DECEMBER PROGRAMS
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 6 - Giving Workshop
- Celebrate the season of giving with us at this fun, festive event for kids to make handmade crafts for loved ones. Drop in to craft memories and make the season brighter—one small gift at a time.
- Ugly Sweater Making is also happening in the Makerspace (9 a.m.-12 p.m.); bring your own sweater/shirt and we will supply the rest.
- December 13 - Hanukah & Holidays Around the World
- Join us for a very special Hanukkah Family Storytime, to learn about what Hanukkah means, with local special guest Thamara! The storytime will start at 10 a.m., in the Family Department Program Room. Afterward, create your own menorah craft and/or learn about other holidays around the world like Kwanzaa in America, St. Lucia’s Day in Sweden and the legend of La Befana in Italy.
- December 20 - Winter Solstice
- It’s officially winter, so come celebrate with some chilly activities in the family department. Learn about the Winter Solstice while we create some sun-filled crafts and some snow-packed activities!
- 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!
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.
Homeschool Hangout: Birds of Prey (Recommended for Ages 6-12)
Soar into the world of raptors in this exciting homeschool library program all about birds of prey! Through hands-on activities we will learn about these powerful predators. Perfect for curious young naturalists and aspiring ornithologists!
This program will take place in the Family Dept. Program Room on Tuesday, December 9 from 1:30-3 p.m. No registration required.
Tween Paint Night: Snowmen and Cocoa (Ages 9-12 years)
Join us in the Family Dept. Program Room on Tuesday, December 16 from 5:30-7 p.m. for a fun and frosty evening of creativity and cocoa! Tweens are invited to paint their very own snowman masterpiece and warm up with a delicious cup of hot chocolate—marshmallows included!
Join the Waitlist.
Holiday Break: Winter Walk-In (All Ages)
Run, don't walk, into the Family Dept. 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.
Holiday Break: NOON Year's Eve (All Ages)
Get ready to ring in the New Year with friends, family, and fellow community members, without losing any sleep! Join us on Wednesday, December 31 for fun, fancy, and festive activities throughout the library, including a family video dance party, ending with a special countdown to NOON in library hallway/lobby area!
No registration required; drop-in between 10:30 a.m.-12 p.m. to participate in this free program!
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 Department 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! 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.
Advanced 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!
UPCOMING EARLY LITERACY PROGRAMS & STORYTIMES
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