Kids

BEST BET: Would you like to spread sunshine and bring smiles to a child facing illness? Join author Cynthia W. Post who reads from her “Carrie Flower” book series – stories that hope to foster relationships and understanding between healthy children and those battling illness. With every book purchase, a Carrie Flower doll is delivered to a hospitalized child and, with your parents’ permission, you can be connected online and become a modern day pen pal with a sick child. West Pittston Library, 200 Exeter Ave., West Pittston. Wednesday at 6:30 p.m. Free. Reservations: 654-9847.

THIS WEEK: MARCH 11 to 17, 2011

St. Patrick’s Day Craftmaking. Laflin Public Library, 47 Laflin Road, Laflin. Today, 3 to 6:30 p.m.; Saturday, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. 654-3323.

Furry Tails Reading Partners. Practice your reading skills with the therapy dogs. Pittston Memorial Library, 47 Broad St., Pittston. Saturday at 10 a.m. Registration: 654-9565.

Preschool Storytime. Registration is ongoing for this session for ages 3 to 5 with age-appropriate stories, songs, activities and free play. Pittston Memorial Library, 47 Broad St., Pittston. Tuesdays from March 22 to April 26 at 1 p.m. 654-9565.

Toddler Time. Registration is ongoing for this session for 18 months to age 3 with age-appropriate stories, songs, activities and free play. Pittston Memorial Library, 47 Broad St., Pittston. Wednesdays from March 23 to April 27 at 10:30 a.m. and 1 p.m. 654-9565.

Infant Storytime, for children up to age 2. Osterhout Free Library, 71 S. Franklin St., Wilkes-Barre. Wednesdays through March 23 at 10 a.m. and 11 a.m. Registration: 823-0156.

Teen Night Birthday Party, for ages 11 to 18. Osterhout Free Library, 71 S. Franklin St., Wilkes-Barre. Wednesday, 6 to 8 p.m. 823-0156.

FUTURE

Teen Open Mic and Improv Night, for ages 11 to 18. Osterhout Free Library, 71 S. Franklin St., Wilkes-Barre. March 23, 6 to 8 p.m. 823-0156.

Natural Wonders: The Tiny Seed. Discover how seeds travel and what they need to grow using stories, art and outdoor exploration. Lackawanna College Environmental Institute, 10 Moffat Drive, Covington Township. March 24, 1 to 2:30 p.m. Registration: 842-1506.

Music Together, a demonstration and storytime by the internationally recognized music program for kids from birth through age 5. Laflin Pubic Library, 47 Laflin Road, Laflin. March 25 at 5:15 p.m. Free. Reservations: 654-3323.

Karaoke for Kamp, a kids karaoke competition to raise money for Setabaid Services, an organization that hosts camps for children with diabetes. For ages 5 to 16. Cash prizes for winners and gifts for all participants. Also: a Chinese auction and kids-food buffet. The Stage Coach Inn, 668 N. Hunter Highway, Drums. March 26 with doors at 11 a.m. and contest noon to 3 p.m. $20 entry fee; $7 admission. 459-0812.

Madeline and the Bad Hat, an original musical based on the “Madeline” book series. F.M. Kirby Center, Public Square, Wilkes-Barre. March 30 at 10 a.m. $6.50. 826-1100.

Pinocchio, an original musical for children. Music Box Dinner Playhouse, 196 Hughes St., Swoyersville. April 1 at 6 p.m.; April 2 at 1 and 5 p.m.; April 3 at 1 p.m. $10 includes a McDonald’s Fun Meal. 283-2195.

Saturday Family Movie Day: “Tangled,” Disney’s animated movie about the long-haired Rapunzel. Wyoming Free Library, 358 Wyoming Ave., Wyoming. April 2 at noon. Popcorn and soda provided. Free but registration required as space is limited. 693-1364.

Toddler Storytime, for ages 2 to 3.5. Osterhout Free Library, 71 S. Franklin St., Wilkes-Barre. Wednesdays from April 6 to 27 at 10 and 11 a.m.; Saturdays from April 9 to 30 at 10 a.m. Registration: 823-0156.

