Kids’ Events
Spring 2013 Events
Children’s Book Week – Book Drive
May 13 – 19
The Library is hosting a book drive to support Big Rig Books, a non-profit organization that puts books in the handsof kids in economically challenged and underserved schools and communities. Please bring a new or good condition copy of a favorite book you’d like to share. It will go into the hands of other boys and girls your age and make them feel special and give them more encouragement to read. Drop off books in the Youth Services Department during regular Library hours.
Celebrity Storytime
Wednesday, May 15
4:00 – 5:00 pm
Kindergarteners and up
Join our Hinsdale heroes – Officer Coughlin and Assistant Fire Chief McElroy – as they share their favorite stories about community helpers like themselves. Limit 40. Registration begins May 1.
Have Book, Will Travel: Summer Reading Club
June 6 – August 5
Whether you are being read to, just learning or reading huge trilogies, we have a reading club fit for you. Register online or at the Youth Services desk, keep track of your reading and earn prizes. In addition, thanks to the Friends of the Hinsdale Public Library, this year your reading will support the Hinsdale Humane Society, help plant a tree in Hinsdale, and adopt an animal at Brookfield Zoo.
Search for the Missing Suitcase
June 10 – August 5
A mini suitcase will be hiding in the Youth Services Department. The first kid to find it wins a prize. (Limit one win per family, please)
Experience Summer
June 10 – August 5
Grab a Passport at the Youth Services desk. Complete fifteen out of twenty summer experiences and be entered in our Grand Prize Drawing! You could win tickets for your family to Great America, membership to a Chicago Museum, art lessons, and more.
“Hinsdale Reads” Poster Contest
June 6 – June 28
First through Eighth Grade
Attention artists! Use drawing, photography, painting or digital art to share what’s special to you about books and reading. Do you like to read on the beach or in the car? Share stories your family or friends? Write or act out your own ideas? Whatever your inspiration, pick up a contest form at the Youth Services desk and get started. Winners from different age groups will earn a gift card and a favorite author book package. All entries will be put on display! Sponsored by the Friends of the Hinsdale Public Library.
Family Fun Mondays
Monday nights at 6:30 p.m.
All Ages
Registration begins two weeks prior to each program
Jim Gill’s Family Room Tour
Monday, June 10
Award-winning musician and author Jim Gill strums energetic rhythms on his banjo while everyone claps, sings, dances and even sneezes along to silly and inspiring musical games.
The Jungle Book
Monday, June 17
American Eagle Productions presents a live action musical version of Rudyard Kipling’s classic tale about a boy named Mowgli who has been raised by wolves in the Indian jungle.
Smarty Pants: Have Balloon, Will Travel
Monday, June 24
The Smarty Pants travel show takes kids on a fantastic trip using all sorts of wacky transportation including a balloon motorcycle, helicopter, rocket ship and even Smarty’s brand new Balloon Time Travel Machine!
Family Game Night
Monday, July 1
An array of fun, interactive games will be set up for you and your family. Have a Wii tournament, play board games and even become the moving pieces in a giant version of Candyland.
Steve Beno and Plum Crazy Puppets
Monday, July 8
Storyteller/puppeteer Silvia Kraft-Walker and “edutainer” Steve Beno have come together to offer this fun and uplifting show featuring puppets, live music, movement, and stories.
Jason Kollum’s Rock n’ Roll Variety Juggling Show
Monday, July 15
Everyone gets involved in this interactive, high energy show featuring huge balancing and juggling stunts, cool skills with spinning balls and frizbee tricks. Get ready to laugh and participate!
Programs for Young Children
Stay & Play
Fridays
June 7
July 26
10:30 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
Babies, Toddlers and Preschoolers with caregivers
Explore various play stations – from puppetry to music and art – and create your own games, too. Registration begins two weeks prior to each program. Limit 30.
Mo Willems Party
Tuesday, June 11
10:30 a.m. – 11:30 a.m.
4- to 6-year-olds
Do you love Pigeon? Can’t get enough of Elephant and Piggie? Know Knuffle Bunny by heart? Come read stories, play games and do a craft featuring all your favorites. Registration begins May 28. Limit 20.
Toddler Art
Fridays
June 14
July 19
10:30 a.m. – 11:00 a.m.
