Idaho Family Reading Week 2026

America250 library events for the littles

• Host an America250 Birthday Party! Celebrate America’s 250th birthday with games, crafts, treats, and stories that introduce young children to our nation in a fun and festive way.
• Create Your Own Flag – Use colored paper shapes, stickers, or other craft supplies to design a unique flag while learning about the symbols and colors found on flags across America.
• Historic or Favorite Doll Tea Party – Invite children to bring a favorite doll or stuffed animal. During the tea party, each child can introduce their companion and share a story about who they are, where they come from, or the adventures they’ve had.
• Patriotic Music & Movement – Sing classic American songs, dance, and play simple movement songs like Jim Gill’s “Irrational Anthem” or “The Ants Go Marching” while exploring music from America’s past and present.

America250 library events for school-aged kids

• Host a Patriot Chest Interactive Presentation – Invite your local Sons or Daughters of the American Revolution chapter to present a Patriot Chest filled with reproductions of artifacts from the Revolutionary War. Kids can explore history through hands-on objects and stories.
• Colonial Calligraphy Workshop – Learn the art of writing with quill pens (or make your own using feathers). Practice colonial penmanship, then sign a replica of the Declaration of Independence for kids to take home or display at the library.
• 50 Postcards from 50 States Challenge – Encourage children to write postcards to libraries across the United States requesting a return postcard from their state. Display the postcards as they arrive to create a colorful map of America. For a local twist, challenge participants to collect postcards from libraries across Idaho. Visit the ICfL’s Library Directory for Idaho libraries or use the following state public library directory https://publiclibraries.com/state/.
• Junior Archivist Day – Introduce kids to primary sources such as letters, photographs, maps, newspapers, and diaries. Let them become “history detectives” by examining reproductions and solving historical mysteries. The Library of Congress has some great Primary Source Sets.

America250 passive library programs

• Mock Election – Election Day is November 3. Family Reading Week is a great opportunity to introduce the voting process! Create a friendly election featuring two favorite library or book characters. Set up ballots and a ballot box, encourage visitors to cast their vote, and announce the winning character the following day.
• Sign the Declaration of Independence – Display a replica of the Declaration of Independence and invite visitors to add their signature. Encourage participants to compare their signatures to those of the Founding Fathers and learn about the document’s historical significance.
• Create an America250 Community Quilt – Invite patrons to decorate a quilt square using fabric, colored paper, or cardstock. Encourage the use of red, white, and blue or themes that celebrate America, Idaho, or the local community. Assemble the completed squares into a library display.
• Revolutionary Spuds Scavenger Hunt – Hide Revolutionary Spuddy Buddies throughout the library and challenge visitors to find them all. Add fun facts or clues about the American Revolution to make the hunt both educational and entertaining.
• America250 Trivia Challenge – Post a new trivia question each day or week about American history, symbols, or Idaho. Participants can submit their answers for a chance to win a small prize or earn library bragging rights.
• “What Does America Mean to Me?” Display – Invite patrons of all ages to write or draw what America means to them on stars, speech bubbles, or paper shapes. Display the responses on a bulletin board or mural throughout the celebration.