Glen Cove Library Offers Indoor Activities for Kids

As the winter months approach and we say goodbye to warm sunshine, summer clothes, and outdoor play, I find myself looking for new and interesting things to do indoors with my toddler.

As always, I want him to be engaged in an educational and entertaining activity—something that allows him to socialize with other kids his age, much like he did on the playground at our local parks. 

offers a variety of classes and activities for kids 18 months to eight years of age. From their weekly Story Time to their Play Hooray and Winter Story Craft, there is bound to be a class or activity that will get your little one excited.

My little tot fell into the youngest class group, Mother Goose Story Time, which is a playful thirty minutes of four to five short stories, a few nursery rhymes, some sing along songs and finger plays, all performed patiently by one of the children librarians.

Not only did I love watching him play with other kids, but I also found it to be a great bonding experience. Other moms and dads accompanied their kids and in some cases, the adults were paying more attention and singing along than the kids.

Other pre-school programs include Time For Kids, which is offered to children ages 18 months to 3 years, with an adult present. These classes are held ever Friday at 11 a.m. and have different themes every week such as rocket ship or skyscraper.

The older kids, ages four through six, who may find these classes less challenging can try out the weekly Books Alive Story Time. Here, they participate in discussions of both fiction and nonfiction stories and participate in a literature related activity based on the books read that week.

The library also offers activities for school-aged kids, including an upcoming holiday penguin ornament activity on Monday Dec. 6 at 4:15 p.m.

The best part of these library events is obvious: they are all free.  

Now I do not know a parent out there who would not appreciate entertaining their child for 30 minutes a day in a playful, educational and constructive manner without having to pay a penny.

Winter Story Times will begin the week of Jan. 24 2011 and continue for eight weeks.

All of the programs offered at the library are eight weeks long and require advanced registration as they fill up quickly. All classes are capped at about 15 children.