The end of the school year is near, and we have officially entered cake, pizza, and check-writing season. Yes, it is the delightful time of year when we go from class parties to end-of-season sports celebrations to fundraisers and back again, all while making plans (and writing checks for) summer camps, programs, and activities. It's a whirlwind for sure, and it's easy to find yourself on the eve of the last day of school, standing in front of the gift card kiosk at the grocery store, looking for a teacher's gift.

Now, gift cards are great presents-most teachers agree that they love getting them, but we all know that they could use a little more personality. It takes almost no time to find creative packaging for your card if you start with our list of ideas below. Then, tailor your gift to your teacher's interests and give it a personal touch with a heartfelt note from your summer-bound student. Finally, add a gift tag with a punny saying, and you've got the perfect end-of-the-year gift in just about as much time as it takes to drop a gift card into a greeting card.

Sashiko Embroidery: Beginners Workshop

Your family (teens 13-9 and adults) can learn the traditional Japanese embroidery technique sashiko on May 24 from 3:00 PM to 6:00 PM via zoom. Registration is required, and very few spots were still available as of this printing. 

Take & Make: Spring Busy Bag

Your preschoolers (ages 3-5) can join the Santa Catalina Branch librarians in making a bag with guided activities and supplies. First up is a chance to create a flower suncatcher. Craft kit registration opens on May 26 and continues through June 4 or while supplies last.

The LA County Fair 

Hello funnel cakes! The LA County Fair is back for its 100th season. And it's cooler than it's been in years! Literally, they moved it from September to May to take advantage of the cooler weather. So you get all of the fair's fun with less of the heat. You can also purchase tickets and parking passes online to save money and get inside quicker.
 

Family Yoga

Your family can join the Santa Catalina Branch librarians for some Hatha yoga with Merry Birchfield on May 21 from 11:30 AM to 12:15 PM. Children and their caregivers will learn yoga techniques to help them relax and focus.

Asian Pacific Family Storytime

Your kids (ages 3-5) can join the Linda Vista Branch librarians to read cultural stories and make a panda art activity on May 21 from 2:30 PM to 3:00 PM.

Taiko Project

Your family can join the La Pintoresca Branch librarians outside for an interactive introduction to the history and music of taiko on May 26 from 3:30 PM to 4:30 PM. 

Teen Writers Meetup

Your teens (ages 13-19) can join other teens and the Hastings Branch librarians for 90 minutes of writing inspiration on May 28 from 4:00 PM to 5:00 PM. Registration is required, and spots are very limited.

Virtual Reality @PPL

Your Teens (ages 13+) and adults can take VR for a spin at the Hastings Branch Library on May 31, from 4:00 PM till 6:00 PM. The Oculus Quest setup provides the full VR experience. Registration required. A parent or guardian must sign a waiver either online beforehand or on-site.

Take & Make: Pride and Friendship Bracelet

Everyone in your family can show their Pride or share their friendship with a colorful woven bracelet. Reservations for craft kits open June 1, and kits can be picked up from the Hill Avenue Branch Library starting June 6. Kits are available through June or while supplies last.

Take & Make: Rainbow Melted Crayon Art

Your family (ages 10+) can join the Hasting Branch in celebrating Pride Month with a canvas and crayon artwork inspired by the book Red: A Crayon's Story by Michael Hall. Reservations for craft kits are available June 1 - 4. Supplies are limited.

Take & Make: Madhubani Elephant Bookmark

Your kids (ages 0-12 years old) can join the San Rafael Branch librarians in celebrating Asian American & Pacific Islander Heritage Month by making a Madhubani elephant bookmark. Registration for craft kits starts on May 1. Kits are available through May 31 or while supplies last. 

Take & Make: Japanese Carp Streamer

Your family can join the Hastings Branch librarians in celebrating AAPI Heritage Month by making a papercraft carp streamer or Koinobori, a windsock flown to celebrate "Children's Day" in Japan. Registration for craft kits starts on May 1 and continues through May 14 or while supplies last.

