At the libraries: Activities for kids and adults abound

A weekly glance at the many programs for children and adults offered by the Stanislaus County Library system’s 13 branches. Some programs are ongoing, others are special events and all are free and open to the public:

Knitting and crocheting help for beginners or those needing help with a special project. 3 p.m. Wednesdays. Waterford Library, 324 E St. 209-874-2191.

After Story Time on Thursdays. Music, movement, and sensory play. 10:30 a.m. Salida Library, 4835 Sisk Road. 209-543-7353.

New and classic picture books, flannelboard and puppet stories, fingerplays, music and dancing, all for preschoolers aged 3-5 and their caregivers. Held regularly at most branches; contact individual branches for dates, times and locales.

Storybooks, lap bounces, music, dancing, rhythm activities, fingerplays and more at programs for babies, active toddlers, and adult caregivers. Held regularly at most branches; contact individual branches for dates, times and locales.

Parents will learn about three simple literacy practices and how to incorporate them into daily routines. Recommended for parents of children ages 0-5. 10:30 a.m. Turlock Library, 550 N. Minaret Ave. 209-664-8100.

Celebrate International Ninja Day. If you miss the craft, drop by the library Dec. 5 - 9 to find the ninja hiding in the Children's Room. 3:30 p.m. Modesto Library, 1500 I St. 209-558-7800.

Local community members and professional actors from the San Francisco Shakespeare Festival will rehearse and prepare a production of “Twelfth Night,” one of Shakespeare’s great comedies. 6 p.m. Salida Library, 4835 Sisk Road. 209-543-7353.

A basic introduction to computers, including an explanation of the parts of the computer, a tour of Windows, and simple tasks. Advance registration is required. 10:30 a.m. Oakdale Library, 151 S. First Ave. 209-847-4204.

Come take part in a free yoga program with Rosa, our bilingual Yoga instructor. 11:30 a.m. Patterson Library, 46 N Salado Ave. 209-892-6473.

Create your very own marshmallow snowman. 3 p.m. Newman Library, 1305 Kern St. 209-862-2010.

Create a paper bag ninja. Can't make it to the craft? Stop by Dec. 6-9 to find the ninja hiding in the library. 3 p.m. Denair Library, 4801 Kersey Road. 209-634-1283.

Join us for a fun and educational Story Time about clouds. Learn about clouds, rain and more during our rainy day science activity. 3:30 p.m. Riverbank Library, 3442 Santa Fe St. 209-869-7008.

Join us for a winter tale and an opportunity to make snow using baking soda and shaving cream. Children 4 and younger must have direct parental supervision. 4 p.m. Turlock Library, 550 N. Minaret Ave. 209-664-8100.

Enjoy this special architecture-themed STEAM program. Following a story, children can enjoy activities including constructing different houses and testing their strengths, crafting gingerbread-style houses, and building with LEGOs. 4 p.m. Salida Library, 4835 Sisk Road. 209-543-7353.

NAMI Connection Recovery Support Group is a free, peer-led support group for adults living with mental illness. 4:30 p.m. Oakdale Library, 151 S. First Ave. 209-847-4204.

Local community members and professional actors from the San Francisco Shakespeare Festival will rehearse and prepare a production of “Twelfth Night,” one of Shakespeare’s great comedies. 6 p.m. Salida Library, 4835 Sisk Road. 209-543-7353.

This month's selection is “Frankenstein,” by Mary Wollstonecraft Shelley. 10:30 a.m. Turlock Library, 550 N. Minaret Ave. 209-664-8100.

Reindeer-themed crafts and activities, including candy cane and hand print reindeer, and Reindeer Bingo. 3 p.m. Hughson Library, 2412 3rd St. 209-883-2293.

Join us for games at the library. All ages are welcome! Games teach socialization, sharing, taking turns, and hand-eye coordination. 3:30 p.m. Patterson Library, 46 N Salado Ave. 209-892-6473.

