2024 Children’s Activities

All children’s activities are fun, creative, and educational. They are also free, so bring the kids to nurture their love of books and experience a wonderful, memorable day!

Storytimes

10:30am       Marianne Spampinato
10:45am       Linda Medwig
11:30am       Susan Ramirez
11:55am       Cathleen Lykens
12:15pm       Cathy Breisacher
12:35pm       Shannon Morris
12:55pm       Drey Kharem
1:15pm         Bronwyn Katdaré
1:35pm         D. H. Anderson
1:55pm        Jessica McConnell
2:15pm        Connie Cousins

Activities

10:00-10:30am       Smokey Bear
10:00-12:00pm       Crafts with Ebensburg Library
10:00-5:00pm         Balloon Animals by Simplicity
11:00-11:30am       PA Woods and Forest
11:30-2:30pm         IU8 STEM Rocks
1:00-3:00pm           Cambria County Library System
2:30-3:00pm           Local Children’s Book Illustrator Lydia Kirsch
3:00-5:00pm           St Francis University Rural Outreach Chemistry for Kids

About the Activities

10:00 AM - 5:00PM: book quest

The Festival of Books has 53 participating authors! Pick up an interview sheet, interview any 20 of the authors in attendance, get their autograph. When you’re all done, submit your form for a sticker and a chance to win the Book Quest Grand Prize! The stickers were donated by SFU’s School of STEAM while the basket was donated by Young Heart Books in Johnstown, PA.

10:00 - 5 PM: writing prompts and crafts

Help the Festival of Books create a calendar by submitting your art and story about your favorite month. Also, get a write your own book kit! (While supplies last)

10:00 - 10:30AM: Smokey Bear

Smokey Bear will be stopping by with a member of the Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources to read a story. There will also be some Smokey Bear gift bags available for kids.

11:30am - 2:30pm: iu8 stem rocks

IU8 STEM Rocks (Rural Outreach Connecting Kids to STEM), originally funded by the Grable Foundation, offers children and their caregivers engaging opportunities to dive into the world of STEM. Participants can explore robotics, challenge themselves with logic and problem-solving board games, or unleash their creativity through free building with various materials. We’ve proudly partnered with unique events in our community to bring these enriching experiences to life.

1:00 - 3:00pm: children's book illustrator lydia kirsch

Hear local high school student, Lydia, discuss her illustrating process, hear her story, and ask questions about her illustrations.

3:00 - 5:00pm: st francis university's outreach chemistry for kids

Saint University’s Rural Outreach Chemistry for Kids (SFU’s R.O.C.K.) program focuses on making science (especially chemistry!) both fun and accessible for local K-12 students. In this activity, students will use common household items to learn the science behind bath bombs, while making one to take home with them.