Stuffed Animal Sleep Over -- Program Idea

Several librarian have shared with me that they would love to do a sleep-over at the Library.  sleep-over events are a great deal of fun, but if you are unable to host one, here is an idea that it being used in libraries across the nation as a great alternative.  Host a Stuffed Animal Sleep-Over.  

Encourage children visiting your library to bring a favorite stuffed animal to the library.  Have name tags ready for each animal that can be safety pinned to them.  The name tag should include the animal's name, the name of his owner, and the owner's telephone number, in case the animal would become frightened and need to call home during the night.  Tell the children to return the next morning to enjoy a light breakfast and storytime.

When the kids are gone, stage photo of their animals doing fun things in the Library.  Photos of them looking for books, playing in the storytime corner, writing on the wipe board or at the coloring or puzzle table.  Make sure some of the photos are at night.  Make a slide or a display board of the photos for the event the following morning.  Make sure you stage a couple photos of you reading and doing things with the animals as well. 

As the children arrive the next morning, return their animals to them with a "souvenir photo" or certificate for them to take home.  Share a short storytime with donuts or dry cereal mix.  The sleep-over is a good summer activity or a Friday night event.  Kids can drop off their animals before closing and join the library lady for breakfast the following morning.

Great books to share at breakfast include:

When the Library Lights Go Out

• Author(s):  Megan McDonald
• Illustrator(s):  Katherine Tillotson
• Reading level: Ages 3 and up
• Paperback: 40 pages
• Publisher: Atheneum Books for Young Readers; Reprint edition (May 5, 2009)
• ISBN-13: 978-1416980285

Good Night Harry

• Author(s):  Kim Lewis
• Illustrator(s):  Kim Lewis
• Reading level: Ages 3 and up
• Hardcover: 32 pages
• Publisher: Candlewick; 1 edition (January 5, 2004)
• ISBN-13: 978-0763622060

                      -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Take a look the photos and some possible fun things to do with the animal friends.First of all, I must confess, the photos were all taken in home.  We are in the middle of the "Blizzard of Oz" and I have not been at work for several days.  I apologize that the photos lack the "library-ness" that you would expect, but I think you can get a good idea.

The Hungry Caterpillar turned pages at storytime

Mouse sharing David McPhail's Animals A to Z

Of course, lots of time was spent reading

Books, books, so many books

What will I read next?

The friends took turns playing with the Wii

Junie B. Jones led the crowd in song!

The friends took turns playing on the computer

There was even time for play with Maggie the Library Cat!

After a bed-time snack, it was finally time for bed

One more story...then ZZZZ!

This is an easy program to put together.  Doesn't cost much and can be done at school or at a public library.  The more creative you are with the photos, the more fun it will be for the children.

After a long night...it's time to hit the hay!