WPL Youth Services: December Newsletter
In-Person Event Guidelines:
In the interest of social distancing, space is limited and registration is required for most children’s events. Registration links for our programs are located on the library's Events Calendar (https://woburnpubliclibrary.org/events-calendar/) .
Masks are no longer required in the library. However, masks are encouraged in the Children's Room, especially for those who are unvaccinated, have a weakened immune system, or live with a highly vulnerable person.
General Announcements
Library Closures
Please note that the library will be closed on December 8th from 9:00 am - 1:00 pm for staff development. The library will open at 1:00 pm for our normal afternoon and evening hours.
The library will also be closed on Saturday December 23rd and Monday December 25th.
Children's Events
Toddler Playtime
Fridays (December 1st & 22nd)
11:00 am - 11:45 am
Bring your toddlers to the library to play, read books, color, and socialize with other families. Best for ages 1-3. No registration required - drop in and hang out with us!
Read to a Therapy Dog
Fridays (December 1st, 8th, 15th)
4:00 pm - 5:00 pm
Young readers are invited to spend 10 minutes reading aloud to dogs from the Therapy Dogs International Program. Registration is not required for this event - 10 minute time-slots with a dog will be assigned on a first-come, first-served basis. We will try to accommodate as many children as we can without overwhelming the dogs. Siblings and parents are welcome to join.
You can find general information on therapy dogs from the Cummings Veterinary Medicine Magazine at the following link: ** The Benefits of Reading to
Dogs ( http://sites.tufts.edu/vetmag/fall-2017/the-benefits-of-reading-to-dogs/)
. For more details about each participating dog and their handlers, please see the individual event pages on our ** Events Calendar (https://woburnpubliclibrary.org/events-calendar/)
Portuguese Fun
Saturday December 2nd (10:00 am - 11:00 am)
Saturday December 9th (11:30 am - 12:30 pm)
Monday December 18th (10:30 AM - 11:30 AM)
Join Miss Esther as we dance and sing with the music from the highest-selling Brazilian female singer Xuxa! We will also have fun playing games with the parachute while you learn and practice Portuguese.
Best for ages 2-5. The whole family is welcome.
Open Gaming for Families
Saturday December 2nd
2:30 pm - 3:30 pm
Join us for a fun afternoon of gaming at the library! Kids and families of all ages can stop by to play some Switch games, use our iPads, and try out our brand new ** Magic Floor ( https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o9J2WuCFpdU&t=2s)!
This program is for all ages. Registration is required.
Spanish Fun Program
Monday December 4th (10:30 am - 11:30 am)
Saturday December 16th (11:30 am - 12:30 pm)
Whether you're interested in learning Spanish or you're already fluent, you will enjoy this fun, bilingual program! Miss Esther will lead you through vocabulary-building activities, music, and games. Best for ages 5 and under. Siblings are welcome. Registration is required.
Si ya hablas español o si quieres aprender una lengua nueva, puedes participar en esta hora de cuentos bilingüe con Señorita Esther! Para niños de 1 a 5 años. Requiere registro.
Lego Club
Monday December 4th
3:30 pm - 4:30 pm
Do you love LEGO? Stop by the Craft Room and see what you can create with our LEGO bricks. If you'd like, your amazing creation can be displayed in the library until the next LEGO Club!
This program is for ages 6-11. No registration required.
Family Storytime
Tuesday December 5th
Monday December 11th
10:30 am - 11:00 am
Join us for a morning of stories, songs, and fun! Each storytime will feature two special guest readers! This storytime is for ages 2-5, but siblings are welcome. Registration is required.
Tween Lounge
Tuesday December 5th
Tuesday December 19th
3:30 pm - 4:30 pm
Come hang out in the Storytime and Craft Room to enjoy a variety of video games, card and board games, activities, and snacks!
This program is for tweens ages 8-11 only.
Sensory-Friendly Storytime
Wednesday December 6th
10:30 am - 11:30 am
Join Miss Sam for 30 minutes of gentle songs and stories followed by sensory playtime. Fidgeting and roaming are welcome.
