Interactive Movie - Finding Nemo
60 Mins+, Adults, Chapter 6 Amazing Creatures, Children, Multigenerational, Game/Activity, Outdoors, Teens
August 24, 2020 0.00 KB 3537 downloads
Most older children and teens are familiar with Finding Nemo, but playing along with the movie is a new twist! Everyone gets an interactive script and a bag filled with props and snacks. Before you start the movie, practice the bonus actions as a group warm-up. This is a fun multigenerational program. Be sure to ask for help with cleanup after the screening.
Terrific Tardigrades
60 Mins+, Adults, Chapter 6 Amazing Creatures, Children, Game/Activity, Craft, Multigenerational, Teens
August 24, 2020 0.00 KB 3747 downloads
What are tardigrades? They are microscopic water bears! This program requires some prep but is a fun multigenerational event. Read a book about tardigrades, such as My Tiny Pet by Jessie Hartland, share photos and facts, or show brief YouTube videos. Then let participants cycle though the stations you have set up
The Animal Sketchbook Project
60 Mins+, Adults, Chapter 6 Amazing Creatures, Game/Activity, Passive/Display, Teens
August 24, 2020 0.00 KB 2210 downloads
Calling all artists and doodlers to a summer-long sketchbook swap! Here is how it works: Participants check out a sketchbook for two–three weeks and fill it with animals (however many pages they want and in any style). At the end of the loan period, they return it for another sketchbook (if desired) and continue. The only rule is that the sketches must be of animals (or animal- like—insects, monsters, and magical creatures are great!). The end result is a playful cross-section of art and animal observations from your community. At the end of the summer, you might create a slideshow of some favorite drawings and host a meet-and-greet for participants. If you have space, consider shelving the series. Inspired by the Sketchbook Project of the Brooklyn Art Library.
Animal Heroes Movie Fundraiser
60 Mins+, Adults, Chapter 6 Amazing Creatures, Children, Game/Activity, Low Cost, Multigenerational, Outreach, Outdoors, Teens
August 24, 2020 0.00 KB 3146 downloads
Help your local animal shelter or Humane Society and entertain families at the same time! Contact the shelter to see what types of items they need. Then screen a fun movie that features pets or animal heroes; encourage patrons to donate one item from the shelter’s list of needs. Remember the book display related to the movie, animal heroes, and/or shelter pets.
Break It Remake It
60 Mins+, Chapter 6 Amazing Creatures, Children, Craft, Teens
August 24, 2020 0.00 KB 1833 downloads
Older children take apart their old toys and put them back together again! Asking participants to bring their old toys from home will minimize costs, but be prepared with extras on hand for those who do not bring any. Give out name tags for both participants and the monstrosities they create. For younger children or quicker programs, dissemble toys beforehand.
DIY Plush Sloths
60 Mins+, Chapter 6 Amazing Creatures, Craft, Teens
August 24, 2020 0.00 KB 1740 downloads
Everybody needs a pocket sloth! Using felt sheets and a simple hand sewing technique—the whip stitch—teens make adorable plush sloths. Add snaps or Velcro to the arms to hang the sloths from any nearby “branch.” See Printables for template suggestion.
Air-Dry Animal Magnets
Chapter 6 Amazing Creatures, Children, Craft, 60 Mins+, Teens
August 24, 2020 0.00 KB 1942 downloads
Teens make mini animals out of clay, then turn them into magnets, pins, or earrings! This program is easily adapted to any animal theme. The clay does not take long to dry for small pieces, but make it a two-part program if you will be using paintable clay (paint animals and add backings during the second session).
Backyard Animal Farming
Adults, Chapter 5 Read, Connect, Protect, Children, 60 Mins+, Low Cost, Multigenerational, Outdoors, Outside Presenter, Teens
August 24, 2020 0.00 KB 3205 downloads
A guest speaker teaches participants how to care for backyard animals such as chickens, rabbits, ducks, goats, or bees. If possible, they bring live creatures for demonstration. Check with local regulations (zoning, animal welfare, public health, and nuisance laws) to confirm what types of backyard animals are allowed within your municipality or county. Remember the book display on small animal farming and/or homesteading!
