Things to do in Indianapolis Indiana: Downtown Central Library for Kids

Central Library's Learning Curve in Downtown Indianapolis, Indiana has Free Things to do that are Fun for Kids

Recently, we took a trip to the downtown Indianapolis Central Library. I've been meaning to do this for sometime, but after several years of summer day camp and kid's misplacing books or videos, we have quite a hefty library fine. I plan to chip away at it slowly. If you also have a library fine and are under 18, keep reading. We found out the library has a program where you can "pay off" your fines with good behavior! More info about that later. In the summer, we are always looking for FREE, FUN, and EDUCATIONAL things to do in Indianapolis or other parts of Indiana. This futuristic architecture, in the form of a public library, fits the bill perfectly.

Central Library Funnel in Reading Nook. It plays a little movie.

This year, my goal is to treat each week like summer camp with my own kids - Less the getting up at 5:30 a.m., the toting 12 other kids everywhere we go, the need for epipens, a change of underwear (and a bag for the previous soiled pair), the waivers, the checklist, and the stress! We are on a mission of discovery. Anything within 2 hrs. of our home is up for an impromptu field trip. 

In this Futuristic Library, you can lounge and read, listen to a story, or watch one.

The Central Library is very cool. If you are looking for a futuristic library, you've come to the right place. You enter the library through an old, historic building with an incredible view of the American Legion Mall which is really just a large, green space with war memorials. Be sure to turn and enjoy the view as you enter. Then, you enter a breezeway where you'll find the info desk and a small, reasonably priced cafe. Keep going, and you'll be whisked into the children's area, better known as The Learning Curve. 

The Learning Curve: A Children's Area at the Central Library, Downtown Indy.

The Learning Curve is housed in the modern, glass, curved building directly behind the main entrance. Don't be intimidated, just keep walking. The librarian help desks are mobile carts that float throughout the large children's area. Don't be shy. They are happy to help. Don't have a library card, (or have one you can't use) but you want to use the computers? Ask the librarian for a guest pass. No pressure, they don't try to upsell to a library card :) The passes are good for 1 hr. from the time you log in, but you can get another passcode as long as computers are available. This is a safe internet zone. The kids can play and share games with other kids within the library.

Study Pods, Think Tank, Kid's Activity Wall for Preschoolers, Pacer's Rent a Bike Program, and See-a-story spinning seats at The Learning Curve, Downtown Indianapolis, Indiana in the Central Library.

We went to see a FREE DISNEY MOVIE in Clowes Auditorium, Tinkerbell's, "The Pirate Fairy". It was awesome. During summer camps, we visited our local branch of the library and watched the movies in a large room while sitting on the floor with a bunch of sweaty kids and little or no air conditioning. At the downtown Indianapolis, Central Library, we sat in comfy, purple seats in an acoustically correct, air-conditioned theatre.You can rent the 300 seat Clowes Auditorium space for special events too.

After that, we headed to the children's theatre. When they aren't having puppet shows or reader's theatre, the kids can jump up on the stage and enjoy some creative play in front of a large green screen. While bouncing around, they can watch themselves on one of the video screens. They might walk on the moon or climb a mountain!

On the opposite end of the Learning Curve, you'll find the Think Tank.This is an enclosed space (it's stuffy in there) with whiteboard walls and a table full of dry-erase markers. Brainstorm an idea, solve a math problem, or just draw a cartoon. You can be noisy, because it is somewhat soundproof. 

There is also a tinkerlab, a preschool activity area, a techlab, a wall to learn braille, study pods, futuristic, spinning chairs where you can listen to a story, and (my favorite), a super comfy reading lounge with a central animated funnel. I sat down and did not want to get up. Next time, I'll work in this area while the kids enjoy the library. They couldn't sign up for the summer reading program or check out books because of those nasty aforementioned library fines. The library now offers an amnesty program. I need this too, dear Indy Library. 

So, what is the take away? Don't stress, get cool, stay out of inclement weather... Wait, there's more. The library has a parking garage- find the rates here. We parked in the street at the fancy, modern parking meters that accept credit cards (now there's a learning curve) and walked. At the front entrance of the library, you can rent yellow, Pacer's bicycles- but they are all adult size, no kid seats, or tandem bikes... hint hint.

There are so many fun things to do in Indianapolis! We hope you'll join us (virtually, of course) as we discover the wonderful things downtown Indianapolis has to offer. We will feature some of our favorite things soon:

Mass Ave. 

