'Read and Romp – Tuscaloosa' is an exciting family literacy event coming to Government Plaza on Saturday, May 21st.

The day's free activities will run from 9 am until noon and will cater to children 3-­5 years of age and their families.

A press release from Macaroni Kid Tuscaloosa explains,

At 'Read and Romp – Tuscaloosa,' children will be engaged in fun, learning-­based activities themed around favorite children’s books. Children will leave the event with goodies that they have created from an activity at each station, along with a stamped passport and books. By associating fun-­filled activities with reading, parents will learn ways to engage with their child on the life-­long journey of learning at an early age, which will help increase their children’s success in school.

While centered around books, each station will be staffed by organizations and businesses that are child-­focused, providing families an opportunity to learn about activities that will enhance the development and education of their young children. We have 14 organizations providing amazing hands-­on fun activity stations.

For example, children will touch buttons at the Tuscaloosa Public Library station and create a monster craft to take home, based on the book, Don’t Push the Button. At the Bama Bounders station, children can enjoy a bounce house based on the the book, 5 Little Monkeys. Children will also be able to enjoy face painting, character visits, a petting zoo, and listen to a live reading of the books.

'Read and Romp – Tuscaloosa' was started by the national Reach Out and Read organization in Boston and is unique in that it is a collaboration of organizations that have early childhood literacy and family engagement as priorities.

Other, local organizations involved in 'Read and Romp – Tuscaloosa' are: Reach Out and Read-­Alabama, Alabama Project LAUNCH, The Tuscaloosa Public Library, United Way’s Success by 6, Alabama Public Television, and Macaroni Kid Tuscaloosa.

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