List of fun things to do with your child before they enter kindergarten.

“I never met a color I didn’t like.” – Dale Chihuly
Color is everywhere! Can you guess the color for each of these riddles?

Find each of the following colors on a walk around your neighborhood. What kind of interesting things do you see? Mark each color off as you find them, don't forget to look high and low!

20 Pts

June 4 @ 6:30 pm

What is a fairy tale without a castle? Travel through time and take a virtual vacation to some of the world’s most beautiful castles. Learn about each castle’s history and unique design, and enjoy some fun castle trivia.

Using the Medieval Castles tab,navigate the website below to learn more about . . .

• castle construction
• castle history
• castles you'd like to visit

https://www.english-heritage.org.uk/learn/histories/medieval-castles/

Take a virtual tour of a real Irish castle in the link belowand test your knowledge with the quiz in the video!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NyeH9KOLUec

20 Pts

Cabin Fever Escape Room

We are so thankful for all of the businesses that support the Summer Reading Program. We have a special scavenger hunt for the whole family that recognizes some of our 3 and 4 star donors. Take your family on a trip around Orange City to find the letter in the window of each business. Put the letter in the appropriate blank and then enter the message (with correct punctuation) in this mission activity to earn points towards your Read Squared goal!

2. C & H Body Repair, Inc. - 707 Lincoln Ave SE

3. Northwestern Bank - 122 Central Ave NW

4. Van Engelenhoven Agency Insurance - 122 Central Ave SW

5. Edward Jones - Mark Lundberg - 109 3rd St NE

6. Orange City Dentistry - 909 Lincoln Circle SE

7. Townsquare Coffee House - 125 Central Ave NW

8. Pizza Ranch - 1505 8th St SE

We are so thankful for all of the businesses that support the Summer Reading Program. We have a special scavenger hunt for the whole family that recognizes some of our 3 and 4 star donors. Take your family on a trip around Orange City to find the letter in the window of each business. Put the letter in the appropriate blank and then enter the message (with correct punctuation) in this mission activity to earn points towards your Read Squared goal!

2. C & H Body Repair, Inc. - 707 Lincoln Ave SE

3. Northwestern Bank - 122 Central Ave NW

4. Van Engelenhoven Agency Insurance - 122 Central Ave SW

5. Edward Jones - Mark Lundberg - 109 3rd St NE

6. Orange City Dentistry - 909 Lincoln Circle SE

7. Townsquare Coffee House - 125 Central Ave NW

8. Pizza Ranch - 1505 8th St SE

20 Pts

June 11 @ 6:30pm

Explore the fascinating history of Mesa Verde National Park, located in southwest Colorado, under the guidance of Seasonal Park Ranger and Orange City resident Ann Lundberg.
“Visit” the ancient Pueblo people and the cave dwellings that served as their homes for over 700 years!

Click here for the YouTube link!

For a Cliff Palace tour, Ann has also provided this link of a colleague's tour.

20 Pts

Join us (virtually) for a Magical World party! Below you will find different game, craft, snack, and activity ideas to create your own party at home. Dress in costume and share your pictures with us in the activity portion of the mission or tag us on social media!

PARTY TIES

Do you know what house you would be sorted into in Pottermore? Or maybe you want to create your own unique tie for your party attire. Create your own or use this link for a tie template - decorate them for each guest or have them color their own! https://lovelyplanner.com/free-printable-hogwarts-house-ties-for-your-harry-potter-party/

WANDS

Every good magical party will have wands! Use this simple method to make your own.

https://boxycolonial.com/diy-harry-potter-wands/

SNACKS & CHALICES

You can't have a party without the snacks, so take a few of our suggestions or create your own. Make sure to include fancy or creative chalices for that Butterbeer.

Snack ideas: 

• Gumballs (for Droobles Best Blowing Gum)
• Caramels (for Ton-Tongue Toffee)
• Red Vines or Twizzlers (for Licorice Wands)
• Pop Rocks (for Fizzing Whizbees)
• Red Hot Tamales (for Pepper Imps)
• Pixie Sticks (for Portable Floo Powder)

Butter Beer Recipe:

JELLY BEAN CHALLENGE

Recreate your own Bertie Botts Every Flavor Bean Game by buying your own Jelly Belly Bean Boozled box of jelly beans and playing it at home!

If you aren't up for the challenge of bad flavors, simply play a "guess the flavor" jelly bean game instead!

ESCAPE ROOM

Can you escape the magical world digital escape room? Use the link below and enter your time in the activities part of this mission to show us how you did!

20 Pts

June 18 - 25

Calligraphy is an ancient art defined and recognized as beautiful writing. Learn and practice the techniques of creative lettering and calligraphy under the instruction of Lauren McDonald and create your own beautiful piece of art.

