Read Between Realms This Summer at the Bellevue Library
Read Between Realms This Summer at the Bellevue Library
By Crystal Anderson, Teen Services Librarian
June 1-July 31: Come to special events, join awesome clubs and contests, grab activity kits, and more—whether you’re into books, art, or just hanging out, there’s something for everyone. Read, create, and explore with the Bellevue Public Library all summer long!
Going into grades 7-12? Or did you just graduate high school? You can join the Teen “Read Between Realms: Legends & Mythical Creatures” Summer Program anytime throughout June and July. View/download the full Summer Program booklet at: bit.ly/readbetweenrealms.
Teens: Share your ideas with us! Tell us your favorite things about the library and make suggestions for your future events and more! Fill out a survey in our Teen Space or online at: bit.ly/teensurvey26.
Teen Certifications, Challenges & Contests
Portal Passport Reading Challenge (June 1-July 31):
Read between realms this summer with the Portal Passport! Set your own goals and power up each portal by reading: unlock new realms, collect stamps–plus, score rewards and grand prize entries along the way!All reading counts! This includes, but is not limited to: books, audiobooks, fanfiction, graphic novels, manga, & much more! Sign up at the Teen Services desk anytime June 1-July 31 to get your Portal Passport reading challenge!
100 Books Challenge (Ongoing):
Join other teens in the ultimate personal reading challenge! Earn rewards for every 25 books you read, with a goal of reaching 100 books before you graduate from high school. Whether you are new to the challenge or continuing from the Beanstack version, come sign up at our Teen Services desk to receive your updated challenge log and other info! Note: Teens have from Grade 7 through Grade 12 to complete this challenge. You can participate in this challenge at the same time as the summer Portal Passport challenge!
Babysitting Certification Courses (Teen Program)
Become a safe and reliable sitter! The Nebraska Extension Services will provide babysitting certification to 15 students (age 11-18) per course on June 4, June 25, and July 23 at the library. Learn the basics of child development, safety, nutrition, and more through their Building Better Babysitters program!
Registration required. Student fee: $10 (Exact Cash/Check). See more payment details when you register.
- Thursday, June 4 (10:00 AM -3:00 PM) – CLOSED
- Thursday, June 25 (10:00 AM -3:00 PM) – Register starting May 16 at: bit.ly/babysit625
- Thursday, July 23 (10:00 AM -3:00 PM) – Register starting June 13 at: bit.ly/babysit723
Teen “Nailed It!” Contest (Teen Contest)
Think you can “Nail It”? Prove it in our seventh annual contest! Teen bakers and brave kitchen creatives—it’s time to show off your skills! We’re challenging all contestants to recreate the same over-the-top, glamorous cake from the comfort of your own kitchens. Whether it’s a masterpiece or a delicious mess, we want to see your best attempt!
Snap some photos of your final creation and submit it to earn bragging rights and a chance to win one of the top three prizes! Icing disasters and frosting fails welcome: this is all about creativity, effort, and having fun!
- Registration is open and ongoing from Monday, June 1 through July 11 at: bit.ly/teennailedit2026
- Starting Saturday, June 20: The 2026 recipe reveal! Registered contestants will receive a photo and basic recipe, which they may then bake and submit anytime up to the entry deadline: Sunday, July 12 by 11:59 PM
Tiny Art Show (Teen Contest)
The TEEN-y tiny art show returns! Sign up for a mini canvas kit, then use any 2D and/or 3D supplies at home to create your entry. See your art on display in the library for a community showcase–and vote for the top three! More contest and prize information is included in the kit. For teens going into Grades 7-12 (by Fall 2026) and 2026 high school graduates. Sign up for a contest kit now at: bit.ly/tinyartshow26
Mystical Minis: Contest Kit (Teen Contest)
Step through the portal and bring your imagination to life! Teens are invited to create their own Mystical Mini using a blank wooden figure–transform it into a legendary creature, heroic figure, or mysterious being from another realm.
Use any 2D and/or 3D materials to design your mini! Want to go even further? Create a tiny setting or scene to showcase your mini’s world! Will your creation be fierce, magical, whimsical… or something never seen before? Entries will be displayed and celebrated, with fun awards for creativity, detail, and presentation. More contest and prize information is included in the kit. For teens going into Grades 7-12 (by Fall 2026) and 2026 high school graduates.
Supplies are limited, so sign up NOW to claim your contest kit and start crafting your legend! Register here: bit.ly/mysticalminis
June: Activity & Program Highlights
Peachy Bubble Tea Elixir (June Teen Kit)
Mix up a little magic this summer! With the Peachy Bubble Tea Elixir kit, you’ll create your own refreshing drink using fruity tea and popping peach boba. Sweet and fun, this vegan-friendly treat is perfect for sipping while you read between realms. Sign up for a kit and brew your own delicious elixir!
- For: Teens in Grades 7-12 (by Fall 2026) + 2026 High School graduates.
- Registration opens Saturday, June 6 at bit.ly/peachyelixir
- Kit pick-up starts: Saturday, June 27
Celestial Soap (June Teen Kit)
Create something truly out of this world! With this Celestial Soap kit, you’ll craft your own sun-and-moon-shaped soap using vegan, body-safe ingredients and a reusable silicone mold. Mix, melt, and pour your way to a cosmic creation that’s as dreamy as it is practical. Complete the kit and bring a little celestial magic to your daily routine!
- For: Teens in Grades 7-12 (by Fall 2026) + 2026 High School graduates.
