Young girl enjoying a Halloween event at the Westbury Library....

Young girl enjoying a Halloween event at the Westbury Library. (2010)

Libraries aren't just for research, studying and homework. These days, they host many fun events, including arts and crafts, cooking workshops, games nights and more. While most events are open to all Long Island residents, other libraries give preference to their local residents. Check out our brief guide to kid-friendly events during October. The best part? They're free!

Crafts, games and more

1, 2, 3 PLAY WITH ME
WHERE: Westbury Library
WHEN: Weekly: Tues. through 10/18, 10:00-11:00 am
AGES: 1-3
Play and learn with a different activity each week. Registration is required.

ARTS AND CRAFTS FOR KIDS
WHERE: Lakeview Library, Rockville Centre
WHEN: Weekly: Thu. 3:30-4:30 p.m., 6-7 p.m.
AGES: 6 and under
Children participate in making crafts. Advanced registration is required.

FOR KIDS: GAME DAYS
WHERE: Lakeview Library, Rockville Centre
WHEN: Weekly: Fri. 3:30-4:30 p.m.
AGES: 6 and under
Win prizes during this friendly competition in board games, bingo, puzzles, and word games. Registration is required.

CARAMEL APPLES FOR TEENS
WHERE: Mattituck-Laurel Library
WHEN: Mon., 10/3, 4 pm
AGES: Grades 7-12
Come celebrate Fall with a delicious caramel apple. Registration is required.

THE TOGETHER PROGRAM
WHERE: Lakeview Library, Rockville Centre
WHEN: Weekly: Sat. 10-11:30 am
AGES: 9-11
Each session focuses on a children's book related to a theme (e.g. courage, freedom). Copies of books for this program are available in Spanish and English; registration is required.

GROWN-UP AND ME: CHICKEN LITTLE
WHERE: Brentwood Library
WHEN: Mon. 10/10, 10:30-11:30 am
AGES: 3-5
Children, accompanied by an adult, listen to Chicken Little and create a storyboard. Registration is required.

KIDS IN THE KITCHEN
WHERE: Lakeview Library, Rockville Centre
WHEN: Tues. 10/11, 4-5 p.m.
AGES: 3-6
Learn some cooking basics. Advanced registration is required.

HOW I BECAME A PIRATE
WHERE: Northport-East Northport Library
WHEN: Sun. 10/16, 2 pm
AGES: Kindergarten and up
Musical based on the book by Melinda Long, presented by Plaza Theatrical Productions. For adults and children; must register.

YIPES, STRIPES
WHERE: Patchogue-Medford Library
WHEN: Wed., 10/19, 10-10:45 am and 11-11:45 am
AGES: 3-5
Children read the book "A Bad Case of Stripes" and dance, as well as make a mask. Registration is required.

MY HEART IS LIKE A ZOO STORYCRAFT
WHERE: Patchogue-Medford Library
WHEN: Sat. 10/22, 10:30-11:15 am
AGES: 5-8
Children learn about lions, tigers and bears, plus create a craft. Registration is required.

THE CASTANETS SING AND THE FEET TALK
WHERE: Smithtown Library Nesconset Branch
WHEN: Sat. 10/22, 2:00-3:00 pm
AGES: all
Members of Sol y Sombra present an interactive exploration of the Hispanic world through music and dance. Registration is required.

WII PARTY
WHERE: West Babylon Library
WHEN: Tues. 10/25, 6:30-8:30 pm
AGES: all
Enjoy different party game modes and mini-games; must register

CHEF'S KITCHEN
WHERE: Patchogue-Medford Library
WHEN: Wed. 10/26, 10-10:45 am and 11-11:45 am
AGES: 2 1/2-5
Children dress-up and pretend they are chefs and prepare a meal with play food. Registration is required.

Story time

STORIES AND MORE
WHERE: Lakeview Library, Rockville Centre
WHEN: Weekly: Mon. 11 a.m.-noon; Tue. 6-7 p.m.; Fri. 11 a.m.-noon.
AGES: 2-7
Story time which also includes games, crafts, and other activities. Advanced registration is required.

PARENT TODDLER WORKSHOP
WHERE: South Huntington Library
WHEN: Weekly: Tues. 10:00-11:00 am
AGES: all
Parents and children enjoy toys, books, playing, and a craft. Siblings may attend; must register.

TERRIFIC THREES STORYTIME
WHERE: Smithtown Library Nesconset Branch
WHEN: Weekly: Wed., starting 10/12, 2-3 pm
AGES: 36-47 months
Children with an adult participate in free play, stories, crafts and circle time. Registration with a Smithtown library card is required.

PICTURE BOOK TIME
WHERE: South Huntington Library
WHEN: Weekly: Thurs. 10:30-11:00 am
AGES: 3-5
Story time with picture books for young children. Must register.

GRANDPARENT TIME
WHERE: Farmingdale Library
WHEN: Weekly: Fri., 10-11 am
AGES: all
Storytime intended for children of all ages with a grandparent, Aeating on a first come, first served basis, child or grandparent must be a member of the Union Free School District #22.

CHILDREN'S AUTHOR VISIT: MURIEL WEINSTEIN
WHERE: Uniondale Library
WHEN: Tues. 10/11, 7-7:45 pm
AGES: Second grade and up
Children's author Muriel Weinstein will sign copies of her book "Play Louis, Play" with copies available for purchase. Children must be accompanied by an adult; limited space available.

FAMILIES READ
WHERE: South Huntington Library
WHEN: 10/7, 7-8 pm
AGES: all
First session of a book club for kids and parents who love to read. First title will be Skellig by David Almond. Children must be accompanied by an adult; registration is required.

PAJAMA TIME
WHERE: Lakeview Library, Rockville Centre
WHEN: Wed.10/26, 6-7 pm
AGES: 2-5
Enjoy an evening of stories, games and activities. Advanced registration is required.

