Kids

Age Limits for Programs

Please be sure to check the age limits when registering. Our programs are specifically designed with the listed ages in mind. We want to ensure that children who do fit the age group are not prevented from signing up or attending programs. Please respect the posted age limits.

Main Branch

Main Branch

Countdown to Kindergarten Bags

Available beginning January 2023
Ages 3 – 6

Is your little one getting ready to enter kindergarten? Or maybe you’d just like to work on some fun and educational activities together?

Check out our new Countdown to Kindergarten bags! Each bag has 3 unique activities and challenges for you to complete together, along with supplies and instructions. Each bag also has a guide that matches he activities to corresponding state educational standards and childhood developmental benchmarks and milestones.

These bags are for in-library use only and cannot be taken home. Ask at the desk for the complete list of bags and activities.

Kids Board Game Collection

Check out our new board game collection! These board games are available for in-library use. We have a wide variety including Candyland, Life, Monopoly, Trouble, and much more! Stop by the Children’s Desk for a full list of games and check one out today!

Sensory Bags

Ages 3 and up

Thanks to a Libraries Accelerating Learning Grant, we now have 7 different types of sensory bags and noise reducing headphones to check out.

These bags are for in-library use only and cannot be taken home. Ask at the desk for the complete list of bags.

Write a Letter to….Clifford the Big Red Dog

All October
All Day
All Ages

No registration required. Stop by the Children’s Department and write a letter to their favorite book characters. Each month will feature a different character that they can write a letter or draw a picture to and put in our MPL mailbox. Our favorite letters will be posted on our Facebook page.

Monthly Make a Craft

Every first Monday of the month beginning October 2023
All day while supplies last
All Ages

Stop by the Children’s Department to get creative with one of our monthly crafts. This craft is in-house only.

Fun With Fairytales and Fables

Every second Friday of the month starting October 2023
1 PM
Ages 4-6

Take part in fun activities which tie in with fairy tales and fables. Registration is required.

Fall Story Times

Fall Story Times will run Monday, September 11 – Friday, November 17. Head over to our Story Time Page for full listing and descriptions.

Story time schedule is subject to change based on needs and safety of the community. If you have any questions please call 440-255-8811 option 3 for more information.

Firehouse Friends Story Time

October 12th, November 9th, and December 14th
10 AM
All Ages

Join Fireman Dan, from the Mentor Fire Department, as he reads some fire related stories and offers tips on staying safe. No registration required.

Toot Your Flute Day

Wednesday, October 4th
6 PM
Ages 6-12

Celebrate International Toot Your Flute Day! Come to the library for a lesson in playing the recorder flute. Each child will receive a brand new recorder and be able to take it home. Registration is required.

Yoga Kids

Thursday, October 5th
1 PM
Ages 3-6

This special story time will be led by Darlene Kelbach and our own children’s library associate. Ms. Darlene is a certified yoga instructor. She will guide the littles ones and their grown-ups through exercises in breathing and movement, all put together with a story and music.

Don’t forget your yoga mat or towel! Registration is required.

Pumpkin Patch Painting Contest

Thursday, October 5th
6:30 PM
Ages 4-12

Do you have what it takes to make the coolest pumpkin in the patch? Pumpkins will be on display in the Children’s Department through October! Vote for your favorites! Registration is required.

A BOO-tiful Night

Monday, October 9th
7 PM
All Ages

The air is getting cooler and there are witches in the air. A perfect time to enjoy an outdoor movie on the Main Lawn. Bring your blankets and chairs for a special Halloween movie outside. Popcorn and hot chocolate will be provided. Costumes are encouraged. No registration required.

Creative Writing Spooktacular

Thursday, October 12th
4 PM
Grades 3-5

The leaves are changing, the days are shorter and a mysterious breeze is in the air. Who knows what lurks just out of sight? Writers can join us to write spooky tales that will thrill and chill your friends. Registration is required.

Fall Scavenger Hunt

Monday, October 16th – Saturday, October 28th
All day
All ages

Locate fall items throughout the library to win a prize. Stop by the children’s desk for a checklist. No registration required.

Kids Create Stationary

Tuesday, October 17th
4 PM
Ages 7-12

Kids will create some fall stationary using different types of mediums. Registration is required.

Zin, Zin, Zin a Violin

Wednesday, October 18th
6:30 PM
All Ages

Willoughby fine Arts Association will bring their Zin, Zin, Zin the Violin Program to the Children’s Department. Read the story and then enjoy hands-on exploration of the instruments. The Fine Arts Association will also talk about their new and exciting ventures. Registration optional.

