My library is hosting its first Polar Party this February! The initial idea was to create a program incorporating our new VR headset as part of the PolarVR Fellowship I participated in. However, the concept has quickly grown into something much bigger and I am excited to share my initial planning ideas with you!
Polar VR
As part of the PolarVR fellowship, my library was given a virtual reality headset. With this headset, we are helping to “implement a series of new VR experiences. These experiences will focus on cutting edge research currently being done by scientists in the Arctic and Antarctic polar regions.” (DPI 2024). Featuring games like Waddle: A Penguins Tale and IceCube Neutrino Observatory, children can interact with the polar region through virtual reality.
In the program, we will set up three VR headset stations and kids can take turns interacting with this new technology.
Playdough
Playdough is a fun, educational, and interactive activity for all ages. I plan to buy only white playdough because I don’t understand how libraries use multiple colors and get to keep them all sorted. White is also perfect for making footprints in the snow with different polar figurines and making snowmen, polar bears, and igloos, etc. Many of the activities focus on STEAM and this is a great engineering challenge for older children to make some sort of fort or igloo and a perfect sensory activity for littles.
Are You Bigger Than These Penguins?
I plan on using every artistic bone in my body to create lifesize polar penguins out of a white paper roll. I can hang these on the wall and children can compare their height to the height of different types of penguins. This teaches them about penguins and comparing and measuring are great math skills.
Pipe Cleaner Snowflakes
Pipe cleaners and beads are all I will need for this craft station. This is a great fine motor activity for younger children and they look adorable.
Ice Fishing
If we have the funds to purchase a magnetic fishing kit, I am going to create an indoor ice fishing station. Using a box that is wrapped in white paper, I will cut a hole in the “ice”. Kids can use their magnetic fishing poles to catch fish. I think this would be a hit here since we live in an area where ice fishing is popular.
Feed the Penguin
Using a box and construction paper, I plan to create a penguin along with paper representations of krill, fish, and squid, each labeled with a number. I’ll also either purchase or create a large die featuring numbers. Kids will roll the die and feed the penguin the corresponding food with the matching number. For younger children, they can simply feed the penguin without worrying about numbers. This activity supports number recognition, an essential early math skill, while also teaching kids about a penguin’s diet.
Penguin and Polar Bear Water Craft
Children will use crayons to color a picture of a polar bear or a penguin. After coloring, they can spray their picture with water tinted with blue food dye. The waxy crayons will repel the water if the coloring is thorough, preventing it from soaking into the paper. This fun activity not only encourages creativity but also demonstrates how penguin feathers and polar bear fur repel water, helping these animals stay warm in their cold environments.
Any ideas to share?
Check out this post from the ALSC blog by Betsy Raczkowski and the ALSC Managing Children’s Services Committee. She shares some of the logistical challenges of hosting a large winter program that is worth a read.
Has your library done something similar? Do you have any more ideas to share?