Central Library Field Trips for Kids and Teens: Activities

For Children (age 5-12)

Field Trip Exploration Guide for Teachers and Chaperones

Here are some fun things for kids to explore at the Central Library. Larger groups will want to have a rotation plan prepared:

1. Find your next favorite book with over 60,000 chapter books, graphic novels, audiobooks, movies, information books, read-alongs, and board books for ages 0-12
2. 12 educational computers featuring preloaded educational games, including research encyclopedias
3. 12 internet computers with free access to our Homework Help Portal, free tutor-based homework help every day starting at 2pm, plus Roblox and Minecraft)
4. Free printing for homework projects
5. WonderTable spotlighting a rotating collection of hands-on STEM activities
6. Research Assistance available upon request; give us your assignment and a list of topics ahead of your visit and we'll pull a cart of materials for your students
7. Storywalk featuring original artwork from Rosemary Wells's picture book, Yoko's Show and Tell
8. Games make learning fun; try out over 20 board games, giant chess, and a STEAM-based touchscreen game table
9. Reading Porch seats 50+ and is great for reading, bird' eye exploration of Lady Bird Lake and the running trail, plus a great spot to eat a sack lunch
10. Busy Town with educational games/toys, computers, and books just right for the Pre-K-1st graders
11. Tween Lounge featuring comfy seating, graphic novels, chapter books, and magazines for kids age 9-12
12. Tween Zines (ZEENS - short for magazines) highlighting a collection of small books made by tweens for tweens
13. Scavenger Hunts are a fun way to explore the library; available 30-minute and 1-hour versions PLUS chaperone handouts with lots of exploration ideas for the whole building

For Teens (age 13-18)

The following menu of activities are available any time in Teen Central, with size limits if applicable. Larger groups will want to have a rotation plan prepared. More photos available on our Teen Central Guide!

• Scavenger Hunts - Building-wide scavenger hunts [30-60min]
• Alienware Gaming Computers - 6 available. Larger groups will want to create a plan with chaperones initiating a rotation so everyone gets a turn
• Media Creation Macs - 2 midi keyboards & mics + Ableton, Garage Band, Audacity; 1 Wacom Intuos M tablets and Inkscape, GIMP, Krita. 
• Zine-Making Station - 6 teens at a time - teens can use our supplies to make their own handmade magazine - aka zine - to keep or to add to our Teen Zine Library
• Music Lab Instrument Library - guitars, keyboard, bass available at all times -  duration varies by your needs
• Board Game Collection - 25 games available - we have seating for about 50 board gamers in Teen Central at any given time [30-60 minutes per game]

Additional Activities and Workshops

Our staff can offer one additional extension activity, depending on group size and advance notice. 

• Speed Date with a Book / Book Cafe - tables of books arranged by genre, with teens rotating among books and tables on schedule with a timer. [30-60 minutes]
• Research Assistance - Send us your assignment/topic list, and we'll pull materials in advance, and have them waiting for your students in Teen Central to use for their research - [30-60 minutes]
• Service Project - Ask us about service project opportunities for your group to earn volunteer hours as part of their visit! Available as staff time allows and with at least 30 days notice. 
• Special Workshops - We can offer 30-45 minute workshops on research skills, copyright and fair use, and other topics as desired. Let us know in your request about any special needs!