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1-2-3 Brain Break: Keep it Up – Balloons

Posted on February 15, 2021 by Library Staff in Book Recommendations, Library Blog, Library Programs

Brain Breaks are short activities, often only 1-3 minutes long, that help kids get ready to learn or refocus on the task at hand. They often involve physical activity and movement though relaxing activities can also boost mental brain power.

So in addition to encouraging your kids to participate in these fun breaks, join the kiddos and have some refreshing, stress-free fun yourself, too!

Supplies needed

  • Latex balloons
  • Plenty of space to move around

Here’s what you do

Please note: Balloon play is recommended for children ages 8 and up.

Adult supervision is advised at all times while children play with balloons as balloons are a choking hazard.

This classic balloon game has only one rule: keep the balloon off the floor! Challenge kids to keep the balloon in the air using only their hands and feet without holding on to it. Encourage them to count how many hits they get before the balloon touches the ground.

Additional Fun

Use a bedsheet as your parachute. Position kids around the sheet. Place balloons in the center and have fun bouncing them.

Challenge Extensions

Use a beach ball instead of a balloon.

Use pool noodles or kitchen utensils such as a wooden spoon to keep the balloon up and off the ground.

Use only your feet. Have kids start in a crab walk position, with hands and feet on the floor and bellies facing up. This makes the game more difficult and players are less likely to kick each other.

Create a divider using a piece of furniture, a ribbon, or tape on the floor. Volley the balloon back and forth.

“The Why” behind the Activity

Fun movement between lessons helps kids make smoother transitions and helps them focus during less active times. This activity increases hand-eye coordination, provides exercise, and encourages teamwork.

Check out these books for more fun!

Where do Balloons Go? An Uplifting Mystery by Jamie Lee Curtis

Come Back, Ben by Ann and John Hassett

Frank and the Balloon by Dev Ross

Ball & Balloon by Rob Sanders

Spencer’s New Pet by Jessie Sima


balloons, book recommendation, brain break, kids and family Read More

February is Heart Health Month

Posted on February 11, 2021 by Audrey Glasebrook in Library Blog

February is all about the hearts – and we don’t just mean the cards, candy, and emojis you send your Valentine. We are also observing American Heart Month, a time to think about your cardiovascular wellbeing. Luckily, the library is a great place to find health resources, from exercise tutorials to up-to-date scientific research. Here are a few tools to make sure your heart health is a top priority this month, and always.

Heart Healthy Recipes

The American Heart Association says a healthy diet and lifestyle are your best weapons to fight cardiovascular disease. These heart healthy cookbooks provide great ideas for nutritious and delicious recipes:

Eat for Life

American Heart Association Instant & Healthy

The Easy 5 Ingredient Pescatarian Cookbook: Simple Secipes for Delicious, Heart-Healthy Meals

Exercise for Heart Health

The Center for Disease Control recommends that adults get at least 150 minutes of moderate exercise each week. These fun fitness resources will help you get moving!

Cardio for Beginners on hoopla

Yoga for a Healthy Heart on Kanopy

Cardio Burn Kickbox on hoopla

Borrow a Fitbit from our Gadgets & Things collection to track your steps, distances traveled, and calories burned!

Stress Management

Keep stress at bay with guided relaxation and meditation techniques.

Guided Meditations for Busy Adults on hoopla

Relaxation Techniques: Reduce Stress and Anxiety and Enhance Well-Being on hoopla

Know your Numbers

Two of the biggest risk factors for heart disease are high blood pressure and high cholesterol. Know how, what, and when to get tested.

Mayo Clinic Healthy Heart for Life!

Heart Health: A Guide to the Tests and Treatments You Really Need on OverDrive

Cardiovascular Health on hoopla

cookbook, exercise, health and wellness, health literacy, heart health Read More

1-2-3 Brain Break: How Big Was a Dinosaur?

Posted on February 8, 2021 by Library Staff in Book Recommendations, Library Blog, Library Programs

Brain Breaks are short activities, often only 1-3 minutes long, that help kids get ready to learn or refocus on the task at hand. They often involve physical activity and movement though relaxing activities can also boost mental brain power.  

So, in addition to encouraging your kids to participate in these fun breaks, join the kiddos and have some refreshing, stress-free fun yourself, too! 

In today’s Brain Break, you can practice math and measuring skills while learning about dinosaurs!

Supplies needed:

Ruler, yardstick or tape measure
Possibly a partner (especially if you are using a tape measure)

Here’s what you do:

1) Choose a dinosaur from the list to measure (if it is over 10 ft., you might want to measure outside, maybe along the sidewalk)

The size of each kind of dinosaur varies depending on which skeleton is measured, just like different people are different sizes. This list will give a general idea of the size of an adult dinosaur:

  • Ankylosaurus – 5 feet high and 25 feet long
  • Apatosaurus – 15 feet high and 75 feet long
  • Archaeopteryx – 1 foot high and 3 feet long
  • Brachiosaurus – 50 feet high and 100 feet long
  • Stegosaurus – 13 feet high and 30 feet long
  • Triceratops – 10 feet high and 30 feet long
  • Tyrannosaurus – 23 feet high and 50 feet long
  • Velociraptor – 2 feet high and 6 feet long

2) Use a piece of string, a stick or something else to mark one end of your dinosaur.