Learn Something

ROTARY YOUTH EXCHANGE MEETING
WHERE: Mattituck-Laurel Library
WHEN: Mon., 10/3, 6:30 pm
AGES: 15 and up
Come learn about short term, 3-4 week exchanges which offer the opportunity for students to travel abroad. Parents and children are welcome; registration is required.

ART BUDDIES
WHERE: Brentwood Library
WHEN: Mon. 10/10, 2-3 pm
AGES: all
Teens help a child with an art project and earn community service credit

THE SCIENCE WIZARD
WHERE: Uniondale Library
WHEN: Wed. 10/5, 7-8:30 p.m..
AGES: Grades 6-12
Learn how to do less homework with better results. Registration is required.

ONE FOR THE MONEY
WHERE: Brentwood Library
WHEN: Wed. 10/12, 7-8 pm
AGES: 3-6
Children can learn about money through stories and crafts.

WRITE YOURSELF WEDNESDAYS FOR KIDS
WHERE: Lakeview Library, Rockville Centre
WHEN: Wed. 10/12 and 10/26, 5-6 p.m.
AGES: Grades 3-6
Children can explore the art of journals, writing stories, decorating journals, and more. Registration is required.

BILINGUAL BOOK CLUB
WHERE: Westbury Library
WHEN: Weekly: Weds. 10/12-11/16, 6:30 pm
AGES: 9-11
"Unidos-Charlas de Libros para Ninos y Padres," a six session program offers a forum for bilingual (Spanish and English) parents and their children to talk about books and ideas. Snacks and activities are available for younger siblings. Registration is required.

AFTER-SCHOOL DISH
WHERE: Lakeview Library, Rockville Centre
WHEN: TK.
AGES: 6 and under
A discussion about school, books, study times, and other topics. Includes a snack. Advanced registration is required.

FAMILY STYLE: BIKING ON LONG ISLAND
WHERE: Patchogue-Medford Library
WHEN: Sat. 10/15, 12-1:30 pm
AGES: Grades 5-12
Keep active with an informational seminar on bicycle safety, places to ride, and demonstrations of basic bike maintenance. Free bike helmets will be given to participants in grades 5-12 courtesy of the Pilot Club of Patchogue. Registration is required starting Oct 1; space is limited.

Halloween Fun

SPIDER WEB COOKIES
WHERE: Brentwood Library
WHEN: Thurs. 10/6, 7-8 pm
AGES: Teens
Design a spider web on four black and white cookies, using fondant, gummy candies and creepy crawlers.

WITCHY PUMPKIN CENTERPIECE
WHERE: Patchogue-Medford Library
WHEN: Tues. 10/11, 4:30-5:30 pm
AGES: Grades 2-6
Children will color a 3-D pumpkin that looks like a witch. Registration is required.

CHOCOLATE HAUNTED HOUSE
WHERE: Babylon Library
WHEN: Tues., 10/18, 3:30-5 pm
AGES: Grades 6-12
Assemble and decorate a chocolate house for Halloween. Registration is required by Oct. 15.

FAMILY MOVIE NIGHT: THE DOG WHO SAVED HALLOWEEN
WHERE: Farmingdale Library
WHEN: Tues. 10/18, 7-8 pm
AGES: all
Family friendly Halloween film, rated PG. All ages accompanied by adult; seating is first come, first served.

SPOOKY SOUND EFFECTS LABORATORY
WHERE: Floyd Memorial Library, Greenport
WHEN: Fri.10/21, 6 pm
AGES: all
Tell a Halloween story with sound and make a sound effects CD using electronic instruments.

GHOSTLY DIORAMA
WHERE: Brentwood Library
WHEN: Mon. 10/24, 7-8 pm
AGES: 7-9
Sculpt and create a trick-or-treating ghost and haunted house set inside a little fenced yard. Registration begins Oct. 3..

HAUNTED HALLOWEEN
WHERE: Patchogue-Medford Library
WHEN: Wed. 10/26, 4:30-5:15 pm; 5:30-6:15 pm
AGES: Grades K-5
Make a spellbinding Halloween decoration for the door to greet Trick or Treaters.

HALLOWEEN MUMMY CUPCAKES
WHERE: Lakeview Library, Rockville Centre
WHEN: Thurs. Oct. 27, 6-7:30 pm
AGES: 3-12
Make Halloween cupcakes with the Baking Coach. Prizes will be awarded to children in costumes. Registration is required; space is limited.

HAUNTED LIBRARY STORY TIME
WHERE: Westbury Library
WHEN: Fri. 10/28, 7 pm
AGES: Pre-K through 6th grade
Enjoy a spooky Halloween story time for kids. Registration is required.

REAL LIFE: GHOST HUNTERS
WHERE: Patchogue-Medford Library
WHEN: Fri. 10/28, 6-7:30 pm
AGES: Grades 6-12
Meet real ghost hunters who investigate paranormal activity on Long Island.

SPOOKY MASKS
WHERE: Farmingdale Library
WHEN: Sat. 10/29, 2 pm
AGES: all
Make a special mask for Halloween, for all ages with an adult, register from Oct. 13.

MONSTER MASH
WHERE: Brentwood Library
WHEN: Sun. 10/30, 1:30-3 pm
AGES: 3-12
A Halloween dance party including a DJ, games and raffles. Registration is required (sign-ups start Oct. 3); space is limited. Children must be accompanied by an adult.

SCARY SQUASH
WHERE: Patchogue-Medford Library
WHEN: Mon. 10/31, 4-6 pm
AGES: Grades 6-12
Decorate mini-pumpkins and weird squash. Registration is required.

Picture: Young girl at a Halloween event last year at the Westbury library.

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