We invite you and your family to participate in these activities, inspired by the collections, programs, and expertise of the Library of Congress.
Author Programs
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Dav Pilkey at Home
Watch author and illustrator Dav Pilkey share drawing tips and hear himread aloud from his work in this series of videos, produced in collaboration withScholastic.
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Jason Reynolds: GRAB THE MIC
Jason Reynolds, the seventh National Ambassador for Young People's Literature,shares his passion for storytellingthroughnewslettersand videos.
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Best of the National Book Festival for Kids & Teens
Find recordings of past events paired with writing and thinking promptsto explore the author's work.
Activity Kits
The activities below require just a few simple items you can find easilyaround the house and items from the Library's website. Kids are encouraged touse their creativity to enhance, adapt, or recreate anything we share. Checkback often for new activities and opportunities with engage with us!
All Ages
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Cooking Up History [PDF 150KB]
The Library's collections include thousands of cookbooks and recipes,including Thomas Jefferson's recipe formacaroni and for ice cream,cookbooks dating as far back as the 16th century, and evenRosa Parks's recipe for "featherlitepancakes". Recreate a recipe from 100 years ago preserved inChronicling America, the Library'ssearchable database of historic newspapers.
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Make a Cartonera [PDF 125KB]
Cartoneras are hand-painted books with cardboard covers thatappeared in the early 2000s as a response to an economic crisis in Argentina.Create one based on cartoneras held in the Library'sHispanic Division. For older children,use the stitching instructions from the Make a Mini-Book activity on this page as thebinding for your cartonera.
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Puppet Power [PDF 347KB]
Using puppets in storytelling can help children of many ages and abilities to developliteracy skills such as decoding and building vocabulary. Use inspiration from theLibrary’s collections to create a puppet show at home. These two activities demonstratehow to create stick puppets and a shadow theater based on traditional Chinese shadowpuppetry.
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Remembering Rosa Parks [PDF 351KB]
Shortly after the death of civil rights activist Rosa Parks, letterpressartist Amos Paul Kennedy, Jr. began a print series featuring quotes by Parks. TheLibrary's Prints andPhotographs Division holds a number of Kennedy's works, which are the inspirationfor this activity.
Ages 7-10
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Be a Comic Creator [PDF 188KB]
Did you know that the Library of Congress holds over 140,000 issues ofcomics, the largest publicly-available collection of comic books in the UnitedStates? Use the Library's comiccollection as inspiration for becoming your own comic creator!
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Design Your Own Lighthouse [PDF 360KB]
Draw inspiration from images and architectural drawings from the Library's collectionsto design and build your own lighthouse.
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Make a Mini-Book [PDF 393KB]
Our preservation and conservation staff combine science and art as theywork to maintain our collections for years to come. Make a mini-book while learninga simple stitch that forms the basis of more complex work that our book conservatorsdo.
Watch this demonstration for step-by-step instructions:
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Readers Theater [PDF 733KB]
This activity is based on a practice of dramatizing text using voice expression, drawingon radio scripts in the Library’s collections. Readers theater provides opportunities toincorporate multiple voices and sound effects and to have fun together. This activity kitwas written by Echo Rue, a 2021 Junior Fellow at the Library of Congress.
Ages 10-12
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Make Your Own Geographic Information System [PDF 170KB]
Geographic information systems (GIS) is a technological method to compile,organize, analyze, and visualize geographic data. Create your own GIS layers andpractice the basics of GIS mapping.
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Preserving Family Stories [PDF 263KB]
Find suggestions for recording family stories using oral history collectionsand resources from the American Folklife Center.
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UnLOCk the Box: Sanborn Maps [PDF 286KB]
Using clues from a map of Washington, DC from 1888, kids will reveal a code to unlock a box of treasures. The UnLOCk the Box design (PDF 227KB), included in this PDF, was created by Dr. Kellie Taylor, 2018-2019 Albert Einstein Fellow at the Library of Congress.
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UnLOCk the Box: The Culper Code [PDF 126KB]
Using the Culper Code developed during the Revolutionary War, kids will UnLOCk a box full of treasures, then use the code to create their own secret message. The UnLOCk the Box design (PDF 227KB), included in this PDF, was created by Dr. Kellie Taylor, 2018-2019 Albert Einstein Fellow at the Library of Congress.
Printables
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Color Our Collections: Japanese Woodblock Prints [PDF 564KB]
The Library's Prints and Photographs Division houses more than2,500Japanese woodblock prints and drawings. Color these outline examples of animals,people, and landscape scenes then compare your work with the original. (All ages)
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Color Our Collections: Thomas Jefferson Building [PDF 3.4MB]
Explore images of the Library's Thomas Jefferson Building external link, which includes the Main Reading Room and the Great Hall. Then, use your imagination to recreate the exterior with this coloring page. (All ages)
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Color Our Collections: Minerva Mosaic [PDF 5MB]
View images of this mosaic of Minerva, the Roman Goddess of learning and wisdom from the Thomas Jefferson Building’s Great Hall, then color your own with this coloring page. (All ages)
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Color Our Collections: WPA Posters [PDF 2.6MB]
The Works Progress Administration was a New Deal program established in 1935. The Library holds posters produced by WPA branches to publicize exhibits, community activities, theatrical productions, and health and educational programs. Explore the collections then color these outline examples.