Spooky Camp Story Hour

Thursday, October 26th
6:30 PM
All Ages

Gather around a faux campfire to hear several spooky stories! Spooktacular treats will be provided. Halloween costumes/dress is strongly encouraged! Registration is required.

Star Wars Spelling Bee

Saturday, October 28th
12 PM
Ages 8-12

In honor of Star Wars Reads month we will host a Star Wars spelling bee to test your spelling skills. Spend the month reading about all things Star Wars to prepare for the spelling bee. The competition will test you on the spelling of ONLY Star Wars terms. First, second, and third places will win a prize. Registration is required.

Preschool Dance Party: Monster Mash

Monday, October 30th
1 PM
Ages 3-6

We will play fun dance music for the Halloween season and read some stories. A parent/guardian must attend with their child(ren). Children may dress in a costume if they wish. Registration is required.

Trick or Treat at the Library

Tuesday, October 31st
9 AM
All Ages

Pick up a bag at the children’s desk and trick or treat throughout the library. Wear your costume! While supplies last. No registration required.

Lake Branch

Lake Branch

Storytime Stars at Lake

Tuesdays, September 12 – November 14, 2023
10:30am – 11:00am

Children ages 6 months to 5 years are welcome to attend this storytime at Lake Branch. Enjoy stories, music, rhymes and a craft. All children must be accompanied by an adult. No registration.

For additional information, contact the Lake Branch – 440-257-2512.

Musical Munchkins @ Lake

Thursday, September 14 – November 16, 2023
10:30am – 11:00am

Join us for an interactive musical story time with music, singing, and stories. For children 5 and under. All children must be accompanied by an adult.

For additional information, contact the Lake Branch – 440-257-2512.

Little Ghost Scavenger Hunt @ Lake Branch

October 2-31, 2023
All Day Event

Lake Branch needs your help! Little ghosts have escaped from the lighthouse tower and are haunting the book shelves. Little do they know, book lovers have special powers to find them!

Seek and search game with a colorful twist! Find the ghost to win a prize, Ghost hiding spots change daily. Children are welcome to play once a day. Walk-in program with no registration.

All ages can play!

For additional information, contact the Lake Branch – 440-257-2512.

Pumpkin Palooza! @ Lake

Tuesday, October 3, 2023
6:30pm – 7:30pm
Ages: 5-11

Celebrate the season by joining us for an evening filled with pumpkin crafts, pumpkin games, pumpkin snacks, and more pumpkin fun! Registration is required.

For additional information, contact the Lake Branch – 440-257-2512 or register online. Registration begins September 19, 2023.

Master Builders @ Lake

Wednesday, October 11, 2023
4:00pm – 5:00pm
Ages 5-11.

Join us at the Lake Branch for a monthly club where you can use your imagination to build with LEGO, magnetic tiles, magnet sticks, and Brain Flakes. Every month we’ll provide a theme to get those ideas flowing. No registration required.

For additional information, contact the Lake Branch – 440-257-2512.

Crafty Kids: Halloween Pony Bead Keychains @ Lake

Monday, October 16, 2023
6:30pm – 7:30pm
Ages: 8-12

Join us at the Lake Branch on select Mondays for Crafty Kids. We’ll supply the materials and you supply the creativity. No artistic skills required! This month we will be making Halloween keychains using Pony beads.

For additional information, contact the Lake Branch – 440-257-2512 or register online. Registration begins October 2, 2023.

Not-so-Spooky Family Storytime @ Lake

Wednesday, October 18, 2023
6:30pm – 7:30pm

Witches, Goblins, and Pumpkins join us for a not-so-spooky family storytime. We’ll hear some Halloween stories, create a craft, and have a sweet treat! Costumes are encouraged.

For additional information, contact the Lake Branch – 440-257-2512 or register online. Registration begins October 4, 2023.

Understanding the Moon @ Lake

Thursday, October 19, 2023
6:00pm – 7:30pm
All Ages

Get ready for Observe the Moon Night on October 21! Join the Mentor on the Lake Star Seekers to learn more about what we see when we look up at the moon, both with the naked eye and with a telescope. Discover more about our lunar neighbor!

For additional information, contact the Lake Branch – 440-257-2512 or register online. Registration begins October 5, 2023.

Saturday Family Story Time @ Lake

Saturday, October 21, 2023
10:30am – 11:00am

Welcome to a brand new monthly story time for children of all ages! Enjoy stories, music, rhymes and a craft. All children must be accompanied by an adult. No registration necessary.

