Out & About

THROUGH SEPT. 9

FRESH FINDS

Explore the Saint Michael’s Farmers Market, where local farmers and artisans sell produce and handmade items. It’s open every Saturday this summer from 8 a.m.-noon.

Saint Michael and All Angels Episcopal Church, 8011 Douglas Ave., 214.363.5471, saintmichaels market.com, free

JUNE 2-30

MOVIE NIGHT

Bring a blanket or lawnchair to the Northaven Trail to watch “The Secret Life of Pets.” The animated film starts at dusk, and Frost Gelato will sell frozen treats.

Northaven Trail, 10937 Edgemere Road, northaventrail. org, free

JUNE 17

FATHER’S DAY STORYTIME

Celebrate Father’s Day with Marjorie Blain Parker’s “When Dads Don’t Grow Up,” which highlights the zany antics of four fathers and their children. Storytime starts at 11 a.m. and families can stick around for activities afterward.

Barnes & Noble, 5959 Royal Lane suite 616, 214.363.0924, stores.barnesand noble.com, free

JUNE 17

TOMATO TASTE-OFF

Avid gardeners can show off their best homegrown tomatoes during the garden center’s contest. Winners are determined by popular vote, and the competition is slated from 9 a.m.-noon. North Haven Gardens, 7700 Northaven Road, 214.363.5316, nhg.com/garden education, free

JUNE 24

Summer Learning

Tour the Frontiers of Flight museum for free during Dallas City of Learning Turn Up. This citywide event was established so that children and teens can continue learning throughout the summer. Frontiers of Flight, 6911 Lemmon Ave., 214.350.3600, flightmuseum.com, free

JUNE 25

Helping The Homeless

Participants will pack stoplight bags to keep in their cars and distribute to the homeless. Items needed in each bag include socks, snacks and hygiene products. Preston Hollow Presbyterian Church, 9800 Preston Road, 214.368.6348, phpc.org, free

By ELISSA CHUDWIN

Families listen to popular children’s tales at Toddler Storytime.

Most students are ecstatic to abandon their notebooks and book bags for the summer. For parents, keeping their children occupied during the three-month vacation can be daunting.

From messy science experiments to interactive art projects, the Dallas Public Library’s summer events series engages children across the city when the weather is sweltering and parents are busy working.

“It gives kids a place to go during the summer and shows the value that the library provides,” says Lauren Hough, the children’s librarian at the Preston Royal branch. “We’re not just books. We’re a place for knowledge.”

The Preston Royal Library’s programs are so popular that Advocate readers voted it the best place to take kids in

Preston Hollow during our annual Best Of Contest in 2015.

Hough starts planning the summer series in January, so there’s plenty of variety for families. This year, 40 activities are slated throughout the summer. Kids can try their hand at creating color-changing slime, visit with raptors and watch skits performed by the Dallas Children’s Theater.

“I try to mix it up,” Hough says. “I like to get community helpers in the library, so they can see who is making the city great.”

June At The Library

All activities are slated at 2 p.m. For a complete list of summer events, visit dallaslibrary.org.

June 3: Kickoff Luau

June 4: Fairy Tale STEAM

June 5: Color Change Slime

June 6: Fire Engine Show and Tell

June 8: Solar Observation

June 11: Tail Waggin’ Tutors

June 12: Texas Parks and Wildlife

June 13: Dallas Police Department

June 15: LEGO Challenge

June 18: STEAM Sunday

June 19: Pixel Art

June 20: Blackland Prairie Raptor Center

June 22: “LEGO Movie”

June 25: Nell Taylor Author Visit

June 26: Dallas Children’s Theater

June 27: Squad Car Show and Tell