Youth Services Programs

The Youth Services department is committed to providing engaging and educational programs and activities for children of all ages and their families. Below you will find our current and upcoming programs. Enjoy videos of our past virtual programs on OLPL’s YouTube channel HERE

FALL 2023 PROGRAMS

(T) = We will distribute admission tickets at the Youth Services Desk 15 minutes before the start of the program.
(R) = Register at cal.olpl.org 10 days before the date of the program.

Stay informed about Youth Services programs! Sign up for Youth Services emails at bit.ly/olpl-enews.

Storytimes

Stories, songs, and movement supporting literacy development and learning in young children.

Baby Storytime (T)
Ages 6-24 months with a caregiver
Tuesdays, Sept. 12, 19 & 26, Oct. 3, 10, 17 & 31, Nov. 7, 14 & 28 from 9:30-9:50 a.m.

Toddler Storytime (T)
Ages 2-3 with a caregiver
Thursdays, Sept. 14, 21 & 28, Oct. 5, 12 & 19, Nov. 2, 9, 16 & 30 from 9:30-10 a.m.

Preschool Storytime (T)
Ages 3-5
Tuesdays, Sept. 12, 19 & 26, Oct. 3, 10, 17 & 31, Nov. 7, 14 & 28 from 10:15-10:45 a.m.
To promote independence, we encourage children to attend without caregivers.

SEPTEMBER PROGRAMS

It’s Roald Dahl’s Birthday!

For families with children ages 4 & up
Wednesday, Sept. 13
6:30-7:30 p.m.
Celebrate the birthday of iconic author Roald Dahl by dropping by with the family for book-themed activities and crafts, while supplies last.
No tickets necessary.

Baby Romp (T)

Ages 6-24 months with a caregiver
Fridays, Sept. 15, Oct. 6 & Nov. 3
9:30-10:30 a.m.
Drop by with your baby or toddler for movement activities and free play with other young children and their caregivers.

Museum of Science & Industry Science Club: Just Breathe! (T)

Ages 8 & up
Tuesday, Sept. 16
11-11:45 a.m.
We’ll do experiments to test our lung power.

Pirate PaaRRty! (T)

Ages 5-7
Tuesday, Sept. 19
4:30-5:15 p.m.
Celebrate Talk Like a Pirate Day by challenging your pirating skills with activities and a pirate craft.

Touch a Truck

For families
Saturday, Sept. 23
10 a.m.-noon
An opportunity to explore and ask questions about the trucks, heavy equipment and first responder vehicles used in your neighborhood. No tickets necessary.

Play-Doh Play Time (T)

Ages 3-5 with a caregiver
Mondays, Sept. 25 & Nov. 20
10-11 a.m.
A morning of squishing, shaping and creating with Play-Doh, while supplies last.

Meet a Master, Be a Master (T)

Ages 8-10
Wednesday, Sept. 27
4:30-5:15 p.m.
Learn about famous artists and create art inspired by them!

Parachute Play (T)

Ages 1-3 with a caregiver
Fridays, Sept. 29 & Nov. 10
9:30-10 a.m.
Join us for toddler music and movement time!

Little Miss Ann Family Concert

For families
Saturday, Sept. 30
11-11:45 p.m.
Sing and dance with Little Miss Ann, nationally-touring kids’ musician who has made seven award winning family music albums. No tickets necessary.

OCTOBER PROGRAMS

Make a Kaleidoscope (T)

Ages 8-10
Wednesday, Oct. 4
4:30-5:15 p.m.
Learn about lights, refraction, and mirrors as we create our very own color-changing kaleidoscopes.

Let’s Find Out: World Mental Health Day (T)

For families
Thursday, Oct. 5
6:30-7:15 p.m.
We’ll talk about what mental health means, share resources for families and make a mindfulness craft.

Spanish Bilingual Storytime

For families
Saturday, Oct. 7
11-11:30 p.m.
Discover the joy of Spanish bilingual storytime, where captivating books and lively songs create a fun time for the whole family. No tickets necessary.

StoryWalk (R)

For families
Monday, Oct. 9
10-11 a.m.
Join us at Lake Shore Park, 9610 E. Shore Drive, to read “Also an Octopus” by Maggie Tokuda-Hall & Benji Davies. Enjoy activities provided by the Oak Lawn Park District! Additional copies of the book will be available to check out in the Youth Services Department.

Pokemon Palooza (T)

Ages 5-7
Wednesday, Oct. 11
4:30-5:15 p.m.
If you love Pokemon, come take part in Pokemon games, crafts and activities!

Museum of Science & Industry Science Club: Air in Balance (T)

Ages 8 & up
Saturday, Oct. 14
11-11:45 a.m.
Our experiments will show whether air has mass.

Meet a Firefighter (T)

For families
Sunday, Oct. 15
11-11:45 a.m.
Celebrate National Fire Prevention Month by sharing a story with a firefighter and learning about their job, their gear and their advice on staying safe!

Interactive Movie Kits

The kits will include props, snacks and other fun family-friendly activities to keep everyone engaged with the movie. Activities were designed for ages 4 and up. One kit per family, while supplies last.

“Monsters, Inc.” (2001, Rated G)
Available starting Monday, Oct. 16

“The Muppets” (2011, Rated PG)
Available starting Monday, Nov. 27

Family CheMESStry: Halloween Edition (T)

For families with children ages 4 & up
Wednesday, Oct. 18
4:30-7:30 p.m.
Bring your family (if you DARE) to explore our kid-friendly Spooky Science Stations!

Franken-Toys: Return of the FrankenMonsters (T)

Ages 11-14
Thursday, Oct. 19
4:30-5:15 p.m.
Cut, tear and fuse together old toys to create a spooky new monstrosity!