Natural Wonders: Signs of Spring, for ages 3 to 5. A walk along the trails to discover buds, animal tracks and signs of new life. Lackawanna College Environmental Institute, 10 Moffat Drive, Covington Township. April 7, 1 to 2:30 p.m. Registration: 842-1506.

Saturday Family Movie Day: Disney’s “Alice in Wonderland.” Wyoming Free Library, 358 Wyoming Ave., Wyoming. April 9 at noon. Popcorn and soda provided. Free but registration required as space is limited. 693-1364.

Disney’s Imagination Movers, rock and roll blends with educational fun with an emphasis on positive male role models and creative problem solving. F.M. Kirby Center, Public Square, Wilkes-Barre. April 9 at 1:30 and 4:30 p.m. $34, $24, $20. 826-1100.

Easter Egg Hunt and Brunch with the Easter Bunny. Banks Student Life Center, Misericordia University, 301 Lake St., Dallas. April 16 with breakfast at 10 a.m. and 11:15 a.m. and hunt at 11 a.m. $10, $5 children. Reservations: 674-6719.

Saturday Family Movie Day: Disney’s “Beauty and the Beast.” Wyoming Free Library, 358 Wyoming Ave., Wyoming. April 16 at noon. Popcorn and soda provided. Free but registration required as space is limited. 693-1364.

Here Comes Snow White! A spin-off of the classic fairy tale in which the seven dwarfs get an unexpected and unwanted visitor. Scranton Cultural Center, 420 N. Washington Ave., Scranton. April 16 at 11 a.m. $7. Preceded by a Wiggles and Giggles Workshop at 10 a.m. $4. 800-745-3000 or 346-7369.

Breakfast with the Bunny, with cookie decorating for the kids, basket raffle, bake sale and photo ops. Dorrance Township Fire Hall, 402 St. John’s Road, Wapwallopen. April 17, 8 to 11:30 a.m. $8, $5 children, free age 3 and under. Proceeds benefit the American Cancer Society.

Easter Bonnet Decorating, inspired by the book “Queen of Easter” by Mary Engelbreit. Supplies provided but feel free to bring special items of your own. West Pittston Library, 200 Exeter Ave., West Pittston. April 18 at 6:30 p.m. Free. Reservations: 654-9847.

Egg Drop, a challenge to create a container that will protect an egg when dropped from various heights. Bring a container; eggs provided. West Pittston Library, 200 Exeter Ave., West Pittston. April 20 at 6:30 p.m. Free. Reservations: 654-9847.

Natural Wonders: Nature’s Sensation, for ages 3 to 5. Take a sensory walk around the estate to see, feel, smell and listen to nature. Lackawanna College Environmental Institute, 10 Moffat Drive, Covington Township. April 21, 1 to 2:30 p.m. Registration: 842-1506.

Saturday Family Movie Day: Disney’s “Bambi.” Wyoming Free Library, 358 Wyoming Ave., Wyoming. April 23 at noon. Popcorn and soda provided. Free but registration required as space is limited. 693-1364.

Saturday Family Movie Day: Disney’s “Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs.” Wyoming Free Library, 358 Wyoming Ave., Wyoming. April 30 at noon. Popcorn and soda provided. Free but registration required as space is limited. 693-1364.

Books and Babies, story time for ages 1 to 3. Osterhout Free Library, 71 S. Franklin St., Wilkes-Barre. Tuesdays from May 3 to 24 at 9:30 a.m. Registration: 823-0156.

Duck for President, Fancy Nancy & Other Stories. A politically ambitious duck leads a revolution but can he bring a new bill to Capitol Hill? Scranton Cultural Center, 420 N. Washington Ave., Scranton. May 7 at 11 a.m. $7. Preceded by a Wiggles and Giggles Workshop at 10 a.m. $4. 346-7369.

