Blog

FOR KIDS AND FAMILIES

Backyard Nature Walk (PDF)

Activate your senses and discover what nature has waiting for you in your backyard, or outside your front door. 

Be the Artist: Negative Space (PDF)

Making art with negative space will give your brain a rest from screens and strengthen hand eye coordination. And it is just plain fun! 

Toy Census (PDF)

A census is a count of everyone who lives in a home. You can do a census count of your favorite toys.

Make a Flying Superhero (PDF)

Grab a piece of paper and some coloring supplies to make this fun, flying superhero!

Rise & Shine Storytime: Little Quack (VIDEO)

Ms. Mary shares duck-themed activities, including a song and the picture book Little Quack by Lauren Thompson, illustrated by Derek Anderson, and read with permission of Simon & Schuster.

Saponify! The Magic (and Science) of Soap (VIDEO)

Explore the power of soap with Ms. Caitlin and Desi! Try some easy at-home experiments, learn what soap is made of, and review some tips for handwashing.

Animal Facts: Lions and Tigers

Ms. Quetzalli and her stuffed animal friend Tigy explain some of the differences between lions and tigers.

Be the Artist: Relief Art

Make textured art with simple supplies at home. What can you create? 

If You’re a Lion

Join Ms. Caitlin and Haven for a special animal-filled song. What's your favorite animal?

Make a Rainbow

If April showers bring May flowers, they can also bring rainbows! Create a rainbow craft at home.

Rise & Shine Storytime: Bear Snores On

Ms. Mary shares the picture book Bear Snores On by Karma Wilson, illustrated by Jane Chapman, and read with permission from Simon & Schuster.

Baby Bounces: Ideas for Caregivers

Ms. Mary demonstrates three rhymes perfect for fun baby time with your little one bouncing on your lap.

Make a Nesting Ball

Learn a bit about bird nests and create a nesting ball for birds using this this simple activity.

Storytime at Home: Family

You and your little one can enjoy storytime at home! This storytime sheet includes books, songs, and more exploring the theme of family.
Storytime with Ms. Meleesa: Polar Bear’s Underwear

Ms. Meleesa shares the funny story of Polar Bear, who has lost his underwear, as well as a couple of songs to learn and sing together.

You can also check out resources and recommendations from our staff.

ALL AGES

BOOMbox at Home: Make a Sculpture

Michelle demonstrates how to make a personal clay sculpture from materials you're probably already got around the house. To make the clay, you'll need 1 cup plain white flour, 1/4 cup water, 1/3 cup table salt, and 1 tablespoon cooking oil.

Photo Scavenger Hunt

Grab your camera or your phone to capture all of the photographs on this at-home scavenger hunt.

BOOMbox at Home: Make a Rain Gauge

Amy H. demonstrates how to make a rain gauge from materials you've probably already got around the house. You'll be all set to measure the rainfall in your yard or near your home.

Picture Consequence

Grab some paper, writing utensils, and a buddy to play this humorous drawing game--great for kids, teens, and adults.

Skokie Spirit Shines Through: Make a Mosaic Heart

Show your Skokie spirit and participate in the #SkokieSpiritShinesThrough campaign by making a craft or chalk mosaic heart.

ADULTS

Baseball’s Home Run Explosion (VIDEO)

Sports analyst and writer Rob Arthur explains what's led to the increase in home runs in major league baseball. Behind the sudden and massive spike in home runs is an unexpected cause: the ball itself has become more aerodynamic. For more information, read Arthur’s articles about x-rayed baseballs and how many home runs Barry Bond would have hit in 2019.

Explore Creativebug (VIDEO)

Creativebug is a resource for anyone interested in exploring their creativity. Use your Skokie Public Library card to access classes and tutorials on topics like sewing, cooking, and scrapbooking.

Stay-at-Home Meditation (VIDEO)

Chelsea Ribaudo, who leads monthly guided meditation sessions at Skokie Public Library, recorded this guided meditation you can use at home while the library building is closed.

Health Scares in History from Mysterious Chicago

Local historian Adam Selzer, who was slated to present at the library this spring, recorded this video journey through different epidemics and health scares that have affected Chicago over the past 100 years. Adam will be participating in a live event on Wednesday, April 22, 7-8 pm. Sign up for this live event and receive the Zoom meeting link.

Make a Collage

All you need to create a personal collage at home are some basic art supplies and old magazines.

Backyard Birding

Backyard birding is a simple and enjoyable way to engage in nature. In this video, Martha demonstrates how we can be curious about how birds behave towards each other, learn how to attract birds, and learn more about them. You can also check out Martha’s resource list and backyard birding cards.

Book Chat: What We’re Reading

Librarians Allyson, Becca, Lynnanne, and Megan talk about the titles they've been enjoying recently in this recorded video chat. What have you been reading lately?

PERFORMANCES

Berlin Philharmonic

Log on to the Digital Concert Hall ticket page with the code BERLINPHIL and use it for free for 30 days. No cancellation needed when your 30 days are up. More than 600 orchestral concerts are available, including 15 with new chief conductor, Kirill Petrenko.

Music Live Streams

NPR Music has compiled a list of live audio and video streams from around the world, categorized by date and genre, with links out to streaming platforms such as Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube. It is a living document that will be updated every day until it's no longer needed.

International Bluegrass Music Association 

See the schedules and attendance details for online bluegrass concerts and festivals. Events are currently taking place daily.

WDCB Virtual Events 

WDCB, Chicago’s Home for Jazz, has a calendar of upcoming virtual streamed performances featuring jazz, blues, world, and folk music.

Ailey All Access (STREAMING VIDEO)

Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater is streaming full-length works from its repertory, with broadcasts of past performances every Thursday at 7 pm Eastern time/6 pm Central time. You can see Judith Jamison’s “Divining” (April 9-12) and Rennie Harris’s “Lazarus” (April 16-19). The site also offers shorter videos at any time.

London Symphony Orchestra (YOUTUBE)

Each Sunday and Thursday, this wonderful orchestra is streaming a concert on its YouTube channel.

Jazz at Lincoln Center

Jazz at Lincoln Center is streaming live jazz toward their goal of “expanding the global community for jazz.”

NPR Streaming Performances

NPR is keeping an ongoing list of live streaming performances of all types, from opera to folk to you name it. Check the listings frequently to see what has been added.

New York City Ballet

The company is broadcasting full ballets and excerpts twice a week, through May 29, for free, on its YouTube channel, Facebook page, and website.

Straight No Chaser

This superb (and funny!) a cappella ensemble is presenting a new song each Wednesday on its YouTube channel. So far, the campaign has included renditions of “Lean on Me,” “You’ve Got a Friend,” and even Toto’s “Africa.” Subscribe to SNC’s Quarantine Sessions.