Endangered Species Stop Motion Animation
60 Mins+, Chapter 5 Read, Connect, Protect, Children, Game/Activity, STEAM, Teens
August 24, 2020 0.00 KB 2196 downloads
In this two-part program, teens create simple stop motion videos about endangered animals. Ask them to advocate for their animals through their videos, such as by showing habitat destruction and how to help; alternatively, adapt this program for any animal theme. In the first part, show stop motion animation clips and discuss basic storyboarding. Teens choose and/or create their animals and backgrounds, and plan their shot lists (see Printables). In the second part of the program, teens learn how to use Stop Motion Studio (a free app) and begin production. Screen everyone’s videos at the end of the program.
No Animals Here - Vegan Cookbook Club
60 Mins+, Chapter 5 Read, Connect, Protect, Game/Activity, Passive/Display, Teens
August 24, 2020 0.00 KB 2031 downloads
When teens decide to stop eating animal products and go vegan, they usually have to learn to cook for themselves. Start up a vegan cookbook club to help them along! This can be run in several different ways. Teens can gather to discuss and swap their favorite recipes or, if your library has a kitchen, get basic cooking lessons. You could also make this into a passive program: Record yourself making simple recipes and promote the videos/recipes as part of your teen programming. Alternatively, teens might want to create and share videos of themselves making their favorite vegan foods.
Recycling Olympics
60 Mins+, Chapter 5 Read, Connect, Protect, Children, Game/Activity, Outdoors, Outreach
August 24, 2020 0.00 KB 2198 downloads
Run a weekly program in a local park or forest! Families meet to hear stories about animals and ecosystems, to engage in fun recycling games, or to clean up the trail or area. If you can partner with a park, have a park ranger or volunteer give talks about local wildlife and environmental concerns. The program can also be adapted to a cleanup walk near the library if a local park is not an option.
Wild Jeopardy
60 Mins+, Chapter 5 Read, Connect, Protect, Children, Game/Activity, Low Cost, Teens
August 24, 2020 0.00 KB 2539 downloads
Run a game of Jeopardy using a free online template! You can adapt the questions for any age group or animal theme. The rules follow the traditional TV game show, and contestants get points for every correctly answered question. Remember prizes for the winning teams.
Pet Expo
60 Mins+, Adults, Chapter 5 Read, Connect, Protect, Children, Low Cost, Multigenerational, Outdoors, Outside Presenter, Passive/Display, Teens
August 24, 2020 0.00 KB 3219 downloads
Pet expo day at the library! This great family program is for anyone who has ever wanted a pet. Invite local rescue organizations to bring adoptable pets and local experts to give pet care tips. You could also modify this program
to focus on the care of unusual pets (such as reptiles or birds), and ask patrons to bring in their unusual pets for show and tell. For an expo-style event, guest organizations set up information tables for participants to peruse
at their leisure; they could also give short presentations. You can tailor the program to focus on adoption tips, pet health and nutrition, pet first aid, and/or pet training.
We Rate Pets
60 Mins+, Adults, Chapter 4 No Place Like Home, Children, Game/Activity, Low Cost, Multigenerational, Passive/Display, Teens
August 24, 2020 0.00 KB 2776 downloads
Participants share their funniest pet stories! They bring in pictures of their pets (or draw the pets they wish they had) and write funny captions. You can run this as a show-and-tell, or create a display and leave out templates and instructions for a passive program. Patrons vote on the funniest (or fluffiest/grumpiest/etc.) pets; the winners get pet-themed prize at the end of the summer.