- Registration opens Saturday, June 6 at: bit.ly/celestialsoap
- Kit pick-up starts: Saturday, June 20
Double Pop-Up: Diamond Art & Book Bedazzling
- Teen Event (Teen Space)
- Wednesday, June 3, 5:00-6:30 PM
Make brilliant art one rhinestone at a time during this Teen Space event on Wednesday, June 3—drop by anytime between 5:00-6:30 PM! You can also bring a book to bedazzle: transform it into the star of your shelves with gems and creative flair. Featuring: Dragons, epic swords, and more!
No registration required; supplies limited. For teens going into Grades 7-12 (by Fall 2026) and 2026 high school graduates.
Summer Squish: Forest Fae Butter Slime
- Teen Event (Large Meeting Room)
- Friday, June 5 • 3:00-4:30 PM
Step into the forest and create your own enchanted slime! Go from station to station to create either a Moss Fae, Mushroom Fae, or Flower Fae slime—each with its own colors, textures, and scents inspired by the hidden world of forest spirits. Mix, knead, and customize your butter slime—then take it home to squish all summer long! Drop in anytime between 3:00-4:30 PM and discover where the forest magic leads!
No registration required; supplies limited. For teens going into Grades 7-12 (by Fall 2026) and 2026 high school graduates.
Glimmercraft Guild: A Bead Bash Pop-Up
- Teen In-Person Event (Teen Space)
- Wednesday, June 10 • 5:00-6:30 PM
Enter the Glimmercraft Guild—a Bead Bash pop-up where creativity sparkles and every piece tells a story! Make your own beaded sunglasses, turning simple shades into bright, magical accessories—decorate the frames with colorful beads that catch the sunlight and make them feel like something from a summer realm. Then explore a variety of stations where you can make beadable pens, bracelets, bottle charms, and more—mixing colors, textures, and styles to match your vibe. The Guild is open… what will you create?
No registration required; supplies limited. For teens going into Grades 7-12 (by Fall 2026) and 2026 high school graduates.
Cabinet of Curiosities: Enchanted Apothecaries
- Teen In-Person Event (Large Meeting Room)
- Sunday, June 14 • 2:00-3:30 PM
Design your own miniature apothecary tucked inside a tin—complete with tiny potion bottles and books, mini plants, and beautifully patterned “wallpapers.” Whether you create a forest witch’s remedy shop, a dragon healer’s cabinet, or something entirely your own, this hands-on meet-up is all about crafting something magical, detailed, and uniquely yours. For teens going into Grades 7-12 (by Fall 2026) and 2026 high school graduates.
Registration is open now at: bit.ly/miniapothecary
Color Crush: Summer Café
- Teen In-Person Event (Teen Space)
- Thursday, June 18 • 2:00-4:30 PM
Color Crush is your cozy hangout spot! Drop in for cold drinks, snack with friends, and relax in an art-filled space. Bring your sketchbook to doodle or share your latest creations—then explore an expansive variety of coloring pages using alcohol ink markers and other cool art supplies.
Whether you’re here to create, color, or just vibe with other teens, our Summer Café edition of Color Crush is the perfect place to unwind and be inspired–drop by anytime between 2:00-4:30 PM!
Featuring: Our fantastical Build-A-Bouquet stations, where you can collect and color Impossible Blooms from other realms! Plus, design your own strange and unusual mythical flowers to add or exchange with others. No registration required; supplies limited. For teens going into Grades 7-12 (by Fall 2026) and 2026 high school graduates.
Journal Studio: Hidden Realms
- Teen In-Person Event (Teen Space)
- Wednesday, June 24 • 4:30-6:30 PM
Not everything is meant to be seen at first glance. Create interactive journal pages filled with hidden messages, secret flaps, and layered designs that reveal what lies beneath. From coded notes to messages across realms, this drop-in Studio lets you experiment with creative ways to tell your story—one hidden layer at a time.
Explore fresh journaling prompts, try out new supplies, and experiment with freewriting. Learn how to make wax seals for your journal or for a special letter. Bring a journal you love or choose one during the event (Limit: One journal per teen at a time. Please continue using your journal until it’s filled). Whether you journal every day or are just getting started, this event is all about expressing yourself and having fun with your pages.
Participants are welcome to stay for the entire event or to leave whenever they have finished their journal activities. No registration required; supplies limited. For teens going into Grades 7-12 (by Fall 2026) and 2026 high school graduates.
During this meet-up:
- Learn how to make wax seals!
- Try out different journaling supplies!
- Junk Journaling: International Snack Taste-Testing!
- Freewriting & Fresh Prompts: Hidden Realms activities and more!
July: Upcoming Popular Programs
Here’s a sneak peek of our second month of teen activities! See the full July calendar for teen event and registration details at: bit.ly/readbetweenrealms
- Glimmercraft Guild: A Bead Bash Pop-Up (July 2)
- Double Pop-Up: Diamond Art & Book Bedazzling (July 8)
- ArtVibe: Goosesplosion! (July 9)
- K-Pop Takeover (July 12)
- Journal Studio: Secret Archives (July 15)
- Build Mode (July 17)
- Color Crush: Summer Café (July 22)
- Paint & Sip: S’more Trinket Box (July Teen Kit)
- Bookmarked: DIY Kits (Mixtape Bookmark, Spilled Drink Bookmark)(July Teen Kits)
- Tiny Club (July 29)
- The Art of Henna: An Interactive Introduction (July 31)
Questions about the Teen “Read Between Realms: Legends & Mythical Creatures” Summer Program? Contact Crystal Anderson at crystal.anderson@bellevue.net or at (402) 682.6673.
Follow the Bellevue Public Library at:
- Web Site: Bellevue.net/176/library
- Instagram: @bellevuepubliclibrary
- Facebook: @bellpl
