Escape midsummer boredom

Children and their parents might be at their limit of creating fun activities to pass the summer hours. Luckily, imaginations can be limitless when discovering fun-filled and new activities.

A child can easily be creative and explore something new just by visiting the Newport Beach Public Library. The children’s departments’ shelves are brimming with ideas for creative games and crafts. Here are just a few of the hundreds of children’s activity books found at your Newport Beach Public Library.

“Double Dutch: A Celebration of Jump Rope, Rhyme, and Sisterhood” by Veronica Chambers: Learn all about this unique sport and pastime. Spend an afternoon in the sunshine practicing this newly acquired skill.

“Easy Art Fun!: Do-It-Yourself Crafts for Beginning Readers” by Jill Frankel Hauser: This book is jam packed with the crafts for even the youngest of children. This can serve as a chance to be creative as readers follow the simple step-by-step instructions or just as a springboard for the imagination.

“Get Out: Outdoor Activities Kids Can Enjoy Everywhere (Except Indoors)” by Hallie Warshaw: Tons of fun outdoor activities kids can enjoy everywhere and get a healthy dose of exercise at the same time.

“In-jean-uity” by Ellen Warwick: Step-by-step instructions and illustrations provide guidelines for redesigning old jeans into something new or transforming the material into entirely different items such as a purse or wallet.

“Like a Pro: 101 Simple Ways to Do Really Important Stuff” by Helaine Becker: Entertaining and interesting, this handy book provides tips on how to perform more than 100 duties well, from the practical — like getting to school on time, planting a flower, and keeping a secret — to the wacky — surviving on a desert island, meeting royalty, and accepting an Oscar.

“My Animal Art Class” by Nellie Sheperd: This book presents numerous ideas for creating animals such as giraffes, turtles, and flamingos. All these creative animals can come to life just by using crayons, scissors, glue, paper plates, and other basic art supplies.

“Stamp It!: 50 Amazing Projects to Make” by Joe Rhatigan: Enjoy starting a creative new project following these step-by-step instructions for using stamps to decorate clothing, party decorations, gifts, and much more, as well as for making one’s own stamps.

“The Ultimate Yo-Yo Book: 20 Great Tricks and Tips!” by Larry Sayco: The sport of yo-yo-ing is becoming a super popular trend. Amaze your friends and family with the ultimate tricks taught in this book.

“The Young Journalist’s Book: How to Write and Produce Your Own Newspaper” by Donna Guthrie: This descriptive book outlines the various functions and elements of a newspaper, and gives practical advice on writing, producing, and distributing. What a fun way to start a family newspaper to document memories.

Have fun exploring the shelves of fun-filled books at the Newport Beach Public Library at any of the locations; Central, Mariners, Balboa, and Corona Del Mar. Check out these and many other wonderful books.

It is not too late to sign up for our Children’s Summer Reading Program. It runs until Aug. 13. Make sure to stop in at any of our branches to pick up a game sheet and start the fun. The more time spent reading, the more free prizes to win.

After completing the game sheet at 20 hours, pick up a free book as the final prize and enter to win the grand prize! Visiting your Newport Beach Public Library is a surefire way to chase away any midsummer blues!