Interactive Movie - Finding Nemo
60 Mins+, Adults, Chapter 6 Amazing Creatures, Children, Game/Activity, Multigenerational, Outdoors, Teens
August 24, 2020 0.00 KB 3540 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, Craft, Multigenerational, Game/Activity, 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 2212 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, Low Cost, Multigenerational, Game/Activity, Outreach, Outdoors, Teens
August 24, 2020 0.00 KB 3148 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.
Backyard Animal Farming
60 Mins+, Adults, Chapter 5 Read, Connect, Protect, Children, Low Cost, Outdoors, Multigenerational, Outside Presenter, Teens
August 24, 2020 0.00 KB 3206 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!
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 3223 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.
Backyard Habitats
60 Mins+, Adults, Chapter 4 No Place Like Home, Children, Craft, Outdoors, Multigenerational, Teens
August 24, 2020 0.00 KB 2822 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.
Create A Creature
60 Mins+, Adults, Chapter 4 No Place Like Home, Children, Craft, Low Cost, Game/Activity, Multigenerational, Teens
August 24, 2020 0.00 KB 3146 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.
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 2778 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.
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.
Who Helped Me
45 - 90 Mins, Adults, Chapter 3 Animal Caretakers and Friends, Children, Low Cost, Multigenerational, Passive/Display, Teens
August 24, 2020 0.00 KB 2440 downloads
Do your patrons love trivia? If so, they will get a kick out of this lift-the-flap display. Glue pictures of different animals on flaps; underneath each flap is a photograph of the scientist who helped them. More importantly, there is a list of books or movies about this scientist and/or animal based on your library’s resources. Can be adapted for any age group.
Career Dogs
Adults, Chapter 3 Animal Caretakers and Friends, 45 - 90 Mins, Low Cost, Outdoors, Outreach, Outside Presenter, Teens
August 24, 2020 0.00 KB 2825 downloads
Search and rescue dogs, K9 units, and therapy dogs! A local organization presents about working dogs’ jobs and training process. Ideally, they also bring dogs to demonstrate some of their working tasks and/or commands. Be sure to ask them to talk about volunteer opportunities suitable for teens. Can be modified for any age group.
Shelter Pet Portraits
60 Mins+, Adults, Craft, Chapter 3 Animal Caretakers and Friends, 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.
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 2583 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.
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 2026 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.
Creepy Crawlies
45 - 90 Mins, Chapter 2 The Wild Side, Children, Adults, Low Cost, STEAM, Outside Presenter, Teens
August 24, 2020 0.00 KB 2714 downloads
An insect expert gives a presentation with a Q&A period and an interactive component. Your local Audubon Society branch may have free information packets about insects, and you could hold a show-and-tell event for patrons who have pet insects. Can be adapted for any age group or run as a multigenerational program.
Adult Storytime The Genius Of Birds
60 Mins+, Chapter 2 The Wild Side, Adults, Game/Activity, Low Cost, Passive/Display
August 24, 2020 0.00 KB 1833 downloads
Storytime is for everyone! Invite adults to the library for a bird-themed readaloud. While you read excerpts from popular bird nonfiction (see Resources for suggestions), participants have the option to color bird coloring sheets. For bonus birding atmosphere, livestream a bird video. Pass out the Bird-Watching 101 handout and create a birding book display to inspire adults to keep learning. Program can be adapted to any age group by varying resource choices.