Fold a paper butterfly!
To make this very easy, very fun project you just need one or two pieces of paper, scissors, and something to tie the middle with like string or a bread tie.
Hang these colorful butterflies in a window, or tie them to a gift. Let your imagination fly free!
See this video for full instructions:
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There is nothing quite like dancing and singing with your little ones.
If you are anything like me, you are always on the hunt for fun, appropriate, kid friendly tunes. The L.E. Phillips Memorial Public Library is here to help with your music needs! If you want free unlimited music streaming and free downloads of music/music videos you can keep, then you want to try Freegal. Eau Claire cardholders receive five downloads per week.
There are so many apps these days that it can get confusing to wade through them all. One of the best things about Freegal is how easy it is to set up and use.
How to Get Started
Download the Freegal App (from Google Play or Apple Store) or go to the Freegal website.
Mobile Device
Desktop
For Everyone: Find Music
Download, stream, and enjoy the music!
This very easy, very fun project requires nothing more than a piece of paper, something to write with, and your imagination. A few folds, some quick drawing, and you’ll have your own movable character. You can even make this project using paper from your recycling bin. (Hooray for reusing!) If you decide to go this route, you’ll want to look for square or rectangle shaped paper, ideally blank on one side. So, go grab your materials, and then check out the video to see how it’s done. Have fun!
Materials needed:
1 sheet of paper that is square shaped, or can be turned into a square
1 writing utensil
1 pair of scissors (optional)
My family loves games. Board games, card games, yard games, escape rooms… If you have a new game, we’re probably game to try it! One of my favorites growing up was a game that I called “One Word at a Time.” No game pieces are needed which makes it perfect to play on a whim. (It also means there are no pieces to misplace!) If you or your family are looking for an activity, give this one a try! It goes like this…
Each player takes a turn at coming up with a prompt, such as, “What would you do if you saw a real dinosaur playing at the park?” or “You found a hidden treasure chest full of gold coins! What will you do with it?” All players answer the prompt with a collective response, each giving only one word at a time. For example, I might begin with the word “I.” The player to my right might respond “would.” The following string of responses might look something like: “do” “jumping” “jacks” “and” “follow” “the” “suspicious” “trail” “of” etc. Try adding words the other players won’t expect! Each player responds with one word at a time until the question has been answered…OR add a conjunction word to keep the story going.
Need more prompt ideas to get started? Try some of these:
Have fun!!
Spring Break will look different this year not only because of the ongoing pandemic, but also because the library is on the move! To prepare for a temporary closure, Youth Services is offering several different craft/activity bags for pickup in March, while supplies last. They could be just the thing to keep your kiddos busy while you wait for the library to resume services in our new temporary location.
For the last few years I have offered some sort of stitching or needlework project during Spring Break. I have gotten a lot of positive feedback on these projects from families who tell me that their child had not ever tried needlework before. I really love plastic canvas for first-time stitchers because the needle is blunt, the holes are large and easy to see and count, and you can have a finished piece quickly. Plastic canvas also offers a lot of opportunities for creativity in making cool 2-d or even 3-d items.
Plastic Canvas Bookmark craft bags are available now, while supplies last. Everything you need to make the project is included in the kit, including an awesome metal yarn needle that you can save and use on future plastic canvas projects. A step-by-step instruction sheet is included in the kit, and a video tutorial is also available on the library’s YouTube channel.
Plastic Canvas Bookmark instruction sheet
Video tutorial: https://youtu.be/-KC-n22FbRQ
Feeling cooped up? Staying home for spring break? We’ve got the cure for cabin fever!
Youth Services has a great collection of take and make/do activities available to keep kids busy. We have everything from an Owl Pellet Dissection to a Mini Zen Garden kit, and more. Stock up now so you are all set for some quality at-home time during spring break. Learn more and register today! Don’t forget to share your completed projects! Send photos to ysstaff@eauclaire.lib.wi.us.
While you are at it, don’t forget to stock up on great books as well. If you are unsure what to read next, let Youth Services staff lend a hand. Complete the Personalized Book Bundle form and we’ll select ten of our favorites based on your interests.
As an added bonus this spring, we are inviting all kids to complete the Spring Spotlight Flipgrid challenges:
Challenge 1: Share your favorite joke.
Challenge 2: You are the author! Write and share an original story.
Challenge 3: Complete a minute-to-win-it game. Show us your favorite or try the Food Face game: Tip your head back. Put something edible on your forehead. Without using hands, wiggle the item down to your mouth.
