Some parents in Muskoka may be looking nervously at the calendar.
It’s the start of March Break and for those many families not going away for a vacation, what to do with the young people in your house for a week can be a daunting prospect.
The Children’s Librarian at the Bracebridge Public Library has you covered, though.
Ashleigh Whipp has created special programming for kids of many ages.
“Oh my goodness, we get a ton of people through here this time of year,” says Whipp of the March library madness.
She said to herself, “Hey what would I like to do on March Break? Okay, I want to do this because it sounds like fun.”
She has daily storytimes organized for younger children and activities with a tech theme on Tuesday, including creating robots.
There’s also food-related fun within the confines of the normally buttoned-down library.
“On Friday we have a hot and cold party for all ages from 1:00pm to 2:00pm,” Whipp explains. “We’re going to have ice cream floats, some pizza and of course ice cream and pizza crafts.”
Lots of the programming is also designed to help get kids away from video screens.
“They are doing more tactile stuff,” she explains about the activities she has created. “You know they are having fun with glue sticks and popsicle sticks and paper.”
She says once you can get a kid interested in coming to the library the various activities will keep them hooked.
“We have a lot of programs,” says Whipp. “We are doing a lot more tech stuff for kids and adults. We have story time which is great. Because all the kids come, they all learn the songs, they all sing the songs, they all go home and teach their other siblings the songs, so it is really kind of cute to connect to that interactivity.”
And after explaining the exhaustive list of activities she delivers her punchline.
“The best part is it’s free for parents and it’s free for kids,” Whipp says excitedly. “So we are like your one stop free shop.” She then quickly explains – it is not free babysitting.
“(Parents) need to be here to do all the policing but I am providing you with a free activity where your kids can come here and make the mess and you don’t have to clean it up,” she says with a laugh.
March Break Programming for kids Age 6 – 12
Monday, March 11th 1:00pm – 2:00pm – Make sock doughnuts and decorate real yummy ones.
Tuesday, March 12th – 2:00pm-4:00pm – Tech Busy Buidlers – Create and challenges with Lego, Cublets, and Strawbees.
Wednesday, March 13th, 1:00pm – 2:00pm – Monster Mania – Hairy, scary, cute or cuddly, make your own monsters.
Thursday, March 14th – 2:00pm -4:00pm ages 10 plus – Arduino Launch Party
Daily Story Times and Crafts for ages 2-5 from 10:30am to 11:00am
Robot Paint Party – For teens age 13 – 18 Saturday March 16th – 2:00pm
Come and paint a mini-canvas using our tech gadgets. Registration in advance required.