Create A Creature
60 Mins+, Adults, Chapter 4 No Place Like Home, Children, Low Cost, Craft, Game/Activity, Multigenerational, Teens
August 24, 2020 0.00 KB 3144 downloads
There is no place like home! And that home. And that home. In this program, children learn about habitats and how animals adapt to them. Read Listen to our World (2016) and/or show a brief video, such as “Animal Habitats” by Learning Junction. Show habitat cards and discuss which animals live in each habitat and why, then let participants get creative! Their task is to create a brand new animal that would thrive in a particular habitat. You can have them draw habitat cards, let them choose whichever habitat they like, or base the whole program around a specific habitat. Ask everyone to present their new animal—and describe what makes it perfectly suited to its habitat—at the end of the program.
Pet BFF Necklaces
60 Mins+, Chapter 4 No Place Like Home, Children, Passive/Display, Craft, Teens
August 24, 2020 0.00 KB 2277 downloads
BFF necklaces for pets and owners! Children or teens make bottle cap necklaces out of their favorite pet pictures. Alternatively, they can turn the photos in bottle caps into pins or magnets. For a passive display component, create an animal besties bulletin board where patrons post selfies with their pets.
Backyard Habitats
Adults, 60 Mins+, Chapter 4 No Place Like Home, Children, Craft, Multigenerational, Outdoors, Teens
August 24, 2020 0.00 KB 2821 downloads
A backyard habitat series for birds and pollinators! This program teaches participants the basics of backyard habitats: Project options include a bug hotel, a bird feeder, and a butterfly puddler. Build one habitat, or run a series to build all three. Modify habitat designs based on audience age and the supplies you have on hand; see Resources for more design ideas.
Land Of Ladybugs
60 Mins+, Chapter 4 No Place Like Home, Children, Game/Activity, Outdoors, Outreach
August 24, 2020 0.00 KB 2256 downloads
A fun, hands-on ladybug program! In a local park, read ladybug books and talk about where ladybugs live, what they eat, and their role in the ecosystem. Make simple ladybug masks if you have access to outdoor tables. Then each child releases their ladybugs. The best time for a ladybug release is in the early evening of May or June.
Animal-Themed Room Decor
60 Mins+, Chapter 4 No Place Like Home, Craft, Teens
August 24, 2020 0.00 KB 1348 downloads
Teens make animal-themed décor for their rooms! Craft options include removable vinyl wall decals or animal découpage that works on almost any household item.
Animal Napkin Folding
60 Mins+, Adults, Chapter 4 No Place Like Home, Craft, Low Cost
August 24, 2020 0.00 KB 1877 downloads
Participants fold towels or napkins into animal shapes to give their house guests that five-star hotel feel! Make copies of instructions for them to follow along and/or take home. A quick, low-cost program that is easily adapted to different age groups.
Marine Biologist Crafts
60 Mins+, Chapter 3 Animal Caretakers and Friends, Children, Craft
August 24, 2020 0.00 KB 2051 downloads
Shark teeth, snorkel gear, and a secret message in a bottle! Start this program with any ocean-themed books
or a video, such as the five-minute “I Want to Be a Marine Biologist” on YouTube. Craft options include a snorkel mask, a shiny CD fish (or shark teeth), a simple origami turtle, a cut-and-glue shark, and a message in-a-bottle coloring sheet.
Skype A Scientist
60 Mins+, Chapter 3 Animal Caretakers and Friends, Children, Low Cost, Outside Presenter, STEAM
August 24, 2020 0.00 KB 2422 downloads
Children learn from animal scientists during a Skype interview! From the Skype a Scientist website, choose from almost any kind of scientist, including zoologists, ecologists, marine biologists, evolutionary biologists, veterinarians,
and paleontologists. Before the interview, consider reading a book related to your topic. Then lead a quick discussion to generate questions that the children might want to ask. If you have time, include a craft or experiment after the interview. For example, if you have a scientist discuss working with bats, do a simple bat craft and/or echolocation experiment. Or pass out coloring sheets to complete in the library or take home. You can tailor the content to any age group. The recommended donation for an interview is $1.
