Last year, we stopped giving physical prizes (aside from books and gift certificates) during SRP. Naturally, we were left with a closet full of loot. One of the treasures in the closet was a tub brimming with Beanie Babies. Of course, we had no choice but to offer a Beanie Baby Adoption Zone program.
The set-up: I made simple adoption certificates with spaces for participants to fill in their names and their new pets' names. I also made "My Pet" sheets, with space for a drawing of the new pet and spaces to write interesting tidbits about the pet, such as favorite foods. We provided pencils and crayons, as well as pipe cleaners and pony beads for making collars. I gathered up a bunch of pet-themed books and had those on display. The Beanie Babies themselves were spread out on our long window ledge in the Storytime Room. We hung a fabric curtain in the room for our portrait studio corner.
The structure: We had participants sign up for one of three half-hour sessions on a Saturday afternoon. Each session was limited to 15 children, and we didn't have to turn anyone away. This program was open to ages 5 and up, and our oldest participant was 12. We started with a read-aloud of "Let's Get a Pup!" said Kate by Bob Graham. Then each child got to choose a Beanie Baby (I called letters of the alphabet, and kids with corresponding first letters of first names got to choose; we had about 5 kids choosing at any given time, so it went quickly). Then kids had time to fill out their adoption certificates and "My Pet" sheets, make collars, and visit the portrait studio to pose for family photos.
The verdict: This was a really fun way to use up some supplies we had on hand! Once everything was set up, the program itself was very smooth to run.
The set-up: I made simple adoption certificates with spaces for participants to fill in their names and their new pets' names. I also made "My Pet" sheets, with space for a drawing of the new pet and spaces to write interesting tidbits about the pet, such as favorite foods. We provided pencils and crayons, as well as pipe cleaners and pony beads for making collars. I gathered up a bunch of pet-themed books and had those on display. The Beanie Babies themselves were spread out on our long window ledge in the Storytime Room. We hung a fabric curtain in the room for our portrait studio corner.
The structure: We had participants sign up for one of three half-hour sessions on a Saturday afternoon. Each session was limited to 15 children, and we didn't have to turn anyone away. This program was open to ages 5 and up, and our oldest participant was 12. We started with a read-aloud of "Let's Get a Pup!" said Kate by Bob Graham. Then each child got to choose a Beanie Baby (I called letters of the alphabet, and kids with corresponding first letters of first names got to choose; we had about 5 kids choosing at any given time, so it went quickly). Then kids had time to fill out their adoption certificates and "My Pet" sheets, make collars, and visit the portrait studio to pose for family photos.
The verdict: This was a really fun way to use up some supplies we had on hand! Once everything was set up, the program itself was very smooth to run.
You guys are prizeless!!! So good to hear. Do you have a blog post about results. Teaching a course this summer and would link folks to it!
ReplyDeleteWhat a great program idea as well as revision of a former practice!
ReplyDeleteGreat idea! We also have eliminated our small plastic prizes for SRC! A lot of our leftover prizes went to our Circulation Department for their annual Library Card Sign Up Month in September. They would give out the little prizes to kids who came in and checked things out during September. :)
ReplyDeleteFun idea!
ReplyDelete