Earth Hour Activities at the Library

Last year, we had an interactive display at our library for the week leading up to Earth Hour, which was on March 28, 2015. We asked customers to write about what they would do for Earth Hour on a paper light bulb, and then we taped their responses on our wall so that other incoming customers could see them. Since being able to see the stars is one of the perks of turning off our lights for Earth Hour (and hopefully for more than just Earth Hour), we decided to add an extra component to our display. We had volunteers cut out paper stars and asked customers to either put their names on the stars, or what they would do for Earth Hour. These were then taped to the display wall below the light bulbs, but instead of just taping the stars randomly, we decided to add an educational component to it and used the stars to form constellations.

Pigs Theme - Toddler Storytime

Specs
Age group: toddlers (24 - 36 months)
Group Size: about 8-10 kids and one parent/caregiver per toddler
Time: 10:30am to 11:15am

Parent/Caregiver Handouts
One of my colleagues told me that one of the ways we can encourage parents to participate is to give them printouts of the songs and rhymes we use. This way, they can participate with the child beside them, or on their lap, and the handout close by. Here are the ones we used for this storytime:

Toddler Storytime Rhymes and Songs
Pigs Theme Rhymes and Songs

The Plan
Hello Good Morning
Head and Shoulders Knees and Toes
London Bridge is Falling Down
Book: Ten Pigs: An Epic Bath Adventure by Derek Anderson
Finger Play: Two Mother Pigs
Song: Down on Grandpa's Farm
Activity: Count the Mud Spots on the Pig/Directions Game
Puppet Show: The 3 Little Pigs
Board Book: This Little Piggy by Heather Collins
Craft: Pig Mask
Parachute and Colouring Sheet

Apples and Autumn Theme - Toddler Storytime

Specs
Age group: toddlers (24 - 36 months)
Group Size: about 8-10 kids and one parent/caregiver per toddler
Time: 10:30am to 11:15am

Parent/Caregiver Handouts
One of my colleagues told me that one of the ways we can encourage parents to participate is to give them printouts of the songs and rhymes we use. This way, they can participate with the child beside them, or on their lap, and the handout close by. Here are the ones we used for this storytime:

Toddler Storytime Rhymes and Songs
Apples and Autumn Theme Rhymes and Songs

The Plan
Hello Good Morning
Head and Shoulders Knees and Toes
London Bridge Is Falling Down
Book: Mouse's First Fall by Lauren Thompson
Finger Play: Way Up High in the Apple Tree
Song: This is the Way the Leaves Fall
Activity: Leaf Sorting by Colour
Activity: Make an Apple or Flat Leaf Shape with Playdoh
Craft: Hand Tracing and Leaf Patterns
Parachute + Colouring Sheet

Halloween Spiders Theme - Toddler Storytime

Specs
Age group: toddlers (24 - 36 months)
Group Size: about 8-10 kids and one parent/caregiver per toddler
Time: 10:30am to 11:15am

Parent/Caregiver Handouts
One of my colleagues told me that one of the ways we can encourage parents to participate is to give them printouts of the songs and rhymes we use. This way, they can participate with the child beside them, or on their lap, and the handout close by. Here are the ones we used for this storytime:

Toddler Storytime Rhymes and Songs
Halloween Spiders Theme Rhymes and Songs

The Plan
Hello Good Morning
Head and Shoulders Knees and Toes
London Bridge is Falling Down
Book: Happy Halloween, Witch's Cat by Harriet Muncaster
Finger Play: Great Big Hairy Spider
Song: There's a Spider on the Floor (with bean bags)
Finger Play: Pumpkin Pumpkin
Activity: Boiling Pot
Activity: Spider Location Game
Boardbook: Eensy Weensy Spider
Craft: Spider Hat
Colouring Sheet

Pirate Theme - Toddler Storytime

Specs
Age group: toddlers (24 - 36 months)
Group Size: about 8-10 kids and one parent/caregiver per toddler
Time: 10:30am to 11:15am

Parent/Caregiver Handouts
One of my colleagues told me that one of the ways we can encourage parents to participate is to give them printouts of the songs and rhymes we use. This way, they can participate with the child beside them, or on their lap, and the handout close by. Here are the ones we used for this storytime:

Toddler Storytime Rhymes and Songs
Pirate Theme Rhymes and Songs

The Plan
Treasure Hunt Game
Hello Good Morning
Head and Shoulders Knees and Toes
London Bridge is Falling Down
Book: Bubble Bath Pirates
Finger Play: Ten Little Pirate
Song: If You're a Pirate and You Know It
Felt Story Activity: Pirate Patch
Board Book: Twinkle Twinkle Little Star
Craft: Telescope
Activity: Searching for Colourful Pirate Swords
Parachute + Colouring Sheet

Trains Theme - Toddler Storytime

Specs
Age group: toddlers (24 - 36 months)
Group Size: about 8-10 kids and one parent/caregiver per toddler
Time: 10:30am to 11:15am

Parent/Caregiver Handouts
One of my colleagues told me that one of the ways we can encourage parents to participate is to give them printouts of the songs and rhymes we use. This way, they can participate with the child beside them, or on their lap, and the handout close by. Here are the ones we used for this storytime:

Toddler Storytime Rhymes and Songs
Trains Theme Rhymes and Songs

The Plan
Hello Good Morning
Head and Shoulders Knees and Toes
London Bridge is Falling Down
Book: A Train Goes Clickety-Clack by Jonathan London
Finger Play: Engine on the Track
Song: The Wheels on the Train
Action Rhyme: Here's a Little Choo Choo Train
Book: I Love Trains! by Philemon Sturges
Activity: Train Track Making with Popsicle Sticks
Activity: Stacking Lids into Patterns
Board Book: Freight Train by Donald Crews
Song: Chug Chug Chug
Craft: Name Train
Parachute and Colouring Sheet

Superhero Craft Day

Superheroes are awesome! We held a Superhero Craft Day earlier this year and had a wonderful turnout. On the advice of a colleague, we researched when the schools near our area would have their PA Days so that we could try to capture a larger attendee rate for our library programs. Did it work? Well, the boost in numbers was probably a combination of

1. being part of an active community center and public transportation hub
2. children being antsy during the colder months (we did this one in January), and
3. the day being a PA Day

Take out factor number 1, though, and the numbers definitely dwindle. For example, whenever the community pool is closed, the number of attendees for children's programs goes down. I always pray that pool maintenance occurs during our slower program days, but alas, it is not to be! Regardless, we are happy to take what benefits we can from being part of this larger community!

Now on to the crafts! Volunteers helped prepare three crafts for the kids:

Bears Theme - Toddler Storytime

Specs
Age group: toddlers (24 - 36 months)
Group Size: about 8-10 kids and one parent/caregiver per toddler
Time: 10:30am to 11:15am

Parent/Caregiver Handouts
One of my colleagues told me that one of the ways we can encourage parents to participate is to give them printouts of the songs and rhymes we use. This way, they can participate with the child beside them, or on their lap, and the handout close by. Here are the ones we used for this storytime:

Toddler Storytime Rhymes and Songs
Bears Theme Rhymes and Songs

The Plan
Hello Good Morning
Head and Shoulders Knees and Toes
London Bridge is Falling Down
Book: Welcome Home Bear
Finger Play: Two Little Black Bears
Felt Story: Brown Bear Brown Bear What Do You See? by Bill Martin Jr.
Song: Teddy Bear Teddy Bear
Activity: We're Going on a Bear Hunt
Song: Hug Your Bear
Board Book: One Two Buckle My Shoe and Rock-a-Bye Baby
Craft: Bear Rattle/Puppet
Parachute + Colouring Sheet

Monster Craft Day

Earlier this year, we received a boat-load of white card stock paper from a very generous patron. All this extra material allows us to run more Craft Days! Yahoo!

In May, we ran a Monster themed Craft Day. Four crafts were prepared, and these easily take up the hour allotted for the program.

The hexagon monster was made using the white card stock paper and a slew of paper bits and pieces from previous craft sessions. We usually run the craft sessions free-style, meaning that we put the examples up on the board and lay out the materials on a table. The kids would then make their own monsters, or try to copy the example ones (though all but the youngest never do). The kids who attended made some really scary monsters, and I wish I had thought to bring my camera! Argh!!

May the 4th Be With You Craft Day

Back in May, we held a May the 4th Be With You Craft Day to celebrate pop culture and Star Wars. We had a pretty good turn out. The above image shows the three crafts we prepared. Below, one of my favourite books this year, Rod Duncan's super cool The Bullet-Catcher's Daughter, is being bookmarked by a cute, felt Chewbacca bookmark.

Space and Aliens Theme - Toddler Storytime

Specs
Age group: toddlers (24 - 36 months)
Group Size: about 8-10 kids and one parent/caregiver per toddler
Time: 10:30am to 11:15am

Parent/Caregiver Handouts
One of my colleagues told me that one of the ways we can encourage parents to participate is to give them printouts of the songs and rhymes we use. This way, they can participate with the child beside them, or on their lap, and the handout close by. Here are the ones we used for this storytime:

Toddler Storytime Songs and Rhymes
Space and Aliens Theme Songs and Rhymes

The Plan
Welcome Song
Up Down Turn Around
Hands Are Clapping
Song: Zoom Zoom Astronaut
Book: Roaring Rockets by Tony Mitton
Rhyme and Puppet Play: 5 Little Aliens
Song: Zoom Zoom Zoom
Book: Hush Little Alien by Daniel Kirk
Song: I'm A Little Rocket
Craft: Alien Space Craft Puppet
Parachute + Colouring Sheet

Boats Theme - Toddler Storytime

Specs
Age group: toddlers (24 - 36 months)
Group Size: about 8 kids and one parent/caregiver per toddler
Time: 10:30am to 11:15am

Parent/Caregiver Handouts
One of my colleagues told me that one of the ways we can encourage parents to participate is to give them printouts of the songs and rhymes we use. This way, they can participate with the child beside them, or on their lap, and the handout close by. Here are the ones we used for this storytime:

Toddler Storytime Songs and Rhymes
Boats Theme Songs and Rhymes

The Plan
Welcome Song
Up Down Turn Around
Hands Are Clapping
Book: Boats by Anne Rockwell
Song: Row Row Row Your Boat (with partner)
Song: Jolly Ship (with partner)
Book: Little Tug by Stephen Savage
Song: Slippery Fish
Craft: fish puppet and floating boat
Activity: What Floats?
Stickers + colouring sheet

Earth Theme - Toddler Storytime

Specs

Age group: toddlers (24 - 36 months)

Group Size: about 10 kids and one parent/caregiver per toddler

Time: 10:30am to 11:15am

Parent/Caregiver Handouts

One of my colleagues told me that one of the ways we can encourage parents to participate is to give them printouts of the songs and rhymes we use. This way, they can participate with the child beside them, or on their lap, and the handout close by. Here are the ones we used for this storytime:

Toddler Storytime Songs and Rhymes

Earth Theme Rhymes and Songs

The Plan

Welcome Song
Up Down Turn Around
Hands Are Clapping

Robots Theme - Toddler Storytime

Specs

Age group: toddlers (24 - 36 months)

Group Size: about 10 kids and one parent/caregiver per toddler

Time: 10:30am to 11:15am

Parent/Caregiver Handouts

One of my colleagues told me that one of the ways we can encourage parents to participate is to give them printouts of the songs and rhymes we use. This way, they can participate with the child beside them, or on their lap, and the handout close by. Here are the ones we used for this storytime:

Toddler Storytime Songs and Rhymes

Robots Theme Rhymes and Songs

The Plan

Welcome Song
Up Down Turn Around
Hands Are Clapping

Bugs Theme - Toddler Storytime

Specs

Age group: toddlers (24 - 36 months)

Group Size: about 10 kids and one parent/caregiver per toddler

Time: 10:30am to 11:15am

Parent/Caregiver Handouts

One of my colleagues told me that one of the ways we can encourage parents to participate is to give them printouts of the songs and rhymes we use. This way, they can participate with the child beside them, or on their lap, and the handout close by. Here are the ones we used for this storytime:

Toddler Storytime Songs and Rhymes

Bugs Theme Rhymes and Songs

The Plan

Welcome Song
Up Down Turn Around
Hands Are Clapping

Family Storytime Quick Playlist

from Julia Donaldson's The Flying Bath

Here's a quick playlist of Family Storytime sessions I've done in the past: 

Welcome Song
Up Down Turn Around
Hands Are Clapping
Book: The Flying Bath by Julia Donaldson

Construction Theme - Toddler Storytime

Specs

Age group: toddlers (24 - 36 months)

Group Size: about 10 kids and one parent/caregiver per toddler

Time: 10:30am to 11:15am

Parent/Caregiver Handouts

One of my colleagues told me that one of the ways we can encourage parents to participate is to give them printouts of the songs and rhymes we use. This way, they can participate with the child beside them, or on their lap, and the handout close by. Here are the ones we used for this storytime:

Toddler Storytime Songs and Rhymes

Construction Theme Rhymes and Songs

The Plan

Welcome Song
Up Down Turn Around
Hands Are Clapping

Valentine's Day Theme - Toddler Storytime

Specs

Age group: toddlers (24 - 36 months)

Group Size: about 10 kids and one parent/caregiver per toddler

Time: 10:30am to 11:15am

Parent/Caregiver Handouts

One of my colleagues told me that one of the ways we can encourage parents to participate is to give them printouts of the songs and rhymes we use. This way, they can participate with the child beside them, or on their lap, and the handout close by. Here are the ones we used for this storytime:

Toddler Storytime Songs and Rhymes

Valentine's Day Theme Rhymes and Songs

The Plan

Welcome Song*
Up Down Turn Around*
Hands Are Clapping*

Fairytale Theme - Toddler Storytime

 

Specs

Age group: toddlers (24 - 36 months)

Group Size: about 10 kids and one parent/caregiver per toddler

Time: 10:30am to 11:15am

Parent/Caregiver Handouts

One of my colleagues told me that one of the ways we can encourage parents to participate is to give them printouts of the songs and rhymes we use. This way, they can participate with the child beside them, or on their lap, and the handout close by. Here are the ones we used for this storytime:

Toddler Storytime Songs and Rhymes

Fairytale Theme Rhymes and Songs

The Plan

Welcome Song*
Up Down Turn Around*
Hands Are Clapping*

Dinosaurs Theme - Toddler Storytime

Specs

Age group: toddlers (24 - 36 months)

Group Size: about 8 kids and one parent/caregiver per toddler

Time: 10:30am to 11:15am

Parent/Caregiver Handouts

One of my colleagues told me that one of the ways we can encourage parents to participate is to give them printouts of the songs and rhymes we use. This way, they can participate with the child beside them, or on their lap, and the handout close by. Here are the ones we used for this storytime:

Toddler Storytime Songs and Rhymes

Dinosaur Theme Rhymes and Songs

The Plan

Welcome Song*
Up Down Turn Around*
Hands Are Clapping*