Take & Make: Korean Paper Game (Ddakji)

Your whole family and build and play this Korean paper-flipping game with a craft kit from the Hill Avenue Branch Library. Kit reservation opens on May 1 and goes through May 31 or while supplies last.

Take & Make: Paper Lei Kit

Your kids (ages 0-12) can take home a kit with everything they need to make their very own paper lei and learn a bit about the history of Hawaii. Reserved kits can be picked up from the San Rafael Branch Library. Kit reservation opens on May 1 and goes through May 31 or while supplies last.

Take & Make: Paper Plate Hand Fan

Your whole family can join the Hastings Branch Library in making a hand fan from paper plates using the craft kit. Kit reservation opens on May 1 and is available through May 14 or while supplies last.

Teen Gardening Club

The Altadena Library is looking for Teens (grades 8-12) of all skill levels to help grow and care for the library's gardens and plants on May 28, from 9:00 AM till 10:00 AM. Teens will learn about vegetable gardens, flower beds, and indoor plants while earning volunteer service hours. Registration is required.

These events are regularly scheduled, and many do not require registrations. That said, please check with the event host in case of holidays, weather, COVID, or other reasons to cancel or reschedule.
 

Afternoon Games

The whole family is invited to the Villa Parke Community Center Branch Library to play games, from board games to giant dominos. The fun happens on Tuesdays, from 2:00 PM till 4:00 PM.

Infant & Toddler Storytimes

Your little ones (ages 0-2) and their caregiver can join the Pasadena librarians weekly at 10:30 AM for 20 minutes of reading, rhyming, and singing fun! 

Lamanda Park Branch - Tuesdays

Allendale Branch - Wednesdays

Preschool Storytime - Pasadena Public Libraries

Your kids (ages 3-5) can join the Pasadena librarians weekly for a selection of stories, songs, crafts, or a short movie. Activities vary by branch.

Villa Parke Community Center Branch - Tuesdays, 10:30 AM till 11:30 AM

Santa Catalina Branch - Wednesday, 10:30 AM till 11:00 AM

San Rafael Branch - Wednesdays, 11:00 AM till 11:30 AM

Lamanda Park Branch - Thursdays, 10:30 AM till 11:00 AM

Linda Vista Branch - Thursday, 10:30 AM till 11:00 AM

Hill Avenue Branch - Saturdays, 10:30 AM till 11:00 AM

Chocolate Storytime

Your family can join Dr. Ayesha Randall and the La Pintoresca Branch librarians for storytelling and community building with stories written by and/or about African-Americans.

Last Friday of the Month through August 26, 4:00 PM till 5:00 PM

Storytimes in the Park - Monrovia Public Library

Your kids (ages 0-5) can join the Monrovia librarians in Library Park near the Rotary Bandshell for two different storytimes:

Enjoy active and engaging stories and songs on Wednesdays from 10:00 AM till 10:45 AM through July 27. The book fun is followed up with a sensory activity or craft project. Everyone is welcome. See the event listing for more details.

Share stories, music, and movement by getting your little ones dancing, singing, and learning on Saturdays from 10:00 AM till 10:30 AM through July 30. See the event listing for more details.

Family Films

Villa Parke Community Center Branch hosts a family movie for you on Thursdays, from 3:30 PM till 5:30 PM. Please contact the branch at 626-744-6510 for the movie title. And this is a BYOS (bring your own snacks) event.

Video Game Club

Your Teen (age 14-19) can stop into the Hastings Branch Library Meeting Room on Thursdays, from 4:00 PM till 6:00 PM, for some gaming fun on the Nintendo Switch. They can make new friends and learn fair play every week. No registration is required. Must play well with others.

Crafting with Tish & Tosh

Join the Pasadena Library online for some all-ages crafting fun. You'll learn new crafts all year round. The crafting fun happens on every-other Monday on Instagram Live from 3:00 PM till 3:30 PM.