Winter Reading Challenge 2023

December 11 - January 27

Join OC Public Libraries this winter for reading and fun! Read books and complete challenges to earn badges, register online at ocpl.beanstack.org. Preregistration begins on December 1.

Visit your local branch for special winter programming, crafts, movies, performers, storytimes, weekly scavenger hunts and more!

Winter Reading Program Flyers

Tuesday, December 12
5:00pm - 7:00pm

5:00pm
Mariachi Panteras

6:00pm
Author Mirelle Ortega

Mirelle Ortega is an award-winning Mexican artist and writer for kidlit and animation based in Los Angeles, California. She is the author-illustrator of RIVER OF MARIPOSAS and MAGIC: ONCE UPON A FARAWAY LAND, for which she received a 2023 Pura Belpré Award Honor for illustration and an International Latino Book Awards medal.

Crafts, refreshments and book giveaways will be available while supplies last.

No registration required.

For more information, call 562-694-0078 or email ocpl.lahabra@occr.ocgov.com

La Habra Library
221 East La Habra Blvd.
La Habra, CA 90631

Winter Greeting Card

Tuesday, December 12 @ 11:00am

Stop by to decorate cards with winter mittens. Send your season's greetings to a friend or family member!

Costa Mesa Mesa Verde Library
2969 Mesa Verde Drive
Costa Mesa, CA 92626

DIY Gift Wrap

Tuesday, December 12 @ 4:00pm

Join us at the library to create your very own unique gift wrap to use this holiday season!

Brea Library
1 Civic Center Circle
Brea, CA 92821

Reindeer Romp

Wednesday, December 13 @ 3:30pm

Families of all ages are invited to play reindeer games and create winter themed crafts. All supplies provided.

Ladera Ranch Library
29551 Sienna Parkway
Ladera Ranch, CA 92694

Baubles Hot Chocolate

Wednesday, December 13 @ 4:00pm

Warm up with some hot chocolate while making holiday ornaments. Make one as a gift or add it to your collection! Teen program, registration required.

Brea Library
1 Civic Center Circle
Brea, CA 92821

Winter Craft

Wednesday, December 13 @ 4:00pm

Get ready to unleash your artistic side and create beautiful winter-themed crafts. Don't miss out on this opportunity to make unique decorations and gifts for the holiday season!

Laguna Niguel Library
30341 Crown Valley Pkwy
Laguna Niguel, CA 92677

Teen Winter Craft Workshop

Thursday, December 14 @ 4:00pm

Embrace the magic of the season as we dive into a world of creativity and imagination. This event is designed for teenagers who love to express themselves through art and crafts.

Laguna Niguel Library
30341 Crown Valley Pkwy
Laguna Niguel, CA 92677

Cozy Winter Crafts

Sunday, December 17 @ 11:00am

Join us for a fun medley of winter crafts to celebrate the coming winter season!

Irvine University Park Library
4512 Sandburg Way
Irvine, CA 92612

DIY Gingerbread Body Scrub

Monday, December 18 @ 11:00am

Learn how to make your own seasonally scented batch of exfoliating gingerbread body scrub designed to invigorate your senses! Adult program.

Stanton Library
7850 Katella Avenue
Stanton, CA 90680

Ornament Decorating

Monday, December 18 @ 3:00pm

Families are welcome to decorate their very own ornament!

Irvine Katie Wheeler Library
13109 Old Myford Road
Irvine, CA 92602

Dough Man

Tuesday, December 19 @ 11:00am

Roll in for piles of playdough fun! Make a new best friend out of taste-safe “snow ” dough and be sure to accessorize them for some winter fun.

Stanton Library
7850 Katella Avenue
Stanton, CA 90680

Yalda Craft

Wednesday, December 20 @ 5:00pm

Create fun pomegranate and watermelon crafts to celebrate the longest night of the year.

Irvine University Park Library
4512 Sandburg Way
Irvine, CA 92612

Winter Wreath

Thursday, December 21 @ 11:00am

Join us and learn to make festive winter wreaths. Adult program, registration required.

San Juan Capistrano Library
31495 El Camino Real
San Juan Capistrano, CA 92675

Sparkly Dance Party Crafts

Thursday, December 21 @ 4:00pm

Dance and craft the afternoon away at the library!

Laguna Beach Library
363 Glenneyre Street
Laguna Beach, CA 92651

Cocoa Craft

Tuesday, December 26 & Wednesday, December 27 @ 11:00am

Sip on hot cocoa and listen to wintry tunes while you color, cut, and decorate a paper town to take home.

Cypress Library
5331 Orange Avenue
Cypress, CA 90630

Crafty Winter Animals

Thursday, December 28 @ 10:30am

Join us as children make their own winter animal paper chain. Foxes, penguins, and polar bears will bring good cheer to a cold winter day!

Costa Mesa Donald Dungan Library
1855 Park Avenue
Costa Mesa, CA 92627

Crocheted Winter Trees

Thursday, December 28 @ 11:00am

Crochet a tree in minutes, this is a perfect project for beginners. Adult program.

