Shannon

Hang Out in The Lookout!

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Have you been to The Lookout? It’s a space here at the Eau Claire Library meant just for our school age visitors! We were excited to add this area to Youth Services during our renovation, and we immediately filled it with all sorts of fun things to discover and do.
In The Lookout, you will find iPads loaded with tons of games, computers for kids and their grown-ups to use, a weekly Try-It Tray activity, art supplies, board games, a scavenger hunt, and various other special activities. And, since we are constantly thinking of new fun things to do, many of the activities change weekly—so you should find something new just about every time you are here. Make sure to check out The Lookout during your next visit to the library. It just might become your new favorite place to hang out!
Andria

Check Out Our Youth Study Rooms

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Did you know the library has…youth study rooms?

That’s right, the Youth Services area of the library has three kids/family study rooms and two teen study rooms that are free to use, no library card required. Each room can be reserved for two hours per day, with an additional hour if no one is waiting. Walk-in requests are also accepted, as rooms are available.

Whether you’re looking for a quiet room for virtual learning or a collaborative group project or even a place to simply hang out and read, we have a variety of options for kids and teens.

How to Get Started

Simply hop over to our Reserve a Room page to browse available spaces or give our Youth Services desk a call at 715-839-5007.

Julia

Library Life Hack: Use the event calendar to remind you of upcoming programs!

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The library is a great place to gather with friends and family, and take part in a wide-range of exciting programs. From storytime to Lego Club to BINGO and more, there is always something fun to do. You can find our full line-up on the library’s Event Calendar.

One of my favorite features on the Event Calendar is the “Remind Me” icon. Just click on this icon and enter your email to receive a reminder 24 hours before the program!

 

Some programs do require registration. For these, you will receive automated reminders after you complete the registration on the Event Calendar.

See you at the library!

Try One Today: Eau Claire Storywalks®
Jill

Try a StoryWalk® today!

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In-person services at the library are now paused as we move back to our downtown location… but you can still enjoy a story from the library! Head over to either Carson or Owen Park and read a great story as you walk along the path!

Find out more about StoryWalks®.

Want even more storytime fun? You can also watch Storytime Videos of our librarians singing songs, telling stories, etc.

Katie H

Make Your Own Oobleck!

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Oobleck is a non-Newtonian fluid, a rule-breaker in the world of physics. It changes state from liquid to solid based on pressure. When force is applied, the liquid oobleck acts like a solid!

Kids can enjoy learning the science of non-Newtonian fluids, and experimenting with oobleck to discover its properties. Tap it, push it, try to pick it up, squeeze it into a ball, then let it go. Glide your fingers through it, stir it slowly, swish it around, pour it into another container. When does it act like a liquid? When is it solid?

Making and playing with oobleck requires creativity and imagination. The recipe is super simple, with just one main ingredient that you probably already have at home—cornstarch.

Oobleck Recipe

Ingredients

  • 1 cup of water
  • 1 ½ cups of cornstarch
  • Food coloring or tempera paint (optional)

Preparation

  1. Pour the cornstarch into a mixing bowl
  2. For colorful oobleck, add a few drops of food coloring or tempera paint to your water.
  3. Add the water to the cornstarch slowly, mixing with your hands as you go. Keep adding water until the mixture feels like honey or slime and hardens when you tap on it.
Julia

New Storytime Videos

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We had a great time singing, dancing, and reading with you this summer at storytime, and are looking forward to seeing you at storytime in our newly renovated library this fall. In the meantime, we hope that you will enjoy some of our favorite storytime activities from the comfort of your home on our Storytime Videos page. This page has recently been updated, and includes new recordings, along with your old favorites.

To get you started, grab a silly hat and sing along with Miss Alisha!

YouTube player
Alisha

New Activity Backpacks

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You may be familiar with the Nature Backpacks in Youth Services. Well, we have some exciting news.  There are 8 all-new backpack themes available to check out! Activity backpacks are a collection of approximately 3-5 books and various activities based on a theme. Learn a new magic trick using sleight of hand in the Magic Tricks and Illusions Activity Backpack. Interested in an outdoor scavenger hunt and fun game of Capture the Flag? You’ll find that in the Outdoor Adventures Backpack. Check out the Engineering theme for building challenges with Keva Contraptions.  Take a look at all the new themes here:

  • Animals
  • Boredom Busters
  • Engineering
  • Family Game Night
  • Magic Tricks and Illusions
  • Outdoor Adventures
  • Puzzler
  • STEAM

Books and activities in the Activity Backpacks are curated for children in elementary school to early middle school. Newly updated Play Kits for children approximately ages 3-5 are coming soon! Contact Youth Services at 715-839-5007 or ysstaff@eauclaire.lib.wi.us for more info.

Jill

Boredom Busters

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When is the best time to play on a pogo stick? Springtime!

While spring isn’t here quite yet, Spring Break is fast approaching, and with it a whole week of your kids looking for something fun to do. Here at the library we have lots of books with activity, experiment, craft, recipe, and game ideas for kids of all ages. Check out some ideas here.

We also have some great activity and craft videos from past years that demonstrate fun ideas to do with your family. Even though materials are no longer available from the library for most of these videos, you can still gather materials around your house and plan a fun crafting session with your family. Check out the playlist here.

Finally, the library is planning a week of activities for Spring Break including special scavenger hunts, take and make activity bags while supplies last, live online storytimes, and our always popular Family Bingo Online program. Learn more here!

Jill

Art Week at the Library!

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Chase away the February blues with Art Week at the library! Most Eau Claire schools are off Thursday and Friday, so we are celebrating!

All week long, the Youth Services division will offer drop-in art stations and scavenger hunts in the library.

We are also hosting professional artist Dan Gogh who will be teaching two free art workshops online! The “Drawing Animals Workshop” is offered for elementary aged students, and tweens and teens in 5th grade can attend the “Drawing Manga Workshop.” Both are on Friday, February 25. Register here to receive the zoom link.

But, wait, there’s more!

On Thursday, February 24, join us on Zoom for Pajama Storytime Online at 6:30 p.m. Be sure to snuggle up in your snazziest PJs! This Storytime will feature bedtime stories, songs, and all the Storytime fun you’ve come to expect. Register here to receive the Zoom link.

And, of course, we always offer books, movies, video games, maker kits, and so much more, so stock-up for chilly weather and family time. Be sure to stop down – we’re always happy to see you!

Jill

Snuggle up for Pajama Storytime

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Snuggle up in your snazziest PJs on Tuesday, December 28 at 6:30 p.m., and join us online for Pajama Storytime! Featuring bedtime stories, songs, and more.

This storytime is geared for kids aged 0-4 and their families, and kids of all ages are welcome. Storytime will take place live via Zoom—a free online and mobile video conferencing app. Registering for Pajama Storytime signs you up for all of our Virtual Storytimes. Feel free to attend any or all of the events! Learn more.

Registration is required. Participants will receive a Zoom link to connect.