Homeschool Family Night: Activities for the Best Library Night Ever

Offer homeschool families a fun night out to enjoy time together and learn more about the library. Plus, discover better ways to serve them! This outline has been used for groups ranging from 12 to 50 individuals (or 3 to 12 families).

Homeschool Family Night Outline

The beauty of this event is you can use the same outline for any Family Library Night, not just for homeschool families. Simply adjust your language and some of the resources showcased. Host this event on a weekday evening or Saturday afternoon, and you’ll see more dads in attendance or partners who can’t typically visit the library due to work constraints.

Here is a sample outline for a 1.5-2 hour-long event. You’ll want to schedule extra time at the end for families to linger, chat, and enjoy time together:

Introduction & Icebreaker (10 min)
Brief Overview of Library Resources (5-10)
Painter’s Tape Art Project (20-30 min)
Library Scavenger Hunt (10-15 min)
Event & Homeschool Needs Survey (5 min)

Homeschool Family Night Promotional Blurb

Here is a successful promotional description I’ve used in the past:

“Enjoy a night out at the library! Complete a fun family art project, learn about the library’s latest resources for homeschoolers, and more. For all ages. Register online or by phone.”

Food

Offering snacks or a meal at the beginning of the program is a great way to keep young children (and even adults) sedentary during the library resources overview. Light refreshments, such as water bottles and cookies or snack-size bags of pretzels, work great. Once, we were fortunate enough to receive a programming grant, which allowed us to include a pizza, salad, water, and pop dinner for the families. However, if you don’t have the budget for food, no worries at all. I’ve had success doing this event with and without it.

Event Introduction & Icebreaker

Set the stage by telling attendees the event’s goals and give them an opportunity to get to know each other. Here is a sample script:

Introduction

“Hello & welcome to the Library’s Homeschool Family Night! My name is Marta-Kate Jackson & I’m the Library’s Youth & Teen Services Manager. Tonight we have some fun and informative things planned for you, including:

An overview of a few of the library’s resources perfect for homeschoolers
A fun art project
A library scavenger hunt
And a 10-question survey to help us learn more about YOUR wants and needs from the library

That said, there are three things I want you to take away from tonight:

A better idea of what the library has to offer
That you got to meet some cool other families from the area
And most importantly, that you have fun together!

Icebreaker Activity

Let’s start with a challenge. Select one spokesperson from your family to share two things:

The names of each of the family members with you tonight
Your favorite thing to do as a family—This is a judgement-free zone, so it could even be a small, silly thing, but whatever you like to do together.

Okay, I’ll give you a minute or two to select your spokesperson and prepare your answers to those two questions!”

Library Resources Overview

After each group spokesperson has had the opportunity to introduce their family, provide a brief (5-10 minutes) overview of the latest and greatest library resources for homeschoolers and students. The most effective method is to use a screen or projector to show your online resources in real-time. A bookmark or info sheet listing the resources will help attendees remember them later.

Here is a sample script and resource list:

“Raise your hand if you know the library’s web address…[enter the library’s web address & pull it up on the screen] From here, you can click the Menu and then the following online resources, which are all free to you with your library card!

Overdrive/Libby
Raise your hand if you like listening to books being read aloud…Well, Libby is perfect for listening to audiobooks, which are great for improving comprehension and vocabulary. Download the Libby app or access Overdrive via your web browser. Adults, you can also access helpful books such as…

Kanopy
Raise your hand if you like watching movies together as a family. Well, then you’ll love Kanopy, which is like Netflix for library users. Accessing free movies, TV shows, and, most importantly, educational films and videos.

Michigan eLibrary
An excellent collection of online resources for homework help, classroom activities, and educator support tools. A few of our favorites are the World Book Kids, Research in Context, Test Preparation, and LearningExpress Library Educator Resources.

Parenting/Teacher Section
In the library’s Parenting section, you’ll find books on every topic imaginable. We’ve created a display with our current favorite books that we think you’ll enjoy. Be sure to check out the display before you leave.

