By Mark Bialczak

LPL Communications Specialist

With the holidays coming fast, it’s easy to find yourself in a family mood.

The Liverpool Public Library has a handful of drop-in events this week in our Family Series, perfectly timed and designed to keep parents/caregivers and children together, smiling and learning.

Drop In Family Storytime runs from 10:15 to 10:45 a.m. Friday, Dec. 9, in the Carman Community Room. Children’s Librarian Alison McCarthy will select a tale appropriate for ages 5 and under. No registration is required for this session, and, of course the older generation is expected to sit with the kids to appreciate McCarthy’s storytelling ability.

At 1 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 10, the games will go out in the Children’s Room. Drop In Family Games is for children of all ages, and their parents and caregivers. We’ve got a good selection of popular board games from which to to choose.  How about a match with the young ones in your life in Sorry, Chutes and Ladders, Candy Land, Mouse Trap, Connect 4 or Battleship? Bring you back, do they not? There are also Duplos available for the youngest. The session runs until 5 p.m., so there’s plenty of time to come by.

There’s an evening event Tuesday, Dec. 13, that’s proven to be a favorite for children of many ages. Family Fort Night encourages cozy reading in the comfort of a space crafted by kids and the older generation.  You can bring your own material and a flashlight to the Children’s Room from 7 to 8:30 p.m. — or we’ll provide the blankets to put up your own fort and the book.

And on Wednesday night, Dec. 14, there’s a class with the aim toward bridging an understanding between generations. From 7 to 8:30 p.m. in the Sargent Meeting Room, Expanding Technologies Librarian Jake Hare will preside over “Minecraft for Parents and Grandparents.” He’ll go over the basics of the computer game that’s a favorite among the youngest but a real puzzle to those who see them playing. After this, you’ll not only be able to talk to the kids about Minecraft, but join the in the pursuit, if you dare. Registration is requested, on the calendar page at LPL.org.

One more tip: A visit to that calendar page will lead you to the discovery that the family-appropriate activities are listed in green.