Stay warm and have fun this month with a visit to your local library, museum or area attraction, many of which which offer storytimes, crafts, and other fun activities for young children.
MONDAYS IN JANUARY
Messy Mondays. Children ages 3-8 years with a caregiver enjoy stories, songs and a fun creative and messy activity. 7-8 p.m. Maple Heights Branch Library, 5225 Library Lane, 216-475-5000, cuyahogalibrary.org
MONDAYS & TUESDAYS IN JANUARY
Just Baby ‘n Me. For you and your birth to 24-month-old baby. Enjoy books, songs and fingerplays while meeting other parents. 9:30 a.m. Mondays and 11:30 a.m. Tuesdays. Lakewood Library, Main Branch, 15425 Detroit Ave., 216-226-8275, lakewoodpubliclibrary.org
Stay ‘n’ Play. A special playtime following baby and toddler storytimes. 10:30-11 a.m. Orange Branch Library, 31975 Chagrin Blvd., Pepper Pike, 216-831-4282, cuyahogalibrary.org
MONDAYS, TUESDAYS, WEDNESDAYS, & THURSDAYS IN JANUARY
Playgroup. For you and your child to meet other parents and caregivers and give your child a chance to make new friends. Ages birth through 5 years. 11 a.m. Mondays, 10:30 a.m. Tuesdays & Thursdays, 11 a.m. & 7 p.m. Wednesdays. Wadsworth Public Library, 132 Broad St., 330-334-5761, wadsworthlibrary.com
TUESDAYS IN JANUARY
Baby Bookworms. Babies who are not yet walking (and their caregivers) enjoy one-on-one lap time engaging in stories, songs, rhymes, fingerplays and more. 10-10:30 a.m. Morley Library, 184 Phelps St., Painesville, 440-352-3383, morleylibrary.org
Baby Play & Learn. Come and have fun with your baby and enjoy stories, songs, rhymes, bounces and play. Beginning 1/16. 6-6:45 p.m. Elyria Central Library, 320 Washington Ave., 440-322-0287, elyrialibrary.org
Baby Bonanza. Bring your babies (not yet walking) and blankets in for books, bopping and bouncing at this year-round lap-sit program. 10-10:30 a.m. Lee Road Branch Library, 2345 Lee Road, Cleveland Hts., 216-932-3600, heightslibrary.org
TUESDAYS & THURSDAYS IN JANUARY
Tales for Twos. Stories, songs, rhymes, and more for terrific toddlers. Children age 2 with a caregiver. 10:15 a.m. Hudson Library & Historical Society, 96 Library St., 330-653-6658, hudsonlibrary.org
Lapsit Storytime. Rhymes, songs and play for children ages birth-24 months with adult caregiver. 9:30-10 a.m. Westlake Porter Public Library, 27333 Center Ridge Road, 440-871-2600, westlakelibrary.org
Rock-a-Bye Tales. Learn how best to engage in early literacy activities with your little one, ages 6-24 months. Beginning 1/16. 9:30-10 a.m. Cuyahoga Falls Library, 2015 Third St., 330-928-2117, cuyahogafallslibrary.org
WEDNESDAYS IN JANUARY
Babytime. Storytime for ages birth to 18 months with caregiver. 9:30 and 10:30 a.m. Geauga West Branch Library, 9:30 a.m. Chardon Branch Library, 11 a.m. Middlefield Branch Library, geaugalibrary.net
Music in Motion. Stories, rhythm and music for an active child and their caregiver. Ages 2-5. 10-10:30 a.m. Morley Library, 184 Phelps St., Painesville, 440-352-3383,
morleylibrary.org
THURSDAYS IN JANUARY
Preschool Story Time. Watch as books come to life through stories, music and activities. For children 2-5 years old with an adult caregiver. 10:30 a.m. Akron Public Library, 60 High St., 330-643-9050, and Northwest Akron Branch Library, 1720 Shatto Ave., 330-836-1061, akronlibrary.org
Baby and Toddler Storytime. Babies, toddlers and their parents or caregivers enjoy a fun, interactive and energetic storytime. 10:30 a.m. Barberton Public Library, 602 W. Park Ave., 330-745-1194, barberton.lib.oh.us
Tyke Time. Tykes and caregivers hear stories, sing songs, and make a craft. 11-11:30 a.m. Headlands Branch Library, 4669 Corduroy Road, Mentor, 440-257-2000, mentorpl.org
FRIDAYS IN JANUARY
Noble Story Stop. Hear stories, sing songs, and do a little dancing, too. 10:30-11 a.m. Noble Neighborhood Branch Library, 2800 Noble Road, Cleveland, 216-291-5665, heightslibrary.org
SATURDAYS IN JANUARY
Family Winter Workshop. Join your children (ages 5-8) and use paint, paper, clay and scrap materials to create a new project each week. Beginning 1/13. 1:30-3 p.m. North Canton Public Library, 185 N. Main St., 330-499-4712, ncantonlibrary.com