2- to 3-year-olds with caregivers
Registration begins two weeks prior to each program. Limit 20.
Speedy Storytime
Tuesday, June 25
10:30 a.m. – 11:00 a.m.
Preschool through Kindergarten with caregivers
Beep-beep, choo-choo and away we go with stories featuring your favorite modes of transportation. Registration begins June 11. Limit 20.
Sing with Miss Gretchen
Tuesday, July 16
10:30 a.m. – 11:15 a.m.
Preschool through Kindergarten with caregivers
Join local preschool music educator, Gretchen Wells-Malitz for a music and movement program, including popular songs, nursery rhymes in foreign languages and audience participation. Registration begins July 2. Limit 30.
Fun Zone: Hands-on Programs for Elementary Schoolers
Create African Art
Thursday, June 13
11:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
First and Second Grade
Make your own African masks and other works of art. Registration begins May 30. Limit 25.
Create Australian Art
Thursday, June 13
1:00 p.m. – 2:30 p.m.
Third through Fifth Grade
Make an authentic Australian Aboriginal dream image painting with artist and illustrator Terri Murphy. Registration begins May 30. Limit 25.
Make and Race Vehicles
Thursday, June 27
11:00 a.m. – 12:30 p.m., First and Second Grade
2:00 p.m. – 3:30 p.m., Third through Fifth Grade
Create and race your own cars, paper airplanes and more. Registration begins June 13. Limit 20.
Butterfly Art and Nature Workshop
Thursday, July 11
2:00 p.m. – 3:30 p.m.
Second through Fifth Grade
Learn all about butterflies with an expert from the Salt Creek Butterfly Farm and create a chrysalis container for a real Monarch. Take your art project and chrysalis home along with butterfly release instructions. Registration begins June 27. Limit 20.
International Food Fair
Thursday, July 18
11:00 a.m. – 12:30 p.m., First and Second Grade
2:00 p.m. – 3:30 p.m., Third through Fifth Grade
Play games and make tasty snacks as you take your taste buds on a journey and learn about what people eat across the globe. Registration begins July 5. Limit 20.
PALS with the Hinsdale Humane Society
Saturdays, June 8 and July 13
10:30 a.m. – 11:30 a.m.
Kindergarten through Fourth Grade
Meet with a trained therapy dog and its handler for 15-minute reading sessions. Sponsored by Hinsdale Humane Society. Registration begins two weeks prior to each program. Taken in consecutive 15-minute increments until full. Limit 8.
Math Paths
Mondays
June 17
July 15
2:30 p.m. – 4:00 p.m.
Third through Fifth Grade
Friends + knowledge ÷ a break from the hot summer sun = a fun math program! Count on learning while you play math games, complete hands-on activities and practice your skills. Registration begins two weeks prior to each program. Limit 20.
Sciencepalooza
Mondays
June 24
July 22
2:30 p.m. – 4:00 p.m.
Third through Fifth Grade
Do you love science? Form a hypothesis that this is the right program for you! Join us at the Library to experiment, research and investigate. Each session is different, so sign up for one or both. Registration begins two weeks prior to each program. Limit 20.
Readers’ Theater Camp
Monday, June 17 through Friday, June 21
10:30 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
Third through Fifth Grade
Readers’ Theater is theater of the imagination. Participants will develop a story and learn how to bring it to life through voice and characterization. Acting and Improv games included. Sponsored by Joanne and Jim Kowalczyk. Please sign up only if you can attend all five days and the performance on June 22. Registration begins June 3. Limit 15.
Readers’ Theater Performance
Saturday, June 22
2:00 p.m. – 3:30 p.m.
Readers’ Theater Camp participants (3-8 Grade) have worked hard to create a show from start to finish and now they need an audience. Come and watch their amazing performances. Registration begins June 8.
Camp Fun-to-Read
Monday, July 8 through Friday, July 12
10:30 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
First and Second Grade
Are you just venturing into the world of reading? Spend time playing with words and sounds, reading, and writing! Includes stories, games and hands-on activities. Must be able to attend all five days. Registration begins June 24. Limit 20.
