Bored Kids? We Can Help!
Christmas break is a time for parties, presents, baking and… boredom? If the thrill of the new toys has wo
rn off and you are looking for something fun for your kids to do over break, we can help! Kent District Library offers a great line-up of programs to keep kids busy and entertained during their stretch away from school. And if your bank account took a hit from buying gifts and stocking stuffers, have no fear — all these events are free!
Reel Fun: A Family Movie Event
Come enjoy a family movie. Call or stop by the library for details on what’s showing. For all ages.
Monday, December 19, 2:00 PM – Caledonia Township branch
Tuesday, December 20, 2:00 PM – Caledonia Township branch
Wednesday, December 21, 2:00 PM – Caledonia Township branch
Tuesday, December 27, 2:00 PM – Comstock Park branch
Wednesday, December 28, 10:30 AM – Grandville branch
Wednesday, December 28, 6:00 PM – Sand Lake / Nelson Township branch
Thursday, December 29, 2:00 PM – Kentwood branch
Kidz Klub
It’s a special time for fun, interactive programs just for school kids! Join our Kidz Klub programs for crafts, storytimes, games and activities. For grades K-5.
Monday, December 19, 2:00 PM – Kentwood branch
Wednesday, December 21, 4:30 PM – Sand Lake / Nelson Township branch
Saturday, December 31, 10:30 AM – Alto branch
Teddy Bear Clinic
Bring your teddy bear to the library for a quick checkup! Learn ways to keep teddy healthy and happy and even get a clean bill of health! In partnership with Helen DeVos Children’s Hospital. For all ages.
Tuesday, December 20, 10:30 AM – Sand Lake / Nelson Township branch
Gingerbread Lane
Take a stroll down Gingerbread Lane and enjoy some tasty gingerbread stories. Each child will make a simple gingerbread house. Registration is required and participation is limited. For all ages.
Tuesday, December 20, 1:30 PM – Alpine Township branch
The Reindeer Are Coming!
Traveling all the way from the North Pole (via the Rooftop Landing Reindeer Farms), live reindeer will be visiting the library. Dress warmly and don’t forget the camera! For all ages.
Tuesday, December 20, 6:30 PM – Wyoming branch
Wednesday, December 21, 5:30 PM – Alpine Township branch
Wednesday, December 28, 2:00 PM – Kentwood branch
Friday, December 30, 2:00 PM – Byron Township branch
Chess Anyone?
Drop in and play chess at the library! All skill levels welcome. An adult will be available to help you with your game or match you up with a worthy opponent. For all ages.
Thursday, December 22, 4:00 PM – Kentwood branch
Pokémon Madness
Pokémon lovers unite! Learn how to play the Pokémon Trading Card game, or if you already know how to play, bring your cards along for some friendly competition. While you are here, participate in other activities and crafts involving Pokémon. For ages 6 and up.
Tuesday, December 27, 2:00 PM – Cascade Township branch
Lego Family Block Party
The library is the place for Lego fun! Drop in and make your own special Lego or Duplo creations. All materials are provided by the library, so come, design, and create! For all ages.
Wednesday, December 28, 2:00 PM – Byron Township branch
Thursday, December 29, 3:00 PM – Spencer Township branch
Be a Miner 49′er
Mosey on down to your library for some good, old-fashioned, Gold Rush-inspired fun! Enjoy crafts, games and activities for all ages.
Thursday, December 29, 2:00 PM – Plainfield Township branch
Snow Party
Celebrate the snow indoors with crafts, games, and activities! For all ages.
Thursday, December 29, 2:00 PM – Walker branch
These are just some of the many programs taking place over Christmas vacation. Don’t miss out on all the free fun!
Posted by: Katie
January 10th, 2012 at 1:08 pm
Hello;
Could someone tell me what all you did for the Miner 49′er program? I’m a children’s librarian in the Indianapolis area.
Thanks,
Ellen Dworkin
Hamilton East Public Libary
Fishers, Indiana
January 10th, 2012 at 3:14 pm
Hi Ellen!
Thanks for your inquiry!
