Because of the COVID-19 social-distancing recommendations, Fort Bend County Libraries’ Cinco Ranch Branch Library is continuing to offer children’s programming virtually this spring, so that families can participate from the comfort and safety of home!
Videos of Mother Goose Time, Toddler Time, Preschool Story Time, After-School Breaks, and Middle School Programs will be posted on the online Virtual calendar on FBCL’s website each week.
Several special online Family Programs, for children of all ages, will also be featured in February.
Age-appropriate stories, songs, and puppet shows are featured in the Mother Goose Time, Toddler Time, and Preschool Story Time videos. The schedule is as follows:
- Tuesdays – Mother Goose Time (infants 1-12 months of age)
- Wednesdays – Toddler Time (1-3 years of age)
- Thursdays – Preschool Story Time (3-6 years of age)
Families of toddlers and preschoolers may pick up to-go activity packets from the library for the month. These packets contain fun craft activities that can be done at home. Call the libraries to request to pick up the packets through the Curbside Pick-Up service.
The After-School Breaks – which take place on the second and fourth Mondays – include crafts, stories, and more for school-aged children in grades K through 5. The schedule for March is as follows:
- March 8 – Acrylic Paintings: Fireworks. Learn how to use toilet-paper rolls, paint, and a paper plate to create a firework painting. This program is sponsored by the Friends of the First Colony Branch Library.
- March 22 – Tissue-Paper Art. Get ideas for spring-themed crafts with tissue paper, paper, and glue.
The Middle School Programs – which take place on the first and third Mondays — include activities specially designed for kids in grades 6 through 8. The schedule for March is as follows:
- March 1 – Origami. Discover how these delicate art forms are made by twisting and folding paper into unique shapes.
- March 15 – Confetti Bookmarks. Get ideas for customizing bookmarks with different themes or styles.
SPECIAL FAMILY VIRTUAL EVENTS
- March 6 – “Wooden O” (pre-recorded video)
William Shakespeare called his stage a “Wooden O” – an empty space where the audience’s imagination helps the actors tell the story. In this theater performance, children will engage their senses to help Robin Goodfellow — a prankster with a little magic up his sleeve – on an imaginative quest to find a mysterious flower. Recommended for families with children aged 3 to 5, this performance is presented by Brave Little Company, in conjunction with Young Audiences of Houston.
- March 13 – “Preschool Story Lab: Just Build It!” (pre-recorded video)
The Preschool Story Lab is a creative story time event that encourages children to discover and explore concepts in science, technology, engineering, arts, and math (STEAM). FBCL’s children’s librarians will read books, sing songs, and demonstrate a variety of STEAM activities that can be done with simple supplies found around the home.
- March 20 – “Creating Easy Ribbon Art with Danny Russo” (pre-recorded video)
Teaching artist Danny Russo will demonstrate how to create a ribbon-art masterpiece. Materials used for this project include: ribbon, scissors, markers, craft paint, glue pencil, paint brush, and construction paper. Recommended for families with children of all ages, this virtual art workshop is presented by Danny Russo, in conjunction with Young Audiences of Houston.
For more information, see the Fort Bend County Libraries website (www.fortbend.lib.tx.us), or call the library system’s Communications Office (281-633-4734).