Stuffed Animal Sleepover

Posted on Thursday, May 12, 2016 by Miss Chriss

BlocksWhat do stuffed animals do when you turn out the lights? Last week 22 stuffed animals attended the Stuffed Animal Sleepover program at the Columbia Public Library. After a special stuffed animal story time, kids tucked their stuffies into bed, gave them one last kiss goodnight and turned out the lights. All the stuffies promised to behave and go right to sleep.

Office 5 MonkeysWe quickly learned while the kids are away, the stuffed animals will play.
Soon after the kids left, the stuffies begged for one last bedtime story. Thankfully Officer Stoer from the Columbia Police Department stopped by the library to read “Five Little Monkeys Jumping on the Bed.” Continue reading “Stuffed Animal Sleepover”

Thank You, Elephant and Piggie

Posted on Tuesday, May 10, 2016 by Erin

"The Thank You Book" book coverIt is a sad day indeed when a favorite author ends a very popular series. Mo Willems published the first Elephant and Piggie book in 2007. In nine years he has created 25 books with favorites such as “There is a Bird on Your Head” and “Are You Ready to Play Outside?”, both of which won the Theodor Seuss Geisel Award. Even though Piggie and Elephant will no longer star in their own books, their faces will still be around in a new series called Elephant & Piggie like Reading! While these books will not be related to the Elephant and Piggie series, Gerald and Piggie will give them their stamp of approval! Continue reading “Thank You, Elephant and Piggie”

Gardening for Kids

Posted on Friday, May 6, 2016 by Megan

Photograph of girl gardeningDid you know that you can grow celery, radishes and even pineapple in your own kitchen? As we wrap up spring and dive into summer, you might be looking for fun and educational activities to keep those young minds engaged. As the old adage goes “Make hay while the sun shines!” Or, in our case, make celery!

Worried about your green thumb? Don’t be. Gardening can be as simple as planting the tops or bottoms of plants in a small container and watching the magic happen. Gardening is a great way for children and adults to come together and learn something new. Here are some simple ways you can get the plants rolling.

Continue reading “Gardening for Kids”

Step Away From the Screen: Video Game- and TV-Themed Crafts and Activities

Posted on Tuesday, May 3, 2016 by Josh

Photograph o Video Game RemoteIn our technology-based society, it’s easy for kids to get caught up in their favorite video games and TV shows, resulting in too much screen time. However, there are many fun ways to enjoy our favorite video games and TV shows while actually reducing screen time.

  1. Bead Art

Bead art is a great entry-level form of crafting, especially when it comes to the classic 8-bit style of video games. It only requires a few materials: Perler beads, an iron, ironing paper, tweezers and a Perler pegboard. Bead art is as simple as placing the beads next to each other and then melting them together.

  1. Minecraft Crafts

Continue reading “Step Away From the Screen: Video Game- and TV-Themed Crafts and Activities”

Are You Ready for a Picnic?

Posted on Tuesday, April 26, 2016 by Amy

Spring is such a wonderful time of year for a picnic in the park. Here are some fun ideas to try on your next picnic adventure!

Start out your picnic with some rhymes:

Photograph of teddy bears on a picnicWe’re Going on a Picnic

We’re going on a picnic.
Gonna pack a lunch.
What should we get to munch munch munch?
(Ask kids to name some yummy foods for a picnic, and then chant the song again.)

Carrots, Peas and Broccoli

Carrots, peas and broccoli,
Vegetables are good for me.
For my snack and in my lunch,
Veggie sticks are great to munch.
Carrots, peas and broccoli,
Vegetables are good for me

Next, make some picnic snacks:

Continue reading “Are You Ready for a Picnic?”

Happy Moon Landing Anniversary, Apollo 16!

Posted on Thursday, April 21, 2016 by Megan

Photograph of John W. Young on the MoonPicture it. Landing on a cold, desolate, and inhospitable surface that is at once familiar and completely alien. A handful of others have gone before you, but nothing can compare to the vast expanse that awaits you. This is what the crew of the Apollo 16 – John Young, Charles Duke, and Ken Mattingly- must have felt upon their arrival on the lunar landscape. April 21st marks the 43rd anniversary of the Apollo 16 moon landing, the fifth mission to land on the moon and the first to land in the highlands.

Here are few fun facts about this mission: Continue reading “Happy Moon Landing Anniversary, Apollo 16!”

Severe Weather Plan

Posted on Thursday, April 14, 2016 by Erin

Photograph of a tornadoIt’s spring time! Most people look forward to sunshine, warmth, rain, rainbows and flowers. But spring also brings severe storms. If you have a young one in school, it’s likely that they have practiced where to go and what to do if a severe storm or tornado strikes, but do you have a plan at home?

While severe storms may be scary, talking to your child and practicing how to react with your family will make a scary situation easier. A storm becomes severe when it produces hail one inch in diameter and/or high winds over 58 miles per hour. There are a couple of steps to be storm ready. First, know the difference between a watch and a warning. Next, make a plan on where to go and who to contact if you and your family members were to get separated. Have your child help create an emergency kit in case you need to spend a long time in a shelter or the power goes out. Finally, practice your plan to check your family’s knowledge on where to go.

Here are some things you and your child can add to your emergency kit: Continue reading “Severe Weather Plan”

Take a Color Walk!

Posted on Tuesday, April 12, 2016 by Katie

Two people walkingThis is an exciting time for young ones to be outside, observing how Mid-Missouri shifts from winter to spring. Plants are changing from little green sprouts to blooming flowers or trees within a few days’ time. Would you like to enhance your time spent outside? Try a color walk. Continue reading “Take a Color Walk!”

Fidget Boxes

Posted on Thursday, April 7, 2016 by Megan

Photograph of a fidget boxDoes your child need a little extra help focusing during story times or other children’s programs? We’ve got you covered! We’re proud to be introducing the Fidget Box–now available at all three branches and on Bookmobile, Jr. What is a fidget you ask? A fidget is a small tool (disguised as a toy) that kids can hold, squeeze and, well, fidget with, all the while helping them concentrate. Fiddling with a fidget is a great and quiet way to channel energy that might otherwise disrupt others. Our fidget boxes contain toys, I mean tools, to tantalize the senses, including a small weighted lap blanket, a Koosh ball, Tangles and more!

What about fidgeting when you aren’t at the library? Try Silly Putty, Play-Doh or stress balls. You can also try making your own fidgets. Cut up a pool noodle to make a stress ball. Wrap a pipe cleaner around a pencil or take out the middle man and wrap it around your finger, as seen here. And don’t worry grownups, you can fidget too–keep one of these by your desk and just see how productive you can be. Happy fidgeting!