Sarcasm, pizza, candy, and cutting toys apart to glue them back together…is there any better was for teens to celebrate Anti-Valentines Day? This was a super fun and unique event for our teens – I had 14 participants. Almost all high school aged, and an even mix of boys and girls. FrankenToy This was easily… Read More Anti Valentines Day Frankentoy Program
I have really come to love the Station model for tween and teen programs. Teens need the flexibility and autonomy when it comes to activity choices. Some teens will appreciate the option to drift from group to group when they start to feel uncomfortable. This was the first in a new Teen Night series I’m running… Read More How to Run a Station Based “Minute To Win It” Teen Night at the Library
It was a merry muggle Christmas indeed! I run a big pop culture themed party every other month (next up I’m doing Hockey Party, Emoji Party, and Superhero Party). With the recent release of Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them, I decided to make December a Harry Potter Christmas Party. We had over 75 attendees of… Read More Harry Potter Christmas Party
What’s the only thing better than normal board games? Giant board games! I have seen many inventive and huge versions of games in libraries, so I decided to make my own. And it’s super easy. Giant Twister is just like normal twister, except instead of laying the board on a portion of the ground you… Read More Giant Twister in the Library!
The Pokemon hype is far from over, and libraries have a wonderful opportunity to draw kids in! Pop culture themed “party” events are a perfect high appeal way to draw crowds into your space, and shift the public’s perception of a library. I’ve structured mine to include 2 or 3 craft stations, 2 or 3… Read More Pokemon Party in the Library
If you’re looking for an easy to plan, high energy, high appeal event to draw a crowd – look no further! I ran this Lego Build Tournament for 5-12 year olds and 50 eager builders showed up to show off their skills. It was a blast and I will definitely be running is at least… Read More Lego Build Tournament – Library Program Outline
Pokemon Go is taking over and kids are flocking to the library pokestop! Pokemon Go is the combination of so many things the library supports: gaming, imagining magical creatures, and getting to know your community. I’ve been playing the game (a lot) in my personal time, and I’ve really enjoyed exploring my neighbourhood and meeting… Read More Pokemon Scavenger Hunt in the Library
The force was with us all on May 4th 2016 as I entertained over 60 little Star Wars fans with a Star Wars Party! This was the first big program I’ve put on since starting my new job as Children’s and Teen Librarian at a library in the Niagara region and I am so encouraged… Read More Star Wars Party 2.0
I ran this MP3 Flash Mob event during March Break 2015 as one station at a big exploratory event called Idea Factory. It was one of the zaniest library experiences I’ve had yet – and I loved it! What is it? During an MP3 Flash Mob (popularized by Improv Everywhere), everyone wears headphones, has the… Read More MP3 Flash Mob Adventure in the Library: Zany Programs for Kids!
Ages: Tweens, teens OR 20/30s Duration: 1.5 hours Style: Drop-in Budget: $40 Goal: To provide a silly, surprising, and highly creative atmosphere with no pressure to make something “good.” Summary: A freestyle craft event for tweens and teens (although I think it could run just as well as a 20/30s program). Everyone has access to a pile… Read More Bad Art Night: Library Program Outline
Ontarian Librarian 