beaufortcountylibrary.org

Expanded Do-Drop-In Program


When/Where: 10 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. Thursdays and 10:30 a.m. Saturdays at the Bluffton library

Info: Ms. Gail hosts expanded Drop-In story times. The Thursday programs involve story times and songs for 45 minutes; they're geared for ages 3-5-ish. The Saturday programs are geared toward 2-6-ish. Registration is not required.

Cost: Free

Imagination Hour


When/Where: 10:30-11:30 a.m. Thursdays at The Sandbox

Info: Story time followed by arts and crafts, games or science projects. Each week will feature fun themes. This is designed for parents and caregivers to interact and to assist their child with each project. Stay and play after the program.

Cost: Included in admission/membership fee.

Connect: 843-842-7645 or www.thesandbox.org

Baby Sign Language


When/Where: 9:30-10 a.m. Tuesdays at The Sandbox

Info: Enable your child to communicate and express their thoughts, wishes, needs & feelings before they are verbal. Geared for caregivers with children under 2 years.

Cost: $4 for members and $10 for non-members, which includes class instruction and museum admission

Connect: 843-842-7645 or www.thesandbox.org

Beginning Sign Language


When/Where: From 10-10:30 a.m. Tuesdays at The Sandbox

Info: Children learn how to sign common words and phrases. Geared for children more than 2 years old.

Cost: Class instruction included with admission

Contact: 843-842-7645 or www.thesandbox.org

Parent's Nite Out, Kid's Nite In


When/Where: From 6-9 p.m. Wednesdays through September 1 at The Sandbox

Info: Enjoy an adult’s night out while the kids let their imaginations run wild playing with our fun exhibits & activity areas. Activities also include arts and crafts, dinner (pizza, drink & dessert), as well as a fun take home toy for each child. Geared for children age 3-9 years. Children must be potty-trained.

Cost: $30 per child; $25 for siblings and Sandbox members; $1 per minute per child late pick-up fee

Contact: 843-842-7645 or www.thesandbox.org

Story Time at the Roundhouse Railroad Museum


When/Where: From 2:30-3:30 p.m. July 14, 21, 28, 31 at the Roundhouse Railroad Museum

Info: "Reading Express" is a program designed to promote literacy. Story times will occur aboard a real passenger car. Activities also include crafts and giveaways. Reservations required.

Cost: $6 per child with regular adult admission

Contact: 912-651-6823, ext. 203, childrensevents@chsgeorgia.org

Reading Programs for Kids, Teens

When/Where: Story times, 10 a.m. Wednesdays and Saturdays; Bedtime Stories, 6:45 p.m. Aug. 19; Hunger Games for teens ages 12-17, 5 p.m. Aug. 24 at the Hilton Head Branch Library
Info: The Hilton Head Branch Library will hold several children's storytimes and a teen program this August. The Wacky Wednesday and Saturday Drop in Storytimes are designed for children ages 3 and up. Wednesday's story will be repeated Saturday. Bedtime Stories is a program for families with children ages 2 and up. Participants are invited to wear their pajamas and bring a stuffed friend. Hunger Games is for teenagers, ages 12-17, and falls on the same day “Mockingjay,” the third installment in the “Hunger Games” series by Suzanne Collins.
Cost: There is no registration for the storytimes but participants must be pre-registered for the Hunger Hames program.
Contact: Kelly Vadney, 843-255-6519 or kvadney@bcgov.net.