Basic Children/Tween/Teen Program Ideas!

These programs are pretty self-explanatory but shouldn't be forgotten:

Legos at the Library: Ages 9-12. Come to the library and build a lego set! Legos can be a little expensive, so I would say this could be either a monthly program or a quarterly program.

(For Halloween) Decorate a Pumpkin!: Ages 9 and up. Buy smaller pumpkins if you're on a budget.

Photography Contest: Ages 14 and up. Teens will submit a photograph based on the topic chosen (i.e. your favorite place, your favorite color) and people at the library will vote for their favorite. The winning photograph will be permanently hung up at the library.

Personalize Your Journal: Provide marble composition notebooks, paint, glue and magazines. Ages 12 and up.

Diary of a Wimpy Kid: Cabin Fever release party! This is a time sensitive event. The book comes out Nov. 15, 2011. Here are activities for a Diary of a Wimpy Kid: Dog Days launch party but it works for Cabin Fever also.

Movies Based on Books Reading Group Could be for any age group. I would suggest meeting quarterly since you'll never run out of books that were made into movies.

Introduction to American Sign Language, Spanish, French, Italian, Chinese, etc. Could be for any age group.

Downloading e-books to your e-reader tutorials

Make your own T-shirt or Tote Bag: Ages 12 and up. Provide t-shirts/totes but also encourage them to bring their own. Fabric paint will be provided.

(For Christmas) The Art of Gift Wrapping: Adult program.

50 Simple Things Kids Can Do to Save the Earth Earth Day program for children ages 9-12

(For Christmas) Christmas Around the World: Ages 9-12. Food, traditions, crafts. Germany, Italy, China, Japan, Australia, Africa...

Children Program idea: American Tall Tales

I've always been very interested in American tall tales because unlike fables, fairy tales or folk tales from other countries, American folk tales are larger than life. Things happen in them that are completely daft yet they still have some sense of realism to it. I know tales like Cinderella and Jack and the Beanstalk also do but Paul Bunyan and Davey Crockett feel like people you know. They're the everyman. They represent the stereotypical American male. And that's why I think it would be cool to do a program on them! This could work any time of the year but I think it would be an interesting idea to tie it in with July 4.

First, we read some American folk tales, obviously. For Paul Bunyan, the Steven Kellogg version would be a definite but otherwise, I'm not really sure yet what books would be good. I'll edit the post with some suggestions later.
Some of the folk tales I'd focus on though would be: Paul Bunyan, Johnny Appleseed, Pecos Bill, John Henry, Davey Crockett, Annie Oakley and Uncle Sam.

For a craft, there are a lot of possibilities, especially if you're doing it near July 4. This Uncle Sam pin is pretty easy and you can offer a variety of materials to make pins of other characters being discussed. A simple Uncle Sam windsock craft could be fun too.
Another idea is to buy some small clay plant pots and let them decorate the pot. Give them apple seeds to grow their own apples a la Johnny Appleseed.

Some Basic Arts & Craft ideas!

Make a...
-God's Eye.
-Pinch Pot.
-Native American Story Stick.
-Kite!
-Stained Glass!

THIS is a really cool site.