Teen Volunteer Fair
Chapter 3 Animal Caretakers and Friends, 60 Mins+, Children, Low Cost, Outreach, Outside Presenter, Passive/Display, Teens
August 24, 2020 0.00 KB 2925 downloads
Match teens with animal-related volunteer opportunities in your area, such as humane societies, animal shelters, or even veterinarian offices! Local organizations could give presentations about the work they do, then set up behind tables around the room with more information about how to start volunteering. This could also be a fully passive program in which you display local volunteer opportunities and information cards/flyers for teens to take.
Winter Shelters For Stray Cats
60 Mins+, Chapter 3 Animal Caretakers and Friends, Outdoors, Craft, Teens
August 24, 2020 0.00 KB 1634 downloads
Teens make winter shelters for stray cats! Alternatively, for indoor cats, they build elaborate cardboard playhouses out of recycled boxes.
Shelter Pet Portraits
60 Mins+, Chapter 3 Animal Caretakers and Friends, Adults, Craft, Children, Multigenerational, Outreach, Teens
August 24, 2020 0.00 KB 2839 downloads
Participants make portraits of adoptable pets to donate to the local animal shelter! Alternatively, each participant integrates a photo of a shelter pet into a collage. The shelter can display the pictures and give them to the pets’ forever families when they get adopted. This is a great way for children to practice art and contribute to their communities; alternatively, they could create portraits of their own pets. This program is easily adapted to any age
or artistic ability.
Ask Me About Wildlife Conservation
60 Mins+, Adults, Chapter 3 Animal Caretakers and Friends, Low Cost, Outside Presenter, STEAM
August 24, 2020 0.00 KB 2021 downloads
A library take on the popular Reddit AMA* (Ask Me Anything), this is a chance for participants to ask their burning questions of local animal conservationists (or any animal experts). Host one expert to give a presentation with a Q&A, or host a panel moderated by library staff or a community volunteer. For a passive component, make a comment box for patrons to submit questions beforehand. Adapt to your patrons’ interests and available time/space.
A Horse Is A Horse Of Course
60 Mins+, Adults, Chapter 3 Animal Caretakers and Friends, Low Cost, Multigenerational, Outreach, Outside Presenter, Teens
August 24, 2020 0.00 KB 2582 downloads
Invite trainers and/or horses from a local horse rehabilitation group to talk about horse rehabilitation. Teens get meaningful exposure to these beautiful animals and learn about how they might get involved. This could be an educational event, an opportunity to raise awareness and find volunteers, or a multigenerational program.
Eons Making Prehistory
60 Mins+, Chapter 2 The Wild Side, Game/Activity, Low Cost, Teens, STEAM, Outside Presenter
August 24, 2020 0.00 KB 2449 downloads
See prehistoric life in virtual reality! Or choose short videos about the earliest life on earth from the PBS Eons YouTube channel. Optionally, let teens destress with prehistoric coloring sheets while watching the videos.
Hungry Hungry Hippos
60 Mins+, Chapter 2 The Wild Side, Children, Craft, Game/Activity, Outdoors
August 24, 2020 0.00 KB 2264 downloads
The hippos are hungry, hungry! Read a book about hippos, such as Hilda Must be Dancing, Big Little Hippo, or The Hiccupotamus. Saving Fiona is also a great nonfiction choice because you can also show children footage of Fiona from the Cincinnati Zoo website. Augment the program with a hippo sing-along or felt board. After storytime, children make a hippo puppet craft and/or play a fun twist on the classic Hungry, Hungry Hippo board game.
Owl Pellet Dissection
60 Mins+, Chapter 2 The Wild Side, Children, Game/Activity, STEAM
August 24, 2020 0.00 KB 1623 downloads
Find bones in owl puke! But first read some owl books and give some fun owl facts. Ask children to guess how many bones they think they will find, and give a prize to whoever is the closest to their guess. Teen volunteers or caregivers could assist in the dissection, working slowly to remove and identify bones as they go.
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