FRIDAYS & SATURDAYS IN JANUARY
Early Childhood Programs. Drop in on the first Saturday of the month between 10:30 a.m. and noon, or the second Friday of the month between 1:30-3 p.m. and enjoy 30 minutes of age-appropriate tinkering activities with your child, ages 7 and younger. Great Lakes Science Center, 601 Erieside Ave., Cleveland, 216-694-2000, greatscience.com
EVENTS BY DATE:
JANUARY 4
Creative Playdate. Little ones learn best through intuitive, open-ended play that feeds their senses. Follow your child’s natural instinct to wiggle, squeal and make a mess while exploring the creative process. For ages 12 months-5 years and their grown-ups. 11:15 a.m.-12:30 p.m. Akron Art Museum, 1 S. High St., 330-376-9185, akronartmuseum.org
JANUARY 4-5
Story Time in the Parks — 12 Days of Winter. Explore the wonders of winter with a book that highlights the season along with a craft, snack and park exploration. Ages 1-5 with an adult. 10-11 a.m. and 1-2 p.m. Environmental Learning Center, 7250 Alexander Road, Concord Twp., lakemetroparks.com
JANUARY 5
Super Sleuth Readers. Children ages 3-5 read fun stories, sing songs and rhymes, and look further into their stories through play and crafts. 11:30 a.m.-noon. Fleet Branch Library, 7224 Broadway Ave., Cleveland, cpl.org
JANUARY 8, 10 & 16
Special Needs Storytime. Specifically for children with special needs, features stories, rhymes, songs and other engaging activities in a welcoming environment. All ages, Willoughby, Jan. 8 at 6:30 p.m., Willowick, Jan. 10 4 p.m. and Eastlake, Jan. 16 at 6:30 p.m. Visit we247.org
JANUARY 12
Book Bugs. Children up to age 6 with a caregiver come for stories, activities and fun. 10-10:30 a.m. Wickliffe Public Library, 1713 Lincoln Road, 440-944-6010, wickliffepl.org
JANUARY 17
Messy Art for 2s & 3s. Create with paint, play dough and more. Bring an art smock or cover t-shirt and be prepared to get messy as you explore process-centered art projects. For ages 2-3 and caregivers. 9:30 and 11 a.m. Rocky River Public Library, 1600 Hampton Road, 440-333-7610, rrpl.org
JANUARY 18-19
Tales for Tots. Find out about this mysterious and marvelous creature through a story, craft and hands-on discovery. For ages 3-6 with an adult. 10-11 a.m. or 1-2 p.m. Wolf Creek Environmental Center, 6100 Ridge Road, Wadsworth, 330-722-9364, medinacountyparks.com
JANUARY 19-20
Tiny Trekkers. Learning comes naturally with age-appropriate games, hands-on activities, stories, and crafts. (ages 3-6). 10-11 a.m. Cleveland Museum of Natural History, 1 Wade Oval Drive, cmnh.org
JANUARY 20
Big Stories, Little Actors. A performance-based, interactive program for preschoolers through first grade. Activities and games focus on movement, rhythm, drama and character through storytelling. 10:15-11 a.m. French Creek Reservation, 4530 Colorado Ave., Sheffield Village, metroparks.cc
JANUARY 24
Nature Stories. Young children and their adult companions will enjoy this interactive, nature-inspired storytime intended for ages 18 months to 3 years. 9:30-10 a.m. Liberty Park Nature Center, 9999 Liberty Road, Twinsburg, summitmetroparks.org
JANUARY 27
Sensory Storytime. For children with autism, sensory integration challenges, or those who have trouble sitting still or focusing. Time to play and socialize afterwards. Best for ages 2-6. 5:45-6:15 p.m. Brunswick Library, 3649 Center Road, 330-273-4150, mcdl.info
Ceramics: Family. Children ages 5 and older are eligible to participate with an adult family member and will complete an instructor-led project. The upcoming projects are put on display at the Quirk Cultural Center. 10 a.m.-noon. Quirk Cultural Center, 1201 Grant Ave., Cuyahoga Falls, cityofcf.com
JANUARY 31
Small Fry. Games, crafts, storytelling and animal encounters engage young learners’ curiosity and creativity. Ages 2-5 with a participating adult. 9-10 a.m. Greater Cleveland Aquarium, 2000 Sycamore St., Cleveland, 216-862-8803, greaterclevelandaquarium.com