Click here for the YouTube link.

For more calligraphy fun use "Creative Bug". To do so, log in to our catalog first in the upper right hand corner using your library card number (without the symbol or letter on the end) and enter your password (your seven digit phone number or secure password) and then visit our online resource "Creative Bug"! Search for calligraphy and you're all set for some great activities!

20 Pts

June 25 - July 2

Learn about the art of growing cilantro, chives, dill, oregano, parsley, and sage in both the outdoor and indoor environments with horticulturist, Dawn Henderson. You will also be shown how to harvest and dry these wonderfully delicious culinary herbs.

Click here for the YouTube link!

20 Pts

July 2 - July 9

Our lives are filled with stories! Meet local author, Nicole Baart, to discover the inspiration for her stories and learn about her writing process. You may even be inspired to write a story of your own!

10 Pts

Love animals? Join us virtually for a trip to the Great Plains Zoo in Sioux Falls, SD! Please click on the Zoom link found below and join just before 10:00 am so you don't miss any animal showings!

https://zoom.us/j/91637877282?pwd=RzVQSmVXR2VNK0tuNW5zZVVjcWVpUT09

Meeting ID: 916 3787 7282

Password: skunk

Please call the library at 712-707-4302 if you have any questions.

20 Pts

This video will be available July 8-15

Explore the sights, sounds, and smells of the Oak Grove Woods as you engage in Nature Journaling under the expert leadership of our local naturalist, Sunday Ford. Gather up your favorite journal, pen/pencil, water bottle, and sense of wonder and adventure. Be prepared to be renewed and refreshed!

Click here for the YouTube link!

20 Pts

We want to hear your original tall tale. Here's the elements it needs to include:

• A well known character from a classic fairy tale or story.
• An element that is iconic to Dutch heritage or Orange City.
• A twist from the traditional story - here's where you really make the story your own!
• A problem or challenge that your main character must overcome.

Take a picture of your story and submit it to your Read Squared mission by Saturday, July 11.

We are so thankful for all of the businesses that support the Summer Reading Program. We have a special scavenger hunt for the whole family that recognizes some of our 3 and 4 star donors. Take your family on a trip around Orange City to find the letter in the window of each business. Put the letter in the appropriate blank and then enter the message (with correct punctuation) in this mission activity to earn points towards your Read Squared goal!

2. C & H Body Repair, Inc. - 707 Lincoln Ave SE

3. Northwestern Bank - 122 Central Ave NW

4. Van Engelenhoven Agency Insurance - 122 Central Ave SW

5. Edward Jones - Mark Lundberg - 109 3rd St NE

6. Orange City Dentistry - 909 Lincoln Circle SE

7. Townsquare Coffee House - 125 Central Ave NW

8. Pizza Ranch - 1505 8th St SE

20 Pts

We are so thankful for all of the businesses that support the Summer Reading Program. We have a special scavenger hunt for the whole family that recognizes some of our 3 and 4 star donors. Take your family on a trip around Orange City to find the letter in the window of each business. Put the letter in the appropriate blank and then enter the message (with correct punctuation) in this mission activity to earn points towards your Read Squared goal!

2. C & H Body Repair, Inc. - 707 Lincoln Ave SE

3. Northwestern Bank - 122 Central Ave NW

4. Van Engelenhoven Agency Insurance - 122 Central Ave SW

5. Edward Jones - Mark Lundberg - 109 3rd St NE

6. Orange City Dentistry - 909 Lincoln Circle SE

7. Townsquare Coffee House - 125 Central Ave NW

8. Pizza Ranch - 1505 8th St SE

10 Pts

Imagine Your Song: Musical Stories with Mr. Stinky Feet – Jim "Mr. Stinky Feet" Cosgrove has been bringing families together through music for over two decades. Explore, imagine and tell stories through music, singing, and dancing during this virtual, interactive show that will get the whole family rockin’.  Click here to enjoy the show (July 2-July 9)!   www.jimcosgrove.com

10 Pts

Love animals? Join us virtually for a trip to the Great Plains Zoo in SiouxFalls, SD! Please click on the Zoom link found below and join just before 10:00 am so you don't miss any animalshowings!

https://zoom.us/j/91637877282?pwd=RzVQSmVXR2VNK0tuNW5zZVVjcWVpUT09

Meeting ID: 916 3787 7282

Password: skunk

Please call the library at 712-707-4302 if you have any questions.

10 Pts

Imagine Your Song: Musical Stories with Mr. Stinky Feet – Jim "Mr. Stinky Feet" Cosgrove has been bringing families together through music for over two decades. Explore, imagine and tell stories through music, singing, and dancing during this virtual, interactive show that will get the whole family rockin’.  Click here to enjoy the show (July 2-July 9)!   www.jimcosgrove.com