Toy Store, Flying Cupcake, Hot Dog Cafe, Fair Trade Market

The Circle

Ride or climb to the top of the Monument, Candy Store, Chocolate Cafe

Recommended Reading:

Things to do In Indiana

Architecture: The Art of LEGO Design

14 Circle Time Activities and Ideas for Preschoolers

Preschool Circle Time is for Group Lessons, Games, and Interaction

Running out of ideas for Preschool Circle Time? Every preschool program needs circle time for group interaction. This is a time to build structure into the program, so the children know what to expect each day. It is great to offer circle time at least twice a day- once in the morning, and once just before time to go home. These ideas will help build a sense of togetherness, (community) a time for sharing, and a fun learning environment for the kids. Enjoy!

This post contains affiliate links for your convenience.

Elementary Circle Time Games, Activities, and Ideas for Preschoolers and Toddlers.

 14 Ideas and Activities for Circle Time

1.  Dance Freeze - Play some music or sing a song. Everyone dances willy nilly. Suddenly, stop the song, but don't sing to the end of a verse, that is too predictable. Everyone must freeze in their position. Is one leg up? Are they doing the worm? If they move, they must sit frozen in that spot, criss-cross applesauce and wait to see who can freeze the longest. No blinking or twitching allowed.

50 SIMPLE GROUP GAMES for CIRCLE TIME

2.  Bug in a Rug - This is an oldie, but a goodie. Everyone sits in the circle. Before you begin to play, explain EXACTLY how the game works. Grab a blanket or a big beach towel. Now, pick one child to leave the room or wear a fun blindfold. Teacher picks a student. Shh! Just point at the child, grab their hand and take them away from the group. Now, point at another child and then to the "rug". Hide the child under the "rug." Bring the other preschooler back. Can they guess who is missing? 

3. Pass the Movement - I played this for years with preschoolers and school-age children in summer camps, but I didn't give it a name. I found the name at Preksharing Blog. She says it is adapted from a book published in 2011, but we used to do this years ago in summer camp and afterschool programs. Just goes to show, great minds think alike! It is simple to play. Teacher starts with a movement. Perhaps, you wave your hand in the air. Now, the person sitting to your right must wave their hand and add a movement like wiggling their nose. The next person to the right, does those movements and adds one of their own. It is a "WAVE" of different movements.

4. Shake the Sillies Out - Need a game to get kids' moving?  Find some Dragon Tunes from the cartoon, Dragon Tales, and every morning, "Shake the Sillies Out"! Just play the song, and follow the instructions. Kids love this one!

5. Circle Time Collaborative Painting - I like the idea of painting circles in collaboration like the one from Art Project Girl in the link. You know, where Teach lays out a big sheet of paper and painting supplies and everyone paints concentric circles? What if we do it as a part of Circle Time? Pass the painting, and make a PROGRESSIVE PAINTING. 

This idea teaches patience. Everyone must wait their turn. It builds excitement too. Lay out a large painting tarp, sit the children in a circle on the tarp, give each child a cup of paint and a brush. No painting unless it is your turn. To make it less frustrating, pass two large poster boards around starting at opposite ends. Children are allowed to paint only 1 circle or shape of their choice per turn. While they are painting, teacher shares an art lesson on shapes!

Collaborative Concentric Circle Painting from Art Project Girl.

6. Click, Clack, Moo Story Starter - You know the story about the unhappy cows in the barn? They have a typewriter. They are making demands. An electric blanket would be nice. What else might the farm animals want from the farmer? 

Click Clack Moo Story Starter Circle Time Game.

Play a Circle Time Game where each child is given an animal. Before the game, print out cards with farm animal pictures on one side and their name on the other. Each child draws a card from a hat. Give this example to the kids: What does the (insert animal here) pig want? "Dear Farmer Brown, the barn is smelly. Please send air fresheners." Have each child come up with their own idea for what the animal on the card might want from the farmer.

7. Animal Movement Game - Take the game above one step further. Get the kids moving like the animals. Ask, "What does a pig say?" Now, "How does a pig move?" The children take turns walking around the circle like the animal on their cards. 

8. Quiet Mouse, Still Mouse - When Circle Time is done, keep children in a circle to release them to the next preschool activity. The teacher explains, the child who sits as quiet as a mouse (the quietest) get to line up first. Continue until everyone (or almost everyone, I don't like to single out those who can't sit still or quiet) is in line.

