The weather outside is cold, but there is lots to do inside this month!

@ the Library: Programs

In addition to the programs below, Story Times (ages 2-6) are Tuesday at 10 & 1:30, Toddler Times (ages 18mo-3) Wednesday at 10 & 11 and Thursday at 10:30,  and  Baby LapSit is Thursday at 9:30.  See our calendar for more details.

Play With Shapes!

Monday, December 13  Registration Required   SHAPE UP!  (For ages 2 - 6 at 10:00 am)   SHAPE UP!  (For ages 4 - 9 at 4:30PM)  Join us as we share the new book 'Shapes that Roll' then use pre-cut shapes to form original artistic creations!  

Special Evening Story time:  Teddy Bear Sleepover  (All Ages) Tuesday, December 14, at 7:00 pm  Registration Required You've heard of the Teddy Bears' Picnic but this is their sleepover!

Bring your favorite Teddy or another favorite furry friend to a pajama story time. Then, when it's time for you to go, the Teddies spend the night in the library  for their very own sleepover… no humans allowed!  Pick up your friends the next day after 10:00 am and find out what fun they had in the library overnight!

Chapter Book Club

Wednesday, December 15 at 4:30 pm  (Limited to grades 3 - 4)  Registration required  Year of the Dog by Grace Lin Pacy, a Taiwanese-American girl, struggles to integrate her two cultures.  As she celebrates the Chinese Year of the Dog with her family, she finds out more about herself and why the Year of the Dog may be  very lucky for her!

Spectacular Winter Craftacular

Saturday, December 18 at 10:00 am (For ages 3 - 6)   Registration required   Brrrr….it’s getting cold outside!  Come on in and make a craft to celebrate the coming of winter!

Retro Game Night  For all ages – Families welcome!

Monday, December 20 from 5:00 pm - 9:00 pm   No registration required  It’s a blast from the past!  Come to our Retro Game Night  and play video games from the last 30 years!!

 

Celebration Sing! (For families with children of all ages) Tuesday, December 21 at 10:00 am   No registration required   Get ready for holiday celebrations with song!

 

 

@ The Library: Displays & Materials

Check out our holiday displays – we have books about the holidays as well as a books describing how to make gifts for your family and friends.  And don’t forget to check out the nominees for the Garden State Book Awards on the back wall…and vote for your favorites before January 1st!

Around the Community

Gingerbread Wonderland --  Marvel at the creativity, skills and sense of optimism that characterizes this charming and ecumenical exhibit of over 200 edible structures. Past years' "gingerbreads" have included models of Notre Dame cathedral, Hanukah menorahs, Japanese temples, Chinese pagodas, European castles and neighborhood sweet shops. Saturday, December 4 - Sunday, December 12  from  9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m., and until 8 p.m. on Friday at The Frelinghuysen Arboretum, Morris Twp. Suggested $2 per person donation  Contact: 973-326-7601

RVCC Planetarium

STAR SHOWS & LASER CONCERTS:  All shows run approximately 40 minutes.  Admission:$6 for one show, $11 for two shows on the same day  Call 908-231-8805 for reservations

 

The Alien Who Stole Christmas Saturdays & Sundays, December 4 & 5, 11 & 12, 18 & 19  2:00 p.m.(recommended for ages 6-10) Discover the stars visible in the winter sky.  Then follow Santa on a trip through the solar system when a friendly alien kidnaps him.  

Winter Wonder Lights  Saturday and Sunday, December 4 & 5, 11 & 12, 18 & 19  3 p.m. (recommended for ages 6-adult)  Listen to songs such as “Wizards in Winter,” “Rockin’ around the Christmas Tree,” &“Jingle Bell Rock.”

The Christmas Toyshop

December 11 - December 19, 2010at the Villagers Theater, Somerset General Admission - All tickets $10  Saturdays at 12NOON and 3:00PM, Sundays at 12NOON and 3:00PM.

 

Branchburg Recreation Department's Creative Theater Program Presents`Twas the Night Before Christmas  By Kathryn Schultz Miller Based on the poem A Visit from Saint Nicholas by Clement C. Moore. Join our hero, Mouse as he saves Christmas with Rudolph, Santa and all his elves. Special appearances by Santa & Mrs. Claus.  Friday, Dec. 10 at 7:30PM  Saturday, Dec. 11 at 6:00PM   Whiton Elementary School.   Admission is by donation of a new unwrapped toy to benefit  Toys-for-Tots.For more info call the Branchburg Recreation Department at  908-526-1300 X-187

There is also The Life and Adventures of Santa Claus at the Growing Stage Theater in Netcong,  A Christmas Carol at McCarter Theater in Princeton, and A Holiday Jubilee Cross Cultural Musical Celebration at the Crossroads Theater in New Brunswick.    There are many more holiday happenings than can be listed here. Check out Macaroni Kid Hillsborough, Macaroni Kid Warren, NJArtsMaven and the RVCC Arts Calendar for more possibilities.

 

Let Your Fingers Do (More) Walking

Gift-giving but not sure whether a particular book, movie, TV show, videogame or music is appropriate for your child?  Thinking about bringing your child to the movies but not sure how age-appropriate it is?  CommonsenseMedia.org provides information to help you decide about the suitability of thousands of titles and tips on how not to give an inappropriate gift.  They also provide tips about everything from avoiding violent TV to online safety and have just released a list of recommended gifts for this holiday season.

And just a reminder for those new to this blog, check out the “Wonder of the Day” at the new Wonderopolis website!  This site engages and inspires families in the pursuit of education and learning together -- talk about what makes popcorn pop while preparing a snack for a movie, or go stargazing and explain shooting stars.  You can subscribe to the Daily Wonder or find the link on the “useful links” to the right of this blog entry.  Wonderopolis.org  is presented by the National Center for Family Literacy, a not-for-profit supporting literacy and reading for children and families.