Winter Break Fun: 8 Ways to Entertain Kids Through The Seattle Public Library

The Beacon Hill Branch children’s area. Photo by Anthony Martinez

Winter break is coming up – what’s your plan? If you need help keeping your children entertained and maybe even learning while they’re on break from school, The Seattle Public Library has many solutions, from new Read-Along books to streaming stories, TV and movies.

Find more programs and services at www.spl.org or at any of the Library’s 27 locations (www.spl.org/Hours), and find more ideas on our list of 50-plus things to do through the Library at www.spl.org/50things.

For young kids (ages 1-6)

Read-Along book kits at the Northeast Branch

Check out a Read-Along book: Families can now borrow from the Library’s new collection of Read-Along picture books, which come with an attached MP3 player on the inside front cover that reads the book aloud – no internet access needed. The collection includes over 50 titles and 500 copies, and has books in Spanish as well. Just go to your nearest branch and ask where the Read-Along books are.

Stream books and animated stories. You can also use your Library card to access services such as TumbleBooks, virtual books that let your kids read along, and BookFlix, a service with animated stories in both Spanish and English – just click on a category such as animals, adventure, music and rhyme and celebrations. Let these services do the reading for you!

For older kids (ages 7-18)

The eight great books of Global Reading Challenge 2023

Read globally: Even if your 8 to 10-year-old reader isn’t signed up for the Global Reading Challenge, you can pick up some of these excellent books for their winter break reading. All of the Global Reading Challenge books are available at each Library location and three of the books are in Spanish this year.

Check out a “best book of the year”: Seattle Public Library staff have put together book lists of their favorite books from 2022, including teen books, picture books, comics and chapter books, and more. Find staff picks listed on our website at www.spl.org. You can also ask Library staff at your neighborhood branch, who will be happy to help you find great books for your family, or contact us at www.spl.org/Ask.

Sneak in some tutoring: This might be a hard sell, but kids can keep up their academic skills by using the Library’s free, personalized one-on-one virtual tutoring through Tutor.com in English, Vietnamese and Spanish. Kids can brush up on math skills, practice writing and more. It’s offered seven days a week and is, of course, free. www.spl.org/VirtualTutoring

For everyone in the family

Find the hidden octopus mural on Level 3 of the Central Library

Explore a new-to-you library: Why not visit a new-to-you neighborhood branch (we have 27) and combine it with other local attractions? Each Library location offers free Wi-Fi, areas to sit and work, and children’s areas with unique collections, toys such as magnetic tiles, puzzles and more. Or if you’re headed downtown to see the holiday sights, don’t miss the Central Library: After hanging out at the spacious, light-filled Faye G. Allen Children’s Center on Level 1, head to Level 3 to find the hidden octopus mural. Then take the neon-yellow escalators up through the Mixing Chamber and the spiral. On Level 8, see who’s practicing in the music rooms and take a spin through our new art exhibit. Don’t forget to peek at the view from the highest point on Level 10!

Attend a kid-friendly Library event: Learn about owls at the South Park Branch on Wednesday, Dec. 28 in a hands-on event that will be offered in Spanish and English. Find all Library events at https://www.spl.org/calendar.

“Molly of Denali is one of the many great shows you can stream through the Library’s Kanopy service

Stream movies and shows: You don’t need to subscribe to Netflix or Disney Plus to access great family movies and TV shows, including holiday favorites, through the Library’s subscription to services such as Kanopy, Hoopla and Access Video. Go to our Movies & TV page to get started. This blog post compiles some favorite streaming picks for kids from our Library staff.

How to Get a Library Card

If you don’t have a Library card, it’s easy to get one online or in person. Apply for a card in minutes through an application at spl.org/Card. Call 206-386-4636 or contact Ask Us, the Library’s email and chat service, for help with getting a Library card or anything else.

Winter Break Fun: 8 Ways to Entertain Kids Through The Seattle Public Library