Programming Ideas
On this page you'll find links to already-existing pages on the web with ideas and instructions for programs for patrons of all ages and demographics. We hope this page will help you get fresh ideas for programs and to adapt and build upon the other great work libraries are already doing!
- 50 Easy Process Art Activities for Kids
- Baby Storytime: A Beginner’s Guide
- Bouncing Babies: Programming for the Littlest Library Kids
- Extended Play Storytime Post: Transitions
- Felt Board Ideas
- Introduction to Baby Storytime
- My Baby Storytime
- Preschool STEM Activities
- Preschool Storytime How-To
- Robot Storytime: Coding for Preschoolers
- Toddler Time
- Toddler/Preschool Dance Party
- What I Do at a Baby Storytime
- Yoga Baby-Steps
Browse Ideas for Children/Family from Programming Librarian from the American Librarian Association
- 11 Engaging STEM Activities for Kids
- Cinderella Ball
- Daddy Daughter Hair Factory
- Elephant and Piggie Party
- Family Yoga Party
- Fairy Tale Tea
- Get Wimpy at Your Library
- How to Host a Lego Club
- Knitting Workshops for Kids
- Library Lunch
- Meteorites! Fun Hands-On Science
- Sensory-Enhanced Storytime
- Sensory Storytime: A (Brief) How-To Guide
- Special Access Browsing for Kids with Autism Spectrum Disorder
- Vegetable and Fruit Prints
- Welcome to Kindergarten
Browse Ideas for Teens and Tweens from Programming Librarian from the American Librarian Association
- Balloon Olympics
- Board Games for Tweens
- Book Hedgehogs
- Boys Read Pink Celebration
- Bristlebot
- Build Your Own Balloon Car
- Community Service for Preteens
- Doodlebots
- Egg-Dyeing Party
- Iron Chef
- LARP on Mars
- Life-Sized Clue
- Marble Run Mazes
- Marshmallow Engineering
- Mini Golf at the Library
- Minute to Win It
- No-Bake Cooking with Tweens
- No-Sew Tshirt Tote Bag
- Origami Yoda
- Pipe Cleaner Ninjas
- Pony Bead Lizards
- Pudding Pictionary
- Secret Science of Ice Cream
- Sunshine Strummers
Browse Ideas for Young Adults from Programming Librarian from the American Librarian Association
Browse Ideas for Teens and Tweens from Programming Librarian from the American Librarian Association
- #Adulting
- Adulting 101
- Anti-Valentine's Day
- Book Fight
- Escape Room in the Library
- Escape the Library
- Extreme Gingerbread Challenge
- Extreme Hide and Seek
- Frankentoy
- Friend Squad
- Graduation Day Crafts
- Ink Floating
- Life Hacks Workshop
- Nerdy Girl's Night
- Phone Painting Project
- Project Prom
- Recycled Tech for Teens
- Silhouette Art
- Spatacular
- Style Your Locker
- Teen Geek Club
- Teen Ice Breakers
- Therapy Dogs for At-Risk Youth
- Zombie Prom
Browse Ideas for Adults from Programming Librarian from the American Librarian Association
- Adult Coloring
- Bad Art Night
- Barn Quilts
- Board Game Battle Royale
- Breaking Bread with Refugees
- Coding for Adults: Newbies Only
- Cookbook Challenge
- Craft a Meditation Box
- Crazy Cat People Party
- Dancing in the Stacks
- DIY Terrarium
- Framed Flowers
- Fondue Frenzy
- Friend Speed-Dating
- Ghost Hunting at the Library
- Library Lock-Ins for Adults
- Nail Polish Pots
- Paint Night
- Poetry Readings Made Simple
- Seed Swap
- Table Top Convention
- Walking and Running Clubs
- Yoga in the Library Sample Programs
- Zombie Appreciation Day
Browse Ideas for Older Adults/Senior from Programming Librarian from the American Librarian Association
- Art Classes for Older Adults
- Elvis-themed Senior Citizens' Day Party
- Garden Therapy Program
- Indoor Senior Gardening Activities
- Magical Grandparents
- Painting and Jewelry-Making for Older Adults
- Remember When Storytime
- Senior Speed Connect
- Seniors, Don't Be Scammed: Crime Prevention at the Library
- Silver Fox Audiobook Club
- Teach Facebook to Seniors
- Tech Program for Seniors
- Teen Tech Tutors
- Yoga for Seniors
- Adoption and Multicultural Families Storytime
- Culture Nights: Easy, Educational and Fun
- Deliver Diverse Storytimes With Multicultural Activities From the Experts
- Interfaith Discussion about Holy Books
- Multiculturalism Happens: Targeting Multicultural Literacy in Libraries
- Rhymes Around the World
- Talk Story: Sharing Stories, Sharing Culture Manual
- Talking to Kids About Race: Racially Diverse Storytime Books