This storytime is for everyone, but is particularly designed for neurodiverse children: children who are autistic, have sensory processing challenges, ADHD, or have difficulty sitting through our other storytimes. Book choices geared toward preschool interest level. Siblings are welcome.
This program is for ages 3-7.
PJ Storytime
Wednesdays (December 6th & 20th)
5:30 pm - 6:15 pm
Get a jump start on bedtime! Join Miss Kristine for songs, movement activities, and stories.
Best for ages 5 and under. Siblings are welcome.
Baby Lapsit with Miss Kristine
Thursdays (December 7th, 14th, 21st)
11:00 am - 11:30 am
Sing, play and bounce with your baby to gentle rhymes and stories with Miss Kristine.
Best for 12 months and under.
Parent and Tween Crafting Night
Thursday December 7th
7:00 pm - 8:30 pm
Come join us on Thursday night for an adult and tween (ages 8-11) craft. Tweens are invited to bring an adult of their choice to make a craft together. Each month will be a different craft - check back on our ** Events Calendar (https://woburnpubliclibrary.org/events-calendar/)
for updates!
Sing, Move, and a Story with Family Access
Monday December 11th
3:30 pm - 4:00 pm
Join Community Connections for singing, movement and a shared story! Let's get your little one's fine motor, gross motor, language and early literacy skills going. ** Register here through Family ACCESS. (https://forms.office.com/pages/responsepage.aspx?id=9tLaOHHGdki8ubtOlAVcA8NC46CiC5lLs-_QuGoy-KpUNk9BM0lOUElOVVVYSkUyR0hUWDRINlZWVS4u)
For children 0 - 5 with a parent/caregiver. Siblings are always welcome.
Baby Group with Early Intervention
Tuesdays (December 12th & 19th)
10:30 am - 11:30 am
Join us for a baby group (0-15 months) led by early intervention specialists. This is a group for parents and caregivers to connect on the joys and struggles of parenthood. Caregivers can gather more information on child development while infants work on tummy time, exploring toys, and listening to songs.
Talking Hands Theatre Presents: Hanukkats!
Tuesday December 12th
3:30 pm - 4:00 pm
How do you play dreidel and why? Find out when you join Ziva the cat as she goes back to the time of the first Hanukkah to recover the missing letters on her dreidel. You’ll meet Judah Meowcabee, Oliver the olive oil maker, and a cast of other wonderful cat characters who help Ziva solve the mysterious connection between the dreidel letters, the Hanukkah story, and the way the game of dreidel is played. Audience members will have a chance to get up and dance, sing, and act out parts of the story in this musical, interactive journey through time.
Brought to you by Talking Hands Theatre from Western Massachusetts. This program is for all ages.
Lego Build Time
Wednesday December 13th
10:00 am - 11:00 am
Stop by the Craft Room and see what you can create with our Legos! If you like, your amazing creation can be displayed in the library until the next Lego Build time.
For grades 5 and under.
La Noche Buena Storytime
Wednesday December 13th
5:30 pm - 6:30 pm
Join Esther Gomez and Karina Liendo for the bilingual story "La Noche Buena" and learn about Christmas Eve traditions in Latin American countries. After the story, we will go over some Spanish vocabulary, play games, and make a craft.
The night of December 24th is when Latin American countries celebrate Christmas Evening or Noche Buena. Each country has different traditions, but all of them have in common family reunions celebrated with big meals and gifts. In this story, a young girl visits her grandma's house to experience a multicultural festivity and a magic night that she will always remember.
Recommended for all ages.
Trivia Bowl
Thursday December 14th
3:30 pm - 4:30 pm
Join Miss Lobna for a Trivia Bowl! Come test your knowledge and compete with your friends. Bring your brain power and see who comes out on top!
This program is for ages 7-11 only.
Story Tots
Friday December 15th
11:00 am - 11:45 am
Join Miss Janice for a story time just for toddlers. There will be stories, movement, music, and age-appropriate activities!
Best for ages 1-3. Siblings are welcome.