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Fun with Braille
Introduce children to braille with coloring and word matching games from the National Library Service for the Blind and Print Disabled at the Library of Congress. (Ages 6-8)
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Take a Nature Walk with Walt Whitman [PDF 212KB]
Let the words of poet Walt Whitman inspire kids' curiosity on a nature walk. The Manuscript Division at the Library of Congress holds a collection of Whitman's papers. (Ages 5-8)
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Read Across the Library [PDF 1.1MB]
Can you read across the largest library in the world? Download this “bingo-style” game board and use the suggestions here to challenge kids to read across the wide variety of collections at the Library of Congress.
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Puzzle Package [PDF 3MB]
Brainteasers abound in the Library’s database of digitized historical newspapers, Chronicling America. This activity kit highlights a few, but if you’re just looking for more mind-twisters, be sure to check out blog posts from the Library’s Serial and Government Publications Division with mazes, rebuses and hidden pictures.
More Online Resources for Kids and Families
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My Job at the Library
Who works at the Library? Read stories from people who make the Librarywork and how they got here
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Read.gov
Find classic books, book lists, book reviews by the Library'steen board, and author videos
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Everyday Mysteries
Why does a camel have a hump?
Why do our joints pop?
Learn the answers to these & many other mysteries of science -
Today in History
Find out what occurred on a date in history and why it mattered
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Aesop for Children
Download an interactive book with over 140 classic fables, accompanied by illustrations and interactive animations.
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Veterans History Project
Hear stories of veterans from WWI through present conflict
Find afield guide for conducting an interview with veterans
Imagination Library
View bedtime stories from Goodnight withDolly External and ImaginationLibrary story times at the Library of Congress. Imagination Library is a 2014 Libraryof Congress Literacy Awards Program Best Practice Honoree.
Stay in Touch!
We'd love to hear from you!
- Find activity ideas and connect with us on our blog for families,Minerva’s Kaleidoscope.
- Share yourfeedback on these resources or others you'd like to see atlearn@loc.gov.
- Connect with us on Instagram, Facebook, orTwitter, and sign up for email updates for new resources as they becomeavailable.
As a seasoned enthusiast and expert in the realm of cultural and educational programs, particularly those fostered by renowned institutions such as the Library of Congress, let me share my depth of knowledge on the concepts embedded in the article about the Library's engaging activities for families.
The Library of Congress is an unparalleled treasure trove of literary, historical, and artistic collections. The invitation extended to families encompasses a spectrum of activities, each designed to captivate diverse age groups. This initiative draws from the extensive collections, programs, and expertise housed within the Library, showcasing a commitment to fostering creativity, learning, and cultural engagement.
Let's delve into the key concepts and activities highlighted in the article:
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Author Programs:
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Dav Pilkey at Home: This activity provides a unique glimpse into the creative process of the acclaimed author and illustrator, Dav Pilkey. Families can watch videos where Pilkey shares drawing tips and reads aloud from his works, emphasizing the fusion of art and storytelling.
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Jason Reynolds: GRAB THE MIC: Jason Reynolds, the National Ambassador for Young People's Literature, shares his passion for storytelling through newsletters and videos. This aligns with the broader theme of promoting literature and literacy.
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Best of the National Book Festival for Kids & Teens: Recordings of past events paired with writing and thinking prompts encourage exploration of authors' works, bridging the gap between reading and creative expression.
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Activity Kits:
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Cooking Up History: Connecting history and gastronomy, families can recreate recipes from the past, including notable figures like Thomas Jefferson and Rosa Parks, showcasing the Library's rich collection of cookbooks and recipes.
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Make a Cartonera: This hands-on activity draws inspiration from the Library's Hispanic Division, encouraging creativity in response to economic challenges, as witnessed in Argentina in the early 2000s.
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Puppet Power: Utilizing puppets to enhance literacy skills, the activity draws inspiration from the Library's collections and traditional Chinese shadow puppetry, combining cultural exploration with skill development.
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Remembering Rosa Parks: Based on the works of letterpress artist Amos Paul Kennedy, Jr., this activity pays homage to civil rights activist Rosa Parks, connecting history with artistic expression.
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Age-Specific Activities:
- Activities are tailored for different age groups, ranging from comic creation and lighthouse design for younger children to the creation of Geographic Information Systems (GIS) for older kids.
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Printables:
- These include opportunities for coloring collections inspired by Japanese woodblock prints, the Thomas Jefferson Building, Minerva Mosaic, WPA Posters, and engaging with Braille, providing a multisensory approach to learning.
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More Online Resources:
- The article extends beyond tangible activities, providing links to additional online resources, such as classic books, book reviews, historical information, and interactive content, ensuring a holistic approach to learning.
In essence, the Library of Congress is not merely a repository of books but a dynamic institution fostering creativity, historical exploration, and a love for learning across generations. The article encapsulates a commitment to making the library's wealth accessible and engaging for families, underscoring the institution's pivotal role in shaping cultural and educational experiences.
