It may seem like the last P.A. day has only just passed (it has!) but here at the library, we’re already thinking about the next one! Once again, we’re planning a fun day of activities to keep your children entertained and learning a little something along the way for the Friday, Nov. 24 P.A. day.

At the Picton branch, we will be exploring the science of soap! In the morning, from 10:30 a.m. to noon, we’ll learn how to make our own shower jellies in all the colours of the rainbow. From 2 pm to 4 pm, we’ll learn all about lip gloss and what makes it so glossy.

In Wellington, we’re jumping headlong into the Christmas season! Join us from 10:30 a.m. to noon to design and make your own Christmas garlands, pompoms or pinnies, mini Christmas trees, or tassels galore! This program is perfect for creative kids of the County. Every kid will get to take home their Pinterest-worthy creations.

Our next round of Maker Club is in full swing at our Picton and Wellington Branches. In this edition, imaginations are going wild as the kids plot and plan their very own escape rooms. Escape rooms are popular activities where participants are “locked” in a room and they need to solve puzzles and find clues to “escape” the room.

Over the past few weeks, we’ve learned about puzzles, storylines, props, and clues. With just a three weeks remaining, we’re busy making final decisions, designing sets, and writing riddles as tricky as we can make them.

While the kids might think they’re having fun, in reality, they’re learning a lot at the same time. As they come up with a backstory for their escape room, they’re learning about storytelling, and everything that goes into creating a setting and a mood.

As they plan clues, they’re using the critical thinking skills necessary to imagine how someone else will work through the puzzles. A successful escape room takes a lot of creative skills and the kids are having a great time putting those skills to work.

The kids are having a blast, but soon we’re going to need people to put their hard work to the test! In Picton, they will be running their escape room on Saturday, Dec. 2. The following week, the Wellington Maker Club will be running their escape room on Saturday, Dec. 9. Both escape rooms run from 2-4 pm. The time slots are 25 minutes each, with room for four teams of up to six people. The codes will be challenging, so we recommend ages 6 and up with adult help.

If you are a puzzler and want to come out to support the kids and all their hard work, register today at peclibrary.org/register. Make sure to sign your team up soon, otherwise you risk missing the time slot that works best for you. May the odds be ever in your favour!

-Jeanette de Boer