Stay, Play & Put Away: Building Day at the Library!
2024-09-10 15:30 - 17:00, 2024-09-17 15:30 - 17:00 (America/Chicago)
🎉 Calling all builders of every age – it’s time to let your creativity soar at our library’s Stay, Play & Put Away Building Day! Whether you’re a kid, a teen, or even a grown-up who loves to build, we’ve got the ultimate collection of building supplies like Legos, K’NEX, Magna tiles, structure sticks, and Strictly Bricks! 🏗️
Bring your imagination and show off your building skills as you create epic structures, wild designs, or whatever your heart desires. While we can’t let you take your creations home due to material shortages, we will display your amazing creations for everyone to admire right here at the library!
📅 Come on over, have fun, and get building! 🌟

Melted Crayon Art
2024-09-12 15:30 - 17:00
Calling all creative kids in 1st grade and above! Join us for a colorful and exciting craft project—Melted Crayon Art! Watch as your crayon shavings transform into beautiful masterpieces with a bit of heat and imagination. Let your artistic side shine and take home a unique creation!

Story Time: Pre-K
2024-09-13 09:30 - 10:30
This Week’s Theme: The Alphabet!
Join us for some summer fun this August at the library! Our storytime is designed for pre-K kids and takes place every Friday morning from 9:30 am to 10:00 am. Each week features a unique theme, including a story and a craft activity that matches the theme.
What to Expect:

Themed Story Time: Listen to an engaging story each week.
Craft Activity: Create a fun craft related to the story’s theme.

Bring your little ones for an enjoyable and creative start to their day! And don’t rush off after storytime—stay for some “Fun with Friends” time in the kid’s corner. The kids can play while their caregivers connect and socialize. It’s a wonderful opportunity to make new friends and build community bonds.
Who: all toddlers and preschool-aged children accompanied by an adult are welcome!
Date and Time: Every Friday, 9:30 am – 10:00 am
We look forward to seeing you and your little ones there!

Color at the Library!
2024-09-19 15:30 - 17:00
Coloring- It’s not just for kids! This activity is a great way to decompress and relieve stress. We invite kids in 1st grade and up through adults to join us this week to let out your inner artist and create something beautiful! Whether you love coloring in the lines or going outside them, there’s something for everyone!

Story Time: Pre-K
2024-09-20 09:30 - 22:30
This Week’s Theme: Sunflowers!
Join us for some summer fun this August at the library! Our storytime is designed for pre-K kids and takes place every Friday morning from 9:30 am to 10:00 am. Each week features a unique theme, including a story and a craft activity that matches the theme.
What to Expect:

Themed Story Time: Listen to an engaging story each week.
Craft Activity: Create a fun craft related to the story’s theme.

Bring your little ones for an enjoyable and creative start to their day! And don’t rush off after storytime—stay for some “Fun with Friends” time in the kid’s corner. The kids can play while their caregivers connect and socialize. It’s a wonderful opportunity to make new friends and build community bonds.
Who: all toddlers and preschool-aged children accompanied by an adult are welcome!
Date and Time: Every Friday, 9:30 am – 10:00 am
We look forward to seeing you and your little ones there!

Stay, Play, & Put Away: Building Day at the Library!
2024-09-24 15:30 - 17:00

DIY Book Craft: Paper Apple
2024-09-26 15:30 - 17:00
Get ready for a creative DIY Book Craft at the library! Join us to make a charming paper apple using upcycled book pages. This cute project is perfect as a decorative piece for your home, a thoughtful gift, or a treat just for you. Come craft with us and bring a little literary-inspired fun into your day! Perfect for 1st grade and above to Adults. Supplies provided.

Story Time: Pre-K
2024-09-27 09:30 - 10:30
This Week’s Theme: Apples!
Join us for some summer fun this August at the library! Our storytime is designed for pre-K kids and takes place every Friday morning from 9:30 am to 10:00 am. Each week features a unique theme, including a story and a craft activity that matches the theme.
What to Expect:

Themed Story Time: Listen to an engaging story each week.
Craft Activity: Create a fun craft related to the story’s theme.

