Celebrate summer with friends and loved ones by checking out outdoor yard games and indoor activities from our Library of Things! Borrow these games and activities for up to seven days with your library card!
- Tetris Tumble
- Pickleball paddles & balls
- Spikeball
- Kan Jam Disc Toss Game
- Giant Jenga
- Stomp Rockets
- Activity Flyers
- Bounce Battle
- Boules/Bocci Ball Set
- Croquet Set
- Board games, puzzles and MORE for all ages!
Reading Challenges
Make your summer event more vibrant! Join one of our summer reading challenges, available for readers of all ages.
Kids
Read for at least 30 days between May 28 and July 25. Win prizes for every 10 days you read! Complete all 30 days of reading to be entered into a grand prize drawing for a $500 Virginia 529 plan contribution.
Participate online through our Beanstack page or on the Beanstack app. Prefer paper? Use the printable kids' reading log (also available at the library).
Teens & Adults
Pick up a scratch-off ticket for "Unearth a Story!" at the Library's front desk. Read a book that matches the artifact category you unearth. Complete 4 tickets and return them to the library to get a prize and be entered into a grand prize drawing, one for teens and one for adults!
Kid and Teen Events
Register online through the online event calendar.
Storytime for Families
Thursdays at 10:30
Join Ms. Beth for good stories, fun rhymes, songs and activities! For ages 8 & under with caregivers.
The StoryWalk® at Hutchinson
Ongoing through August 2
Enjoy Because of an Acorn by Adam and Lola M. Schaefer while strolling through the shady woods at the Hutchinson Unit of the Rappahannock River Valley National Wildlife Refuge. The Storywalk® was created by Anne Ferguson on Montpelier, VT and developed in collaboration with the Vermont Bicycle & Pedestrian Coalition and the Kellogg Hubbard Library. All ages.
Unearth a Story Kickoff Party
Thursday, May 29 3:30-6:00PM
Can you dig it? See big machines, take a peek at the soil under your feet, unearth hidden gems and look at Virginia Living Museum exhibits at found level. Plus, enjoy dino-mite games, face painting, music and hot dogs provided by the Tappahannock Rotary! All ages.
Art Lab: Ming Dynasty Paper Vases
Wednesday, June 3 3:00-4:30PM
Recreate stunning ancient ceramics with watercolors. A multigenerational workshop for ages 9 and up. Registration required.
History Beneath Your Feet: Artemis I Moon Tree
Friday, June 5 10:30-11:30AM
Meet and hear the story of a Tappahannock resident who went to the Moon in 2022: a tree planted at the Essex County Museum! Ages 7-12. Event held at the Museum located at 218 Water Lane.
Unearth a Story: Storytelling, Food & Art from the Indigenous World
Tuesday, June 9 2:00-3:00PM
Listen to the story of Aspamu Nechaun, the Earth Child, before doing a craft and sampling recipes from plants native to Turtle Island (America). A multigenerational event for ages 6 and up. Registration required.
The Really BIG Dinosaur Show
Thursday, June 11 10:30-11:30AM
Through song and giant puppets, the bones and fossils of ancient dinosaurs come back to life to tell their stories. Ages 3-10.
Saturday, June 13 1:00-2:00PM
Design, build and test a rocket that travels using are pressure. For ages 9-15. Registration required.
Tuesday, June 16 2:30-3:30PM
Things get explosive with volcanoes and lava lamps. For ages 7 - 12. Registration required.
Tuesday, June 23 2:00-3:00PM
Tickets will be available at the front desk on a first come, first serve basis beginning at 1:302. They will be distributed until the room has reached capacity.
Art Lab: Walk at Night
Wednesday, June 24 3:00 -4:30PM
Uncover the stories of the night using colored pencils to make a contrasting art piece. Ages 9-17. Registration required.
Prints, Punch & Popcorn
Friday, June 26 2:30-5:00PM
Drop by, make fingerprint art and magnets and enjoy a snack! All ages.
Get Dirty: The Hidden World Beneath Our Feet
Tuesday, June 30 2:00-3:00PM
Discover the magic and mysteries of soil in this hands-on program. Roll up your sleeves to investigate before digging into an art project. Ages 7-12. Registration required.