9. Calendar Time -  Sing "Sunday, Monday, Tuesday Wednesday, Thursday Friday, Saturday. Suunday, Munday... TUUESday" Emphasize the current day of the week. Sing the song and then check the calendar. Who can find today on the calendar? Here's another days of the week song sung to the Addam's Family theme. 

10. Alphabet Shopping - Using the first letter of each child's name, pretend to go shopping for an item that begins with that letter. For example, “Jake will buy a jump rope.” Go around the circle until everyone has had a turn. This helps with letter recognition. For more ideas like this visit Early Childhood News.

11. Talking Stick - Bring in a cane, or recycle a cardboard wrapping paper tube. The kids can help decorate the "Talking Stick" with Washi or Duct Tape, Glitter, or Feathers. During Circle Time, grab the stick. Now, explain to the group that this is a talking stick. Only the person who holds it may speak. This is a great tool to use for Show and Tell or other situations where children take turns sharing. More lessons in patience and turn taking.

12. Birthday Day of the Week Bags - PreK Pages Blog has a fun idea for Day of the Week Bags. Make a brown paper bag for each day of the week. Give it a colorful label, and fill it with the names of classmates who have birthdays on this day or other special things that happen on this day of THIS week.

   13. Pictures with Facial Expressions - Hold up magazine pictures of facial expressions. Ask, "What is this person feeling." Have the children take turns making the face. After you play this game, have the kids draw themselves like this emotion art lesson.

14. Play Duck, Duck, Goose? - This old standby might be boring to you, but it is likely new to the toddlers and preschoolers in your class. Change it up each day. After they get the hang of the game, add a creative play element by acting it out. Have the kids act and walk like the animal as they toddle around. Walk and Talk like the animal. For older or school-age children, change the theme to pig, pig, cow or ghost, ghost, vampire.

Recommended Reading:

50 Easy Group Games for Preschoolers

Rugs for Circle Time

Circle Time Handbook with Reproducible Pages

Teen Group Games for Camp

Preschool Circle Time Activities

Chicken Art Project for Preschool

Preschool Circle Time Songs

Nature Based Circle Time Activity

How to Play Four Corners Group Activity

Follow us on Instagram for more fun ideas every day!

Activities: 10 Fun Things to Make at Home with Kids of all Ages

Stuck Inside on a Snowy or Rainy Day? Make staying at Home with the Kids a fun adventure with these Activities

In this list of 10 fun things to make at home, we've included something for boys, girls, preschooler, and teens. Kids of all ages will enjoy these fun activities to do inside on a rainy or snowy day! Best of all, you don't need a lot of fancy supplies or expert crafting skills.

1. Make a homemade lava lamp minus the light - but grab your flashlight to illuminate it. Click the link above to see a YouTube Tutorial. If you aren't so diy-iee or crafty try this kit from ALEX® Toys - Make your own Lava Lamp at Home.

Make a Lava Lamp at home with a few supplies or use this kit from Alex Toys.

2. Make Homemade Rainbow Slushies at home. Slushes, Slush, Slushy, Icee, whatever you call it - you can make a fun party one at home with popsicles!

Make a slush drink at home for a birthday party.

3. This Gift bag purse can be fun for little girls or teens. Do an extra good job, and it makes a great coin purse. So, for a fun teen birthday party activity recycle the gift bags and make purses for kids.

Girls' Birthday Party activity to make at home.

4. Cardboard Play Kitchen - Save Money and Make your own pretend stove at home.

Make a stove at home with a cardboard box and wrapping paper.

5. Make a Homemade sleeping Mask like this one from Henry Happened.

Want to know how to make a homemade sleeping mask? Click the link above. This is a great activity for a pre-teen or teen girl's birthday party.

6. Make an Art Exhibit at Home How about having a an Art Exhibit at home. Have the kids each draw their favorite cartoon characters and place them on display. This is a fun Art Lesson for Kids.

This is from Bunsella.com Use clay or markers to create your own art exhibit at home. Give the kids ribbons to vote for their favorite entry.

7.Make your own Homemade Bath Crayons at home from Teach Beside Me

See the link above to learn how to make these soap bath crayons from Teach Beside Me blog. The kids will love this fun bath time activity.

8. That reminds me of our Fun Shaped Crayons in Soap/Candy Molds. Crayons are a fun thing to make at home.

Make your own fun shaped crayons at home.

9. Make Mini Cheeseburgers at home to eat after you craft up all of these other ideas!

10. You can make metal butterflies at home using Pop cans. butterflies for Mobile. 

Make metal butterflies like these from Gingerbread and Snowflakes.