For additional information, contact the Lake Branch – 440-257-2512.

Headlands Branch

Headlands Branch

Finger Paint Fridays @ Headlands

Fridays (Sept. 1 – Dec 29, 2023)
10:00am – 12:00pm

Bring in your little one to explore their creativity! We’ll provide the paper, paint and aprons – you provide the fun! Perfect for Pre-K!

Registration is not required, but space is limited inside the branch so there may be wait times. This activity is largely self-directed with limited interaction with staff.

For additional information, contact the Headlands Branch – 440-257-2000

Library Inktober @ Headlands

October 2-31, 2023
All Day Event

The rules are simple: pick up a list of drawing prompts (and a sketchbook if you don’t have one at home, while supplies last), and draw whatever comes to mind for one prompt each day for the whole month of October.

Miss a day or start late? No problem! Start anytime and draw as much or as little as you want. Inktober is more about creating a drawing habit than anything else, so set your own pace – no one’s judging!

And make sure to join us on November 6th at 6pm to show off your drawings and see what others have done with the prompts!

For additional information, contact the Headlands Branch – 440-257-2000.

PAWS To Read @ Headlands

Wednesday, October 4, 2023
6:00pm – 6:30pm or 6:30pm – 7:00pm

Kids who are able to read independently are invited to practice their reading skills in these 30 minute sessions with a licensed therapy dog! Bring a book or pick one out here before your session starts. Perfect for the reluctant reader! Registration is required.

For additional information, contact the Headlands Branch – 440-257-2000 or register online. Registration begins September 20, 2023. Click on the appropriate link above to register.

Next Level Video Game Club @ Headlands

Wednesday, October 11, 2023
6:30pm – 7:30pm

Do you enjoy playing games like Smash Brothers, Mario Kart and Nintendo Sports?Come join us at the Headlands Branch as we take turns playing video games for the Nintendo switch.You can also bring your own portable device, and just hang out and meet new people! Ages 8 and up. Registration Required.

For additional information, contact the Headlands Branch – 440-257-2000 or register online. Registration begins September 27, 2023.

Headlands Jeopardy

Saturday, October 14, 2023
12:00pm – 1:00pm
Ages: 8+

Come see what you know or learn something new with us in a fun afternoon of trivia challenges at the Headlands Branch. Always on the 2nd Saturday of the month!

For additional information, contact the Headlands Branch – 440-257-2000 or register online. Registration begins September 30, 2023.

ROBLOX Saturday @ Headlands

Saturday, October 14, 2023
2:00pm – 3:00pm

Each month, we’ll be playing different games from Roblox! In-house computer use will be on a first-come, first-served basis, but you can still join us at the branch on your phone, computer or tablet! If you plan on attending with your own device, please let us know!

For additional information, contact the Headlands Branch – 440-257-2000 or register online. Registration begins September 30, 2023.

Curious Kids @ Headlands

Wednesday, October 25, 2023
6:30pm – 7:30pm
Ages: 8+

Join us for an evening of arts, crafts & STEM activities. Each month, we’ll explore our creativity and learn new things about our world through art, science, and most importantly – fun!

For additional information, contact the Headlands Branch – 440-257-2000 or register online. Registration begins October 11, 2023.

Scary Stories to Tell in the Park @ Headlands

Monday, October 30, 2023
7:00pm – 8:00pm

Want to get in the Halloween spirit? Join us, along with Dan Maxson from the Fairport Harbor Marine Museum and Lighthouse for a fun evening of spooky stories and local ghost lore in the pavilion at Veterans Park!

Please register all who will be in attendance (caregivers and children) as space in the pavilion is limited.

For additional information, contact the Headlands Branch – 440-257-2000 or register online. Registration begins October 16, 2023.

Let’s Cook With Kids @ Headlands

Wednesday, November 1, 2023
6:30pm – 7:30pm
Ages: 8+

Let’s Cook is a plant-based mobile cooking school that is making their way to the Headlands to offer cooking classes for kids ages 8 +.

For additional information, contact the Headlands Branch – 440-257-2000 or register online. Registration begins October 18, 2023.

Inktober Celebration! @ Headlands

Monday, November 6, 2023
6:00pm – 7:00pm

Show off your creativity! If you participated in Inktober, come show us what you did with the prompts this year, and see what others decided to do. Even if you didn’t participate and want to see some cool art, come by the Headlands Branch at 6 pm to celebrate art with us!

For additional information, contact the Headlands Branch – 440-257-2000.