Play in Action: Sparks Fly Bikes and More at Your Library

Last updated April 27, 2022

This is your Library: Let's play!

When you visit the Library with your family, friends, or school group, we want your imagination and energy to come out to play!

Every Library branch is unique, and we know you'll find something there to fit your interests and needs.

This blog post is specifically highlighting sensory items, play stations, and hands-on features for kids; but teens and adults alike will find special features for their needs at libraries too. Visit our Locations pages to learn a bit more about your local branch and a few of its key offerings, or give your branch a call! We'll be happy to chat.

Please note that this post does not cover every item or branch play feature, as spaces are always adapting. It is intended to showcase some newer features at our branches as of the last publishing date. Your best bet is always to visit or call your branch to learn more about specific features.

Stationary Sparks Fly Bikes

Stationary Sparks Fly Bikes give kids a place to burn off extra energy, gather their thoughts, and take an adventure without even leaving the Library! Students from Halifax Regional Centre for Education schools will recognize these action-packed stationary bikes.

We now have two Sparks Fly Bikes at Alderney Gate Public Library (Floor 2); and two at Halifax North Memorial Public Library. Kids are welcome to hop on and go anytime.

Sensory play items

As described in our Sensory Play for All Ages blog post, sensory play is a great activity for children (and adults) of all ages. In fact, play-based learning and sensory activities play an important role in children's development until at least age seven.

Sensory play helps to:

• Encourage exploration and investigation by stimulating your child's senses
• Form new neural pathways in the brain
• Develop motor skills
• Sharpen scientific thinking and problem solving
• Introduce mindfulness to your child

Some sensational sensory features you can find at libraries:

• Light-up surface tables with coloured blocks and x-ray images to experiment and learn, at Sackville Public Library and Halifax Central Library, opens a new window 
• Magnetic play walls at Alderney Gate Public Library and Keshen Goodman Public Library
• Spinning interactive walls at Tantallon Public Library.
• Sensory gel tiles at Halifax Central Library—see them in action here on TikTok, opens a new window.

Imagination station

Nooks and crannies, bins and baskets with toys galore, and play sets make your Library an imagination station for kiddos.

Our toy supplies are always changing and growing, but we have a few cool updates to share!

• Natural wood play pods at Bedford Public Library and Woodlawn Public Library.
• A new play nook at Captain William Spry Public Library featuring soft gym mats and toys for all ages.
• Dollhouses at  Cole Harbour Public Library, J.D. Shatford Memorial Public Library, Musquodoboit Harbour Public Library, Sheet Harbour Public Library, and Tantallon Public Library.
• LEGO and Duplo tables at Alderney Gate Public Library, Cole Harbour Public Library, Halifax Central Library, J.D. Shatford Memorial Public Library, Keshen Goodman Public Library, Musquodoboit Harbour Public Library, Sheet Harbour Public Library, Tantallon Public Library, and Woodlawn Public Library.
• A train table at Keshen Goodman Public Library and Tantallon Public Library.
• Kitchen and/or Grocery Store play sets at Bedford Public Library, Halifax Central Library, J.D. Shatford Memorial Public Library, Keshen Goodman Public Library, and Sheet Harbour Public Library.

Where's your favourite play place at your Library? Share in the comments!