The following is an article submitted by Julia Lee, the Youth Services Manager at the Manitowoc Public Library
Board games, floor puzzles, ukuleles, tablets with pre-loaded, educational apps for all ages, and toys that teach kids about coding. What do all these things have in common? They’re all available to check out for FREE at Manitowoc Public Library! If you still think that libraries are only about books, you need to visit our Toy Library.
The Toy Library is located in the Youth Department, but there are fun items for all ages in our collection. For the littlest ones in your family, we have lacing toys that focus on building fine motor skills, wooden puzzles, puppets, and more! For toddlers and preschoolers, we have a variety of creative play toys including a Fancy Nancy doll (and books!), truck sets, dinosaur toys, and more!
We also have toys that specifically target developing computational thinking, such as our Code-a-Pillar Twist. Code-a-Pillar is a programmable toy that encourages experimentation and inspires curiosity and play while developing coding, sequencing and critical thinking skills in young children. Coding is the skill of giving a set of commands to a device so that it will respond in sequence. Preschoolers can twist the dials on the caterpillar’s segments to create a sequence and send their pal along the programmed path with moves like forward, turn right, and turn left. They can even add exciting lights and sound effects! This friendly learning toy encourages your kiddo to experiment while they play, exercising important skills like problem solving, planning and sequencing, and more.
For elementary-aged children, we have even more toys that focus on coding and STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math). Manitowoc Public Library has fun and challenging building toys, marble runs, a kids’ telescope, and more! One great coding toy we offer for this age set is our Code & Go Mouse. In this game, kids build mazes for Jack the Mouse to navigate in order to find a piece of cheese. Jack, the fully programmable robot mouse, is ready to follow commands to teach hands-on coding concepts! Create a step-by-step path for Jack using the thirty double-sided coding cards to provide the perfect introduction to coding concepts. Jack lights up, makes sounds, and features two speeds and colorful buttons to match coding cards for easy programming and sequencing.
Bored? Check out a board game! In addition to toys, Manitowoc Public Library also offers board games for all ages! Play preschool-aged board games like Animal Upon Animal (stacking wooden animals) or The Little Orchard (don’t let the crows get the cherries!). These games teach skills like taking turns and develop fine motor skills. For families with older kids (or for a group of grown-up friends), our Toy Library also offers favorites such as Settlers of Catan, Ticket to Ride, Citadels, Photosynthesis, and Code Names. Hosting a game night? Make sure to try party games like our Dr. Eureka, Sushi Dice, and Spontuneous!
Running out of ideas of how to get kids unplugged from technology? Try to keep them away from ukuleles! Kids are drawn to the often brightly-decorated instruments that seem to be just their size. Manitowoc Public Library now has SEVEN ukuleles for checkout, as well as books to learn how to play!
Our newest addition to our Toy Library are the Launchpads. Each Launchpad is pre-loaded with high-quality, ad-free learning apps grouped by age, grade level, subject area and theme. We currently have NINE Launchpads with themes from literacy skills for preschoolers to learning Spanish to brain games geared for teens and adults!
The Toy Library has something for EVERYONE! And did we mention that all these toys, games, instruments, and tablets are available for FREE with your library Card? Spice up your game night, try a new hobby, and build your brain by playing! Stop by Manitowoc Public Library’s Toy Library, located in the Youth department on the Second Floor. All ages are welcome—you never know what you might find! Can’t come into the building? Running short on time? You can request any Toy Library items through our Curbside Pickup service. There’s literally no reason not to play!