More fun things you can make at home

Homemade Doughnuts - you can make your own donuts at home. It is easy, fun, and affordable. We have 3 Doughnut Recipe posts.

Recycled Plastic Bottle Crafts

A secret growing, living garden Playhouse

Weaving wall art for Kids

Recommended Reading:

Things to Make at Home for the home and garden

Loaf of Bread Coloring Page or The Letter B

Printable coloring sheet for the letter B

Yummy and B-eautiful = Bread. Here's a fun Letter "B" Coloring page or use the other cartoon picture as clipart. "B" is for bread is a fun way to help preschoolers learn the alphabet. We've got other letters too! Click on the coloring pages for kids tabs above for more fun educational coloring sheets. Enjoy!

Loaf of Bread Coloring Sheet for the letter "B".




Bread Science Experiment

Baking Bread Clipart or Coloring Page.

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Rocket's Mighty Words*







ADS DISCLOSURE: We've partnered with some wonderful advertisers who may sponsor blog posts or send us samples to test. Some companies pay us to review their products.

*We also use affiliate links, if you make a purchase we get a tiny commission. Kids Creative Chaos participates in the Amazon LLC Associates Program*, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a mean for blogs to earn advertising fees by linking to Amazon properties, including, but not limited to, amazon.com, endless.com, myhabit.com, smallparts.com, or amazonwireless.com. We also offer Tapinfluence, Google Adsense, SoFab, and Izea ads here. Thanks so much for helping us keep the lights on! :)

Hey, What is the name of the Cartoon Chicken that...

Famous Cartoon Chickens: What are their Names?

I heard you were wondering what is the name of that cartoon chicken in that funny cartoon show. You know, the silly, little, cute, tall, fat, cocky, cock-a-doodle-doo, rooster or hen? Well, I know the chicken cartoon you mean. Enjoy!

Chicken Cartoons to Trace and Draw

What's the name of the cartoon chicken that says, "I say, I say, I say boy"?  Well, my friend, that chicken is a rooster. 

His name is Foghorn Leghorn, and he's often referred to as the Looney Tunes Chicken. He appeared on the Bugs Bunny and Road Runner Show, Merry Melodies, and he even won an Oscar. Well, one of the cartoons he starred in won, "Walky Talky Hawky" in 1946.  His buddy is a Rhode Island Red, aptly named, Red.

What's the name of the Superhero Chicken? He's also a rooster, and his name is Henry Cabot Henhouse III. He says, "Bawk for Super Chicken." He played on the "George of the Jungle" cartoon series. He drinks super sauce out of a martini glass to transform into a hero.

What's the name of that little chicken with big glasses on the Foghorn Leghorn Chicken Cartoon? His name is Egghead Jr. He first appeared in 1954 on "Little Boy Boo".  His mother's name is Miss Prissy. Foghorn liked to say, "That boy, I say, that boy..." often  in reference to the little chicken.



What is the name of the chicken in Chicken Little? Little Rooster, again. Chicken Little was his name, but they often called him "Ace".  He had glasses too. This Disney cartoon came out in 2005.

Photo from Wikipedia for the movie soundtrack.

In 2006, Rob Paulsen played a silly chicken in the movie Barnyard.
His name was Peck. Again, a rooster.

Rock-A-Doodle.

What is the name of the chicken in Rock-A-Doodle?  The movie came out in 2004. His name is Chantecler. His name refers to a breed of chicken originating in Canada. 

In the 2000 movie, Chicken Run, the Rooster's name is Rocky. Hey, hey, hey... the girl got a star. The hen in this one is named Ginger. In the end, they want to know which came first, the chicken or the egg, so they can start a chicken farm.

There is a new cartoon the kids watch on Netflix, "Chicken Town".  The rooster is named, Zino. Polly (the landlord) is always after his chickens.

The French cartoon, Chicken Town is on Netflix. Picture from Animation Magazine.

                             Real Baby Chicks Picture

What do you call a baby chicken? 

Adult male chickens are known as roosters or cocks and females are called hens. Cock-a-doodle-doo! However, in  baby chicks under 1 year old, females are called pullets, and males are sometimes referred to as cockerels. 

If you are purchasing one at a feed store, straight-run means they haven't been sexed so you can have boys or girls. Sex-link means the chicken is from two different breeds of parents. The male and female chicks show  different feather colors at birth, so they are easier to identify.

Baby Huey is not a chicken.