Sensory-Friendly Visit with Santa
Saturday December 16th
10:00 am - 10:45 am
Join Bouncing Beans for a Sensory Friendly visit with Santa! This program is designed by an occupational therapist for families with babies/toddlers and children who may benefit from a more relaxed environment due to developmental/behavioral considerations. We will have festive craft and sensory stations to explore, time to adjust to Santa before a photo opp, and will wrap up with bubbles and parachute play.
Registration is required.
Israeli Folk Dance for Beginners
Saturday December 16th
2:00 pm - 3:00 pm
Join instructor Anne Schwartz for a fun workshop for all ages and all levels to learn Israeli folk dance. We will learn the basic steps through easy dances of different styles. This Israeli dance workshop will introduce you to the basic steps with lots of practice and an emphasis on fun! Great for families. Please wear sneakers or soft-soled shoes and comfortable clothes in layers.
Anne Schwartz has been leading Israeli folk dance in the Merrimack Valley since 2010. She has been dancing since childhood and has studied many styles including ballet, modern, jazz and swing. Anne is currently a member of Encore Dance Ensemble, a modern dance company in the Boston area. During the school year, she is a math tutor in the Salem, MA, public school system. She lives in Reading with her husband.
Story Crafternoon
Monday December 18th
3:30 pm - 4:30 pm
Join Miss Sam for songs, stories, and a simple craft. This program is recommended for ages 3-6, but siblings are always welcome!
Creativity Corner
Wednesday December 20th
Tuesday December 26th
10:00 am - 11:00 am
Stop by the Craft Room and get creative with our craft supplies! This event is first come, first served, as space allows. For grades 5 and under.
Messy Art
Wednesday December 20th
3:30 pm - 4:30 pm
Join us for a fun afternoon of painting in the craft room without having to worry about the clean-up! Every month we paint with something new. The paint we will be using is washable, but be sure to wear something you don't mind getting messy in.
This program is for ages 5-11.
Family STEM
Tuesday December 26th
2:30 pm - 3:30 pm
Join us for a special afternoon of STEM activities (science, technology, engineering, and math). Kids and caregivers will work together and experiment in a variety of fun and educational activities. Try out our various coding robots, build something new, and explore with STEM!
This program is for ages 5-11.
Rockabye Beats
Wednesday December 27th
10:30 am - 11:00 am
Come join Rockabye Beats for an interactive, musical program experience! We'll sing, play, explore instruments, dance, pretend, learn a little Spanish, and show off our goofy side. It's a chance for children to have fun and get a little loco!
This program is for ages 0-5, but siblings are always welcome.
Shine On Performing Arts Center logo
Hip Hop Dance Class
Wednesday December 27th
2:30 pm - 3:30 pm
Join us for a special dance class hosted by the Shine On Performing Arts Center! Hip Hop will incorporate street funk, groove, and isolations while cultivating each student's own personal style. We make sure to keep the class authentic with the latest Hip Hop music while keeping it age-appropriate.
This class is for ages 12-18 ONLY.
Family Playtime
Thursday December 28th
11:00 am - 11:45 am
Join us for Family Playtime, where you can explore various games, activities, and sensory experiences. This program is recommended for ages 1-5, but siblings are welcome.
No registration required.
Canvas Painting with Studio on the Common
Thursday December 28th
Session 1 (4:30 pm - 5:30 pm)
Session 2 (6:00 pm - 7:00 pm)
Calling all artists! Children (ages 7-11) are invited to join us for a guided painting session led by Studio on the Common.
This program will be offered in two sessions. Please register for ONE session only.
Little Kid Drama Class
Friday December 29th
10:30 am - 11:15 am
Little Kid Creative Drama is a high-energy, imaginative, zany, silly, super fun theater experience. In this class we focus on senses, feelings, and movement through fun, energetic, and imaginative play. Children will build confidence, social awareness, empathy, and problem-solving skills.
This class is for ages 2-5 and a caregiver.
. Text reads: You're invited to a Princess Party with Elsa and Anna!
