Library Corner | By Steve Powell, Library Director/CEO, Orange County Library System | Photos courtesy of Orange County Library System
This March, the library brings much more than the start of Spring, taking the LEGO craze to a whole new level and offering inspiring, creative activities for the whole family.
Dive into a world of imagination as the Orange County Library System’s LEGOpalooza returns to Orlando Public Library on Sunday, March 29, at 2 p.m. Whether you’re a LEGO master builder or just starting your journey, there’s something to learn and try for everyone. Join us for all ages LEGO activities and see amazing LEGO builds. Step into another world with a virtual reality experience, practice your programming skills at the LEGO Spike challenge, get your own personalized, laser-engraved LEGO brick and more. Plus, kids can show off their skills and enter their own LEGO build for a chance to win prizes.
Your Windermere Branch regularly hosts a variety of LEGO-themed classes and events, too. If you’re looking to further your brick-building skills, it’s no secret that Windermere boasts one of the most popular LEGO Clubs in the neighborhood, with fun imaginative activities for kids of all ages at 4:30 p.m. Tuesdays. Kids can create greatness at the LEGO One Scoop challenge on Monday, March 9, at 4:30 p.m. and build and program machines, applying STEAM concepts and the engineering design process with LEGO Education Spike Prime on Monday, March 16, at 12:30 p.m. Take that creativity farther with custom builds on the computer during LEGO Digital Builds on Friday, March 20, at 10:30 a.m. And beyond the bricks, there’s so much you can create at your local branch!
March marks National Craft Month, and branches across OCLS are gearing up to host fun, interactive crafting experiences for all ages and skill levels. Celebrate at nearby Southwest Branch with Family Fun: Storytime Crafts on Thursday, March 5, at 10 a.m. and create a make-and-take craft with the little ones. Adults can bring their own craft project and join new friends at the West Oaks Branch for Crafternoons Thursday, March 12, at 3:30 p.m., or visit the Winter Garden Branch on Thursday, March 19, at 4:30 p.m. where they’ll be giving a new life to old books during Altered Book Craft. Macaroni Mania returns to the Windermere Branch on Monday, March 23 at 10 a.m., inspiring children ages 6-12 to make their macaroni crafts a one-of-a-kind masterpiece.
That said, if you prefer to express your creativity through movement, our monthly Yoga programs may be the right flow for you. In Windermere, get moving with All-Levels Yoga on Saturday, March 7, at 11:15 a.m., or, if an adaptive option is more your speed, check out Chair Yoga for Seniors at 10:00 a.m. Both will allow you to tap into your strength, balance, flexibility and relaxation, and are presented by certified yoga instructor and owner of Go With The Flow, Dana Brady. You can also bring the whole family along to Mindful Start Family Yoga on Friday, March 27, at 2 p.m. for a silly and fun experience designed for kids. Flow-through an imaginative journey filled with puppets, parachute games and relaxing rest time, helping foster imagination and self-expression.
Whether you’re challenging yourself with a new brick design, growing your skills in fiber arts or practicing the art of movement, your library has all sorts of great ways for you to learn, strengthen and express your creativity, regardless of skill level. Stop by the “Library of Things” at Windermere Branch to discover useful tools available to inspire a variety of creative mindsets and visit ocls.org to explore more fun activities for the whole family.