Which brings me to my favorite chicken! But wait, he's a baby duck or duckling. He first starred in "Quack-a-doodle-doo" in 1949. Huh? I always thought he was a big chicken. Anyway, his name is Baby Huey. You know the one... so silly, so duh-y.

Keep up to date with our Free Newsletter.

Recommended:

How to Make a Chicken Paper Bag Puppet and Pattern

Storey's Guide to Raising Chickens, 3rd Edition*

Chicken Little*

Rock-A-Doodle*









ADS DISCLOSURE: We've partnered with some wonderful advertisers who may sponsor blog posts or send us samples to test. Some companies pay us to review their products.

*We also use affiliate links, if you make a purchase we get a tiny commission. Kids Creative Chaos participates in the Amazon LLC Associates Program*, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a mean for blogs to earn advertising fees by linking to Amazon properties, including, but not limited to, amazon.com, endless.com, myhabit.com, smallparts.com, or amazonwireless.com. We also offer Tapinfluence, Google Adsense, SoFab, and Izea ads here. Thanks so much for helping us keep the lights on! :)

Learn How to Draw: Trace The Pictures of a Cartoon Chicken, Chicken Hawk, and Duck Clipart Printables

Looking for a Chicken Cartoon? 

Save these traceable images to your computer to print, or click on the pictures for a free printable pdf version. You can learn how to draw a chicken, duck, or other birds by practicing! Trace these pictures or print them out as chicken coloring sheets. We've just become the proud parents of six baby Wyandotte chicks. You'll find lots of chicken art ideas. Just type "Chicken" in the sidebar browse us search bar. Enjoy!

Chicken Joke and Clip Art Cartoon

Cartoon Chicken Picture Traceable.


Real Red Barn Chicken Coop

Traceable Cartoon Chicken Images.



Can you freeze eggs?

Cartoon Duck Traceable Pattern.




Homeschooling Art Lesson: Folk Art Chicken Quilt Squares

Draw and Color a Cartoon Chicken.

Farm Fresh Raspberry Chicken Salad Recipe

Trace a baby chicken hawk clip art.

 Make a Big Red Barn for your chickens

Recommended Reading:


Duck at the Door*

How to Draw: Farm Animals Cute Free App*

Storey's Guide to Raising Chickens*

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Free Printable "Call of Duty" Coloring Pages for Teens?

There aren't any official Call of Duty Coloring Pages for Teens. 

You can make your own on those make your own coloring pages websites. See, "Call of Duty" isn't rated "E" for everyone, not even "Teen".  So, unless you're over 17, you shouldn't be playing. That's right, it's rated M17 (Mature Audiences).  Are you mature and like to color? Maybe... Then, Enjoy!

Special Forces Jeep Vehicle Coloring Sheet for Teens.

I tested out a few for Black Hawk Helicopters, Special Forces Vehicles, and Army Soldiers.  Here are my results. What do you think?

Black Hawk Helicopters Coloring Pages for Teenage Boys.

There is my disclaimer and lack of endorsement. If you're older than 17, and still want to color here's an idea, print images from callofduty.com, trace the hardlines on a light table, and learn how to draw your own coloring pages. The best way to achieve a skill in a particular style is by copying. For best results, turn the image upside down while you trace. This will help avoid mistakes as you focus on the contour lines and not the image itself. 
 

Image of Black Hawk Helicopter to color.

How to make a Call of Duty coloring page sheet for teens. Go here to turn your picture into a coloring page. Here's my result after cropping and trying to size for the printer.

Call of Duty Coloring Sheet for Teens. Yep, the Uncle did the character modeling for Black Ops.

Want to meet a real Call of Duty artist? He's the Uncle. Encourage your children to copy, trace, and draw their favorite cartoon characters.  Who knows where it may lead.

Recommended Reading:

Coloring Pages for Boys

Call of Duty: Ghosts Strategy Guide *

Goodnight, Goodnight Construction Site*






ADS DISCLOSURE: We've partnered with some wonderful advertisers who may sponsor blog posts or send us samples to test. Some companies pay us to review their products.

*We also use affiliate links, if you make a purchase we get a tiny commission. Kids Creative Chaos participates in the Amazon LLC Associates Program*, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a mean for blogs to earn advertising fees by linking to Amazon properties, including, but not limited to, amazon.com, endless.com, myhabit.com, smallparts.com, or amazonwireless.com. We also offer Tapinfluence, Google Adsense, SoFab, and Izea ads here. Thanks so much for helping us keep the lights on! :)