I’m leading my very first after-school program for school-agers at my new library today! I’ve been looking back at my past popular programs with this age group and realizing just how little I ever got around to sharing on the blog. Better late than never?
I know I say every program is my favorite, but I absolutely loved the weekly drop-in after-school program at my last library. It was simple: every week on early release day, we offered the kids snacks, games to play and something crafty to make.
This particular week, I took inspiration from one of my favorite storytime themes: opposites! We played giant card games and made tiny notebooks:
We followed a different set of instructions to make these tiny notebooks, but next time I would use these no-glue directions from Red Ted Art instead: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C8xJ2UzaQYU
The kids got a real kick out of the ridiculously huge cards. We set up three game tables: Giant Uno, Gigantic Go Fish and Super Sized Spoons (complete with giant serving spoons):
I also 3-D printed some golden spoon trophies for the winners of our spoons tournament:
I was surprised by how few kids had ever played spoons! The Go Fish table eventually became the Poker table when some older kids stopped by and couldn’t resist the fun. ♠️🃏
What are your most popular programs with the school-age crowd? I’d love to know in the comments below!
Storytime in the Stacks 
I’ve never even heard of Spoons! Did you already have the giant playing cards?
We do a weekly after school program at my library too, and it’s always heaps of fun. 🙂 Definitely keep sharing your program ideas, I’m always looking for new inspiration! 🙂
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I bought the giant playing cards from Amazon! What has your after-school crowd been into lately?
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We’re big arts and crafts fans over here, lots and lots of art projects. Painting is a particular favourite, which has really pushed me out of my comfort zone! Card making and bookmark making are also really popular, so I’m always looking up new ways to make bookmarks – thank goodness for the internet! 😀
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I haven’t had the chance to run a weekly school-age program, but I’ll share one of my favorite stand-alones! I once planned an event where a local college student spoke about his experience designing a LEGO pop-up book that was chosen to be turned into an official kit. I also set out a display of our LEGO books and set out bricks for some open-play after. Everyone had so much fun!
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That sounds like a blast! Everyone loves LEGO!
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oh my goodness, my son would have LOVED this, he’s obsessed with LEGO, and currently says he wants to be a professional LEGO builder when he grows up. 😀
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Are you telling me kids these days don’t know about playing Spoons!? Haha, well, I’m glad you were able to introduce it to them with those giant cards. What a fun idea for a program 🙂
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Kids these days! They know how to play poker, but not spoons. 😆
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OK, is this a generational thing? A regional thing? How have I never heard of spoons?!?! ;-D
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