Don’t let the dog days of winter get you down! Dodge the winter blues with the library

As we enter December, it’s easy to let the short days and cold weather get you down. The library has lots of family friendly activities and resources to help you dodge the winter blues! Find some options for all ages to enjoy, whether out and about or from home. 

For early childhood (0 to 5):

• Attend a storytime, available on multiple dates and locations. Check out our storytime descriptions for culturally specific storytimes, like Black Storytime and Native Story Hour. Our advice: Pajama storytime is extra cozy!
• On December 15, enjoy a joyous sing-along with Angel Ocasio in Spanish and English.
• Ring in the New Year with a free, family friendly party on December 31 at Gresham Library!
• Something to explore: read about five ways to help your child learn.

For elementary and middle school kids (5 to 14): 

• Practice your reading and make a new friend at Read to the Dogs, available on multiple dates and locations. 
• Learn a new skill! Make laser cut earrings on December 5 and December 12 at Midland Library, decorative snowflakes on December 8 at Central Library or origami ornaments on December 21 at Midland Library.
• Play board games at Gregory Heights Library on December 27.
• Something to explore: ask for personalized reading recommendations from our librarians!

For teens (14 to 18): 

• Discover tasty ways to celebrate the season with Jacobsen Valentine on December 8 at Capitol Hill Library.
• Enjoy teen game nights on multiple dates and locations.
• Create art in different mediums on December 26 at Central Library.
• Something to explore: create at the Rockwood makerspace!

For parents, caregivers and other adults: 

• Craft the day away with our knitting and crochet group, available on multiple dates and locations.
• Listen to Hip Hop Soulsation Academy’s interactive family friendly performance on December 28 at Hollywood Library.
• Something to explore: find tickets for museums, local attractions and performances at My Discovery Pass.

Library fun from home 

Check out these options, all free with your library card:

• Find storytime videos available 24/7 on our YouTube in multiple languages.
• Check out tv shows, movies, music and digital comics through Hoopla. Something to explore: check out this list of kids comics!
• Looking for a documentary or independent film? Kanopy has you covered. Something to explore: make sure to look through their kids favorites list!
• Read ebooks, audiobooks and magazines through Libby. Heads up: there are age-specific versions for kids and for teens. Something to explore: our librarian-curated list of winter break reads for kids and teens!
• Learn something new with the library’s online resources and research tools.