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
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!
Write a Letter to….Pete the Cat
All May
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.
Summer Story Times
Summer Story Times will run Monday, June 5 – Friday, July 28. 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.
Yoga Kids
Thursday, June 1
1:00 PM
Ages 3 – 6
This special storytime will be led by Darlene Kelbach and our own children’s library associate. Ms. Darlene is a certified yoga instructor. She will guide little 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 and starts here on May 18.
Summer Reading Scavenger Hunt
Thursday, June 1
6:00 PM
All Ages
Stop on by for your kickoff to Summer Reading with a scavenger hunt throughout the library property. Kids from birth to 6th grade can sign up for Summer Reading!
Safety Class for Kids
Saturday, June 3
1:00 PM
Ages 5 – 12
This class will cover important topics on safety instructed by Dave Frank from C.O.B.R.A. Self Defense in Mentor, OH. Registration is required and starts here on May 20.
Mondays in Mentor
Mondays in June and July
1:00 PM
All Ages
Join the Children’s Department for weekly activities pertaining to the Summer Reading Club, All Together Now. We will focus on our community. Each week, staff will introduce a difference project or activity. Registration is not necessary and open to all ages.
Geometry in Motion
Tuesday, June 6
1:00 PM, Ages 6 – 9
2:00 PM, Ages 10 – 13
Dance instructor Tom Evert will integrate dance with the principles of geometry through improvisation and dance. The program meets the Ohio academic standards. The first session is open to those ages 6 to 9 and the second session for those ages 10 to 13.
Laketran Story Time – My Community
Thursday, June 8
10:00 AM
Ages 3 – 6
Laketran will be bringing one of their buses for a preschool story time. Open to ages 3 to 6. No parents please. Registration is required and starts here on May 25.
Puzzles, Puzzles, Puzzles 
Thursday, June 8
1:00 PM
Ages 3 – 5
If you like puzzles, then you’ll love this program. Have fun putting together giant floor puzzles. Registration is required and starts here on May 25.
Star Wars Jedi Training
Tuesday, June 13
1:00 PM
Ages 8 – 12
Celebrate Star Wars and dress as your favorite character. Kids will complete Jedi Training, including finding their own kyber crystal, building a light saber, completing and obstacle course, and making crafts. Registration is required and starts here on May 30.
Paint a Flower Pot
Thursday, June 15
1:00 PM
Ages 6 – 12
Children will decorate a small flower pot, and then be given soil and seeds to plant. Registration is required and starts here on June 1.
Donuts with Dad Story Time
Saturday, June 17
10:00 AM
Ages 3 – 6
Join us for a special story time to celebrate Father’s Day. List to some stories while enjoying a donut with your dad or caregiver. Registration is required and starts here on June 3.
Reading ROCKS
Monday, June 26
3:00 PM
Ages 6 – 12
Decorate a rock or two to go along with our summer reading program, All Together Now. After it dries, pick a place around the Mentor area to leave your rock and help spread some community cheer. All supplies will be provided. Registration is required and starts here on June 12.
Lake Branch
Storytime Stars at Lake
Tuesdays
10:30am – 11:00am
Ages: 6 months to 5
Children ages 6 months to 5 years are welcome to attend this story time 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
Thursdays
10:30am – 11:00am
Ages: 0-5
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.
Reading Rockstars–Homeschool @ Lake
Tuesdays
1:00pm – 1:30pm
Grades: K-3
Children entering grades K through 3 are invited to attend this early literacy series encouraging strengthening beginning reading skills. Through the use of stories, music, games, and more, our staff will reinforce these important skills and encourage students to reach their reading goals. This program is supported by a Libraries Accelerating Learning grant.
For additional information, contact the Lake Branch – 440-257-2512.
Where’s Waldo Scavenger Hunt @ Lake
June 2023
All Day
Waldo is hiding somewhere in the library at the Lake Branch. Find his hiding place and come to the front desk to tell us where he is. Be careful! There are imposters hiding too! Visit every day in June to find his new hiding place, and receive a prize!
For additional information, contact the Lake Branch – 440-257-2512.