Children will have the opportunity to build LEGO creations. Children under 4 must have direct adult supervision. 3:30 p.m. Modesto Library, 1500 I St. 209-558-7800.

All are invited to attend the monthly meeting of the Friends of the Waterford Library. 4 p.m. Waterford Library, 324 E St. 209-874-2191.

Bring the entire family for Story Time and a craft. 6 p.m. Patterson Library, 46 N Salado Ave. 209-892-6473.

All are welcome to attend the monthly board meeting. 6:30 p.m. Turlock Library, 550 N. Minaret Ave. 209-664-8100.

Join our book club for interesting reads and thought-provoking discussions. 1 p.m. Patterson Library, 46 N Salado Ave. 209-892-6473.

Design a small gift bag using rubber stamps and a muslin bag. Ages 13 and up. 3-4 p.m. Waterford Library, 324 E St. 209-874-2191.

Each child can paint a preformed wood ornament, ideal for hanging on a tree or a wall. All materials will be provided. All ages are welcome, however children under 4 must have direct parental supervision. 3:30 p.m. Oakdale Library, 151 S. First Ave. 209-847-4204.

Children will have the opportunity to build LEGO creations. Children under 4 must have direct adult supervision. 3:30 p.m. Newman Library, 1305 Kern St. 209-862-2010.

Learn how you explore your world and process information with your five senses. Join us for a day of literal sensory play. 3:30 p.m. Ceres Library, 2250 Magnolia St. 209-537-8938.

Children will engage their imaginations and activate their senses by creating a batch of foam dough and rolling faux snowballs. Like Playdoh, foam dough is moldable, but much lighter in weight. All materials will be provided. 3:30 p.m. Empire Library, 18 South Abbie St. 209-524-5505.

Designed for ages 9-12. Choose from our supply of colorful duct tape to make a variety of projects, including a flower, wallet, or your own design. 4 p.m. Salida Library, 4835 Sisk Road. 209-543-7353.

Children can craft adorable polar bear finger puppets. 4 p.m. Keyes Library, 4420 Maud Ave. 209-664-8006.

December's selection is “Guilt by Association” by Marcia Clark. 10:30 a.m. Turlock Library, 550 N. Minaret Ave. 209-664-8100.

Local community members and professional actors from the San Francisco Shakespeare Festival will rehearse and prepare a production of “Twelfth Night,” one of Shakespeare’s great comedies. 11 a.m. Salida Library, 4835 Sisk Road. 209-543-7353.

Using colorful pipe cleaners, we will create animals, snowflakes, and other winter holiday decorations. Materials will be provided. Kindergarten and older; children 4 and under must be supervised by parents or adult guardians. 1:30 p.m. Newman Library, 1305 Kern St. 209-862-2010.

Local community members and professional actors from the San Francisco Shakespeare Festival present Twelfth Night, one of Shakespeare’s great comedies. 2 p.m. Salida Library, 4835 Sisk Road. 209-543-7353.

Learn how to save money and find bargains for your holiday shopping. 3 p.m. Salida Library, 4835 Sisk Road. 209-543-7353.

All are invited to attend the monthly meeting of the Friends of the Patterson Library. Meetings are held the second Monday of the month. 1 p.m. Patterson Library, 46 N Salado Ave. 209-892-6473.

Local community members and professional actors from the San Francisco Shakespeare Festival present Twelfth Night, one of Shakespeare’s great comedies. 6:30 p.m. Modesto Library, 1500 I St. 209-558-7800.

Visit the library to make handmade snowflake decorations for your home, tree, and cards. Open hours. Hughson Library, 2412 3rd St. 209-883-2293.

This month the book club will discuss “Clara and Mr. Tiffany” by Susan Vreeland. 10 a.m. Salida Library, 4835 Sisk Road. 209-543-7353.

Decorate for the holidays with this clever melted snowman ornament. Ages 6 and up. 3:30-4:30 p.m. Waterford Library, 324 E St. 209-874-2191.