Princess Party
Friday December 29th
2:30 pm - 3:30 pm
Kids of all ages will have the chance to meet Ana and Elsa at our Princess Party! Ana and Elsa will sing songs, dance, and read stories about their exciting adventures. At the end of the performance, everyone will have the opportunity to take photos with the princesses. Children (and adults) are welcome to come in costume!
This program is for all ages.
Moving to the Music
Saturday December 30th
3:00 pm - 3:45 pm
Bring your imaginations to the library for an evening session of dance, music, and dramatic play led by Miss Kat!
Best for ages 3-7. Siblings are welcome.
Rookie Book Club
Monday December 18th
6:00 pm - 6:45 pm
Join Miss Janice for our beginning readers' book club! Children should read the book before the club meeting. Children who are not reading independently yet can have the book read to them. We will talk about the story and do some related activities. Copies of the book will be available at the Children’s Room desk. December's book is TBA - please check back on our ** Events Calendar (https://woburnpubliclibrary.assabetinteractive.com/calendar/rookie-book-club-19/)
for details.
This book club is for children who are at least 5 years old and in Kindergarten or 1st grade.
Bookworms Book Club
Thursday December 21st
6:00 pm - 7:00 pm
Join Miss Sam for a special book club for 2nd and 3rd graders! Each month we will read a different chapter book or graphic novel. During the meeting, we will talk about the story and do some fun activities. December's book is ** Stinkbomb and Ketchup-Face and the Badness of Badgers (https://woburn.minlib.net/Record/.b36029695?searchId=1092243&recordIndex=1&page=1&referred=resultIndex)
by John Dougherty - copies will be available at the Children's Desk.
Cool Kids' Book Club
Monday December 11th
6:00 pm - 7:00 pm
Join Ms. Jacki to explore different genres with good conversation and an accompanying craft or activity!
This book club is for children in grades 4 - 6.
Teen Events
One Up Games for Teens
Wednesday December 6th
1:00 pm - 4:00 pm
Join us on your half day for open game play with One Up Games! Our friends at One Up Games will be bringing a variety of gaming platforms, as well as Oculus virtual reality, to the library for you to play with your friends. Drop in at any time; no registration required.
This event is for students in grades 6-12.
Teen Dungeons and Dragons: Dragon Heist
Thursdays
5:00 pm - 6:30 pm
Our grand Waterdeep: Dragon Heist adventure continues! This is an intermediate-level campaign beginning with characters in level 5. It is appropriate for high school students with D&D experience or who don't mind learning on the fly.
This teen D&D campaign runs every Thursday; we hope you are able to make the majority of the meetings.
** Register ONCE for all sessions in the month of December**
Painted tin cans with holes poked into them in the shape of the Star of David.
Teen Crafternoon
Saturday December 9th
2:00 pm - 3:30 pm
Celebrate the Festival of Lights by creating illuminating lanterns out of tin cans. This craft will involve hammers & nails, so make sure you and your guardian are comfortable with you using those tools before you sign up.
This program is for students in grades 6-12.
Teen Advisory Board
Monday December 11th
4:30 pm - 5:30 pm
Help decide what happens at YOUR library! (and get snacks & volunteer hours)
Concerns, comments, or ideas for Teen events and programming? Join the monthly Teen Advisory Board meeting to have your voice heard.
TAB is for students entering 7-12 grade.
Teen Chess & Games Club
Tuesdays (December 12th & 26th)
5:30 pm - 6:30 pm
Want to learn to play chess? Know the basics, but want improve your skills? Already know how to play, but have no one to play with? Stop by Chess Club, Tuesdays at 5:30 in the Makerspace! No registration required and boards provided. All skill levels welcome!
Chess Club is expanding to other board games! Try a classic like Chinese Checkers or Mancala, or a new tabletop game from the library's collection.
Teen Chess Club is for students in grades 6-12.
Teen Movie Night: How the Grinch Stole Christmas
Tuesdays (December 12th & 26th)
5:30 pm - 6:30 pm
The library will be screening How the Grinch Stole Christmas in the Teen Room. No registration required.