3) Measure out the length or height (the video will give you some tips on measuring)

  • Using a 6-inch ruler, measure 2 ruler lengths for every foot.
  • Using a 12-inch ruler, measure 1 ruler length for every foot.
  • Using a yardstick, measure 1 yardstick length for every 3 feet (so count by 3s as you measure – 3 ft., 6 ft., 9 ft., 12 ft., etc.).
  • Using a tape measure, you may be able to measure out 10 feet at a time depending on the length of your tape measure (10 ft., 20 ft., 30 ft., etc.).

4) Are you surprised at how big (or small) the dinosaur was?

Challenge Extension: How do dinosaur sizes compare to the size of current animals or other objects?

Blue whale – 15 feet high and 100 feet long
Giraffe – 15 feet high and 8 feet long
School bus – 10 feet high and 35 feet long
Garage door (double) – 7 feet high and 16 feet long
How tall are you?

Check out these books for more fun!

You can find most dinosaur books under the Dewey Decimal number 567.9.

Triceratops vs. Spinosaurus by Jerry Pallotta

Dinosaurs! by Gail Gibbons

How Much is a Million? by David M. Schwartz

Curious Comparisons: a Life-size Look at the World Around You by Jorge Doneiger

Prehistoric Actual Size by Steve Jenkins


book recommendation, brain break, dinosaurs, kids, kids and family, math Read More

How to Host an Outdoor Movie Night

Posted on February 4, 2021 by Audrey Glasebrook in Library Blog

It’s the middle of winter, and we’re all looking for different ways to keep life exciting and entertaining. With the added complication of being in the midst of a pandemic, it can be difficult to find safe activities to do with friends, family, and neighbors right now. Today we will be sharing a creative idea to try out in your own backyard…with a special (and slightly unexpected) appearance by your library card! Here’s a step-by-step guide to hosting an outdoor movie night:

Step 1: Check out the portable projector from our Gadgets & Things collection.

The portable projector can be connected to your DVD player, Blu-ray player, laptop computer, USB flashdrive, SD card, smart phone, or tablet. It is compact and easy to use, and comes with speakers, a power cable, an HDMI cable, a 3-in-1 AV cable, a remote control, and a user manual. A plain white sheet works pretty well as a screen!

Step 2: Pick out a movie.

The library has an extensive collection of films for check out. You could stream one on hoopla or Kanopy, borrow a DVD at the library, or if you’re feeling really eager, check out a whole Binge Watch set!

Step 3: Make movie snacks.

If you’re like me, you might be inspired to have an outdoor movie night in the middle of January. In this case, make something warm to eat or drink! Check out these resources for inspiration.

The Winter Table: Fireside Feasts for Family and Friends

Hot Cocoa Comfort

The Soup Book

Party Popcorn

Step 4: Enjoy!

This can be a fun activity to do with your family, or even a safe socially-distanced activity with neighbors and friends. Don’t forget to bring a blanket!

cooking, film, gadgets & things, hoopla, kanopy, movies, portable projector, streaming Read More

Read a Book One Window at a Time with Story Stroll

Posted on January 28, 2021 by Katie Auman in Library Blog, Library Programs

During February, families can enjoy a free, interactive story stroll experience in downtown Fort Collins. Enjoy reading while spending time outdoors and exploring your community!

Poudre River Public Library District has partnered with the Downtown Development Authority and Downtown Business Association to present a family-friendly activity that showcases children’s stories in new and unexpected ways.

Since we aren’t able to offer in-library programs and storytimes quite yet, our Children’s Librarians have found another fun way to bring stories to life.

What is Story Stroll?

Story Stroll is a self-guided tour that families can enjoy at their leisure. Simply follow the path on the map in order and see the story unfold in front of you in the storefront windows of 15 downtown businesses. Each stop on the path features another portion of the story.

Please make sure you wear a face covering and observe physical distancing while enjoying the story stroll.

February’s featured book is a beautifully illustrated, bilingual story by Angela Dominguez titled Maria Had a Little Llama / María tenía una llamita. This English-Spanish retelling of the classic nursery rhyme combines Peruvian-inspired illustrations with English and Spanish adaptations that offer a fresh twist on the story of a loyal little girl and her mischievous pet llama.

Step away from the screens and social media and enjoy a stroll throughout downtown Fort Collins. More information about the Story Stroll, including a copy of the map, can be found online.

Keep an eye out for additional popup Story Strolls around town!


Fort Collins, kids and family, outdoor activity, preschoolers, story stroll, Storytime Read More
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