Cypress Library
5331 Orange Avenue
Cypress, CA 90630

Waterless Snow Globes

Thursday, January 4 @ 11:00am

Learn how to make a snow globe, no water needed! Adult program.

Cypress Library
5331 Orange Avenue
Cypress, CA 90630

Winter Snowflakes

Tuesday, January 9 @ 4:00pm

Winter is here! Join us in learning how to make snowflakes out of paper bags and be as creative as you can be!

Fountain Valley Library
17635 Los Alamos
Fountain Valley, CA 92708

Newspaper Polar Bear

Saturday, January 27 @ 11:00am

Join us for a fun and sustainable craft and make a polar bear out of recycled newspapers!

San Juan Capistrano Library
31495 El Camino Real
San Juan Capistrano, CA 92675

Molly of Denali (PBS Kids)

Saturday, December 23 @ 11:00am

Cypress Library
5331 Orange Avenue
Cypress, CA 90630

How the Grinch Stole Christmas (PG)

Thursday, December 28 @ 4:00pm

Fountain Valley Library
17635 Los Alamos
Fountain Valley, CA 92708

Frozen (PG)

Thursday, January 4 @ 2:00pm

Fountain Valley Library
17635 Los Alamos
Fountain Valley, CA 92708

Molly of Denali (PBS Kids)

Wednesday, January 17 @ 11:00am

Tustin Library
345 E. Main Street
Tustin, CA 92780

Molly of Denali (PBS Kids)

Saturday, January 27 @ 2:00pm

Rancho Santa Margarita Library
30902 La Promesa
Rancho Santa Margarita, CA 92688

Mariachi Panteras

Thursday, December 14 @ 5:30pm

Come listen to the beautiful sounds of mariachi with Mariachi Panteras! Mariachi Panteras is a student-led ensemble dedicated to the performance of traditional Mexican music.

Tustin Library
345 E. Main Street
Tustin, CA 92780

Brettso the Great

Saturday, December 16 @ 11:00am

Celebrate the library’s 40th anniversary! Enjoy a holiday themed magic show with Brettso the Great, gingerbread house decorating contest, and more!

San Juan Capistrano Library
31495 El Camino Real
San Juan Capistrano, CA 92675

Storybook Family Playhouse

Tuesday, December 19 @ 10:30am

Bring your little one to this interactive children’s theater performance, celebrating the magic of winter, books, and bubbles!

Cypress Library
5331 Orange Avenue
Cypress, CA 90630

Kids Imagine Nation

Sunday, December 31 @ 11:00am

Come sing, dance, and laugh with us during this high energy show.

Cypress Library
5331 Orange Avenue
Cypress, CA 90630

Gingerbread House Decorating

Tuesday, December 12 @ 11:00am & 4:00pm

Design and decorate your own ”gingerbread” house at the library! Graham crackers will be used in place of gingerbread.

Stanton Library
7850 Katella Avenue
Stanton, CA 90680

Cookie Decorating

Tuesday, December 12 @ 4:00pm

Go crazy for cookies! Join us in decorating sugar or ginger cookies for the holiday season!

Fountain Valley Library
17635 Los Alamos
Fountain Valley, CA 92708

Reindeer Cocoa Cones

Tuesday, December 12 @ 4:00pm

Make and take reindeer cocoa cones to give as a gift or treat yourself. Program intended for teens and older kids.

Ladera Ranch Library
29551 Sienna Parkway
Ladera Ranch, CA 92694

Jingle Mingle Open House

Wednesday, December 13 @ 4:00pm

Join us for a free, family-friendly event as we celebrate the closing of the year with music, crafts, refreshments, and winter warmth for all ages!

Rancho Santa Margarita Library
30902 La Promesa
Rancho Santa Margarita, CA 92688

Gingerbread House Decorating

Thursday, December 14 @ 4:00pm

Join the fun in creating and decorating your own gingerbread house at the library!

Laguna Beach Library
363 Glenneyre Street
Laguna Beach, CA 92651

Winter Wonderland Scavenger Hunt

Friday, December 15 & Saturday, December 16 @ All Day

Stop by for a winter wonderland scavenger hunt! Drop in any time and pick up your supplies at the service desk.

El Toro Library
24672 Raymond Way
Lake Forest, CA 92630

Teen Winter Fest

Monday, December 18 @ 4:30pm

Teens, join us for a holiday winter fest! There will be cookie decorating, hot cocoa, and crafting!

Rancho Santa Margarita Library
30902 La Promesa
Rancho Santa Margarita, CA 92688

Exploding Snowman – STEAM Activity

Tuesday, December 19 @ 4:00pm

Celebrate the shortest day of the year with a wintery science experiment.

El Toro Library
24672 Raymond Way
Lake Forest, CA 92630

Winter Wonder STEAM

Tuesday, December 19 @ 4:00pm

Join us for an unforgettable journey into the world of STEAM, where imagination meets innovation and winter wonders come to life!