History Beneath Your Feet: Fantastic Fossils
Thursday, July 2 2:00-3:00PM
Did you know that our area was a shallow bay at least 3 times in geologic history? A fossil enthusiast shares some of his fantasti finds and tips on fossil hunting. A multigenerational event.
Art Lab: Mighty Dinos!
Tuesday, July 7 2:30-4:00PM
Create a giant movable dinosaur head and bring the prehistoric creature back to life. Ages 7-12. Registration required.
Layers of Illusion Magic Show
Wednesday, July 8 1:00-2:00PM
Be astounded by the marvelous magic of Joe Romano! All ages.
Garden Party Cupcake Art
Saturday, July 11 12:30-2:30PM
Drop by the Library and create a wormy garden scene on cupcakes - while they last. All ages.
History Beneath Your Feet: Archaeology for Kids
Become a history detective! Join the Essex Museum curator to explore real artifacts from Tappahannock's 1710 Tavern and uncover their stories like a real archaeologist! Ages 7-12.
STEM Lab: (Don't) Make a Mess Egg Drop!
Friday, July 17 3:00-4:00PM
Design and build a device to protect your egg from breaking when dropped from a 10 ft. ladder. Ages 7-12. Registration required.
2 SHOWS: Animals Alive! with Jack's Jungle
Wednesday, July 22 3:00-4:00PM
Wednesday, July 22, 4:30-5:30PM
Tickets distributed on a first come, first served basis beginning at 2:30. Once capacity has been reached for the first show, tickets will be applied to the 4:30 show.
Visit with the fantastically furry and scaly creatures in this program with Jackson Baugus and his live wild animal friends. All ages.
Adult & Teen Events
Register online through the online event calendar.
Book Club
First Wednesday of every month 6:30-7:30PM
Connect with fellow readers for engaging discussion on fiction, non-fiction and more. June: Theo of Golden by Allen Levi. July: The Other Valley by Scott Alexander Howard. August: I Who Have Never Known Men by Jacqueline Harpman.
Art Lab: Ming Dynasty Paper Vases
Wednesday, June 3 3:30-4:30PM
Recreate stunning ancient ceramics with watercolors. A multigenerational workshop for ages 9 and up. Registration required.
Unearth a Story: Storytelling, Food & Art from the Indigenous World
Tuesday, June 9 2:00-3:00PM
Listen to the story of Aspamu Nechaun, the Earth Child, before doing a craft and sampling recipes from plants native to Turtle Island (America). A multigenerational event for ages 6 and up. Registration required.
America250: Digging Up History from 1710 Tavern
Wednesday, June 17 6:30-7:45PM
In honor of America's 250th, join us for an exclusive look at the remarkable finds from Tappahannock's 1710 Tavern. An expert-led session with the Essex Museum's curator will reveal how colonial taverns shaped early American life.
Connecting with the Past: Genealogy 101
Monday, June 22 3:30-4:30PM
Curious about your family's past? Learn the basics of genealogy research including how to start a family tree, find key records and use popular research tools with experts. In partnership with the Middle Peninsula African-American Genealogical & Historical Society.
Gardening with Native Plants
Wednesday, June 24 6:30-7:30PM
Learn how to create a beautiful , environmentally friendly space for the Middle Peninsula and Northern Neck in this beginner-friendly workshop with local master gardeners.
History Beneath Your Feet: Fantastic Fossils
Thursday, July 2 2:00-3:00PM
Did you know that our area was a shallow bay at least 3 times in geologic history? A fossil enthusiast shares some of his fantastic finds and tips on fossil hunting. A multigenerational event.
Drawing Conclusions: A Look at Political Cartoons in American History
Thursday, July 9 2:00-3:00PM
View and review America's original memes: how political cartoons take the pulse of U.S. History.
Dinosaur Planters and Trinket Dishes
Thursday, July 16 6:30-7:30PM
Create a whimsical planter and trinket dish to display and hold jewelry, keychains and more! Registration required.
Stitch It! Knit & Crochet Club
Tuesdays10:30AM-12:00PM
Join this friendly, informal gathering of crafters. Get help with a project, share ideas and inspiration, or just enjoy the company of others.