More tidbits from the idea swap about hands-on activities.  More to come!

Karen from Woodville reminded us about the Wisconsin DNR’s EEK site (Environmental Education for Kids). There are lots of great activities on this site, and they update them regularly, so it is worth checking out.  There are indoor activities (making an edible aquifer, for instance), and also outdoor adventures.  Karen had fun with taking kids on a stream walk, collecting data (on temperature, rate of movement, counting creatures) and sending it in to the DNR.  (This reminds me of a recent well-reviewed book for kids, Citizen Scientists by Loree Griffin Burns–no MORE libraries own this title yet!)

Marilyn in Boyceville talked about their library’s Wrangler Days.  She brought in horse tack, showed kids how to do roping (they were roping chairs), they made brands, told some tall tales and talked about the history of cowboys.  They even did some reader’s theater, with the help of a junior high student who loves drama.  They had one program for 1-3 grades and another for 4-6 grades.  Sounds like fun!

Marilyn also talked about a winter program that has worked well in Boyceville.  In a town that doesn’t have many hang-out spots for teens, their monthly after-school teen coffee time was very well received!  The library served cappuccinos (very swanky), put out storytime-prep projects for them to work on if they felt like it, and pulled a display of science fiction/fantasy titles for them.  Teens loved the chance to hang out (much better–and warmer–than the Cenex station down the street).  They snatched up the books, provided a little help, and just enjoyed each others’ company.