Bring your little ones for an enjoyable and creative start to their day! And don’t rush off after storytime—stay for some “Fun with Friends” time in the kid’s corner. The kids can play while their caregivers connect and socialize. It’s a wonderful opportunity to make new friends and build community bonds.
Who: all toddlers and preschool-aged children accompanied by an adult are welcome!
Date and Time: Every Friday, 9:30 am – 10:00 am
We look forward to seeing you and your little ones there!

DIY Book Folding Take-Home Craft: Witch Silhouette
2024-10-01 - 2024-10-31
Get crafty with a witchy twist!
Looking to add some creative, spooky flair to your home this season? Whether you’re getting ready for Halloween or simply love a good DIY project, join us at the Valentine Public Library for a unique and magical DIY Book Folding TAke Home Craft! We’ll guide you through making a witch silhouette using upcycled book pages, giving old books a new life in the spirit of the season.
This crafty project is the perfect way to bring a touch of literary-inspired magic into your day! Whether you want to create a one-of-a-kind piece of decor for your home, a thoughtful handmade gift, or a little treat just for yourself, this project is sure to bring out your creative side.
No need to worry about gathering supplies—we’ve got everything you need to bring your witchy silhouette to life. However, we anticipate this will be popular so visit us early in the month before supplies run out!
Embrace the spooky season vibes and share your creations with us on social media. We love to see the spin our patrons put on the craft!
*While supplies last!

Stay, Play & Put Away: Building Day at the Library!
2024-10-01 15:30 - 17:00, 2024-10-15 15:30 - 17:00, 2024-10-22 15:30 - 17:00, 2024-10-29 15:30 - 17:00
🎉 Calling all builders of every age! 🎉
Get ready to unleash your creativity at our Stay, Play & Put Away: Building Day at the library! Whether you’re a kid, teen, or even an adult who loves to build, we’ve got an awesome collection of supplies, including Legos, K’NEX, Magna-Tiles, structure sticks, and Strictly Bricks.
Bring your imagination and build epic structures, wild designs, or whatever you dream up! While we can’t send your creations home, we’ll proudly display them at the library for everyone to enjoy.
📅 Every Tuesday in September
🕒 Drop in from 3:30 to 5:00 PM and let the building fun begin!
Let your creativity soar and have a blast with us! 🌟

STEM Challenge: Build Your Own Catapult Launcher!
2024-10-03 15:30 - 17:00
Ready for some hands-on engineering fun? Join us for an exciting STEM Challenge where you’ll get to craft your very own catapult launcher! Using simple materials like cardboard tubes, rubber bands, and ping pong balls, you’ll design, build, and test your catapult to see how far you can launch your ping pong projectiles.
This interactive challenge is perfect for young engineers and creative thinkers. You’ll not only have fun building but also learn about physics, force, and angles in a fun and engaging way.
When you build a catapult, you’re learning about some important ideas in physics—the science of how things move. One key concept is force. A force is simply a push or pull that makes something move. In your catapult, when you pull back on the launcher (the part you’re building with the cardboard tube and rubber bands), you’re storing energy. This stored energy is called potential energy. The more you pull back, the more potential energy you’re building up.
When you release the launcher, the potential energy turns into kinetic energy, which is the energy of motion. The catapult flings the ping pong ball forward because the rubber bands quickly snap back to their original shape, pushing the ball into the air. This is an example of how energy can change from one type to another—potential to kinetic!
There’s also the idea of trajectory, which is the path your ping pong ball will follow after it’s launched. The angle at which you release the ball will change how far and high it flies. By experimenting with different angles and forces, you can figure out how to make your ping pong ball fly the farthest. That’s how real engineers design machines—by testing and tweaking until they get the best results!

Story-Time: Pre-K
2024-10-04 09:30 - 10:30
This Week’s Theme: Space!
Join us for some summer fun this August at the library! Our storytime is designed for pre-K kids and takes place every Friday morning from 9:30 am to 10:00 am. Each week features a unique theme, including a story and a craft activity that matches the theme.
What to Expect:

Themed Story Time: Listen to an engaging story each week.
Craft Activity: Create a fun craft related to the story’s theme.

