March break + library = hands-on free family fun! Holly MacLean is the Community Outreach Assistant for Pictou County.
Sometimes it’s nice to have a little downtime during March break. Children have a break from school, families have a break from the daily routine. From March 13 to 17, people can drop by the library to borrow some materials and take part in a wide variety of March break activities too.
Whether it’s creating your own jewelry and art out of household items or digging deep through the library shelves for hidden pirate treasure, we have a little something to offer for children of all ages. For programs that require registration, please call the hosting library in advance: Antigonish (902-863-4276), New Glasgow (902-752-8233), Pictou (902-4855021), River John (902-351-2599), Stellarton (902-755-1638), Trenton (902-752-5181) and Westville (902-396-5022).
Crafting something unique
A fan of homemade jewelry? Why not craft some of your very own this March break? On March 13 at 2 p.m. in the Westville Library and March 14 at 11 a.m. in the New Glasgow Library, learn how to make a beautiful bracelet or necklace using old magazines and a necklace using washers. This program is for ages eight and above, and pre-registration is required.
If making jewelry doesn’t interest you but getting artsy does, there will be button art sessions taking place at libraries in Trenton (March 13, 3 p.m.), Westville (March 14, 2 p.m.) and Stellarton (March 15, 2 p.m.).
Fashion a work of art using leftover buttons, glue and your imagination on a 5x7 canvas. This program is for ages eight and above, and supplies will be provided (although if you have extra buttons feel free to bring them in to share). Pre-registration is required, please call the hosting library to register. Along with button art and jewelry making, the Pictou Library will also be showing people creative ways to upcycle their pill bottles on March 14 at 1:30 p.m. Light refreshments will be served, all are welcome!
Creating something at your own leisure
Sometimes the fun of visiting your local library on March break is discovering what we have at a time that works best for you! In the Trenton Library all week during their open hours, they will have a craft table with some supplies for kids and families to get creative. They also have a “treasure hunt” for pirate’s treasure and leprechaun’s gold! Carefully search the library for all six hiding spots and receive a book from Adopt-a-Library Literacy Program.
For those who are fans of the ever-popular Elephant & Piggie books, they can drop into the Stellarton Library on March 13, from 12 to 7:30 p.m. to make a special Elephant and Piggie craft or puppet to take home! In the River John library on March 13 from 2 to 4 p.m. they will have a Maker Fair with a variety of crafty activities people can try out that include: 3-D printing, artistic button-making, knitting, wool crafts and creating cardboard toys.
In addition to LEGO, building blocks, colouring pages and other fun stuff available at your local library, Imagination Saturdays being held on March 17 during open hours at libraries in Stellarton (11 a.m. to 4 p.m.), River John (10 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.) and Pictou (10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.) will have a wide array of supplies that kids can craft something special out of. In Westville on that day, they will also be hosting a special Junk Art imagination Saturday creating cool things out of household junk!
For more detailed up-to-date information on March break activities or other library programs and events, visit your local library or go to www.parl.ns.ca/events.
For more information on upcoming library programs, special events and services, please drop by your local library branch, follow us on Twitter, find us on Facebook, or visit us online at www. parl.ns.ca.