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!

Babies and Toddlers

• Baby Storytime: A Beginner’s Guide
• Introduction to Baby Storytime
• What I Do at a Baby Storytime
• My Baby Storytime
• Extended Play Storytime Post: Transitions
• Simple Lapsit Storytimes
• Toddler Time
• Yoga Baby-Steps
• Bouncing Babies: Programming for the Littlest Library Kids
• Felt Board Ideas
• 50 Easy Process Art Activities for Kids
• 15 Sample Preschool Storytimes
• Monsters Don't Scare Me!
• S.T.E.M. for Preschoolers
• Robot Storytime: Coding for Preschoolers
• Toddler/Preschool Dance Party

School-Aged Kids

• Welcome to Kindergarten
• Special Access Browsing for Kids with Autism Spectrum Disorder
• Sensory-Enhanced Storytime
• Sensory Storytime: A (Brief) How-To Guide
• Daddy Daughter Hair Factory
• Family Yoga Party
• Fairy Tale Tea
• Cinderella Ball
• Get Wimpy at Your Library
• Elephant and Piggie Party
• Library Lunch
• Vegetable and Fruit Prints
• Knitting Workshops for Kids
• Meteorites! Fun Hands-On Science
• How to Host a Lego Club

Tweens

• Marbled Paperweight DIY
• No-Sew Tshirt Tote Bag
• Book Hedgehogs
• Origami Yoda
• Pony Bead Lizards
• Pipe Cleaner Ninjas
• Iron Chef
• No-Bake Cooking with Tweens
• Secret Science of Ice Cream
• Pudding Pictionary
• Egg-Dyeing Party
• Build Your Own Balloon Car
• Marshmallow Engineering
• Doodlebots
• Bristlebot
• LARP on Mars
• Balloon Olympics
• Mini Golf at the Library
• Marble Run Mazes
• Minute to Win It
• Board Games for Tweens
• Life-Sized Clue
• Sunshine Strummers
• Community Service for Preteens
• Boys Read Pink Celebration

Teens

• Teen Ice Breakers
• Project Prom
• Zombie Prom
• Graduation Day Crafts
• Recycled Tech for Teens
• Phone Painting Project
• Silhouette Art
• Ink Floating
• Style Your Locker
• Anti-Valentine's Day
• Frankentoy
• Extreme Gingerbread Challenge
• Spatacular
• Life Hacks Workshop
• Adulting 101
• #Adulting
• Extreme Hide and Seek
• Escape Room in the Library
• Escape the Library
• Book Fight
• Teen Geek Club
• Nerdy Girl's Night
• Friend Squad
• Therapy Dogs for At-Risk Youth

Adults

• Coding for Adults: Newbies Only
• Table Top Convention
• Board Game Battle Royale
• Zombie Appreciation Day
• Ghost Hunting at the Library
• Library Lock-Ins for Adults
• Friend Speed-Dating
• Crazy Cat People Party
• Dancing in the Stacks
• Walking and Running Clubs
• Breaking Bread with Refugees
• Cookbook Challenge
• Poetry Readings Made Simple
• Adult Coloring
• Paint Night
• Bad Art Night
• Craft a Meditation Box
• Barn Quilts
• Framed Flowers
• Nail Polish Pots
• DIY Terrarium
• Seed Swap
• Fondue Frenzy
• Yoga in the Library Sample Programs

Older Adults

• Silver Fox Audiobook Club
• Remember When Storytime
• Tell Me a Story: Grandparents’ Workshop on Reading to Children
• Magical Grandparents
• Teen Tech Tutors
• Teach Facebook to Seniors
• Keeping Up with Friends and Family Using Technology
• The Lasting Legacy of the King
• Elvis-themed Senior Citizens' Day Party
• Senior Speed Connect
• Garden Therapy Program
• Indoor Senior Gardening Activities
• Art Classes for Older Adults
• Painting and Jewelry-Making for Older Adults
• Protect Your Estate With a Will or Trust
• Seniors, Don't Be Scammed: Crime Prevention at the Library
• Yoga for Seniors
• Stamp Out Stress
• Cooking Healthy for One or Two

Multicultural Program Ideas

• Multiculturalism Happens: Targeting Multicultural Literacy in Libraries
• Culture Nights: Easy, Educational and Fun
• Interfaith Discussion about Holy Books
• Talking to Kids About Race: Racially Diverse Storytime Books
• Deliver Diverse Storytimes With Multicultural Activities From the Experts
• Talk Story: Sharing Stories, Sharing Culture Manual
• Adoption and Multicultural Families Storytime
• Rhymes Around the World

French Program Ideas

• Library Lexique: French Children's Songs [FR]
• 1,2,3 on chante! [FR]
• Storytime/Heure du conte ideas from the Quebec National Library [FR]
• French as a Second Language(FSL) Storytimes: Fostering Language, Literacy and Lifelong Love of Reading [ENG]