Events

Join this summer for some stargazing at Eugene T. Mahoney State Park! Powerful telescopes will be set up at the park’s golf shack for a glimpse of the night sky spectaculars. The event is free to the public, but you will need a valid Nebraska park entry permit for your vehicle. Stargazing will begin at dusk. Remember to bring your camp chairs or blankets! Telescopes will be provided.

I spy with my little eye👀 a galaxy🌌 of fun textures, and everything outer space themed of course!!🪐Join as they create a one-of-a-kind I Spy 🧐 Sensory Bottle! These are perfect for all ages and make a fun, educational toy for the car or home!! This is a FREE, all ages event!! We recommend coming at 11 AM (open) to reserve your spot as spaces are limited and fill very quickly!

Pancake Pig will visit for a special storytime! Children of all ages are welcome. Experience stories, creative movement, music and more. We explore the early literacy skills of singing, playing, reading, talking, and writing in each storytime. There will be opportunities to take photos.

Pancake Pig will visit for a special storytime! Children of all ages are welcome. Experience stories, creative movement, music and more. We explore the early literacy skills of singing, playing, reading, talking, and writing in each storytime. There will be opportunities to take photos.

Hats off🧢 to a fun afternoon of getting creative!!🎨 Customize your very own trucker hat with patches and fabric markers!! Fashion Designers of all ages are welcome! $10 per participant upon arrival of the event! Supplies are limited, we recommend coming early to secure a spot!

Ages 7+.  Mandala Art

Oh no! We're stuck in the past! Or is this the future? Work together to find hidden relics from each era and fix the T.I.M.E machine before that hungry dinosaur eats you for dinner. Do you have what it takes? Registration is required 

Pancake Pig will visit for a special storytime! Children of all ages are welcome. Experience stories, creative movement, music and more. We explore the early literacy skills of singing, playing, reading, talking, and writing in each storytime. There will be opportunities to take photos.

Giddyup! Let's learn about life on the farm! Our friends from Gifford Farm will be here to teach kids all about how farms work and what it's like to be a farmer. Plus, they're bringing a goat, a lamb, a duck, and a rabbit!

Join for a prehistoric pep rally all about life millions of years ago! From dinosaur skin all the way to extinction, this is an experience you won't want to miss! This is an interactive show most appropriate for families with kids in grades K-6. In the event of inclement weather this program will be moved to the CB Library.

Come enjoy a special magic show by Rainbow Trout the Clown!

Bennington Library Community Partners

Pancake Pig will visit for a special storytime! Children of all ages are welcome. Experience stories, creative movement, music and more. We explore the early literacy skills of singing, playing, reading, talking, and writing in each storytime. There will be opportunities to take photos.

It's a bird, it's a plane ... no, it's Fontenelle Forest's Raptor Rescue! Join us for a high-flying storytime featuring guests from the rescue.

Let the sun power your creepy crawly creation! Build your own solar-powered robo-roach and watch it scurry when the light hits. Registration is required for this event.

Poop, vomit, slime, and even more amazing disgusting topics will be explored as we learn about some of the grossest (and coolest) animal traits. Join OPL and educators from the Henry Doorly Zoo and Aquarium to learn about mammal digestion and discover why scientists use poop to track animal migration patterns.

Join for Community Fishing Night at Prairie Queen Lake! All participants ages 16 and older need a fishing license. A valid state park entry permit is also required for events at state park areas.

Experience stories, creative movement, music and more. Explore the early literacy skills of singing, playing, reading, talking and writing in each storytime! Children of all ages are welcome; storytimes will be tailored for the age of the children present. At this storytime, we will learn about fire safety with a local firefighter and even see a fire truck!

In order for curious minds to bloom, it is essential to plant a love of reading at a young age. Join OPL at Lauritzen Gardens for stories that celebrate gardens, plants, insects and more, and discover the joys of nature, movement, music, and literature. Storytime is geared for preschoolers, but all ages are welcome. Lauritzen Gardens will offer free admission to families who attend this storytime.

Pancake Pig will visit for a special storytime! Children of all ages are welcome. Experience stories, creative movement, music and more. We explore the early literacy skills of singing, playing, reading, talking, and writing in each storytime. There will be opportunities to take photos.

Join children’s book illustrator, Chloe Burgett, as she shares what it's like drawing pictures for children's books. Chloe will present about her job, read her book, answer questions, and lead a draw-along activity. This is a free event event for children of all ages. Registration is required

Oh no! We're stuck in the past! Or is this the future? Work together to find hidden relics from each era and fix the T.I.M.E machine before that hungry dinosaur eats you for dinner. Do you have what it takes? Registration is required 

Fairytale Ball Family Fun Weekend

All Ages. End Summer Reading with an outdoor bubble party!

Absolute Science’s Bubble Stations is one of the largest mobile bubble programs in the United States. The hand-made bubble solution makes bubbles not only bigger, but longer lasting! With hundreds of wands of different shapes and sizes from all over the world, this program is a wonderful hands-on experience that brings out the child in all of us! We’ll also be joined by the Parks & Recreation Rec on the Move program with their Imagination Playground blocks, games, and tons fun!

Join Friday, July 18th at 11AM for a Smurf-sized celebration of the brand new Smurf movie! 🎬🎉
Kids can make their very own DIY Smurf Sensory Bin filled with blue rice, magical mix-ins, and surprise Smurfy treasures! 🌲✨ It’s hands-on fun perfect for little creators and big imaginations! This is a FREE all ages event. First come, first serve, while supplies last! We recommend coming at 10 AM (open) to reserve your spot, as spaces are limited and they fill very quickly!

Unleash your creativity by making a one-of-a-kind monster! Use colorful 3D printer scraps, googly eyes, glue, and glowing LEDs to bring your beastie to life. Registration is required for this event.

Laugh and be dazzled by Jeff Quinn's amazing magic (and silly antics)! No library card or registration required.