Library’s Homeschool Page
The Library’s website also features a homeschool page with a full list of helpful resources. If you have any favorites that you don’t see here, please let us know, and we’ll consider adding them.

Painter’s Tape Art Project

I love using this art project with families as it’s straightforward enough for multiple age groups and always a hit. In the past, I’ve had success purchasing the blank canvas from both Michaels (a pack of 6 for $12.99) and Amazon. Acrylic paints provide the best results, but washable paints work just fine. You can offer families one or a choice between acrylic and washable paints depending on their children’s age or preference. Instructions and additional tips for making Painter’s Tape Art can be found on the blog Design Dazzle.

Supplies Needed

12 x 16 Canvas (1 per family or 2 if the family has 5+ people)
Painters Tape (1 roll per family)
Paint brushes
Washable paint and/or acrylic paint in a variety of colors
Wet wipes for easy clean-up

Here’s a sample introduction to the activity:

“Is everyone still awake? No one fell asleep while I was talking about library resources? Good, because it’s time for the fun part! Each family will receive a canvas, a roll of painter’s tape, paint, and brushes. Use the tape to make a design on the canvas and start painting. Once you are satisfied with your painting, remove the painter’s tape to reveal your masterpiece.”

Library Scavenger Hunt

Photos of items in the library for families to find

Now, allow your attendees to explore the library with a scavenger hunt! There are countless ways to conduct a hunt. Above is a sample that requires you to take photos of various items in the library that your patrons need to find. Small prizes, such as stickers, temporary tattoos, pencils, or other branded items, can be awarded upon completion.

Homeschool Family Night Survey

Finally, help the library better serve homeschool families by asking them to complete a quick 10-question survey. Pro tip: Passing surveys out before setting them free to complete the library scavenger hunt gives them more time to complete it at their leisure.

Here is a sample survey designed to understand how families are already using the library, what more they’d like from the library, and what they thought of the event:

HOMESCHOOL FAMILY NIGHT SURVEY

Please help us better serve you by completing this 10-question survey. Thank you for your time and feedback!

How often do you use the library to check out books or other items?
1. Often (at least once a week)
2. Sometimes (once or twice a month)
3. Occasionally (once or twice every 3 months)
4. Seldom (Once or twice a year)
5. Never
How often do you use the library for other services? (attend events, use library spaces for meetings or studying, WIFI, computers, etc.)
1. Often (at least once a week)
2. Sometimes (once or twice a month)
3. Occasionally (once or twice every 3 months)
4. Seldom (Once or twice a year)
5. Never
Which resources could the library offer more of to help you homeschool?
1. Specific books
2. Audiobooks
3. Educational videos
4. Educational board games
5. Math manipulative kits
6. Maps
7. Online resources
8. Posters
9. Magazines
10. Scientific materials such as microscopes, scales, telescopes, etc.
11. Other (please specify): ______________________________________
Which curriculum areas do you feel the library should target for additional resources? (Please circle top three)
1. Science
2. Math
3. Technology
4. Engineering
5. Reading
6. Writing
7. Social Studies (Geography)
8. History
9. World Languages
10. Fine Arts
11. Civic Education & Democracy
12. Physical Education
13. Other (please specify): _______________________________________
At this time where do you obtain the majority of your resources for homeschooling?
1. Purchase
2. Borrow from other homeschool families
3. The library
4. Other (please specify): _____________________________________
Are there specific materials you would like to see in the library’s collection? If so, please give as much detail as possible (book titles, name of magazine, name of game, etc.):
Are there specific programs or events you would like to see offered at the library?
What did you think about tonight’s Homeschool Family Night?
1. It exceeded my expectations
2. It met my expectations
3. It did not meet my expectations
4. I didn’t know what to expect
Would you attend another Homeschool Family Night? If so, what topics or information would you like to learn next time?
Would you like to receive information from the library about resources or events for homeschool students and families? If so, please leave your email address below.