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All Bucks County Free Library Branches are closed.

For details and updates on our Service Restoration Plan Please Visit:buckslib.org/COVID-19

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Bucks County Free Library

Established 1956

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Early Learning

Online Storytime Round-up: Celebrity Edition

Missing storytime? We are too!

Although there is absolutely no substitute for gathering together to read each week with our library friends, we have been excited to see some of our favorite celebrities and authors stepping up to share stories and activities while the world is hunkered down at home. Stories can provide comfort and can help us find joy — or even just a little distraction — when times are rough and scary. Here’s a rundown of some of the best of what’s out there!

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Let’s Play School: Spotlight on Explore My World

Children completing three of these activities can earn the Explore My World badge from Let’s Play School. When the library reopens, stop by your branch so that your child can pick up their patch!

  • Go on a Color Hunt! Make a list of all the colors of the rainbow, then have your child find as many things of a certain color as they can. Help your child find different textures within these colors: a soft blue pillow or the bumpy skin of an orange, for example. See which color they find the most.
  • Go on a virtual walk through a museum. Try the Boston Children’s Museum — it’s brand new.
  • Have your child look outside and see what kinds of animals they can see or think about animals that might live in your neighborhood. Using Hoopla, find some books on that animal and learn more about them.
  • Do a sink or float challenge. Have your child choose several items from the house and guess if they will sink or float in water. Ask them if they can guess why.
  • Do shape building! Using familiar items from around your house, such as toilet paper and paper towel tubes, books, shoes, and string, have your child create the shapes they know.

Missing Library Storytime? Here’s How You Can Have Storytime at Home!

We know it’s hard to be stuck at home with little ones who have become used to a daily routine. We thought providing resources for doing an “at-home” storytime might help any families or little ones missing their weekly storytime routine at the library!

Below are some songs, rhymes, and stories you can access from the comfort of your home! All you need is a library card! We recommend breaking up stories with 2-3 songs or rhymes in between; however, you know your little ones best!

[Read more…] about Missing Library Storytime? Here’s How You Can Have Storytime at Home!

Boredom Busters Bitez: Daily Fun for When You’re Stuck Inside

Say hello to Boredom Busters Bitez, an extension of our Boredom Busters publication.

Starting today, we will release three different Boredom Buster activities per day – each with a different theme. Visit our Boredom Busters’ page daily, download the activity files, and have fun! The themes for this week are: In the Garden, Mindfulness, Make-Believe, Pond-Life, and Jam Out!

Resources for Families and Kids: Have Fun and Learn While Social Distancing

Here you are a few days into COVID-19 restrictions, maybe working from home, and helping your children adjust to a life that includes remote learning, homeschooling, and social distancing. Maybe you could use a little inspiration and help with adjusting to your new normal. We’ve put together this great list of free resources that includes ways to get your kids learning, having fun, moving, listening, and exploring.

Earn Badges

Explore the Earth

Fun & Games

Have Storytime at Home

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Arts and Crafts at Home

There are many ways to promote and encourage your child’s creativity at home. The good news is, you don’t need to call in HGTV to redesign your home to create an arts and crafts studio! Here are some ideas that can be done on a budget at the kitchen table or outside on the driveway or picnic table. Of course, if you do have the space and resources to create an art space at home go for it! Here are some aspects of learning and development that you may want to consider when gathering your art materials.

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Let’s Play School! A Badge Program for Kids, Ages 3 to 5

We’re thrilled to announce our new badge program for children ages 3—5: Let’s Play School!

With Let’s Play School children can complete challenges to earn cloth patches, and they’ll have fun while working on core language, motor, and cognitive skills.

Visit your branch to pick up Let’s Play School activity cards or download them from our website. Check our Events calendar, too, for information on special Let’s Play School storytimes taking place at our branches.

Discover Baby Sign Language

Baby Sign Language is a unique form of wordless communication that lets babies as young as six months old, express to their caregivers their wants or needs. Non-verbal young children usually cry when trying to communicate and cannot be understood. However, learning and using Baby Sign Language will break the communication barrier, and the crying and frustration between the young child and their caregiver will disappear. When using Baby Sign Language with your child you are helping to create a connection. [Read more…] about Discover Baby Sign Language

Podcasts for Preschoolers

Looking for a compromise between the Frozen soundtrack and NPR (or Naptime Public Radio as the kids call it these days*)? Well look no further.

With more ways to access podcasts than ever before (I’m looking at you Pandora), engaging children in oral storytelling is easy-peasy lemon-squeezy these days. Whether your podcast agenda is audio learning, mindful moments, or just plain entertainment, we have a suggestion for you.

Move over Elsa, we’re letting it go with captivating podcasts you AND your preschooler will enjoy. [Read more…] about Podcasts for Preschoolers