Autumn Scavenger Hunt

Posted on Friday, November 5, 2021 by Laura

A crisp chill in the air, crunchy leaves underfoot, chattering squirrels gathering nuts for the long winter ahead… 

There’s no better time to enjoy a hike or a nature walk than fall! Months of blistering hot Missouri summer kept me inside with a good book and a cold drink, but this cooler weather beckons me back to the great outdoors. 

A smiling father holds his toddler as they look at fall leaves.
Photo via Pexels.

My partner and I have been exploring all of the amazing green spaces and hiking trails the Columbia area has to offer. On this particular hiking trip, we explored the Shooting Star Trail at Rock Bridge Memorial State Park. Even a visit to your local playground, a stroll around the neighborhood or a quiet afternoon in the backyard can provide great ways to share the joys of autumn with your child. 

Having a mission in mind before you venture out can help keep reluctant kiddos engaged in your outdoor excursion. Look high in the trees and low on the ground to appreciate even the smallest members of the ecosystem. Slowing down and taking in the world around you is an easy way to practice mindfulness, too!  Continue reading “Autumn Scavenger Hunt”

Autumn Wreath Craft

Posted on Monday, November 1, 2021 by Aimee

autumn wreathThis fun and easy project encourages small children to use their fine motor skills and creativity to make a small hanging to celebrate autumn. Small children can sort the leaves by color, shape or texture before attaching them to the paper wreath form. You may enjoy adding colorful leaves you find on a nature walk or tracing your child’s hand onto a piece of paper and adding it to your wreath. Finish your wreath off with a bow and enjoy the results!

What you’ll need

  • hand-drawn leaves template
  • 1 paper plate or cardboard circle 
  • scissors
  • 1 length of yarn
  • 12 leaves (more or less) cut out of paper or collected on a nature walk
  • 1 ribbon 
  • glue or double stick tape
  • hole puncher

Continue reading “Autumn Wreath Craft”

Sick Day Picture Books

Posted on Monday, October 18, 2021 by Jessica S

Ahhh, fall!

The best time of the year for:

  • cozy sweaters
  • pretty leaves
  • hot apple cider
  • & drippy noses!

Maybe it’s a bad case of the sniffles, a runny nose, a scratchy throat or a dreaded short-term fairytale curse? Either way, we’ve got some great reads to help your young ones navigate their sick day woes.

Sick Day Picture Books


A Bad Case of Stripes

A Bad Case of Stripes” written and illustrated by David Shannon

In this fun sick day classic from David Shannon, poor Camilla Cream is worried about pleasing everybody. Camilla loves lima beans, but she decides not to eat lima beans at school in case the other kids make fun of her. Once she makes this decision, Camilla suddenly comes down with a bad case of stripes. No one knows where it came from or how to cure it. As the case of stripes gets worse, Camilla is changing at every person’s suggestion. It cannot be stopped until Camilla decides to just be herself. Continue reading “Sick Day Picture Books”

Unicorn Magic!

Posted on Thursday, September 23, 2021 by Tess

I’m just horn over hooves for all of the fabulous new unicorn books that are magically appearing at the library every day! Unicorns are one of the hot new trends in kids lit right now, and they are soaring off the shelves. Today, I want to take a moment to highlight some of my favorite unicorn books for fantasy lovers of all ages.

Best for Babes

Uni Paints a Rainbow” written by Amy Krouse Rosenthal, illustrated by Brigette Barrager

On a dreary, rainy day, Uni brightens things up with her magic horn. Littles can name the colors of the rainbow with Uni and then celebrate the rain disappearing with a big rainbow.  Continue reading “Unicorn Magic!”