Keeping Up With The Kids

April 17, 2024 at 4:59 p.m.

(damircudic)

Kids doing Good in Englewood

Meet Aubrey Wagenseil, who set up a lemonade stand on Saturday, April 6th in front of the Blue Pineapple Bistro to raise funds for a friend who is battling cancer. The money will be donated to fighting childhood cancer. With the help of her family, friends and a couple of members from the Lemon Bay Sunrise Rotary Club, Aubrey’s stand was a big hit and she sold out. Pictured here are front (l-r): Paul Wagenseil, Jr. and Aubrey Wagenseil. Back row (l-r): CJ Soderquist, Casey Hanrahan, Paul Wagenseil and Dan Stickley.

What Is a Live Cartoon?
As part of the Remake Learning Days, Chucko the Clown will be part of a free family event on Saturday, April 20, 1 to 2:30pm, at the Historic Venice Train Depot, 303 E. Venice Avenue, Venice. There will be entertainment, activities and fun followed by a private tour of the train museum at the depot and circus car.

Zombie Apocalypse
Do you have what it takes to escape from the zombie apocalypse? Embark on an adventure where you and your group must navigate the undead-infested halls, uncover clues and solve puzzles to save humanity. This fun, in-person game is being held at the North Port Library from Saturday, April 20 through Saturday, May 4 during library hours. Just pick up a clue sheet at the desk and solve at your own pace. The North Port Library is located at 13800 Tamiami Trail in North Port and can be reached at 941•861•1321.

Dog Tales
Readers of all ages are invited to come read aloud to a therapy dog on Wednesday, April 24, 3:30 to 4:30pm, at the Englewood Charlotte Library, 3450 N. Access Road. Each child can read one-on-one with their pet partner to build reading confidence and have fun while gaining literacy skills. Sign up for a 15-minute reading slot by calling 941•681•3736 or just drop in with a reading buddy.

Kids doing Good in Englewood!

Here Comes the Grannies!
Swing by the Punta Gorda Library on Saturday, April 27, 11am to 12:30pm, to celebrate your favorite Australian Heelers and their friends for a morning of fun and games. Bring your own blanket or towel and make your very own granny glasses, complete the character scavenger hunt, participate in some cheeky imaginative play, make some wackadoo crafts and play Keepy Uppy. The whole family will enjoy this free program. No registration needed. The Punta Gorda Library is located at 401 Shreve Street, Punta Gorda. For questions, call 941•833•5460.

Family Art Day
Bring the whole family for Family Art Day with Debra Torger on Saturday, April 27, 9am to noon, at Creative Liberties, 927 Lime Avenue, Sarasota. This free monthly event features interactive art-creating sessions led by professional artists, which are suitable for all age groups and skill levels. No RSVP required. For more information, visit creativeliberties.net or call 941•799•6634.

Englewood Art Center invites you to stop by on Saturday, April 27, 2 to 4pm, for Youth Art Exhibition reception. One of the fun activities will be making a “Remy”. Remy is the armadillo mascot for the Ringling College of Art and Design. Other fun activities are planned, and you can see the work of Englewood youth artists on exhibit. This event is part of the Suncoast Remake Learning Days. EAC is located at 350 S. McCall Road and can be reached at 941•474•5548. Website: eacringlingcollege.org.

Mini Golf Construction
Help design and construct a mini golf course inside the Elsie Quirk Library and then return to play the course at Mini Golf Night, Wednesday, May 1, 4 to 7pm. All ages are welcome to help create the course using the Creation Station tools, cardboard and other recyclable materials. Come to a free workshop on Saturday, April 27, 10:30am to 12:30pm, or Monday, April 29, 3:30 to 5:30pm, where you will design and construct holes for the course. The library is located at 100 W. Dearborn Street and can be reached at 941•861•1110 for questions.

Exploring Elements of Theatre
Tweens and teens can participate in a variety of activities that will cover elements of the theatre, both on and off the stage. This free program will be Thursday, May 2, 3:30 to 4:30pm, at the Jacaranda Library, 4143 Woodmere Park Blvd., Venice. Registration is required at scgovlibrary.librarymarket.com or call 941•861•1100.

Full STEAM Ahead
Kids can register for an hour of hands-on STEAM-tastic fun on Friday, May 10, 4:30 to 5:30pm, at the Englewood Charlotte Library, 3450 N. Access Road. Each month kids will explore concepts in science, technology, engineering, art and math during this fee program. Dress for a mess. You must register each child by calling 941•681•3736 or online at charlottecountyfl.libcal.com.

Moms Deserve the Best Event
Charlotte County Community Services invites kids and their mother figure to celebrate together on Saturday, May 10, 5 to 7pm, at Centennial Park Rec Center, 1185 Centennial Blvd, Port Charlotte. Participants will have the opportunity to decorate cupcakes and create a craft for their mother. Each family will receive four cupcakes to decorate, and each child will be provided a craft; all supplies will be provided. Registration is required as supplies are limited; both programs are $10 per family. Register now at tinyurl.com/OurMomsDeservetheBest or call 941•613•3230. Registration deadline is Monday, April 29th. Dads, you aren’t forgotten. Father’s Day Delights will be Saturday, June 15, 5 to 7pm, also at the Centennial Park Rec Center. Register by Monday, June 3rd at tinyurlcom/FathersDayDelights.

Items appearing in this column are accurate as of presstime. Please call the listed numbers for confirmation and further information. If you have an event or happening you would like to have considered for ‘Keeping Up with Kids,’ please send information and/or photo to email: [email protected].