9 Ways to Entertain or Escape Your Family

If you will have family visiting for a holiday weekend, you may wonder what you will do with them other than eat. Or you may already know you'll need a little me time during the visit. Either way, the library has you covered with free activities. 

Admire & Interact with Art

Visit the library's Alice C. Sabatini Gallery. Through Sun, Nov 29 see You Are Here: Maps and the Art of Travel. With more than 40 pieces of art on display, you have plenty of chances to examine the intersections and overlaps between maps and artistic creations. In addition to art, you can enjoy videos, hands-on puzzles and a compass challenge to test your map skills.

Beginning Dec 11 you can visit Distorted Reality: Art That Tricks the Eye in the gallery. This exhibit uses art, optical illusions and hands-on experiences to explore the many ways our eyes are easily fooled.

Take Home Conversation Starters

Check out a conversation kit to help spark family discussions, funny stories and a better understanding of each family member. We have kits on a variety of topics so you'll never run out of things to talk about.

Record Oral History

Check out an Oral History Kit and record family stories. Imagine bringing history to life by capturing the amazing stories, personal experiences and unique perspectives of the people who actually lived through it! You can borrow one of six different Oral History Kits: two complete kits with video cameras, two audio-only kits and two kits that work with your smartphone. You may want to put this on hold now so it will be ready when your family arrives. 

Read more about oral histories.

Find Yearbook Pictures

Visit the library's Topeka Room on the second floor to look through yearbooks from Shawnee County high schools and Washburn University. We have yearbooks as far back as 1879. Find relatives from Shawnee County and admire how they looked in their youth and what activities they took part in. We have overheard more than once, "Grandma was hot!" So you might be surprised at what you find. 

The Topeka Room also has a lovely fireplace and a couple comfy chairs, if you want to use this room to escape and relax.

Watch a Film

Register to attend the Sci-Fi Film Club on Tue, Nov 24, 5:30-8:30pm to watch and discuss Blade Runner: The Final Cut with Washburn professor Dennis Etzel Jr. Due to mature themes this is an adult event.

Watch the classic movie Laura (1944) on Fri, Nov 27, 1:30-3:30pm during our 4th Friday Film. In this Oscar-winning film directed by Otto Preminger a police detective falls in love with the woman whose murder he is investigating. 

Go Bird Watching

Check out a Bird Watching Kit and take a hike. The kits include two pair of kids binoculars, one pair of adult binoculars and a birdwatching guide. 

Record a Video

Use our recording studio to film a video or audio. Does your family play instruments? If so, bring them and record your own music. Or maybe you want to record a video for family who couldn't make the trip. I'm sure you've got lots of ideas our tech equipment can bring to life.

Play Games at the Library

Add more people and more variety to your board games by playing at the library. Board Game Bash: Grown Up Fun is an adult only game night on Sun, Nov 29 and Dec 27, 6:30-8:30pm.

There's also family fun with Brr, It's Cold! on Sat, Dec 26, 3-4pm in the Learning Center.  

Enjoy Quiet Time in the North Reading Room

The Reading Room is the only place in the library where talking and noise are not allowed, which makes this an excellent place for escape. Find a good book and a comfy chair then shut the world out.