School Vacation Week Fun, Feb. 21-28

     February School Vacation Week activities at the Dover Public Library kick off with a Legos Day in the Children’s Room on Saturday, February 21. Legos will be available all day for creative fun, plus Gordon Lubbers, owner of Bricks 4 Kidz, will be here from 10am to 2pm with specially engineered Lego motorized model kits and instructions. At 2pm, there will be a free showing of “Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day” (PG; 1 hr., 21 minutes) in the Lecture Hall.

      On Monday, February 23, there will be a free matinee screening of “Disneynature: Earth” at 2pm. This epic adventure follows three animal families: polar bears, elephants, and humpback whales, on a planet-wide journey. That evening at 6:30pm, girls in grades 3-6 are invited to join our STEM program. Miss Rachel, an engineer, will lead participants in building simple structural designs that are amazingly sturdy. Females are underrepresented in the science, technology, engineering and math fields and Miss Rachel hopes to help change that. Of course, boys are welcome to attend too!

       On Tuesday, February 24, join us for a fascinating program about Marine Mammals by docents from UNH's Sea Grant Sea Trek Program. A 2pm session is tailored for pre-K to 2nd graders and a 3pm session will welcome 3rd graders and up.  If families want to be in the same time session, that’s fine too---our goal is to keep the activities to small groups.  The docents will illustrate the characteristics and physical and behavioral adaptations of a variety of marine mammals. Through hands-on activities, children will then explore the similarities and differences between marine and land mammals, and the special adaptations that allow for finding food, breathing, and staying warm in the Atlantic sea water.

         On Wednesday, February 25 at 10am, Miss Tina will conduct a winter wildlife-themed drop-in story time in the Lecture Hall. All ages are welcome to attend.

         On Thursday, February 26, the Seacoast Science Center’s Marine Mammal Rescue Team will be here at 2pm to talk about their efforts to help stranded, injured or diseased seals, whales, porpoises and dolphins along the NH seacoast. Their “Save a Seal” program will help children learn about native Gulf of Maine species and what to do if they spot an animal washed up on a beach. After performing a mock rescue, children will earn a special “Seal of Approval” for participating.

          On Friday, February 27, educators from York’s Center for Wildlife will be at the library at 10am    presenting their new program, “Winter Wildlife Adaptations”. Their animal assistants will include an assortment of live raptors, reptiles and mammals, so be prepared to be amazed and see some local wildlife up close!

          All week long, children of all ages are invited to make a “Polar Bear” at the Creation Station in the Children’s Room. All materials will be provided.

          Wrapping up Wildlife Week will be a showing of “Big Hero 6” (PG; 1 hr., 22 min) on Saturday, February 28 at 2pm in the Lecture Hall. None of the library’s School Vacation Week programs require pre-registration and each program is offered for free. For more information on any of these programs, please call the Dover Public Library’s Children’s Room at 603-516-6052.