Activities for Kids

Library Events

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The library is a magical place to children, full of so many books, magazines, and movies that they can take home to use and then bring back. But most libraries offer more to children than just being able to take home books. A library is a community place with many free events to participate in.

Check with your local library branch to find out when they have story time for children. In some libraries there will be multiple times in a week some will specify that they are for children of certain ages only. These are usually interactive story times with the children participating or a puppet show might be put on to tell the story. If the time you want to go is for younger children, have the older ones find a book of their own to read in a quiet corner while their younger siblings enjoy the show.

Craft days or magic shows are both events that a library will host for children. These are mostly done during spring and summer breaks. Some libraries require a pre-registration to ensure they aren’t overbooked, or the library doesn’t become too crowded. Try and get a calendar of events from the librarian so you can be aware of what is coming up and don’t miss out.

Reading clubs are available at the library for all ages including moms and dads. Set an example and join one for the summer and let your children join one or start one of their own. By seeing a parent read it can encourage children to pick up a book too.

Chess clubs or other organizations can be found at the library too. The library is utilized by many different clubs as a meeting place. Find out what groups meet at your local library and see if your children are interested in joining one for the summer.

What do you Feel?

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With this activity, your children are going to be using their sense of feel to figure out what different objects are when they are blindfolded. You can create different themes to play this game (items from nature or the kitchen) or mix things up for a game that is a bit harder.

All you need for this activity is a blindfold and many different objects that are different shapes, sizes and textures. The children have to wear the blindfold and try and guess what they are holding by touch alone.

Examples of items to use from nature:

* Pinecones
* Moss
* Flower (all different kinds)
* Blades of grass
* Leaf
* Stones
* Dandelion seeds

Examples of items to use from the kitchen:

* Sponges or washcloths
* Potato or other textured vegetable
* Pineapple or other piece of fruit that won’t be damaged easily
* Soap in a container, have a cloth handy to wipe their hands with afterwards
* Measuring spoons

You can set-up different stations for the children to go to or having everything laid out on one table. A variation on this activity is to use the sense of smell instead of touch. Still use the blind fold but use items that have a distinct odor to see if the children can guess what the item is. Spices such as cinnamon and pepper are easy to identify.

You can set up different tables where different senses have to be used at each table. A touching table, a smelling table, and a tasting table. The tasting table can be fun, but if you are playing with children that are not your own make sure you are aware of any allergies that they may have.

Also, don’t put anything out that a child strongly dislikes it will prevent them from wanting to play the game again.

Make a Wind Chime

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The sound of a wind time in the summer breeze is very relaxing and making one can occupy the children for an afternoon. The materials you will need are items that will make a pretty sound when they rub against each other (shells, beads, or even old utensils), something sharp to poke a hole through each item, a hammer, string, a round item (a lid or piece of wood) for the top, and a hook to hang the wind chime.

Once all the items are collected the adult should use the hammer and sharp object (such as a screwdriver) to make a hole in each object. If the item is too hard to make a hole in (like a rock) tie string around it several times until it is secured. After the holes are made tie a piece of string to each item.

Take your tools again and punch holes in the round lid that you are going to use, one for each item that will be hanging from the wind chime. Thread the string through the hole and tie a knot so that it will not fall back through. Poke two more holes in the lid and tie one piece of string through both holes and attach the hook.

All that is left is to find the perfect spot for your wind chime. Place it close enough so that it can be heard through an open window on a breezy day. If the items do not knock against each other when the wind blows you may have to adjust the lengths of the string a few times until you get it just right. Keep an eye on the wind chime to make sure it doesn’t lose any of the pieces. If it does be sure to pick them up as they can pose a choking hazard to young children.

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