Bring your little ones for an enjoyable and creative start to their day! And don’t rush off after storytime—stay for some “Fun with Friends” time in the kid’s corner. The kids can play while their caregivers connect and socialize. It’s a wonderful opportunity to make new friends and build community bonds.
Who: all toddlers and preschool-aged children accompanied by an adult are welcome!
Date and Time: Every Friday, 9:30 am – 10:00 am
We look forward to seeing you and your little ones there!

Stay, Play & Put Away: Building Day at the Library!
2024-10-08 15:30 - 17:00
🎉 Calling all builders of every age! 🎉
Get ready to unleash your creativity at our Stay, Play & Put Away: Building Day at the library! Whether you’re a kid, teen, or even an adult who loves to build, we’ve got an awesome collection of supplies, including Legos, K’NEX, Magna-Tiles, structure sticks, and Strictly Bricks.
Bring your imagination and build epic structures, wild designs, or whatever you dream up! While we can’t send your creations home, we’ll proudly display them at the library for everyone to enjoy.
📅 Every Tuesday in September
🕒 Drop in from 3:30 to 5:00 PM and let the building fun begin!
Let your creativity soar and have a blast with us!

Story Time: Pre-K
2024-10-11 09:30 - 10:30
This Week’s Theme: Fire Safety!
Join us for some summer fun this August at the library! Our storytime is designed for pre-K kids and takes place every Friday morning from 9:30 am to 10:00 am. Each week features a unique theme, including a story and a craft activity that matches the theme.
What to Expect:

Themed Story Time: Listen to an engaging story each week.
Craft Activity: Create a fun craft related to the story’s theme.

Bring your little ones for an enjoyable and creative start to their day! And don’t rush off after storytime—stay for some “Fun with Friends” time in the kid’s corner. The kids can play while their caregivers connect and socialize. It’s a wonderful opportunity to make new friends and build community bonds.
Who: all toddlers and preschool-aged children accompanied by an adult are welcome!
Date and Time: Every Friday, 9:30 am – 10:00 am
We look forward to seeing you and your little ones there!

Happy 80th Birthday Smokey Bear!
2024-10-11 15:30 - 17:00
Celebrate Smokey Bear’s 80th Birthday at the Valentine Public Library!
Join us for a fun-filled event honoring everyone’s favorite wildfire prevention mascot, Smokey Bear! This exciting celebration is brought to you in partnership with the Niobrara Council and UNL Extension Cherry County.
We’ve got plenty of activities planned to make this a memorable event for kids in grades Kindergarten and up! Here’s what you can look forward to:
🎯 Games: Test your skills with outdoor-themed games and activities.
🎁 Prizes: Walk away with some fun Smokey Bear goodies and prizes.
🔥 S’mores: Enjoy roasting marshmallows and making your own delicious s’mores treat!
🎨 Button Maker: Get creative and design your very own custom Smokey Bear button as a souvenir to remember the day.
This is the perfect chance for kids to learn about wildfire safety while having a blast with their friends. Whether you’ve known Smokey for years or are just meeting him for the first time, you’re in for a BEARY good time!
Come celebrate this important milestone with us, and don’t forget to spread the word! It’s going to be a smokin’ good time that you won’t want to miss!

Halloween Agamograph Craft!
2024-10-17 15:30 - 17:00
Get ready for some spooky fun with our Halloween Agamograph Craft! In this creative activity, kids will make their very own agamograph—a special type of art that changes its image when you move it. Using simple materials, you’ll design two Halloween-themed pictures that will shift as you tilt your craft, revealing a surprise image like a pumpkin turning into a bat!
This activity is a fun way to explore and get into the Halloween spirit! Come create some Halloween magic and take home your very own moving masterpiece!
Why should I encourage my kids to attend?
As kids craft their anamographs, they’ll learn about the science of optical illusions and how our eyes and brain work together to interpret what we see. Here’s how it works: you draw two pictures, and then you cut them into strips and mix them up. When you fold the paper like an accordion, your eyes only see one set of strips at a time. So, from one angle, you see the first picture, and from another angle, you see the second picture. Your brain puts it all together, and it looks like the picture is changing! This is all thanks to how your eyes and brain work together to process information. Your brain tries to make sense of what your eyes are seeing, but in this craft, we’re playing a little trick on it! Optical illusions like this teach us that sometimes, what we see isn’t always exactly what’s there. It’s a cool mix of art and science!
This activity is a fun way to explore get into the Halloween spirit! Come create some Halloween magic and take home your very own moving masterpiece!

