Good Times Ahead for Kids: STEAM Programs, LEGO Free Play, Spooky Fun & Storytimes

Posted on September 22, 2022 at 4:30 am

Our October lineup includes STEAM programs—looking at science, technology, engineering, art, and math topics—that get kids and tweens creating with LEGO bricks, building a catapult with small planks, deconstructing electronics, investigating wind and electricity, and making cyanotype art using sunlight.

The whole family is invited to wear a costume to Slightly Spooky Celebration and enjoy activities, games, and crafts for kids.

Family Play & Learn Storytimes are back in person and weekly at libraries. Each week, you can experience picture book stories, songs, and fingerplays, followed by activities that explore early learning concepts of math, science, art, and literacy.

North Spokane and Spokane Valley Libraries also offer weekly sessions of play and learn storytime for babies, toddlers, and preschoolers, each with a focus on providing stories and activities appropriate for the age group. Online Storytime – Live focuses on stories, songs, and fingerplays for parents and families who are unable to make it in to the library or who prefer to experience storytime at home.

Discovery with STEAM

LEGO Free Play

Imagine and build with LEGO! Keep your engineering and problem-solving skills sharp using the library’s abundance of LEGO bricks. All ages

Too Fun Tuesday

Each Tuesday, kids can stop in for a variety of fun, educational activities—because you can never have too much fun! Grades K–5

NORTH SPOKANE
Tuesdays, Oct 4, 11, 18 & 25, 4–5pm

STEM Activity: Catapults & Keva Planks

Engineer your own catapult while learning about simple machines and the concepts of force and motion. Lay siege to a Keva Plank tower with your catapult! How long can the tower remain standing!? Ages 8–12

CHENEY
Tuesday, Oct 4, 4–5pm

Take It Apart

Curious about how things work? Now you can take them apart and demystify technology! Using basic tools, gloves, and safety goggles, we’ll take apart electronics, small appliances, and other donated devices that no longer serve their purpose but may still reveal secrets. Grades K+

Kids 8 and younger must bring an adult.

THE LAB AT NORTH SPOKANE
Saturday, Oct 8, 10am–12pm

Building with Books: LEGO Challenge

Show off your building and engineering skills! Each month, we share a story with you and then provide a building challenge to test your LEGO building know-how. Grades K–5

CHENEY
Tuesday, Oct 11, 4–5pm

NORTH SPOKANE
Tuesday, Oct 18, 4–5pm

Leap into Science: Wind

Investigate wind and air through activities with fans, air cannons, and other objects. Let’s think like a scientist to explore the effects of wind and air on different things, making observations, predictions, and testing ideas. Ages 8–12

MORAN PRAIRIE
Tuesday, Oct 11, 4–5pm

Introduction to Final Cut Pro Workshop

Learn video editing basics using Final Cut Pro X. You’ll practice how to structure files for video production, including creating libraries, scratch disks, backup files, quick keys, and more. We’ll go over the basics of editing video in the timeline, the tools available, and exporting edited files with different compression choices. Participants will have the opportunity use library computers to edit a video during this workshop and can bring video footage and clips if available. Ages 12+

Registration is required.

THE STUDIO AT SPOKANE VALLEY
Saturday, Oct 15, 1–3pm | REGISTER

Ciencias para niños: Electricidad / Science in Spanish: Electricity

Explora la electricidad como un científico, ¡Un científico que habla español! Los niños aprenderán sobre electricidad y ampliarán su vocabulario en español practicando términos científicos. Este programa es presentado por Fabiola Hammond y está destinado para niños que entienden español y están dispuestos a ampliarlo. Para niños de grados K–3 y sus familias

Explore electricity like a scientist—a scientist who speaks Spanish! Kids will learn about electricity and expand their Spanish vocabulary by practicing scientific terms that aren’t used in everyday conversation. This program is presented by Fabiola Hammond and is intended for children who understand spoken Spanish and are willing to try speaking some. Grades K–3 & their families

Es necesario inscribirse. Registration is required.

NORTH SPOKANE
Sábado, 15 de octubre, de 2:30–3:30pm | INSCRIBIRSE
Saturday, Oct 15, 2:30–3:30pm

Create a Cyanotype

With the power of sunlight (even on cloudy days!) and specially treated paper, you can make a cyanotype, using a technique invented nearly 200 years ago. We’ll use natural objects such as leaves and twigs or any small object with a distinctive shape to create a striking work of art. We supply the paper, access to sunlight, and a selection of objects to choose from. Bring your imagination and any additional objects you find interesting. Ages 8–15

Registration is required.

THE LAB AT NORTH SPOKANE
Saturday, Oct 22, 10am–12pm | REGISTER

Holiday Fun

Slightly Spooky Celebration

Try out some slightly spooky fun at the library with activities, games, and crafts. Costumes are welcome, so you can wear yours to show it off! All ages

Kids 8 and younger must bring an adult.

Storytimes

Family Play & Learn Storytime

Children enjoy playing while learning during 30 minutes of entertaining picture book stories, songs, and fingerplays, followed by 30 minutes of activities that explore the concepts of math, science, art, and literacy. Ages 2–5 & their families

Baby Play & Learn Storytime

Babies are introduced to the rhythm and beauty of language during our 20-minute storytime, which includes picture books, rhymes, and songs. Afterward, babies continue to learn during 30 minutes of play with age-appropriate toys and activities. All activities happen with babies on grown-up laps, so plan to attend in a one-to-one baby-to-adult ratio. Ages 0–18 months

NORTH SPOKANE
Mondays, Oct 3, 17, 24 & 31, 9:30–10:30am

SPOKANE VALLEY
Wednesdays, Oct 5, 12, 19 & 26, 9:30–10:30am

Toddler Play & Learn Storytime

Toddlers delight in 20 minutes of picture book stories, songs, and fingerplays, followed by 30 minutes of activities introducing the concepts of math, science, and literacy. Ages 18 months–3 years

SPOKANE VALLEY
Thursdays, Oct 6, 13, 20 & 27, 9:30–10:30am

NORTH SPOKANE
Thursdays, Oct 6, 13, 20 & 27, 9:30–10:30am

Preschool Play & Learn Storytime

Preschoolers love learning while playing during 30 minutes of entertaining picture book stories, songs, and fingerplays, followed by 30 minutes of activities that explore preschool-level concepts of math, science, art, and literacy. Ages 3–5

NORTH SPOKANE
Wednesdays, Oct 5, 12, 19 & 26, 9:30–10:30am

SPOKANE VALLEY
Fridays, Oct 7, 14, 21 & 28, 9:30–10:30am

Online Storytime – Live

Children have fun learning when we read stories, sing songs, and share fingerplays during storytime. Ages 2–5 & their families

Registration is required for each session.

ONLINE
Thursdays, Oct 6, 13, 20 & 27, 6:30–7pm | REGISTER

Tags: books, costumes, early learning, kids, parents, reading, STEAM, story time, teens, tweens