Come to the library and make a cute melted snowman ornament for the holidays. Ages 6 and up. 3:30 p.m. Riverbank Library, 3442 Santa Fe St. 209-869-7008.

Children will use paint and other materials to decorate stones. All ages are welcome, however children under 4 must have direct parental supervision. 4 p.m. Turlock Library, 550 N. Minaret Ave. 209-664-8100.

We will play a few favorite songs and the audience can sing along. Kids are invited to come in costume as their their favorite princess, prince, or other favorite storybook character, however costumes are not required. 6:15 p.m. Modesto Library, 1500 I St. 209-558-7800.

For stay-at-home mothers who would like to connect with other stay-at-home mothers. We encourage you to come with your children, make new friends, and have fun. 10 a.m. Patterson Library, 46 N Salado Ave. 209-892-6473.

Create a snowman and a penguin using paper plates. 3 p.m. Newman Library, 1305 Kern St. 209-862-2010.

Create and decorate a snowflake. 3:30 p.m. Patterson Library, 46 N Salado Ave. 209-892-6473.

Children will have the opportunity to build LEGO creations. Children under 4 must have direct adult supervision. 3:30 p.m. Modesto Library, 1500 I St. 209-558-7800.

Share your ideas and earn community service credit. 4 p.m. Turlock Library, 550 N. Minaret Ave. 209-664-8100.

This program will feature snow related crafts and activities, including a chance to make your own snow that may be taken home. 3 p.m. Hughson Library, 2412 3rd St. 209-883-2293.

Children will have the opportunity to build LEGO creations. Children under 4 must have direct adult supervision. 3:30 p.m. Empire Library, 18 South Abbie St. 209-524-5505.

Decorate foam pieces shaped like puppies and gingerbread people. 3:30 p.m. Ceres Library, 2250 Magnolia St. 209-537-8938.

Children and families are invited to this special evening Story Time. Children are encouraged to wear their pajamas and enjoy an evening of bedtime stories, fingerplays and music. Our special guest, The Joy Singing Group, will perform several winter themed songs and lead a Sing-Along. 6 p.m. Oakdale Library, 151 S. First Ave. 209-847-4204.

Coloring has been shown to be a stress reliever for adults. Enjoy the comfortable and relaxing environment of the library while tapping into your creative side. 1 p.m. Newman Library, 1305 Kern St. 209-862-2010.

Children will have the opportunity to build LEGO displays for the library. Children under 4 must have direct adult supervision. 3-4 p.m. Oakdale Library, 151 S. First Ave. 209-847-4204.

Adults can benefit greatly from the proven calming effects of coloring. Let us help you relax and de-stress with a day of coloring, conversation, and refreshments. 1-3 p.m. Modesto Library, 1500 I St. 209-558-7800.

Take some time away from the holiday rush and join us for a fun and classic holiday movie, “Home Alone.” The film features the story of young Kevin McCallister, who protects his home after he is left alone. The movie is rated PG for Parental Guidance. Drop-in, no sign up required. 5 p.m. Modesto Library, 1500 I St. 209-558-7800.

Come take part in a free yoga program with Rosa, our bilingual Yoga instructor. Yoga is a type of mind-body workout that combines stretching and strengthening exercises with deep breathing for relaxation. 11:30 a.m. Patterson Library, 46 N Salado Ave. 209-892-6473.

Children will make snowflakes using painted puzzle pieces and other materials. All ages are welcome, however children under 4 must have direct parental supervision. 4 p.m. Turlock Library, 550 N. Minaret Ave. 209-664-8100.

Children and their families can enjoy a family-friendly movie and picnic dinner at the library. Children may come in their pajamas. Bring a picnic dinner and a blanket to sit on. 6 p.m. Salida Library, 4835 Sisk Road. 209-543-7353.

This story was originally published December 2, 2016 at 2:29 PM with the headline "At the libraries: Activities for kids and adults abound."