Story Time: Pre-K
2024-10-18 09:30 - 22:30
This Week’s Theme: Pumpkins!
Join us for some summer fun this August at the library! Our storytime is designed for pre-K kids and takes place every Friday morning from 9:30 am to 10:00 am. Each week features a unique theme, including a story and a craft activity that matches the theme.
What to Expect:

Themed Story Time: Listen to an engaging story each week.
Craft Activity: Create a fun craft related to the story’s theme.

Bring your little ones for an enjoyable and creative start to their day! And don’t rush off after storytime—stay for some “Fun with Friends” time in the kid’s corner. The kids can play while their caregivers connect and socialize. It’s a wonderful opportunity to make new friends and build community bonds.
Who: all toddlers and preschool-aged children accompanied by an adult are welcome!
Date and Time: Every Friday, 9:30 am – 10:00 am
We look forward to seeing you and your little ones there!

Creation Station: Make a Monster!
2024-10-21 - 2024-10-25
Unleash your creativity and join us at the library’s Creation Station: Make a Monster! We’ll provide all the materials you need—paper, glue, and plenty of inspiration. All you need to bring is your imagination! Craft your own unique monster, whether it’s silly, spooky, or totally wild. The possibilities are endless!
Once you’ve finished your masterpiece, you can either take it home to show off or leave it at the library to be displayed for everyone to admire. Your creation could inspire others, adding a fun and colorful touch to the library!
Stop by and get creative—no registration required! This is a fun, laid-back activity perfect for kids, teens, and adults alike. We can’t wait to see the amazing monsters you’ll dream up!

Shhh! We're Reading: Book Club Meeting
2024-10-21 16:00 - 17:00
Our next Shhh! I’m Reading Book Club meeting for kids will dive into a thrilling discussion of Night of the Twisters by I. Ruckman. This gripping tale, based on true events, takes readers on a heart-pounding journey through the chaos of a series of devastating tornadoes in small-town Nebraska. It’s a story of survival, bravery, and the unbreakable bonds of family and friendship.

Story Time: Pre-K
2024-10-25 09:30 - 10:30
This Week’s Theme: Bats!
Join us for some summer fun this August at the library! Our storytime is designed for pre-K kids and takes place every Friday morning from 9:30 am to 10:00 am. Each week features a unique theme, including a story and a craft activity that matches the theme.
What to Expect:

Themed Story Time: Listen to an engaging story each week.
Craft Activity: Create a fun craft related to the story’s theme.

Bring your little ones for an enjoyable and creative start to their day! And don’t rush off after storytime—stay for some “Fun with Friends” time in the kid’s corner. The kids can play while their caregivers connect and socialize. It’s a wonderful opportunity to make new friends and build community bonds.
Who: all toddlers and preschool-aged children accompanied by an adult are welcome!
Date and Time: Every Friday, 9:30 am – 10:00 am
We look forward to seeing you and your little ones there!

Pumpkin Decorating Contest
2024-10-28
Join the Friends of the Library Pumpkin Decorating Contest!
Get creative and show off your pumpkin-decorating skills in our annual contest hosted by the Friends of the Library! Whether you’re a kid or an adult, there’s a category for you.
Categories & Prizes:
– Pre-K
– Grades K-2nd
– Grades 3-5th
– Grade 6th-Adult
– Best Literary Inspired Theme
– Best Overall
Rules:
– Pumpkins must be real (no pre-decorated or store-bought pumpkins).
– You can paint, decorate, or carve your pumpkin—get as creative as you like!
Important Dates:
Drop Off Your Entry: October 28-29 at the library.
The Friends of the Library Board will judge the entries at 5:30 pm on Tuesday, October 29th.
Winners Announced: On VPL’s social media and at the Halloween Kiddie Parade on October 31.
Note: All entries must be picked up by 5:00 PM on November 1 unless prior arrangements are made. Unclaimed pumpkins will be disposed of.
We can’t wait to see your fantastic pumpkin creations!