March Storytime Kits are ready for you to pick up and enjoy with your little ones. We have two types of kits available: a Baby/Toddler Storytime Kit and a Family Storytime Kit. Each one is designed to enhance your storytime experience and provide continuous opportunities for early literacy fun at home. Here’s what you can find in the March kits:
Baby/Toddler Storytime Kit
Board book: One Clucky Hen
2 wrist bells
2 activity scarves
Bubbles (you can keep)
Little Mouse color activity (you can keep)
Songs and rhymes (you can keep)
Talking Is Teaching calendar (you can keep)
Family Storytime Kit
2 egg shakers
2 activity scarves
Lace a puppet activity (you can keep)
Little Mouse color activity (you can keep)
Songs and rhymes (you can keep)
Talking Is Teaching calendar (you can keep)
We’ll use some of these materials during storytime, so be sure to have your kit ready each week in March. Haven’t registered for storytime yet? No worries! We’d love to have your family join us. Follow this link to view our Storytime Online schedule and to register: https://www.ecpubliclibrary.info/kids/storytime-online/
Contact Youth Services at 715-839-5007 or ysstaff@eauclaire.lib.wi.us to reserve a March kit.
We look forward to connecting with you and your family at storytime!
Do you have a kiddo in grades K-2? Sign them up for our podtastic new Read Me a Book Club! Our next virtual meet up is on Thursday, February 25, at 6 p.m. We will read and discuss Narwhal: Unicorn of the Sea, the first book in the New York Times Bestselling series Narwhal and Jelly. You and your children will also enjoy a silly song, wacky mad libs, friendly camaraderie with peers, and more. Be sure to contact Youth Services by phone or e-mail to request a copy of the book and a free activity bag (optional but recommended) which contains Narwhal and Jelly activities and a craft.
For more information or to register, visit https://www.ecpubliclibrary.info/kids/read-me-a-book-club/ or contact Youth Services by phone (715-839-5007) or e-mail (ysstaff@eauclaire.lib.wi.us).
We hope you can join us!
February Storytime Kits are ready for you to pick up and enjoy with your little ones. We have two types of kits available: a Baby/Toddler Storytime Kit and a Family Storytime Kit. Each one is designed to enhance your storytime experience and provide continuous opportunities for early literacy fun at home. Here’s what you can find in the February kits:
February Baby/Toddler Storytime Kit
Board book: Counting Kisses
Shape drum and mallet
Bubbles (you get to keep)
Paper pals activity (you get to keep)
Songs, rhymes, and fingerplays sheet (you get to keep)
Additional handouts (you get to keep)
February Family Storytime Kit
Rhythm sticks (2)
Scarves (2)
Paper pals activity (you get to keep)
Watercolor wow activity (you get to keep)
Songs, rhymes, and fingerplays sheet (you get to keep)
Additional handouts (you get to keep)
We’ll use some of these materials during storytime, so be sure to have your kit ready each week in February. Haven’t registered for storytime yet? No worries! We’d love to have your family join us. Follow this link to view our Storytime Online schedule and to register: https://www.ecpubliclibrary.info/kids/storytime-online/
Contact Youth Services at 715-839-5007 or ysstaff@eauclaire.lib.wi.us to reserve a February kit.
We look forward to connecting with you and your family at storytime!
January Storytime Kits are ready for you to pick up and enjoy with your little ones. We have two types of kits available: a Baby/Toddler Storytime Kit and a Family Storytime Kit. Each one is designed to enhance your storytime experience and provide continuous opportunities for early literacy fun at home. Here’s what you can find in the January kits:
January Baby/Toddler Storytime Kit
Board book: Where Is Baby’s Belly Button?
Scarves (2)
Bubbles (you get to keep)
Five Little Ducks finger puppet activity (you get to keep)
Songs, rhymes, and fingerplays sheet (you get to keep)
Additional handouts (you get to keep)
January Family Storytime Kit
Wrist bells (2)
Scarves (2)
Polar bear craft (you get to keep)
Five Little Ducks finger puppet activity (you get to keep)
Songs, rhymes, and fingerplays sheet (you get to keep)
Additional handouts (you get to keep)
We’ll use some of these materials during storytime, so be sure to have your kit ready each week in January. Haven’t registered for storytime yet? No worries! We’d love to have your family join us. Follow this link to view our Storytime Online schedule and to register: https://www.ecpubliclibrary.info/kids/storytime-online/
Contact Youth Services at 715-839-5007 or ysstaff@eauclaire.lib.wi.us to reserve a January kit and schedule a pick-up.
We look forward to connecting with you and your family at storytime!
