Early Years Programming is an important part of BC Summer Reading Club. Through stories, songs, crafts, movement, play, and hands-on activities, these programs help children ages 4–7 build early literacy skills while making the library a fun and welcoming place to learn and explore. Below you’ll find program outlines, templates, and printables for engaging activities designed especially for young children and their caregivers. The programs are organized by the 2026 weekly subthemes, but can be adapted to fit the needs of your library and community. A special thank you to the team at Fraser Valley Regional Library for creating and sharing these playful, imaginative programs!

Week 1 – The Sunshine Zone

Get crafty and crabby with this fun program! Explore the sunniest part of the ocean through songs, stories and art.

Illustration of a Leatherback Sea Turtle
Illustration of pink and yellow fish

Week 2 – The Twilight Zone

Songs, rhymes and…slimes? That’s right! Things get fun and messy in this great program. Whether it’s Selkie Slime or Mermaid Crowns, there is fantastical fun for everyone!

Don't forget examples and modifications

When working with younger kids (or anyone!), it’s important to provide examples. This is especially helpful for crafts. Bringing in a finished example helps kids understand abstract instructions. Also, offering levelled options (e.g. pre-cut, cut it yourself with a template, make your own shape) helps kids of all abilities participate in more tactile activities.

Week 3 – The Midnight Zone

Mixing things up, this program takes us to the stars! Create your own constellations and then make a rocket ship to take you to the moon!

Week Four – The Abyssal Zone

Things are getting dark in the Abyssal Zone, so help kids make their own lantern fish lanterns! Also, enjoy deep sea trivia and play a flashlight activitiy.

Orange angler fish reading a book that has a ghost on the cover
Illustration of a blue Cotton Candy Lobster

Week 5 – The Hadal Zone

Only a handful of people have every been to the Hadal Zone. This program encourages kids to become undersea explorers, creating their own submersibles and mysterious creatures of the deep.

Week 6 – The Intertidal Zone

The hermit crap hop! A floating kelp forest! Vibrant tidepools! This program is full of movement, colour and fun!

Illustration of two blue and yellow angel fish
Blue fish wearing a captain's hat

Week 7 – Open Ocean

With a storytime and a colour craft, this program is an early years classic, with a fun oceanic twist! Great for any group!