Synopsis: On the outskirts of Whoville lives a green, revenge-seeking Grinch who plans to ruin Christmas for all of the citizens of the town. (2000, Rated: PG)
Israeli Folk Dance for Beginners
Saturday December 16th
2:00 pm - 3:00 pm
Join instructor Anne Schwartz for a fun workshop for all ages and all levels to learn Israeli folk dance. We will learn the basic steps through easy dances of different styles. This Israeli dance workshop will introduce you to the basic steps with lots of practice and an emphasis on fun! Great for families. Please wear sneakers or soft-soled shoes and comfortable clothes in layers.
Anne Schwartz has been leading Israeli folk dance in the Merrimack Valley since 2010. She has been dancing since childhood and has studied many styles including ballet, modern, jazz and swing. Anne is currently a member of Encore Dance Ensemble, a modern dance company in the Boston area. During the school year, she is a math tutor in the Salem, MA, public school system. She lives in Reading with her husband.
A crafted snowman made out of felt wearing a green hat and scarf.
Felted Snowman with Felted Bee
Monday December 18th
7:00 pm - 8:30 pm
Needle felting is an addictive art that uses a sharp barbed needle to turn fluffy wool into dense shapes. In this program, you will learn how to needle felt wool into a snowman! All supplies are included and you will be able to bring your creation home with you.
No experience necessary. This program is for teens (ages 12+) and adults.
Teen Improv Workshop
Tuesday December 19th
6:00 pm - 7:00 pm
Why let the adults have all the fun? Our popular Improv Workshop is now for teens!
In this workshop, participants will learn and practice improvisation activities and techniques that will help to improve expressive language skills as well promote faster thinking and decrease stress. Research has shown that learning improv can help to “retrain” the brain to actively listen, communicate more effectively, be more open to ideas, and work collaboratively. Plus, because improv is a lot of fun, it is a great stress-reliever as well.
Presented by Meredith Charles, proprietor of ** Drama out of the Box (https://www.dramaoutofthebox.com/)
. No experience necessary. For students in grades 6-12.
Teen Crafternoon: Vision Boards
Wednesday December 20th
3:30 pm - 5:00 pm
New year, new you! Join us in the Makerspace to create your own Vision Board using magazines, newspapers, washi tape, & other collage materials.
(What's a Vision Board? It's a collage of images & words representing a person's wishes or goals. What are your wishes & goals for the new year?)
This program is for students in grades 6-12.
Shine On Performing Arts Center logo
Hip Hop Dance Class for Teens
Wednesday December 27th
3:30 pm - 4:30 pm
Join us for a special dance class hosted by the Shine On Performing Arts Center! Hip Hop will incorporate street funk, groove and isolations while cultivating each student's own personal style. We make sure to keep the class authentic with the latest Hip Hop music while keeping it age-appropriate.
This class is for ages 12-18 ONLY.
Teen Movie Night: Ice Age
Tuesdays (December 12th & 26th)
5:30 pm - 6:30 pm
The library will be screening Ice Age in the Teen Room. No registration required.
Synopsis: The story revolves around sub-zero heroes: a woolly mammoth, a saber-toothed tiger, a sloth and a prehistoric combination of a squirrel and rat, known as Scrat. (2002, Rated: PG)
Board Game Cafe
Saturday December 30th
2:00 pm - 4:30 pm
Get cozy this holiday vacation & join the library's Board Game Café! Come play some of the board & tabletop games from our Library of Things collection or bring your favorites to share. Hang out, have fun, and make new friends!
This event is for teens & adults. No registration required!
Iris Book Club
Monday December 30th
4:30 pm - 5:30 pm
Are you part of or an ally of the LGBTQ+ community? Are you trying to find more inclusive novels? Do you wish you had more queer friends? If so, join the Iris Book Club, an LGBTQ+ book club for teens!
Since December is such a busy month, we will not have an assigned book for this meeting. Instead, let's eat cookies and talk about our favorite queer & LGBTQ+ books and why they are important to us!
Also, get a head-start on January's book Self-Made Boys: A Great Gatsby Remix by Anna Marie-McLemore.