My name is Trish and I am one of the youth librarians at KDL who helped plan this program. Please see the list of activities that branches will be selecting from when they offer the program. The activities are set up as stations and people can just drop in and do however many of the activities and crafts that they like.
If you have further questions about the program, please don’t hesitate to contact me at EastGrandRapidsYouthStaff@kdl.org. Hope this helps!
CRAFTS
1. Western Vest:
Paper Bags
Stamps
Ink
Stickers
Branch provides: Scissors, Crayons/markers
• Use the grocery bags provided and cut out two holes for your arms
• Cut a hole for your head out of the bottom of the bag
• Cut the bag up the middle for the opening of the vest
• Try it on and make sure it fits!
• Make any cutting adjustments that need to be made
• Now decorate your vest however you like with the craft materials provided
2. Miner Hat:
Hat template
Branch Provides: Scissors, crayons or markers, tape or stapler
• Use the template provided to cut out your new hat
• Use the stickers, crayons, markers and other craft materials available to decorate your miner hat however you wish!
• Now you are ready to mine for gold or mosey out to the desert!
3. Clothespin Horse:
Brown construction paper
Template
Clothespins
Brown Yarn
Branch Provides: crayons, scissors, markers, glue
• Cut out your horse template and color it so that your horse is any color you want!
• Cut small strips of yarn for the mane and longer strips for the tail
• Glue on the yarn
• • Attach the clothespin legs and you have a new, wild west pet!
• What will you name your new friend?
4. Mustache:
Brown, black or gray paper
String or yarn
Template –orange and green mustache templates in two sizes. Use for rough sizing only.
Branch provides: Scissors , glue ,pencil
• Choose the correct size mustache template
• Trace it onto the color of construction paper you want your mustache to be
• Now cut out the mustache template from the construction paper
• Cut some strips of colored construction paper (whatever color you want your mustache to be) – about 1/4” wide and 1.5” in length
• Measure out yarn that will fit around your child’s head
• Tape the yarn onto the mustache template
• Now curl your small strips of paper around a pencil to make them curly
• Glue the strips of paper onto your mustache template until your mustache is as full as you want it to be! (HINT: it is easiest to glue the strips from the bottom to the top of the template)
5. Make a Desert Scene:
Sandpaper
Newsprint
Branch Provides: Crayons
• Use the sandpaper as a rubbing template.
• Place a sheet of craft paper over the sandpaper.
• Color with crayons to make a desert scene.
• Notice the texture of your drawing.
• Does it look like real sand?
• Can you feel the bumps in your drawing? Does it feel like sand?
ACTIVITIES:
1. Panning for Gold
• Use the sifters provided to sift through the sand for the “gold nuggets”!
• How many did you find?
Use scales to weigh your gold nuggets. Compare to everyday items.
2. Lasso-ing stuffed animals
Can you rope the animal with the lasso?
3. Horse Shoes
Play a game of horse shoes together—just like they did in the old west!
• Throw the closest = 1 point
• Throw so the shoe touches the ring or the base = 2 points
• Throw a ringer = 5 points!
4. Magnifying glasses with Gold I Spy book
Use the magnifying glass while you search through the books provided.
January 10th, 2012 at 5:11 pm
Hi Ellen:
Thanks for your interest in our program!
My name is Trish and I am one of the youth librarians who helped organize the program. Below, please find a list of activiteis that our branches can choose from when they offer the program.
If you have more questions or want more information, please feel free to contact me a EastGrandRapidsYouthStaff@kdl.org. Here’s the list:
CRAFTS:
Western Vest:
Paper Bags
Scissors
Crayons/markers
Miner Hat:
Hat template
Scissors
Crayons or markers
Tape or stapler
Clothespin Horse:
Brown construction paper
Template
Clothespins
Glue
Brown Yarn
Google Eyes
Mustache:
Brown, black or gray paper
String or yarn
Scissors
Glue
Pencil
Template
Make a Desert Scene:
Sandpaper
Crayons
Wax paper and possibly an iron for the brave at heart!
ACTIVTIES:
Panning for Gold (using rice and sifters)
Lasso-ing stuffed animals
Horse Shoes (foam game)
Magnifying glasses with Gold I Spy book
Hope that helps!