Programs & Events for Kids
Library staff design a full schedule of engaging, entertaining, and educational programs and events for babies, toddlers, preschoolers, and school-aged children. Various events – including options for early literacy, STEAM, gaming, and crafts – are offered year-round.
1KB4K: 1,000 Books Before Kindergarten
1KB4K is a library initiative that promotes reading 1,000 books to preschoolers before they begin Kindergarten. It’s easy to do, and the child gets a free book every time they read and report 100 books. Register and track their reading progress online with Beanstack, or visit the Youth Services Department for additional information or to register in person. You can also view the 1KB4K brochure here.
100 Club
The 100 Club is a fun way for kids to build their reading habits year-round – while earning prizes! Kids in kindergarten through 8th grade can join the club and track their progress on Beanstack. There’s no time limit for completing the challenge, but the goal is to read 100 books! The structure is simple: log books in any category and earn a prize for each 10 books read. Each month, a prize winner will be drawn from active readers, and readers who finish all 10 badges will earn a 100 Club completion prize and get to pick a free book to keep. Learn more about signing up in Beanstack at fondulaclibrary.beanstack.org/reader365 or ask a librarian for help and get your young readers involved in this awesome reading challenge!
Anytime Activities, Toys, & Games
Even when there’s not a program scheduled, there’s always something fun to do at the library! Stop by the desk in the Youth Services Department to learn more about the library’s current Anytime Activities – crafts, games, or projects kids can do whenever they visit the library. Additionally, the library offers a wide selection of board games and card games, as well as a train table, Lego table, puzzles, and a puppet theater to play with during your visit.
Tree Planting: 2023 Community Project
We need your help for this summer’s community project! The Fon du Lac Park District will match the library’s $500 pledge to go towards planting beautiful tulip poplar trees at Neumann Park for everyone to enjoy – but only if all of our summer readers help us hit our goal of 500,000 minutes!
That’s a lot of reading, but we’re positive that our voracious readers will be up to the task. Tulip poplars are the official tree of East Peoria and are actually closely related to the magnolia tree, but are called tulip trees because of their greenish yellow and orange flowers. So register for summer reading and track your reading June 1 – July 31 to help us plant new trees in the community! Plus, everyone who completes the summer reading program will be able to add a leaf to the tree bulletin board in the Youth Services department!
Summer Books for Kids
Summer is a time for kids! Summertime means family, friends, fun and a much-needed break from school work! What is your favorite summer activity? Baseball? Camping? Swimming? Fondulac has a book for you!
The Depth of the Lake and the Height of the Sky- Kim, Jihyun JP
Sunrise Summer – Swanson JP also available as an eBook
Vampire Vacation – LaVoie JP
A Cool Day at the Pool – Schaefer EZ Reader
Get a Hit, Mo! – Adler EZ Reader
Pete the Cat’s Family Road Trip – Dean EZ Reader also available as an eBook
The Best Friend Plan – Calmenson EZ Chapter
Mia Mayhem Rides the Waves – West EZ Chapter also available as an eBook
Jacky Ha-Ha Gets the Last Laugh – Peterson JF Series
Three Strikes Summer -Schrempp JF also available as an eBook
Punk Rock Unicorn – Simpson J GN also available as an eBook
Shark & Bot Sleepaway Champs – Yanish J GN
You can search our online catalog and our digital collections for more!
-Post by Sharon Crawford, Youth Services Specialist