How to Build a Storm: The Weather Show. Watch scientists make a cloud, explore thunder and lightning, create snow and demonstrate the power of a tornado. Scranton Cultural Center, 420 N. Washington Ave., Scranton. May 9 at 10 a.m. $7. 346-7369.

The Human Body. Learn how muscles work, what blood actually accomplishes as it flows through veins and how nutrients are digested. Presented by the Franklin Institute. Scranton Cultural Center, 420 N. Washington Ave., Scranton. May 10 at 10 a.m. $7. 346-7369.

The Chemistry Show. Watch scientists turn water into gel, make a foam sculpture and explode a hydrogen balloon. Presented by the Franklin Institute. Scranton Cultural Center, 420 N. Washington Ave., Scranton. May 11 at 10 a.m. $7. 346-7369.

Mammoth Follies, a children’s musical with giant dinosaur puppets performing songs, jokes and earth-smashing dances to explore historic and scientific facts about the Dinosaur Age. Scranton Cultural Center, 420 N. Washington Ave., Scranton. May 13 at 10 a.m. $7. 346-7369.

American Girl Tea. Bring your American Girl doll to an afternoon tea party – Hawaiian style! West Pittston Library, 200 Exeter Ave., West Pittston. May 15 at 1 p.m. Age 8 and older. Reservations: 654-9847.

Story Pirates, a children’s musical sketch-comedy show of stories written by kids. Scranton Cultural Center, 420 N. Washington Ave., Scranton. May 17 at 10 a.m. $7. 346-7369.

One Book Every Young Child, a reading of “Whose Shoes? A Shoe for Every Job” by Stephen R. Swinburne along with book-related activities and crafts. Includes a free copy of the book. Limited to the first ten children. West Pittston Library, 200 Exeter Ave., West Pittston. May 18 at 6:30 p.m. Free. Reservations: 654-9847.

The Big Adventures of Stuart Little, a musical children’s show by Theatre IV about a noble mouse and his merry adventures. F.M. Kirby Center, Public Square, Wilkes-Barre. May 19 at 10 a.m. $6.50. 826-1100.

The Science of Magic. Go behind the scenes of a magic show with illusionist Bill Blagg. F.M. Kirby Center, Public Square, Wilkes-Barre. May 20 at 10 a.m. $6.50. 826-1100.

Mark Mysterio’s Tales of Magic and Mystery, family fun, comedy, magic and audience participation. Shawnee Inn, Shawnee Playhouse, 1 River Road, Shawnee-on-Delaware. June 3 to 18, Fridays and Saturdays at 10 a.m. $10. 421-5093.

School House Rock Live! Upbeat, toe-tapping music based on the Emmy-winning educational cartoon series. Shawnee Inn, Shawnee Playhouse, 1 River Road, Shawnee-on-Delaware. June 3 to 18, Fridays and Saturdays at 10 a.m. $10. 421-5093.

Disney’s Alice in Wonderland Jr., madcap adventures with the White Rabbit, Dodo Bird, a bubble-blowing Caterpillar and the Queen of Hearts. Shawnee Inn, Shawnee Playhouse, 1 River Road, Shawnee-on-Delaware. July 7, 9, 13, 15, 21, 23, 27, 29; Aug. 4, 6, 10, 12, 18, 20, 24, 26 at 10 a.m. $10. 421-5093.

Mark Mysterio’s Tales of Magic and Mystery, family fun, comedy, magic and audience participation. Shawnee Inn. Shawnee Playhouse, 1 River Road, Shawnee-on-Delaware. Nov. 4-5, 11-12; Dec. 26-27 at 10 a.m. $10. 421-5093.

A Christmas Wizard of Oz! A blizzard carries Dorothy and Toto to the Magical Elfinsland where Glinda is the Good Witch of the North Pole. Shawnee Inn, Shawnee Playhouse, 1 River Road, Shawnee-on-Delaware. Nov. 18-19, 25-26; Dec. 2-3, 9-10, 16-17, 21-22 at 10 a.m. $10. 421-5093.