I hope you all are enjoying some time outside in this beautiful weather! No matter where you live, there are opportunities to explore nature. Just sit still, watch, and listen: can you see or hear birds singing or insects flying? Find a nearby plant or flower and watch it every day for a few weeks: can you see it grow or bloom? Join us at a program this week and dig a little deeper into exploring nature. We can't wait to see you!
#READ: We Are The Gardeners by Joanna Gaines, Julianna Swaney
In We Are the Gardeners, Joanna and the kids chronicle the adventures of starting their own family garden. From their failed endeavors, obstacles to overcome (bunnies that eat everything!), and all the knowledge they've gained along the way, the Gaines family shares how they learned to grow a happy, successful garden. As it turns out, trying something new isn't always easy, but the hardest work often yields the greatest reward.
#PLAY: Homemade Bubble Solution
This is a great activity to get outside in nature--kids of every age love chasing and popping bubbles! What is better than dancing around and letting the bubbles take flight? Try to see who can blow the biggest bubble or the most!
Supplies:
- 4 cups warm water
- 1/2 cup sugar
- 1/2 cup blue Dawn dish soap
- Large bowl
- Whisk or fork
Instructions:
- In a large bowl, use a whisk or fork to whisk the sugar into the warm water until the sugar dissolves.
- Add the dish soap and whisk to combine.
- Let sit. This step is ONLY if you have some patience or think to make the solution ahead of time. Letting the homemade solution sit for a couple of hours or even overnight helps them work a bit better, but is not strictly necessary.
- Now it's time to blow bubbles with your new bubble solution!
Videos and instructions for homemade bubble wands can be found here: www.ArtParent.com
#EXPLORE: Make a DIY Chia Creature
Here's a great way to explore nature by bringing it indoors!
Supplies:
- Plastic bottle and cap
- Googly eyes
- Paint OR permanent marker
- Potting soil
- Seeds (such as chia or wheat grass)
- Scissors
- Liquid glue
Instructions:
- Carefully use scissors (may need adult help) to cut the bottle in half and discard the top half.
- Paint or decorate bottle cap with marker (if you are using it as a nose) and add eyelashes to eyes, if desired.
- Glue eyes and nose on the bottle.
- Once glue is dry, add potting soil to bottle, packing it almost to the top.
- Sprinkle the seeds on the top of the soil. Then add a little more soil on top.
- Gently water the seeds. Place your creature in a sunny window and water as needed.
- Watch and wait for the seeds to grow; now your creature has "hair!"
#JOIN: Attend a program virtually or in person!
View all school age programs and events offered this week.
For virtual programs, registration is required to receive the Zoom link; use the link in the program information to register.
For in person programs, registration is required; if space allows, walk-ins will be admitted. Use the link in the program information to register.
Jax Student Poetry Contest
This year, Jacksonville will have existed as a city for 200 years! To celebrate the Jacksonville Bicentennial, the City is having a Jax Student Poetry Contest and you can enter to win!
The contest is for Grades 4-12 and the theme is “Looking back, moving forward.” The top three poems from three age groups will win cash prizes!
Submit your poems by April 30th to enter – find out more here: https://jaxpubliclibrary.org/blog/jax-student-poetry-contest