Laguna Niguel Library
30341 Crown Valley Pkwy
Laguna Niguel, CA 92677

Gingerbread House Decorating

Thursday, December 21 @ 3:30pm

Let your imagination run wild in our new maker space! Students will make their own gingerbread houses to take home. Space is limited.

Costa Mesa Donald Dungan Library
1855 Park Avenue
Costa Mesa, CA 92627

Teen Gingerbread House Competition

Thursday, December 21 @ 5:00pm

It’s sugar and spice and everything nice! Compete with your friends for bragging rights and prizes. Plus, you get to eat your designs at the end!

Fountain Valley Library
17635 Los Alamos
Fountain Valley, CA 92708

Winter Cookie Houses

Friday, December 22 @ 3:00pm

Let your creativity flow as you create a sweet house out of graham crackers, candies and icing! Registration required.

Brea Library
1 Civic Center Circle
Brea, CA 92821

Early Noon Year’s Eve Party

Thursday, December 28 @ 11:00am

Celebrate the end of the year and the beginning of a new one with crafts, a balloon drop, and other fun activities!

Irvine University Park Library
4512 Sandburg Way
Irvine, CA 92612

Noon Year's Eve Celebration

Saturday, December 30 @ 11:00am

Practice ringing in the New Year at the library with fun activities and crafts!

Brea Library
1 Civic Center Circle
Brea, CA 92821

Modeling Clay Winter Challenge

Saturday, January 13 @ 11:00am

Join us for a modeling clay challenge, design and create a winter masterpiece!

San Juan Capistrano Library
31495 El Camino Real
San Juan Capistrano, CA 92675

Arctic Animals – STEAM Activity

Monday, January 22 @ 4:00pm

Join us as we explore how and why animals, like polar bears, stay warm in wintry weather. Suggested for children ages 5-12.

Stanton Library
7850 Katella Avenue
Stanton, CA 90680

Winter Acrylic Painting

Wednesday, January 24 @ 4:00pm

Join us in this painting workshop where you’ll learn to paint a winter lake with a paintbrush and tools that you can use at home. Registration required.

Fountain Valley Library
17635 Los Alamos
Fountain Valley, CA 92708

Winter Solstice Bilingual Storytime Craft

Monday, December 18 @ 5:30pm

Celebrate Yalda (winter solstice) with a bilingual English/Persian storytime, crafts, and snacks for the whole family to enjoy!

San Juan Capistrano Library
31495 El Camino Real
San Juan Capistrano, CA 92675

Gingerbread Storytime

Tuesday, December 19 @ 11:30am

Join us for this holiday storytime and stay to decorate gingerbread - well, graham cracker - houses.

Library of the Canyons
7531 E. Santiago Canyon Road
Silverado, CA 92676

Winter Storytime

Tuesday, December 19 @ 4:00pm

Join us for a magical journey into the world of stories and imagination, with a special holiday/winter theme.

Laguna Niguel Library
30341 Crown Valley Pkwy
Laguna Niguel, CA 92677

December 11 - January 27

Join OC Public Libraries this winter for reading and fun! Read books and complete challenges to earn badges, register online at ocpl.beanstack.org. Preregistration begins on December 1.

Visit your local branch for special winter programming, crafts, movies, performers, storytimes, weekly scavenger hunts and more!

Winter Reading Program Flyers

Kick-Off Event

Tuesday, December 12 5:00pm - 7:00pm

Crafts

Winter Greeting Card

DIY Gift Wrap

Reindeer Romp

Baubles Hot Chocolate

Winter Craft

Teen Winter Craft Workshop

Cozy Winter Crafts

DIY Gingerbread Body Scrub

Ornament Decorating

Dough Man

Yalda Craft

Winter Wreath

Sparkly Dance Party Crafts

Cocoa Craft

Crafty Winter Animals

Crocheted Winter Trees

Waterless Snow Globes

Winter Snowflakes

Newspaper Polar Bear

Movies

Molly of Denali (PBS Kids)

How the Grinch Stole Christmas (PG)

Frozen (PG)

Molly of Denali (PBS Kids)

Molly of Denali (PBS Kids)

Performers

Mariachi Panteras

Brettso the Great

Storybook Family Playhouse

Kids Imagine Nation

Programs

Gingerbread House Decorating

Cookie Decorating

Reindeer Cocoa Cones

Jingle Mingle Open House

Gingerbread House Decorating

Winter Wonderland Scavenger Hunt

Teen Winter Fest

Exploding Snowman – STEAM Activity

Winter Wonder STEAM

Gingerbread House Decorating

Teen Gingerbread House Competition

Winter Cookie Houses

Early Noon Year’s Eve Party

Noon Year's Eve Celebration

Modeling Clay Winter Challenge

Arctic Animals – STEAM Activity

Winter Acrylic Painting

Storytimes

Winter Solstice Bilingual Storytime Craft

Gingerbread Storytime

Winter Storytime

Tuesday, December 12
5:00pm - 7:00pm