DECEMBER PROGRAMS
Family Art (All Ages)
Drop-in to the Family Department for a fun art project that all skill levels will enjoy! Let your creativity flow with different materials and inspiration each week in December on *Sundays from 1-3:30 p.m. or Mondays from 3:30-7 p.m.
*Holiday Break Modified Hours:
- Extended Family Art: Monday, December 22 from 10 a.m.-7 p.m.
- Closed: Sunday, December 28
- Extended Family Art: Monday, December 29 from 10 a.m.-7 p.m.
Holiday Break: Winter Walk-In (All Ages)
Run, don't walk, to the Library for a winter wonderland of self-led games, crafts, and activities for all ages!
Drop-in to the Family Dept. on Tuesday, December 23 or Wednesday, December 24 between 10 a.m. and 12 p.m. to participate.
Christmas Eve Craft Break (All Ages)
Drop by the Makerspace between 10 a.m. and 12 p.m. on Wednesday, December 24 for crafts for all ages. Enjoy an open-ended, welcoming crafting experience—perfect for spending a cozy winter morning during the holiday break. Explore a variety of materials like fuse beads, creative colouring, paper crafts, and more. All materials are provided. No registration is required.
Saturday Special (All Ages)
Come visit our Family Department for an EXTRA SPECIAL Saturday! Every week, enjoy a fresh selection of self-guided activities tailored and created by our enthusiastic Children’s staff just for you! Drop-in between 10 a.m. and 1 p.m. Registration is not required.
- December 27 - Countdown Crafts
- Get ready for 2026 at the OPL! We will make everything you need to make some noise and countdown to midnight(ish) in style!
Holiday Break: NOON Year's Eve (All Ages)
Get ready to ring in the New Year without losing any sleep! Join us on Wednesday, December 31 between 10:30 a.m.-12 p.m. for fun, fancy, and festive activities throughout the library, including a family video dance party, ending with a special countdown to NOON! No registration is required. You're also invited to stop by the Makerspace from 10 a.m.-12 p.m. to make fun, easy New Year’s poppers. This is an all-ages event, and no registration is required—just drop-in and create!
JANUARY PROGRAMS
Holiday Break: SMURF STEAM (All Ages)
Smurf your way into science, tech, engineering, art, and math with this Smurf-tastic STEAM drop-in event! Join us for a blue-tiful blend of creativity and curiosity as we explore fun, hands-on activities inspired by the world of the Smurfs.
Drop-in to the Family Dept. on Friday, January 2 or Saturday, January 3 between 10 a.m. and 1 p.m. to participate.
Family Art (All Ages)
Drop-in to the Family Dept. for a fun art project that all skill levels will enjoy! Let your creativity flow with different materials and inspiration
each week in January on Sundays from 1-3:30 p.m. or Mondays from 3:30-7 p.m.
- January 4 & 5 - Rocketship Names
- January 11 & 12 - Reading Resolution Bookmarks
- January 18 & 19 - Collage Art with Old Books
- January 25 & 26 - Yarn Monsters
Saturday Special (All Ages)
Join us in the Family Dept. for an EXTRA SPECIAL Saturday! Every week, enjoy a fresh selection of self-guided activities we have created just for you! This drop-in program runs every Saturday from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.
- January 3 - Smurf STEAM
- January 10 - Big Machines
- January 17 - Winnie the Pooh
- January 24 - 'KNEAD' to Read! Celebrating Family Literacy Day
- January 31 - Groundhog Day
Homeschool Hangout: Dig It! (Recommended for Ages 6-12)
Calling all curious kids and families! Unearth the secrets of the past in this hands-on program all about rocks and fossils. Get ready to crack open a geode and the mysteries of Earth’s history. Perfect for homeschoolers ages 6-12 and their grown-ups—because learning rocks!
This program will take place in the Family Dept. Program Room on Tuesday, January 13 from 1:30-3 p.m. No registration required.
Primary Party: Video BINGO Blast (Ages 6-8 years)
Love books? Love BINGO? Then this program is for you! Kids ages 6-8 years are invited to join us on Tuesday, January 13 from 6-7 p.m. for a high-energy game of BINGO with a twist—each square is inspired by your favourite stories and characters. Watch short book-themed clips, mark your cards, and shout “BINGO!” for a chance to win awesome prizes.
Register now; an up-to-date library card required. This program will be hosted in the Family Dept. Program Room.
Passport to Nature: Story Walk (All Ages)
Celebrate Family Literacy Day with us at Scout Valley! The Orillia Public Library has teamed up with Couchiching Conservancy for a unique walk in the woods, ending at Regan House (325 Line 15 N, Orillia, ON) with a warm drink, a craft, and a place to enter our scavenger hunt prize draw. This free program will be held on Saturday, January 24 from 10 a.m.-12 p.m.
Advance REGISTRATION is welcome but not required. Visit the Couchiching Conservancy website for additional event information.
PA Day: Friday, January 30
Family Dept. Drop-In (All Ages)
- Roll out of bed and join us in the Family Dept. between 10 a.m. and 12 p.m. for a PJ PA Day Party—filled with drop-in movies, crafts, and games. Come relax, play, create, and sing with us - all while wearing your bedtime bests! No registration required.
Makerspace Drop-In (Ages 4+)
- Pop into the Makerspace anytime between 10 a.m. and 1 p.m. for a perfect PA Day project to keep you engaged & entertained!
FEBRUARY PROGRAMS
February Reading Challenge: Reading Rangers (Ages 0-13)
Become a Reading Ranger for the month of February for your chance to win a prize! No sign-up required! Come to the Family Department to pick up your very own Ranger's manual (available starting January 30) at our Ranger’s Station. Each manual will have a series of challenges for you to check off for the month, and when they are complete – you can enter for a chance to win a prize!
Deadline to bring your completed Ranger's Manual to the Family Department Desk is March 1st.
Family Art (All Ages)
Drop-in to the Family Dept. for a fun art project that all skill levels will enjoy! Let your creativity flow with different materials and inspiration
each week in February on Sundays from 1-3:30 p.m. or Mondays from 3:30-7 p.m.
- February 1 & 2 - Heart Buddies
- February 8 & 9 - Valentine's Day Bracelets
- February 15 & 16 - CLOSED
- February 22 & 23 - Ring Necklaces
Young Writers' Workshop (Ages 9-14)
Calling all creative minds! Join us for a special young writers' workshop series where your stories, poems, and artwork will come to life in a published zine! Whether you're a seasoned writer or just getting started, this is your chance to see your work in print and share it with the world. Come write, create, and be part of something awesome! This program will be held in the Family Program Room.
Saturday Special (All Ages)
Join us in the Family Dept. for an EXTRA SPECIAL Saturday! Every week, enjoy a fresh selection of self-guided activities we have created just for you! This drop-in program runs every Saturday from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.
- February 7 - Reading Rangers
- February 14 - Lunar New Year
- February 21 - Calling all Sleuths!
- February 28 - Balancing Act
Homeschool Hangout: Construction Craze (Recommended for Ages 6-12)
Get ready to design, create, and build at Homeschool Hangout: Construction Craze! Homeschoolers and their families are invited to drop-in and explore the exciting world of engineering. From building bridges to DIY marble runs, this program provides activities and games that inspire innovation, creativity, and promote problem-solving skills.
This program will take place in the Family Dept. Program Room on Tuesday, February 10 from 1:30-3 p.m. No registration required.
UPCOMING EARLY LITERACY PROGRAMS & STORYTIMES
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