Messy Art (T)

Ages 2-3 with a caregiver: 9:30-10 a.m.
Ages 3-5: 10:30-11 a.m.
Fridays, Oct. 20 & Nov. 17
Dress for a mess, come for the fun, and leave the cleanup to us!

Nerf Battle Royale (R)

Ages 8-10: Friday, Oct. 20
Ages 3-5: Friday, Nov. 10
6-8 p.m.
Register at the Youth Services Desk 10 days before the program to play after-hours Capture the Flag with Nerf gear. A caregiver permission slip must be filled out at the time of registration.

All-Library Halloween Trick or Treat

All Ages
Sunday, Oct. 22
11 a.m.-2 p.m.
Wear your costume and bring a trick-or-treat bag to discover a variety of games and treats! While supplies last. No tickets necessary.

NOVEMBER PROGRAMS

It’s Dinovember in Youth Services, with special dinosaur-themed programs and activities!

Nov. 1-30

Make a Marigold Garland for Dia de los Muertos (T)

For families
Wednesday, Nov. 1
6:30-7:30 p.m.
Traditionally used to decorate altars for the Mexican holiday Dia de los Muertos, paper marigolds are a fun and easy way to create meaningful memories in this family drop-in craft.

Museum of Science & Industry Science Club: Water Safety (T)

Ages 8 & up
Saturday, Nov. 4
11-11:45 a.m.
We’ll invent our own water testing and filtration systems.

Dinosaur Bingo (T)

Ages 5 & up
Monday, Nov. 6
4:30-5:30 p.m.
Play dinosaur-themed bingo for fun and prizes!

Tech Time: Create a 3D-Printed Snowflake (T)

Ages 9 & up
Tuesday, Nov. 7
4:30-5:30 p.m.
Learn to use the CAD program Tinkercad to design a snowflake to be printed in our 3D printer.

Boomwhackers: A Musical Sound Tube Spectacular! (T)

For families with children ages 5 & up
Wednesday, Nov. 8
6:30-7:15 p.m.
Using a rainbow of percussion tubes, we’ll learn some tunes while exploring the science of sound.

Dinovember Celebration: Meet the Dinosaurs!

For families
Meet the Dinosaurs Show: 12:30 p.m.-1:15 p.m.
Meet and Greet & Dinosaur Activities: 1:15-2 p.m.
Sunday, Nov. 12
Meet four lifelike puppeteer-controlled dinosaurs in this audience-participation show from Dinosaur Dimensions, followed by a photo opportunity and more dinosaur activities in the Youth Services Department! No tickets necessary.

Rainbow Loom Drop-In (T)

Ages 8 & up
Wednesday, Nov. 15
4:30-5:30 p.m.
Unleash your creativity as you create vibrant bracelets from colorful rubber bands!

Family Reading Night

For families
Thursday, Nov. 16
6:30-7:30 p.m.
Celebrate reading as a family as you enjoy great books and fun literary activities! No tickets necessary.

Nailed It Failed It: Thanksgiving Treats Edition (T)

For families
Sunday, Nov. 19
11 a.m.-noon
Make a cute and yummy holiday treat, while supplies last.

Game Club

Ages 5 & up
Monday, Nov. 27
4:30-5:30 p.m.
Stop by with some buddies to enjoy classic games and discover unusual games you may have never played before. No tickets necessary.

Think Like an Engineer: Build a Puff-Mobile (T)

Ages 8-10
Wednesday, Nov. 29
4:30-5:15 p.m.
Try this STEAM building challenge to see if you can design a car using just four Lifesavers, three straws, two index cards, masking tape and paper clips!

Middle School Community Service Opportunities

Program Help

Ages 11-14
If you enjoy spending time with young children and are good at working independently, you can earn community service time by helping us with children’s programs. (R) Register at cal.olpl.org 10 days before the date of the program.

It’s Roald Dahl’s Birthday! (R)

Wednesday, Sept. 13, 6:15-7:45 p.m.

Pokemon Palooza (R)

Wednesday, Oct. 11, 4:15-5:30 p.m.

Family CheMesstry: Halloween Edition (R)

Wednesday, Oct. 18, 6:15-7:45 p.m.

Nerf Battle Royale (R)

Friday, Oct. 20, 5:45-8:15 p.m.

All-Library Halloween Trick or Treat (R)

Sunday, Oct. 22, 10:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. OR 12:30-2:30 p.m.

Dinosaur Bingo (R)

Monday, Nov. 6, 4:15-5:45 p.m.

Dinovember Activities (R)

Sunday, Nov. 12, 12:15-2:15 p.m.

Family Reading Night (R)

Thursday, Nov. 16, 6:15-7:45 p.m.

Nailed It Failed It: Thanksgiving Treats Edition (R)

Sunday, Nov. 19, 10:45 a.m.-12:15 p.m.

Game Club (R)

Sunday, Nov. 27, 4:15-5:45 p.m.

Think Like an Engineer: Build a Puff-Mobile (R)

Wednesday, Nov. 29, 4:15-5:30 p.m.

Volunteer Programs

Ages 11-14

Pet Shelter Toys

Wednesday, Sept. 20, 6:30-7:30 p.m.
Earn community service time by making dog and cat toys for the Anti-Cruelty Society of Chicago.

Caring Cards

Friday, Oct. 13, 4:30-5:30 p.m.
Earn volunteer time and brighten the day of homebound OLPL patrons by creating cheery greeting cards for Customer Services to include with their deliveries of library materials.

Operation Gratitude

Thursday, Nov. 2, 6:30-7:30 p.m.
Earn community service time by making dog and cat toys for the Anti-Cruelty Society of Chicago.

Coming in December:

Youth Services Gingerbread House Contest 2! This year patrons of our Adult/Young Adult departments are joining the fun as well!