Story Time: Pre-K
2024-11-01 09:30 - 10:00
This Week’s Theme: Cookies!
Join us for some summer fun this August at the library! Our storytime is designed for pre-K kids and takes place every Friday morning from 9:30 am to 10:00 am. Each week features a unique theme, including a story and a craft activity that matches the theme.
What to Expect:

Themed Story Time: Listen to an engaging story each week.
Craft Activity: Create a fun craft related to the story’s theme.

Bring your little ones for an enjoyable and creative start to their day! And don’t rush off after story time—stay for some “Fun with Friends” time in the kid’s corner. The kids can play while their caregivers connect and socialize. It’s a wonderful opportunity to make new friends and build community bonds.
Who: all toddlers and preschool-aged children accompanied by an adult are welcome!
Date and Time: Every Friday, 9:30 am – 10:00 am
We look forward to seeing you and your little ones there!

Thanksgiving Craft: Pinecone Turkey
2024-11-07 15:30 - 17:30
Looking for a fun way to get into the holiday spirit? Come to the library for a special crafting afternoon where we’ll be making festive turkeys out of pinecones, pipe cleaners, and paint! These cute and colorful creations will be the perfect addition to your holiday decorations, adding a handmade touch to your Thanksgiving décor.
This craft is open to kids 1st grade and above, so gather your friends and family for an afternoon filled with creativity and laughter. Whether you’re an experienced crafter or just starting out, we’ll provide all the materials and guidance you need to make your very own turkey masterpiece.
Don’t miss this chance to let your creativity soar and take home a decoration you’ll be proud to display. We can’t wait to see what you’ll create!

Story Time: Pre-K
2024-11-08 09:30 - 10:00
This Week’s Theme: Squirrels!
Join us for some summer fun this August at the library! Our story time is designed for pre-K kids and takes place every Friday morning from 9:30 am to 10:00 am. Each week features a unique theme, including a story and a craft activity that matches the theme.
What to Expect:

Themed Story Time: Listen to an engaging story each week.
Craft Activity: Create a fun craft related to the story’s theme.

Bring your little ones for an enjoyable and creative start to their day! And don’t rush off after story time—stay for some “Fun with Friends” time in the kid’s corner. The kids can play while their caregivers connect and socialize. It’s a wonderful opportunity to make new friends and build community bonds.
Who: all toddlers and preschool-aged children accompanied by an adult are welcome!
Date and Time: Every Friday, 9:30 am – 10:00 am
We look forward to seeing you and your little ones there!

Craft: String Spinner Toy
2024-11-14 15:30 - 17:00
Ready to create a cool, classic toy that’s as fun to make as it is to play with? Join us at the library for a special crafting session where we’ll be making String Spinner Toys! Using colorful string, sturdy paper, and a bit of creativity, you’ll craft a spinning toy that whirls and twirls with just a pull of the strings.
This hands-on activity is perfect for kids 1st grade and above, so bring your friends and enjoy an afternoon of crafting and fun. You’ll learn how to assemble and decorate your very own string spinner, then watch it come to life as it spins in your hands!
Not only is this a great way to get creative, but it’s also a fun toy to take home and enjoy again and again. We’ll provide all the materials you need—just bring your excitement and creativity!
Come spin into fun with us, and take home a toy that’s sure to entertain!

Story Time: Pre-K
2024-11-15 09:30 - 10:00
This Week’s Theme: Leaves!
Join us for some summer fun this August at the library! Our story time is designed for pre-K kids and takes place every Friday morning from 9:30 am to 10:00 am. Each week features a unique theme, including a story and a craft activity that matches the theme.
What to Expect:

Themed Story Time: Listen to an engaging story each week.
Craft Activity: Create a fun craft related to the story’s theme.

Bring your little ones for an enjoyable and creative start to their day! And don’t rush off after story time—stay for some “Fun with Friends” time in the kid’s corner. The kids can play while their caregivers connect and socialize. It’s a wonderful opportunity to make new friends and build community bonds.
Who: all toddlers and preschool-aged children accompanied by an adult are welcome!
Date and Time: Every Friday, 9:30 am – 10:00 am
We look forward to seeing you and your little ones there!