Junior Rocket Scientists
Wednesdays
June 19 (Really Big Numbers)
June 26 (Really Gigantic Things)
July 17 (Really Fast Things)
July 24 (Extreme Old)
July 31 (Extreme Cold)
6:30 p.m. – 7:30 p.m.
First through Third Grade
Local mathematician Jason Schwartz offers a numerical tour of the universe designed for kids who have a love of numbers, outer space and adventure. Sessions include a story from the Robert E. Wells “Wells of Knowledge” series, interactive discussion, a hands-on activity and optional at-home follow-up learning. Registration begins two weeks prior to each session. Limit 12.
Book Buddies
Wednesdays, June 12, 19 and 26, 10:00 a.m. – 10:45 a.m.
Tuesdays, July 9, 16 and 23, 6:30 p.m. – 7:15 p.m.
First through Third Grade
First through third graders will be matched up with teen volunteers to share stories and practice reading. Registration begins two weeks prior to the start date of each three-week session. Must be able to attend all three days. Limit 10 per session.
Programs for All Ages
Lunch on the Lawn
Wednesdays at 12:30 p.m., Burlington Park
June 19 – Sky Squad Slam Dunk Squad
July 17 – Barefoot Hawaiians
August 7 – The Wiz
We teamed up with Hinsdale Parks and Rec on some awesome lunchtime entertainment! Bring lunch and be ready for fun. No registration required.
Chess Club
Fridays
June 14
June 28
July 12
1:00 p.m. – 3:00 p.m.
All Ages
Come play chess with your friends and learn tips and strategy from an expert. Participants should have basic chess knowledge. Registration begins two weeks prior to each program. Limit 20.
Daddy Day
Saturday, June 15
2:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m.
Details TBA
HPL Gamers Club
Sundays, June 23 and July 21
2:00 p.m. – 3:00 p.m.
All Ages
Do you play Pokemon, Yu-Gi-Oh, Bakugan, Skylanders or other collectible card games? Come to play against others, swap, or show off your collections. No registration required.
Midsummer Madness: Be the Groove
Wednesday, July 10
2:30 p.m. – 3:15 p.m.
All Ages
Be the Groove shares its love of rhythm with an energetic performance that fuses a variety of movement, percussion and rhythmic techniques to create a unique style of its own. This program will be held at The Community House (8th and Madison) and is co-sponsored by the Clarendon Hills and Western Springs libraries. Registration begins June 26.
HPL’s Fourth Annual LEGO® Show
Sunday, July 14
4:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m.
All Ages
Bring your favorite LEGO® display to show off at the Library and come to see others’ creations. Displays must measure 18” x 18” or smaller and be no higher than 24”. Prizes will be awarded in different categories and age groups. Registration begins June 30. Limit 60.
Drop-in Craft Time
Saturday, July 20
1:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m.
All Ages
Work on fun craft projects with a travel theme. No registration required.
Scavenger Hunt
Wednesday, July 24
10:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
All Ages
Find the hidden items on our scavenger hunt and win a prize. No registration required.
MakerBot Demo
Wednesday, July 24
1:00 p.m. – 3:00 p.m.
All Ages
Drop in to see our new 3-D Printer in action! Watch a demo and see some completed creations.
Stuffed Animal Sleepover
Drop off: Thursday, July 25, 10:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
Pick up: Friday, July 26, 1:00 p.m. – 3:00 p.m.
Preschool through Fifth Grade
Bring your favorite (or second favorite) stuffed animal friend to our sleepover! The next day, pick up your friend and make a scrapbook using photos taken during the festivities. What do you think they’ll be up to while you’re snug in your bed? Registration begins July 11. Limit 25.
Storytime Sessions Will Resume in September
Babies, Books and More
12 to 24 months and caregivers
Hinsdale residents will be given priority. Non-residents will be allowed to join the program as space allows. Online registration is linked to the first day for each session/age group.
Toddler Time
2-, young 3-year-olds and caregivers.
Hinsdale residents will be given priority. Non-residents will be allowed to join the program as space allows. Online registration is linked to the first day for each session/age group.
Preschool Book Break
3-, 4-, and 5-year-olds
Hinsdale residents will be given priority. Non-residents will be allowed to join the program as space allows. Online registration is linked to the first day for each session/age group.
To view the complete Hinsdale Public Library Calendar of Events or register online, click here.