Crafty Kids@ Lake
Monday, June 19, 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! Crafts are appropriate for ages 8-12.
This month, create your own framed button flower garden.
For additional information, contact the Lake Branch – 440-257-2512 or register online. Registration begins June 5, 2023.
Headlands Branch
Headlands Take & Make Craft!
Every Monday
All Day Event
Stop by and grab a craft, or call ahead and we’ll set one aside for you (provided we still have them, supplies are limited).
For additional information, or contact the Headlands Branch – 440-257-2000 or register online. Registration is required.
Finger Paint Fridays @ Headlands
Fridays
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.
Reading Rockstars! @ Headlands
Thursdays 2023
4:00pm – 4:30pm
Grades: K-3
Children entering grades K through 3 are invited to attend this early literacy series encouraging strengthening beginning reading skills. Through the use of stories, music, games, and more, our staff will reinforce these important skills and encourage students to reach their reading goals. This program is supported by a Libraries Accelerating Learning grant.
For additional information, contact the Headlands Branch – 440-257-2000. No registration necessary.
Let’s Cook With Kids @ Headlands
Wednesday, May 31, 2023
6:30pm – 7:30pm
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 +. Registration opens 2 weeks prior.
For additional information, contact the Headlands Branch – 440-257-2000 or register online. Registration begins May 17, 2023.
All Together Now Quilt @ Headlands
June & July 2023
All Day
Show off your art skills and help us create a community quilt! Patrons are encouraged to design their own paper quilt square. Book characters or covers read throughout the summer are strongly recommended, but you’re welcome to design the square as you please.
At the end of August, we will assemble the quilt in our storytime room for the whole community to see!
No registration required, open to all ages. Stop in today to pick up your square!
For additional information, contact the Headlands Branch – 440-257-2000.
Headlands Jeopardy
Saturday, June 10, 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.
For additional information, contact the Headlands Branch – 440-257-2000 or register online. Registration begins May 27, 2023.
ROBLOX Saturday @ Headlands
Saturday, June 10, 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 May 27, 2023.
Headlands Crafternoon
Tuesday, June 20, 2023
1:00pm – 2:00pm
Come to the Headlands Branch for a fun afternoon of crafting! Bring your current project, meet others with similar (or radically different) interests & maybe learn a new thing or two! Open to fiber/textile artists, beaders, paper crafters, etc. All skill levels and ages welcome!
For additional information, contact the Headlands Branch – 440-257-2000 or register online. No registration necessary.
Curious Kids @ Headlands
Wednesday, June 28, 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 June 14, 2023.
The HUB
Patriotic Suncatchers @ The Hub
Thursday, May 25, 2023
5:00pm – 6:30pm
Ages: 6-11
Celebrate Memorial Day at The HUB by paying homage to past and current soldiers by means of a patriotic sun catcher.
This program is open to the public. The program will be held at the HUB at Mentor High School (6477 Center St). Call the library at 440-205-6011 for more information or register online. Registration begins May 4, 2023.
Bee Kind Water Bottles # The Hub
Tuesday, June 6, 2023
Tuesday, June 13, 2023
4:00pm – 5:30pm
Ages: 6-11
Are you ready to spread some kindness? Join us at The HUB to a make a Bee Kind water bottle. Be sure to personalize it your name before you leave.
This program will repeat on Tuesday, June 13th. Attendees may participate in 1 session only.
This program is open to the public. The program will be held at the HUB at Mentor High School (6477 Center St). Call the library at 440-205-6011 for more information or register online. Registration begins M
Rainbow Suncatcher @ The Hub
Wednesday, June 21, 2023
Wednesday, June 28, 2023
5:00pm – 6:30pm
Ages: 6-11
Join us at The HUB and catch a little kindness! Learn how to make a laser cut Rainbow Suncatcher to brighten up your favorite window! We will be laser engraving colorful heart shapes with words of encouragement, love, friendship, and kindness.
This is program will repeat on June 28th. Attendees may participate in one session only.
This program is open to the public. The program will be held at the HUB at Mentor High School (6477 Center St). Call the library at 440-205-6011 for more information or register online. Registration begins June 7, 2023.